Comment Archives: stories: Restaurants: Dining
Re: “Dinner at Chinatown in Green Hills: better than 'good enough for Nashville'”
Relative to other areas of North America, Chinese food in Nashville is abysmal. Areas I frequent, Chicago & Detroit, have spectacular dishes that we could only dream of. For several years I've attempted to convince the owners of Hong Hua in Farmington Hills, MI, to add Nashville - may even consider an investment in the idea. I'm forwarding this article to them in hopes they will see the light. They sell so many (30/day) Peking Ducks one can pick up one on a moment's notice - in fact, I'm bringing one back to Nashville tonight. Crispy delicious w/o an ounce of grease....
Re: “Dinner at Chinatown in Green Hills: better than 'good enough for Nashville'”
Count me as one of the folks who have been going to Chinatown for over twenty years-- half my life!-- because it has been the best of a bad lot.
Your news of improvements to the menu is welcome! Thanks, Jack and Steve.
Re: “Dinner at Chinatown in Green Hills: better than 'good enough for Nashville'”
Well, whatever the reason, I am glad that we now have dinner at Chinatown as a viable option. I had a hot & spicy fresh fish hotpot off their specials board last weekend that was eye-opening. Had to work due to the bones, but it was waaaaayyyyyy worth it!
Re: “Dinner at Chinatown in Green Hills: better than 'good enough for Nashville'”
I know I've written this a dozen times, but the reason we don't have good Chinese food here is that there aren't a lot of long-time Chinese residents here. It's a matter of migration. For reasons I don't know, Koreans who came to Tennessee mostly settled in east and middle Tennessee and Chinese people largely went to Memphis. There is a huge Chinese population there. There's a Chinese school there. Chinese food is like barbecue: there's almost no bad Chinese food and more than a handful of very good Chinese restaurants.
Similarly, the Italian food in Memphis is at a much higher level than here, but the Middle Eastern food, notsomuch. Nashville's Kurdish population ensures there's some really fantastic food from that region here.
Re: “Top Chef veteran Arnold Myint relaunches Cha Chah as blvd”
I just tried to make a reservation and was told only parties of six or more are allowed. That is not mentioned anywhere on the website or facebook, as far as I could find.
Re: “Top Chef veteran Arnold Myint relaunches Cha Chah as blvd”
Sauvignon, France?
Re: “Top Chef veteran Arnold Myint relaunches Cha Chah as blvd”
My Social Media Gal found this out...
Please note that if you are using Internet Explorer and it's not the latest version (9.0) our site will not show up properly. Those having problems reading the menu, there's supposed to be a white background that you will be able to see it once you update your browser version. Alternatively, you can download Safari or Firefox or Google Chrome to use.
Re: “Top Chef veteran Arnold Myint relaunches Cha Chah as blvd”
The menu on the website is nearly unreadable: tiny type on a busy photograph background. Some of it is totally illegible.
Re: “Top Chef veteran Arnold Myint relaunches Cha Chah as blvd”
In a kind response about my creative cocktails...
I intentionally wanted to have one simple "back to basics" cocktail during our opening months (although intended to be delicious and not the un-stirred flop that this review experienced). Pinky Lee really is a stellar libation and for those "foodies" out there that venture to the West Coast, you know from where and whom I drew inspiration; Fresh pressed Ruby Red Grapefruit, Simple, Candied Grapefruit, Kaffir Salt & Sugar Dusted Rim.
I put a lot of thought in this concept and when it came time for Cocktail R&D, though we had many ideas and directions we wanted to go, I realized that there are soooooo many "Mixologists" in Nashville now and that sometimes the classics are best left alone. I have stellar, creme de la creme Bartenders with books and books of ideas that they are eager and encouraged to make for you. That being said, I created {blvd} after stepping back and assessing what the consumer wants. In time, once all our new restaurant kinks are worked out, and after we feel out what your demands are, we will compile a great cocktail menu. For now, I see nothing wrong with ordering a perfect Manhattan, Gin Martini, or one of our amazing Bourbons-neat...not to mention an AMAZING WINE SELECTION that happens to have a true Sauvignon Blanc from Sauvignon, FRANCE...imagine that (wink).
