Friday Five | 8/11/17

I’m kind of playing catch-up this week (since I didn’t feel like I had enough to constitute a Friday Five last week), but I have quite a bit to share with you guys!

The Little Mermaid

The girls and I went and saw a production of “The Little Mermaid” on stage at TPAC last week. It was so, so cute! I am a little biased towards the movie (I did grow up on Disney, after all), but it was still a lot of fun.

Jamba Juice Acai Bowls

I briefly mentioned these when I talked about Pure Barre, but after that workout…peanut butter, yogurt, and strawberries in an acai bowl never tasted so good. (I ordered a Chunky Strawberry bowl, for the curious.)

Haircut!

I got my hair cut this week! Nothing too crazy, but it was definitely time to take at least an inch and a half off for the rest of this summer.

Orange Julius

Post-haircut, I picked up some Dairy Queen and Orange Julius for my mom and I on the way home. Nothing truly beats an orange creamsicle-flavored beverage (or at least something frozen and orange). If I can’t get a Frozen Orange at the Varsity, this works (as well as the Orange Dream Machine from Jamba Juice).

What all have you been doing or loving this week? 

My Favorite Middle TN Coffee Shops

I'm a coffee hound. People who know me can absolutely vouch for this. I love a good cup of joe, whether it's something I make at home or something I choose to go buy at a local coffee shop or chain.

Speaking of local coffee shops, I've enjoyed trying new ones lately. In fact, one just opened up near where I go to church (more on that in a minute). But there's something about local shops that warms my heart (pun may or may not be intended), and hey, it's always good to support local businesses.

So, what are my favorites in the Middle TN area?

Barista Parlor

I wasn't about to write a coffee post without writing about this place. I've mentioned this place plenty of times before here on [Savannah] in Wonderland, and my opinion of it still hasn't changed...it's the best. From specialty coffee with fruit notes to homemade pop-tarts and other goodies, you can't go wrong. :)

Location: East Nashville, Downtown Nashville (The Gulch), Germantown
Website: https://baristaparlor.com/

The Frothy Monkey

This one's a frequent spot for me and my girls. I love getting caramel lattes here (hot and iced). My friends also adore their turtle latte. Also, they serve a great lunch and dinner here, so come hungry for a great time with your girls or your significant other.

Location: Downtown Franklin, Downtown Nashville
Website: https://frothymonkey.com/

Coffee & Coconuts

This is the new coffee shop that just opened near my church. I've only been once, but I can already tell this will be another coffee place for my girls and I. The beachy atmosphere is adorable, and the caramel latte I tried was pretty great! I'll probably plan on trying one of their specialty coffees next time I visit.

Location: Franklin
Website: http://coffeeandcoconuts.com/

Muletown

This great coffee shop is one that's run by some family friends of ours, and their coffee is nothing short of phenomenal (If you're familiar with Puckett's in Columbia, this is where they get their coffee). I asked for a recommendation when they didn't have a Pumpkin Spice Latte, and they suggested a latte made with locally grown honey. Y'all, it was awesome.

Location: Columbia
Website: https://muletowncoffee.com/

Do y'all have any favorite coffee shops, in Middle Tennessee or otherwise? Let me know in the comments! :)

Quick disclaimer before I go: I am not paid to review these coffee shops, nor was I asked to review them. I am just here to share what I love with you guys. :)

A Nashville, TN Food Guide

Nashville is an important and special city to me, and not just because I grew up forty minutes south of the city. I spent a TON of time in Nashville growing up, whether that was for various field trips when I was in school, or actually living and going to college there briefly.

As such, I know a thing or two about food to eat over there. Sure, Nashville is the center of country music, but it’s also a great hub for all kinds of great cuisine. I’ve lived in Tennessee all my life, and I still don’t think there’ll be a moment where I will have visited every eatery in Nashville.

So, what are my all-time favorites? (Just like the Franklin food guide, I will be listing by lunch/dinner and coffee [and also dessert!] places, as well as local places only.)

