Pancake Pantry is Certainly One of the Finest

Pancake Pantry

     There are pancake houses, and then there are Pancake Houses!  You know what I mean.  Pancake Pantry, located west of downtown Nashville and adjacent to Vanderbilt University, is without a doubt one of the best we have found.  It holds a place in the rankings with Walker Brothers in Chicago, has a wider offering than The Original Pancake House in the Midwest, and is adventurous like the old IHOP when they were housed in A-frame structures with blue roofs back in the day.  Pancake Pantry began in 1961 and some things about it don't feel like they have changed all that much.

The Retro Menu

     It was the end of our stay in Nashville and we wanted to leave on a high note.  Monday mornings are hard enough to face, so a visit to Pancake Pantry would be our eye opener.  Eric and I had been there several times over the past two decades with a most memorable (and sad) morning there the day after Princess Di was killed.  The other four in our group were newbies so this was going to be a  big A.M. sendoff for them.

Banana Bread Pancakes

     Although one can order just about any side as accompaniment, pancakes are the main attraction.   I'm always torn as to what to order.  My choice that day was the Banana Bread Pancakes made from a batter filled with pecans and topped off with more of them.  Add to that their homemade Cinnamon Cream Syrup and I was in pancake

Blueberry Pancakes

heaven.  Martha chose the Blueberry Filled Pancakes served with a Maine blueberry compote and a dusting of powdered sugar (it tops a lot of different pancakes). If fresh picked blueberries are your thing, then this is your dish.  Stan had his favorite Silver-Dollars made with buttermilk.  It's the miniature size that's the attraction for him.

Caribbean Pancakes

Dale went with the Caribbean Pancakes that were topped with sliced bananas, pecans, shredded coconut and dusted with powdered sugar.  She enjoyed them thoroughly and so did some others when she shared.

Santa Fe Pancakes

Eric and Lori decided to go with the Santa Fe Pancakes whose recipe was shared with Pancake Pantry from the Village Smithy Restaurant in California.  They looked almost like mini frittatas filled with bacon, cheddar cheese and roasted green chilies.  He liked them, but he didn't love them as the stone-ground cornmeal batter was a bit dry and fell apart easily.  Unfortunately, that's the way that batter fries up.  On past visits I've enjoyed the Georgia Peach Pancakes (the compote filling is made at just the right time) and the Swiss Chocolate Chip for which I still cannot find any finer ones and really don't expect to do so.  Top them all off with great coffee and Southern hospitality service and that's what makes Pancake Pantry such a return magnet for us.

thepancakepantry.com

The Loveless Cafe: Its History and Recipes Make It a Southern Institution

The Loveless Cafe

     It's been a somewhat bumpy road at times for The Loveless Cafe since its opening in 1951.  That was a time when folks would drop in from U.S. Highway 100 to be guests of Lon and Annie Loveless in their cozy home for some real Southern cookin'.  In spite of many owners through the years, the recipes have been the stalwart for keeping the authenticity and hospitality alive at the cafe.

Sunday Dining

     We've visited three times over the years and each one has been a nice experience.  The biggest downfall is the possible wait time.  Our second visit was over an hour wait on a rainy Sunday afternoon, but the other two were immediate seatings on Wednesday morning and Sunday evening.    

Southern-Fried American Catfish

     Of course, we have some favorites on the menu.  Eric is all about the Southern-Fried American-Raised Catfish.  It's some of the best.  Served with hushpuppies, he chose the Marinated Cucumbers and Onions along with the daily feature, Creamed Spinach.  Simple comfort food down well.  

Smoked Boneless Pork Chops

     I chose the Smoked Boneless Pork Chops that are grilled and glazed with Loveless Peach Preserves, an Annie recipe from the archives. One sees meat and fruit dishes a lot on menus these days, so it's good to know that The Loveless keeps the trend torch burning in the country kitchen.  Did I mention how good they were?  Well, they later inspired fruit marinades, rubs and pankos at my workplace, Alimento Ventures.  I always go for the Homemade Creamed Corn as a side dish.  One taste and you'll know why.  The Macaroni and Cheese is OK, but nothing like some of the other sides.  

