Friday, January 9, 2009
Open Thread Empty Plate: Our Weekly Open Thread Is Ripe for the Filling
Posted by Jim Ridley on Fri, Jan 9, 2009 at 4:02 PM
OK, Bites Brigade. Where've you been eating this week? Where will you go this weekend? What have you seen in stores? Heard any tidbits you'd care to pass along--specials, events, changes, closings? Got any gripes? Let us know what's on your mind.
Comments (59)
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Mambu rocked today for lunch. The spicy shrimp and beef bowl was killer. By killer I mean it tasted good.
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Jack and I went to Mitchell Deli, which was just great. I can't help but think that place would do better in another part of town (*cough* Woodbine *cough*), but it had a pretty decent lunch crowd even around 1:30. The etouffee had plenty of kick without overwhelming the other flavors, and my (hot) muffalata was really good—more of a hoagie than the muff I'm used to, but unusual and very satisfying.
We'd both heard people complain about Mitchell's prices, but my eight-dollar sandwich was a steal compared to some of the other lunch places I've hit lately. Come on—an $11 Reuben? Not unless it's in the Carnegie Deli.
Jerebob is ready to be eaten at tayst, starting next Tuesday, and I'm sure he'll be tasty! (Jerebob=cow named after Jeremy & Bob)
Can any one offer up a theory on why there's not a real butcher in the area?
It's sad that grocery stores only receive precut meats and no primals at all. The other day I was looking for some kind of larger cut and was shocked at how almost 80+% of meats in the case were filets and steaks. The selection of cuts is pretty limited, not a pork belly in the bunch.
So what came first, the need for a butcher shop or a butcher shop that creates demand?
If anyone goes to the Green Hills Regal this weekend, please report back where you eat dinner.
My Green Hills Regal pre-movie dinner is usually at El Palenque (sits right behind F. Scott's). Always had good success there. Quick and easy on the pocket.
Dippin', you bring up a point I've wanted to ask for weeks: I had on of the worst meals in my whole life there a couple of weeks ago. It followed an equally bad one there last Feb.: a taco of freezer-burn fish. Finally asked Big Fella "Can we quit coming here?" Two weeks ago, an equally disappointing meal at La Paz. The meals were all just globs on food splatted on the plate without care or distinction. Hell, I can do that at home for less.
So everyone: where can I get a decent Mexican meal?
Los Arcos...and try the grilled alambra (sp)? and the al pastro tacos...best in the city.
On a whim - a whim only slightly tinged with the anxiety of trying a restaurant within it's first few weeks of being open - I had lunch at Allium. Now, before I start fussing let me say this: I don't like Germantown Cafe. A whole bunch of folks do; I don't. I tried to remain open-minded going into Allium, a Germantown Cafe-venture, rationalizing that even if it was a so-so meal, it would still give me a chance to check out the decor.
Poor logic.
Ordered a burger, fries; my friend had an open-faced tuna salad sandwich with homemade potato chips. My dining companion is a food lover, but not necessarily a foodie. As we were sharing entrees, I ordered differently than I might have otherwise.I say that only to make the point that I didn't give Allium the chance to show off a more adventurous dish. On the other hand, if you can't get the basics right...
The burger was fine. Uninteresting, but totally edible. Same can be said for the fries. A consolation prize should go to the dipping sauce that was served with both entrees - a mustard brandy concoction. It has a less intense honey mustard feel to it and worked well with my fries and as a mayo/mustard substitute on my burger.
I found the tuna a little on the fishy side -- again, just fine, but not any FUN for me. To it's credit, it was nicely presented with all the non-fish ingredients dressing the sandwich as opposed to being mixed in the salad.
Bottom line: I'd eat there again, but only at the request of someone else.Here's hoping this was just a case of beginner's luck (or, in this case, lack thereof).
For Mexican, I still think Garcia's in Franklin in the best in the area. Very fresh food.
At the risk of being redundant--over and over again--I think La Hacienda gets better and better. Shrimp soup on Saturday is arguably the best broth in town, and the relatively new fish tacos are my faves.
Had a great lunch (as always) at Korea House on Tuesday. Yesterday I called some friends and we went to meet at Kien Giang. Oops, didn't know they were remodeling, now I have to wait til February 21st. We ended up at Siam Cuisine, my first time, and everything was great.
theGardenYears: I went by K&S after lunch yesterday, they have pork belly right now for 1.99 a pound.
