Friday, April 3, 2009
Open Thread Empty Plate: What's It Gonna Be on Our Weekly Open Thread?
Posted by Jim Ridley on Fri, Apr 3, 2009 at 8:00 AM
Coppola wines, ChaChah's brunch, and which is better, Miss Saigon or Kien Giang--those were among the topics you raised on last week's open thread, where we turn the forum over to you. Good restaurants? Bad restaurants? Meals, deals, drinks? Got any food for thought? Serve it here.
If you have any tips, news, gossip or tidbits you don't want to share with the group, please send them to cfox (at) nashvillescene (dot) com.
Comments (31)
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Lunch this week at 1808….beautiful room, well priced lunch options, excellent service. I had the striped sea bass my wife had the pulled chicken Panini. The fish was slightly greasy otherwise perfectly seared. We loved the shoe string fries served in the miniature metal basket…the coleslaw not so much.
Wednesday lunch at Arnold’s before the UFC fights. I can’t find words to describe the brisket…I see why they just won America’s Classics award,
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I liked 1808 on my one visit--agreed about both the presentation of the fries and the quality of the slaw. (Also, my panini hadn't been grilled long enough: it was still cool and unmelted in the center.) It may have the most ingenious presentation of anyplace in town, but I wonder if that makes the dishes pretty hard to execute consistently.
I have eaten out but one time this week, for a co-worker's birthday. Admiral Jim's at the Four Corners Marina of LaVergne-Couchville Pike.
Interesting little place. I had a grilled cheese and tater tots. But ya don't go for the food, you go for the view. There are tables outside and fishermen who look like they just stepped off a cod-fishing boat in Rhode Island. I only know that because work once took me to a marina in Rhode Island...
Oh, the food? Y'know, okay. My options are limited. The service was very good. Everyone around the dock is friendly.
Oh! Actually, I forgot--I ate at Pied Piper Eatery Tuesday night. I got the mac-n-cheese and hashbrowns. That was a lot more food than I expected (but reflected in the price). I should have checked to see if they had side order versions of both.
I think I read another review that said that the Waffle House had nothing on them, but I didn't notice too much of a difference other than the huge selection of stuff to add in to your hashbrowns. And though good, the mac-n-cheese is RICH. I am not accustomed to eating that much milkfat in a meal. Needless to say, I skipped having ice cream for dinner.
We are self-limiting the dining budget these days, so we only had two non-home eating experiences this week.
1. Went to Five Guys in Green Hills in an attempt to get a milkshakes. THEY DO NOT HAVE MILKSHAKES. What?! Wouldn't it make sense that they would? We wound up at Whole Foods buying off the dessert bar and getting screwed by the $6.99 per pound price again. I mean, their bread pudding is pretty good for sitting on a steam table all day, but $6.99/pound? Gotta remember to just get a cookie next time.
2. Back to our old favorite Thai Star (on East Thompson Lane in the Kroger strip) for take-out last night. It never disappoints. Had the Spicy Basil with Tofu. Mmmm. Good.
The photo of the UFC dude that looks like he's crying blood that keeps appearing in the next column over is SO appetizing. ;)
Amen. Then again, I am thankful every time I waddle out of there that I didn't eat a shake. I wonder how many milkshakes at what price you would have to sell to be able to afford the rent next door to Five Guys for a shake place?
Also, I went to Los Rosales last week and Carlos informed me they're now doing a lunch buffet--seven days a week. On weekends, there are fajitas. The SO is intrigued. I believe the price is $6.99. Don't know if it's higher on weekends or not.
Will King come back and divulge the recipe for Fido's black bean burger?
Thoughts on the best veggie burger in town? Has anyone tried PM's?
Lesley-
Count me in if you want a Los Rosales weekend Mexican buffet trip, sounds great!
Lauren-I know it's a chain, but I really like the veggie burger at J.Alexander's, flavorful, good consistency.
Went by GiGi's Cupcakes in Cool Springs after lunch and the place was packed, must have sold 50-60 cupcakes in a span of 10 minutes. Incredible.
Can anyone give me any recommendations on where to buy loose leaf tea in Nashville?
Hot Diggity Dog yesterday...love veggie dogs - and the fact that Jack White was there.
A Five Guys milkshake would probably put me in a coma. Had Martin's BBQ for lunch, always enjoy that redneck taco.
Sarah - Davis Cookware in Hillsboro Village has quite a few loose leaf teas. You can also buy some at Portland Brew.
Sarah - I second Lauren on Davis Cookware. The owners can be a bit intense, but the tea is worth it. They also have fantastic coffee, my favorite place in Nashville for both coffee & tea.
alwayshungryab - I don't eat at Five Guys just based on the milkshake thing.
We went to Marche for dinner on Wednesday right after they switched to their April menu. My husband got the pasta carbonara and it was amazing, I had the special of the day - duck breast with a beet/arugula salad, it was fantastic. Lots of other delicious looking items on the new menu, including a vegan quinoa dish that looked intriguing.
this week it was:
savarino's (twice) - again, i love this place. the new seven layer cake cookies are awesome. and the ricotta cheesecake. and the sandwiches and the pizza's. and the cannoli's...
ombi - last night. i had a gingery, prickly pear cocktail garnished with basil. we shared a lot of small plates. oh and belgian beer. jason baked up some amazing bread that day. and i loved my stuffed red pepper. just really lovely. the honey roasted root vegetables were wonderful too. and they were hoppin'!
and miss saigon... of course.
(the diet is officially fucked)
I heard a rumor that Miro District has gone French. Any truth to that as far as we know? Or is it just a seasonal switch-out.