Loveless Fried Chicken

The Biscuit Maker

     Another hit among our group was the Loveless Fried Chicken.  Crispy and juicy, it's a Sunday dinner winner.  Let's not forget the biscuits that Annie started making in the forties.  The fact that they still make between 4,000 and 7,000 a day should tell you something!  

Key Lime Pie

     You'll want to save room for dessert, especially if you had to wait and stare at them in the bakery case for a while.  They're all homemade.  Martha was the only one of us to save room on our last visit.  Her choice was the Key Lime Pie.  It was a memorable version—tart and creamy as each of our sample tastings concluded.

lovelesscafe.com

Puckett's Restaurant & Grocery: Which Came First?

     As owner Andy Marshall once said, "I realized what I had here was a restaurant pretending to be a grocery store".  Puckett's Grocery & Restaurant has now grown to five stores in as many towns with live entertainment thrown in on certain days of the week.  Our encounter with Puckett's took place in the town of Franklin, TN.

Puckett's Restaurant and Grocery Store

     There's a certain vibe about the place that makes one want to be a part of it to see just what's going on.  The dining area is contained, but one is never far from the grocery shelves (limited as they were).  We were there on a Sunday afternoon so things were hoppin', but moved fast.  Our server had a likening to Kellie Pickler and attested to the fact that many Nashville stars were a part of their clientele, especially those that live in the Franklin area.

Fried Green Tomato B.L.T.

     Eric and I were immediately drawn to the Fried Green Tomato B.L.T.  Served on sourdough bread with chipotle bacon ranch, it was Southern through and through.  We accompanied it with the Smashed Sweet Potatoes as recommended by our server.  

Smoked Bologna Sandwich

Dale had the Smoked Bologna Sandwich served on country white bread.  I was torn between that and my B.L.T., but it sounded like we both made good choices.  Lori went with the Redneck Burrito, another great pick made with pulled pork, baked beans, BBQ sauce and slaw.  One just doesn't find these selections on every menu.  Martha had the Homemade Chicken Salad and Stan the Grilled Cheese.  Both were mainstays done very well.  Eric and I couldn't refuse the Berry Cobbler of the Day.  We needed spoons for everyone at the table for sampling!  And don't forget the Sweet Tea.  It doesn't get any better than at Puckett's.

puckettsgrocery.com

Jack's Bar-B-Que on Broadway Lends Its Flavor to Nashville

Jack's Bar-B-Que on Broadway

     Conveniently located on Broadway next to Tootsies, in front of Ryman Auditorium and across the street from Ernest Tubb's Record Shop, Jack's was one of our lunchtime picks during our visit to Nashville.  In addition to its location, it's a Nashville original (and now more of a tourist attraction) that has been serving its version of bar-b-que since 1989.  The first location was on Broadway at First Avenue, but that site is now a parking garage for the riverfront development.  However, this "new" spot has the appearance of being filled with history and worn to the point of an old leather shoe.  The interior was welcoming, but not a place to linger especially on a Saturday afternoon with the line forming along the street outside.  

Seating Amongst Relics

     Like many bar-b-que joints, this one takes orders at the counter along a cafeteria-like line.  The staff is friendly and helpful only if you encourage them.  After all, it's rough dealing with long lines of impatient, hungry people all day long and we all had plenty of time to think about our orders.  Before we looked for an existing table to sit down, there was one last stop—the sauce station for choosing our favorite regional topping.

Pulled Pork Dinner

     Between the six of us, we sampled the Tennessee Pork Shoulder, Texas Beef Brisket and Smoked Texas Sausage.  All of it was of good quality and flavor.  Most of us chose the Green Beans as one of our two sides and that was a wise choice.  The Mac & Cheese was very creamy, hitting 

Texas Beef Brisket

about halfway up on the scale for us.  Eric and I just had to try the Chess Pie.  This was one you can pass by.  All in all, it wasn't the best bar-b-que any of us have had, but it was perfect as a midday stop along our tour of Broadway.

jacksbarbque.com

 

Marché Artisan Foods for a Little Trip to Europe in East Nashville

THe Bakery and Kitchen at Marché

     We've paid a couple of visits to Marché for brunch and dinner.  From our two experiences there, our batting average has been 1000.  With a menu that changes seasonally and then some, it's hard to recall a description of every meal so I'm going to call this an "over-review" that speaks more in generalities.  

