Not Just a Drink. An Experience.

Let me begin by saying that we make superb coffee at home every morning. It is a process, and it is one that my husband and I take seriously. We grind Bongo Java’s Mystic Brew Beans and place them in an unbleached filter in our Cuisinart coffee pot. Next to the beans, the water is the most important. We only use filtered room temperature water. We could set the automatic timer, and wake up to already brewed coffee, but we like to start the pot immediately when we get up to ensure the freshness. Next we warm skim milk for 30 seconds, followed by three mini scoops of sugar in the raw and we froth the milk with our mini frother. (get one!). The only thing left to do is slowly pour the coffee in the cup to not disturb the froth.

Photo: Bongo Java’s Website

As much as I have traveled, I have come to the conclusion that Nashville has a dynamite coffee scene. Here are some of my favorites. Enjoy!

Downtown is more than honky tonks and bachelor parties, though they are still rocking. The good food culture is really taking shape downtown. Crema, which is a couple streets South of Broadway really knows the craft of the bean, and puts serious effort into their cup O’ Joe. I like mine with a bit of their breakfast quinoa, served warm.

This summer, while everyone awaits the first dip in the pool, I am anxiously awaiting one of my favorite spots, dose. opening a second location a block from my house. The delightful, shakerato with ginger will be just a short walk away. How do I begin to describe the cold brew shaken up (like a cocktail) with ice, then strained? It is always the perfect temperature and the most subtle taste of ginger…I can’t even. You must go for yourself. Don’t wait for the East location to open. I would like to keep that a secret…

Photo: dose.

I was a little sad when my secret vintage inspired coffee shop, The Jam Coffee House, expanded recently. I guess it is not a secret, after all. Don’t be fooled by the strip mall appearance, it takes me back to my Great grandma Ruby’s house. When you go, you would be crazy not to order the Punjabi. Cold or hot. It doesn’t make a difference.

From our old hood, Germantown, I greatly miss (though it is just a couple miles away) the Seattle inspired drip coffee from Steadfast Coffee. It goes perfectly with their bacon and cheese scone. The food is actually quite delicious.

You would be remiss if you didn’t imbibe in the coffee experience at Barista Parlor. It truly is the experience. The original, in East Nashville, which is a converted auto shop, serves some very selective brews, such as one of my San Francisco favorites, Sight Glass. Don’t go when you are in a hurry, as I said, it is an experience. While you are waiting for your perfectly brewed mini carafe, get the sausage biscuit with homemade jelly. You will not be disappointed.

Photo: Barista Parlor

Other notable favorites: Atmalogy, 8^th & Roast, Headquarters, Ugly Mugs, Portland Brew East

Fightin’ Words: ______ has the Best BBQ

Politics & Religion. I have been brought up to never engage in those two topics with someone you do not know. You never know who you may offend. After living in virtually every top BBQ state, you can add BBQ to that list of ‘Tread Lightly’. I have learned that people are entrenched in their ways when it comes to BBQ and people are willing to sacrifice mental health to prove their BBQ is the best. It is as controversial as the current presidential races.

The scrumptious meal comes in many forms depending on where you are. Dry or Wet. Brisket or Pork. Or Chicken. Or Ribs. The wood, Hickory or Post Oak. The Sauce…oh yes the sauce, can be its own conversation. Tomato-based, vinegar, mustard. Or just dry rub. It seems that there are endless options and truthfully, all are awesome in their own rightful way. Since we are now acquaintances, I will dive in on the conversation. I apologize if I offend you.

As you know I grew up in Kansas, the home of beef, so this is where I will begin. Don’t get me wrong, I love good ol’ Kansas City-style BBQ as much as anyone. The burnt ends served along side a slice of white bread have a soft spot in my heart, probably lodged there for as much as I ate as a kid. But often, the sauce takes over. I am not too keen on the thick, molasses based sauce. It can overpower the taste of the slow smoked beef. However, it is an essential that I grew up on, and when I smell the burnt ends it draws me back to a place I am familiar with. It’s sentimental.

Next up is Texas. I spent almost 5 years of my life there with my now husband, mainly in Houston but we made frequent trips to Austin and the Hill Country Area. It was Texas that introduced me to other kinds of BBQ and sauces. Brisket, done properly, is tough to beat. It’s the local Post Oak that mixes with the Texas beef that makes it so special. Aaron Franklin’s joint in Austin is the best of the best but don’t forget about Gatlin’s and Goode Company’s jalapeno sausage (both in Houston), which brings that Czech-inspired taste to Texas. And the sauces in Texas are light and spicy, which I like. D.L. Jardine’s Killer Spicy is one of my favorites and Rudy’s Original is usually always in my house.

Onward and upward to Tennessee, my home & my heart. During my college days in Knoxville, though I couldn’t afford to eat out much (refer to my previous post about Ramen noodles),  but Calhoun’s became a special spot, as it served the first date location that led to my marriage and sweet baby girl.  But we are talking about Tennessee, and Memphis is where ribs are king over The King. So many great joints to choose from. Rendezvous who’s Lamb Riblets are no doubt dynamite, but do not leave Memphis without going to Interstate Barbeque or Commissary (in Germantown). Thus far, I have not been all that enamored with what Nashville has to offer on the BBQ front. There is rich tradition here but no definite identity when it comes to BBQ. It feels like a mish-mash of styles from all over and so far, the one who definitely does it right is Carey at Peg Leg Porker. Great dry ribs and seasonings too! Though, I must admit, we do hit up Edley’s in East Nashville for the BBQ Nachos.

