Woo hoo, my honky ass is in Nashville, TN. I’m here for the Southern Festival of Books this Saturday. I will be speaking on a panel titled "It’s Eating You – Authors Tell All About Fat Camp and Loving Your Body." The panel is at 12:30, followed by a book signing.
Today I have the whole day (and night) to myself and need suggestions on how to spend it. I will tell you now that I am in love with the South, and I know I should be working, but hello, I’m here for one day! I need to play! And meet people. Here are the places I’m hoping to go. Please let me know if any of these should be avoided, and give suggestions. Where would you go if you had the day to spend here in Tennessee? Since I’m without a car, I’m guessing I can cab it here and there. I’m staying downtown, a block from tomorrow’s festival.
GOOD SOUTHERN COMFORT FOOD:
Now the truth is, there’s plenty of Southern cooking & BBQ in Austin. I don’t need chicken & dumplings or chicken fried steak, or chicken & waffles, or any chicken or grits at all. And I certainly don’t need brisket or ribs or sausage. I know the Pancake Pantry became the go-to spot when Garth Brooks mentioned it to Jay Leno, for the waitress who remembered what each customer ordered. Since I have no intention of eating pancakes today, I’ll likely skip it. What I need instead is just somewhere memorable. In case you’re planning a trip here, too, these are places people have suggested for a good down-home comfort food of a meal: Loveless Cafe, The Yellow Porch, The Pancake Pantry, Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack, The Sands, Bolton’s Spicy Chicken and Fish, Arnold’s Country Kitchen, Rotier’s
GOOD FOODIE RESTAURANTS:
Anyone know much about 1808 Grille? It seems like it’s mostly for corporate lunches, not necessarily a place a woman would go to eat alone at the bar, hoping to meet some nice Southern ladies & gentlemen. Another reader has suggested Tayst in Hillsboro VIllage and Firefly Grille in Green Hills (they’re quite different from each other). Firefly Grille being more casual, friendly, quirky–a neighborhood spot.
Good Southern Drinking:
I HAVE to bring my Sweet Mister home some good Tennessee Whiskey! Though, I’m really not going to hit up the Jack Daniel’s Distillery. I will, however, be drinking tonight… my go to move of "Jack & Ginger" might just get played. At least once anyway. "Definitely have drinks at The Patterson House. It’s hard to find, but not far from downtown and absolutely worth it," a reader suggested. I hear they serve up cocktails from another era, very old school, which sounds so appealing and sexy. I may just wear a skirt, but I will, for certain be heading there tonight. Another reader mentioned heading to the Wine Loft or Sambuca for late afternoon drinks.
Shopping:
Obviously I’m not looking for clothes I can find anywhere else. I don’t need a store that sells Theory. I need one that has its own theory on fashion. Venus and Mars–My beloved Garden & Gun Magazine suggested this vintage shop, which sells men’s and women’s fashions from the 1800’s through the 1980’s. The store was named "One of the Best Clothing Stores in America" by GQ Magazine.
I’m also told Hillsboro Village has some fun shopping; Pangaea was a suggestion I received today for its Mexican folk art and funky home decor. H. Audrey sounds fun, for it’s rock ‘n’roll finds. Apparently, it’s known for having"left-of-center" designers. We’ll see.
Points of interest:
Country Music Hall of Fame and Belmont Mansion
What in the hell should I do with my night?
Hoping to definitely hit up a happy hour or three, then find a good foodie dinner spot (anyone?), then am up for anything fun. Help a Yankee out. I’ll likely try this suggestion "Honky tonking on Broadway at night is actually fun and hilarious. Robert’s Country & Western Bar on Broadway is the best." Gotta do it, right? I love music that’s driven by a story, by lyrics and soul. I’m not so much into instrumental jams or the blues. Typically, I’m not really into country music either, despite the fact that they are stories, but hey, you never know. Maybe I’ll hear something tonight and change my mind. I do, after all, adore Kasey Chambers.
A YEAR AGO: Rethinking the Cooch Wear
2 YEARS AGO: I’m Too Sexy For My Bra
3 YEARS AGO: Shocking the Shock-Jock
