notgreg's Profile
Any thoughts on Marche in Nashville?
Marche provides some of the most honestly prepared food in Nashville. Think french country cooking in a casual atmosphere, there is nothing else like it in Nashville, unfortunately.
Nashville Anniversary reccs wanted
For Italian near the Gaylord (entertainment center, not Gaylord Opryland, right?) I'd go for Sole Mio(Italian). It is literally about a mile away and has nearly always pleased me and my guests. Tapas haven't caught on in Nashville as much as in other cities, but someone else might have some recs for you in that arena. I would suggest Radius 10 in the gulch for small plates and drinks myself. As far as southern diners etc., a good search should unearth the most popular nashville meat-n-3's, usually Swett's, Arnold's, Sylvan Park, and Monell's. Rotier's on elliston is a dive with a good burger and some history.
Payne's Bar-B-Q in Memphis - Wow!!!
I did a huge write-up on these boards of a summer excursion of mine that covered over a dozen of the finer bbq places in Memphis, and Payne's stands out the most in my mind. It is certainly the first place I'll return for a sandwich when I get back to Memphis.
under-used treasure or garbage? what ingredient do you think people are wasting?
I have to agree with the stale bread post, it seems that its almost always thrown out, and yet it is so easy to turn into breadcrumbs. I don't know if anyone has mentioned cheese rinds, such as those from a block of parmesan, yet. thrown into a soup, or even some roasts and braises they add amazing flavor.
Looking for Good Eats between Nashville to Atlanta
And to add to the meat-n-3 vein of restaurants, Bell Buckle Cafe in...uhh...Bell Buckle, TN is definitely worth a stop if you're hungry around that time. It isn't too far south of Nashville, maybe an hour or so, but definitely a tasty southern restaurant.
live long OR enjoy food
I also like this question, foodperv. I understand that obviously you don't feel so polarized on the subject, but the parameters you set force us to think about what we really value. Do we have to choose one or the other? Of course not, but what if we did, which would you choose? Something that made me really think, actually. And assuming I could still exercise and felt healthy eating whatever I wanted, I would say that I would chose the shorter path. Then again, I'm 20 years old and will concede that I have a lot to learn about what matters in life.
Breakfast/brunch next Sunday in Nashville?
Yes, you will have to wait at Loveless, but it truly isn't that far from Vanderbilt (20 minutes tops on a sunday) and they do serve up the quintessential southern breakfast. Of course, you can't go wrong with Monell's either, but they will also likely have a wait. I'd stick with those two and would bet you won't be disappointed at either.
Memphis: They're not kidding about the bbq!
I wish Rendezvous wasn't so hit-or-miss. I've eaten there probably a dozen times and always seem to have a great experience, but many don't, and I can understand why. And man, If you like some Corky's ribs, I'd be willing to bet you'll love Central bbq the next time you're in Memphis. I have a huge 'que report on these boards from this past summer that runs down 8 or 9 of the places historically considered "the best". I'd encourage you to refer to that as well if you head back anytime soon. Of course, any 'que is better than none at all.
How's Floataway Cafe in ATL??
Had a delicious meal there just before Christmas, and I'm sure there will be a number of dishes that the kids will enjoy, especially if they are a bit adventurous. If you are expecting food prepared with the same skill as Bacchanalia, but a bit more approachable and casual, you won't be the least bit dissapointed.
Need update on City House in Nashville
Can't go wrong with the pizzas and house-cured meats. I will say that the cured meats are relatively mild on their own, but the beauty in this is that Chef Wilson pairs them perfectly with accompaniments for balanced flavor. The pizza with egg and mustard greens is the only one I've tried (and it was delicious), but a friend raved about the Margerita. For pastas, I can recommend the Chitarra and orecchiette, and one can hardly go wrong with the entrees. The trout, in particular, is delicious. Some have complained of vague menu descriptions and uninspired presentation, but if you go with the mindset of enjoying a casual dinner where the focus is entirely on flavor, I'd bet you can overlook these "flaws." Enjoy it.
Sunday night fine dining in Nashville?
