After months of waiting for an official opening date, Little Hats Market has swung open its doors for a soft opening at its third location in Hillsboro Village, joining locations in Germantown and Cool Springs. The address at 2005 Belcourt is literally a five-minute walk from my front door, so I'm happy they can't dust for nose prints from the dozens of times I've peered through the windows checking on construction progress. (I may have actually walked in the door accidentally an hour before they officially opened while they were still technically in the middle of staff training. I returned later at a more appropriate hour.)
Now in the former home to Sunset Grill, a 'za spot and a slightly bizarre frosé joint called The Coop, the newest Little Hats is significantly smaller than its other two locations. This necessitates a little limitation of their offering, but whatever they are able to do, they promise to do well.
Little Hats Market
The menu is currently limited to sandwiches and salads, so pizza isn't in the future due to a lack of kitchen space, and hot pasta is still under investigation. The market section of shop offers a fairly wide variety of dried pastas and fresh ravioli and tortelloni, including a black truffle and Italian cheese option and another stuffed with Benton's bacon, onions and white cheddar. Don't mind if I do! (And I already did.)
A tight selection of Italian staples like sauces, oils and desserts is also available on the small retail shelf section. It's not Eataly or anything, but it is a welcome addition to the neighborhood!
Among the most popular sandwich options are the mortadella muffuletta, an objectively fun order to say. Add other standouts like a legit Chicago beef, meatball sandwich and chicken Parm, and you can see why I've been so anxious for Little Hats to open. They're still ramping up service, but current plans are to be open 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Sundays. The market will open an hour before service begins. Now you know where to find me if I'm not home!
Tonight — Wednesday, Sept. 3 — in Green Hills, Taco Bamba is kicking off its annual Bar Crawl promotion with its first bartender competition at the store in Hill Center from 5:30 until 9:30 p.m. A panel of judges will sample offerings from some of the most talented mixologists in town, representing the host restaurants as well as Mother's Ruin, Chopper, Golden Sound, Never Never and Harriet's. It's like they chose the competitors by combing through my credit card receipts!
The winning bartender will be awarded a grand prize trip for two to Tequila, Mexico, including travel and accommodations, for an exclusive visit to the sponsor, El Tequileño Distillery. Participants will also have the chance to win a variety of other exciting prizes, including gift cards, El Tequileño tequila and mezcal, and fun merchandise.
In addition to the contest, guests can enjoy the first night of the Taco Bamba Bar Crawl. This special crawl will take place every Wednesday in September and feature a different limited-time cocktail served in collectible glassware. In their words, here's the list of featured cocktails for the Wednesday night specials:
Velvet Trophy: Tequileno Blanco, Aperol, Mind and Body Tea Syrup, Strawberry Water, Lime
You’re In: LALO Tequila, Velvet Falernum, Honey Miso Syrup, Ginger Juice, Lime, Pineapple Jarrito
Purple State of Mind: Butterfly Pea Flower Infused Skyy Vodka, Elderflower Liqueur, Blueberry Syrup, Lemon
Meen Come Oaxaca: Banhez Mezcal, Espolon Reposado, Cucumber Puree, Bay Leaf, Ginger and Fresno Syrup, Lemon
Come to Taco Bamba tonight to be part of the action!
