Jamison Bedding returns to High Point Market

Jamison Bedding returns to High Point Market: "This was a comeback 10 years in the making. Independent beddi..."

Jason's Deli

In the mood for a sandwich?

If so, check out Jason's deli. I know it's a chain, but it's actually really good! Located in Cool Springs and on West End, Jason's has almost any sandwich you can imagine and they all taste as good as they sound.


If you like salad bars, Jason's is also a great place to go. They have a large selection of salad toppings, not to mention... the tasty, little cornbread muffins that come with the salad bar! I also enjoy their soups. Everyday the have a variety of different fresh soups to chose from. The tortilla soup is always my favorite!

 I am not a big salad person, so I usually go for the scrumptious, large sandwiches. Some of my favorites are the Ranchero Wrap, the Smokey Jack Panini and my top ultimate favorite the Santa Fe Chicken Sandwich.

Now, don't forget there are many choices. These are just my personal favorites. When I am watching the calories I tend to go with the Ranchero Wrap (with ranch on the side). This wrap is accompanied with jalapeños (I love spicy), cheddar, southwest spices, wheat wrap and served with blue tortilla chips and home made salsa. I enjoy the fresh taste that comes with each bite or this wrap. Very delicious and healthy if you get it without the ranch and maybe sub some fruit instead of those chips.

The Smokey Jack Panini is what I get when I am trying to watch what I eat, but I am feeling a little daring as well. With so many ingredients, it is definitely a party in your mouth! This sandwich is turkey, jalapeños, bacon, pepper jack cheese, roma tomatoes, Russian dressing (which is what makes the sandwich), and homemade guacamole. All these fresh goodies are pressed between two pieces of drench bread, lightly dusted with olive oil. Then, it is pressed just long enough to melt that pepper jack cheese.

Next on the list of tasty delights is the Santa Fe Chicken Sandwich. I think I like this so much, because it is very similar to the Smokey Jack Panini. It consists of marinated chicken breast, guacamole, bacon, tomato, Russian dressing and Swiss (which both those flavors combined is delish). All ingredients are grilled on whole grain wheat bread. This is very good, but it would be even better grilled on a buttery bun.

I always have a hard time deciding between the Smokey Jack Panini and the Santa Fe Chicken, so I get one and my husband gets the other and we trade halves!

Jason's is a great family place to go. However, it has only one flaw. The price. For being a deli, the sandwiches are pretty prices. Two sandwiches with drinks may end up costing you over $20! It is good though, so I gotta say going once a while is definitely worth it! Enjoy and please tell us, what is your favorite Jason's sandwich?

Buttery Wine Cake

Just in time for the holiday season, we have a buttery wine cake recipe we would like to share.  Now I know I love wine and I know I love cake...but why did I not ever think of combining them?  Well, thanks to a fellow co-worker, she introduced this delectable treat to me and I knew I had to share it!

Ingredients:

Yellow or Butter Cake Mix
3oz Vanilla Pudding (instant)
1/2 cup Brown Sugar
3/4 Cup of Oil
1/2 cup of Chopped Pecans
1/3 cup of Chopped Pecans
1/4 Cup of Sugar
2 tsp. Cinnamon
1/2 Cup of White Wine
4 Eggs

Glaze:

3/4 Cup of Butter
1/3 Cup of Chopped Pecans
1 Cup of Sugar
1/4 Cup of Water
1/2 Cup of White Wine

Directions:
 
Grease and flour a bundt pan. Sprinkle 1/3 cup of pecans on the bottom. Mix cake mix, pudding, sugars, and cinamon.  Add oil and eggs one at a time.  Add 1/2 cup of pecans and mix.

Pour batter into pan and bake at 350 45-55 minutes.  During last 10 mintes make glaze.  Combine, butter, sugar, water and pecans and bring to a boil. Boil 2-3 minutes.  Remove from heat and add wine.  Pour 1/2 of glaze over the cake when removed from the oven.  Wait about 10 minutes and turn cake over onto plate and pour remainder of cake over it.

Enjoy!!

Rose Pepper Cantina

Rose Pepper Cantina in East Nashville is a place where the cheese dip and the margaritas never stop flowing. I must say that Rose Pepper is my favorite Mexican Restaurant in Nashville. I have my birthday there every year, because everything is great from the food to the atmosphere.

It just has many perks. For instance, it has the best white cheese dip in town and is served with thick, fresh homemade tortilla chips and topped with chorizo cooked to perfection. In addition, it has a huge patio perfect for sitting with your friends, drinking margaritas and getting the low-down on the latest gossip. It also helps, that the food is fabulous as well.

Let's talk about what I have had...first of all, no matter what I start with the Buffalo White Cheese Dip, it's what I like to call tradition. Also, they do give you complimentary red and green salsa with chips. The salsas are made fresh daily from scratch. If you are not feeling the white cheese dip, then try the "Mr. C Taquitos." The taquitos are made from yellow corn tortillas, filled with beef, chicken and cheese and then fried to perfection and accompanied with house made guacamole and sour cream. They are soft and crunchy at the same time!

For entrees, I will start my two favorites: The Chimichanga and the Al Carbon tacos. The chimichangas come with shredded beef or chicken and they are topped with delicious buffalo white cheese dip. It's just another excuse for me to eat white cheese dip, which is why I love these so much. The Al Carbon tacos are really my absolute favorite! The are not your ordinary tacos. They come with grilled chicken in corn tortillas and they are topped with cilantro and onions with a little hint of lime. Very tasty and not too filling. They are also served with traditional beans and rice. I enjoy having the fajitas, but I must say the fajita burrito is even better. It is huge, but if you have a big appetite and stay away form too many chips then it is quite satisfying. It comes with grilled chicken or steak, sautéed veggies, cheese, fresh home-made guacamole, and it is topped with a delectable spicy chili rojo sauce.

No matter what your preference is steak, chicken or vegetarian Rose Pepper has many items on the menu to choose from. If you are a first timer, please get the Buffalo White Cheese dip and try one of their fabulous margaritas!! They have so many to chose from it will make your head spin! Have fun and do not forget to wear elastic pants.

Layered Bean Dip Recipe

This is one of the first things I learned how to make!  It is so easy and there is no cooking involved! This is a great dish to bring for a pot luck! 

What you need:

-Green onions, chopped
-1 can of refried beans
-1 container of sour cream
-1/2 paket of taco seasoning
-2 cups of shredded mexican cheese
-1 tomato, chopped
-1 can of diced green chilis
-1 small can black sliced olives (optional)
-Tortilla chips
-Salsa on side for dipping
-Jalopenos (optional)

Layer casserole dish with refried beans.  Mix sour cream with taco seasoning.  Then, layer mixture over the beans.  Layer cheese, diced green onion, tomato and other toppings.  Serve with chips and salsa.

Enjoy!

Brio Bistro Italiano

Last night, my family and I dined at Brio Bistro Italiano in Bellevue. I was really impressed! First of all, we started with the Arancini. This is fresh mozzarella stuffed in fried risotto with a spicy red pepper sauce that is perfect for dipping. When I first ordered this, I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but I soon realized that the Arancini is heavenly! I must stress that if you have not tried this, please do, because it is absolutely delicious.


For our meal, I ordered the Gnocchi di Aragosta. It is one of their signature dishes and it was delectable. This dish consisted of fresh, homemade tomato gnocchi, with lobster and corn in a butter vermouth sauce. It literally melts in your mouth. I was very satisfied, but the only bad thing…my mom and husband were trying to eat it all!

