Restaurants & Eateries

The Mockingbird (Nashville)

Leah Short — Sun, 28 Jan 2018 15:00:55 +0000

It seems like every other day a new restaurant is popping up in Nashville. My “to dine” list is growing and growing and growing! Last month I finally got the chance to check out The Mockingbird. This place is the cutest, down to the plates. It had a great atmosphere and I can’t wait to go back when the weather is warmer and check out their patio.

Luckily I went with a group of friends who love to eat, so we ordered several small plates, entrees, drinks, and dessert! It was a feast and I can’t wait to go back! First up was drinks. I ordered their Punchin’ Bag, which is kind of like a grown up version of a Capri Sun. They come in a few different flavors and mine was a lemon mint with bourbon. It was really good and refreshing, but hard to toast with one of these!

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Week in Food Recap (Nashville)

Leah Short — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 15:36:33 +0000

Settle in…this is a long one! Two weekends ago my bestie Shannon from Bake. Frost. Repeat. came to Nashville for the weekend. I love when she comes because we plan her entire stay around what we’re going to eat. Being the “It City” and all, there’s plenty to choose from and I get to mark some spots off my list. It’s a tough job making the restaurant rounds through Nashville. Seriously, it’s embarrassing how many places I have yet to visit.

Our first stop was Adele’s. We had granny-time reservations because it was either eat early or way late. Turns out eating early has it perks as we sipped on cocktails first and enjoyed sitting outside. The weather was perfect. I had the JW Margarita and Shannon had the Sangria. I enjoyed the margarita, but it was definitely for sipping. It was so potent, I couldn’t finish it since I was driving. I mean seriously, one cocktail through dinner. I know I’m a lightweight, but geez. I tasted the sangria and it was really good. I’d order the margarita again, but between the two I liked the sangria better.

Since we planned on ordering dessert (more on that later), we decided to share the JW Chicken as an entree and order a side. It’s half a chicken, so it’s plenty for two if you’re eating light. I don’t normally order chicken out, but everyone has raved about this dish. The chicken is brined and it’s well-seasoned and perfectly tender. It comes with kale and a green sauce, but that seemed more like garnish to us. While we both liked the chicken very much, it was still just chicken. I’d order it again though.

To go with our chicken, we had the JW Potatoes. Apparently we were on a mission to order everything JW – Jonathan Waxman. (Not really, just a coincidence.) The potatoes were crispy, just the way we like them, but way too salty. They’re topped with shredded Parmesan which upped the salt factor even more. We scraped off as much salt as we could and powered through them. Crispy potatoes trump salt in our book.

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Food Finds: Nashville

Leah Short — Wed, 20 Nov 2013 18:07:47 +0000

I feel really fortunate to be living in Nashville where I’m surrounded by so much good food. We’re in the news a lot for our restaurants, but sometimes those local gems get lost. Thankfully I’ve got word of mouth, Twitter, and Batch Nashville to help me out! Lately I’ve discovered some awesome food finds right here in Nashville. If you don’t live here, don’t worry! Most of these goodies can be ordered online…or you’ll just need to plan a trip to the Music City soon!

I am obsessed with The Breakfast Sandwich from Sweet 16th bakery in East Nashville. Obsessed. My coworker was having one for breakfast and let me have a bite and that was all I needed. It’s a slice of egg and cheese casserole with mild green chilis, served in their cheddar cheese scone. It is to die for. I’m glad I don’t live close to this bakery or I’d be a bajillion pounds because I’d eat that sandwich every single day. Their scones are light and fluffy, almost like a biscuit. The sandwich is a tinge greasy from all that glorious cheese, but not overkill. It’s just enough to satisfy you and cure any morning blahs. Get to the bakery early, the line lasts as long as their open and everyone orders the sandwich. If they ever ran out before my order, I’d crumple into a ball and boo hoo right there.

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Salted Caramel (Chicago)

Leah Short — Wed, 23 Oct 2013 13:06:06 +0000

At the end of September, I vacationed in Chicago and there were a ton of places on my list that we didn’t get a chance to visit. I first heard of Salted Caramel on Cooking Channel’s Unique Sweets. Their Carousel Cookies were highlighted and I was sold. I’m a big fan of snacking, but I can get into a vicious sweet/savory circle. A few bites of sweet then I need something salty, then I need something sweet again. Yeah, this is why I own a treadmill. I was thrilled to discover you can order their delicious goodies online! I ordered the Carousel Cookies, Pretzel Grahams, and the Salted Bourbon Caramel Marshmallows.

