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.
Bidding Adieu To Japan
Spending almost two weeks vacationing can be exhausting. (I know, #firstworldproblems) A few of you may be shaking your head with dismay, but allow me to finish. Regardless of my travel destination, I have this insatiable urge to soak up as much of the city as humanly possible. Inevitably, that leads to endless early wake up calls, miles and miles of walking, blisters in places you didn't know it was possible to even get blisters and late nights filled with full bellies, happy hearts and memories that will last a lifetime.
Exploring Asakusa: Senso-Ji Temple
It's no secret, I visited my fair share of temples while I was in Japan. Some days, I felt like that was the only thing we did, but there was simply so much to see! As we approached Senso-Ji, I was absolutely awestruck. From the vibrant colors, the blossoming sakura and the clamoring of the crowds, these picturesque scenes were like no other.
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.
RH Nashville, The Gallery Of Green Hills
If you were remotely close to the Green Hills area on Thursday evening, perhaps you heard the beats of the swanky New York DJ, the clinking of frosé glasses or the swoons from the crowds. 1500 of Nashville's finest gathered to celebrate the grand opening of RH Nashville, The Gallery of Green Hills. As someone who has watched this structure being built over the last several months, I was eager to see the finished product. It's nothing short of MAGNIFICENT.
TJ Tuesday Information
I always say I wouldn't need a glass of wine after work if my job was tasting wine! Luckily, I have found some great new wines for the summer at Trader Joe's. I've had a lot of questions lately about where you find my TJ Tuesday wine info. So, I thought it might be helpful if I put it all in a short post.
Swan Ball
The Swan Ball is by far one of my favorite events of the year. While this is a departure from my normal content, I received so many questions about the event and the preparation involved, that I thought it would be fun to do a post strictly dedicated to the event, as it merits such.
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!
Exploring Kyoto: The Ultimate Itinerary
While I was in Japan, I had the pleasure of visiting Tokyo and Kyoto and they couldn't be more different. Tokyo epitomizes the modern urban experience as residents enjoy an assortment of Michelin starred restaurants, vibrant nightlife and the most state-of-the-art technology. Kyoto, on the other hand, exemplifies tradition, tranquility, and relaxation.
Save The Date! Music City Food and Wine Festival - September 14-16, 2018
Calling all food connoisseurs, music lovers and imbibing enthusiasts! The sixth annual Music City Food and Wine Festival returns to Bicentennial Park on September 14-16, 2018. Hands down, this is one of my favorite Nashville events. For the most part, festival programming will remain the same as it was in 2017, but there are a few new additions I want my readers to know about!
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.
Blossoming Brunch At Aoyama Flower Market Tea House
I 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.
Adventures In The Land Of The Rising Sun
Konnichiwa 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.
Osteria Del Tempo Perso: Ostuni, Italy
When 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.
Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler At City Tap
City 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.
Cheers to Pour Decisions: TJ Tuesdays
There'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.
There's something about Amsterdam that just begs for a slow afternoon/evening and a good glass of wine. Between the flickering candlelight, crooked canal houses, and tucked away corners, the city is full of cozy wine bars that make you want to put your phone on "Do Not Disturb" and linger for hours