Thursday, April 30, 2009
Bites Showcasing Nashville: Ma and Bro are Coming to Town
Posted by Lee Stabert on Thu, Apr 30, 2009 at 5:17 AM
So, the impossible has recently been confirmed: My mom is finally coming to Nashville to visit me. She helped me move down here more than three years ago (not an easy task since I was crippled by a broken kneecap at the time) and hasn't been back since. Now, this isn't entirely her fault--due to the fact that she lives full-time at the Jersey Shore these days, summer months always result in my going there. We also spend Thanksgiving in Philly. She swore she was coming last fall, but then I ended up back in the City of Brotherly Love working for the Obama campaign. So, long story short, the stars have finally aligned and she's coming to town, my little brother in tow.
Now that I know this town pretty well, I'm excited to show it off. This means food, lots of it. And since I've started doing a bit of food writing, my family expects a lot from me when it comes to restaurant choice. I don't want to disappoint.
So, Bites Community, where should I take them for a truly local--and impressive--culinary experience. City House? Las Americas? Margot? Hot chicken? Sweet 16th? (Keep in mind, my mom loves, loves, loves a great deal.)
I also plan on cooking one night. Any show-stopping recipes (that remain easy to prepare after a couple of glasses of wine) that folks have been itching to share?
Comments (13)
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I cannot see any fault in yr mom not visiting here considering where she calls home.
Take her out - that'll teach her to stay away.
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City House on Sunday Night is one of the best things in town, but it isn't particularly "local."
The Standard has its charm and seems very specific to Nashville - especially the Nashville of, say, 1968. And since it's Derby week, get the hot brown - it's the best one in the city.
i was going to say city house on sunday night. margot for saturday brunch. maybe a trip down to leipers fork and pucketts, if the weathers nice. las paletas. maybe monells for sunday brunch.
If she loves a deal, I'd say Las Americas or the carniceria taco stand on Harding just off I-24 are musts. If she wants truly local fare, Prince's, Eastside Fish, Arnold's and Silver Sands (or whatever it's called now) are awesome.
Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint out Nolensville Road will blow their minds, and it's a gorgeous drive. And out-of-towners love the Loveless and Pancake Pantry. As for the higher end, Barbara Please is right on the money.
The East Nashville joints you know better than anybody. Maybe Zavos? Southern Bred?
Also, make sure they go to the Farmers Market and the Peanut Shop in the Arcade.
Another vote for City House on Sunday nights. Although it's not really "Nashville", it definitely showcases some of the best the city has to offer.
My out of town guests and family are coming from the opposite coast but they always rave about Germantown Cafe and Jim n' Nicks BBQ out on Charlotte. Last time we were at Germantown Cafe, my dad (a former restaurant owner) sent his compliments and a tip back to the kitchen he liked his meal so much.
Also what I feel is often an overlooked gem with all the hot newer joints in town, Zola is probably my favorite restaurants in Nashville.
Barbara's Home Cooking on Old Hillsboro Road is a great place, but so is the Copper Kettle. At Barbara's you feel like your in someone's home, so that may be a plus.
Chinatown in Green Hills, while not purely authentic has decent lunch specials, and their service is consistently on par. And Calypso might be another cheap option for lunch.
Las Paletas one afternoon would be fun. (I'm partial to the pineapple)
I wouldn't think any ethnic food here would beat what she can get in Philly, so I'd go for the distinctively Nashville stuff. But if you have to have Mexican, go to Los Rosales because (for dinner) it's not the Tex Mex stuff. There are some very unique dinners available there, even by Yankee standards. Ha!
On a semi-related note, and speaking of the Peanut Shop, I need to get a Nashville-themed food gift for someone. I was thinking something from the Peanut Shop--any suggestions on favorites?
Or, should I go with Nashville Toffee Company or something else?
Lauren, get the Nashville Toffee. It's incredible. TO be tired of toffee is to be tired of life.
@Lauren: Get one of the Peanut Shop's tins. They'll put in dividers, and you can create a pretty luscious mix for less than $20 (as I recall; I haven't done it in a few years). My favorites are the dark chocolate almonds, the butter-toffee cashews and the chocolate peanut-butter malted milk balls, but the roasted almonds, pecans, cashews and macadamias are great (especially warm out of the display case).
Love that Nashville Toffee too. Or you could go for Omni Hut teriyaki sauce, some of the pickled goods or jellies at the Nashville Farmers' Market, or truffles from Cuppycakes.
This may be cliche but our visitors always love it: Jimmy Kelly's. It elicits strong emotions from locas (too stuffy, too many politicians, too old fashioned, "I hate paying for a potato," etc.), but it's classic Nashville and the hoecakes can't be beaten.
I love many of the more modern, upscale places, but we're not going to impress them with that kind of food IMO... we have to be ourselves, and our regional food is something worth experiencing for outsiders. Matha's is always a great place, and with everything in bloom right now you could get some great pictures.
Loveless will be godawful on Sunday morning so you may as well keep driving to Puckets in Franklin or Leipers Fork or even Monells in Franklin or Germantown (antiquing after?). Any morning other than Sunday the Henpeck Market is a dream for breakfast.
