Thursday, May 26, 2011
News Jeni's Ice Cream to Open First Full-Size Tennessee Shop in East Nashville's Walden Building
Posted by Steve Haruch on Thu, May 26, 2011 at 5:40 AM
Oh yes, right there between The (currently-in-the-midst-of-expanding) Silly Goose and The Wild Cow in the Walden complex on Eastland, Jeni's will be offering at least 24 flavors — and "up to the low 30s," JSIC spokesman Aaron Beck tells Bites — in Tennessee's first such franchise store. From 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Seven days a week. The opening date is not firm yet, but we're told we can expect it to open in late June.
And if you possess "a love of eating Jeni's handmade ice cream" — which, how could you not — they're hiring. Now for some equally cool news, which relates to the delicious-looking dollop of strawberry ice cream pictured at right.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Bites Birthday Un-Cake Redux
Posted by Nicki Wood on Wed, May 25, 2011 at 9:19 AM
You may have missed a previous post on un-cakes on the search for noncakes that are still tasty and festive. Bites readers made great suggestions; seems we're not the only uncake seekers. Birthday breakfast sweet rolls, birthday cobbler, watermelon, pie pops, trifle — lots of good suggestions.
This year's entry went in a completely different direction — a meatloaf, frosted with mashed potatoes and topped with confetti of peas, parsley and steamed carrots. Pretty good, huh?
First Bite Try Jim's Coney Island for Dogs and Burgers
Posted by Chris Chamberlain on Wed, May 25, 2011 at 5:38 AM
Detroit Coney Dog? I thought Coney Island was in New York? Time for more leaning, this time from the old Wikipedia. Apparently Coney Dogs originated in the early 20th century in Michigan, particular becoming popular in the cities of Flint and Detroit a few years before they ever made it to the Big Apple. An authentic Coney should be made with a Koegel Vienna beef wiener from the Koegel Meat Co. in Flint and should be topped with onions, mustard and a beanless chili sauce heavily flavored with cumin and made from beef hearts.
Still with me after the beef-heart chili deal? Good, because it definitely is a dog worth experiencing. Ron Butler, the owner/chief cook/bottle washer at Jim's overnights his chili sauce and Koegel dogs from Michigan to ensure their authenticity. (Speaking of dogs, look for the picture of Jim above the counter and you'll see the namesake of the establishment.) Keeping with the Midwestern theme, Ron serves case after case of Faygo soft drinks and Vernor's Ginger Ale to accompany the dogs, burgers and well-seasoned fries. If you're a cream soda fan, try a Faygo Rock and Rye with your next Coney. You'll thank me.
The beef casing of the Coney has just enough snap to it, and the fact that the dogs are grilled instead of steamed or boiled ensures a little bit of pleasing char. The chili sauce is wonderfully messy, and no one will look down their nose at you if you use a fork to finish up the drippings. Mainly the reason no one would look down their nose is that everyone in the entire joint is facing in the same direction.
You see, Jim's Coney Island is tee-tiny. With only 8 or 9 stools facing the grill and Ron's entertaining ongoing chatter, if the weather doesn't allow for outside seating you better get there early or consider a to-go order. There are a few bistro tables outside, but the parking lot is small and spaces aren't marked, so expect a little anarchic traffic to entertain you while you eat. Jim's shares the lot with a service station, so it's pretty much every driver for themselves when trying to park.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Barbecue The Peace Corps of Pork
Posted by Chris Chamberlain on Tue, May 24, 2011 at 7:31 AM
Frequent Bites commenter and competition barbecue smoker Rob Marlow asked himself that question a few weeks ago, and came up with the answer. What you do is hook up your smoker to the back of the Ulika-mobile and get your butts down to Alabama to start slow-cooking some pork and handing out some sammiches!
Since Rob is too self-effacing to brag on himself, I'll do it for him. Along with other members of the Ulika BBQ team, Rob formed The BBQ Skillet Brigade, who distributed 540 gallons of water, cases of diapers and sanitary supplies and over 350 barbecue sandwiches to the affected residents of Phil Campbell, Ala., and the relief workers who are helping with cleanup. That's over 140 pounds of pork butts that went to feed the recovery effort. As Rob said on the team's Facebook page, "When a guy takes a break from raking up his belongings to eat a sandwich and drink a Gatorade — I just hope that we were able to take one worry off his plate."
Restaurants Cafe Bosna Beckons
Posted by Nicki Wood on Tue, May 24, 2011 at 5:21 AM
- Nicki P. Wood
- Stuffed cabbage rolls, stuffed pepper and chevapi from Cafe Bosna
Cafe Bosna, open a couple of years on Old Hickory, is the metier of Sevala Kulovic, onetime owner of Sevala's at Fifth and Union downtown. She drew attention to the little eatery with high-quality coffeeshop food sprinkled with Bosnian specialties.