A little behind the curve... I was finally able to make it back to Los Rosales for the first time since their reopening.
We ate dinner early -- 5:30 on Saturday -- and had the restaurant to ourselves for most of the time.
Service was its usual super self.
Husband had carne asados tacos, and I had the steak enchiladas with avocado sauce, sprinkled with queso fresco. His tacos came with a roasted spring onion, a nice touch. Excellent preparation, not too much food or too salty.
As a wildcard, I decided to order a side of fried peppers for $1.50. These turned out to be three large jalepenos, fried naked. I opened them up, scraped out the seeds, and ate them with rice. Not for everyone, but it's amazing how the fruitiness of the jalepeno came out with the frying. It was still damn hot.
Los Rosales continues to be in a league of its own for Mexican food in Nashville.
Claudia, I am convinced we WILL run into each other one of these days (whether we realize it or not), because we share so many favorite haunts.
A friend that works at Miro has mentioned that they are going French. He’s also mentioned their executive chef is no longer with them and back in Alabama?
Dinner last night at La Hacienda…I don’t get the hype. The food is sub par…I had the al pastor tacos which tasted nuked. The chorizo was bland and too greasy for my liking.
I was at Hacienda yesterday for lunch. We took a friend who had never been before. I could tell by her face that she shared Bas Rutten's reaction. I think you just have to know what to order. Tostada ceviche and two fish tacos works every time. Plus, the Diet Coke is awesome. It's the only one I drink in a week. Good fountain mix.
Went to Cha Chah on Friday night. Overall, I don't get the hype. It was super loud, almost impossible to have any conversation, we ended up yelling at each other.
Ordered the dips, 3 for $12, which I thought was a good deal, contrary to some other opinions I have heard. Had the herbed goat cheese (great), white bean and fennel (bland), and pimento cheese (good). The bread basked had some weird cracker type thingy that was very spicy, which was odd. It didn't go well with any of the dips.
I had the Benton's proscuitto which was good. Needed something to eat with eat besides the 3 tiny pear slices. I also had the cha cha ronnes, basically pork rinds. Ok, but not noticeably any better than those from a gas station. I like pork rinds from gas stations, so I was ok with it.
Also had the duck and chorizo tamales. Ok--meat didn't taste like much, batter tasted exactly like corn dog batter. I like corn dogs, so I was ok with those too.
My husband had the quail racione (larger plate). He said it was ok. I had a bite, I thought it was good, the meat was very tender. He also had the tomato and goat cheese tortilla espanola. He didn't like it, I did.
The other couple that we were with had the chicken samosas--good but the sauce was gross. I tried it, had a faint mustiness to it. It was strange. They also had the tomato and goat cheese tortilla, they liked it. Had the yuca potato and chorizo croquetas. No one liked these at all, the filling was the consistency of baby food, completely ground into a paste.
Had two glasses of wine and the bill for just us was $71 before tip. Quite expensive.
I am very interested to hear what others ordered and really loved. Maybe I should try it again when it is less crowded and order something different.
Also, I just re-read this and I sound like a complete hick who loves corn dogs and pork rinds. sigh.
Went to Thai Star after hearing such good things about it, but both my date and I thought it was just ok. Maybe I should have gotten the curry since that's usually how I judge a Thai place. I'll give them another chance, but I still like Jasmine best.
leslie - overall, i agree re: chachah
we ordered 8 tapas and only 2 were really great. the lamb and the shrimp. the others ranged from ok - to bad. dessets were good except the small orange cakey thing we had was seriously overbaked. hard and crumbly. needed to be tossed. too bad as all the flavors were there. they need to tighten up their act. big time... i think the chef is too focused on other things. he needs to be in that kitchen now - paying attention. if i'm wrong and he's there - then the place won't make it.
melissa - i'm easy to spot. please say hello! i overdined through much of march which i wasn't going to do - so i need to take april off. then i'm in nyc for a week!
so, let's see if miro can reinvent itself... it seems to be currently trying with all it's might. and i quote:
"Today, in this very neighborhood, we bring to life this gentler world once more at Miro District Food & Drink, inspired by the flavors of France and the traditions of Tennessee."
i think that means french with a southern twist. go get em, miro...
where is the best place in town to get crawfish? I have always gone to South Street on Sundays but I feel that there may be something better out there.
The crawfish boil we tried at Cajun Steamer in Cool Springs was spot-on--I wore Old Bay like Old Spice for the rest of the day. (Anybody heard the rumor they might be opening another location a bit closer?) Or you could try wangling an invite to Tom Wills' annual crawdad rally near Love Circle, one of the coolest down-low events in Nashville.
Have you ever been to the crawfish/music festival at Riverfront?
Anyone loving Crawfish or ANY real cajun staple should check out Bro's Cajun Cusine which is hidden just beside 440 on Charlotte (yes 440 goes over charlotte, but there is no exit.) This institution of cajun goodness has been working magic in Nashville for 20+ years, and has been on charlotte for 5 years or so. They serve boiled crawfish when in season on Friday nights and monday - friday for lunch. They are not open any other nights than Friday. When live crawfish are not in season, they still cook mean crawfish ettuffe, as well as the best poboys in town. Also on the menu are hand made boudin sausage, shrimp creole, red beans and rice, and a chicken/sausage gumbo to die for. Get the Sampler, and take home leftovers for your dinner!
Sorry, I've been an enthusiastic customer for 18 years, and I don't understand how a conversation about crawfish and cajun food could occur in this city without Bro's Cajun Cusine being highlighted. (Oh, wait, I know why, they are too busy cooking and surviving the honest way to promote what they have loud enough to be on the radar.)
