Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Restaurants Lender Seeks Receivership After Local Restaurant Holding Company Misses Payment
Posted by Nicki Wood on Wed, Dec 31, 2008 at 2:15 PM
The parent company of Amerigo restaurant says it is in talks with GE Capital to restructure its $8.5 million debt after GE filed suit in federal court here seeking receivership.
The lender claims that the debt of Vivid Restaurant Concepts LLC is greater than the value of the assets it offered as collateral on a loan originated in 2006. The loan was obtained by David Blackburn and Paul Schramkowski to buy the company and expand Amerigo restaurants into Louisville and Knoxville.
A Vivid spokesman said the action will not affect day-to-day operations at the eateries.
NashvillePost.com has a full story with additional details available today to subscribers and freely available later in the week.
Bites It's Definitely Better to Give
Posted by Nicki Wood on Wed, Dec 31, 2008 at 10:30 AM
The things you can find on craigslist! Too bad the shopping season is over, because you could have saved a bundle on foodie gifts. There were some free glass jars for the jam-maker -- just add a ribbon and you've got a gift that says, "Please fill me with labor-intensive homemade jam and give me back!"
Or maybe your fun-loving friend would enjoy the occasional surprise of a warm beer from the "mind of its own" refrigerator. "The last time we plugged it in," it was cold, says the giver. Could be the cat's pajamas for a certain someone!
All for free, people!
Party in Walter Hill -- it's a yam giveaway! But wait -- there's more: tropical fruit and peanut butter, too.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Events New Year's Eve Resolution: Make Reservations
Posted by Carrington Fox on Mon, Dec 29, 2008 at 6:09 AM
Forget the annual doomed-for-failure abstemious resolutions of losing weight, eating less and exercising more. This year, why not just resolve to eat local and support the unique restaurants and culinary creativity blossoming in Nashville? New Year's Eve is a good time to start, and here's a sampling of the Dec. 31 festivities. Seating is going fast and reservations are required at most places, so it's a good idea to check in ahead of time. If you encounter more New Year's Eve events, please post them in the comments.
Ombi (2214 Elliston Pl., 320-5350) Intrepid chef Laura Wilson returns from maternity leave to ring in 2009 with four courses for $50 and each course paired with wine for an additional $25. Everything on the menu will also be available à la carte. Mention that you're on Ombi's email list and get a complimentary glass of sparkles for your whole table. (Wilson reminds you that bartender Terrell or Miranda will call a cab if you ask and that cars parked in the garage from dinner at Ombi may remain parked until New Year's Day.)
Tin Angel (3201 West End Ave., 298-3444) As usual, Vicki and Rick Bolsom and the crew at the West End landmark will stoke the fire and offer a menu of some of the most popular specials from the year. (Hint: 2008 was a good year for Tin Angel's roasted half duck, braised lamb shank and lump crab-crusted salmon.)
Miel (343 53rd Ave. N., 298-3663) Seema and Jimmy Phillips celebrate their first New Year's Eve in the former Johnson's Meat Market with a five-course prix fixe menu for $75 that includes French onion soup; tea-cured Arctic char or braised Kobe beef cheeks; fruits de mer or rack of lamb; salad or cheeses; and baked Alaska.
Copper Kettle (94 Peabody St., 742-5545) The new downtown location of the gourmet meat-and-three offers a buffet with carving station for $25 from 6 to 10 p.m.
Taste of Russia (101 Shingle Way, 472-1432) Tucked away in a corner of Cool Springs, this comfortable, no-nonsense eatery offers a fresh and intriguing menu of Russian and Ukrainian cuisine, which it will pare down for a $70 prix fixe New Year's meal that includes appetizers, entrées, desserts and bubbly.
Miro District (1922 Adelicia St., 320-1119) The gleaming European-flavored showplace on the ground floor of the Adelicia offers a prix fixe menu for $55 that includes appetizers of lobster bisque, sweetbreads, oysters and duck; entrees of lobster agnolotti, skate wing and lamb shank; and desserts of flan and tiramisu.
Radius 10 (1103 McGavock, 259-5105) In addition to the regular menu, chef Jason Brumm will offer some "high-end specials," along with a $48 tasting menu that includes items such as lobster, Kobe short ribs and foie gras.
F. Scott's (2210 Crestmoor Road, 269-5861) Chef Will Uhlhorn & Co. get their funny party hats on with a three-course meal for $75 or a four-course meal for $90, while Cliff Richmond & Friends tune up for "Auld Lang Syne" in the tony jazz lounge.
