Thursday, September 30, 2010
Food Fight Imperialist Dessert Elitism (Is Justified)
Posted by Nicki Wood on Thu, Sep 30, 2010 at 9:54 AM
- Bravo Gelato coffee and doughnuts gelato
Exhibit A is a scoop of Bravo Gelato's coffee-and-doughnuts gelato. It's made fresh, delightful on the tongue and uses real doughtnuts and coffee. A pleasure to eat.
Exhibit B (below, after the jump) is more problematic. It's a Thai dessert of sliced jackfruit and palm seed ... in milk. I get that it's healthier than sugary desserts. I understand that millions of people, whose opinions are totally valid, call it their favoritest treat ever.
Events Eat Your Way Around the Neighborhood at the BHN Home Tour
Posted by Chris Chamberlain on Thu, Sep 30, 2010 at 5:53 AM
But lately we've decided to move beyond the schadenfreude of watching our neighbors squirm as legions of looky-loos check out their medicine cabinets. Now we like to grab a few of our friends and eat and drink our way around the neighborhood, occasionally popping by a featured house in between courses and drinks. I spend a lot of time in Ruby Tuesday's as part of my Christmas shopping regimen too.
This year's BHN home tour is particularly well-planned geographically for our strategy. The tour features homes on Paris and Oakland avenues, Cedar Lane and Belmont Boulevard, so you could lay out a schedule that includes coffee at FIDO, a couple of houses, light lunch at PM, a couple more houses, perhaps a handmade frozen treat at Las Paletas, a few more houses and finally a nice meal with friends at Mafiaoza’s, Burger Up or Blind Pig. The eating works well in the reverse direction too with frothy Monkey, ChaChah, Provence and Sunset Grille in the rotation.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Travel Advisory I Can Haz Firehouse Burger?
Posted by Nicki Wood on Wed, Sep 29, 2010 at 9:10 AM
- Pawbowsky's Firehouse Burger
At home, my most favored burger is a strange combination of hot and sweet: wasabi mayo, Dijon mustard, ketchup and a homemade bread-and-butter relish. Every bite is a wild flavor ride.
I discovered another really good one at Pawbowsky's Dog House in Murfreesboro. I checked out a flyer on Pawbowsky's Firehouse Burger. The proprietor was worried about the potential effects. "You'll have heartburn for hours."
Since a cast-iron stomach is practically a job requirement, I brushed his doubts aside and ordered it. Burger, onions, cheese, sport peppers — it was great. Just hot enough, with a little vinegar tang as a foil for the juicy meat, giardiniera, just a few bits of onion, mellowed out by cheese.
So now I'm all Guy Fieri about finding new burger combinations. What's your burger flavor profile, and where do you go to get it?
Events Enjoy "Dinner on the Bridge" to Benefit Nashville Greenways Sept. 30
Posted by Chris Chamberlain on Wed, Sep 29, 2010 at 6:00 AM
A hugely popular event, Dinner on the Bridge benefits Greenways for Nashville, which works to support the growing Nashville greenway system through volunteer programs, enhancement projects, public awareness, education and promotion.
The dress code is casual and reservations are $150 per person. To hold you place at the table, contact Sherry Walker at 862-8400, x324 or email sherry.walker@nashville.gov.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Events For One Night Only, It's Safe to Be a Pig at tayst
Posted by Chris Chamberlain on Tue, Sep 28, 2010 at 10:15 AM
So he's finally taken the plunge, and tomorrow (Wednesday) night at 6:30 p.m., Jeremy will unveil VEGANSTRAVAGANZA 2010: a five course meal with absolutely no animal products on the menu. You had better call right away to see if there are any places left at the table, because the menu looks fantastic:
Good advice The Breakfast (Hater's) Club
Posted by Nicki Wood on Tue, Sep 28, 2010 at 9:43 AM
- Thai for breakfast?
Aster's in good company: Just Google (or Bing) "hate breakfast food" to see how unpopular eggs, waffles and cereal are with some people.