Lunch/Dinner

• Cantina Laredo - I love this Mexican restaurant in the Gulch mainly for its mole burritos. (Mole - pronounced “moh-lay” - is a sauce made from chocolate, and it’s phenomenal)
• Loveless Cafe - Nothing beats Loveless biscuits and fried chicken.
• Hattie B’s Hot Chicken - This has become a Nashvillian staple in recent years, and for great reason: this is the best hot chicken place in Nashville by far. I’ve only been there once, but I really liked their hot chicken tenders and pimento mac n’ cheese.
• Otaku Ramen - This. ramen. shop. is. the. best. I’ve had some of the best girls’ nights out here!
• The Flip Side - Do you like Chicken Parmesan? Or, do you just like really great breaded chicken? Now, do you like an extensive choice of toppings for said chicken? Then this place is for you. I spent my 25th birthday lunch with my girls at this restaurant with adorable 60’s inspired decor. It was phenomenal.
• Fido - This is a classic and cute place in Nashville's Hillsboro Village. I love the atmosphere and their breakfast-for-lunch offerings, but you can't go wrong here.

Coffee/Dessert!

• Barista Parlor - Best. coffee. in. Nashville. The original location is located in East Nashville towards Gallatin, but there’s also a location more central to Downtown in the Gulch called Barista Parlor Golden Sound. The former is a converted auto mechanic shop, the latter is a converted recording studio. Both have great coffee and homemade pop tarts and other goods.
• Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams - I only just had this ice cream last year…around my 25th birthday, actually. But, guys, if you like homemade ice cream (and want to try some unique flavors), then I can’t recommend this place enough. Their goat cheese and cherries ice cream is fabulous.
• Las Paletas - Homemade popsicles. Need I say more?

And that, dear readers, is my Nashville food guide! Have you ever been to Nashville and/or tried any of these local places before? Do you have any favorites? Let me know in the comments! :)

Franklin, TN Food Guide

My hometown has some great food. I may be slightly biased, but I consider it the truth.

I’ve had friends ask me about various places to eat whenever we go out, and while I absolutely love exploring a place and seeing (and eating) what they have to offer, there’s nothing like visiting the tried-and-true restaurants from my childhood onwards. That’s the nature of hometowns, after all; they’re familiar and reliable.

So, to keep things streamlined, I’d like to list my favorite places for breakfast, lunch/dinner, and coffee in the Franklin, Tennessee area. Also, I limited my lists to local places and franchises, not just big-name chain restaurants.

Breakfast

• Scout’s Pub: Best. Huevos. Rancheros. and Coffee. EVER. (Their fish and chips are great, too!)
• Puckett’s Grocery: You truly can’t go wrong with anything on the menu here, but their coffee and breakfast is especially great.

Lunch/Dinner

• Puckett’s Grocery: Great lunch and dinner here, too, including Meat & 3 options. My favorite item is the hot chicken sandwich.
• Puffy Muffin (lunch only): Great casseroles, quiche, and soups. Definitely try their soups and their iced ginger tea at least once.
• Meridee’s Breadbasket: I LOVE their London Fogs, their crescents (heated croissant sandwiches), and their Wild Rice Soup on Fridays.
• Koi Sushi and Thai: Great Thai + Japanese food all around. I love their fried rice and their sushi with Thai Iced Tea.
• Umi Japanese Restaurant: Great Philadelphia roll.
• Oscar’s Taco Shop: And old favorite of mine, I love their bean and cheese burritos, shrimp tacos, and carne asada quesadillas.
• Tito’s Mexican Restaurant: Another great Mexican place, I love their Nachos Mexicanos. When you go, definitely try their Chori Queso; it’s a white cheese dip with spices and Chorizo sausage. It’s out of this world.
• Gray’s: This is an old pharmacy-turned-restaurant that has a cool industrial aesthetic that I love. I recommend their chicken salad sandwich with avocado.
• Tupelo Honey: This place has quickly become a new favorite. They have an extensive menu from brunch foods to lunch foods to the most buttery biscuits this side of town.

Coffee

• Frothy Monkey: Excellent lattes. I can’t even begin to tell you how many girls’ days and nights I’ve spent here.