Friday, March 6, 2009
Open Thread Empty Plate: Steam Rises From Our Weekly Open Thread
Posted by Jim Ridley on Fri, Mar 6, 2009 at 8:30 AM
Last week, you brought in topics ranging from the underrated fare at Boscos to some hideous concoction called a "McNuggetini" (shudder). What will it be this week, now that our regular open thread is up for grabs? This is your chance to share whatever's on your mind or plate--good food, quirky service, new places, unusual items, wish lists of things you'd like to see locally.
As always, if you have tips, gripes, news items or juicy tidbits you want to pass along, email cfox (at) nashvillescene (dot) com.
Comments (42)
Showing 1-42 of 42
I took Beloved to ChaChah's last Thursday, at it was really, really good. We did the Tapas + "small entrees" and a bottle of wine, and we enjoyed ourselves silly for a good couple of hours. They bring you the dishes one at a time, which allowed us to enjoy them at leisure. The only caveat is that the room was pregnant with a plethora of young grrrls, who were very spirited in conversation. I mean, they were loud as hell, but I haven't yet reach the "turn down that music" stage in curmudgeonly
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Is Ombi now open for Sunday brunch? Saw a big sign last week that said they were.
"We enjoyed ourselves silly for a good couple of hours."
Nicely put, ElZ. We ordered more food because we just didn't want to leave.
I just got back from a trip to Los Angeles (specifically Claremont) where I was visiting my twin sister - we had some awesome culinary adventures. I know it's a chain but I really enjoyed Le Pain Quotidien. Anyone else ever been to one? I brought back some of their coffee as well as the "brunette" hazelnut butter spread. awesome. I blogged about my whole trip - check it out.
Anyone have a good recipe for blue whale? Have no idea why I'm having such a craving.....
My sources inform me that ChaChah will start doing brunch (Saturday's and Sunday's) in April.....
Elz, I don't know you, but it made me smile to read of your evening given the events you and your Beloved (and her companions)suffered not so long ago. I can't imagine how magic this Spring will seem to your eyes, but I'm so grateful it is your magic to enjoy and share.
Anyone care to weigh in on what flavor of Trader Joe's hummus is the best? I'm currenly loving the horseradish hummus.
SL:
It is people like you, who despite having never met us offer us kind words and encouragement that have made this experience an affirmation of all that is good and noble about humanity
As a matter of fact, last Thursday marked 3 months since The Event. And as you said, magic blossoms all around us if we choose to see it.
The traditional Organic Hummus @ Trader Joes is the tops. Lot's of good stuff @ Joe's - even though I am saddened by the lack of Two-Buck Chuck. Damn TN Liquor laws!
Lauren: I've never had a bad flavor of hummus at TJ's. In fact, they are my favorite-best price and best flavors. Currently I love the horseradish (also), chipotle pepper, and kalamata olive. I keep a container of it at the office and bring in celery, carrots, or the tiny pitas from TJs. The horseradish flavor at TJ is the strongest one I've tried and I love it! I want to try the edamame flavor next. Anyone tried that one?
Outside of Carrington, I've heard two other firsthand accounts of ChaChah's, and both said roughly the same thing:
"Yeah, the food was pretty good. But we spent $60 between two of us and were still hungry."
Both of these people are foodies, and not adverse to spending for quality. We all understand the tapas concept, but does ChaCha's overcharge for their tiny dishes?
I still haven't been there.
I used to be hooked on the chipotle flavor-- it tastes especially wonderful when spread on the Tex Mex veggie burgers that TJ also sells. But lately I've noticed it having kind of a strange chalky and artificial aftertaste, but maybe it's just me.
I'm still not sure that any store-bought hummus beats the jalapeno hummus at WF.
And, what will hopefully be my last hummus-related comment today, here are two awesome recipes, one for Deb Paquette's(Zola) sweet potato hummus:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6234027/
And one for an awesome spicy edamame dip (not a hummus by any stretch, but about the same consistency):
http://www.recipezaar.com/Spicy-Edamame-Dip-112662
Has anyone tried the Melrose Neighborhood Pub off 8th Ave (across from Athens). I drive past it almost everyday and have yet to venture in. Thoughts?
