Month: April 2017

The trend is growing and the pressure is on to purchase locally-grown produce. But it’s a positive pressure. Simply strolling through rows of vendors at a farmer’s market with their freshly-harvested fruits, veggies and herbs makes me feel that I’ve already somehow contributed to my physical health, as well as to the cohesiveness of my community. The colors and aromas inspire a creativity in me to try new recipes using only ingredients purchased from the open air market–with no supplementing from a grocery store list! (Haven’t attempted this yet—but it’s a goal. :))

But more than just the option of purchasing healthier, tastier produce, (and a broad array of baked goods, jams, cheeses, etc), I love the atmosphere and the feel of just celebrating the simple joys in life that are experienced at a Farmer’s Market. Each pocket of Nashville has its own—mine is in Hip Donelson on Friday nights. I feel an admiration for the hard work that got the unprocessed, flavorful food from the earth and onto the folding tables set up in Ace Hardware’s parking lot. I also find myself feeling proud of complete strangers who have turned their love of preparing delicious food into a small business. Their talent and dedication to producing their products allows you to sample a variety of cupcakes, freshly roasted coffee, bacon ketchup (SO good!) and honey from music city bees (all set to the backdrop of live musicians performing for your shopping enjoyment :)).

A couple of months I’ve made it out to Night Market! at the downtown Nashville Farmers’ Market (3rd Friday of each month). I absolutely love the combination of all things that make me happy being under one roof! Live music, a variety of ethnic or classic American dinner options, good drinks at The Picnic Tap, shopping (the Batch store always tempts me to buy new Nashville memorabilia), an international market, and Jeni’s ice cream—I personally couldn’t ask for anything else to be there!

The sights and smells and sounds of the full experience of a Farmer’s Market bring all the senses to life. There is an earthy, tangible feel that makes one appreciate both the created gifts we have been given, and the creativeness we were also given to create.

Simply put, I love Starbucks. For someone who is averse to most chain restaurants– preferring the small hole in the wall/Mom & Pop eateries–I ironically faithfully frequent the largest megacorp in the world of java. My friends know me well it seems, because gift cards with the lady in green have become guaranteed birthday presents every February. I would have to confess that I’m a self-professed coffee snob, and while some might argue in favor of other brews, Starbucks’ White Chocolate Peppermint Mocha never disappoints. 🙂

But four years ago when I first visited the small town in Sweden where my sister-in-law is from, I discovered the cozy feel of uniquely, individually designed coffee shops. I marveled at the quaintness, the simplicity, and yet the attention to detail in the décor (and at their delicious coffee!). I considered the distinctiveness of each one just part of my delightful European experience, but then found myself wishing for places back in Tennessee that would more closely resemble the originality of the coffee shops I was leaving behind, than the more modern, streamlined feel of the Starbucks I was returning home to.

That’s when I first began to realize that Nashville had a lot more to offer than just several locations of Starbucks (although I can definitely tell you where each one is!)—I had just made my world a little too small by mainly going only there. Although I had previously visited Bongo Java, Fido’s and Frothy Monkey and knew they would always deliver a great cup of coffee, I’ve more recently determined to discover all of our city’s options for a great espresso or cappuccino, each in its own personal setting of charm and character (albeit with more of a Nashville flare than a European one).

So these days, when I need a perfectly brewed cup of caffeine, or need to catch up with a friend, I’m expanding my world past the internationally available to the locally available. I highly recommend the Coffee Glacier at Portland Brew, the Cuban at Crema, an iced coffee at Barista Parlor, a chilled Chai at The Red Bicycle, a Salted Caramel latte at Three Brothers Coffee, the Dirty Chai at Sam & Zoe’s, and an Iced Latte at Flatrock. And if you find yourself with a peaceful afternoon, try The Well Coffeehouse or Just Love Coffee—both are committed to using their profits towards promoting social justice locally and globally, and they each have inviting seating to go along with their excellently-roasted beverages. All you need to bring is a great book 🙂

I love good food. Really good food. Not fancy or pricey food even, just layers of flavors that have been skillfully and intentionally prepped by a chef who delights in creating and offering really good food. In my travels to different continents and countries, I’ve developed an appreciation for many ethnic dishes; I’ve discovered that recipes passed down over generations and perfected over centuries in cultures with a history much older than our own tend to have depths of flavor that traditional American cuisine can sometimes be lacking (although I’ll forever love a good Southern meat & three or a juicy burger!).

I also prefer the smaller, hole-in-the-wall, potentially-undiscovered, non-chain restaurants. While Applebee’s and Logan’s have their place in feeding the hungry masses (and although I confess I may be idealizing the whole scenario :), I’ve typically experienced that the smaller the restaurant, the more each bite reflects that pride was taken in the meal preparation—that there is a culinary artist in the kitchen who genuinely enjoys perfecting his or her craft and who cares about having satisfied customers (who become regulars!).

So, those being my personal preferences in guiding my restaurant selections in the ever-growing world of Nashville eating options, I highly recommend trying Subculture. A relatively new, barely visible from the street eatery tucked in a strip mall between Babies-R-Us and Kroger at the intersection of Nolensville and Old Hickory, it is advertised as Latin American street food and urban cuisine. From their Churrasco sandwich with succulently-marinated, locally-sourced beef, to a Nashville Scene Hot Chicken Biscuit winner, to the tastiest tacos I’ve ever had (Tuesday is taco night and 2 for 1 local draft beers), to crepes with bourbon maple syrup, every menu provision is meticulously crafted for your eating enjoyment. I make no claims to be a food critic but can guarantee that if you venture out for a new experience, you won’t leave disappointed.

*Subculture now also has a food truck inside Mill Creek Brewery in Nolensville, Tennessee.

I suppose every town has its claim to fame—some more widely recognized than others. Columbia (Nashville’s southerly neighbor by about 45 minutes) is proud to be known as the Mule Capital of the World. Although I was born in Nashville and spent my earliest years here, my parents moved us to Columbia when I was in elementary school to be closer to my grandmother. So, over the course of my childhood, I learned to proudly claim my Muletown heritage.

Every year, on a Saturday early in April, we participated in Mule Day in some form or fashion (several years back it changed from Mule Day to Mule Days and became a full weekend of mule-related events). People lined our small town’s streets to see mule-drawn wagons, decorated floats, pageant winners waving from convertibles, and many a horseback rider. One year I rode the Tennessee Walker I had taken riding lessons on, hoping the whole time that she would remain as calm amidst the sea of animals and crowds of people as she typically did in the open fields of the farm where I normally rode her. When I was in 3^rd grade, my school entered a “Wish Upon a Star” float with each child dressing up as what they wanted to be when they grew up—decked out in a white nurse’s uniform and cap, I knew early on exactly what I wanted to be. 🙂

I’ve lived back in Nashville now for 20 years; a few years ago, I returned with my niece and nephew to see the parade, enjoying seeing their enjoyment of it. But this year I decided to go back to once again experience all things centered around mules. So, on a blue sky, sunny day, I went with a friend yesterday to Maury County Park, the hub for campers and horse trailers, and the headquarters for the mule races, pulling competitions, and riding shows, for live music, arts & crafts sales and for all types of food trucks and vendors offering a variety of fried and tasty fair foods.

Mule Day began in Columbia back in 1840 as a “Breeder’s Day” for mule breeders who met there to trade. It now draws in over 100,000 visitors from all across the country to enjoy the festivities. I’ll admit it was more a sense of nostalgia than a keen interest in the crossbreed of horse and donkey that made me want to go; but I’m learning that home always has a way of drawing you back and that time tends to grow an ever deepening appreciation for the uniqueness of the town that grew you.