Back to the Old Standby

I have been a very lazy restaurant adventurer lately.  Guess the "R" word is catching up with me.  However, Yancy and I did make it out and about Friday night to a free event: the "Legends and Lyrics" PBS taping at the Masonic Lodge on 7th (wow, go see a show there).  Beforehand we headed to Coco's Italian Market yet again.  This time it reminded us why we keep going.  More desserts in house - we are addicted to the Chocolate Explosion - layers of chocolate mousse, white chocolate chunks.  In Yancy's quest to replicate the pistachio gelato we relished in Dubrovnik he tried Italian Market's and found it "pretty good."  

Our favorite is their sausage lasagna - they don't make you search for meat which we both like.  Their side salad is a large portion with lots of good olives garnishing.  Our neighbors Friday loved their alfredo sauce.  Another diner complimented the chefs will specially make things due to food allergies - that's a plus at a small, inexpensive joint.  Another perk - they house lots of Italian cooking and travel books on site to read while you wait.  

Ok, foodies, do not despair.  Maybe Radius 10 and a few other favorites are leaving Music City, but the "R" can't last forever...and we gotta eat!

KEEP EATING OUT, NASHVILLE!!!!

Cafe Coco's Italian Market

411 51st Ave.

783-0114

www.cafecoco.net

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

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