Nashville Food Blog

Looking ahead, who's planning on a big St. Patrick's Day? Maybe the Get Lucky East St. Pat's pub crawl?

Ready for the next Nashville Originals discounted gift certificate sale? It's March 24 -- start planning.

Even further ahead, who wants to visit Martin's Barbecue the first week of April to be part of the crowd when "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" comes calling? D,D and D contacted Bites on the super-huge snow day, first ticking off Carrington so much with their TV arrogance that she handed them off to me.

It was an interesting call -- while I was on the phone, the rock band that lives down the street made their first-ever daylight appearance in the neighborhood, wearing cowboy boots and jeans, and toting glasses of bourbon. Ice + cowboy boots + bourbon = bad example for the neighborhood kids but very amusing to watch.

Anyway, I handed off the phone to the rock band to chat with the production assistant. They made pathetic suggestions for the must-visit places for D,D and D's segment on Nashville. I added a few -- Phat Bites, Bobbie's, Pie Wagon, Bolton's, Sylvan Park, Mayo's and Mahalia Jackson's. So besides Martin's, we'll see who else ends up on the air. If you're one of them, let Bites know.

It's the day after the day that's a sentence: March Fourth, as Family Wash pointed out in a tweet. So does that mean tonight at happy hour we're destined to down a March Fifth?

Photo by Denny Adcock; thanks to Bobbie's Dairy Dip on Facebook

​It's also three days after another momentous date: 3-2-1-0. As in "blast off." Won't happen again until 4-3-2-1.

Nashvillest is counting on warm weather in the coming days and planning a Bobbie's Dairy Dip lunch visit in honor of its seasonal reopening. There's already some bustle going on inside, a quick drive past revealed.

Also hanging out seasonal "Open for Business" signs and counting on warm days are Mas Tacos (could have cried when their "see you next year" tweet arrived in January), Jolly Rogue snowballs, and I Dream of Weenie.

What's got your hopes up this week?

​Long before Ru-San's had opened Nashville and Charlotte, N.C., branches, it was a popular sushi spot in Atlanta, where I ordered the Hot Moon, a clam sushi. In 1991, it was about as strange a dish as you could find, and unexpectedly delicious.

On a Bites trip to Hanabi sushi in Brentwood over Valentine's weekend, the table was tickled by the above creative sushi creation. Also strange and strangely delicious, if not sushi, strictly speaking. It set the tone for a fun dinner out, and made us wonder what other sushi experiments are out there that we might be trying?

Besides sushi, what expanded your culinary horizons this week? The weekly open thread is your place for questions, answers, advice and comment.

I don't have a dog in the Superbowl fight, and don't really care who wins. I'm just using it as an excuse to buy Fritos and Cheetos. Fritos for scooping chili, Cheetos for enjoying for their own, pure cheesy crunch.

Photo thanks to ethidiumbromide.blogspot.com

​Does anyone really try all those "Superbowl menu" ideas in the cooking magazines? Football-shaped cakes and Pigskin Pizzas and such? I remember on menu with a lentil soup recipe -- lentil soup for company, really? Or do you depend on the tried-and-true chili, Rotel dip and subs?

The post earlier this week about kids and nutrition inspired Whole Foods peppy public affairs person Brittany Conner to throw WF's considerable support behind the effort. She joins the ranks of concerned individuals, companies and parents nationwide, including First Mom. Manna-Food Security Partners have joined the effort, too.

Bacon & Caviar is gladdening hearts in Melrose. So much good stuff happening in that neighborhood, which has waited a long time for an artisanal eatery movement to call its own.

And finally, Heinz redesigned its ketchup packet. Easier to dip, and holds three times more. Not sure whether that's a good thing or a bad thing.

If it snows eight inches, maybe we can get a spot at Smiling Elephant, sure to be in demand after Carrington's glowing review.

With a fond farewell, we bid goodbye to Zola. It's a lucky place -- or person -- who landed the plates from the online auction of Zola's worldly possessions. Step forward, bidder, and make yourself known!

Also this week, a good meal surely rewarded those who took advantage of prix fixe at Tin Angel.

Finally, if you're in love, or want to be, or just looking to get lucky, now is a good time to start making Valentine's Day reservations for dinner. Where is everyone going? And restaurant owners, how are the books looking for that night?

Not to worry if you haven't yet caught the prix fixe $20.10 menus during Nashville Originals -- there are still a couple of days.

