Fill up with food, forget gas

While Miel Restaurant deserves an introspective dive, a real review chocked full of details regarding fresh, local (and some really good ones flown in) ingredients, meats and produce, I just don't have the time. The short is we are losing good restaurants around these parts (people, stop the economic mass hysteria!) While our checkbooks might not seem "fundamentally sound" today, there is still the c'est la vie American attitude when it comes to filling stomachs. We think nothing of picking up a beeper at Cheesecake Factory but pout at a 10 minute gas line...

I digress. Seriously, eating is where we Americans do splurge. Walk on down (as we did) or travel via bus on Charlotte (remember, conserve gas, walk off food) to Miel. Their delectable ribeye topped with ox tail demi-glace, steak fries with mashed potatoes and spinach flan is worth energy conservation. We tried the duck foie gras (ok, I'm not running back for it, but LOVED the pairing with peaches.) Yancy's duck was savory and unlike most orange sauces paired with the bird, this one was not overbearing. Lastly we sipped French press coffee and bittersweet chocolate mousse. The owner, Seema and the manager, Jolly, oversee the wine list which they boasted about tasting and selecting each one personally. They seem to really take pride in their brand new digs (comfortable, large, open kitchen). Seema's husband is at the helm in the back. The menu changes twice weekly to accommodate changes in seasons, shipments and available stock.

So it may be Friday or Saturday when you are reading this so remember...

KEEP EATING OUT, NASHVILLE!

Featured site:
www.mielrestaurant.com
298-3663
343 53rd Avenue North

Italian Makeover

I am a sucker for Italian.  In a previous post I praised the Italian Market off 51st Avenue.  I was pleasantly surprised last night when I walked in the Italian Market and found out Cafe Coco purchased the place and is renovating, expanding the dining area and enlarging the menu.  The good food / good price with hipster appeal of Cafe Coco should attract Sylvan Parkers and foodies alike.  

Yancy and I ordered take out and were pleased with the large (lunch) portion of chicken parmesan.  Lots of marinara for both the chicken and pasta (they paired it with fettuccine even though it states spaghetti).  However, the crispy but tender chicken coupled with lots of baked cheese was a winner.  We devoured the antipasto salad loaded with olives, ham, pepperoni and artichokes - it's so large you could easily eat as an entree or lunch meal.

They still create many desserts in-house.  We sampled the tiramisu and were not disappointed.  The moist lady fingers and generous sprinkling of coco on top was a perfect finish to our meal.  I'm looking forward to their outdoor seating area (under construction soon) out front.  Their expanded digs inside make it feel more "dine-in restaurant-y."  Cafe Coco and all you attract - glad to have you in the neighborhood.  Thanks for an affordable meal, too - tip and all it was only $25 (sharing large portions helps, too.)  So....

KEEP EATING OUT, NASHVILLE!

Featured Site:

Cafe Coco's Italian Market & Kitchen

51st Avenue North

783-0114