Fun And Fellowship At Hathorne
Christmas came early for many as Nashville veteran chef John Stephenson re-emerged into the Music City culinary scene with the opening of his first restaurant, Hathorne, located in Sylvan Park. For my Nashville transplants and those who aren’t so familiar with this work, let me give you a little background on this notable Nashvillian.
But First, Brunch At Nicky's Coal Fired
Maybe you caught my StyleBlueprint Nashville take over or you’ve seen my recent Instagram stories, but it’s no secret, Nicky’s Coal Fired is by far one of my Nashville favorites. From their delicious housemade pasta to their craft cocktails and crispy coal-fired pizza, I’ll gladly order one of everything on the menu. When I heard the news of bomboloni, breakfast pizzas, and mimosa kits, I knew where I’d be on Sunday morning!
A Southern Girl's Guide to Chicago
If you’ve followed Blonde Voyage Nashville for any length of time, you know that Chicago has a special place in my heart. I’ve been traveling up there on a regular basis since 2011 and I continue to become more captivated with the the architecture, the culinary scene and the great people of the city.
Why Chicago?
Alinea: The Gastronomic Experience That Changed My Perspective
We all have moments in our lives that can be considering defining or fundamentally changing, shaping us into the amazing humans we are today. Perhaps it’s getting your degree, persevering and finishing that first marathon, meeting the love of your life or taking your first trip abroad, each changes your perspective and outlook on life. The evening that I opened the door to Alinea was pivotal as my outlook on life and food was forever changed.
Life Is Sweet At Baked On 8th
Living in Nashville, you’ll find that there’s no shortage of hot chicken, barbecue, burgers or craft beer. But when it comes to bakeries, it’s a bit of a different story.
From of charming cupcakes boutiques to the famous 100-layer donut, Nashville has you covered. When it comes to cakes, cookies, and other classic confectioneries, where do Nashvillians go to remedy their sweet tooth?
Baked on 8th.
All The Booze And Bites You Missed At Music City Food And Wine
The sixth annual Music City Food and Wine Festival came to a close Sunday, September 16th. Those who were lucky enough to score tickets to the sold-out bash had a chance to sample some of the best bites and booze from across the country. The talent roster was an assortment of celebrity chefs, TV personalities, authors and local Nashville culinary masterminds. From book signings, cocktail throwdowns, chef panels, and a concert headlined by Kings of Leon, this weekend was a celebration of all things that make Nashville “Music City.”
The Ultimate Dinner Party : Lazy Bear San Francisco
Over the past few years, my best friend and I decided to celebrate our momentous occasions seeking out unique experiences where we could spend time together and do something that we enjoy. We were fortunate to celebrate Christmas in Chicago seeing the Broadway hit musical, Hamilton, and this year we decided to celebrate our birthdays in San Francisco having dinner at Lazy Bear.
Torc: A Feast For Your Senses
After spending an entire day tasting in Napa Valley, one can grow weary of wine. I didn't think it was humanly possible, but after visiting several vineyards throughout Napa and Coombsville, this girl needed a cocktail.
This particular trip to Napa was unlike any other. Ordinarily, I have our dinners along with our tastings planned out, but given the fact that I've logged several trips to Napa, I decided to roll the dice and let things happen as they may. Sometimes this is the best way to find out about new restaurants because despite what we think, not everything is on the internet! Ha!
It's O-FISH-AL, The Red Perch Has Nashville Hooked
Fish and chips is a dish that I typically steer clear of. To be honest, I blame the numerous trips through the Captain D's drive-thru with my grandmother as a child. However, my recent meal at The Red Perch has changed my perspective on this dish entirely.
Let's Get Toasted: Toasty San Francisco
What would you do for good food?
Stand in excessively long lines (ahem, Madrid and Street XO)? Wake up at all hours of the night to secure reservations (how else can I secure some of the most coveted reservations) Fly thousands of miles in search of the prettiest bite?
