Tell me more, tell me more!
Ok, so the Grease reference may not be entirely applicable, because the food is anything but greasy, but summer nights on the covered patio at Rosario's in Edgehill Village are worthy of breaking into song. Not to mention the half-price margaritas!
As a native Texan who grew up in Oklahoma and has a serious affection for Mexican food, Nashville was a rude awakening. Great music, great meat and threes, terrible Mexican food. Don't get me wrong. I appreciate the wonder of the Jim Nacho and Nolensville Road has its fair share of authentic tasty tacos; but when you've grown up on the fiery fresh flavors of Tex-Mex right down the street from the ultimate Mexican food mecca, Ted's Cafe Escondido in Edmond, OK., the bar is set pretty high. My search for great Mexican food in Nashville has been ongoing. For six years I've struggled through enchilada after soggy enchilada, occasionally finding a local gem like Baja Burrito, which is in a class all by itself. But as far as straightforward Mexican restaurants were concerned, none in Nashville had captured my heart.
Until one day I happened to drive by Rosario's. A random sighting, a pleasantly serendipitous event which would forever change my view of the culinary map of Nashville. It wasn't crowded. A few people on the covered patio enjoying chips and salsa, but it was a beautiful day and the patio looked inviting. I decided I would take my parents there when they came to visit.
Edgehill Village is a strange place. A small strip of funky boutiques, a bakery, that crazy bubble tea shop, Edgehill Studios Cafe and performance venue, and Rosario's Mexican restaurant nestled in the middle of a residential neighborhood. As we sat on the patio we saw families with strollers, sweaty joggers with ipods and people on their front porches just enjoying the evening. We enjoyed our half-price pitcher of margaritas, often a happy hour special, and the chips with two kinds of salsa. The mild has a unique flavor you just have to taste to understand and the hot, which isn't really that hot for a midwestern gal, has a more sweet, tomato-y flavor. And for all you guacamole fans out there, Rosario's has a great version with big chunks of fresh avocado in every bite. Mmmm.
Everyone at the table got something different. The shrimp quesadillas were a big hit, packed full of shrimp unlike some places that only give you a handful in each dish, and the chicken chimichanga with the green sauce (more highly recommended than the red sauce, even by the waiters, but they'll bring you both if you want to find out for yourself) was big enough to have leftovers.
But the real reason to go to Rosario's? Two words: fish tacos. I don't even like fish tacos all that much, generally speaking. They're usually made with greasy, breaded mystery fish and some kind of limp cabbage swimming in a sauce of questionable origin. Not at Rosario's. They make theirs with blackened Tilapia filets topped with a beautiful mango salsa, southwestern slaw, guacamole and a balsamic glaze. That's right, I said balsamic glaze! The colors alone are worth the trip. With brilliant oranges, purples and greens, this dish is tasty before it hits your tongue. I have been back three times since that first visit, and the fish tacos have been great every time (because I just can't bring myself to NOT get them! Maybe one day...).
Rosario's specializes in a higher form of Mexican food, so the prices are a little higher than your average Mexican restaurant but certainly not unmanageable, especially for the quality of the food and the atmosphere. So if you are looking for a little Summer lovin' to have you a blast, head to Rosario's, sit on the patio and toast to those Summer nights.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Always Save Room for Cupcakes
Move over Magnolia and bugger off Buttercup! There's a new cupcake in town.
The cupcake trend has finally made its way to Nashville in the form of a tiny shop in Midtown called Gigi's cupcakes. It has only been open a few months and already it's the talk of the town. The Midtown area is becoming more and more trendy with additions like the new contemporary Latin-American restaurant Lime and the upscale condos, and Gigi's gives the area an extra boost of fun.
Go in on any Saturday morning and you'll find a line out the door with people enjoying a treat for breakfast or picking up a few dozen for a party that night. The tiny shop with its even tiny-er bar seating area can only fit about a dozen (or maybe a baker's dozen), but luckily the people are outnumbered by the beautifully crafted cupcakes on display. With over 30 flavors, each one handmade and decorated, a person is almost forced, though certainly not against their will, to keep coming back to try them all.
Chocolate lovers will appreciate the rich, dark Midnight Magic, the creamy Texas Milk Chocolate and the nostalgic Chocolate Malt while more adventurous cupcake conoisseurs can sink their sweet tooth into Gingerbread, Hunka Hunka Banana Love, Tiramisu, Lemon Cream Supreme or a host of other creations. Each cake costs $3.00 or $2.75 if you order by the dozen.
Another thing locals will love about Gigi's is that Nashville's coffee darling Bongo Java has created a signiture roast specifically for Gigi's and only available in the store. Just another reason to drop by for a morning pick-me-up, an afternoon snack or a surprise to bring home for dinner. Because really, when is it ever a bad time for cupcakes? Never.
The cupcake trend has finally made its way to Nashville in the form of a tiny shop in Midtown called Gigi's cupcakes. It has only been open a few months and already it's the talk of the town. The Midtown area is becoming more and more trendy with additions like the new contemporary Latin-American restaurant Lime and the upscale condos, and Gigi's gives the area an extra boost of fun.
