We were having a discussion here at the front desk the other day about what animal we are in the Chinese calendar. (I’m the year of the rooster. Andrew is the year of the pig. Ha!) And a guest asked if Nashville has any Chinese New Year stuff going on. I had no idea.

So I thought I should do some checking. (I learned a lot!) Did you know that the date of Chinese New Year changes every year? It can be pretty much anytime between late January and late February.

And did you know that Nashville does have events happening for it? Yes! It’s on February 9 this year. The Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville is putting it on at the Belcourt Theater. Looks really cool, including a performance by the “Lion Dance and Drum Team”.

Have a good year of the rat!
Jennifer

Hey, well because I know Dora and you like your classic country music, you should get dessert over at Bobbie’s Dairy Dip on Charlotte if you’ve never been there. Because another friend of mine actually saw Emmylou Harris there! Got her picture taken with her and everything.

But go anyway because their milkshakes are truly awesome! I’m lucky that it’s not closer to my place. Aside from the milkshakes, they’ve also got fresh strawberry shortcake and soft serve that’s the real thing. There’s just nothing better than a cone of soft serve – no matter what the temperature is.

Another thing they have that you should try because I don’t think a lot of other towns have them is sweet potato fries. And they make them perfectly. Good burgers, too, I’ve heard though I’m usually just there for the sweets.

See ya!
Jennifer

Nothing against the places on Music Row, there are some good spots down there. But we tend to go places that native Nashvillians go to. Usually they’re just simple local restaurants that we’ve got to love over the years.

Probably my favorite is Las Palmas, which is a local Mexican place. I’ve been to a few Mexican restaurants and they have probably the most authentic Mexican food in Nashville. And if you go, make sure to get one of their margaritas. Doesn’t matter what kind. Those are the best in town, too.

But I guess we’ll have to give the South Street Crab House a try, too. (I’m willing to give most bbq places at least one shot!) Plus, Nicole Kidman is one of our favorites. I remember her from way back when in a movie called Flirting. It’s worth seeing if you spot it at your video store.

Adios!
Dane

My friend had told me that she’d seen some celebrities at a little Nashville restaurant before. So we’d been saying it would be fun to go.

Alas, we didn’t find any celebrities. But we did find some amazing food and a great new restaurant to munch at. So my little review:

Check out the South Street Crab Shack but don’t be fooled by the outside. The best spot is the treehouse area upstairs. Really cool. I had the bbq chicken which was delish. The seafood is also supposed to be tasty.

Or you could get the omelet that they named after Nicole Kidman!

TTFN,
Jennifer

Ha! Good one, Dane. But hey, if you do have a song you want to sing, you should head on down to 2nd Ave, between Broadway and Commerce. I’m not even talking about the other honky tonks down there, but just the street.

It’s where the street musicians hang out. And the music can really be good! I’ve heard all kinds of people playing there. There’s this one guy that’s been there forever with his guitar. I think he’s there every weekend, or at least every weekend that I’m there!

Plus, it’s just a great spot to hang out if you’re walking around, or before going into the clubs. And you can’t beat the price! Oh, but go rent the movie Once first. Trust me. It’s this love story about a street musician in Ireland that will get you ready.

See ya!
Jennifer

This is definitely a music town. Doing this blog I’m always trying to find stuff I think guests will think is interesting and a lot of it really does come back to music. Here’s another one.

When you’re down here, take a trip over to the RCA Studio B. You probably haven’t heard of it, but it’s famous for having been where people like Elvis, Chet Atkins, and the Everly Brothers recorded. It seems like everyone passed through there at some time.

These days it doesn’t get the big stars, but maybe you could say it gets tomorrow’s stars. Nowadays, as well being a place to visit, it’s used as a classroom for middle and high school and college students to learn about recording, which is pretty cool.

Who knows, maybe if you bring that song you’ve been working on, they’ll help you lay it down…

Talk to you later,
Dane

Speaking of transportation, folks that have never been to Nashville before, and even some who have, shouldn’t forget the MTA (that’s the Metropolitan Transportation Authority). The bus and trolley service in the city can usually get you where you want to go.

I for one appreciate that now you can just use your credit card to pay and don’t have to always worry about having the exact change for the fare. Just get on and go. We’re the only city in the nation that has them across the system. And all buses have bike racks, too.

There’s also BusLink, which is an on-demand shuttle service if you happen to be in the Green Hills-Belle Meade communities. And the Nashville Music City Star, which is our new rail line that can take you all the way out to Lebanon. Tennessee, that is.

Talk to you later,
Dane

I’ve got to agree. I don’t think there are too many jobs out there where you can meet so many people from around the country. And around the world. Last week I met a man from Holland. I’d never really thought much about Holland before. Be great to visit. It sounds beautiful.

Hey, but the local folks that stay with us are great too. Especially when they come back again and again. Which reminds me to mention that parking is free at Hotel Preston. A pretty nice thing if you’re going to be in town very long.

Anyway, I just wanted to get that in there. As the transportation person, being the valet and shuttle driver and all, I tell our guests we don’t want you to have to worry about that stuff. Just enjoy your visit.

Cheers,
Dane

Things have been so busy at Hotel Preston. I love it when it’s busy! A lot of people were out here to visit family for the holidays which was fun. Over the last couple of weeks I’ve met people from Atlanta, Tampa, Boston, Dallas, Santa Fe. And that’s just a start.

We always have a lot of business travelers too. Many want to get out of direct downtown, which I can totally understand. Plus, they also like that it’s so easy to get to their flight from Hotel Preston with the Park & Fly service to BNA airport. It just makes it simple.

I wonder how many jobs would let you meet so many people from so many different places. I always say I don’t really need to go anywhere because everyone comes to me. I haven’t met anyone from Alaska yet though, so if you’re reading this in Alaska, come on down!

TTFN,
Jennifer

Oh, by the way, I forgot to mention. The Opry DVD set was a big hit. We’ve just sort of kept them on since she opened them. There are some great performances in there.

But I realized I should tell you all about the store where I got them. The Ernest Tubb Records shops are famous down here. It’s named for Ernest Tubb and the Texas Troubadours. The Music Valley Village shop even has his original tour bus on display. It’s called the Green Hornet.

The place was started by Ernest and has been around for some 60 years. It’s got all kinds of great stuff. Plus they got their world famous midnight jamboree that’s played on WSM 650-AM every Saturday night. Now that’s real Nashville.

Better yet, head on over to the Texas Troubadour Theater (across from Opryland) and see the show for free.

Talk to you later,
Dane