Nashville Listings

Many of us have seen funny crap up on Craigslist. I saw this gem the other day... and immediately jumped in my car to pick it up.

It simply reads "I hate to part with this couch, but my wife is making me get rid of it. It's a real *love* seat if you know what I mean! New owners may want to invest in a slip cover. Pick up only." [link]

I think we'll put it in our study.

A Little Korean

So I made the trek over to Korea House last week. Work has kept me from buckling down with an adequate review on the joint. With that in mind, allow me to issue a disclaimer: this is a half-ass review of a better-than-okay experience.

My wife asked a Korean coworker, on my behalf, to disclose the best-of list of Korean restaurants in the Nashville area. He quickly named three, and then reluctantly suggested a couple more. Now, I'm not going to repeat the names or order at this time (find your own source), but I will say that I crosschecked them with Nashville Scene (the end-all, be-all of good advice ;>) and found more than one similarity. One restaurant rightfully not on the Scene's list was Manna Korean Restaurant; but more on that later.

Anyhow, so I drove about 7 miles out from downtown to a small strip mall on Charlotte. Every foody knows that the best ethnic cuisines are located in strip malls... and no, I'm not kidding; but I digress. I grabbed a seat at one of the twelve tables and soaked in the atmosphere that I can only describe as "asian diner". The TV was broadcasting Korean news while the in-wall speakers blared Celine Dion. I immediately took note of the framed certificate from the Nashville Scene for being Nashville's best Korean food of 2007. These guys know they have a reputation and they want you to know too. But the atmosphere isn't always the most accurate indication of a good restaurant. No, it is the menu. Is it too short (signifying that no one in the area wants what they serve)? Is it too long (indicating that they really don't have a specialty, but rather do everything "just ok")? No, this menu was just right, offering a varied, yet focused, selection.

I ordered the bibimbap, which literally means "mixed rice". As with many Korean dishes here, you order it "regular" or "spicy". This simple dish is basically a half dozen chilled vegetables sliced up over warm rice, served with an egg on top (sometimes fried, sometimes raw). If one desires, they may elect to add beef, chicken or tofu to the mix. The dish is simple, and so too my review shall be. The bibimbap was good, meeting every expectation. In a dish as simple as this, all ingredients must be fresh... and they were. Bibimbap is a perfect antidote for someone craving a lot of flavor without that heavy feeling. I will order it again.

My experience with Korean food is abundant. I have had the pleasure to share the table with some fantastic Korean cooks who take their food seriously. There are differences in quality that can be seen even in Nashville. Manna Korean Restaurant, for instance, was my first taste of Nashville's Korean representation. I regretfully admit that the entire experience was a disaster. Putrid smells, poor service, and lack of fresh ingredients made for terrifying first impression. However, after my visit to Korea House, I am proud to say that good Korean food does exist in Nashville.

There's no need for a sales pitch. Korea House has a great reputation both inside the Korean community and out. Go pay them a visit and try something new.

Korea House
6410 Charlotte Pike # 108
Nashville, TN 37209

Wat? Ethiopian food in Nashville?

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to venture south of downtown to the nether region that is "those few blocks between 100 Oaks Mall and Nolensville Rd". This road to perdition - Thompson Lane. Destination - GoJo Ethiopian Restaurant.

Having recently moved here from Washington DC, what I've been told is 2nd to LA of highest Ethiopian population, I am not unfamiliar with Ethiopian fare. However, this is Nashville... Tennessee... how good can it get? The answer in short is "good, real good."

Now I'm not saying that just any southern boy can walk into Gojo and expect to find anything even remotely familiar. The decor is different, the smells are different, and the food, awe the food... well, fortunate for us, it is different as well. The owner has lined the walls with colors of her country (green, yellow, and red) and an homage to who appeared to be Haile Selassie. The speakers ring with raggea-esk tunes. The faint smell of roasting coffee percolates the room. Nothing about this experience makes me feel as though I am in Nashville.

Upon being greeted and seated, I found my mouth watering at the slim chance this establishment had traditional beverages. "Beer? St. George, Dashen, anything?" I asked the waitress. "No alcohol at all" she replied. My hopes, and Pavlovian demeanor for that matter, were immediately crushed. She kindly pointed out the window and invited me to bring in anything I desired from Twin Kegs next door. A kind jester, but no consolation.