My husband had the Controfilleto, which was a huge 10 oz. Sirloin Steak in a red wine sauce. It was cooked to perfection. This dish came with a side dish of gorgonzola, tomato gnocchi that was so rich in flavor. It was out of this world! My husband loved it, as well!

My mom had the fried eggplant, which is new to the menu. It has ricotta inside it. I do not even like ricotta, but this was really good. My sister-in-law tried one of the flatbreads. She had the Aragosta e Gamberi. This flatbread was a lot like the pasta dish I had, because it had lobster, corn and roasted red peppers and with a white sauce and topped with fresh parmesan cheese. This is a very great dish to have if you are trying to eat light.

For dessert we had the tiramisu, which melted in your mouth and we had the chocolate torte, which was very good.

I definitely think you should try Brio if you have not already been. Everything is done to perfection including the service and atmosphere. You will not be disappointed at Brio and you will not go hungry. I already am looking forward to my next visit and I already know what I am going to try next!

McCabe Pub is a MUST in Nashville....

I thought that I would take the time to tell you about McCabe Pub in Sylvan Park...I feel like this restaurant is often overlooked these days with the popularity of Local Taco, Park Cafe, and Cafe Nonna...I have lived in Sylvan Park for a little over two years and although I have eaten at every possible restaurant in the area..I somehow find myself always wanting McCabe!

Not only is the food amazing, but the atmosphere is what I love most about this place..The wait staff is amazing and the bartenders make great drinks... I always run into someone I know at McCabe, which is great! It is such a cozy restaurant with that local Nashville feel... If you have lived in Nashville your whole life and haven't been to McCabe, then shame on you! You have really been missing out..

Some of my favorites on the menu include.... the cheeseburger (of course), the quesadillas!!!, chips and salsa---a million times better than Local Taco!!!.., the squash casserole, sweet potato fries, and the grilled chicken salad with a side of cheese toast. McCabe also makes incredible RED VELVET CAKE...

So if you are in the mood for a cozy local restaurant with great service and comfort food, I highly recommend McCabe Pub! You won't be disappointed.

Vittles in Beautiful Brentwood, TN

Today, I am going to write about Vittles.  Why?  Because I think it is a damn good place to eat.  Vittles is a eatery where you can get good ole southern cooking. 

They have good fried chicken, great pot roast, meatloaf and porkchops, which you can get grilled or fried.  I like their chicken fingers and fried chicken, because they use big, thick juicy peices of chicken.  And fried to perfection...I might add.

Vittles offers a wide variety of sides.  In fact, sometimes I just get the veggie plate.  The sides I prefer are the squash casserole, green beans, boiled cabbage (is really good).  The fried corn nuggets are "the bomb."  The greens are good.  Fried okra is good.  The mac and cheese is a little dissapointing, but all of their other sides make up for it and the fries are not my favorite. 

Recently, Vittles just started offering breakfast everyday from 6-10:30 AM during the week and they have a country brunch from 10:00-2:00 PM on Sundays.  I, personally, have not tried their breakfast, but I am sure it is delicious.  They offer your typical "basic" breakfast that has scrambled eggs, bacon etc.  In addition, they serve pancakes, french toast and breakfast burrito's.  The breakfast in a bowl sounds really good, it is layered with Vittles famous buttermilk buscuits, eggs and hashbrowns.  You can't go wrong with that one!  They also have omelettes as well.

Also, if you work in the brentwood area, they have grab and go breakfast items.  I would take that over MickyD's any day of the week!

A New Favorite of Mine...Corner Pub Bellevue

Corner Pub in Bellevue has become one of my favorite new places to eat. In fact, last week I ate there two days in a row…that’s how great it is.

First and foremost, I must tell you about cheese beans. Yes, cheese beans. Cheese Beans are similar to mozzarella sticks but with a different twist. You know the squares of cheese you can buy at the grocery? That’s what cheese beans are but fried and served with honey mustard and ranch dipping sauce. The pepper jack cheese beans are my absolute fave, but an order comes with the pepper jack and the regular cheddar…delicious! Other great appetizers you can get at Corner pub are the chicken nachos, fried pickles, and mini corn dogs, to name a few.

Cheese Beans

Chicken Nachos

Fried Pickles

Mini Corn Dogs

Anyone that went to UT Knoxville knows about Gus Good Times Deli and the steam sandwiches that they make. Well, for all you Nashvillians craving one of those steamed subs look no further, because you can get them at Corner Pub and between you and I, I think they are better than the one's you get a Gus's Good Times Deli. So far, I have tried the roast beef, with provolone and mushrooms. Awesome! Also, the turkey and cheese is great as well. The sandwiches come with home made potato chips as well or you can get crinkle fries.

I have also tried the chicken fingers, which are great. Also, they offer fried chicken sliders, which are delicious and they are coated and wing sauce, for a spicy delight. In addition, they make one hell of a burger and their sliders are delightful, as well. On the days that I am trying to eat healthy (which is Seldom), I like to go for the chicken skewers. They are marinated and so tender and covered in a spicy sauce. At first, I was skeptical, because I thought they might be boring, but they were great and I was quite satisfied!

Corner Pub is not just a place that serves your everyday bar food. They have a very extensive menu, which is why I like it so much. They have steak and biscuits, chicken and biscuits, and any sandwich you can possibly think of. For example, they have a sandwich called "The Flux" and it is sausage on a hoagie with peppers and onions. I have not tried it yet, but next time I am getting it for sure.

Be sure to go to Corner Pub on Mondays. Mondays are "Smoking Mondays" and they smoke all of their meats. The offer smoked chicken sliders that are out of this world! They also have gumbo on Mondays that is some of the best gumbo in town!

Not only is the food good, but everyone that works at Corner Pub is a pleasure. They treat their customers like family. Next time you want to watch a football game and get some good eats, check out corner pub. You will not be disappointed. And please write us and tell us what you have tried there, and what you think about the place!

P.S. Get the cheese Beans, seriously I would not steer you wrong on this one!

Website (check out the menu): http://cornerpubtn.com/CP_in_the_woods/sandwich.html

Barbara's Meat & Three

If you like fried chicken, green beans and macaroni and cheese then you will like Barbara's. Barbara's is located near Grassland Middle School when you are going towards Franklin.


Barbara's is famous for the fried chicken and I must say that it is really good. With a hint of Lowry's seasoning salt, Barbara's fried chicken tastes a lot like my momma's and that is a good thing! I had the fried chicken with green beans and Mac and cheese. The fried chicken comes with one breast and one leg. My dad had the sweet potatoes, which were out of this world (and I don't even like sweet potatoes)! The poppy seed chicken casserole is a great dish as well, especially when complimented with some good ole Southern sweet tea!

For dessert, you I had much trouble deciding if I wanted chocolate bread pudding or banana pudding. I opted for the ladder, and boy am I glad I did. The banana pudding was out of this world. I love meat and three and I have to say I love Barbara's it is very good and servers are friendly as well.

Easy Teasy Green Beans

Almost every Southerner I know enjoys themselves some green beans everyonce in awhile. I have a recipe that I learned from my old college roommate. This recipe taste like the good ones you get from the "meat and three" down the street. My theory is the longer they cook the better they taste! Another great variation if if you add diced potatos and boil them with the green beans.  Enjoy!
-1 Large Can of Italian Style Green Beans, DRAINED (or 2 Small)
-Bacon, Hamhock, Fatback, (whatever you have on hand- this is optional so if you are a vegetarian then skip this part).
-1 Large Container of Chicken Broth (32 oz)
-Minced Garlic 1/4-1/2 tsp. (depending on your taste)
-1/2 Onion Diced
-Salt and cracked pepper to taste

1. In pot add green beans, onion, pork, broth, garlic, salt and pepper. Boil then simmer on low. As I stated earlier, the longer you cook the better they taste. You can also cook these on low in a crock-pot.

