Blog — Blonde Voyage Nashville

An Insider's Guide To Surviving Music City Food + Wine Festival 2019

Back for its seventh year, The Music City Food and Wine Festival returns to Bicentennial Park on September 20-22, 2019. Without question, this is one of my favorite Nashville events as it shines a spotlight on the food and beverage scene in Music City. After all, there’s much more to Nashville than honky-tonks, hot chicken and hockey! This weekend-long festival is filled with culinary demonstrations, seminars, and panels along with tasting tents highlighting food, wine, spirits and beer from Music City and beyond.

Avoid The Dreaded Vending Machine Lunch And Order With Grubhub

If you work a 9-5 job, it’s likely that you are living your best cubicle life. You know what I’m talking about. That small piece of real estate where you spend all of your time when you aren’t in meetings and attempt to accomplish work despite the ringing phones and constant chatter. And did I mention you are supposed to co-exist with your co-workers at the same time? To say cube life is challenging is the understatement of the century.

It's Gonna Be May

To quote one of my favorite boy bands, N’Sync, “ It’s Going to May.”

Now that the NFL Draft, the St. Jude Rock ‘N’ Roll Marathon and multiple musical acts have vacated Music City, Nashvillians can take pause, breathe deeply because May will be here before we know it.

Sunny With A Chance Of Brunch

Dear Winter,

I’m officially breaking up with you. It’s time I start seeing other seasons like spring. He gives me sunshine and flowers.

Sincerely,

Courtney

NashvilleCatherine CourtneyApril 16, 2019Thompson Hotel, Gulch, Brunch, RooftopsComment

Chicago Style Pizza Arrives In Music City

Chicago.

It’s a city that has captured my heart and if it weren’t for the sub-zero temperatures and harsh winters, I’d likely move there. From the varying architectural styles, the booming food scene and I can’t forget that mid-western hospitality, Chicago really has it all. My love affair with the city started years ago and I have since made subsequent trips soaking up as much of the city as I possibly can. No trip to the Windy City is complete without some Chicago-style deep dish pizza.

Humble Table: A Night In Italy

Undoubtedly social media is a key part of our culture. It was only a few days ago when social media junkies experienced one of the most painful outages in history when Facebook and Instagram were down for over 14 hours. Did you panic? I immediately thought my account was hacked and incessantly tried to change my password. When I say incessant, I mean I tried for HOURS and to no avail failed miserably.

Exploring Nashville: Nashville Venezuela Food

In a city where whiskey and hot chicken dominate the food scene, it can be challenging to find diverse ethnic cuisine. Every food blogger in Nashville can rattle off their favorite taco spots, burger joints, and coffee shops, but how many can tell you where to score proper Venezuelan food in Music City?

NashvilleCatherine CourtneyFebruary 27, 2019Nashville Venezuela Food, Nolensville Road, Explore NashvilleComment

Exploring Nashville: Mi Colombia

Do you ever feel like you are on auto-pilot? Simply coasting through the day with a predictable routine and making decisions with little to no thought because they have become so automatic?

I know I am guilty of it. I get in the habit of wearing the same things, going to the same restaurants, repeating the same workouts and hanging out with the same people. No judgment, but it can make for an awfully mundane existence.

Lonely Hearts Club Pop-Up At Bobby's Garage Bar

Valentine’s Day is one of the most polarizing holidays on the calendar. People are either gushing over their significant other or it serves as a bitter reminder for those who are single.

If you aren’t rushing to make dinner reservations or shower your loved one with heart -shaped boxes of chocolates, I recommend trading in an evening of Netflix and wine for the Lonely Hearts Club.

Nicky's Coal Fired Guest Pizza Chef Series

While most Americans are joining gyms, Marie Kondo-ing their homes, and trying to live their “healthiest” life, I am posted up at the chef’s counter sipping wine and eating all the things. Why? Two reasons: First, life is all about balance and second, Nicky’s Coal Fired just kicked off their second annual Guest Pizza Chef Series.

NashvilleCatherine CourtneyJanuary 20, 2019PIzza, Nicky's Coal Fired, Guest Pizza Chef Series, Nations NeighborhoodComment

Blonde Voyage Nashville's Burger Guide

We are barely a week into 2019 and I’m sure I am not the only one finding it hard to abide by these resolutions and intentions I set forth. Am I right? Undoubtedly, many Americans vowed to eat healthier, exercise more or even participate in the infamous “Banuary.”

NashvilleCatherine CourtneyJanuary 4, 2019Hugh Baby's, Emmy Squared, Mill Creek Taproom, Shake Shack, Butchertown Hall, Burgers, Burger GuideComment

Chef Ryan Poli's Swan Song At The Catbird Seat

In 2011, the Goldberg brothers, masterminds behind Strategic Hospitality, transformed the culinary scene in Nashville when they unveiled The Catbird Seat. Unlike any other restaurant in Music City, the Catbird Seat elevates the dining experience as guests gather around a twenty-two seat U-shaped bar and are entertained and enthralled by the stylings of the chef and his team.

NashvilleCatherine CourtneyDecember 31, 2018Ryan Poli, The Catbird Seat, Strategic Hospitality, Noma, Will Agahajanian, Liz JohnsonComment

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.

NashvilleCatherine CourtneyDecember 7, 2018Sylvan Park, Clementine, John Stephenson, Joey Molteni, HathorneComment

Sip Santa Style At These Christmas Themed Bars

With Thanksgiving behind us, it’s time to snap out of that tryptophan trance, put away the stretch pants and officially welcome the holiday season. Break out the twinkle lights, whip up a batch of your booziest eggnog and don your ugliest Christmas sweater because some of Nashville’s bars are decking the halls from top to bottom.

NashvilleCatherine CourtneyDecember 3, 2018Walden, Miracle, Hidden Bar, Noelle Hotel, Downtown Nashville, Christmas Pop-up, Reindeer Games, HQ BeercadeComment

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!

NashvilleCatherine CourtneyNovember 14, 2018Nicky's Coal Fired, Brunch, Nashville, Nations, bomboloni, Mimosas, Brunch PizzasComment

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.

NashvilleCatherine CourtneySeptember 20, 2018Bakery, Frosted Sugar Cookies, Baked on 8th, Sweet Treats, Brownies, Blondies, CakesComment

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.”

Eat Y'all: Connect Dinner At Leiper's Fork Distillery

September is by far one of my favorites months in Nashville. Not only does it signal cooler temperatures, autumnal leaves and the kick-off of SEC football, but there's no shortage of food and wine events. Once you have recovered from the Music City Food and Wine festivities, I hope I see you all at the Eat Y'all Connect Dinner Series hosted at the Leiper's Fork Distillery.

NashvilleCatherine CourtneySeptember 5, 2018Eat Y'all, Connect Dinner, Leiper's Fork DistilleryComment

Chefs Backstage: A Unrehearsed Dinner Series At Sinema

Given Nashville's evolving culinary landscape, it can be difficult for even the most discerning diner to keep up with Nashville's noteworthy openings. That's what food bloggers and Instagram are for, right?

If you are planning your next girls night out or just looking for a unique date night to charm your significant other, I've got just the thing for you, Chefs Backstage at Sinema.

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.