​So many great places, it's hard to choose. But here's one that caught my eye: Your $20.10 buys lunch for two at the Pineapple Room and gate admission this weekend.

This week we debated burgers on 12South, knives, eating habits, reheating pizza and a book on beverages. Our coupon thread even attracted a crazy coupon lady.

Was there something you wanted to say, but didn't get the chance?

Loaded with tofu and seasoned with nutritional yeast, Tiger Food -- a '70s health food holdover revived from the old Slice of Life restaurant on Division Street -- does seem like the unlikeliest fond food memory. But that's the power of cheese and tamari.

Viking's cooking classes got more cheers than jeers -- if you missed the discussion, go add your two cents' worth.

Chris' post on the bibulous trends of the past 10 years brought out the fruit-flavored, Red Bull rants in some readers, while Carrington has culinary deep thoughts in her post, wondering whether local food favorites would make better partners for wine than could-be-anywhere bar food. Do Nashville bars need more sliders? Why not Tennessee ham on yeast rolls?
The tribe has spoken on Cutco knives, too.

Image from ehow.com

​The weeks of festive food and overflowing drink are reaching their peak as the days are growing ever-so-slightly longer. Symbolic foods like rich cookies, steak and Sister Schubert rolls, sumptuous cheese trays, green bean casserole make their yearly appearance. Or was something more unusual on the plates and platters where you are? Did a new food, dish or tradition strike your fancy? Or were you and yours comforted by old favorites?

For Bites readers in the business of restaurants and food sales, have the holidays been what you expected or hoped for? Did the crowds arrive, wallets open and hearts generous?

And did anyone spot bourbon balls this year?

​Chicken and music on Music Row -- will the patrons be locals or tourists? Did anyone attend the opening night?

Speaking of animal-name restaurants, some of you loved The Wild Cow on early visits. Keep the reports coming.

New Year's Eve is the year's most difficult social occasion -- too tired to party, and too broke. I may stay home and watch a movie. Somewhere, fun people will be doing fun things, and Bites people are always where the fun is. Tell Bites where you'lll be on Dec. 31.

Our weekly open thread is the place to comment on these and bring up other topics on your mind. And keep those ideas coming for local food and dining gift ideas.

You've heard about the nationwide shortage of Eggo waffles? One plant shut down for repair, the other shut down by Georgia's floods. Sounds like an entrepreneurial opportunity for waffle shops everywhere.

Speaking of food entrepreneurs, the holidays are critical to small manufacturers of luxury food gifts -- what local and non-local goodies are on our gift giving list? Nashville Toffee Co.? Cocoa Tree? Provence truffles?

Has anyone spotted the first fruitcake of the season? And who should be the next favorite restaurant to offer a Groupon?

Not really. And why are they called Eggos anyway?

Steak costs a fortune, or does it have to? Give a working guy a tip: where is the good value in steak?
The difference in art and science is dissolving, so it's hard to know whether guacamole is an art or a science. Perhaps professionals can help.
Guacamole calls for chips, and chips call for drinks: homemade cordials are easy to make but it may take a professional to make it right.
Morale of the story: whatever the question, Bites readers have an answer.

Open Thread comments usually stick close to our favorite topics: restaurants. But in honor of Thanksgiving, the least commercial of American holidays (well, besides Columbus Day and Arbor Day), we'll take on home cooking, in-laws and travel arrangements.

I'll start. This was the first Thanksgiving ever that I was assigned a dish. And it was deviled eggs. I have a near-Hitchcockian loathing for boiled eggs. Loathsome, stinky, slippery, rubbery. We boiled 18 of them and the house smelled like the diaper pail. The whole effort was saved by a recipe from Being Dead is No Excuse: mix the yolks with homemade mayo, anchovy paste, minced onion, freshly ground mustard seed and dill mustard, plus capers for the top.

Thank you. That's all for me.

You probably have a Thanksgiving story, maybe better than boiled eggs. Certainly better than the reader who called last night with a desperate request for ideas on where to eat local on Thanksgiving.

What's your Thanksgiving story?

People leaving town. Restaurants arriving.

Did Chris Chamberlain speak for you when he said that margaritas make the meal, or make up for it, at many a Mexican place?

