Blonde Voyage's Featured Favorites | June 2023 Edition

Is it me, or is everyone else in disbelief that it’s already July and the year is more than half over? As they say, time really flies when you work every damn day!

June was an incredible month. It started with one of my favorite events of the year, Swan Ball, and included road trips, restaurants, and some amazing wine. While I share my favorites on Instagram, it might be nice to share them on the blog as well! So this is the first of many posts where I will highlight some of my favorite things from the previous month. Let me know what you’d like to see more of, and feel free to reach out with any questions!

Kroma Wellness Reset

*< image courtesy of Kroma Wellness >*

May was filled with countless dinners out, boozy brunches, and whatever wine paired well with getting through the workday. So I guess I shouldn’t wake up shocked that I didn’t lose 15 pounds overnight by eating that side salad at lunch and taking a 15-minute Peloton class. In all seriousness, I wasn’t feeling my best, so I knew it was time to do a five-day reset. If you have followed me for any length of time, you know I fell in love with the Kroma Wellness Reset in 2022 < read all about it here> Not only did I lose seven pounds, but I felt better than ever.

Since then, I’ve incorporated several of their products into my daily routine < beauty matcha latte, OMG cookie butter, and the cranberry hydration elixer- just to name a few>. Yet, sometimes it’s easier to grab takeout or DoorDash than make a salad at home. Maybe it’s just me, but my salads are never as good as what I get from restaurants…anyway, I digress. I decided I needed to get my life together before Swan Ball, so I did my third Kroma Wellness Reset. It was just what I needed to detox, debloat and feel my best for the ball.

Interested in dipping your toe in the Kroma water but afraid of “cleanse culture?” Read all about my experience here. Honestly, it’s been one of my best decisions. I know the price point is a little steep, but Kroma is kind enough to give my readers 15% off their order with the code BLONDEVOYAGE15.

Learn more HERE!

Ophelia’s pizza+bar

Nashville, Tennessee

One of the hottest new restaurants in town is Ophelia's Pizza + Bar, located downtown on Church Street. I had a chance to attend their media preview and was blown away by the food, specifically their Lasagna Bolognese. It's easily one of the best dishes I've had all year, and you know I eat a lot! This dish is not for the faint of heart and should be shared as it weighs in right around two pounds. This dish is topped with a bechamel sauce which adds a rich, creamy flavor and blends the flavors nicely.

I'm not incredibly fond of driving to Downtown Nashville for anything, but this is one restaurant where all bets are off, as this will be on regular rotation. Read all about this newest Nashville addition HERE.

Bourbon and burger lovers unite! This isn't the first time I've gushed over The Bar At Willet, and it definitely won't be the last. My mom and I took a quick road trip North to Bardstown, Kentucky, where we spent the day working our way through the menu and imbibing some steller single-barrel bottles. It pays to have friends who know about good bourbon! Thank you, The Bearded Bourboner! Give him a follow. Truly it's hard to choose a standout. We enjoyed a nice pour from Barrel 1558, a seventeen-year-old bourbon, which left us swooning. However, it was more impressive that we scored two of their burgers before they sold out. I've been there right at opening and have witnessed a sellout within minutes. They are an off-menu item ( IYKYK), and the kitchen only makes twelve on Saturday. If I remember correctly, it's a 70/30 mix of ground beef and bacon topped with a special sauce. In addition to the American cheese, pickles, and that gorgeous bun, the kitchen adds a final touch by spraying the top of the bun with a fermented beef fat spray they make in-house. Say less, right? The Bar At Willett makes for a perfect little weekend road trip and needs to be on everyone's list.

Tip- Remember to make a reservation. I recommend sitting at the Bar and asking for Katie! She's the best!

It's no secret that City House is one of my favorite restaurants in Nashville. I frequently stalk their Instagram to keep tabs on what new dishes and desserts hit the menu. With peach season in full swing, I could not wait to see what Rebekah Turshen, Pastry Chef at City House, would create. When the first picture of the Peach Ice Box Cake hit Instagram, it was my mission to be there in less than 24 hours. Any variation of the Ice Box cake is incredible, but there's something about these peach preserves that just hit differently. Add a couple of scoops of ice cream, and prepare for your eyes to roll back in your head. It's absolutely brilliant, which means return visits are a must.

It's only proper to enjoy a glass of wine with your cake, so I was thrilled to overhear the bartender talking about an unusual bottle of Nero d'Avola in stock. It is not sold by the glass, but I was intrigued, so my partner in dine and I decided to order a bottle of Diletto.

Nero d'Avola is a red wine grape most commonly found in Sicily, so when the bartender opened the bottle and poured a taste, I was shocked to see the peach hue. Even the label states that it's red wine. Apparently, they've tried to change it several times but have trouble importing it into the US. This unusual version of Nero d'Avola was incredibly light and refreshing and could easily be mistaken for a hybrid chardonnay/rose blend—a perfect wine for a Nashville summer night.

**VIN DE FRANTZ**
**CHENIN BLANC**

Locust

Last but not least on my June favorites list is a bottle of Chenin Blanc that I enjoyed last weekend at Locust. Knowing we were about to embark upon a feast of flavors, we wanted something light and bright to compliment the dishes. And we spotted Rolf and Daughters owner, Philip Krajeck, enjoying a bottle with his friends at the next table, so of course, we wanted to try it. He’s never steered us in the wrong direction.

Without fail, the wine hit perfectly. Produced by Frantz Saumon, Vin de Frantz is comprised of three varietals: Menu Pineau, Romoratin, and Chenin Blanc. Overall, the wine presents quite a bit of minerality, subtle sweetness, and balanced acidity. This is definitely a bottle I’ll be ordering from Woodland Wine Merchant.

While the pessimist in us may feel like summer’s almost over, the rest of us know that the best is actually yet to come. I hope you enjoyed this first favorites edition. I’d love to hear your thoughts if you try any of these. Make sure you drop your comments below!

Until Next Time!