Brunch Is In Session At The Old School
As much as I love to travel and explore new things, I can sometimes become a creature of habit. I tend to revisit my favorite local restaurants and cocktail bars that I know won't disappoint. Imagine my reaction when one of my dearest friends wanted to brunch "outside the city" in Scottsboro, Tennessee.
What A Cluster! Goo Goo, A Southern Tradition
As a Nashville native and food enthusiast, I am often asked two questions: "What is your favorite restaurant and what's something I can do that unique to Nashville? " While I'll save the restaurant response for another time, I'm here to share one of my favorite quintessential Nashville experiences, Chocolate Classes at the Goo Goo Shop.
Lyra - Adding A Little Twinkle To East Nashville
When the Holland House shuttered in July 2017, East Nashville residents were saddened to see one of their favorite local watering holes close. But thanks to the husband and wife duo, Hrant and Elizabeth Arakelian, this former East Nashville haunt has been revived. Lyra serves Middle Eastern cuisine that's far from your basic baba ganoush.
Love At First Bite - Arnold's Country Kitchen
Other than the copious amounts of food I consume or the places that I travel, y'all don't know too much about me. So, I thought I would change that. My name is Catherine Courtney and I am proud to call myself a native Nashvillian. My childhood was spent catching cats on my grandparents' farm, spending endless hours in the swimming pool and from time to time you'd find me snapping green bean, shelling peas and silking corn from my grandparents' garden. I was raised on cornbread, macaroni and tomatoes and sweet tea and remember the days when there was more farmland than building framework.
Blonde Voyage Nashville Dreams Of Sushi
Jiro Dreams of Sushi, the critically acclaimed documentary that had food enthusiasts marveling over 85-year-old Jiro Ono, the greatest sushi chef in the world. Chef Jiro Ono is the mastermind and owner of Sukiyabashi Jiro which is located in a Tokyo subway station. Not only was he the first sushi chef to have three Michelin stars bestowed upon him, but who would have believed the Michelin inspectors were seeking out fine fining in underground rail stations?
A Contemporary Twist on Traditional Japanese Kaiseki : Nihonryori Ryugin
Did you know that Tokyo has more Michelin starred restaurants than anywhere else in the world? With 234 stars, Tokyo is the top culinary destination outside of Paris covered by Michelin.
Making reservations in one of the top food capitals in the world proved to be quite the arduous adventure.
Snacking My Way Through Nishiki Market
Seeing as I am quite the food enthusiast, no trip to Kyoto would be complete without a visit to the Nishiki Market. Nishiki Market, located in downtown Kyoto, spans over five city block and houses over 100 different merchants and restaurants.
Even though this isn't the largest or flashiest food market in Japan, it has some history, 400+ years to be exact. If only those walls could talk!
Roaming For Ramen
Some of you might be saying "yawn...ramen? Isn't that foodie trend over?"
No, I'm not talking about the Maruchan noodles you may have considered dinner in college to fund your "extracurricular activities." I'm referring to the delicious broth that's cooked for hours on end that oozes with flavor and filled with delectable noodles. Inevitably leaving a smile on your face, a full tummy and guiding you straight to a food coma.
Cream Puffs And Cotton Candy...What More Does A Girl Need?
When I started planning my trip to Japan, my excitement was at an all-time high. My Instagram collection labeled Japanese Bites was packed with some of the craziest and most beautiful food I'd ever seen. From 3D latte art, gold leaf soft serve and a unicorn parfait that will make your mouth drop, Japan has it all.
Have A Brew-tiful Day At Reissue
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.
Every city has that one restaurant that people whisper about with a mix of reverence and urgency. It’s on every listicle and when brought up in conversation, “You have to go” is usually the general response. In Mexico City, that place is Máximo Bistrot. Tucked into a leafy corner of Roma Norte, it’s equal parts refined dining room and neighborhood favorite, and somehow manages to feel both important and unpretentious simultaneously.