Have you dropped by Flyte recently? Carrington Fox did, and found grilled figs with rosemary ice cream, among other earthly delights.
And if you're one of the popular kids, you're hoping to go to the Guy Fieri Road Show.

*Not really proven, but might be true.

Anyone been to Brio Bistro -- did Carrington call it like you saw it?
As long as I've been admiring and imbibing Kermit Lynch's wines, I could be his biggest fan. Did his appearance at the Basement prove he's a multi-talented man? Some guys have all the luck.

And who doesn't wish to be sitting down to good eats in Paris?

Pull up a chair and tell Bites how it went when you tried open a bottle of wine with your shoe? That guy in the video looks pretty professional -- did he make it look easier than it really is?

Hot chicken -- is Williamson County too lame for it? Explain your answer and give examples.

What'd you think of the $47,000 lunch bill (before the $12,000 tip)? Were you inspired by this touching success story? Did it make yout think, "Gosh, if I just worked a little harder...." Were you left shaking your head? Did you count both the guests and the bottles of wine and wonder how they all got home? I mean, both the guests and the bottles?

You look great in that outfit -- going somewhere nice?  Did you stumble across a great find you can tell about?

Maybe you read something funny or edifying on the Innernetz that you just have to share. Maybe you want to talk TV food -- we got that game, too.

Did you offer up your favorite brothy soup recommendation to the ailing Carrington Fox? Was this the weekend you tried the new Yazoo beer? Did your grocery buying include any exotic fruits? Does vegetarianism strike a chord in you?

Our open thread invites your raves, rants, vents or testimony. Pass along rumors, ask questions or answer them. But please remember to tip your server.

Do you mourn the announcement that Gourmet magazine will stop publishing? Or was it time for that mid-century gourmand to retire?

Did you get to Zavos to help with the revival of one of East Nashville's favorite eatin' places? McCormick's Flavor Forecast predicted this would be the year of beet-and-tarragon dishes, which would have been okay with Carrington. And true enough, there sure were a lot of beets around this year. But pumpkin seed and garam masala? Cayenne and cherry?

I plan to buy baked goods at the Oktoberfest/Germantown Street Festival then look for the Bolton's booth at the Southern Festival. What's your weekend food plan?

It turns out that Bites is a salad bowl, not a melting pot. And we're all the little vegetables and stuff. I'm a crouton, you're a craisin, he's a bacon bit, she's a carrot.

Speaking of salad bars and all-you-can-eat, the quest is still on for the worst, and the best, Chinese food in the Midstate, and contenders are coming out of the woodwork.

Carrington's planning a big chocolate baking session with the new Fine Cooking chocolate cookbook, edited in part by one-time Nashvillian Lisa Benavides Waddle. Meanwhile, Chris is shaking his phone to find new places to eat and ending up back where he started. Donut Den boosted the stock of restaurants with weird old signs. Nashville Originals recruited some new eateries into the growing ranks. Olive & Sinclair Chocolate opened in Riverside Village. Go Locals!
What's on your plate today, and this weekend? Coming to the Bites meetup Monday at Rumba?

Is something on your mind? Or were you just thinking about what you eat when you get to your destination?

We heard this week that Thai Spice in CoolSprings served its last meals a week or so ago. Owner Tong Prasertsinh tells Bites he's given over running Thai Spice to someone new, who may take over seamlessly and operate the same eatery, or may go in a different direction. Watch the space and, as always, report back to Bites if you get there first.
Did you go anywhere for Great American Dine Out? Excited about Taco Mamacita? Break loose with it and share the love.

Now that there's no airline food, is airport food any better? Carrington Fox just can't make up her mind:

The cheesesteak was oddly good, hot as hell--both temperature- and jalapeno-wise--and the fries were laudably crisp and light. The mojito came with fresh mint and a stalk of sugar cane, though with little evidence of actual booze in the concoction.

Have you seen an unfortunate piece of restaurant marketing? Chris Chamberlain has.

Speaking of media exposure, City House and eight other local businesses got the nod from the styley New York Times Style Guide, online at least, but we can't help but think of other places that might have been included.


Have you been to  Manna, the Korean place at 12th and Charlotte? Bought Corsair Pumpkin Spice hooch? If you've eaten a particularly good creme-fllled doughnut or any of the above, this is the place to dish.

Las Paletas at La Hacienda brings together two great Central American experiences into one locale. West Nashville Farmers' Market was an idea whose time finally arrived.