Photos: Peg Leg Porker‘s website

 You cannot bring up BBQ without talking Carolina style. My husband is from North Carolina and has taken me to some of the best spots in NC. Pulled pork is the dish du jour in Carolina and one of my favorites thus far has been at Lexington BBQ in Lexington, NC. Just a heaping mound of pulled pork smoked low and slow over hickory and a light tomato based sauce. But I must say (and it’s not because we are married), my husband may make my favorite BBQ I have had. He smokes a pork shoulder low and slow for 12 hours then lightly drizzles an Eastern-style sauce with apple cider vinegar, peppers and spices (No bun required).

Now we can get into side dishes and condiments (TIP: I just picked up some Lillie’s Q Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce from Turnip Truck the other day, and highly recommend it) that accompany many styles of BBQ, but that is another conversation for another day. In the meantime, I am hungry again. Eat, share and connect.

Photo: Lillie’s Q‘s website

Warning: Subject matter is extremely controversial

My top 5 spots for a pie, according to me:
1) City House
If you don’t get the belly ham pizza and you don’t top it with an egg… Chances are we will not be friends.
Not feeling meat? If you’re lucky you will find the broccoli pizza sporadically on the menu, and it’s delicious.
If you’re starving (or you seem that way because you order way too many menu items for two people, like we do) start with the buzzy beer and a Crispin cider. Order the octopus and gnocchi for starters, and then get the belly ham pizza. It’s just a strong suggestion, but seriously, just do it.

Photo: City House’s Facebook Page

2) Five Points Pizza
Meatball Pizza, garlic knots (the half is plenty, but don’t feel bad if you get the whole), and go for the arugula salad. Then you will fill up on craft drafts, knots and salad and have plenty of leftover pizza for tomorrow.
Saving money? Their lunch specials by the slice are awesome.

Photo: Five Point’s Pizza Website

3) Desano Pizza Bakery
You cannot go wrong with any of their pizzas, but the San Gennaro typically makes all of our orders. It’s really fun sitting at their picnic tables and watching them toss the dough in the air. Plus eating on paper plates and bringing your own hooch is nostalgic.
4) Lockeland Table
Another restaurant that specializing in pork and yummy pizza… So get the Pig, but don’t miss out on some of their other great options while you’re there. They have a nice wine list, refreshing cocktails and locally diverse menu options.
5) Bella Nashville
Hands down, it’s the best find in the Nashville Farmer’s Market. Don’t go if you’re in a hurry, because they are usually super busy. But when you do, get one of their specials. I once had a pumpkin, pine nut and arugula pizza. I can still taste it.
If you’re feeling less adventurous, go for the margherita pizza and add their homemade sausage.

Photo: Bella Nashville’s Facebook Page

You know, I dig some homemade sausage on my pizza. Perhaps you do as well. Either way. I love this list. Eat some pizza, share, and connect.

“You’re not in Kansas anymore.”

“You’re not in Kansas anymore.” No, and that is a good thing because Anthony Bourdain never recorded an episode in Kansas, for good reason.

I can tell you that my love for food didn’t result from my upbringing. Growing up in Wichita, Kansas, no doubt shaped me into the person I am today, but it wasn’t until after that where my love of all things food began.

Sure my great grandmother baked the most remarkable pies (crust recipe a mystery). Then there was my grandmother, who was famous for her potato casserole, meatball soup and fresh canned jellies. My mother, on the other hand, always prepared traditional dishes; enchiladas, meatloaf, tuna noodle casserole, spaghetti, etc. She still has a hatred for fast food eateries. I will say, we always ate at home, which is rare these days. Unlike other kids I knew growing up, I cooked a lot growing up.

Then there are ramen noodles. Loved them as a kid. I have a special place in my palette for them today, too. My brother taught me how to prepare the famous Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup (pork flavor, obviously). That is the first memory I have of cooking on my own. I cannot say for sure if it was that, or my dad’s infatuation with Chinese buffets that spiked my crazy obsession with Asian cuisine. Who knows?

Mostly divorced families get a bad rap, but they can have their perks, too. I lucked out and acquired a step family who introduced me to Southern (soul food) cooking and sweet tea.

I used to spend summers along the Maryland and Delaware coasts with my Aunt Weezie. We spent the summer touring some of the great North Eastern food towns such as New York City, Washington D.C., Baltimore, Lancaster, Wilmington, and the list goes on When you are from a landlocked state, having a proper crab cake can make an impact on your taste buds.

A lot of people join book clubs, I read cookbooks. It’s a pastime. I like analyzing temperatures, understanding cooking times, learning what spices go well together, and figuring out ways to substitute ingredients that we happen to have in the pantry.

Of course, the Food Network craze hit when I was in college. Giving me something to do instead of studying (not that people need additional distractions in college).

College was great! Like a lot of people, I met my husband, Shane, in college. Though we started our dating years eating late night at the greasy spoon Gus’s Good Times Deli, we now find ourselves sipping on a nice light Rosé munching on popcorn lightly drizzled with chili oil and a dusting of nutritional yeast (try it!). For the most part, Shane’s family has definitely influenced my ability to pair wine with food, where to go for the best fine dining experiences and the ins and outs of hosting the most fabulous gatherings.

Together, Shane & I, have high hopes to see & taste the world. Honestly, we aspire to live our life through the BLANK culinary heroes such as the aforementioned Bourdain, Julia Child, Trevor Moran and Tandy Wilson to name a few.  A stretch? Maybe, but we won’t give up. Nashville, well, it’s the perfect place to cultivate our tasting notes.

Thank you for your interest. Please eat, share and connect. Eat local, Nashville.