Years ago, I wrote an article in the Scene questioning whether breakfast really is that important. I interviewed people who don't like breakfast and nutritionists who insisted it is the best way to start the day. I pored over studies, all of them funded by the breakfast cereal companies; I never did find any research on breakfast that wasn't funded by a cereal company. I reached the conclusion that people who aren't hungry and don't see a dip in their performance should feel free to skip breakfast.
Ten years later, the research in support of breakfast seems to be piling up. Even I started eating something in the morning, but it's almost never breakfast-y food. Active.com says that's OK.
No one says you have to start your day with eggs or cereal. Look to breakfast options around the world for some fresh ideas. In some parts of India, a popular breakfast includes a spicy yogurt and rice dish. Noodles and soup are common in other parts of Asia ... a good breakfast has complex carbohydrates, protein and fruits or vegetables. "Breakfast could be a half sandwich and some orange juice; leftover pizza and fruit; or last night's dinner. Just eat."
So is it the most important meal of the day to you? Are you homicidal if you don't eat? And will leftover pizza or pad thai satisfy better than an omelet?
Drinks Who Knew We Nashvillians Were So Badass When It Comes to Liquids?
Posted by Chris Chamberlain on Tue, Sep 28, 2010 at 8:51 AM
- http://yazoobrew.blogspot.com/
On the nonalcoholic front, everybody's favorite grade school field trip location, Purity Dairies, recently competed in the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wis., and took home four-first place awards. No other dairy has won this many awards in the history of the competition. They defeated a record 655 competitors to win the milk, no fat cottage cheese, sour cream and Philly vanilla ice cream categories. Take that, ya' buncha Wisconsin Cheeseheads!
Speaking of something else they like in Wisconsin, our local beer masters at Yazoo Brewing Company recently brought home a silver medal from the Great American Beer Festival in Denver. Their smoked imperial porter "Sue" finished second behind the venerable Alaskan Smoked Porter. That's pretty high cotton, for sure. Congrats to our friends (and neighbors) at Yazoo. Keep pumping out the good stuff.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Fun and Games IHOP, or at Least Am Hopped-Up on Something
Posted by Steve Haruch on Mon, Sep 27, 2010 at 12:25 PM
I have to say, I have fond memories of IHOP from my childhood. My family used to go there on special occasions, such as Mother's Day, and like many kids, I loved getting a big pancake smothered in chocolate chips and whipped cream. But now that I watch this old IHOP commercial, I'm starting to wonder if the real reason for those fond memories is that I was fed LSD and enlisted in a balloon cult. Trippy!
(HT: My friend Jarid, whom none of you know.)
Half-Price Burgers and Jazz at F. Scott's on Monday and Tuesday Nights
Posted by Chris Chamberlain on Mon, Sep 27, 2010 at 10:30 AM
Mondays & Tuesdays only
Half-price burgers
Grilled burger with roasted tomatoes, aioli and Munster cheese
Served with pommes frites
Grilled lamb burger, white cheddar, red wine balsamic aioli,
with tomato, baby arugula, artisan ciabatta roll
Served with curry fries
Solo Jazz Piano Mondays & Tuesdays
No cover
Food Fight A Note to Church's Customer Service
Posted by Nicki Wood on Mon, Sep 27, 2010 at 9:07 AM
Madison called Church's customer service, and they sent an apologetic note offering a replacement meal.
But look at the offer. It's for only what you ordered plus dessert, the offer lasts just 90 days, and you must return to the original store, which presumably has quality issues. And you have to present the letter to the manager.
Why? So he can direct the staff to spit on the food of the person who ratted him out to the regional office?
Madison says things have to be pretty wrong before s/he will go to the trouble of contacting customer service. I think a lot of people don't complain because it's time-consuming, and they feel bad about getting people into trouble. And of those who do complain, even fewer will be willing to confront the manager with the very letter that probably went into his personnel file.
Why not just send a coupon? Can someone explain?
