When you decide you're taking a trip, what's the first thing you do? Book your hotel? Check out flight times? Both are very logical and practical things but I handled my Japan trip a bit differently. From the emailed itineraries to the blog posts and articles, each was filled with more recommendations than I could possibly absorb.
Read MoreI have quite the fondness for fresh flowers. Splurging on these little blossoms not only puts a smile on my face but it serves as a reminder to be present and enjoy each moment because no two are the same. It's amazing how these fragile little blossoms can be so powerful.
Read MoreKonnichiwa everyone! I know it's been a while since my last post, but I promise I have a perfectly good excuse. In case you haven't been following along on my Instagram, I just returned from spending two weeks in Japan. What an adventure that was. Planes, trains, and automobiles, oh my.
Read MoreIn the past twenty years, the word dinner has taken on an entirely different meaning for me. Dinner used to be the obligatory family meal where I was forced to eat my veggies and talk about my day at school. Just what a moody teenager wants to do, right? As my interest in food flourished, dinner became much more than just a meal. It was an experience. One that I would go to great lengths to seek out. From the chef's culinary creativity to the actual food itself, it's my hope that these "experiences" inspire me and challenge both my mind and palate.
Read MoreTom Morales is a name that most Nashville natives are familiar with. Not only is he a Music City icon, but a trailblazer in the hospitality industry responsible for some of Nashville's most popular restaurants. From Southern Steak and Oyster, Acme Feed & Seed, and Fin and Pearl to his latest endeavor, Woolworth on 5th, Morales creates a comfortable atmosphere where patrons can experience exceptional Southern cuisine without all the fuss.
Read MoreSince Nashville has achieved "IT" city status, the hospitality industry has grown exponentially. Nashville has become a culinary melting pot with restaurant openings becoming a weekly occurrence, making it difficult for this food blogger to keep up.
With all of the delicious new options, it's nice to revisit a classic from time to time. This week I visited an old friend, McCabe Pub.
Read MoreWhen I travel abroad, I inevitably find one dish I fall head over heels in love with. Of course, I arrive back in the states and try my hardest to find a dish locally that emulates it. Realizing that it is an impossible task, I end up scrolling through pictures on my phone re-living that meal.
This past week was no different. Overcast rainy Nashville nights had me craving pasta.
Read MoreCity Tap House, one of Sobro's newest establishments, has been calling Music City home since late 2017. Located on 3rd Avenue South, City Tap House has over 60 craft beers sourced from local and regional breweries and focuses on serving gourmet American pub fare. It's ideal for those wanting to grab a beer flight and bite before a show at Ascend or even those locals who are playing tour guide to their out of town friends. There is certainly something for everyone.
Read MoreThere's nothing that I love more than a glass of wine after a long day at work. Let's just be completely real, there's nothing I love more than a glass of wine...period. I've been fortunate to acquire some exceptional bottles of wine during my trips to Napa, but those aren't the bottles that I want to pop open on a random Monday evening while I am eating takeout.
Read MoreValentine's Day. If you are single or all bae'd up, it will be here before you know it. When I was younger, I used to think that Valentine's Day was limited to those with a significant other and singles would retreat to the bedroom with a box of drugstore chocolates (you know the ones I am talking about) and watch rom-coms on repeat.
Read MoreTacos, queso, nachos, wine, and pizza. If you follow my Instagram, you know these are my un-official food groups. I think my fellow foodies and I are making quite the case for the USDA to reexamine the food pyramid.
Over the weekend I had a chance to revisit a Nashville classic, Five Points Pizza which is located in East Nashville's Five Points District.
Read MoreConfession: I have a slight obsession with Mexican food. Well, maybe more than a "slight" obsession. From tacos to tequila, enchiladas and elote, there's nothing I crave more. Is it too much to have queso and tacos for breakfast, lunch, and dinner?
Read MoreOne of the biggest complaints I hear about the Nashville food scene is the lack of diversity. Let's face it, there isn't a shortage of fried chicken, biscuits and burgers. However, it wasn't until recently that you could find some solid German food in Music City.
Read MoreA new year often means new year's resolutions. As we say hello to 2018, many of us are taking time to reflect and reevaluate our life choices. The new year is a perfect time to make changes happen. Often we hear our friends resolve to eat healthier, workout more and/or drink less. (At least two out of three isn't bad ;)
Read MoreWhat's better than a fire when you are freezing your a$$ off in Nashville? A bottle of VersoSud from I Pàstini. I am savoring every single drop!
One of my favorites from my Puglia trip was our visit to I Pàstini. Located in Martina Franca, I Pàstini is a winery not to be missed. Not only is their harvest organic, but every single grape is hand-picked.
Read MoreAs I welcomed 2018, I made a promise to myself to do a better job of being a tourist in my own city. In recent years, Nashville has made its way on to several " best of" lists making it more desirable than ever to live here. While I may have some choice words for our "new" Nashville residents during my commute, the growth has been incredible for the city. From major league sports teams, corporate headquarters and an overall boom in the hospitality industry, Nashville has quickly become the "IT" city, making it hard for this native to keep up.
Read MoreNew Year's Eve is most definitely one of those holidays that's take it or leave it. From skiing, rooftop parties in swanky cities to sitting at a friend's house drinking some amazing champs, I've celebrated every way imaginable. One thing that I have learned, it's not where you are and what you are doing, but who you're with that really matters. Am I right?
Read MoreJust a little over two weeks ago, Nashville's newest boutique hotel, the Noelle opened. Originally built in the 1930's, Noelle preserves the finest art deco aspects of the original building while incorporating contemporary nuances throughout. Noelle has several dining options all of which reflect Nashville's evolving culinary scene.
Read MoreI graduated from Belmont University in 20 (cough cough) and I continue to be amazed by the number of restaurants and boutiques that pop up in the area. While I was in school, our options were limited, VERY limited.
Read MoreBurgers. It's one thing that Nashville does not have a shortage of. From the classics like Gabby's Burgers and Fries, Paradise Park and Burger Up to the newcomers like Jack Brown's and Hopdoddy, it's hard to go wrong. However, Nashvillians are as opinionated about their burgers as Chicagoans are about their pizza.
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