The thing that’s great about New Year’s Eve is all of Nashville out on the town together, everyone living it up. The thing that isn’t so great about New Year’s Eve is being out on the road, making my way home with everyone who’s living it up a little too much.
This year I’m staying put. Not at home, that’s a little too tame for me. You’ll find me right here at the finest Nashville airport hotel, safe and sound. If you decide to follow my lead, you’ll take advantage of Hotel Preston’s New Year’s Eve deal. First you’ll hit the party at the Pink Slip Lounge, later have a glass of midnight bubbly, wake up to a great breakfast (the New Year’s deal includes a $25 food and bev credit), and if you had just a little too good of a time, there’s a hangover kit (aspirin, Alka Seltzer, vitamin C, etc.) at the ready. Cheers!
One of the only things that makes the end of summer in Nashville less painful is that fall brings October, and October means Oktoberfest – a great event anywhere, but Nashville does it right. The big one is in Germantown, of course, and is hosted by Church of the Assumption and Monroe Street United Methodist Church. It’s free and is one of Nashville’s best.
There’s live music on three stages, including Die Musik Meisters, Music City Swing, Steff Mahan Band, and Ted Guillaum, polka dancing, street performers, arts and crafts booths. There’s “Fun Land” for the kids and a tour of historic churches (for those who like that sort of thing). Last year there were also some booths with some cool German antiques, something I haven’t seen before.
Saving the best for last, there’s all that German food and beer. Give me a grilled bratwurst on a fresh-baked roll with spicy mustard, a stein of pilsner, fresh-baked streudel for dessert, and I got no complaints.
A week ago, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum held Nashville on the Rocks, a special night where all kinds of fantastic drinks made with specialty vodkas, rums, whiskeys, tequilas and gins were served. Don’t worry, it wasn’t just drinking. There was also plenty of great food and a lot of displays to check out, as well. If you haven’t been to the museum, I’d highly recommend it, of course you’ll have to wait until next year’s Nashville on the Rocks before you can drink there, too.
You’re not going to believe this, because I didn’t believe it. I just had maybe the best hamburger I’ve ever tried. That’s rare enough. But what makes it really unusual is the fact that it was at an Asian type restaurant.
The place is called the PM Café and is located on Belmont Boulevard. We were over in the neighborhood minding our own business and just popped in for an early dinner. I don’t have anything against Asian food. Ask Dora, I’ll eat anything. But I was in the mood for a burger and our waiter convinced me to try theirs.
And this is a darn fine burger. Perfectly cooked with onions, garlic, Thai sweet chili sauce. And fruit juice. That’s what he told me. Fruit juice. Add some lettuce, cheddar, and wasabi mayo on a soft Kaiser roll and you’ve got a reason to head to the PM. Best of all it’s only $7 for all that.
So go. Their cocktails are probably worth a post of their own.
Dora actually just talked to me about that! Her mother went to see it and totally loved it. Sort of like a Vegas show, which reminds me of what we’re doing next Wed. We’re meeting some friends to see this band Burning Las Vegas at B.B. King’s who I guess play a mix of funk, rock and R&B.
They’re supposed to be incredible live performers. My friend plays the trumpet and says they have a blazing horn section. I can’t vouch for them until I see them, but B.B. King’s usually gets good acts in there.
What I told Dora was even if the music is not quite as blazing as he says, we love the gumbo there so we really can’t go wrong. By the way, Burning Las Vegas play every Wed., starting at 7.
Hmm, I’m going to have to check that out. Flying Saucer? Sounds like its right up my alley. We certainly do live at a good time if you’re a beer sort of person. When I was in my 20s it was the red-and-white can or the silver can.
Now there are places like the Broadway Brewhouse in Midtown. This is where I send people who are looking for a good brewpub. They have more than 70 beers on tap and another 100 more in the bottle. And the folks are great there and will usually give you a taste if you’re curious.
And while they don’t have brats, they do have the Mojo Grill right next door which has great spicy Cajun-style food that goes perfect with the beer. And the price is right there too.
Hey everybody! Just something to add to your list if you’re looking for a place to go out some night. It also wins for the best name of a bar in town! It’s called the Flying Saucer Draught Emporium.
That’s really what it’s called! I hear a name like that and I think how can I not like it? It’s on Demonbreun St and what they said is that it’s actually the old baggage building for Union Station.
I guess the people that opened it are from Texas and it does have a kind of Texas beer hall feel. It’s got I don’t know maybe 75 beers on tap and then a bunch more kinds in bottles. And it’s a really cool space too. You sit in this sort of porch-like area.
I bet you can’t guess what “Lappy Hour” is? Ha! Maybe you can actually with my subject line! I just think this is such a great idea for us dog owners. So say it’s a Thursday and you’re out taking your dog, or dogs in my case, for a walk. Right? And you’re thinking, man it would be nice to have a beer.
Well now you can! On the first Thursday of the month Eastland Café has their “Lappy Hour.” You can sit down for a break and enjoy an adult beverage and even appetizers or whatever, and your dog can have a drink of water and some treats. Isn’t that the greatest?
The Eastland Café is on Chapel Ave. And if you don’t have a dog, here’s the website for the Humane Society!
I went wine tasting the other night at a place I’ve never been before that I think Preston visitors would like. I didn’t know about it, probably because I don’t know very much about jazz. When I told Dane he just shook his head and said, “Kids today.”
So it’s called F. Scott’s Restaurant & Jazz Bar. I guess a lot of celebrities go there. That’s what my friend said. Like Dolly. I would’ve loved to see Dolly! But I didn’t see anyone. Maybe you will.
They play live jazz every night of the week. And the food is supposed to all be really delicious. Next time we go we’re going to stay for dinner. We were there for the Monday wine tasting but we did share a plate of the parmesan pommes frites. Yum!
I forgot to mention where we went after the haunted house. Dora thought it would be a good idea to take Alex out for pizza. I don’t think we’ve mentioned Mafiosa’s before but it’s got good food, and a great wine selection.
I always said that that neighborhood needed a good pizza place. It evens out all the hip spots and shops over there. And it’s not too expensive. Plus, if you like the Godfather movies or are into that, you’ll like it.
As for the food they’ve got all kinds of Italian dishes. Dora always gets some pasta something, but I get the stone-oven pizza and then take half home for lunch the next day. It makes the best lunch even if you have it cold, which Dora says is a guy thing but it’s delicious.
The thing that’s great about New Year’s Eve is all of Nashville out on the town together, everyone living it up. The thing that isn’t so great about New Year’s Eve is being out on the road, making my way home with everyone who’s living it up a little too much.