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Traveling Eats: Charleston, SC

Leah Short — Wed, 04 Sep 2013 14:33:01 +0000

Last September, yep I’ve been lazy by a year to write this post, Mom and I traveled to Charleston, South Carolina. Ok not quite a year, because it was the end of September, but I’m cutting it close. I’ll make my excuse that I’m just now getting over how insanely hot and humid it was. While we really enjoyed the food and the sites, I’ll be the first to admit I was a big ol’ sour puss the entire trip because I was miserable from the weather. I felt like I was never dry, it was crazy humid. My cell phone died during the middle of the trip and didn’t start working again for a week after…because it was so. damn. humid. Good thing you can also get some really damn good food in Charleston, so I’ll get to that!

We had dinner at Poogan’s Porch. It’s in this cute house and has such a cozy atmosphere. The portions are HUGE. I wish mom and I had shared a plate because neither of us could finish our meals, but we sure did try. Mom ordered the Cast Iron Pork Chop. It comes with country ham gravy, green beans, and gouda mac andÂ cheese. I can’t believe I don’t have a pic for this one!

I ordered the Plantation Fried Chicken. It’s stuffed with smoked gouda, spicy collards, and country ham, then served with whipped potatoes, green beans, and drizzled with a Texas PeteÂ jus. OMG is right! This was so good. Highly recommend this restaurant.

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Etch (Nashville)

Leah Short — Wed, 21 Aug 2013 13:47:59 +0000

A few weeks ago, my coworker Ryan and I headed to Etch for lunch. Neither one of us had ever been before and we were both so giddy about it, I think we skipped to their front door from the parking lot (ok small exaggeration). I won a gift certificate a few months back from Beth at Eat. Drink. Smile. and from her rave reviews, I can’t believe it took me this long to get there. We both really liked the atmosphere. I was expecting it to be stuffy for some reason, but it was quite the opposite. There’s a lot of large windows that let in so much natural light, it was really nice and laid back. We sat at a table right next to the window. It was perfect. I asked our server what all our gift certificate included and you should’ve seen our faces when the response was “anything you want.” Um, one of each please!

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Mason’s Southern Provisions (Nashville)

Leah Short — Fri, 28 Jun 2013 16:10:22 +0000

Last weekend was a whirlwind food weekend (and I am not complaining)! Sweet Julie from Table for Two was in town and of course the whole weekend revolved around eating! Saturday night for dinner we went to Mason’s Southern Provisions with a small group of fellow food bloggers: Beth from Eat. Drink. Smile., Alexandra from Sweet Betweens, Amy from Fearless Homemaker, and Erin from Erin’s Food Files. To say we had a great time would be a huge understatement. The food was fantastic and the conversation even better. I think Julie needs to become a Nashvillian so this group can eat together more often.

So, how’s it taste?

I started off my evening with the French Sangria. Grand Marnier, 14 Hands Merlot, Orange Juice. It was perfection and I loved the glass it came in. It went down dangerously easy! I also enjoyed a mojito for my second cocktail. It was really, really good and also went down a little to easy. Probably the reason why half of my cell phone pics are horribly out of focus…oops!Â I noted throughout the evening that Mason’s pays attention to the little details. Cute plates, napkins, and glasses. It’s those little touches that you appreciate dining out.

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Traveling Eats: Boston

Leah Short — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 13:22:17 +0000

Last week, my mom and I headed off to Boston for a long four-day weekend vacation. To say that it was an amazing time would be an understatement. After our trip to Philadelphia last year, I just knew I’d enjoy Boston. We like to go to places that have lots of history, good food, and where we don’t have to rent a car. I’m starting to think I was a Yankee in a past life, I love it so much in the Northeast!

When we arrived, we headed to the Prudential Center close to our hotel. It’s got shopping and restaurants, kind of like a mall. We got in around 2 p.m. and wanted to grab a quick lunch. We got a few slices of pepperoni pizza from Regina Pizzeria. It’s a chain, but we had no idea it’s supposed to be Boston’s best brick oven pizza! We loved it. Thin, fantastic crust, just the right amount of sauce, gooey cheese. Oh it was so delicious!

We shopped around for a bit and decided it was time for something sweet. We stopped at the Paradise Bakery & Cafe in the Prudential Center food court and got four cookies. They aren’t exclusive to Boston, but new to us! We tried Coconut Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Fudge, Chocolate Chip, and White Chocolate Macadamia. We both agreed the coconut was the best. All of the cookies were chewy and insanely rich. The chocolate fudge was my second favorite.

