Dining and Lunching 'Bout Town

It was my birthday! What better way to celebrate than with several days of restaurant visiting? For me, it meant the following highlights (I'm sparing you some of the bad foods I ate...sorry, I'm only about positives this holiday season!)

• Woofed down ridiculously rich whiskey bread pudding with vanilla ice cream at Mirror




• Had a cup of Hittin'-the-spot Lemon Chicken Tarragon soup at Bronte's (inside Davis Kidd, The Mall at Green Hills). Also dig that salmon salad or their chicken pot pie.




• Am storing up for the winter by heaps of Tomato-Zucchini soup from Whole Foods




• Enjoyed Hawaiian pizza from Mafiaoza's on Saturday




• Noshed on Pork Drummy appetizer at Park Cafe...on their regular menu so why haven't I ordered earlier???

Happy holidays! When you aren't making homemade eggnog or turkey chili then I think it's time to...

KEEP EATING OUT, NASHVILLE!

Featured sites:

Mafiaoza's http://www.mafiaozas.com/

2400 12th Ave South

615.269.4646

Bronte Bistro

2121 Greenhills Village Dr Ste 2

615.385.0043

Mirror http://www.eatdrinkreflect.com/

2317 12TH AVENUE SOUTH

615.383.8330

Park Cafe http://www.parkcafenashville.com/

4403 Murphy Road

615.383.4829

Whole Foods

4021 Hillsboro Pike

615.440.5100

www.wholefoods.com

The Real Deal

Even though I rave about cheeseburgers I love a good slice of pie. My friends Jennifer and Elin are suckers for slices, too, so we headed to East Nashville. Since hearing about all the new pizza joints there we settled on Pizzereal and were not disappointed. We shared their Mezethakia which is an appetizer of Kalamata olives, plum tomatoes and red onions with a dousing of their homemade (Greek-like) dressing...more of an oil base than the traditional, vinegar-y variety. Their homemade bread was perfect for concocting little sandwiches.

After laying a base we dove into the special Spinaci pizza - loaded with mozzarella, sprinkled with just enough spinach. They also throw on pepperoni and mushrooms - it's the pie of my dreams essentially. Their dough is a perfect consistency...not too thick not too thin. It's a little oily but I like a some grease.

When I break my pie fetish I'm eager to go back for Pizzereal's shish kebobs and Greek salad. Until then...

KEEP EATING OUT, NASHVILLE!

PS - A new menu available at Agave soon...we hear the old chef is gone and a good friend of ours is guiding the ship. Hope to have yummy news to report soon. However, we noshed last week on the brisket enchiladas and enjoyed. Some of the other dishes are blah so just drink down the fantastic margaritas instead!

Featured sites:
Pizzereal
http://pizzereal.com/ (615) 226-2206
203 N 11th StreetEast Nashville, TN 37206-2702

Whole Lotta Fun

Unless you are under that rock again, you cannot miss the new Whole Foods. It is the most buzzed 'bout place right now and for good reason. While I love and will stay loyal to The Produce Place, I can't help but be lured into the big-box organic grocer/dining hall! This particular store is an upgrade from those who know it from neighboring stores in Kentucky and Atlanta. After entering the store you can wander through a well-stocked flower and produce section to the seafood and finally (gasp!) a hot-made-to-order bar! Yes, you can cozy up on a bar stool and order salmon caesar salad (ok), a burger (could make the impending tour) or crab cake sandwich. My friend, Katie, ordered fries with her chicken and ham sammie and I ended up eating half of them (just helping a bud out.) I guess you can say they were tasty (click, click, click).

Once you are thoroughly foggy from warm goodness, head over to the prepared foods section. Everyone can be happy here - you'll find sushi, made-to-order pizzas and paninis, chicken salad and my favorite smoked mozzarella pasta salad. There are sooo many cheeses, desserts, breads and soups to choose. Finally, as you have entered food euphoria, don't foget to try their fantastic red pepper or zesty garlic hummus. Whole Foods gives you two salad bars - one "traditional" and the other with "designer" stuff like wedges with buttermilk dressing and mediterranean salad. Please, don't forget to grab a hot chocolate or chai tea latte from up front. Oh, and when it heats up again, they have gelato. Another plus to this place, try anything for free. Recycle bags (that includes Target, Kroger, etc.) at 5 cents per piece. I love it when helping the earth is easy.

Did these guys forget anything? No, Whole Body, for those interested in vitamins, hemp clothing and eco-friendly cosmetics are in luck next door. Both stores are a whole lotta fun, but bring your whole wallet.

Whole Foods in located in the new Hill Center
4021 Hillsboro Pike
615.440.5100
Please, park in the Hill Center parking garage, not at the Y
http://www.wholefoods.com/

Thin crust heaven

While the chain pizza boxes tout "thick crust" I still love those thin pieces of heaven. Mostly, I love scarfing down several pieces and not feeling like a four ton cow. It's hard to beat the pizza in NY and Italy. However, this is little-ole'-Nashville so I'm quite happy to have the new (and should be much buzzed 'bout) Italian Market. It's right off I-40 on 51st Ave. North. Easy to access for to-go pie. Talk about thin crust, this may be one for the record books. Their chef is Lee Guidry who has lots of "real Italians" working in-house creating fabulous antipasto, paninis, salads and pizzas. They will mix up the toppings at your request. We had the Margherita and added pepperoni and onions. They load on some huge pepp! Also, check out their small market boasting imported olive oils, vinegars, pasta and sauces.



KEEP EATING OUT, NASHVILLE!

Featured site:
Italian Market 615-298-3811