Great Appetizer: Bacon Sleeping Bags

Okay, I know that it is football season and many of you are looking for a great recipe to show off when you are hosting the game at your house. This recipe is it! It is so easy and is cheap! When you read it, it may sound a little crazy, but believe me they are hard to put down.


-1 loaf of white bread, (crust trimmed_
-1 jar of Cheese Whiz® (this comes in the jar not the spray cheese)
-Brown Sugar
-1 pkg. of bacon, (cut strips in half)

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. Spread Cheeze Whiz® on bread

3.Roll up the bread from one side to the other

4. Wrap with 1/2 slice of bacon

5. Sprinkle with brown sugar…I know it sounds crazy, but have faith, my friends, this is what makes the masterpiece!

6. Cook for 25-30 minutes or until bacon is cooked to your liking. Serve on platter. Poof! They will be gone!

You Say Tomato...I Say Tomato Soup!

Since the weather here in Nashville has been so rainy and wet, for some reason it has made me crave a good cup of soup with a grilled cheese sandwich. I stumbled upon this recipe for creamy tomato basil soup that I felt like I just had to share:

Yields: 8 Servings

-2 cans condensed tomato soup (10.5 oz)
-2 cans of whole tomato's (no salt added), do not drain (14.5 oz)
-1 1/4 cup of whole milk
-6 oz. of Cream Cheese, (softened and chopped into big squares)
-1/2 cup of onion, diced fine
-1.2 tsp. Paprika
-1/2 tsp dried basil
-A dollop of Sour cream to taste (optional)
-Salt and Pepper to taste (optional)
-2 tbs. butter
-1 clove of garlic (or 1/4 tsp. minced in jar-or garlic powder to taste)

1. Chop onion. Melt butter in saucepan and add garlic. Sauté all the way through and do not burn the garlic. Medium to medium high heat works best, depending on burner.

2. Add Paprika and Basil. Then add cheese and slowly stir in milk and tomato soup, stirring slowly.

3. Stir until mixture is smooth. Then, add whole tomatos, you can split them up with the back end of your fork while in the mixture. Simmer until heated all the way through.

-Best when served with grilled cheese or crackers for dipping. Or like my grandpa, you can toast some bread, cut it in strips then place it on the top of the soup. It sinks into the soup, which is very delicious.

Enjoy and please comment if you have some other variations you would like to share!

The Chowhounds are Letting The Dogs Out!

Just recently I have been on a hot dog kick. For some reason hot dogs just have been on my mind so I wanted to take the time to write about there you can find some good hot dogs.

First, I would like to write about The Dog of Nashville. The dog of Nashville is located in Hillsborough village. It used to be located off Nolensville Road, but the location has changed, which I think is for the better, because now more people can enjoy it. The dog of Nashville has various types of dogs to chose from, for instance it has your typical 1/4 pound hot dog, turkey dogs (which are surprisingly good and less fattening), all beef (Vienna), veggie, polish sausage ad brats. You can pick from a variety of buns as well, sausage roll, French bread roll, poppy seed roll (my personal fave) and the wheat roll. Also, for free you can chose from the average toppings of mustard, ketchup, relish, onion and mayo. Or you can pay extra for toppings that range from chili to guacamole…you name it they got it! My personal favorite dog is "The Diet Starts Tomorrow Dog," which obviously is not your "healthiest" option, but it is "dog-tastic!" First of all this dog is deep fried, bacon wrapped and covered in cheese sauce. I like to top mine with ketchup, onion and mustard and it makes for quite the feast! My other favorite is the "Fiery Redneck." This really gives a new meaning to the name "hot dog." It is wrapped in bacon and loaded with chili, cheese sauce, jalapeños, onion, and topped with mustard. For an extra kick, I like to top mine with some good ole Tabasco sauce. This will make your mouth burn for sure! The dog has several other great options for hot dogs. From their "Coney Island Dog" to their "Philly Cheese Dog" there is definitely will be one that strikes your fancy. The dogs are big, that is for sure. Every time I go in there I try to order 3, but can barely finish one, so don not let your eyes fool you. The Dog of Nashville also offers sides such as fries, tots, chili, slaw, baked beans, chips and onion rings. I prefer the tots and the rings over the fries. This is a great place to go with the family and kids. Check it out for your self and you will see why it is called The Dog of Nashville. http://www.thedogofnashville.com/

Another favorite place of mine is Hot Diggity Dog. HDD is a cute little establishment found near downtown Nashville. They have dogs ranging from traditional, veggie, Polish Sausage, Italian Sausage, Italian Beef, Turkey and Bratwurst. Their veggie dogs are some of the best in town too, I might add. My favorite dog there is "The Nashville Dog." The Nashville has Slaw, Mustard and Onion. Also, I enjoy munching on the "Chicago," which has mustard, onions, relish, tomato, sport peppers, pickle and celery salt. If you can fit this all in your mouth, you will love it! When I am feeling on the "crazy" side, I like to go for the "Boston." This dog has baked beans, onions and cheese. The flavors combined are quite tasty…in fact it will make you want another, for sure! Here, you can have things your way by choosing steamed or grilled. I like to have my dog grilled and extra crispy. HDD has many different condiments to choose form, so if you do not see what you want on the menu, then you can create your own masterpiece. I must say that HDD won #1 in 2006 for best hot dog/bratwurst in Nashville by The Nashville Scene and in 2005 they were also voted "Where the Locals Eat." So, whether you live in Nashville or you are just visiting be sure to check out Hot Diggity Dog, your taste buds WILL thank you.  http://www.hotdiggitydogstn.com/

Next on the list of my favorite hot dog spots is Noshville Deli. Noshville is a famous deli in Nashville, TN with four locations (Green Hills, Midtown area, Cool Springs and they have one in the Nashville airport). This well-known deli is a marvelous place to dine for breakfast and lunch. Noshville's has everything; breakfast all day (can't go wrong with b-fast), incredible sandwiches, hot dogs and much more. I have been dining at Noshville's for years and I would always get the sandwich or omelet, but just recently I started getting their hot dogs, and I cannot stop thinking of them! My favorite is the "Fran Cheesy." This is a 1/4 pound dog or 1/2 pound for the hungry folks out there. It is a beef dog accompanied with two slices of bacon on either side and covered in Smokey cheddar cheese, topped with a plentiful amount of creamy Cole slaw all placed in a poppy seed bun. Hands down, it is my favorite hot dog. I discovered it about 3 weeks ago and I have gone back to get it 3 times since! If you have not tried slaw on your dog, then do so, because you will never want to have it any other way! Noshville also has great fries, chicken salad, and the best Matzo Ball soup in Nashville, as well. You cannot go wrong when you eat at Noshville, but branch out one day and try their hot dog. You will not be disappointed.  http://www.noshville.com/

I have yet to try "I Dream of Weenie" hot dogs in East Nashville. This stop is next on my hot dog adventures. Also, I want to note that if you are traveling out of state to L.A. or Las Vegas and you are a hot dog lover , like myself, the be sure to try Pinks Hot Dogs. They are famous for their hot dogs, which literally "pop" in your mouth each bite. If you are traveling to Asheville, Wilmington, Writesville Beach, Carolina Beach or Boone. N.C, then do try Trolley Stop. This is another great hot dog destination that is famous for their steamed buns." Be sure and try the "Surfer Dog," if you go! Happy hot dog hunting!

http://www.pinkshollywood.com/

Best Mexican Restaurant I have ever been too....AND HEALTHY!

