I was visiting my family in Nashville over the recent holidays and we went to a few spots around town for good eats. I must say Nashville is right up there with other great cities such as New York, Toronto and Chicago for a great full circle experience. The food and atmosphere in Nashville is something you have to experience to justify. It's one of my favorite spots.
My brother decided to take my friend, Patrick, and I to one of his and my Dad's favorite places, Edley's. We got out there a little late (8:30) and the place was absolutely jammin. My brother always claims that going there during any popular hour will get you a 2 hour wait. Unlike most restaurants, it's a seat yourself and order at the cashier type of deal. There were quite a few tussles for the exiting patrons but we snagged a table for us three. My brother ordered their specialty drink, bourbon and tea, and the mason jar serving glass hit the nail on the head for a good southern drink.
We kept noticing everyone eating this nacho type dish so we all split that as an app and it is right up there with the best dishes I've ever had in my life. The pork, cheese, barbecue, sour cream and home cut potatoe's combined in a way didn't know existed. If you are ever in Nashville, it is worth the wait and time to go here and eat this!
I really wanted to get the brisket but we were told we better get there a lot earlier because they typically run out around lunch time. In the end we all settled with a pork plate. My side's were mac n' cheese and cole slaw, southern staples. A very solid meal but the nacho's really blew it over the top and there was no way for the meal to follow up that. It would've been like The Beatle's opening for ANYONE.
I will be back for the nacho's you can bet any amount of money on that.
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Cask and Larder
A part of the same ownership as The Ravenous Pig, Cask and Larder had some rather large shoe's to fill and they didn't disappoint, in food or drink.
I was taken aback by the difference's employed at these two succesful restaurants in the same area, with the same ownership. Cask and Larder was really cool and featured an in-house brewing station. It's not often you go to a restaurant and drink locally crafted beer made by the people serving your dinner, how neat. I loved the open floor plan and the bar area with the plain viewing of the "brew arena" towards the back, there seemed to be a rather party going on in there I wouldn't have minded to be invited too!
Back to the food and drink. My server, just like The Ravenous Pig, was very friendly and more than willing to contribute some of her idea's. Se suggested I try a sampler of their beers and some oysters that change frequently and are served just the way I like 'em, raw. Some of the oyster's ranged from B.C. and P.E.I. back in my motherland(Oh Canada!) and Maryland. I couldn't have been any happier with them. Tabasco, crackers and oysters...nothing much better in life. The beer sampler was very cool as well. Ranging from a toxic whiskey ale at 12% ABV and all different style's, my pallet was left confused, quenched and happy. I'm a sucker for Golden Ale's and Blonde's(beer talk) and these two options reeled me in.
My main was uncharacteristic for me but I decided to trust my server and try her favorite, the Rabbt and Dumplings. I'm not a Rabbit fan but she seemed pretty sure of herself and I was sold by her confidence. Similar to The Ravenous Pig, another great serving dish was very aesthetically pleasing and making me want to dig my fork in. The Rabbit was just like my waitress said it would be "Tastes like Chicken"and I sure as heck wouldn't have been able to tell a difference had it been a blind tasting. The dumplins and rest of the dish were served like a stew and I killed it. I wanted to order another plate but I knew it would've been a little heavy!
Head-to-Head Ravenous Pig versus Cask and Larder. I'd have to give the edge to The Ravenous Pig. The meal was just slightly better and the drinks were really spot on. Overall atmosphere of the two and servers were some of the best I've experienced.
I was taken aback by the difference's employed at these two succesful restaurants in the same area, with the same ownership. Cask and Larder was really cool and featured an in-house brewing station. It's not often you go to a restaurant and drink locally crafted beer made by the people serving your dinner, how neat. I loved the open floor plan and the bar area with the plain viewing of the "brew arena" towards the back, there seemed to be a rather party going on in there I wouldn't have minded to be invited too!