As I examined the menu, I found what I had expected... the veritably quintessential standards of Ethiopian cuisine: wat, tibs, and kitfo - all served atop and alongside what is this country's gift to the culinary world, injera. For those completely unfamiliar with this food, allow me to sum it up. Wat is simply a stew. It can be a stew of meat (chicken, beef, goat, etc.) or of veg (lentils, corn, potatoes, etc.). Tibs are simply the sautéed version of the same food. Think of it more as Ethiopian spices with French technique, only using ghee instead of butter. Kitfo, simply put, is tartare. That's right, raw! Finally, injera is the national sour dough bread that resembles an unflipped crepe. Injera is served with every meal, and is acknowledged not only for its flavor, but its utility. There are no forks at this table; injera alone is your vehicle of food transportation from plate-to-mouth. As such, it is customary (and advised) that you should wash your hands while your food is being prepared.

I ordered the kitfo. Unsurprisingly, even the waitress wanted to make sure I knew what I was getting myself into. "I've had it before", I insisted. She made a little friendly small talk, and quickly rushed my order to queue. I sat for only a short time, before being served by the cook/proprietor. As I started digging in, I could not help but be transported back to my first experience with this dish. This kitfo was spicy yet balanced, a great example of how Ethiopian curries are unique and wonderful in their own right. It was accompanied by two vegetable wats and some homemade, crumbled cheese; and I will say the cheese alone was worth the trip. It had the texture of feta, but this cow's milk cheese was unique in that collared greens had been cut into it. Mild. Complex. Wonderful.

Towards the end of my attempt at cleaning my plate, I inquired about their coffee. My waitress explained that they only do traditional coffee ceremonies for large parties, but she would be happy to prep an individual pot for me in the kitchen. I agreed and was elated. Assuming that I was anticipating the roasting process, she brought the beans out to my table as they were half roasted, giving me enough time to get in a couple deep lungfuls of the perfume that I can only describe as "burnt grass". Oh yeah, that good! After disappearing for only a few minutes, she came back with an offering, that for only $5, will make you never want to patronize Starbucks again. It was coffee as it was meant to be... as it was discovered.

Overall the experience was great. The food was wonderful and though having a rough exterior, the ambiance was quaint and strangely homey. The service was quick and kind. For all Nashvillians, both little and large, looking for "something different" in their dining regimen, I would implore you to venture out and try something new. Try Gojo.

Gojo Ethiopian Restaraunt
415 W Thompson Lane
Nashville, TN 37211

Coming out of the Woodwork

Being a virgin CMA Fest-er, I was not quite prepared to handle the physical and psychological abuse of my first journey into the mob of CMA Fest fansters. After 20 minutes of stop and go rubbernecking (not to be confused with goosenecking), I decided the only way I would get anywhere I was trying to go was to harness the city slickerness that recides in most of us and simply walk on the street rather than the sidewalk... which brings me to my first rule of CMA Fest: (1) Walk on the street.

My goal was simply to cover as much distance as possible in the 30 minutes I had to waste downtown. I was mesmerized as the stereotypes we have all grown to appreciate came alive right in front of me. I subconsciously started playing Fingo in my head. I can honestly say I've never seen so many sleeveless (or shirtless for that matter) men in my life, but that's what makes it fun right? My 30 minute tour was not fruitless, though. As I turned the last corner before heading back to work, I spotted a character of which I was quite familiar. That's right, Manhattan's famous Naked Cowboy. Ironically, he was the least crass individual on the entire block (even from the back). This brings me to my second and final rule of CMA Fest: (2) If you want to fit in, wear as few clothes as possible.

In the Beginning...

It seems beneficial, and almost necessary, to establish a purpose for any endeavor. Businesses do it. Faith-based organizations do it. Even terrorists do it. It's important to enounce a mission and set of goals. This blog aspires to be a resource as well as a sounding board. Eventually, these opinions will be coming from a mixed group of Nashvillians from her differing environs. Until then, however, a select few will make a rather futile effort to maintain this blog with not-so-witty observations of the city they have just recently started calling "home".

Having been transplanted here from the DC metro area in April, I have desired to document my findings as I explore this city's resources. With a bent towards culinary arts and nightlife, many of my accounts will naturally lean in that direction. However, it is the desire of this blog to also account for and criticize topics regarding, but not limited to: politics, music, sports, and visual arts. Please be patient with us as we get the ball rolling over the next couple of months.