Okay, I have become completely obsessed with Los Rosales in Antioch. I live in Nashville and will literally drive 20 minutes to eat there.... The food is all fresh...no freezers....and absolutely delicious. I know Carlos, the owner...He is a native of Mexico and wanted his restaurant to emphasize REAL MEXICAN food... Not "Americanized" Mexican... The menu is full of fresh seafood, stuffed peppers, fresh fruit, and grilled vegetables... His salsa is the best I have ever eaten.

What I would recommend trying.... The Camarones en Crema de Aguacate is insane!! It is grilled shrimp in this creamy avocado sauce that is an avocado lovers dream! The stuffed peppers, cheese dip, fajitas, and enchiladas are also some of my favorites!  Every meal comes with your choice of Spanish rice or white vegetarian rice too. You can also get steamed veggies on the side! The presentation of the food is also unique at Los Rosales... They really focus on the important details like fresh food, beautiful presentation, and great service... And on top of all of this, IT IS AFFORDABLE, which in these economic times, is I am sure important to many of you....If you are craving Mexican but trying to eat somewhat healthy and don't want to feel too full, this is the perfect place to go. 

Now, I know it is far out for some of you Nashvillians but please trust me...it is worth it!! You will be so happy you went.

Go to http://www.rosalesfmc.com/ to check out the full menu and get directions...It is right off Bell Road...

Some of the Best Chicken Salad in Nashville

Like most Southerners, we love chicken salad. So we wanted to share with you what we think are the Top 3 places in Nashville to get Chicken Salad:

 The Picnic: The Picnic is in Nashville of Harding Road (near the new publix). It has some of the best chicken salad in town. The Picnic's chicken salad consists of pulled, white meat chicken, finely chopped eggs, taste of parsley and celery mixed with mayonnaise of course. When this delicious sandwich is served on some honey wheat bread and lettuce on top it will surely make you smile. Picnic has many other great menu items, but they do have some great chicken salad. If you go here, I would like to also suggest the tomato basil soup. It too is very tasty.

Puffy Muffin: I know I have already reviewed "The Puffy," but their chicken salad goes on our top list as well. I suggest having it served to you on one of their homemade rolls...fabulous!

The Butcher Block: To those of you who have not been to the Butcher Block, it is a deli and butcher establishment found in Cool Springs. This quaint little shop offers a variety of fresh cuts of meat. They are said to have some of the finest meats in town, but what I like about this place is their chicken salad. It is a creamy mixture of goodness accompanied with halves of sweet, purple grapes. Served with lettuce and a croissant...this is arguably some of the best in town. The owners are very friendly, as well.

Our Chicken Salad recipe:

-2 chicken breasts, cooked or steamed, hand pulled
-2 hard boiled eggs, chopped finely
-1/4 cup of sweet relish
-Sprinkle a little bit of celery salt (optional)
-Salt and pepper (to taste)
-2/3 cup of Hellmann's Mayo (no substitute)
-Lettuce for topping (optional)
-Honey wheat bread, or croissant, or rolls (I love Hawaiian rolls)

Cook chicken until cooked all the way through. Then, hand pull/shred the chicken. Mix all ingredients and chill for an hour or two. Serve with bread or by itself (great if you are on the low carb. diet).

Southern Crest Winery...Grape Stomp pics!

Located in Portland, TN, just 30 minutes North of Nashville you will find an adorable winery called The Sumner Crest Winery. Sumner Crest winery is well known around the country for their Blackberry and Strawberry dessert wines, which are fabulous! This is another great place to go when you are looking for something fun yet different to do in Nashville. They offer free wine tasting and while sipping their delicious wine you can tour the gift shop that has many cute and unique gift options and they have an antique gallery which features the owner's lifelong collection and you can enjoy their classic car collection, which includes an actual antique Model T Ford...pretty cool! Sumner Crest Winery has been offered many awards for their wines. Actually, they have been awarded 19 medals from national and international competitions.

Last weekend, my family and I attended for the first time, The Sumner Crest Winery Annual Grape Stomp. This contest was great. It included free wine tasting, live music and an actual grape stomp competition, which was very fun by the way! Although, I did not win this event it was a great time that the entire family can enjoy. Many kids participated in the competition and those that did not want to compete could stomp in their own grape bucket. Also, they had face painting clowns here as well, that many of the kids enjoyed.

It was really nice; we brought ourselves a blanket and sat on the lawn with a bottle of wine we purchased from the winery. The wines I tried where the Strawberry wine, the blackberry wine, the Selva (which is a dryer wine with a pear taste and the Sumner Queen, which is sweeter and very good. All the wines we tried were fantastic.

They are having more fun events that are coming up, as well. You should check out the Classic Car Cruise In and Concert on September 19, where you can cruise in your classic car and listen to good ole classic music. They are offering a Justin Hall Memorial Award to the winner. On October 10, 2009 Sumner Crest is having a BBQ-Blues and Rock N Roll festival outside on the lawn. Just bring your blankets and lawn chairs and you can listen to great music and sip on good wine. It is an event you would be crazy to miss.

Then on December 5th, they will be getting into the "spirit of Christmas" by having a Christmas open house. They will be serving samples of their food and beverage products that can make for perfect Christmas gifts.

Be sure to check out Sumner Crest Winery and see for yourself all the fun this winery has to offer.

For directions and more information, visit www.sumnercrestwinery.com.

Whitfields Neighborhood Bar and Restaurant

Whitfields is a neighborhood restaurant located in West Nashville. It is owned by Nathaniel Beaver and well renowned chef Gary Coleman. It is a great place to go for a "date night" if you want to impress that "special someone" in your life. At one time, I actually waited tables at Whitfields and I can tell you first hand that here you will be surrounded by an incredible fun atmosphere and you will have the perfect dining experience, as well. The service and the food are incredible. Whitfields changes their menu seasonally, so you can have the freshest ingredients available in the Nashville area.

For appetizers you have many choices. In fact, it is hard to pick which one you want, because all of them look and sound remarkable. You can choose from fresh buttermilk fried oysters, seasoned with avocado-sweet corn salsa and habanera aioli oil. This is a perfect option for those who like things on "the spicy side." Also, another wonderful appetizer is the grilled shrimp with fried green tomatoes (a southern chowhound's delight). The grilled flatbread was one of my favorites. It has feta cheese with caramelized onions, smoked bacon, rosemary and gremolata and balsamic drizzle. This is a great option to chose as an entree as well, because it is quite filling. If you are a lover of savory cheesecakes, than try the lobster cheesecake. All the flavors will melt in your mouth. Those who eat on the healthy side, will not feel guilty about choosing the Mediterranean plate, that comes with hummus grilled flatbread, olives and grilled veggies with feta. We loved the "Your Way Satay" appetizer as well. This is a very unique offering to the menu, because you can chose from a satay with chicken and Thai chili sauce, or beef tenderloin with curry aioli, and shrimp with a sweetened plum sauce.

