Fleeing to 4th Avenue, Franklin

Nashville old timers complain that this town just aint what it used to be. I'm sure 10 years ago the traffic didn't jam and the snow fell a little softer. Frankly, if we could take off 10 years of wrinkles we likely would. However, with red brake lights and global warming also comes...more restaurants. We just want to eat and drink our blues away. While I had to leave the sauce behind (15-29 did me in) I still have to eat! What better place to do it than the place "old timers" keep telling me is only getting better: Historic Franklin.

I'm lucky enough to have started working 'off the square' of Franklin and all it's fantastic eats. Since I'm usually only there two meals a day - breakfast and lunch - I'll focus on those today. However, I can't wait to stay late and catch dinner at Red Pony, Sol or Flying Horse.

Here are a few favorites thus far. All of them have that authentic "old grocery store," friendly-neighbor, "old-time cafe" feel. Menus on chalk boards....Cracker Barrel eat your heart out.

• Mercantile Deli - some of the best tomato basil soup. Perfect cream to tomato ratio with sweetness and basil balance. Dig into their walnut chicken salad, chili, umlimited salad bar or wraps. Good value and friendly hipsters live here, too (Emma's chic smile and down-home demeanor will bring you back daily!)


• Merridees - best breads and coffee in Franklin. I like either the viking (multi grain) or raisin-cinnamon. The frozen fruit side is divine - yogurt, nuts and fruit blended and frozen in a cupcake cup. Mmmmm even when it's chilly out.


• Pucketts - wow, meat-n-three meets big-ole-burgers (I can't wait to go back and try one). I had some fantastic tomato soup, collards, cole slaw, great little potato pankake thing? Remember, I'm not from these parts so I'm just warmin' up on what to order. Plus, I need to hit this joint when the musicians are pickin' on stage!
  
• Xoconochco - my diversion to Main Street hosts the best hot chocolate ever sipped. It's pricy (but so is Starbucks and we frequent more than we admit). Try one of their flavored whipped creams and indulge while perched at the new, posh bar.

Nashville, I apologize for the gap in good-eatin'-coverage. Unfortunately, I haven't been out saving the Earth (or even eating my way through it!) The good news is I'm back in the eating out saddle! More reviews coming soon so until then...

KEEP EATING OUT, NASHVILLE!

Featured Sites:

Mercantile Deli http://www.franklinmercantile.com/

100 4th Ave. North 790-9730 (I'm stopping with my ATL area code obsession...)

Merridess http://www.merridees.com/

110 4th Ave. South 790-3755

Pucketts http://www.puckettsgrocery.com/

120 4th Ave. South 794-5527

Xoconochco http://www.xoconochco.com/

434 Main St. 599-0236

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

Boot Stompin' 30th

Ok, my friends are officially turning 30 forever. What does this mean? Do we have to get married, have kids and start doing the rounds at Wal-Mart? Or can we still have fun, go dancing and drink wine on Wednesdays? I say, all of the above. The 30's are a time to cut-loose plus pin your hair back and track down your toddler. Since 30 is a turning point, Elin chose to celebrate her birthday all weekend. The Honkey Tonks on Broadway saw plenty of us. We only danced on one bar (Stage) and twirled around with men our father's age at Robert's (ones our age can't cut a rug quite yet.)

I digress, this is an "eats" blog. We kicked off the party at Mambu. This was only my 2nd visit to the warm cottage on Hayes Street and 18th Avenue (1 block off West End toward Church). It's cozy, retro interior buzzes and the cheerful hostess steers us to a table in the bar while our table is prepared. We plop down, order drinks and they transfer the tab when we're seated five minutes later. We immediately order some appetizers - the dumplings are a hit. My neighbor, Katy, noshes on pizza and smiles. For main courses Elin and I have mac-n-cheese (okay) with filet mignon. My beef was cooked perfectly with a light red wine sauce. However, I was surprised I didn't get a vegetable so I ordered a side of spinach - bad idea. It was swimming in butter. The biggest hit was their special risotto which changes seasonally. My friend Kelly liked her seared tuna. The wine list is adequate. I've heard horror stories about the Mambu service. However, our waiter brought appetizers quickly and our main courses timely followed. Plus, he split our bills with a smile. PS - On other occasions I loved the fried chicken entree. It's a large meal you can share.

Saturday afternoon we shopped in Hillsboro Village and lunched at Jackson's. I munched on a mediocre caesar salad. My tomato basil soup with crusty bread in the middle made up for the greens. The burgers looked divine and my friend Elin slurped down a chocolate shake. Their sandwiches looked stacked. Unfortunately, I went back to try dinner at Jackson's and was disappointed we couldn't eat there due to a small kitchen fire (nobody hurt and the place is still standing.) I'll try again because I think it's especially good for large parties with diverse taste buds.

Sadly, I missed the girls for appetizers and drinks at The Bound'ry (weddings, weddings, weddings). I know a few of them will comment on the fare and the buzzing 'bout town atmosphere. I promise to eat (rather than just booze) there soon. Until then...

KEEP EATING OUT, NASHVILLE!

Featured:
Mambu Restaurant: 1806 Hayes St. - (615) 329-1293
Jackson's Bar & Bistro: 1800 21st Ave South - (615) 385-9968
The Boundr'y: http://www.pansouth.net/boundry-index.htm