I like how this conversation dovetails with Laura Wilson's comment about portion size on the menu-labeling thread going on right now. ChaChah has some plates in the $14 range that just blow me away. They are smaller than many restaurant meals, but they have all the flavor, variety, texture and intrigue of plates four times their size. If I ate with the discipline that I should, I would eat every meal like that. Tahini-lime salmon ($14). Sumac-roasted quail ($13). Moroccan spiced lamb loin ($18). If you're with a group, you can throw in a few $5 tapas and get plenty of variety.
jack - i wonder how much of that $60 was alcohol? i just commented over on another post about portion size. for me, i welcome quality over quantity ANY DAY. really good and unusual and well sourced ingredients are expensive. like really.
For quality, complexity, imagination and sybaritic deliciousness, ChaChah's is well worth it. And it's not so expensive as to make it a Special Occasion joint. As CF mentioned, their small plates are at least $10 bucks less than entrees at other places, but their small-size does not mean small flavor.
As I have stated before, I'd rather have one great meal at a restaurant than 4 mediocre ones at a chain.
You will always remember the outstanding meals, the ones the set your senses on fire. The ones that make you have a tastegasm
I actually sent a probably-too-long assessment to Claudia via email regarding Chachah a little while ago. I liked it, but some of the larger plates seemed to have a LOT going on. Very complex.
We went last night and the place was full by the time we left around 8-ish. Mostly very lubricated Music Row types who were loud. We were sitting in the patio area which is all concrete and metal, so I think any time the doors are closed, that's going to be a problem.
Our occasion for going was the SO's birthday. We had three dips and entrees, drinks and three desserts and the tab was $77 (plus tip). Less than I've paid for a similar celebratory meals and not much more than we would have spent at Maggiano's (if I deigned to go).
We ate at Korea House Tuesday night and had a lovely and rice wine laden dinner. Loved all the neat little accompaniments they bring with the meal. Tasty and interesting!
Just returned from lunch at Satay...we were the only two people in the place. Sad. The chicken satay and steamed bun were both terrific and brought to the table with a smile. We shared and I am still stuffed.
Small nit pick: It's ChaChah, no "'s". Just like the following which I regularly hear people adding an apostrophe "s" to: Rosepepper, Margot, Ombi, Tin Angel, Fido, Bongo, Mirror, Copper Kettle.....
ScottJ - don't forget Kroger. It's not Krogers unless you're going to several of them. And it's certainly not Kroger's, as if it were short for Kroger's Grocery Store. That being said, I'm guilty of it occasionally when speaking. Southern colloquialisms are hard to break.
Trader Joes hummus - I am also working my way through the large selection. The edamame is my favorite so far.
Recently I met some friends at Korea House and I have to say it is the best Koean food I have ever had. Wonderful.
Is Rosario's still open?
I thought Korea House was good but didn't like it nearly as well as Seoul Garden out Nolensville. Why doesn't that place get more love? My hibachi platter was just as good as the Korean BBQ I had in Seattle.
Just returned from lunch at Satay...we were the only two people in the place. Sad.
Not just sad: stupefying. Why isn't this place having traffic out the door? It's cheap, fresh, satisfying, delicious and unusual—the kind of place people always complain that Nashville doesn't have. The location's not my favorite, but it's at least smack in the center of the city.
Mobilize, people! Don't let this place go under!
Somehow I'm not getting through, so I'll try again.
I don't mind paying, and I'll gladly take quality over quantity. Still, I don't want to spend $30 on dinner (without booze, btw), and still be hungry when I leave.
The Satay location problem mystifies me. I used to live right there adjacent to Elliston Place and the whole neighborhood was overrun with Vandy students spending away, getting on my nerves full time. I haven't lived there in a while, but do they not come over there any longer? Between the Ombi problems and the empty Satay, I wonder.