Whitfields also offers a variety of fresh soups and salads. Two of their current soup offerings include the French onion soup served with homemade croutons and gruyere cheese. Also, they are offering the crab and corn chowder as well. The salads include your typical Caesar, Asian chopped salad, wedge salad, and spinach salad.

Be sure not to miss out on this season's seasonal entrees which includes mouth-watering dishes, such as Painted Hills Filet Mignon Organic all natural beef, choice cut with cabernet demi, caramelized onion-bacon mash, parsnip chips, and grilled asparagus, which is quite tasty by the way. Also, offer pan seared rainbow trout, Stout Braised lamb shank, orange chili pork chop, shrimp and grits, scallops with bacon and lobster Mac and Cheese (you cannot go wrong with this one), Ahi Tuna, lobster and a fanciful dish called the Pasta Dweezie, which is Linguine tossed with chicken, shrimp, spicy andouille sausage, a julienne of peppers and onions, and Cajun spices (very delectable).

The desserts are some of my favorites. Actually, when I used to work here, I used to eat these religiously. My preferred choice was always the Jack Daniels Chocolate Bread Pudding. It is very different than your typical bread budding, because it is chocolate flavored, but to me this made it all the better! The crème Brule and Dulce De Leche Cheesecakes are very popular dessert options as well (but I say go with the bread pudding).

Whitfields is not only known for their great food, but they are also known as having one of the friendliest neighborhood bars is the area as well. The bartenders and staff treat you like you are family, whether they know you or not. To me, this is what makes this restaurant such a charming place. They offer a wide variety of beers and wine. They make a great martini too!

My favorite time to go to Whitfields is on a Friday or Saturday night. They sometimes have live music. In fact one night I went there the place was so lively, people were actually doing "the bunny hop" dance around the establishment. It makes a great place to have an after work drink and spend time with friends. Also, you and you date can dance, because when they have live music, they have a small dance floor set up for the perfect slow dance.

I chose to write about Whitfields, because it has so much to offer. The menu is unique. The service is impeccable and the atmosphere is fun. It is a great place to go where you can have a fine dining experience, but in a relaxing setting. It truly is a wonderful neighborhood bar and restaurant. And if you go, tell owners, Nathaniel and Gary, I sent ya!

For menu pricing you can check out the website at www.whitfieldsrestaurant.com

P.S. The owners of Whitfields are opening up a new restaurant in Bellevue. It is called the Bistro Italiano. The Grand Opening is September 9, 2009. Call for 615-646-8274 for reservations.

Mere Bulles. French Name...with a Southern Fare

Mere Bulles, which translates to "Mother Bubbles," is a great restaurant which can be found in Brentwood, TN. Mere Bulles is a wonderful place for brunch, lunch and dinner. In addition, it is a great place to throw parties, as well. Here you will find friendly service and fabulous food!

First of all, I am going to talk about Mere Bulles Brunch. Every Sunday from 11:30 AM-2:30 PM, Mere Bulles offers a fantastic Sunday Brunch. Out of all the places in Nashville to have Brunch, I think Mere Bulles is the best, because they offer unique selections rather than sticking with the "typical" Sunday Brunch routine. They offer an extensive fresh salad bar with any topping you can think of, including pasta salad, fruit salad, etc. Also, they offer their famous She Crab Soup (which is a MUST). It is such a wonderful soup...do try it! Then, they have Crème Brulee French Toast!! And it is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! Another unique item that contributes to the buffet is the fried green tomato eggs benedict. You know you are in the South when they serve eggs benedict over fried green tomatoes. Sometimes they serve mini pulled BBQ pork sandwiches, as well. You don't see these on a buffet too often. And of course, you cannot have a buffet without an omelet station, waffle station; apple smoked bacon, farm fresh sausage, roasted pork loin, fresh veggies and sides, roasted potatoes, and blackened gulf grouper. I think (of course) my favorite part of the entire buffet is the chocolate station. Here, you can dip donut holes, pretzels, strawberries or pound cake into chocolate...this is a choco-holics dream come true. They also offer various brownies and other desserts as well. If you haven't already, I would suggest trying out Mere Bulles Sunday Buffet. You will not be disappointed!

If you work in Brentwood, TN, Mere Bulles is a nice place to take a break a grab a bite to eat. Also, it is a great place to impress clients, as well. My favorite appetizers there are the spinach dip served with tortilla chips and tomato and brie bruschetta (grilled Tuscan buschetta, tomato basil pesto, sliced brie topped with fresh parmesan cheese). The calamari is very tasty, as well. And as a stated earlier, She crab bisque is A MUST. Do not leave Mere Bulles without it!

During lunch, my favorite salads are the salmon spinach salad with blue cheese crumbles, spiced walnuts, strawberry-mango salsa, and strawberry vinaigrette. Also, they have a great fried chicken salad that is very delicious. The Ahi tuna salad is another great choice, especially if you are trying to watch what you eat.

They have many entrees to choose from, but they are famous for their Shrimp and grits, which are fabulous! If you have worked yourself up an appetite, try the Florentine chicken (grilled chicken, fresh mozzarella, classic marinara, sautéed spinach and parmesan cheese). Also, the have great fish tacos, but be careful they are a little greasy.

My favorite part of the lunch menu is the sandwich section. I must say that people really enjoy the rib rolls (my brother's favorite). These rib rolls consist of shaved prime rib, cheddar & Monterey jack cheese, horseradish cream sauce and au jus. If you're a first timer, I would definitely give these a try! My favorites are the Mahi-Mahi sandwich (grilled Mahi with avocado relish on a sweet tasting brioche bun) and the salmon BLT (grilled salmon filet, chipotle aioli, bacon, lettuce and tomato). My dad loves the turkey and brie sandwich. This sandwich has fresh turkey, sliced brie, mayo, cranberry au jus, on sourdough toast. Watch out with this sandwich it is huge...but very good! My husband loves the California chicken sandwich on a croissant. This sandwich comes with grilled chicken, ham, bacon, marinara mayo, Monterey jack cheese, onion and tomato (they should have named this sandwich "Everything But the Kitchen Sink)! Another other unique sandwich item is the chicken & spinach crepe (grilled chicken, spinach, Swiss cheese, red onion, Dijon mustard, marinara, and parmesan cheese). If you go during lunch and the weather is nice, Mere Bulles has a beautiful patio, where you can sit outside and enjoy the weather. In addition, Mere Bulles delivers lunch as well. If you are planning a meeting and you want lunch delivered you can call and put your order in ahead of time and they will bring lunch to you. They are very prompt with their delivery and professional.

If you want to know of a great "date night" spot Mere Bulles is the place. It has a wonderful dinner menu with items such as filet mingnon, shrimp and grits, herb stuffed chicken. I have only had dinner once and I got the shrimp and grits. My husband had the filet which was delicious. Many menu items on the dinner menu are found on the lunch menu as well. 

I love Mere Bulles, because it has such a diversified menu. Mere Bulles offers food that you cannot find anywhere else in the Nashville area. Everyone that works there is very friendly.

For more information check out the website at www.merebulles.com

A Passion for Puffy...(Muffin that is)!

Today, we would like to share with you our thoughts on a fabulous establishment. Puffy Muffin. Puffy Muffin is a bakery and cafe/restaurant that is located in Brentwood, TN. I have some great things to say about this place.