Back to the food and drink. My server, just like The Ravenous Pig, was very friendly and more than willing to contribute some of her idea's. Se suggested I try a sampler of their beers and some oysters that change frequently and are served just the way I like 'em, raw. Some of the oyster's ranged from B.C. and P.E.I. back in my motherland(Oh Canada!) and Maryland. I couldn't have been any happier with them. Tabasco, crackers and oysters...nothing much better in life. The beer sampler was very cool as well. Ranging from a toxic whiskey ale at 12% ABV and all different style's, my pallet was left confused, quenched and happy. I'm a sucker for Golden Ale's and Blonde's(beer talk) and these two options reeled me in.
My main was uncharacteristic for me but I decided to trust my server and try her favorite, the Rabbt and Dumplings. I'm not a Rabbit fan but she seemed pretty sure of herself and I was sold by her confidence. Similar to The Ravenous Pig, another great serving dish was very aesthetically pleasing and making me want to dig my fork in. The Rabbit was just like my waitress said it would be "Tastes like Chicken"and I sure as heck wouldn't have been able to tell a difference had it been a blind tasting. The dumplins and rest of the dish were served like a stew and I killed it. I wanted to order another plate but I knew it would've been a little heavy!
Head-to-Head Ravenous Pig versus Cask and Larder. I'd have to give the edge to The Ravenous Pig. The meal was just slightly better and the drinks were really spot on. Overall atmosphere of the two and servers were some of the best I've experienced.
The Ravenous Pig
I have been rather lazy recently and haven't updated a few of the restaurants I have tried the in the past couple of months. I apologise and will return and write more frequently.
One of the coolest atmosphere's I've encountered in my entire life was the decor, lighting and warm welcome I recieved at The Ravenous Pig. The staff was friendly and helpful. I loved the wooded feeling and the freedom the bartenders were given. Their ability to experiment in the bar led me to two drinks that have changed the course of my adult beverage consumption. Oh sweet and spicy Jalapeno Rose and the delightful Gin n' Jam. Jalapeno Rose has become a cult favorite according to the bartenders. A spicy and sweet concoction with tequila, fresh jalapeno and amazingness all in a glass that will leave you wanting more. The most interesting was the Gin n' Jam though. All jams(there were a few) were made in house and fresh. The mix with the tart gin and sweet jam(slight rosemary flavour) was absolutely killer! I look forward to many, many more. I keep asking for Gin n' Jam's everywhere and have been dissappointed too much.
The food was about as good as it can get. Mussels and Truffle Fries were recommended by my server and they hit the spot. The salt from the fries combined with the mussels in a way I wasn't expected but all the more loved. My love for mussels and seafood is directly from my Dad and Mom. I'm blessed to have parents that are just as big foodies as I am. My main was a nice, thick-cut steak with potatoes. It was served on a hot cast iron plate and the steak was prepared perfectly, medium rare with a nice juicy center. I couldn't have been happier with my decision and the friendliness of the staff made it such an enjoyable meal. I look further to going back and dining more!
One of the coolest atmosphere's I've encountered in my entire life was the decor, lighting and warm welcome I recieved at The Ravenous Pig. The staff was friendly and helpful. I loved the wooded feeling and the freedom the bartenders were given. Their ability to experiment in the bar led me to two drinks that have changed the course of my adult beverage consumption. Oh sweet and spicy Jalapeno Rose and the delightful Gin n' Jam. Jalapeno Rose has become a cult favorite according to the bartenders. A spicy and sweet concoction with tequila, fresh jalapeno and amazingness all in a glass that will leave you wanting more. The most interesting was the Gin n' Jam though. All jams(there were a few) were made in house and fresh. The mix with the tart gin and sweet jam(slight rosemary flavour) was absolutely killer! I look forward to many, many more. I keep asking for Gin n' Jam's everywhere and have been dissappointed too much.
The food was about as good as it can get. Mussels and Truffle Fries were recommended by my server and they hit the spot. The salt from the fries combined with the mussels in a way I wasn't expected but all the more loved. My love for mussels and seafood is directly from my Dad and Mom. I'm blessed to have parents that are just as big foodies as I am. My main was a nice, thick-cut steak with potatoes. It was served on a hot cast iron plate and the steak was prepared perfectly, medium rare with a nice juicy center. I couldn't have been happier with my decision and the friendliness of the staff made it such an enjoyable meal. I look further to going back and dining more!
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