Carrington the grilled fish tacos are decent..however the al pastor is inexcusable..the last few times i've had the taco and the torta..the pork looked and tasted like it had been ground up..
I had the turkey, brie, apple, and cranberry relish sandwich at Mitchell, but it came with spicy mustard. Was this a mistake? It was awful. Maybe I'm wrong, does that sound good to anyone esle? I'm sticking with the turkey and avocado there for now on.
Spicy mustard sounds weird on that sandwich. The safest bet there is the BLT--it's Benton's Bacon, you know.
Ditto the recommendation for La Terraza, although I'm looking forward to Los Rosales reopening. When is someone around here going to serve the kind of pork al pastor you can get out west, roasted gyro-style with slivers of pineapple?
I've had really good tacos recently at the little drivethrough stand just past the Thompson/Nolensville intersection--the green sauce will take the top of your head off--and at Los Potrillos on Foster. I've also heard good things about Potrillos' gorditas from folks in the neighborhood.
Is that the drive-through formerly known as Comales (?), formerly known as Taqueria San Luis?
Swanky's Taco Shop off Carothers in Cool Springs-- Salad and Margarita. One bite says it all.
Fluffer: Sorry to hear about the bad experience at El Palenque. I've never had success with La Paz either, but El Palenque has always been edible. When in Cool Springs, I like Mexi-Cali Grille. In Nashville, the La Taqueria on Nolensville and Fiesta Azteca (Elliston Place) have provided some good food. Then again, Chimichangas with white cheese sauce and rice are pretty standard fare.
Anyone seen the Otter's Chicken Tender bus floating around East Nashville? Someone told me they have one. I wonder if Otter's still use the frying oil that makes me sick as a dog. Too chicken to try it out, plus McDougal's is yummy without any bad side effects.
Doug, all due respect, but I live in Nashville but work in Williamson, and Swanky's is way the hell worse than virtually every taco truck in Davidson.
When are the pretty girls with the Winnebago going to be back in town to make their tacos con amor in East Nashville? The best drunk food ever.
Dino’s Bar and Grill, the oldest bar in East Nashville, will now be serving breakfast 6am-11am Monday through Saturday.
EAST NASHVILLE, January 5th, 2009- Local chef Gary Roadarmel, teamed with owners Rick and Linda Wildeboor, has announced that Dino’s, 411 Gallatin Road, will now be serving breakfast.
“We are excited to bring breakfast to the East Nashville community since there has been a real lack of early morning eateries in the area,” says the Wildeboors.
Chef Gary has created a simple menu using fresh ingredients all made from scratch. Pancakes, French toast, buttermilk biscuits, creamy cheddar cheese grits, pan-fried potatoes, sausage and country gravies, bacon, sausage patties, eggs to order, and a wide array of 3 egg omelets are the standard fare. Included are a house special with 2 eggs to order, grits or potatoes, bacon or sausage, and toast or biscuit for $4.50, and for the hungry eater, you can enjoy a Dino’s breakfast slider for $6.
Gary says, “I was turned onto the breakfast slider at a little diner in Cincinnati. I put together my own version to serve pan-fried potatoes, topped with a ¼ pound Dino’s burger, topped with 2 eggs, topped with my homemade country gravy, topped with shredded cheddar cheese. With a side of toast or biscuit, it’s an awesome meal. I have also added a fried bologna omelet to go along side Dino’s popular fried bologna sandwiches that they serve at night. We think we may have cornered the market as a spot to get beer, eggs, and smoke a cigarette at 6am.”
Breakfast sandwiches are available to order for the local patrons who want to grab a quick breakfast on the go.
For the coffee lovers, Dino’s will be offering locally roasted Drew’s Brew’s coffee.
If good, homemade, fast, and affordable breakfast is what you have been craving in the East Nashville area, come on down to Dino’s and you won’t be disappointed.
Call ahead or place to-go orders at 615-226-3566.
Went to Miro District again last night...it never impresses me. How did my party of six walk right in and sit at a table with no wait time on a Saturday night? I am sure that they would get a lot more business if they lowered the price point by about 20%. They would get the younger crowd that goes out to eat very often...