First of all, I would like to start out by saying the number one reason why I like Puffy Muffin is because they serve breakfast. You can't find too many places that serve a fine southern breakfast and Puffy does just this. If you want a light breakfast, try the poppy seed or banana nut muffins. But, I cannot go "light" when I eat at Puffy (come on, I'm a chowhound)! What I like to go for is the "create your own omelet plate." You can chose from ingredients like bacon, sausage, ham, red onion, red and yellow pepper, mushrooms, or spinach. The plate comes with one side and a biscuit. The breakfast sides that I prefer is the hash brown casserole or home fries. Mainly, the home fries though.

If you are a pancake eater, Puffy Muffin also has some fantastic pancakes that I suggest trying. Another great option is the Southwestern quiche. The quiche changes daily, so if you are there when they are serving the southwestern quiche...take my advice and try it, because you cannot go wrong. You can also purchase larger quiches at the bakery to take home and heat up for later. And these are big enough to serve 6-8 people. 

I am also a lover of breakfast sandwiches. If you like these, then try the sausage, egg and cheese on a croissant. The eggs benedict is great too, by the way, but you can only get it on Saturdays.

Now time to talk about lunch...

For lunch, I would like to start off by talking about the Puffy Muffin Burger. It is out of this world! Many people would not think to order the burger here (simply because there are so many other great options to chose from), but I think their burger is up there with some of the best in town. In fact, whenever my husband orders it, I usually end up eating it all! They use sirloin which makes it great and their homemade bun also makes this burger "the shiz!"

Definitely try a cup of tortilla soup as an appetizer, because it is some of the best that I have ever had.  It has a creamier thicker base then your typical brothy tortilla soup.   Some other great things to try is their chicken salad and pimento cheese. If you want a smaller version try these on their homemade rolls. YUM!

Two other great southern dishes are the poppy seed casserole and English Hot Ham. The English Hot Ham is similar to the famous Louisville Hot Brown, which is a combination of turkey and ham over an English muffin topped with melted homemade pimento cheese. This is served open-faced with pickles on top...are you drooling yet? Do keep in mind, that if you are planning on having the crunchy chicken casserole or poppy seed chicken casserole that they do not serve these on Saturdays.

Also, Puffy Muffin had added some new items to the menu that I would like to discuss...the following are not however, available on Saturdays either. The taco salad is good new addition.  If you are on a diet, you can order it with ranch and sour cream on the side and use salsa for the dressing. Also, the chicken quesadilla is a new menu item and it is pretty good. A good new side to try is their fried mushrooms. If you dip those suckers in ranch they are delicious! My advice, when you are at the Puffy Muffin, do not get something boring like the turkey sandwich, get something good, fattening and delicious, because good food like this doesn't come around to often!

Okay my favorite subject...Dessert!

Puffy Muffin is well known for their bakery. I have to say that I do not know if there has ever been a time where I have left The Puffin Muffin without a cookie in my hand. They have many different cookies to chose from like chocolate chunk, M&M, Mocha crinkles, English Toffee, Macadamia Nut/white chocolate, molasses, sugar, and snicker doodle...(basically, you name it, they got it.) I have tried their chocolate ganache cake and it is awesome, as well. So, is the Boston Cream Pie. But my favorite dessert there is the chocolate bomb. I am dying to meet the person who invented these things. It is litterally an explosion of greatness!  The texture and taste combination is delightful! Trust me on this one y'all!

These are just the desserts that I have tried, but I know that anything they make is excellent, because they have been in the biz for over 23 years! They know their sweets.

Some reminders:

-Puffy Muffin is always packed for lunch. It is not that hard to get a table if you try and get their before 11.
-They will only put your name down if your entire party is there.
-Also, if you are in a hurry, and do have time to wait and eat they do have many sandwiches available for pick up, like their chicken salad rolls or pimento cheese rolls. They also have salads you can pick up to go or pints of their homemade chicken salad and pimento, as well.
-Also, if you need something for the family for dinner and you don't have time to cook...pick up one of their quiches and a salad and you will have dinner ready in no time.

Hope y'all like my review on the Puffy Muffin. It is a great place with great food. So if you are in the Brentwood area, try it!

For more information on Puffy Muffin visit www.puffymuffin.com

This is For All the Winos: Arrington Vineyards

Hey y'all! In our opinion, wine and food make a great combo, so we wanted to tell you all about Arrington Vineyards. Arrington Vineyards is a beautiful winery located in Arrington, TN, owned by the famous Brooks and Dunn musicians.

If you are looking for something fun to do that is budget friendly and a great deal of fun, Arrington Vineyards is the place to be. This beautiful destination is not too far outside of Nashville. It is actually located near Franklin, Nolensville and Brentwood. Arrington features all different types of wine and they have free wine tastings every day...even on Sundays.

What makes Arrington Vineyards so great is not only the good wine, but the beautiful Tennessee scenery that surrounds the vineyard. They have a deck outside with bistro tables and chairs where you can relax and gaze at the gorgeous landscaping. Also, there are picnic tables located throughout the grounds, as well.

In addition, in the summer and fall, they have live music on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. It is a great place to go and bring some food (perhaps some Martin's BBQ…it's not too far away) and listen to some great music. However, we must warn you, if you are going to go during these times, do try and get there early, because it can get pretty packed. On Fridays and Saturdays, the bands usually play from 5-9 pm and on Sundays 2-6 pm.

Another great feature about Arrington Vineyards is they offer gourmet picnics catered by either the Henpeck Market or the Red Pony. If you chose the Henpeck Market picnic special, they will supply you with a comfy blanket. All you need to do is order your meal 48 hours in advance. For details, call (615) 794-7518. Also, another great restaurant caters as well. No other than The Red Pony (y'all know us chowhounds love the RP)! They offer vineyard picnics that include a packed cooler, tablecloth, utensils, napkins, plates and wine glasses. They also ask for orders to be placed 48 hours in advance. Call (615) 595-6070 for more details.

If you are looking for a fun place to go on a date or even a great place to hang out with friends Arrington is the place. Another great time to go is during the day when it is not crowded and you can just relax and enjoy the beauty while sipping on some delicious wine. Also, we suggest the Raspberry Sweet desert wine. It is fantastic with chocolate.

For more information on Arrington Vineyards visit: www.arringtonvineyards.com

Things That Make Ya Go MMMMMMMMM!

Here are some easy recipes that we want to share!  We hope you like them and please feel free to give us your reviews, as well.

1. T-T McGee's Stuffed Mushrooms:
-1 large container of fresh whole mushrooms
-1/2 to 3/4 block of plain cream cheese (softened)
-1 pound of hot ground sausage
-Breadcrumbs (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Remove stems from mushrooms.  Brown the sausage in a pan.  After sausage is cooked drain grease.
-Mix sausage and cream cheese.
-Spoon Saugsage into mushrooms
-Sprinkle with breadcrumbs
-Cook 15 minutes

2. Hot Pizza Dip
-Red pizza sauce or pasta sauce
-1 Block of cream cheese
-Pepperoni (optional)
-Diced green peppers (or any other veggie topings)
-Parmasean cheese
-1 1/2 cups of mozzerella cheese
-Italian seasonings
-Thick Fritos for dipping

-Preheat oven to 350. Spread cream cheese on the bottom of your casserole dish.  Sprinkle with Parmesean and Italian seasonings.
-Layer with red sauce.
-Sprinkle with mozzerella cheese.
-Sprinkle a little bit of Italian Seasonings, again and Parmesean.
-Top with pizza toppings (peppers, mushrooms, pepperoni's, etc)
-Heat until cheese is melted through (about 15 -20 minutes).
-Serve with Thick Fritos


3. Tortilla Roll Ups (Great for Tailgates)
-1-pkg of totillas (the big ones) 10 per pack
-3 cups of shredded Fiesta of Mexican cheese (you can use more...I think the more the better)
-1/2 packet of Taco Seasoning
-1 can of diced green chilis
-Diced jalopenos (optional)
-Dided black olives (optional)
-1 bunch of green onions diced
-1 block or tub of softened cream cheese
-1 jar of salsa for dipping
-Toothpicks

-Mix cream cheese with taco seasonings (you can use as much seasoning as you like...I use 1/2 pack to 3/4)
-Spread cream cheese mixture on tortillas
-Sprinkle shredded cheese on top of cream cheese mixture
-Then, sprinkle chilis, diced green onions, jalopeno's, etc
-Roll Tortillas up and wrap in plastic wrap.
-Chill for an hour or two.
-Slice tortillas so that they are on an angle and disgard or eat end pieces. 
-Use a toothpick to secure roll ups
-Dip in Salsa then eat!

