Friday, July 9, 2010
Open Thread Weekly Open Thread Respects the Old Skool
Posted by Nicki Wood on Fri, Jul 9, 2010 at 11:21 AM
Located in an old gas station on a state road, it was reminiscent of Mama Mia. It offered the same comforting, well-made classics like eggplant parmesan, cheese pizza, linguine with clam sauce. The calamari was crisp and light. That vanishing species, the bread basket, made an appearance. That other vanishing species, the carafe (and half-carafe) of wine were unexpectedly good quality.
It was really, really good. Good, in a 1974 way that still held up in 2010.
Bites reports exciting new food events in Nashville, and remembers the old faithfuls, too. Had a good experience at an old standby this week? Or found something that seems likely to become one? Bites is your place for discussion, comment and wishes.
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Obligatory food-related post: Reacquainted myself this week with the Fat Mo Jr. Burger, my vote for the best fast-food burger in the city. The dousing of pepper on the patty makes it for me, but mine also came with a thick slab of perfectly ripe summer tomato.
Also, when is Bagelface opening? I went by and peeked in, and I saw distressingly empty steel fixtures and baskets where bagels should be. Breakfast at Mitchell Deli was my consolation prize, with three 75-cent strips of Benton's Bacon (as advertised on Treme!).
Just recently made it to Cinco De Mayo in Hermitage…..not sure what took us so long, but it was well worth the drive for the flan alone.
Okay, here's a wish: A bakery in Nashville proper that does real Bavarian-style lye-dipped soft pretzels and pretzel rolls and distributes them to area restaurants. Silke's in Clarksville must be working doubletime to fulfill Village Pub's orders, on top of serving Mitchell Deli with other wonderful breads. Nashville needs more real soft pretzels!
There is a bakery that bills itself as German selling goods out of Vienna Cafe on Carothers in Cool Springs. Haven't had a chance to check them out (has anyone else? it's a cute little cafe), as I am on pretzel hiatus -- leave for Milwaukee tonight, back Monday.
In other pretzel news, I bought some food-grade lye and am going to try the recipe from last year's NY Times article as soon as my pretzel cravings return. Baking soda in boiling water does not cut it for me anymore.
According to their FB page, Bagelface will be open Sunday from 7a-2p and should have those hours daily next week. Wanted to go today for the preview, but Baby Eats isn't cooperating.
Not that I will ever go, but there's definitely a Pig and Pie going in at the old Hot Kabobs place on White Bridge Road. I've seen the smoker outside several times. Mr. Eats is excited; he is under the impression he might actually get to eat there. Oh, he is so funny.
Scaevola- I've been to Vienna House in CS a couple of times, but so far have only had lattes and a salad, all of which I thoroughly enjoyed. The guys working there are very friendly, and it's a great place to get some work done with their free wi-fi.
Hey Pink, I just ate a Fat Mo burger too, and had forgotten how good. But it was before peak tomato season, so no tomato for me.
I was in central Florida on a lake and we didn't catch any fish. Hence the Italian dinner.
Village Pub makes a really good Italian sausage sandwich using their soft pretzels. It's absolutely amazing.
We went to Porta Via tonight after dinner for gelato and drinks. The place was hopping at 9 pm, and I hadn't been since they turned those high tables into lower tables for more eating space. We just sat at the bar, but that's another one of those places where I always have a pleasant experience. And we can walk to it. And the beer and wine is priced well (i.e., low).
@ Shannon: Are you saying the Village Pub on McGavock? Makes a sandwich on a soft pretzel? I may faint.
Nicki, Yes!! It's Italian sausage (cooked in beer), mozzarella, carmelized onion & tomato confit. It's one of the best sandwiches I've had in a while.
Mr. Pink, I agree it's the pepper that makes it. I always get sauteed mushrooms & onions on my burger. They're nice & peppery too.
Pig & Pie was a BBQ place owned by Fate Thomas Jr, the son of ultra-colorful longtime Sheriff Fate Thomas...may he rest in peace. Fate Jr was almost equally a character. The restaurant was where Broadway Brew West is now. Fate Jr and his partner had a falling out, which is why the place closed. It's a unique name wondered if he is re-surfacing.
Fate Sr used to have the inmates smoking pork for political event, fundraisers, whatever all over town. Great 'que. Fate Jr. got the smokers, then when the place closed, Clean Plate Club bought at least one and it is parked beside their building on 12th. A wee bit of Nashville culinary/political history.
In its heyday, still the best BBQ ever served within the city limits, by my estimation.
Also ... I believe Lesley can back me up in saying Bagelface just reset the bar for bagels in Nashville. Chewy inside, salty, buttery crust outside -- people are going to go nuts. I cannot wait until they do bialys or pumpernickel.
They were on pace Sunday morning to sell out by 11 a.m., so get there early.
Kay, don't forget that Pig & Pie also existed for a few years in the Bellevue Mall food court after the Charlotte Pike location closed.
I feel like this is worth mentioning. My man & I went to Fido for brunch Sunday, and NOT ONLY did our food arrive rather promptly, my latte actually came up BEFORE we got our food. I was pleasantly surprised. I wonder if this was just a fluke, or have they actually improved their speed? I love their food and drinks, but I've been way too disappointed in the past by the lackluster service.
Uh, yeah. That bagel was everything it was hyped to be. Delicious. I was so excited, I posted a review yesterday! http://lesleyeats.blogspot.com/2010/07/fir…
I'm not an East Nashville regular, so I had a little trouble finding the place, despite the fact that the Bites post said it was under Castrillo's. I blame the fact that I'm from Memphis--no hills there so when I looked at Castrillo's, I was a little confused. I think "behind" is a better description.
Erins, I eat at Fido at least twice a week, and I can tell you it has improved dramatically in efficiency over the past few years. And I know I keep mentioning this, but Chef John Stephenson's lunch specials during the week are outta site.
i tried sopapillas, and i was so disappointed i don't know that i'll be back. drove through rush hour traffic (with toddler in tow), then waited an hour for a table. i don't mind waiting for a good meal, but i can't even say this one was OK. the meal started with a $4 'cup' of queso that came in a teeny ramekin-sized container and actually had unmelted pieces of Velveeta in it.
Velveeta!
for four bucks i'd think they'd bring me real cheese. and my waitress refused me and my pregnant belly a virgin margarita. i just asked for lime juice with club soda, and somehow it was impossible. don't get me started on the meal itself. no ingredients can survive inside a cold, greasy corn tortilla.
the reviews here have been more positive. is it just me?
Beth - Glad to hear it! I'll definitely have to make it over to Vienna Cafe and give them a go. I am curious about who the German bakers are and what their relationship is to the owners of the cafe.
As for my long weekend in Milwaukee, I had a restaurant-grown meal at Roots, custard from Leon's, cracker crust pizza from Zaffiro's, Usinger's brat and weisswurst at Old German Beer Hall, a Klement's polish at the Brewers game, and the only satisfactory pretzel I had - thrice in three days - at Old German Beer Hall again. And after three brewery tours and many pub visits, I am pretty much an authority on Milwaukee food and beer at this point, lol.
