Watering Hole and Good Grub Unite?

Yancy went to see some buds play music at 12 South Taproom & Grill the other week and said the food was pretty good.  I was intrigued (remember, still a Nashvillian neophyte) so we headed over to "The Taproom" before muzak at the Basement.  A pleasant surprise, this watering hole has more to offer than hooch.  The ribeye quesadilla was pitch perfect - loaded with meat and peppers and salsa, sour cream and guacamole to dip.  My burger was "ok" but the huge side of steamed broccoli with lemon slices kept me smiling.  Not to mention we noshed on Habaq Chicken Wings - spice is on the side for those who say no to Buffalo.  The service was prompt and it doesn't smell like stale beer here!  12 South Taproom is a bar where one doesn't have to lose their appetite - hurray!

Did I mention it's cheap - $8-$10 for sandwich / salad / quesadilla entrees and $6 for appetizers.  Remember, you gotta eat (sorry, the fast food jingle is catch-y).

KEEP EATING OUT, NASHVILLE!

Featured Site:

www.12southtaproom.com

2381 12th Avenue South

463-7552

 

Waterfront Dining?

I chuckle when friends say, "Let's go, they have outdoor seating." Most outdoor views are limited to concrete, roads or parking lots. Nashville has some outdoor seating that meets this cold reality. However, some joints face the Parthenon, our skyline, bright lights on Broadway and old rail lines. Another "restaurant with a view" sits on top a Cumberland River cove. An old rock quarry is home to Rock Harbor Marina and a floating restaurant, Blue Moon Lagoon.

My friend, Beth, and I walk planks at dusk as a storm rolls in, creating an ominous backdrop to an otherwise friendly atmosphere inside. Our server gave us the Blue Moon Lagoon history lesson: it's been around for 15 years under various management and names and is closed in the winter. It re-opened last Friday to a snow storm so its first full weekend started March 14. Later I learned its latest management re-opened the digs last spring which explains a somewhat disjointed menu.

Here's the skinny on grub - their oysters are flown in from Apalachicola (this Gulf Coast girl grins) and their fish right now is mostly Atlantic. I had the snapper with orange beurre blanc - yum. Get the sauce on the side or it may over take the fish. The side of corn griddle cakes with jalapenos were delicious. Beth noshed on the seared tuna which was unfortunately over-done (although the server noticed but stopped short of offering a do-over). Blue Moon Lagoon has a large selection of po-boys: shrimp, grouper and mahi-mahi. According to other articles and friends, their burgers are thick. Other recommendations from the staff are the fried pickles and the sampler platter (fried, fried and fried!) I don't recommend the smoked fish dip (I am misguided in my hopes for mullet.) Although the pesto drizzle over the dish was a refreshing touch.

The views: murky water, exposed rocks and an old marina, made me feel at home - minus the rocks. I wasn't smelling salt air or staring 12 miles out to no where, but I was on the water. There is an open feeling. Subtly, I noticed "Riders on the Storm" was playing - I like the personality here. I think I'll be back for more...but until then...

KEEP EATING OUT, NASHVILLE!

Featured site:
Blue Moon Lagoon Restaurant
525 Basswood Dr
354-1318
http://www.bluemoonlagoontn.com/1788700.html

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

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/

Big on Bacon, Cheeseburger

I'm a huge cheeseburger fan, but to quote Pulp Fiction: "I just don't dig on swine" I add: "On my burger." However, at McCabe Pub on Murphy Road in Sylvan Park I occasionally break that rule. McCabe doesn't mess around with their thick patty loaded with pickles, onion, lettuce, tomato and PLENTY of bacon. Have a few beers (decent selection for a neighborhood watering hole) and try their other pub grub. The potato skins and chicken wings rock. Great place to catch a game at the bar or go after a game. I like sitting on the porch in the fall/spring. Service is spotty so come to chill.

On a side note, I am working on a cheeseburger tour next month. Please, email me if you want to help! bmyrick@musiccityeats.com Until next Monday....

KEEP EATING OUT, NASHVILLE!

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