Crepe du Jour

     The emphasis is on European cooking.  From Marché Favorites on the menu came the Crepe du Jour consisting of bacon, goat cheese and pesto over a base of tomato basil sauce.  We've ordered crepes on both of our visits so I think I'm safe in saying that whatever the daily crepe entrant is, it's more than likely a winner.  

Market Salad

The Market Salad changes frequently and that time around ours combined orange slices, almonds and radishes with the spring mix and white balsamic vinaigrette.  

Baked Chicken and Pasta

A featured entrée was Baked Chicken over pasta with bacon and English peas.  The rich broth brought the flavors all together.  Marché is a restaurant where desserts are a must.  

Rhubarb Crunch

Eric and I shared the warm Rhubarb Crunch with the rest of our table, which left us all wanting more.  

The Round Dining Area

     The restaurant space is an interesting one to wander through.  There is a large, round dining area with a '60s edge that seemed perfect for an afternoon lunch and fashion show combo, the likes of those experienced in bygone department store lunchrooms. The rest of the seating is shared with some shelved retail offerings and the open kitchen and bakery.

     On our last visit we had an enthusiastic waiter, which was exactly what we needed after a day of sightseeing.  He had one of the best retorts ever when Eric told him, and motioned, that the two of us were together when we ordered (meaning that we should be on the same check).  His quick reply with a sigh was "Oh, I'm so happy for you", moving on without missing a beat!  

marcheartisanfoods.com

 

72 hours in Nashville: Days One and Two

Bubbling with personality 

and background music everywhere

DAY ONE

      We've made a few trips to Nashville, finding it a vibrant city with a variety of entertainment opportunities.  On our latest venture, six of us headed out on a Friday morning in a VW van.  Dining is an important part of our entertainment, so our first stop was at a favorite for lunch, Chefs Market & Catering in Goodletsville just north of the city.  It's a cafeteria with a fine dining slant and some very interesting side dishes.  Our "home" was the Residence Inn at Cool Springs about 20 minutes from downtown.  It's a convenient location if you're planning to visit some of the tourist areas south of the city, as we were.

Opryland Hotel

      Of course, any visit to Nashville is not authenticated unless you plan to see the Grand Ole Opry.  It's been at its current location adjacent to the Opryland Hotel since 1971.  We arrived early to take a look around the hotel.  It's a short walk from the Opry House and the parking is free on that side of the complex.  Otherwise, you're looking at a $25 per car parking fee just to see the hotel interior.  

Waterfalls in the Delta

That said, the charge is worth it when you consider the magnificent structures and landscaping.  A stroll through the Cascades and Garden Conservatory passes by numerous waterfalls and seasonal floral displays culminating in the Delta with more restaurants and shops.  

The Boat Ride

There's also a boat ride that everyone should take once, and that's all you'll need to do.  We've never stayed there, but I'm sure the experience is well worth it.  

Grand Ole Opry

The Opry House is an experience in itself.  Although there is always a line up of acts, one never knows who will show up for the live broadcast.  That surprise came from the appearance of Chris Jansen on our latest visit.  We think he has the makings to become a big star.  The audience also felt so because they gave him two standing ovations, something usually only reserved for iconic country stars.

DAY TWO

Entering the
Johnny Cash Museum

      Our first stop was at the Johnny Cash Museum located in an old downtown warehouse.  It has won several top awards for museum design and content so I was really looking forward to seeing what all the hoopla was about.  My first impression was that the space was way too small, creating a bottleneck in the first viewing room.  Granted, there is a lot of memorabilia pertaining to the early Cash years that later expands when entering subsequent rooms exhibiting lavish costumes, records, and family values.  