**During christmas you can use red and green tortillas...very festive!

4. Mississippi Tailgate Dip
-8 oz pkg diced ham
-8 oz. pkg cream cheese softened
-2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
-8 oz Tub of sour cream
-1 bunch green onions chopped
-Dash of worcestershire
-Hawaiin Bread bowl (center removed- Keep center and cut up)
-What thins and leftover bread from bread bowl

-Preheat oven to 350
-Mix all ingredients (except bread bowl of course)
-Put mixture in bread bowl
-Place bread bowl on cookie sheet and bake for 30-45 min.  Check every 15 min. and stir
-Serve with wheatthins and left over bread.

Tennessee is Going Cupcake Crazy!

Is it just me or is Tennessee going cupcake crazy? Everywhere I look I am seeing delicious cupcakes tempting me from every direction. All together I have tried three cupcake stores Gigi's, Ivey Cake and The Pink Cupcake. All are good, but I have to say that Gigi's is my favorite.

 If you haven't heard of Gigi's, then you must still be stuck on cookies, because, seriously, Gigi's is where its at!  There are four store locations in the Nashville and surrounding area (Cool Springs, Nashville, Hendersonville, and Spring Hill.)  Here is what I have tried so far: 

-Baily's Irish Creme- Yellow cake with Irish creme flavoring, Topped with irish creme chesse frosting and almonds.  I have actually gotten this one twice in a row, because it is my favorite.  The almonds really give this cupcake a great texture.

-Honey Chunky Banana Nut-  This is another good one.  Especially if you like Banana Bread.  It is topped with choclate ganache and a dried banana chip.  Imagine having a banana bread cupcake that is exactly what this is like...but better!

-Pina Colada-  If you are dying to go to the beach, but don't have time then go to Gigi's and treat yourself to a Pina Colada cupcake.  This has the falvoring of the drink, but descised as a cupcake.  At least after having one of these you will be able to driv home!

-Caramel Sugar Moma- This one is caramel cake topped with caramel buttercreme and drizzled with caramel.  This one is not bad, but a little too sweet for my liking.  Do not get me wrong I would eat it again, but it would suggest trying another one. 

Other cupcake flavors include:
-Apple spice and Everything Nice

-Birthday Surprise-
-Blueberry Swirl-
-Boston Crème
-Carrot Cake
-Chocolate Malt
-Chocolate Strawberry
-Chocolate Turtle
-Coconut Snowball
-Flower Power
-German Sweet Chocolate
-Ginger Bread
-Golden Brown
-Health Nut
-Italian Crème
-Key Lime
-Kiddie Cake
-lemon Dream Supreme
-Mellow Crème
-Merry Margarita

If you have been to Gigi's, tell us what was your favorite cupcake?
Also, for more information visit http://www.gigiscupcakesusa.com/

Martin's Bar-B-Que (Tennessee's Hidden Gem)

Hello, Today I would like to talk to you about Martin's Bar-B-Que, also known as "Tennessee's Hidden Gem." Martin's is located in off Nolensville Road in the town of Nolensville, TN. This may be a far destination for some, but the drive is well worth it. Martin's has been awarded one of the top 10 BBQ joints in the country by U.S.A. Today and Yahoo and I sure do believe it!

First I will talk about the pulled pork sandwich, and it is very good. What I like about it is it does not have a lot of grizzle like most BBQ places. Martin's has so many different choices for BBQ sauce. They have the Sweet Dixie mild (o.k. but a little too sweet for me ), The Devil's Nectar (very good, I like this better than the Sweet Dixie mild, has a little kick), I prefer the Alabama White Sauce. This is a white sauce with a hint of vinegar and secret seasonings. It is Martin's version of the white poultry sauce that can be found in Northern Alabama. It is a great dipping sauce for their delectable hand cut fries, as well. Martin's has traditional Tennessee pulled pork. If you prefer North Carolina pulled pork then you might be disappointed because here at Martin's they do not use a vinegar base.

Now lets talk about their ribs. Some people may disagree with me, but I would put Martin's ribs up to The Rendezvous ribs any day of the week. Wet or dry these ribs are fantastic. What makes them so good is they have so much meat on them, and their seasonings on the dry ribs are great. Not too salty. If you want a dry rub there are two types of rubs you can get; the Memphis Rib Dust or the Hog Hoss Dry Rub.

I have never been one to like brisket, but I tried it the other day at Martin's and I actually loved it. Most places serve their brisket very dry, but not Martin's. No way! Martin's brisket is served so moist and perfectly cooked that it can compare to any Texas brisket. Also, they are famous for the "Red Neck Tacos," which is either brisket or pulled pork wrapped in a corn cake instead of a taco. This Redneck Taco is what Martin's is famous for.

My advice is if you are a first timer get the "Big Momma Plate." This way you can try everything at once (although you may want to share). This major masterpiece includes; 4 ribs (spares or baby backs), 1/4 pound of pork, 1/4 pound of brisket and two sides.

Speaking of sides, here is a low-down on the side portion of the menu: The fries are great, if you like hand cut fries. The green beans are good. They are Italian style green beans in a sauce that contains bits of the pulled pork. Slaw is good, creamy and thick. Cornbread is also good and moist. The potato salad is pretty good, but I would chose the fries over the potato salad any day of the week!

Now, Martin's has more than just BBQ. If you just simply are not a big lover of the hog, then Martin's has other options for you. Hamburgers, cheeseburgers, smoked chicken, and fried catfish are all on the menu, as well. Only once, have a steered away from the hog and that was for some smoked chicken. I must say it is not bad, but I do not care for it as much as I do the BBQ.

Martin's is a great place to go for lunch or dinner, especially if you are with "the fam." But I must warn you, they are not open on Sundays or Mondays and try not to get there too late. When Martin's is out of BBQ, they lock the doors and head on home. Their motto is they would rather "sell out than sell out." This is something I truly respect, because it simply means they would rather close the doors and lock up instead of serve meat that has been frozen. And this is why Martin's is one of the top ten places for BBQ in the country!

BrickTop's Nashville

Anyone that knows me knows how much I love BrickTop's.  BrickTop's is a restaurant off West End in Nashville, TN.  It is open for lunch and dinner throughout the week and brunch on Sundays.  Reservations are also accepted at this fine establishment.  BrickTop's is casual, American dining in a classy yet modern environment.  The service is top notch.  If you are looking for a place to take your clients during your lunch break this is the place, because it is quick and impressive at the same time.