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The Slider House (Nashville)

Leah Short — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 13:17:06 +0000

I absolutely love working in an area where there are so many good places to walk to lunch. I don’t live in a walking neighborhood, so I take advantage at work whenever I can. Lunch has become one of my favorite things at work because we venture out into old spots I haven’t been to in a while and my coworkers are up for trying new spots as well. A few weeks ago, we made our way to The Slider House, located at 1907 Division Street in midtown. It’s a new place that just opened and I couldn’t wait to sink my teeth into tiny burgers. Walking there means I can splurge and get fries, too! Heh heh!

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Traveling Eats: Philadelphia

Leah Short — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:36:57 +0000

Last June (yes, shame on me for taking so long to post this!), my mom and I went to Philadelphia for a long weekend vacation. We like to travel to spots that have a lot of history and good food. It was a big plus that the National Constitution Center was having a Bruce Springsteen exhibit as my mom happens to be a huge fan. The weather was perfect the entire weekend and we had a blast. So much that we both had Philly withdrawals for days after and I was convinced I needed to move there. Here’s a recap of what we ate and a few of the spots we visited. If you’ve never been, it’s time to put Philly on your list of places to visit!

Our first place to eat was the Philadelphia Bar & Restaurant. I picked the special for the day, Fish and Chips. Boy, did I select wrong. It was pretty disgusting actually. Extremely greasy and tasteless for both the fish and the fries. I ended up scraping the batter off the fish and ate what I could. Such a bummer for our first stop to be so yucky.

Thankfully, they also had Fried Oreos on the menu. Since I barely ate my dinner, I was so game for fried Oreos! They serve them with a caramel dipping sauce. The plate decoration was a little ridiculous with the powdered sugar and cocoa and it ended up all over my lap and purse.

They tasted fantastic though! Warm and gooey and sweet and decadent. They may not fry fish and chips right, but they got the Oreos right!

Here’s a view of the National Constitution Center as we were walking up. See how gorgeous the day was!

We loved the Bruce Springsteen exhibit. Very cool.

We checked out the Reading Terminal Market and I was in love! Everything you could imagine. Meats, breads, cheeses, ice cream, sandwiches, bakeries, this list goes on. I could’ve spent the entire trip inside there. We had lunch at the Hatville Deli. I had their Famous Corned Beef Sandwich. It was delicious. Piles of thinly sliced corned beef, tons of sauce (I like a messy sandwich), and delicious bread. I was completely stuffed.

Also in the Reading Terminal Market is The Famous 4th Street Cookie Company. They had the most amazing selection of cookies. I’m usually a chocolate chip girl, but something drew me in to the Black & White. I still dream about this cookie today. It was perfectly soft and just enough chocolate and white icing. If this was the last cookie I’d ever eat, I’d be happy.

Of course when you’re in Philadelphia, you have to visit the Liberty Bell.

And the Rocky steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Yes, we walked up and down them just to say we did.

And the Rocky statue!

For lunch one day, we found our way into Moriarty’s Restaurant & Irish Pub. We were in the mood for burgers and I had the Onion Burger. Caramelized onions, provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, and garlic mayo. It was pretty good. Not mind-blowing, but a good burger nonetheless.

I bet you’ll recognize this sign. It’s in Love Park (officially JFK Plaza).

I’ve saved the best three spots for last. We had dinner at El Vez one night and we still talk about it. In honor of Bruce, we ordered the Pink Cadillac Margarita. Jose Cuervo Classico, triple sec, fresh orange, lime, and cranberry juices. It was awesome!

Mom and I both ordered from the specials that day. We got two different enchiladas, and both tasted spectacular. Mine had chicken inside with a chile verde sauce. Mom’s had beef with a roasted red pepper sauce.

Of course we got dessert! We ordered the El Vez. Flourless chocolate cake, peanut custard with caramelized bananas, chocolate sauce, and peanut butter ice cream. It tasted as phenomenal as it sounds. Now you see why we enjoyed this place so much!

My favorite part of Philadelphia was touring the Eastern State Penitentiary. It’s super spooky, but very interesting and huge! You could really spend a few days there. I thought this pic my mom took of me in one of the cell blocks was cool. I am dying to go back for Halloween when they do Terror Behind the Walls. Can you imagine how scary that would be?!

Al Capone’s cell. Not quite like the others.

Last but not least, the Franklin Fountain! I could not wait to go here. It’s such a cute shop with that old timey soda fountain feel. The hardest part was deciding what to order. I finally picked the Hydrox Cookie Ice Cream Cone. Probably the best cookies & cream I’ve ever had!

There are several cities on my list to visit, but I cannot wait to get back to Philadelphia!

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