Ollie and Iggy
Here’s a little peek behind the internet curtain: It’s only taken me 15-plus years of writing online to learn that the choice of images is almost as important to a post’s success as anything that I might actually type. One best practice is that you shouldn’t just feature a copy of a flyer for an event.
But what if you don’t have any other image? What’s a writer to do? Well, it’s never a bad idea to feature a cute picture of a dog. And since the first item on this week’s Monday Menu is a fundraiser for Wags & Walks Nashville, and since my dog Ollie’s second birthday was this past weekend, here’s a picture of sweet Ollie (the little one in the back) and impish Iggy (the fat one in the front). Happy birthday, little man!
Now on to the news.
Wags & Walks Nashville is a valuable organization working to reduce the amount of euthanasia in local shelters, and The Pharmacy Burger Parlor & Beer Garden is teaming up with them for a special Giveback Day on Saturday, Sept. 20. From noon until 3 p.m., you’ll be able to swing by The Pharmacy at 731 McFerrin Ave. in East Nashville to meet some adoptable puppies and older dogs. Representatives will be on site to facilitate adoptions if one (or more) of them sweeps your heart away. Trust me. We were only planning to adopt Ollie, but the agency told us he needed a friend. Oy!
To help celebrate the day of giving, attendees will also have the chance to try a special limited-edition Jackalope Brewing Co. brew, available exclusively at The Pharmacy Burger and Bar Jackalope, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Wags & Walks.
Christina Tosi
Many local restaurant watchers have been keeping an eye on recent East Nashville transplant Christina Tosi and her husband Will Guidara to see what they’ve been up to. Tosi has an extensive history as an award-winning pastry chef and entrepreneur and the founder of dessert chain Milk Bar, and that's not to mention her countless television appearances. Guidara is a hospitality powerhouse, best known as the former co-owner and general manager of Eleven Madison Park.
While the rumors are still floating around about if/what they plan to do in Nashville, the great news is that Tosi hasn’t left the kitchen and is still baking. In particular, she is partnering with Babychan Bakery & Cafe, along with some other amazing local bakers and chefs for a must-visit bake sale at Babychan (1313 Adams St.) on Saturday, Sept. 23, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Tosi sits on the board of Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, a group that has granted more than $23 million to leading hospitals, including Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Christina and Brian Lea and Leina Horii of Babychan have recruited some of their favorite local heroes to bake treats to help raise money for the cause, and you can bet that it will probably sell out early!
On Sunday, Sept. 21, Audrey chef Sam Jett is welcoming two of my favorite chefs into the kitchen for an evening of Appalachian cooking. Most people don’t even know how to pronounce ap-puh-LATCH-uh correctly, much less appreciate the fact that the region offers a lot more than just a single monolithic cuisine. For generations, Appalachian cooks have developed recipes based around the very specific ingredients that grow in their particular corner of the region, and the mountains and the hollers and the streams in the 423 counties across 13 states that span 206,000 square miles represent a whole lot of variety.
To help drive that fact home, Jett has invited noted chef (and Air Jordans collector) Travis Milton of Nicewonder Farm & Vineyards and former Husk chef and charcuterie master Andrew McLeod of King Salumi to join him in preparing a family-style meal that showcases the specific home regions of each chef.
Tables will be seated communally to encourage interaction, and the $85 fixed menu will come out on platters for sharing to emphasize the Sunday supper vibe. Chef Milton has a lot of experience cooking for World Central Kitchen, especially helping out in the wake of Hurricane Helene, so that organization will be the beneficiary of proceeds from the dinner.
Reservations for multiple seating are available on Resy, and in the official invitation, the chefs ask that guests “come hungry for a meal rooted in tradition, prepared with love, and served with purpose.” Amen to that!
Finally, West Nashville favorite Miel is celebrating 17 years of outstanding food and service this month at 343 53rd Ave. N., along with the team that has made everything possible. In particular, owner Seema Prasad wants to call out some team members who have made the past five years some of the best of the long run. She’s even naming (first) names in the announcement of an upcoming special week of features:
“For the past five years, Chef Jason, Sous Chef Michelle, Lead Server Sean, and Bartender Peyton (with Mack joining three years ago) have created one of Miel’s most memorable eras. Together, they’ve introduced guests to the joy of culinary through oysters, Amaro, unique wine and delish seasonal bites.”
So from Sept. 23 to 27, Miel will showcase a menu of the restaurant’s “Greatest Hits,” including Duck Breast Roulade, Calabrian Chili Shrimp With Polenta, Chicken Liver Rigatoni, Mushroom Bisque, Creamed Collards and Apple Fritters With Prosciutto Fat Crème Anglaise, alongside cocktail favorites like the Cinque Terre Manhattan and Finochietto Spritz.
All you have to do to enjoy a taste of history is make your reservations at Tock.