Kulovic moved to Denver after selling Sevala's, then returned to Middle Tennessee about three years ago and opened Cafe Bosna (5751 Old Hickory Blvd., 889-7008).
Everything is made fresh, including the phyllo pastry (if you can even get your brain around that), and dinner is cooked to order. The back of the menu includes a listing of specialties from various regions including Turkey, Armenia, Hungary, Austria, Germany and Poland.
Sit in the dining room and you're treated like family, with conversation and camaraderie if you like, or privacy if you prefer. Sevala will light candles at your table. Fine European specialties like schnitzels (Jager, Vienna) arrive perfectly cooked and plated with fresh vegetables ($14 and change). You can scarf it down and leave, or bring a bottle of wine and linger as long as you like. Cafe Bosna is really very much like dining in Hungary or Poland.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Fun and Games Cicada Cupcakes Spotted at Whole Foods
Posted by Dana Kopp Franklin on Mon, May 23, 2011 at 12:54 PM
The whimsical mini cupcakes are flavored with vanilla, not actual cicada.
Retail Inspired Flavors from an Inspiring Ice Pops Entrepreneur
Posted by Nicki Wood on Mon, May 23, 2011 at 11:04 AM
When she lost her job as regional marketing manager for retirement communities, she turned her skill into a venture making Chilly Pops treats suitable for cancer patients, diabetics and other specialty diets like ADHD and suppressed appetites. Many of the flavors are sold in grocery stores and cafes around town.
"My orders got to be so big that I had to stop making them out of the house. I had to make my own manufacturing shop," says Bartosh.
Working from the Nashville Business Incubation Center on 10th Avenue North downtown, Bartosh produces more than 200 flavors stashed in three freezers. Thirty-one flavors are sugar-free, 52 are dairy-free, 21 combine fruit and vegetables, two include nuts, and 21 are yogurt pops.
Functional flavors pack maximum nutrients in one treat, for example, avocado-parsley-asparagus-orange, or offer a super-dose of antioxidants in a berry-rich pop. Others soothe a sore mouth, a common side effect of chemotherapy, with creamy ingredients like avocado and coconut milk (my favorite flavor of the three I tried).
Conversation Bites What Makes A Restaurant Family-Friendly?
Posted by Chris Chamberlain on Mon, May 23, 2011 at 8:08 AM
But I've learned that pricing isn't always the deal-maker or deal-breaker. Some folks I know swear by the Pied Piper Eatery because they have a little play area for kids that isn't as involved as the ball pit at a McDonald's. Restaurants that allow the kids to take part in the assemblage of their meal like Sweet CeCe's or Pfunky Griddle are always entertaining for children but can rack up quite a bill for their parents with all the available add-ins. Use caution.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Cheap Eats Time to Jam: Half-Off Deal at New Coffeehouse
Posted by Dana Kopp Franklin on Fri, May 20, 2011 at 12:46 PM
If you haven't checked Jam out yet, now might be a good time. Today's Big Deal is an $8 gift certificate for $4. The Jam offers great coffee from a local roaster and a dazzling selection of organic teas. I haven't tried the food yet, but I hear they do panini, soups and hot specials like veggie tacos. And pastries, too.
I really like the sunny room and the fun '50s-retro vibe. The Jam Coffeehouse is at 1210 Wedgewood Ave. (823-3292). More info is at facebook.com/thejamcoffeehouse.
Events Swine Time at MacK & Kates
Posted by Nicki Wood on Fri, May 20, 2011 at 12:11 PM
Earl and Priscilla will wed at a party from 3 to 5 p.m. at the recently relocated MacK & Kate's, at the corner of Moore's Lane and Franklin Road. It's a good way to get to know the restaurant, which relocated last November from Kingston Springs. Owners Jan and Bernie Strawn call their food "urban country" or "Southern food with a twist," and the fresh, inventive, well-prepared food seems like a good fit in the neighborhood.
The Southern-style, family-friendly summer party will include a Low Country Boil (shrimp, potatoes, corn, etc.), cornbread, a popcorn station, bluegrass music and a silent auction. For kids there will be nonalcoholic beverages, face-painting, live animals to visit with and games. For grownups, there will be a cash bar with beer, wine and the restaurant's signature Squealer Martini.
Swine Soiree raises funds and awareness for Linda’s Hope, a local nonprofit dedicated to pancreatic cancer research. All ages are welcome. Tickets are just $15 and available at the door. For more details, email Jessica Henson at mackandkates@gmail.com or call 591-4104.