I had a pretty good weekend, east-side restaurant-wise. Lunch before the Titans game at Battered and Fried. I hadn't been in forever, since it got all fancy and extensive. I had sushi and everything was as it should have been - extra points to the server, who dealt with my large, separate-checked party without any huffing and puffing or eye-rolling. I do think this place is a good problem-solving joint for larger groups where no one can agree.
Brunch today at Allium; also good. Leek and gruyere omelet.
went to monell's for the first time for their country breakfast and it was really quite good. not my kinda food but i was with a bunch of guys that had flown in for the game on saturday. the best comment of the day was - "no wonder the south lost the civil war, they ate this food everyday for breakfast and were then too full to fight". i tried to not eat too much and still, that meal lasted me until the next day when we went to baja fresh for fish tacos. obviously, it's as mexican as pf changs is chinese, but i go because the food is light and fresh and the salsas are varied and excellent.
I haven't been to Batter'd & Fried in a long time. Used to visit that place quite a bit when it first opened, but it seems like the prices took a jump last time we visited. Grouper Tenders are still really good, but the price does not justify the amount of food you are getting (or lack of food I should say).
Didn't Matt open a sushi bar in that same area? has it opened to the public yet?
Oh, I almost forgot. I also went over to that Cupcake Collection place on 6th, down from Monell's. Best cupcake joint in town so far, I think. And really cheap; I was surprised.
Baja Fresh = frozen fish
Radius 10 in limbo, don't know myself.
Midtown hours weekdays close at 9pm Weekend no change.
Best Authentic Mexican? Las Americas? 7 Mares?
In Murfreesboro the best has got to be Mexiven.
When did cupcakes become a big enough dessert to warrant multiple shops in our fair city? As a lover of all things sweet, I'm excited to try every item on their collective menus...Can we get a cupcake section in The Scene's Food Guide?
For al pastor tacos, Las Americas on Nolensville Road near Haywood Lane can't be beat. Awesome, and cheap! Try 'em, you'll like 'em. (Not to mention the pupusas. My standard order: one bean-and-cheese, pupusa, two al pastor tacos. Bill, under $5.)
"When did cupcakes become a big enough dessert to warrant multiple shops in our fair city?"
Sex and the City. It's the usual five-year Nashville delay....watch out for these crazy things called "Cosmos" coming down the pike any day now.
The best Mexican food it Tequilas, by far! It is in the same shopping complex as Strike N Spare and Big lots. Try it!!
It's January 12...anyone know if Los Rosales is open again?
Also, I have eaten nothing but food from Trader Joe's for a while now. Which explains my lack of posting. TJ's is the best for people trying to get through the holidays and plan a (non) wedding.
Also still wondering about Los Rosales.
Anyone had any stinky beer from Yazoo lately? Had a bad Dos Perros draft at Pie in the Sky two weeks ago, then bought a flat-tasting Dos Perros sixer. I keep thinking it's me, but am too gunshy to buy more right now.
Have any of you realized yet that some of your posts are simply bitchy for the sake of being so?
T-Money, it is obvious from your lead-in that you KNEW you wouldn't like Allium, and yet you went there anyway. Oddly, you also use it as a reason to say you don't like Germantown Cafe.
Diana- Did Linus hurt you in some way that you want to hurt him, too? Or, maybe those that work for him?
Claudia- Glad to hear that you ate at an independent restaurant and didn't hate it. Hopefully, this won't affect your attempts to get people to swear off restaurants in '09. I just hope you realize that many of these restaurants might not be there for you in '10 based on your "encouragements." And, I dare you to let any of Nashville's independent restaurateurs know who you are when you do grace their doorways with your presence. BTW, do you know that there are jobs being lost everytime you get somebody to stay away from a restaurant based on YOUR opinions? Hope that kind of unfairness never happens to you or your family.
Carrington- Do you really want the Bites blog to take on this tone? I assume so, as you seem to encourage it. You people have WAY to much free time. May you never have to run a small business in a recession...
And yes, I know and love many people that run restaurants and they are accountable to a very different set of rules than the rest of you. And, contrary to your opinions, they ARE experts in this field...
Do you really want the Bites blog to take on this tone?
This is nothing. May I introduce you to Nashville Cream. This is a tea party with extended pinkies compared to that shark tank.
