Just Share Already!

You know when your mom gave you that look, "are you going to eat everything on that plate?"  Well, no, you weren't.  Enter the over-portioned 80's-date.  Even posh Nashville restaurants have a hard time resisting piling on another potato or two.  Well, we are all watching our pocketbooks these days so why not share?  Yes, it's not something that comes naturally to this only child.  The truth is, it's almost too easy these days - not to mention cheaper (and your food generally comes out more quickly - time is money!)

Yancy and I are suckers for Park Cafe (we know gas went down but it's just too darn close).  Their portions are so large that splitting the NY strip special (that I would have mistaken for beef tenderloin the way it was sliced), the special bleu cheese, pecan raspberry dressing salad and noshing on a few pieces of bread was MORE than enough.  We also had their pistachio cheese cake and the total bill was $40 (with tip!)   The steak was served with deliciously sauteed green beans and a bacon ravioli.  The ravioli wasn't great so sub in the mac-n-cheese because we all know we love that and the huge bowl usually means you'll have a to-go box.  Also, remember foodies, have your waiter wrap up your bread - they have to trash it after it's on the table.  Even if all you do is feed it to the birds it's better than the trash can.

Remember, KEEP EATING OUT NASHVILLE, just share already!

Best places to share:

Park Cafe

Maggiano's

Amerigo's - clearly we overdo Italian cooking in the US

J. Alexander's 

Hibachi restaurants

Worst places to share:

Any Sushi restaurant - back off my fatty tuna!

Radius 10 - they do a great job on dishing just the right portion

A Family Affair

When your family comes in town you sort of stress out about eating. You want to take them somewhere "new" but sometimes that also means "not tested." This weekend we took our fam to one "tried-and-true" joint and a "newbie" that proved hot.

I adored my lunch at Radius 10 in the Gultch a few weeks back so naturally I was ready for a night-time trip. They did not disappoint. Our server (shame on me for being so bad with names) was fantastic. He didn't wince when we changed drink orders and split entrees - bravo! Do have your whole party show up on time since they won't seat you until you're all present. Onto the food: I liked my pork duo with corn bread hash. The pork (along with the whole menu) changes weekly or so. We had a BBQ short rib my boyfriend, Yancy, raved about. I liked their mixed green salad for the mustardy vinaigrette dressing. I shared a delightful bite of escargot (in puff pastry with their traditional pesto). Everyone who tried chef Jason Brumm's shrimp/scallop grits were happy. I want to go back and try the short ribs with black truffle grits and sweet onion compote. Sadly, these ribs are Kobe rather than Midwestern which confuses me since Brumm has a commitment to local (or at least American?) food. I don't fault him for flying in some grub, though...

We popped into the much buzzed 'bout new Agave tequila bar with in a stone's throw. The indoor-outdoor flow of this place is a welcomed change. I slurped down a classic margarita but can't talk about the food or the tequila selection since I didn't sample. Right now, I'm recommending this place if you need to "change it up" in the Gultch or you want an after-Radius 10-cocktail. Enough said.

Fortunately, we grilled out on a fabulously sunny Saturday and took in lots of football so we were ready for a Sunday brunch outing. While I enjoy Margot's (owner/chef of the same name along with partner Jay Frein), the new concept is even more fun. Enter Marche, a much buzzed 'bout East Nashville eatery and market. The vibe is super friendly set by the awesome service (thank you, Taylor). The coffee is superb (I tried a yummy, rich mocha) and the cucumber-sake Bloody Marys and Bellini's were getting sucked down quickly. While I didn't get out with a pastry or treat, the desserts and croissants looked/smelled fantastic. I had the sunny-side up eggs with grain bread and tomato mushroom ragout. It was a stand out although a little too tomato-y. Yancy noshed on their quiche of squash and brie. The crust was flaky and delicious. The best dish I tasted at Marche was the crepes with corned beef, potatoes, onions and three cheese sauce. It sounds rich but I found it to be on the money - a true twist to the beef and hash tradition. Also, note, they have mussels, smoked salmon and salads during the brunch hours for those who would rather lunch. Last but not least, they change up their menu constantly to feature fresh/local produce, meats and cheeses.

