Wow, what a hidden gem. I am sorry to say it has taken me a few years to discover Big Al’s.
Located in, for now, a quiet undiscovered part of Germantown, Big Al’s serves amazing breakfast and lunch. What’s even more amazing is the man himself. Big Al introduced himself and sat down at our table to say hello and learn about each of us. He could not have been nicer or more welcoming, the old friend you never knew you had.
I had the shrimp and grits which were full of bacon, cheese and the most savory sauce. Accompanying corn cakes were perfect for as we call it in the south “sopping” up all that sauce. You will not want any of it to go to waste. We also tried the hot chicken, catfish and vegetable plate. The hot chicken also a highlight had just the right amount of heat while still super moist. Huge portions all, so come with an empty stomach. Plan on lunch early or late as there only a few inside tables. Oh man is it ever worth the wait.
Nashville is lucky enough to have a new hip restaurants open almost every week, but it’s refreshing to know there are still authentic Nashville meat and 3’s that will always be in style!
1828 4th Avenue North Nashville, TN 37208
http://bigbigalsdeli.com/
Check out their web site for changing daily menu.
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The Cochon Butcher is one of the newest additions to Germantown’s exploding restaurant scene. The Butcher’s original location in New Orleans is the brain child of Donald Link, the James Beard award winning Chef. It is part butcher shop, market, sandwich counter and wine bar. You have to try the duck pastrami slider, so perfect so simple so delicious. We also tried the Le Pig Mac, a play on the other burger with a similar name, except the patties are sausage, one of the specialties of the Butcher shop. All items made in house, even the chips and daily selection of pies. It is only when you visit a restaurant like this do you remember how terrible 98% of the restaurants we all eat at really are. Thanks to our friends in New Orleans to remind us it’s the simple things in life.
Market and Sandwich counter
Le Pig Mac
Butcher Counter
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Woodford Reserve Distillery
Tony’s of Lexington is a can’t miss restaurant. Be sure to ask for Larry, he is the nicest waiter you could ever hope to meet. http://tonysoflexington.com/
Visit Spalding’s bakery on your way to the track, for some of the best doughnuts ever. http://www.spaldingsbakery.com/
Lastly you can’t visit Lexington (Cincinnati or Louisville for that matter) without a stop at Graeter’s ice Cream. It is heaven in a cone. http://www.graeters.com/
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Known for breakfast and more specifically their biscuits the Loveless Café is “the” morning destination for both Nashvillian’s and visitors alike. Located west of town, just feet away from the beginning on the Natchez Trace Parkway, the Loveless started life as a road side hotel / restaurant. Through years of downhome hospitality they have become a must stop. You are greeted at your table with a plate of fresh warm biscuits and jams. Although the biscuits are not like the ones made by my grand momma Solomon, the single best biscuits maker to ever walk the earth, Loveless biscuits are delicious. My advice is to plan your visit during the week, as the weekend wait can be hours long. It’s worth the wait. Go for the biscuits, but you will return for the southern charm.
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Plan a night at the ballpark now before it is too late this summer. With its padded seats, cup holders, gleaming rest rooms, the new First Tennessee Park is a gem, light years from the old Greer Stadium that Nashvillian’s have grown up with. Located just north of downtown in Germantown near the site of the historic Sulfur Dell stadium where The Babe once played, the spectator seating is oriented to face Nashville’s spectacular skyline. The enhanced food and drink options include Nashville Hot Chicken from Pepperfire and a frozen Whiskey & Coke Icee..….both are delicious. In case the game is slow, which we know baseball never is, the popular right field bar area has lounge seating, corn hole, ping pong, and shuffle board. You have August and September left to experience Nashville’s newest summer tradition, a relaxing summer night at the ballpark with your family and friends.
Don’t forget the Whiskey & Coke Icee!
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For those northern visitor’s to our great city, or for that matter any New York style pizza lover, do I have the place for you. Out on Elm Hill Pike, just a short drive from downtown, is Joey’s House of Pizza. You will find Joey along with his family each day at lunch. The family entertains you with their banter in that awesome Brooklyn / Italian accent, as you move efficiently through the line. It’s clear the family loves their pizza and customers as much as they do each other. Visit just a few times and they will remember you and your order, it’s like seeing old friends, who happen to make the delicious pizza. They are known for their double crust “Galdiator” pizza slice that is packed with sausage, pepperoni and mozzarella, while that is great, I prefer the classic New York slice. Always perfectly cooked with that slightly crisp crust. They are only open for lunch, so write yourself a reminder, to stop by for some pizza love while you are out exploring our great city. Oh, save room for a cannoli!