People are encouraged to come here and speak their minds, including you. And if that means some unkind things get said--Claudia expressing her distaste for a lot of Nashville restaurants, you expressing your distaste for Claudia--it also keeps the discussion open and the exchange of ideas lively.
The tone here is generally pretty respectful and encouraging. But I disagree that people posting honestly about less-than-satisfying experiences is some sort of treason against local restaurateurs. It's also unfair when someone spends their eating-out money for the week on a mediocre meal.
Fair enough, Mr Pink.
However, I feel that if you want THAT dining experience and THAT kind of consistency, then it is going to be $300.00 dinners at Chadwick's and Miller Lite for you. No wonder Claudia doesn't eat out. Too much money and I doubt Chadwicks's has Lite...
You want Artisan shoppes (notice "shoppes") and home cooked meals? Fantastic! YEA! for you! Invite me over. But, why tear down the local restaurateur/brewmaster at the same time? My take on many of the diners posting here: Don't waste your money because you'll NEVER be happy. Meanwhile, don't try to take the restaurant down because you didn't like it; a bad restaurant will close on its own. Darwinism, you know... But, it is still sad when it happens. We aren't talking about GM or Crysler here. These are people that live in our town and support our local community and its charities. THEIR MONEY STAYS HERE!!! Trader Joe's? Not so much...
Unless they ignored your attempt to talk to them about your meal/experience/purchase or they slapped your mother in the face, they deserve the same respect you would expect of your customer/client/ friend, etc. Talk to them, not the blog!
I'm just sayin'...
wow - a yankee disparaged the South's fighting effort and all everyone can get lathered up about is whether negative - yet accurate - comments about restaurants will harm the local economy. Maybe the war really is, finally, over over here.
Hey guys,
Take that Dos Perros comment with a grain of salt. I'm ascribing it to a bad tap in the first instance, and a bad taste memory in the second. I'm off to the taproom this weekend to create new taste memories.
I certainly did not mean to throw anyone under the bus. After being told at a recent staff meeting just how much this recession will affect my job security, I resolve to be a smidge more sensitive, but no less honest.
Diana
Anyone see the new addtion to McDougals Coop in the Village? Looks like a single-wide trailer attached to the side of the building. For more seating?
Anyone know what is going on with the single-wide trailer attached to McDougal's Coop in the Village?
oh great, another attack on me because i say how i feel. sorry if i don't kiss up to the local color so that i will be liked. that's never been an issue for me and not my style. most every chef in this town knows who i am. i'm pretty open about it and hard to miss...
nat, i say who i am. i write what i think. the public can make their own decisions. i don't eat out much right now because i am trying to watch my calories and my budget. in the past few days though, due to company in town i ate at monell's, city house and kalamatas. all 3 were good. i said i liked giovanni's, i'm a big fan of ombi and 360. so give me a break... plus i've never written a bad word about a local restaurant on my blog. not once. not ever. and i get 10,000 hits a week.
you're misinformed. now go and and fuck off.
Heheheheh.
Somewhat related: I do sometimes worry that somehow a few anonymous web comments here and there (especially on Citysearch or Yelp, which people really do use) will end up getting my favorite places shuttered or contributing to the bankruptcy of friends' businesses. I'm not talking about you, Claudia...I think you're a pretty responsible critic and most importantly, you sign your postsand if people want to take something up with you, they have an outlet to do that.
I guess it's part of the business now, that restaurants have to take it in stride when people have a grudge and a blog, though. I've tried really hard (lately) to only post positive things because honestly, I'm not a consumer reporter or a food critic. If someone asks me personally, I'll give my opinion but I've been itchy lately about spreading things around on the web....so many restaurants are in precarious positions and I just can't stand the idea of me saying something offhandedly - "the china pattern was HIDEOUS!" - and then the next day the place shuts down because of outrage over said china pattern.
Again, this is not directed at anybody in particular. Just musing aloud about how powerful things like this can be. I have such mixed feelings about it.
Claudia = Class Act.
What a treat that we have this wonderful lady with the thick skin in our town.
It was not an attack. Nat didn't tell you to "f%ck off". He was simply pointing out the negative posts. It's a forum. You can say what you want. But if you are going to disparage local businesses then you are going to have to be a big girl and accept it when people fight back.
You owe Nat an apology. Grow up and offer one.