Ombi's chef just left, but the other owner is also a trained chef so I can imagine things will still be rocking. Sunset Grill is open, and though I have had less than stellar experiences there most people agree that Randy Rayburn understands and delivers very good contemporary cuisine. Germantown Cafe, Mad Platter, F. Scott's and Midtown Cafe will all be open as well.
If obligated to spend a few days in Gatlinburg, TN ....!
I'm not entirely sure how one would be able to inspect a cook closely enough to discern that he was on crack, but that could just be me. And questionable patrons? Like the restaurant can choose who walks through the front door?
Italian/Mediterranean Cuisine in Nashville area
Finezza makes good Italian/American family centric food, but for something a little different you could try Sole Mio downtown or City House in Germantown. These two are much higher on the authenticity scale, especially City House (think handmade pastas and housemade sausage and cured meats). And there are a number of good Greek inspired restaurants, including the aforementioned Athens family restaurant (much like a diner), Kalamata's in Green Hills, and even Zola for a much more upscale Mediterranean-leaning menu. Oh, Cafe Nonna in Sylvan Park is great for casual Italian too, but it's tiny.
Parco Cafe Nashville
Thanks zkrg, it's great to hear that things are still going well with Parco under the new chef. I guess I'll just have to head back down the alley for another try myself, as your descriptions are more convincing than the review I read.
Any word on Andrew Chadwick's?
Ok well I tried Chadwick's and...it was absolutely delicious. Start to finish perfection. I had a wonderful foie gras torchon starter with various types of apple, my girlfriend had a pork belly app that was phenomenal. Next I had the loin of lamb, which is larded and seared then served on a bed of cous cous with a sweetbread salad. The induction stove means that it was cooked perfectly medium-rare and tat sweetbread salad was a joy to eat in Nashville. My girlfriend had the sea trout, which is wild-caught and served with a foie gras-asparagus salad. The skin was perfectly crisped and the flavor really shined. the fish was topped with a beet foam which, tasted alone, reminded me of grass, but tasted great with bites of trout. We had an apple tart with bourbon-thyme ice cream that mixed sweet and savory very thoughtfully. Service was kind, knowledgeable, and surprisingly casual. Of course this was easy because the restaurant, which is small, was never full in the three hours we were there. Food-wise though, It stands alone in Nashville.
Parco Cafe Nashville
I haven't but a local review did not paint a pretty picture. The Fu's were Parco Cafe, and it seems that now it is just a similar restaurant trying to live off the Fu's reputation. Again I haven't been there since, but that is the word.
Nashville reccos for VD for travelers?
I've now decided on Andrew Chadwick's at Rutledge Hill. It has gotten relatively little buzz around Nashville but it promises to be interesting, and the chef has some serious credentials. Unfortunately I'll be eating there the day before without a special menu because on Valentine's I'll be cooking for lucky folks like you!
Any word on Andrew Chadwick's?
Has anyone eaten at Andrew Chadwick's at Rutledge Hill in Nashville? I saw the Scene review, but there is no website and I've heard little else about it. Let me know your thoughts.
Nashville reccos for VD for travelers?
Bluebird Cafe is indeed interesting for music, but considering the OP listed no mention of appreciating a certain kind of (or any kind of) music, I have to say that the Bluebird could be a huge disappointment, though i agree that it has its charms. We are big on our meat-n-three's down here, and that could be a fun valentine's experience, but for something more upscale I would try Margot cafe, Park Cafe, Flyte, or even Capitol Grille. they will all be doing special Valentine's day menus I'm sure.
Recommendations for a 3 day trip to Memphis
I conducted a little tour myself this past summer, I'll post the report here in a minute...
Being a Nashvillian who frequents Memphis, I decided that this week would be a great time to head down for a few days and eat my way through the city's fine bbq joints, as well as a few burger spots for variety. I still hae one more day of eating, but here is what I've got so far:
A&R bbq- Had a regular pork sandwich here, in the traditional Memphis style of course (pork, slaw, sauce). A good rendition of the Memphis classic, good flavored, smoky pork, though it was a little too fatty. The sandwich ran over with sauce, but I found that more seemed to be on the plate than between the toasted buns. All in all a solid sandwich. Not too be missed are the fried pies, specifically the sweet potato variety, which I believe can still be considered a vegetable in this form.
