The Cheese Stands Alone

Ok, so I know that's the cheesiest (pun intended) title ever, but I couldn't resist.


If you're on a diet, just stop reading now, because the temptation of visiting The Grilled Cheeserie will be too much for you to withstand. Mobile food trucks are a new (and exciting!) trend throughout Nashville, and I first heard about The Grilled Cheeserie through Twitter (my main source of information). The idea of grilled cheese on wheels got me really excited.  My good feelings involving grilled cheese begin back in my childhood when every Sunday night my mom would make my brothers and I a grilled cheese with a Kraft single, Campbell's tomato soup, and apple slices. Since those days, grilled cheese in my mind has become a comfort food.

The grilled cheese sandwiches served up in the truck are far from the Kraft single days, and feature local and gourmet ingredients.  The menu always has the option of "Make Your Own Melt" where the eater has a choice of cheeses, bread, and other additional toppings like avocado, grilled onions, tomatoes, fried egg, and various deli meats.  They also have classic grilled cheeses like a Croque Madam or more unique sandwiches like "The Caliente," which features avocado, chorizo, queso fresco and other really delicious things. The menu also includes tomato soup and a changing selection of (really good) pudding.  You can also grab seasoned tots, kettle chips, and cane sugar pop (or soda for those of you who don't know what pop is) from the side of the truck.

They also serve their "Melt of the Moment," which is pretty self-explanatory.  I've partaken in the Thanksgiving sandwich which was piled high with turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, and of course, cheese.  Last week I had the amazing privilege of trying the Mac and Cheese Sandwich  with pimentos and Benton's Bacon Bits.  It is one of the most amazing things I have ever placed in my mouth.


There is obviously no permanent location for this deliverer of grilled cheese goodness, but you can check out their schedule on their Facebook page, and rumor has it they will be launching a new website soon that will include contests and giveaways.  And then there's always their Twitter page, which is frequently updated, and includes fun offers like free tomato soup on rainy days or a free side of tots when you eat your order on the lawn where they are parked.  They also have a number (88000) you can text "CHEESE" to and find out their current location.  And because they're cool like that, you can often find them at popular locations like Musicians Corner or Movies in the Park in Centennial Park.

Silly Goose Ain't Nothin To Laugh About

One of the best views from Ugly Mugs is right into the next door eatery Silly Goose (and it's not just because the owner Roderick is a cutie).  Looking in, while drinking my coffee, I always drooled looking at the cold drinks served from mason jars and the colorful plates stacked with food that looked extremely appetizing.

I finally made it to Silly Goose and was greeted by the owner.  He explained the philosophy of the restaurant is to serve local foods and to make everything as fresh as possible, and then he proved this by going to work on our cheese plate while the server brought out drinks.  The drinks are definitely a must have--basil lemonade, citrus mint-ginger green tea, and orange apple cider black tea-as they are delicious and extremely refreshing.

Words cannot even begin to describe this cheese plate.  For $12, you get 9 or 10 different kinds of hard and soft cheeses, all of which have a story behind them the server will share.  Not only is there cheese, but almonds and fresh in-season fruit (usually apples and/or pears) are served as well.  All of this is drizzled with the house balsamic vinegar reduction and local honey.  AMAZING!!!!  I just wanted to pick up the plate and lick it.

Next up we had the main entrees.  You can order a salad, sandwich, wrap, or couscous.  All of which change seasonally and meld flavors together that create a little bit of paradise in your mouth.  My personal favorite is the T-Bird, which is roast beef, roasted red pepper aioli, blue gouda, arugula, and roasted onion, but I have never had something I didn't love (and I've probably tried at least a bite of everything on the menu).

And then there's dessert.  Homemade ice cream, which they Facebook about and make you drool over your laptop,  comes in flavors like honey beet, lemon pepper olive oil,  and green tea.  They probably make you fat just by looking at them, but the creaminess of the local cream and eggs make it totally worth it.  They also have a other desserts like a flourless chocolate torte and a cinnamon cannoli with orange and honey filling, both of which are delicious.  One word of caution, though.  Stay away from the tomato ice cream.  I'm convinced it made the skin peel from my mouth (even though Marie says I'm nuts).

The night ended with a full belly, Marie leaving my number for the owner (she is relentless), and a kept promise of returning to Silly Goose in the future.


Silly Goose
1888 Eastland Avenue
Nashville, TN 37206
(615) 915-0757

Hours:  Tuesday-Saturday 11am-9pm
www.sillygoosenashville.com

Blueberry donut?? Oh yeah!

So the other night I FINALLY went to Fox's Donut Den in Green Hills.  Every time I pass this place I want to go, and at 10pm after a movie I thought "YESSS! Let's get a donut!"

I got a plain sugar donut and a hot cocoa.  Pretty sweet ending to a great night.  Darcie and I were content with our end of night treat until Evan (the cool Lipscomb student who works the night shift who has a broken shoulder) said, "Hey, the blueberry donuts just came out of the fryer, I'll bring you one :)"
So out came two warm glazed blueberry donuts.  I've never heard of such a thing, and my whole life I didn't know what I was missing.  It was like a light, soft, blueberry muffin, but was so warm and  sweet.  Covered in a thin layer of warm glaze, it crumbled in my hand and melted in my mouth.  Literally.  It was blissful.  I didn't want to eat a whole second donut, but I couldn't stop.  It was so good.

