#welovegluten

Each morning in Nashville, spoiled with sleeping in, we would leisurely sip coffee, nibble on treats and figure out a delicious plan.

I’ll use “Delicious plan” because let’s face it, most days revolved around food.… Priorities people! (We only had a few days to eat our way through town).

Barebones Butcher – We agreed some of the BEST sandwiches… This butcher shop locally sources 1 cow and 2 pigs per week from farms within a 50-mile radius. The meatball and roasted pork subs were on point! While the meatball was more traditional, the roasted pork was topped with braised apples, caramelized onions and tarragon aioli…safe to say there were no leftovers. (Very cool experience, possibly like being in an episode of ‘Portlandia’)

Drug Store Coffee – Might still be drooling from the vanilla bean glazed and maple cinnamon donuts. Fancy lattes, one with their house salted whiskey caramel syrup.  Trendy, yummy and you should probably have a hipster mustache to work there.

Germantown Café – Great spot for brunch, particularly, we loved the cinnamon sugar donuts served before the orders came out. Didn’t we just eat donuts? Yes #welovegluten (theme of the vacation)

The Oak – “Oh you fancy huh? Oh you fancy huh? Nail done, hair done, everything did”… Night out to the best steakhouse, yes we did…  Wine, charred octopus, filet mignon, lobster mac n’ cheese, crispy brussels sprouts, chocolate cake (with cream cheese ricotta mousse, chocolate, oreo crust, whipped cream and salted caramel ice cream). Big O.M.G.

Let’s take a second to re-visit those brussels… with shaved red onions, cilantro and nuoc cham. Steaks were perfection. All dolled up, this was an awesome Nashville night. (Fun fact: the hostess thought we looked like the hitmen couple from the movie ‘Baby Driver’….we had to look it up, but, yeah, we’ll take that…bad ass!)

Geist – Rad eatery converted from an old blacksmith shop. Original ceilings, unique decor, cozy. Morning mimosas were served with edible flowers… need we say more?!

Martin’s BBQ – “Home of West-Tennessee Style Whole Hog BBQ”. Ordered some BBQ Trays: beef brisket, pulled pork, white bread, pickles, baked beans, coleslaw, potato salad and fries…accompanied with house sauce. Saucy, saucy, saucy! Melt in your mouth, should wear a bib. Outrageous line out the door and around the corner, for good reason. We were lucky and scored seats at the bar (where they also serve food).

5 Crowns Pizza – Thank you to Frankie, our lyft driver, who gave us the inside scoop on where to get the best late-night pizza. Did. Not. Disappoint. They even threw in an extra free slice! Thinner crust, great cheese ratio, really yummy toppings – from traditional to prosciutto basil, balsamic something… crushed it after the Bruno Mars concert (concert experience to be captured later)

Lockleland Table – Another historical building turned modern – they restored elements of the original H.G Hills dry goods store from the 1930s. Part store front, part comfortable house feel, more intimate vibe and adventurous menu…we made a bold move ordering the Nashville HOT crispy pig ears. Once we took a few bites, it was evident why the ‘HOT’ was in all caps on the menu. Burning lips were later soothed by pork and shrimp dumplings and the grilled pork loin with collard greens, sweetwater smoked cheddar mac-n-cheese, black pepper honey, TN chow chow and cracklins. I’m not even sure what happened; it was incredible. (And, still glad we tried the pig ears!)

I’m leaving out amazing hamburgers, hot chicken sandwiches… but, you get the idea.

Beers and cocktailing deserve a post of their own…