Thank you for your support during the transition into what I hope will become a neighborhood staple. Because of your loyalty and feed back, I have been able to get this far...let's keep growing together...delicious cocktail in hand.
Cheers!
Arnold
Re: “With M., the family behind Mack & Kate's goes uptown in Cummins Station”
Update on my last visit and was shocked at the new higher prices. I only hope that it was due to the special Valentine's menu, but a basic Paella, good not great, was $39!!! I didn't think to ask the price of the special or I would not have ordered it and paid that much. A very similar dish, maybe less shellfish and a slightly lower quality of fish, is only $16.95 at Yellow Porch for example. I really like M. but they must be careful about trying to be in the Etch/Husk price ranges or they will lose their faithful to Silo, Lockeland Table and Rosebud Bistro.
Re: “On the Midtown picnic tables at Hattie B's, you can enjoy hot chicken while it's still hot”
Went there for lunch on a weekday and still got the 20 plus minute wait. Parking is a nightmare. But the chicken is damn good. My only complaint food-wise are the sides. The fries were nothing special and the coleslaw was a bit tasteless. Coleslaw should have a bit of sweetness/saltiness to it, should it not?
Re: “On the Midtown picnic tables at Hattie B's, you can enjoy hot chicken while it's still hot”
I've got them a bit below Princes and 400 Degrees, right on par with Pepperfire, and certainly better than Bolton's.
Re: “On the Midtown picnic tables at Hattie B's, you can enjoy hot chicken while it's still hot”
I am a fan of Hattie B's. I agree whole heartedly, parking and seating stink. But it's still worth it. I usually just go hot; I too can go hotter but I don't care to bother. On my last trip my friend (a guy who I share a love of hot food with. There's a youtube video somewhere of us eating fresh ghost peppers whole and the ensuing fallout) got the shut the cluck up. He said it was delicious but tough to fully enjoy because he knew he would have to deal with the consequences later in the day.
I would like better sides if I can be honest. I think they're all kinda "meh". But they get the chicken right and that's what matters.
Re: “On the Midtown picnic tables at Hattie B's, you can enjoy hot chicken while it's still hot”
Hattie B's-A Nice place, good service, The chicken was pretty good Prince's still King of hott chicken, 400 degrees awesome, Pepperfire has its own style which is great....I think Hattie B's can carve out its own lane especially on westend and being the only hott chicken place open on sunday,,,,,,,
Re: “On the Midtown picnic tables at Hattie B's, you can enjoy hot chicken while it's still hot”
The banana pudding I had on one occasion was super tasty. The rb float is a genius idea. Will have to try soon.
Re: “New owners ramp up a scaled-down version of Uncle Bud's Catfish”
I may try them someday but, have horrific memories of the original when they did a "batter-like" coating on their catfish that seemed to drink up fry oil like a sponge. But, it will take a while to get past that in my mind.
Re: “New owners ramp up a scaled-down version of Uncle Bud's Catfish”
do you know if you're getting catfish or swai ?
Re: “New owners ramp up a scaled-down version of Uncle Bud's Catfish”
one of the best parts of Uncle buds is the beans,cold slaw and hush puppies
Re: “Family warmth fills West Nashville's cool new music joint The Stone Fox”
Great timing! I was following along as esteemed colleague, Chris Chamberlain live-tweeted his meal last night (note: we asked him to do so) and got really excited, but was trying to mentally calculate when we might be able to go sans Mini Eats. So good to know that as long as we skedaddle by music time, we should not be too much of a bother with toddler in tow!
Re: “Dinner at Chinatown in Green Hills: better than 'good enough for Nashville'”
Jake, come on! Share the wealth! When I used to live in New York (mid-80s) I frequented the Beijing Duck House, and it was spectacular. Sounds like what you are describing in Michigan.