Onto another week of eating. I may not give y'all another report this week since we are hitting three nights of music and throwing Yanc a birthday party. If I don't get back to ya, please, forgive. Remember, cheeseburger tour is coming. Until then...

KEEP EATING OUT, NASHVILLE!

Featured sites:
Radius 10: 1103 McGavock, http://www.radius10.com/

Agave: 118 12th Avenue South, no website yet but check out what The Tennessean had to say: http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071019/ENTERTAINMENT02/710190306/1061

Marche: 1000 Main Street, http://www.marcheartisanfoods.com/

Ladies that Lunch

You know who you are. Those women lounging on your lunch hour. Clearly not going back to the office in your jeans and trendy top. Maybe you were even still in your tennis skirt. Regardless, I was envious. In my uncomfortable heels and stuffy suit I vowed to have at least a day as a lady who lunched. Well, we all get vacation eventually! So my friend Elin and I decided to have a day of cultural expansion. Since it was going to be a long day we headed for lunch first. We happened to be snooping around the Gultch to see where soon-to-open tequila bar, Agave, is located. Luckily, we found it. Even luckier, it's next door to Jason Brumm's Radius 10. Hailing from the panhandle I knew first-hand about Brumm's seafood experience after eating time after time at Cafe 30A in Seagrove.

The Radius 10 lunch menu includes twists on such gulf faves as shrimp and grits, blackened grouper and oyster po-boys. He adds scallops to the grits along with a corn ragout. His Destin Black Grouper sits in a lobster bacon broth and is served with shrimp and fingerling potatoes. Lastly, my lunching lady special was the oyster and shrimp po-boy served on crusty french bread laced in tarter and topped with green tomatoes. The fry batter was not too thick but not too thin and the portions were substantial (plus the rock shrimp were huge!) I subbed out the curly fries for their sweet potato chips. I suggest all lunchers to do the same. My partner in crime, Elin, split the arugula salad with me. While the gorgonzola/pear/walnut combination is usually one of my favorites, the salad is not very large. I don't suggest splitting starters here (and it's cautioned on the menu by adding a surcharge). However, her lobster pizza was covered in their yummy pesto. I couldn't taste the lobster much but the goat cheese and pancetta shine through. If you can't handle a lunch hour cocktail I recommend one of their Jones sodas, specialty teas or lemonades. PS - Service at lunch is speedy and the weather is getting better for mid-day meals on their cool deck with views of downtown. Plus, Radius 10 is an OpenTable.com partner where you can make your reservations online. How easy.



After we charged our stomachs we headed to the Frist. While we enjoyed the Chinese 19th century art, modern Chinese photography exhibit and lastly the Sylvia Hyman clay showing and film, the only one we saw last week that is still up is the Ashcan Leisure paintings upstairs. These are mildly interesting and if you are longing for New York scenes in the park they will ease your pain a bit. I don't recommend going out of your way. Right now the Frist boats an exhibit on how they grew from a post office to an art center. I would plan a trip after November 16 when there will be 3 new exhibits in full swing: Australian photographer Rosemary Laing's work, 1920's-1940's modern European and American art and Middle Tennessee's up-and-coming artist's work. That makes your $8.50 adult ticket go a long way.



If you haven't caught 3:10 to Yuma in the theatre I recommend it. I'm not a huge movie-goer and this did not get rave reviews. I haven't seen a good western since Tombstone so if you are jonesin' for a little cowboy/Indian, good guy versus bad guy action then catch it before DVD does. It doesn't hurt that you get to look at Christian Bale and Russell Crowe for 2 hours.

Now, girls, that should fire you up. Stop wining about the ladies who lunch and just join them for the day. If you didn't spend all your vacation days on the beach then use one up before your folks steal them over the holidays.


KEEP EATING OUT, NASHVILLE!



Featured sites:
http://www.radius10.com/
http://www.fristcenter.org/
http://www.opentable.com/start.aspx?m=30
www.movies.aol.com/movie/310-to-yuma-2007/25306/main