Zola (3001 West End Ave., 320-7778) Chef Deb Paquette will offer a set menu with choice of filet, scallops, lamb, tuna or ravioli for $80 per person or $115 with wine tasting. Dinner will include an amuse and bubbly for all.
Restaurants A Drink With Jam and Bread
Posted by Carrington Fox on Mon, Dec 29, 2008 at 5:30 AM
This week's review features tea at the Hermitage Hotel. The $21 afternoon snack of sandwiches, scones and pastries served in the glorious rooms of the historic downtown hotel is one of my favorite local extravagances. Of course, the company on my two recent visits (see photo above) was so enchanting that I would have been happy with a glass of Nestea and an English muffin.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Open Thread Open Thread: Happy Holidays from Bites
Posted by Jim Ridley on Thu, Dec 25, 2008 at 1:00 AM
Many thanks to all our Bites readers and commenters, who add spice and seasoning to this strange brew 365 days a year. We'll be back with new posts on Monday, Jan. 5--but Carrington and I will be checking in from time to time, and we'll keep this an open thread for anyone who wants to drop by. Let us know what you get for the holidays, what and where you've been cooking and eating, or what you're doing for New Year's--and pass along any tips or tidbits that just won't wait.
Best of luck in the coming year. And please spread the word about Bites!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Events My Precious! Lord of the Rings Trilogy All Day Saturday at Belcourt, With Middle Earth Meals!
Posted by Jim Ridley on Wed, Dec 24, 2008 at 12:01 PM
FIRST BREAKFAST
Chorizo, Egg, and Cheese Casserole
Veggie Sausage, Egg, and Cheese Casserole
Fresh Cut Fruit
Bagels and Cream Cheese
Mini Muffins
The Two Towers (Extended Edition)
LUNCHEON
Crawfish Gumbo and Rice
Creamy Tomato Soup with Baby Spinach
Crusty Bread
Mini Cookies
The Return of the King
SUPPER
Winter Salad with Apples and Pears, Toasted Walnuts, Feta, and Lemon Sultana Dressing
Roasted Sweet and Yukon Potatoes
Pork Tenderloin with Horseradish Sauce
Biscuits or Rolls
Coffee and Chocolate Brownies
Bites Give Yourself a Free Gift: Subscribe to Morsel Code
Posted by Carrington Fox on Wed, Dec 24, 2008 at 8:57 AM
Hungry for cupcakes, cooking lessons, mulled wine, chocolate, French fries or scones? Those are just a few of the food-related stocking stuffers you'll find in this week's Morsel Code, the Scene's new dining newsletter, which arrives every Thursday. Subscribe online and enjoy the delicious, non-caloric gift that keeps on giving.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
News Longtime Hillsboro Village Sushi Restaurant Closed
Posted by Carrington Fox on Tue, Dec 23, 2008 at 4:55 PM
Taste of Tokyo, the longtime sushi-serving hole-in-the-wall in Hillsboro Village, has closed. Located at 1806 21st Ave., ToT was a cozy mainstay for sushi and teriyaki in the Vandy corridor. The phones were disconnected when we called.
Bites It Wouldn't Be Christmas Without...
Posted by Nicki Wood on Tue, Dec 23, 2008 at 1:10 PM
Every household has its holiday traditions, often the standards (or anyway within the standard deviation from) cherished in one form or other for a couple of centuries in the West.
Then there are the other, more random traditions that somehow slowly became associated with the holidays are now the sine qua non of the holiday. "It wouldn't be Christmas without mom's chocolate gravy," went the headnote in a cookbook I edited some years ago. "Our family has chicken spaghetti each Christmas night, then we watch Terminator 2," went another. One family we know holds a Christmas night poker game. You could be forgiven for thinking, Wha?
And what about your house? What is it that makes festivus festive? Tamales, perhaps? The holiday-theme finger-tip towels? A game of Twister? Billy the Big Mouth Bass?
Events Dining Rooms at the Inns 2008
Posted by Carrington Fox on Tue, Dec 23, 2008 at 6:30 AM
Let's start of list of places to eat on Christmas. I'll open with:
Capitol Grille -- Christmas brunch ($45.50, kids $25.50) and dinner ($49.50, kids $25.50).
Latitude in the Vanderbilt Marriott -- regular menu for breakfast lunch and dinner.
Macke's -- Christmas brunch ($40; kids $15). Christmas Eve dinner ($65, kids $15)
Prime 108 in Union Station -- 12 Tastes of Christmas from noon to 5 p.m. ($45, kids 6 to 12 $20, under 6 free).
Commerce Street Grille in the Renaissance Hotel -- Christmas dinner 11 a.m. to 3 pm ($21.95)
