Blonde Voyage's Featured Favorites | August 2023

Is it me, or was August an absolute whirlwind? I know many of you were getting your kids ready for “back to school” and secretly celebrating reclaiming your days for yourself. Looking back, I spent most of the month packing and repacking my suitcase. If I were to guess, I clocked more hours at the airport and in the sky than in Nashville. Don’t get me wrong, I had the chance to travel abroad to London and Montreal and even explore a place a little closer to home, New York. Montreal was a new addition to my travel itinerary, and despite Air Canada losing my luggage (why the Apple Airtag will always be a favorite), I enjoyed every minute. This month’s featured favorites may look a little different. While there are some obvious favorites, many are places or dishes that spoke to me during my travels. Like always, feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

As a solo diner, eating at the bar always trumps grabbing a table. Not only is it more social, but honestly, anything goes. Feel like having a cocktail and a snack on your progressive dinner? Super. Or perhaps you want to build your own tasting menu and imbibe all night. Brilliant. There are indeed no rules, and I love it. While enjoying my lunch at Padella’s in Borough Market, I was chatting with one of the staff about the increasing popularity of English wine (something that I seek out on every trip to London these days). After she recommended a few different ones to try, she was kind enough to bring over a list of wine bars and restaurants she thought I might enjoy while I was visiting.

At the top of her list was Mountain, a new Tomos Parry ( Head Chef and Co-Owner of Brat) restaurant. Seeing as the restaurant had only been open a couple of weeks, I did not think I had a chance of getting a seat, but sometimes being a solo diner works in your favor. Fortunately, I snagged a bar seat, where I had the pleasure of watching the open kitchen. While Mountain boasts an industrial-chic vibe, this restaurant is focused on Spanish-inspired dishes that feature seasonal local produce and ingredients. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed many incredible dishes during my visit, but I was left absolutely speechless by my aperitif, an Artichoke Spritz. I saw it on the menu and thought, what an incredibly odd drink, so of course, I had to inquire about it. While the bartender couldn’t exactly describe it to me, she told me it was unique and I would love it. She was correct; I ordered several of them throughout the evening. While I couldn’t get the exact recipe, it’s one you don’t want to miss if you’re in London. Even if you have dinner plans elsewhere, it’s worth swinging by the bar and trying this brilliant beverage.

Based on the amount of Italian food and wine I consume, I must have been Italian in my former life. While researching for my August trip, I stumbled upon Manteca, an Italian-inspired restaurant focused on hand-rolled pasta, wood-fired breads, and their in-house salumeria. Again, the power of the solo diner was with me that evening as I was seated front and center at the Chef’s counter, which is absolutely the best place to be. Not only do you have a chance to interact with the Chef, but you also get to see the incredible dance that takes place in the kitchen. The skill and attention to detail is second to none. As I chatted with the Chef, he understood my dilemma of wanting to try everything on the menu, so he coached me and spaced my dishes accordingly. In just three short hours, I sampled the Fried Olives, the Orkney scallop, the Fazzoletti, and the Sweet Corn Ravioli- not to mention copious glasses of wine. Every single bite blew me away. In fact, it was very reminiscent of my next favorite, Rolf and Daughters. So much so that I almost felt like I was back home in Nashville. Typically, I don’t repeat restaurants while traveling, but Manteca was so marvelous that I returned only a few days later. Restaurant options are seemingly endless in London, but this is one you absolutely must try.

Agnolotti+ sweet corn+ jalapeño+pecorino

Rolf and Daughters
Nashville, Tennessee

It’s officially the most wonderful time of the year. Corn Pillow ( AKA Sweet Corn Agnolotti) season has commenced at Rolf and Daughters, and it’s not to be missed.

If you are looking for pasta that epitomizes the flavors of summer in just one bite, look no further. Take it from a pro, order Corn Pillows, and then choose another pasta to share. You’ll thank me later. This dish is only around for a limited time, so head over to Resy and make your reservation today!

Ricotta pancakes with seasonal quebec strawberries

Dandy
Montreal, Quebec

Ever since Arnold's closed, I have been searching for the perfect pancakes. Whenever I see them on a menu, I order them for the table. Don't get me wrong, Nashville has some great options ( Lou & Roze Pony, I am looking at you!), but I can never seem to get enough of these. Not only are these fluffy flapjacks an adaptable dish ( I could eat them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner), but they also pair well with a variety of toppings. While I do enjoy hot chicken atop my pancakes, there's just something about a hot buttery maple syrup-soaked stack. While researching for my Montreal trip, I came across a darling restaurant in Old Montreal called Dandy. After doing a TikTok deep dive on where to brunch in Montreal, Dandy continued to appear on repeat. Fine, okay. Twist my arm- I'll go there. We decided to go out for a morning stroll and get caffeinated to start the day. We popped by Crew Collective for a latte, and before we knew it, we stumbled upon Dandy. It was that close, but more importantly, a queue had formed. Keep in mind it was 20-30 minutes before they opened. Our stroll came to a screeching halt, and we snagged our place in line. As it approached 10:00 a.m., I looked back, and there were many people.

We were one of the first few tables seated, and given that we had some time to peruse the menu, we knew exactly what we wanted. While ordering pancakes for the table, I was kidding myself as I knew I'd be getting my fork into those more than the main dish I ordered. Dandy features Ricotta Pancakes with maple brown butter sauce and lemon cream- absolutely to die for. Fortunately, we were amidst Quebec strawberry season, so we added those for good measure. This was the dreamiest stack of flapjacks I've had in quite some time. Now, I need to figure out how to get them in Nashville on the regular. Hmmmm?

I've kept my last featured favorite a secret for a while. Located in historic downtown Franklin, Stable Reserve is the newest addition to Main Street, where locals and tourists alike can pop in for a coffee, cocktail, or just a place to simply unwind after a taxing day. The concept was created by Franklin natives Allison Weatherman, Cam and Beth Goodwin, and Hunter Yeager. They are passionate about preserving and sharing the history of Franklin as it has gotten lost over the years. Stable Reserve is located in a building steeped rich with history. Originally, the space served as horse stables, and later, the Review Appeal, one of Franklin’s news publications, called the space home. As remodeling was underway, they uncovered newspapers dating back to the 1920's. It’s wild to think that some of these papers remained intact. If you stay long enough, you may even see some of the artifacts adorning the walls in the back towards the retail shop.

Now that you know a little of the back story and why this establishment is so special, let's jump into the details. Stable Reserve has an assortment of offerings, but there are a few things you need to try when you visit. First things first, order the Espresso Martini. I've had my fair share of these cocktails, and I'm here to tell you the Stable Reserve version is creamy and sheer perfection. To say they are dangerous is an understatement. It’s obvious they did their homework and set out to have the best martini in the city.

If Gin is your style, try the Casino ( featured above). It's light and refreshing and the perfect drink to have as you unwind from your day at the office. If you are a tourist passing through, try one of their tastings, where you can sample the portfolio of Stable Reserve offerings. My favorite is their Century Series Bourbon. If you go, tell them Courtney sent you!

Until Next Time!