Arcade restaurant- Good sweet potato pancakes, though a little heavier than those at the Pancake Pantry in Nashville. They open at 7 a.m., but don't come until 8 if you want a taste of their biscuits, which won't be ready until then.
BBQ Shop- Their chopped pork sandwich is a little variation on the classic theme, served on texas toast rather than a bun (though you can sub for a bun). I opted for a regular instead of large sandwich, which came in halves for easier eating. Traditionalists may sneer, but I liked the texas toast version, as the pork pour out of the sandwich when I picked it up. I feel like I was a bit shorted on shoulder though, even if it was a small. Good to very good sandwich.
Blue Plate Cafe- I hit the downtown location on Court, had a buttermilk waffle with whipped butter and syrup. These are the thin, plate sized type, and are very good. Coffee was also good. One of my favorite breakfasts.
Central BBQ- Had myself a full rack of their justifiably famous ribs, half wet/half dry, with homemade thick-cut bbq chips. The dry half was quite tasty, with their seasoning evident but not overpowering in every bite. The wet half, however, was amazing. With just a good brush of sauce, rather than a drowning, you could still taste the spice rub perfectly. That sauce though, with a bit of sweetness that complimented the rub so well, won me over to the wet side. And who doesn't love homemade bbq chips?
Cozy Corner- The wet ribs here are different than those of Central, but are they inferior?-Hardly. Available in the standard half and whole rack, or in a 2 or 4 bone plate, these pork ribs require a bit more pull and chew to get off of the bone. No matter, this meat is so deeply flavorful and satisfying that I would eat them bone and all if I had the chops. Wonderful sauce, perfectly flavored meat, a must try rack of ribs for anyone interested in Memphis' best. Also, go with double beans for side items, as these are probably the best baked beans I have ever eaten. With a complex, smoky flavor instead of the usual sugary sauce, I found myself resenting the cup of slaw (which was fine) for what it could have been, but wasn't, another cup of beans.
Dyer's- I had to take a break from que at some point, so Dyer's it was. Yes, it is on Beale, which can be inconvenient and annoying, but once that double with cheese, sided by a generous mound of fresh-cut fries is placed in front of you, all becomes right with the world. Deep fried and greasy in the best way possible, it's a Memphis tradition everyone should try once (a week).
Huey's- The local chain that wins all the awards for their 1/3 pound huey burger. I had mine with everything but tomato, onion rings on the side.Perfectly juicy, though not as tall as all the pictures might suggest, the burger was very solid. The rings, made with red onion encased in a thick batter, were an indulgence that I would heartily recommend. The perfect way to cook a vegetable.
Interstate BBQ- Everyone knows about Interstate, and it has the crowds to prove it. At peak lunch hour, the parking lot was nearly full, but the restaurant was wuite large and I did not have to wait for a table. Got the regular pork sandwich, which arrived overflowing with pork and swimming in sauce. This baby was hard to eat, but well worth the dozen or so crumpled napkins. I wouldn't have minded a tad more of the slaw on top, which added a wonderful sweetness to the velvety, sauce covered pork. Probably my second favorite sandwich of the trip.
Las Tortugas Deli Mexicana- Las tortugas sits in a strip mall in Germantown a few miles from Wolfchase. I had to try thise "torteria/taqueria" because the chef apparently buys all of his meat, fish, and vegetables fresh every morning from local markets. Tortas are mexican sandwiches, served on fresh baked bread. I had the chorizo with onions, lettuce, peppers, queso fresco and an avocado slice. This was indeed one of the freshest tasting sandwiches I have ever eaten. Well worth a visit if only for a break from the fajitas and burritos we have all began to think of as real mexican food.
Neely's- Apparently ran by a family member a family member of Jim Neely, the owner of Interstate bbq, Neelys chopped pork sandwich was indeed very similar to Interstate in size, price, and flavor. Interstate gets the nod, however, for being more evenly sauced, and therefore more sonsistent in flavor throughout the sandwich. However, they are both great choices for a pork sandwich.