Joey’s House of Pizza – 897 Elm Hill Pike, Nashville, TN 37210
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Finally a French restaurant in Nashville that is actually delicious. Sure there have been others that tried, but Chateau West succeeds in that their food provides you with a short trip to Paris. You will not mistake the West End and Murphy Road location, a once International House of Pancakes, for a bustling chrome, tile and mirror covered bistro. Instead the tall thin building has been expertly renovated with warm inviting interior providing a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere to catch up with your friends and where you will have to make the tough decision on what you will be ordering.
The menu has all the classics: fondue, escargot , foie gras, tartare de boeuf, French onion soup, quiche, croque monsieur, mussels, crepes, duck Chambord, beef bourguignon, and as you all know by now my personal favorite, the national dish of France- steak frites. We started with the fondue that was accompanied with warm crusty baguette slices. Then followed up with mussels and steak frites. The mussels arrived in a large steaming kettle filled with white wine broth. Perfect. The ribeye was well seasoned and rare as ordered. The pomme frites where twice fried, amazing and should be close to the top of the next list of Nashville’s best fries. But, the exclamation point on the dish was the foie gras sauce. Absolutely awesome!!! So decadent and delicious that I made follow up reservations as soon as I got home.
Chateau West provides attentive service an interesting wine list and by far the best French cuisine in Nashville. If you have not tried French food or if you have been skeptical over the location, get over it. I promise you your stomach and taste buds will thank you. So go live life the good life like a Parisian, if just for a few hours.
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Tootsies is the one honky-tonk that defines Broadway nightlife, even though there are dozens of other similar bars in the same three block area. Tootsies is the one that stands out in the crowd, with its purple exterior paint scheme, close proximity to the Ryman Auditorium, and interior that exudes years of history. With music playing all day and all night on three different stages, you are sure to find an artist with just the twang you enjoy. Tootsies was and still is the hang out for country artists after they’re set on the Opry stage at the Ryman that is just across the back ally from the bar. So sit back and request your favorite song, enjoy an ice cold long neck, hang out on the roof top patio and just relax with all your new found friends from all over the country on the next bar stool. The Nashville tradition of bar hopping on Broadway is easy with the no cover policy at most all of the bars in the area. So whether it’s The Stage, Honky-Tonk Central or Tootsie’s that you happen into, you will have an awesome time, even if you don’t remember it the next morning! Honky-tonking at Tootsie’s is a not to be missed Nashville experience.
http://www.tootsies.net/
FYI – if there is a long line waiting to get in the Broadway entrance on a packed Friday or Saturday night, try the rear ally entrance. There is often no wait and you will feel like a VIP insider as you walk right in.
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By far the best pizza and maybe the best single dish in Nashville.
The Belly Ham pizza at City House is unbelievably delicious yet so simple. Each item in the restaurant is thought through and different from what you think of as traditional italian. This is not your typical italian restaurant that we have all been to, hundreds of times. The City House is in a clean refined brick home, where the focus is on the food. Try the house made cocktails and the deserts, but go for the pizza. The crust, cheese, chili oil and pork belly will make you forget every other pizza you have ever experienced.…
Happy New Year everyone!!
Over the holidays I was watching one of my favorite TV shows called, Car Matchmaker. This one particular episode, Spike Feresten the shows host, interviewed the designer of the Audi TT, Freeman Thomas. Mr. Freeman was talking about cars when he made the following quote “If you are in the business of caring, where every single moment of your day matters, why waste your time with something that is a bunch of BS”. I think this applies perfectly to the time you spend on vacation as well.
Using your time effectively, by planning ahead, is the best way to make sure you get what is most important to you. By allowing plenty of time to plan a trip, you to have the widest selection of itineraries, flights, rooms and restaurant reservations. Most importantly it allows you to avoid the BS tourist traps.
I am looking forward to assisting you in your New Years resolution of making the most out of your time here in Nashville.
Here’s to a making this a wonderful 2015!…