Here are some of the best things on the menu at BrickTop's:

Appetizers- The spinach dip is by far the best I ever have and believe me, I have searched the world to try and find a better one and it simply is not possible.  This spinach dip cannot be beat (unless of course you go to Houston's Restaurant and the spinch dip is exactly the same- BrickTop's was formerly Houston's).   The deviled eggs are also something to write home about, but if you are going to chose between the two - get the spinach dip.

I have to say for lunch, my favorite would be the fish taco's.  It is just something about the flavors of the blackened fish mixed with the coleslaw and guacamole.  I used not like fish tacos, but I tried BrickTop's and it really changed my opinion. 

Believe it or not, the chicken fingers are very good as well.  And if you like shoe string fries, then you will like BrickTop's.  Another winner is the French Dip.  They slice their prime rib so thin it's perfect for any meat eater. 

My husband prefers the Ahi Tuna burger...sounds weird doesn't it?  It is not as weird as you may thing though.  This burger made from tuna is seared rare to perfection and served with creamy cole slaw on top.  It's a perfect burger if you are trying to stay on the healthy side.  BT's regular cheeseburgers and sliders are also delicious as well.

In addition, BrickTop's is famous for its flatbreads; I would suggest the bbq chicken and margherita flatbreads.  They are my favorite. 

As for sides, the mac and cheese is out of this world.  I would suggest getting this instead of the fries, because you can get french fries anywhere.  The cream spinach also is a winner as well.

My favorite BrickTop's salads are the Boston Blue Wedge and the Ahi Tuna. 

If you have not tried BrickTop's you should because it is a great neighborhood restaurant.

What's your favorite menu item at BrickTop's?  Tell us what you think!


For more information on BrickTop's visit http://www.westendrestaurants.com/menu.pdf

Recipe: Guacamole Chicken Quesadilla's

This Blog is not just about restaurants it is about food that we cook too!  That is why I wanted to share with you a recipe I created yesterday.  This does not take long to make and is very fresh and delicious.  Feeds two or three

-1 pkg 8in. Flour Tortilla's
-1 Ripe Avacado
-1 Medium Tomato (deseeded and chopped)
-1 chicken breast
-Chipolte seasoning, or chili seasoning
-1 Tbs diced jalopeno (seeded-if you like spicy dont deseed)
-Lemon
-3 Tbs Olive Oil
-1/4 cup Shredded Mexican Cheese
-Melted butter
-Salsa (optional)
-Sour Cream (optional)

-Heat oil in a pan.  Rub chicken with chipolte seasoning and chili seasoning. Brown chicken on one side.  Switch sides and cover and cook until no longer pink and juices run clear.  Meanwhile, mash avacado with a fork.
-In a bowl combine avacado, jalopeno, tomato, and squeeze lemon zest and stir.
-Dice chicken when cooked all the way through.
-Brush butter on outsides of quesadillas
-Assemble quesadilla's as followed: guacomole, chicken, cheese


You can cook quesadillas two ways:
1. Oven: Heat 350.  Place on pan.  Then place a pan on top of quesadilla, so it wont bubble. Cook 6 minutes

2. On griddle or pan:  Spray pan with Pam or olive oil.  Cook until cheese is melted through.

Let us know what you think!

Nashville's New Cantina Loredo

Recently, my family and I just dined at Cantina Loredo down in the Gulch area of town.  This was not the first time I have dined at Cantina Loredo.  The first time, I ate there was in San Destin, FL.  I must say the food was pretty good. 

We dined on a Thursday night.  Otherwise known as "Ladies Night."  On Thursdays, all ladies of age get to enjoy half off house wine and house margarita's.  The maragaritas are good.  Although, I would suggest one of the specialty ones they offer.

For starters, we got the guacamole, which is made in front of you at your table.  Very good, but if you do not like cilantro then choose another appetizer (or perhaps, cuisine).  Also, we got the nachos.  The nachos are not like you average nachos that are piled up high.  The nachos are individual chip nachos.  Pretty good.

I got the stuffed jalopeno shrimp.  I must say I was pretty disappointed with these.  They were very bland.  My brother liked the Chimichurri steak.  My husband got the Fajitas, which were good.  My mother's entree was by far the best.  She ordered the Camerones Escondidos - this was grilled chicken stuffed with shrimp, topped with sautted spinach, and chipolte wine sauce. 

My advice would be if you are going to eat here, get something you do not usually get at your "typical" Mexican spot.  A taco is always a taco whether you are at taco bell or Cantina Loredo, so "think outside the box" and get something different. 

Also, this place is pricier than most Mexican restaurants prepare to spend an average of $15-$20 on each entree.

Also, the dress attire is business casual here. 

I give this restaurant 4 stars in my personal opinion.  If you have eaten here, please comment on what you have had and let the readers know what you think about Cantina Loredo

For more information of pricing and food go to: http://www.cantinalaredo.com/menu.php

Red Pony- Franklin, TN

First, I want to start writing about my favorite restaurant in the Nashville surrounding area.  This restaurant is the Red Pony and it is located in downtown Franklin, TN.  Let me start out by telling you this place is absolutely AMAZING!

When you walk in you are greeted at the door with smiles.  The restaurant has a "swanky-casual" feel to it.  Very chic, but relaxed at the same time.  The service is impeccable.  The servers really know their stuff. 

I need to start by telling you that the menu changes seasonally.  But, I will tell you what I had last time I was there. 

For a drink, I started with the "Nina P.D." This cocktail featured Smirnoff Strawberry accompanied with fresh muddled strawberries and guava juice. Very delicious.

We wanted an appetizer, but we were not sure what to get, so we asked our server what he liked the best.  He informed us about the Tempora Sushi Roll Shrimp.  Since, we could tell our server really knew what he was talking about we decided to go with the sushi.  Needless to say, it was FANTASTIC!  The sushi roll consisted of a tempured shrimp roll with cream cheese, Ginger soy and Miso honey sauce. 

For our meal, I had the Beef Tenderloin Pizza.  Although it was on the "Starter" section.  It certainly did the job.  This pizza was delicious. It was a flatbread type pizza with charred beef on top, mozzerella, blue cheese, oven dried tomato and topped with carmelized onion.  Every ingredient together formed a taste that made my taste buds dance.

I must say, what my husband got was the best.  He ordered the pork tenderloin.  However, this was not your average pork tenderloin.  This meaty hunk of goodness was wrapped in bacon, grilled and escorted with a yellow tomato bar-b-que sauce.  The side was just as mouth-watering; Blue cheese-sweet corn risotto - which literally melted in your mouth.

Instead of dessert, we opted for another cocktail.  We both had the "Quasi-Mojito."  This was like a mojito, but featured pomegranite juice.  Very delicious. Our server aslo treated us to choclate covered strawberries (and we didn't even order them).

I was very sad when the bill arrived.  Not because we had to pay, but because we had to leave.  I was saddened to part from the amazing food, service and ambiance.  All in all 5 stars!

For more information regarding the Red Pony, please visit: http://www.redponyrestaurant.com/

Southern Chicks Food Blog!

Hello, first of all I would like to give a big HELLO!  This is the first post ever written on the Southern Cookin Makes Ya Good Lookin Food Blog.  Let me start out with a little introduction.  First of all, we love food.  We love reading menus.  We love new restaurants.  We love cooking.  So we thought it would be best to share our love for food with YOU!  Here you are gonna find everything you need to know about restaurants in Nashville.  We will even write about our favorite recipes.  We hope you enjoy this blog and please let us know if you would like us to review a restaurant for you.  Have a great day!  And HAPPY EATING!!!