Electric skillet owners had a playdate, where SL spoke for the multitudes: "I love my black skillets like everyone else, but fried chicken is the sole reason I still have my electric skillet." Suzy Wong is ready for her star turn. Just ask Elizabeth Scokin.

Suzy Wong's is definitely my new favorite restaurant and will be fun to take out-of-town guests to--the decor is Suzy Wong Fabulous and so are the waitstaff.You want to reserve the red banquet when you make a reservation...it is definitely the hot spot..seats 6. Arnold Mynt's, Suzy Wong's House of Yum is the new see and be seen scene in Nashville! Crazy good!

Dining tips for Toronto, reports on cooking classes around town, and the first-ever update on the Dollar General lunchroom--you missed out if you stayed silent during our weekly open thread last Friday. It's that time again, so please share whatever you've been doing (and eating). Tried any new restaurants or recipes? Heard any good food dirt? Here's where to spill.

Here's Beth last week tipping us to a new place:

Discovered a hole in the wall taco shop just past downtown Franklin on Columbia Ave this week--Oscar's Taco Shop. Great carne asada and shrimp tacos for just a little over $2 each. Their fresh made tortilla chips are perfectly thin and crispy too, and came to the table still warm. They are opening a location in Cool Springs in early October, which is great for me since that's where my office is.

Ours too, practically. If you've got tips, news, gossip, etc. to pass along in private, write cfox (at) nashvillescene (dot) com.

Great experiences at Tom's Elite and the new Judge Bean's, disappointment at Watermark and Shintomi--so you told us on last week's Bites open thread, where you gather to sound off every Friday about the good, the bad and the ugly in your week of dining. Been someplace interesting? Found something lacking? Spill it here.

Here's frequent poster Bas, sharing a sentiment echoed by many Bites commenters (including music legend Ed King):

El Mirador is by far the best Mexican in Nashville...no questions about it. Homemade corn tortillas that will make you fall in love with the women in the back making them.

The small plate of beans and cabbage/tomato/carrot salad in lime juice is spectacular..so many different textures & tastes in one.

I've been 3 times and it seems like the food is getting better...

We suspect you'll hear more soon about El Mirador. In the meantime, if you have tips or info to pass along in private, write cfox (at) nashvillescene (dot) com.

A whole lot of talk about Julie & Julia, and a little about the stromboli at Mama Mia's on Trousdale--that's what you found if you tuned in to last Friday's weekly open thread. What's on your mind this week? Done any dining out? Prepared anything unusual? Read anything interesting? Please share.

Here's Barbara Please on her latest favorite find:

Finally made it to Gabby's today, with my sister. Loved the adventure of going past the road-closed signs, loved the confusion once inside (their signage doesn't really tell you how to do it, even though they think it does) and really really loved the cheeseburger. I love a burger dive and Nashville falls woefully short when it comes to them. But Gabby's I can get behind.

Love the idea of sweet potato fries, but they don't have the crunchy-outside, fluffy-inside quality of the regular kind. It's not Gabby's fault; it's the sweet potato. Overall, though, I can give it the highest dive compliment: I'd take my Dad.

Take me too! In the meantime, if you've got an item you'd like to pass along in private, email cfox (at) nashvillescene (dot) com.

First bites at the new Judge Bean's in Brentwood, second thoughts about the Golden Eagle in Lenox Village, kosher-salt-and-fresh-cracked-pepper chocolate bars from Olive & Sinclair--all that and more was on tap in last week's Bites open thread. What's on your mind this week? New restaurants? Idle chatter? Curious experiences? Questions? The floor is open to you.

On last week's thread, some idiot wrote:

Hey, so am I the only person who was pleasantly surprised by Julie & Julia? I expected slow torture, and instead found it pretty delightful. Even the Amy Adams sections weren't as dire as I expected--although blogging may be the least cinematic occupation going--and the luminous goofiness of Streep's performance kept it from becoming a Great Lady of the Screen endurance test.

I also liked that the last shot with Stanley Tucci (who's wonderful in the movie) was something of a reprise of the end of Big Night: a wordless affirmation of life's pleasures and the bonds of affection. (Shame about that freeze-frame, though--if ever an occasion called for an iris, to hone in on just the two of them, that's it.)

Anyone else see this movie, or actually cook any of those dishes? If so, spill. In the meantime, if you've got comments, questions, tips, gossip, etc. that you want to send us privately, write cfox (at) nashvillescene (dot) com.