Go in on any Saturday morning and you'll find a line out the door with people enjoying a treat for breakfast or picking up a few dozen for a party that night. The tiny shop with its even tiny-er bar seating area can only fit about a dozen (or maybe a baker's dozen), but luckily the people are outnumbered by the beautifully crafted cupcakes on display. With over 30 flavors, each one handmade and decorated, a person is almost forced, though certainly not against their will, to keep coming back to try them all.
Chocolate lovers will appreciate the rich, dark Midnight Magic, the creamy Texas Milk Chocolate and the nostalgic Chocolate Malt while more adventurous cupcake conoisseurs can sink their sweet tooth into Gingerbread, Hunka Hunka Banana Love, Tiramisu, Lemon Cream Supreme or a host of other creations. Each cake costs $3.00 or $2.75 if you order by the dozen.
Another thing locals will love about Gigi's is that Nashville's coffee darling Bongo Java has created a signiture roast specifically for Gigi's and only available in the store. Just another reason to drop by for a morning pick-me-up, an afternoon snack or a surprise to bring home for dinner. Because really, when is it ever a bad time for cupcakes? Never.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Mama Mia! This stuff is good.
I love Italian food. No, I mean I really love Italian food. I may have actually been Italian in a past life. It doesn't matter how many combinations of pasta, sauce and cheese you throw at me in a day. I will never get tired of Italian food. So when it was brought to my attention that there was an Italian restaurant in Nashville that I had yet to investigate, I had to immediately remedy the situation. What's even more unbelieveable is that I had passed the restaurant every day for a year on my way to work, but it never grabbed my attention. Then a friend told me she had heard good things, so I did a little friendly Google-ing and found rave reviews for this unsuspecting eatery.
Enough was enough and I finally found my way to Mama Mia's, behind a gas station in an old building that looks like it used to be either a Waffle House or a bait shop. As we stepped inside, I noticed two things right away. One: it was 6:00 and already crowded. Two: people kept coming in the door with paper bags. The reason behind number one became obvious as the line forming behind us went out the door. The reason for number two is one of the most endearing and unique points of the restaurant. Mama Mia's does not sell alcohol, but encourages its customers to walk down the strip mall to the wine store, purchase some Pinot Grigio and bring it back to the table to enjoy for a $5 corking fee.
Since there is no waiting area things got very crowded very quickly, but for such a small restaurant with a small staff, we were seated as promptly as could be expected. Then came the basket of bread, buttery, covered in garlic and tearably soft. I single-handedly ate two entire loaves, and I'd happily do it again.
I think the best part about Mama Mia's is the menu's dare-to-be-different attitude. You won't find fried cheese sticks or spaghetti and meatballs at this place. This is real Italian food, with robust flavors and imaginative sauces. I had shells stuffed with spinach, topped with sun-dried tomatoes, prosciutto and a fontina cream sauce. As a general rule, anything involving prosciutto is a winner in my book, and this was certainly no exception. The sauce was complimentary, not overpowering, and my leftovers were just as good the next day for lunch.
Mama Mia's is everything you might expect from an upscale Italian bistro, minus the high prices and snooty atmosphere. A nice dinner for two can cost less than $40 and I'm pretty sure there is no threat of your waiter bursting into song for a hefty tip. Mama Mia's is unpretentious dining for those who are all about the food. It took me back to an Italian restaurant from my home town, also located behind a gas station and some of the best Italian food I've ever had. That place is gone now but will always be remembered whenever I enjoy Mama Mia's, which I assure you will be frequently.
Enough was enough and I finally found my way to Mama Mia's, behind a gas station in an old building that looks like it used to be either a Waffle House or a bait shop. As we stepped inside, I noticed two things right away. One: it was 6:00 and already crowded. Two: people kept coming in the door with paper bags. The reason behind number one became obvious as the line forming behind us went out the door. The reason for number two is one of the most endearing and unique points of the restaurant. Mama Mia's does not sell alcohol, but encourages its customers to walk down the strip mall to the wine store, purchase some Pinot Grigio and bring it back to the table to enjoy for a $5 corking fee.
Since there is no waiting area things got very crowded very quickly, but for such a small restaurant with a small staff, we were seated as promptly as could be expected. Then came the basket of bread, buttery, covered in garlic and tearably soft. I single-handedly ate two entire loaves, and I'd happily do it again.
I think the best part about Mama Mia's is the menu's dare-to-be-different attitude. You won't find fried cheese sticks or spaghetti and meatballs at this place. This is real Italian food, with robust flavors and imaginative sauces. I had shells stuffed with spinach, topped with sun-dried tomatoes, prosciutto and a fontina cream sauce. As a general rule, anything involving prosciutto is a winner in my book, and this was certainly no exception. The sauce was complimentary, not overpowering, and my leftovers were just as good the next day for lunch.
Mama Mia's is everything you might expect from an upscale Italian bistro, minus the high prices and snooty atmosphere. A nice dinner for two can cost less than $40 and I'm pretty sure there is no threat of your waiter bursting into song for a hefty tip. Mama Mia's is unpretentious dining for those who are all about the food. It took me back to an Italian restaurant from my home town, also located behind a gas station and some of the best Italian food I've ever had. That place is gone now but will always be remembered whenever I enjoy Mama Mia's, which I assure you will be frequently.
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