Tried Gabby's, the new burger joint over by Greer Stadium. Eh. The fries were good, but the buns were cold and the meat didn't have a lot of flavor. Maybe they need some time to work out the kinks.
Apropos of nothing, I keep getting distracted by that Madeleine Albright/Natan Sharansky banner ad above. It reminds me of a boxing bill. "There can be only one!"
ScottJ: THANK YOU. That absolutely makes me crazy for some reason. Not that the fact that NO ONE in Nashville can negotiate a 4-way stop or merge without coming to an almost-halt on the interstate is maddenining enough - but there is NO s on Margot, ChaChah, Ombi, Marche, etc.! What the *#%@&? Drives me.
OK, misspelling is just as maddening to me. Therefore, the fact that it is 6:07 in the morning, and I am in Florida after a long day at the beach yesterday and I forgot to proof before hitting "Post." oops.
Wait a second, Stephanie: you're in Florida, at the beach, at 6:07 in the morning...and you're reading Bites?!? First, I speak for all of us in saying we're intensely flattered. Second...shouldn't you be watching a sunrise or gathering shells or riding a manatee or something?
jack - i cant imagine eating $30 worth of food anywhere and still being "hungry".
do you need to leave a place bursting? because i hate that feeling...
We finally got takeout from Satay a few days ago and now plan to frequent it often! We had the shrimp and noodles with the red curry, the pork w/ ginger sesame and the chicken satay w/ peanut sauce, both with steamed rice. They were all delish and abundant! Please, please, everyone, go there! I would be sad beyond words if this place went under.
Mr. Pink,
I prefer Seoul Garden as well. More variety, and now that they’ve remodeled and enclosed the dining areas, it feels very cozy.
Their steamed dumplings are some of the best I’ve had any where.
Is Rosario's still open?
To answer this question - Yes, it is still open, and it is still delicious. One of my fave places for Mexican food.
I really hope Satay can make it. I went last week for lunch and was the only dine-in customer, though a couple dressed in scrubs did come by to pick up a to-go order while I was there.
I had the Tom Ka Gai (coconut chicken soup) and an order of the fresh rolls and it was fresh, delicious, and in my price range for a quick lunch meal.
I would think the overflow from Calypso and all the Vandy and medical workers could support this place - be sure to check it out!
Matt C.: Don't think we were ignoring you. Here's a link to C's last Melrose post (which includes a link to her review):
http://blogs.nashvillescene.com/bites/2009/01/short_and_sweet_the_melrose_ke.php
I finally got to check out the Brunch at MadDonna's in East Nashville. It was even better than I expected. Great assortment of food (breakfast and non-breakfast). Great hours 10-3 on both Saturday and Sunday. And 2-for-1 mimosas! Which are great to share and then you don't have to worry about stumbling home. I'll admit I was most excited about the drink special (through March 31), but they have about 5 different juice flavors to choose from and they come in big wine glasses. And the price wasn't bad either!
So I've been a luddite all weekend with my internet connection on the blink.
Went to Chedder's on Friday night and it was pretty bland. Yes, the food is cheap, and the restuarant is pretty nice, but I couldn't get anything decent to dip my chicken fingers in. It was like all 3 sauces they brought out had some variation of horseradish in it. Very strange.
During a lunch trip to Cool Springs today, I discovered where GiGi's Cup Cakes and the Cajun Steamer was located....I'll give both of them a go in the next week or so. Really excited to find both of these places.
I've never even heard of Chedder's. Next there'll be a place called Camemburt's or Goudo's.
There is a Cheddar's in Hendersonville (near Carabbas in the Indian Lake center). Also one in Smyrna near a Target or something? It's a quantity over quality place, but the actual restuarants are rather nice. Lots of jean shorts and NASCAR shirts for the patrons. I know they have to be taking a bite from O'Charley's and (the inconsistent) Shoney's customer base.
Menu: http://www.cheddars.com/CHD/06/menu.html