From the spectacular success of Le Creuset's cooking event to the purple sweet potatoes at Whole Foods, the hive was a-buzzin' last week in Bites' weekly open thread, where you share whatever's on your mind and what you've been doing for the past week. Had any great meals (or not-so-great meals)? Made any new discoveries? Got something you simply have to get off your chest? Here's the place to share, vent or unload.

Here's a nice tip from Sally last week about a cool new place:

We tried out the new Mongolian stir-fry, Golden Eagle, in Lenox Village last night. It just opened last week, but already had a pretty good crowd at 7pm on a Thursday. It's $9.99 for a bowl and about $14 for "hole in the bowl" (all you can eat). It was really good and had quite a selection of fresh meats and seafood, as well as veggies. There were at least 6 different spices and about 8 different sauces. They don't have beer/liquor licenses yet, but they are working on it. I'd definitely go back when I'm in the area. If you're looking for it, turn into Lenox after the light on Porterhouse.

Sally, don't you know we can't find a place unless you use a Mapco or McDonald's as a landmark? In the meantime, if you have something to pass along in private--news, gossip, tips, complaints, etc.--email cfox (at) nashvillescene (dot) com.

Ribs from Tom's Elite Carry-Out, pad Thai from Pad Thai Kitchen, turkey tenderloin filets wrapped in bacon from Sam's Club, wine tasting at The Standard--all that and more was served up last week on our regular open thread. What's on your mind this week? Will it be a dish, a restaurant, a drink, a bizarre anecdote? Surprise us.

Here's Sally from last week's thread, checking out a midtown hot spot:

On another note, I went to Lime on Saturday night. Not my choice, I usually avoid uber-trendy spots like that and hadn't heard anything good from coworkers. It was actually really good. It was pricey and it is a little slow to get your food, but the drinks, food, and dessert were great, and the service was friendly too! One of my dinner partners got the prime rib (or was it ribeye?) and said it was the best he had ever had. It was a pleasant surprise and definitely made up for the Brewers' Fest lacking food options.

You mean there weren't even pickled eggs? In the meantime, if there's anything you want to pass along off-list, contact cfox (at) nashvillescene (dot) com.

New hot chicken, new burrito joint, new Vietnamese--and you heard it here first if you showed up for last week's Bites open thread, where you provide the topics of conversation. Tried out a new restaurant? Want to recommend an old favorite (or warn people away)? Found anything interesting on your grocery excursions? Spill it here.

When someone asked last week for a review of the brunch at Grassland's Daily Dish, a reader posting as "daily dish, yum" answered back in about 20 minutes:

Daily Dish is great. Owned by the former chef (I think) at Copper Kettle. You'll notice a lot of similarities between the brunch at Copper Kettle and the brunch at Daily Dish, but I think it's easier to get a seat at Daily Dish. Perfect for folks who live in that area. It's about $15-17 for brunch as I remember, and it's a buffet with all the usual over-the-top stuff (cheesy grits! eggs benedict! sausage! bacon! gravy! buttery biscuits! cheese selections! cold salads!) and a carving station...you will leave in a massive food coma.

So drink lots of coffee. And remember: if you have tips, news, gossip or other items you'd like to pass along in private, email cfox (at) nashvillescene (dot) com.

What is a sonker? Who has a new kiosk in Opry Mills? Why was At the Table closed for a few days? You know the answers to these questions and more if you chimed in on last week's Bites open thread. Once again, it's time for you to fill this space with anything that's on your mind--recipes, restaurant visits, tips, questions--and we'll do our best to respond.

Here's our own CFox from last week, passing along a cherished Southern baking tradition:

I'm devoted to the classic cuppa-cuppa-cup recipe, as my grandmother called it. 1 cup flour, 1 cup, sugar, 1 cup milk, dash of baking powder, splash of vanilla and a melted stick of butter. Mix it all up, pour into greased Pyrex square, then dump 2 cups of fruit (fresh peaches or blackberries are best) on top. Do not stir. Cover with another cup of sugar. Bake for 45 minutes. Serve hot with vanilla ice cream. C'mon over.

I'm already there, with spoon in hand. And while I'm busy, if you've got tips, news, gossip and other info you'd like to pass along in private, email cfox (at) nashvillescene (dot) com.