Payne's- Told this was a must-try and the best bbq sandwich in Memphis, I had very high hopes/expectations for this bbq shack. Housed in a building that can be called unassuming at best, Payne's is not exactly welcoming in appearance. This theme continues on through the front doors, where you enter into a disconcertingly dim dining area. I thought I was alone in the little place until I heard a woman's voice asking me what I might be having today. I ordered a chopped pork sandwich and we made small talk as she pulled an entire shoulder out of the smoker and began making my sandwich. When I told her that I heard this was the best, she upped the ante by including that if I didn't love this sandwich, she would refund my money and throw in a fried apple pie. She needn't worry. Big and messy, this fine sandwich was full of browned bits which offered a deeply satisfying crunch with every bite. The slaw, a tangy, yellow-green affair, would not win any awards alone but complimented the pork and sauce so perfectly that the first bite elicited an involuntray smile that wouldn't leave my face until I had finished. Possibly the best thing I have put in my mouth this year. Worth the entire trip.
New Ideas for Potatoes-- 2008 [Moved from General Topics board]
Although I had eaten them before in restaurants, I had never actually made a potato latke until this Christmas. Obviously it is just another form of frying, but I love the consistency of potato pancakes and their affinity to sour cream and applesauce. I have also been using grated potatoes as a crust for seafood. Great flavor and presentation but it took me a few big misses to get it right.
How/Why did you pick your screen name?
In my first kitchen job the sous kept calling me greg (my name is Justin). On about the third day I looked at him and said "Chef, I'm not Greg!", and the name stuck.
Standing Rib Roast - Does it stay warm if you let it sit for 20-30 minutes? & Cooking temperature for Yorkshires
If the internal temperature of the meat is rising this entire time, it should still be plenty warm to serve. For a large cut such as a rib roast it takes at least 15-20 minutes for the juices to redistribute, and immediately carving it will just release the juices onto the cutting board.
Christmas Day in Nashville, TN??
oh that's relatively good news. Hopefully that will happen sooner rather than later.
My favorite fast food breakfast is at
Mcd's doesn't even reach my top 3. I live in Nashville, and down here I have to go with a chicken biscuit from chick-fil-a, steak, chicken or porkchop biscuit from hardee's, or a steak and gravy biscuit from Mrs. Winner's; and yes, i will have hashbrowns with that, thank you very much
Anyone Read Sandra Lee's Memoir?
All due respect, alkapal, but part of the point is that none of us will be writing memoirs because we don't feel they would be worthy reading material. Most people are simply saying that they will not waste their time reading something that does not interest them, not that Sandra Lee is some sort of soulless hack peddling her tragic life story in order to make a little more money. I have no problem with her whatsoever, however I don't think it is wrong for people to form public opinions about her very public life and lifestyle when she has obviously made good money exposing that very story to the public. It's the nature of the beast.
Christmas Day in Nashville, TN??
Shanghai cafe in Nolensville gave us respectable, authentic fare for a little while there, but it just wasn't meant to be I suppose. My girlfriend's family has a tradition of eating a Christmas morning breakfast at Waffle House, and while it is greasy and smoky at least there someone is cooking your food in front of your eyes and especially for you, unlike a buffet.
Best Burger in Nashville?
Since Fat Mo's and 5 Guys are in a similar vein I feel a comparison is fair, and I have to give 5 guys the edge. This is coming from a formers FM devotee, but 5 guys' burgers just seem to pack more flavor, not to mention their fries blow FM's out of the water. Fat Mo's is still a very good burger, and whenever I want to eat my last meal of the day at 11 a.m, I was still drive over for 27 ounces of beefy goodness.
Fancy plates, Nashville?
It's also worth mentioning Capitol Grille in the Hermitage Hotel. No, Sean Brock is no longer there to show Nashvillians just what molecular gastronomy is all about, but his former sous Tyler Brown is, and he puts out beautifully presented "tv" worthy food in a very haute yet comfortable room. It will be the most expensive in Nashville though.
"20 Worst Foods in America"
I'm not sure if awareness is the most important issue. Certainly obese people don't eat every meal in a restaurant that does not disclose nutrition information. Chances are the majority of their meals are either eaten at home or in fast food restaurants, and in both of these cases they have ready access to the caloric content of their food. Does this keep them from eating just as much of it? Historically, no. That doesn't make it right, it just makes it the truth. Slapping nutrition facts on every restaurant's menu probably will not scare away the majority of their customers...that's the world we live in.