Wall of Recordings

I particularly liked the long hall displaying his record covers and 45s.  It all culminates in the final room leading to Johnny 

Cash Family Timeline

Cash's accomplishments, one of which is that he is the only artist to have songs on the Billboard charts for six decades.  It's a museum befitting such an amazing entertainer.

All Day Entertainment Along Broadway

      Music Row (Broadway) has seen some changes in the past few years.  Walking up from the museum, there are several bars with live entertainment throughout the day.  We stopped in Ernest Tubb's Record Store only to find it desolate with very few CDs.  What happened?  Perhaps it was a sad sign of the times that have passed with iTunes and MP3 downloads.  

Bridgestone Arena

      Lori, Eric and I walked further past the Bridgestone Arena and on to the Country Music Hall of Fame and the flowing architectural lines of the Music City Center, host to the  

Music City Center

CMA Fest. A little backtracking to Broadway brought us to Jacks Bar-B-Que, an institution among visitors and locals that can be attested to by the line formed outside the entrance.  There was a large birthday celebration during our visit that was causing a backup in seating. Otherwise, the line moved fairly fast.

Ryman Auditorium

      Taking a right coming out of Jack's took us to Tootsies, another familiar spot for enjoying new acts and veteran performers that will sometimes come out the backdoor from the Ryman and play a few rounds before calling it a night.  Like so many places, one just never knows who they will run into.  Take a stroll around the corner to have a look at Ryman Auditorium, the original home the the Grand Ole Opry.

      Leaving Broadway, we took a little driving tour of downtown passing AT&T's "Batman" building and the Tennessee Capital sitting atop the city skyline.  Driving further west on Broadway, we took a short trek through Vanderbilt University and then Centennial Park, which is the home to the Parthenon, a reproduction of the original in Athens.  From there we drove through Belle Meade, one of Nashville's grander neighborhoods with many older mansions.  If you have the time, Cheekwood is a wonderful place to visit.  It's the former home of the founders of Maxwell House coffee, which is now an art museum and botanical gardens.  Both are exquisite.  

Bluebird Cafe

Onward, we made our way to the Bluebird Cafe made famous in the Nashville series.  It was closed for a private party, but none-the-less a popular selfie and photo spot.

     After a refresher at our hotel, we moved on to dinner at Marché in East Nashville.  It's a local hangout that serves some of the best (and inexpensive) European cuisine you'll find anywhere.  

    Our night was capped off at the Loser's Lounge in Cool Springs that would be our music fix for the evening.  Forty-five minutes after the published time for the music to begin, we were still waiting for the band to "check, check".  Finally, the lead female singer (trying to channel Stevie Nicks or Kim Carnes) took the stage.  We stomached three songs and called it a night.  For us, the place couldn't have been more appropriately named.

Chef's Market: An Upscale Cafeteria Highlighted with Creative Side Dishes

Country Chic Chef's Market

     We first stopped by Chef's Market on a trip through Nashville in 2014.  Located on the north side at the Goodletsville exit, there is little curb appeal to lure one in. Once inside, the surroundings are country chic with some of 

the dining areas set amidst a country store.  It's one of those places where there's something for everyone and every taste.  If you're thinking it sounds like another Cracker Barrel…it's not.

My New England Pot Roast Plate

     The desserts were what I remembered most from our previous visit, especially the White Chocolate Banana Pudding.  It was a great take on an old-timer.  My memory then moved to the New England Pot Roast, tender and juicy beef roast with carrots and celery in a demi-glace.  Fortunately, they were both available on our second excursion recently.  I chose an Avocado and Corn Salad along with Creamed Spinach to round out my meal.  Their dinner rolls could double as a dessert, but the banana pudding was my prize.  

Little Hen Trio

Side Dish Selections

     Another hit that day was the Cranberry Quinoa Slaw.  I'm not much of a quinoa fan, but this hit the spot with its sweet and tart mix and was another example of their creative pairings.  Eric chose the Little Hen Trio and wondered afterwards why he had done so.  There was nothing wrong with the three mini croissants filled with three different versions of chicken salad: old fashioned, curried, and smoked Mexican. In fact, they were quite nice, but in comparison with some of the other options it was a bit on the pricey side.

http://www.chefsmarket.com