I've had to go on a sugar detox since then.  The two donuts and hot cocoa were a bit of an overload, but there hasn't been an evening since that I haven't craved a warm blueberry donut and a cold glass of milk.  OMG I may just change out of my PJs and drive over there now.  They are open till midnight...

Fox's Donut Den
3900 Hillsboro Pike # 2
Nashville, TN 37215-2714
(615) 385-1021
Open Daily 5am-12am

(P.S. A fun tid bit-the owner of Fox's started the donut shop when he was a Ph.D student at Vandy, and he's now a professor at Lipscomb.  How he had time to do that,  I have no idea!)

Fido

I <3 Fido.

Fido is my home away from home.  Any given day you can find me here, on my mac, sipping some chai.  It’s usually a high energy scene, with loud chatter and music playing.  But somehow, when I sit down with my hot beverage and open my computer, I’m in my own little Fido haven.

But this is a food blog, not an awesome coffee/chocolate/tea/cider blog, and you will surely be missing out if you don’t eat some food while you’re here.

My absolute favorite (for the time being) is the Local Burger.  It’s a perfect combo of lamb and beef made with feta and, on a perfect bun with crunchy onions on top.  I get it with avocado and a side of sweet potato fries.  I would eat this every day if I could.  

For a healthier option, I usually opt for the Mediterranean salad-perfect greens and a tangy dressing with hummus, cucumbers, tomatoes and feta.  Mmmmmm I’m making myself hungry.

Every time a waiter walks by with a plate of food, I’m pulled out of my bubble, and I find my eyes glued to the plate of someone else’s order.  Salmon, fish tacos, a tower of eggplant, a steak sandwich.  The plates are beautiful, the food is gourmet, the prices are great, the staff is lovely.  I literally have to stop myself from eating here every day.

Oh, and I saw Taylor Swift here.  Woot.

Dark blob on the upper  left side is Taylor (on her 21st birthday!!!  Before Darcie got her car towed!)
photo credit--Adrienne

 

1812 21st Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37212
(615) 777-3436
Open Weekdays 7am-11pm; Weekends 8am-11pm
http://www.bongojava.com/fido.php

Ugly Mugs

By Darcie
When I moved to Nashville I already knew about Ugly Mugs.  Two of my favorite artists, Sandra McCracken and Derek Webb, would always Tweet about their favorite, local, East Nashville coffee shop, and I knew it was a place I'd like to frequent.

When I made my first visit to Ugly Mugs, it was a blustery fall day, and I was able to sit down and enjoy a crossword puzzle.  The drink I ordered was a "chaider" (a cross between hot apple cider and chai if you couldn't figure that out), and it was delicious.

I think one of the greatest things about Ugly Mugs, though, is its live music.  Every Saturday night at 7:00pm an artist or several artists play, ranging from local favorites to newbies to those traveling through town.  For the price of a cup of joe you can be entertained for the evening.



Ugly Mugs is definitely a great place for coffee and to hang out and feel like you're part of the hip East Nashville community.

Ugly Mugs
1886 Eastland Avenue
M-F 6am-10pm
Sat and Sun 7am-10pm
http://www.uglymugsnashville.com/

The Local Taco

The Local Taco is our go to spot.

Want to go out to eat with someone from out of town? 
Local Taco.
Want to go out to eat after class? 
Local Taco.
Want to sit on a great patio with beautiful candles? 
Local Taco.
Want a unique taco? 
Local Taco.
Want Nashville's best fish taco? 
Local Taco.
Feel like a Southern fried chicken taco? 
Local Taco.
Want a taco that doesn't cost an arm and a leg? 
Local Taco.
Want to get valet parking in the cute Sylvan Park neighborhood? 
Local Taco.

Local Taco is awesome.

Their lemon crema sauce is awesome. And the queso too.  Get them.



We <3 Local Taco.  Enough said.

Mmmm. Mmmmm. Good.

Arnold's Country Kitchen was recommended to us by someone we sat by at Silly Goose (more on that fab place later).  That's not surprising.  All we do is talk about food.


Don't be sketched out by its multi-colored cinder-block exterior.  You will roll out of this joint because your belly will be so full.  Get in line (usually out the door), grab a tray, and shout to Franz what goodness you want heaped on your plate.  PS-Franz is the owner's son.  Nice guy.  Marie tried to set Darcie up with him (but did we mention he looks 17? But that's for a different blog).

Arnold's is a classic meat and three with daily specials like meatloaf, roast beef, chicken and noodles, and other soul soothing comfort foods.  The main courses are great, but their sides are why we come.  Mac and cheese, greens (best ever), fried green tomatoes, and candied yams...  Beware:  you must leave room for dessert because you can't pass up the caramel pie, chess pie, or banana cream pie.  If you don't leave room, you might explode.



PPS-We're not the only ones who think this place is great.  They were featured on the Food Network's "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives."

Caramel pie goodness.

Self-explanatory.

  

Marie propping herself up after a huge lunch.

Open Monday-Friday, 10:30-2:30

605 8th Ave S
Nashville, TN 37203

(615) 256-4455