Love At First Bite - Arnold's Country Kitchen
Other than the copious amounts of food I consume or the places that I travel, y'all don't know too much about me. So, I thought I would change that. My name is Catherine Courtney and I am proud to call myself a native Nashvillian. My childhood was spent catching cats on my grandparents' farm, spending endless hours in the swimming pool and from time to time you'd find me snapping green bean, shelling peas and silking corn from my grandparents' garden. I was raised on cornbread, macaroni and tomatoes and sweet tea and remember the days when there was more farmland than building framework.
Blonde Voyage Nashville Dreams Of Sushi
Jiro Dreams of Sushi, the critically acclaimed documentary that had food enthusiasts marveling over 85-year-old Jiro Ono, the greatest sushi chef in the world. Chef Jiro Ono is the mastermind and owner of Sukiyabashi Jiro which is located in a Tokyo subway station. Not only was he the first sushi chef to have three Michelin stars bestowed upon him, but who would have believed the Michelin inspectors were seeking out fine fining in underground rail stations?
A Contemporary Twist on Traditional Japanese Kaiseki : Nihonryori Ryugin
Did you know that Tokyo has more Michelin starred restaurants than anywhere else in the world? With 234 stars, Tokyo is the top culinary destination outside of Paris covered by Michelin.
Making reservations in one of the top food capitals in the world proved to be quite the arduous adventure.
Snacking My Way Through Nishiki Market
Seeing as I am quite the food enthusiast, no trip to Kyoto would be complete without a visit to the Nishiki Market. Nishiki Market, located in downtown Kyoto, spans over five city block and houses over 100 different merchants and restaurants.
Even though this isn't the largest or flashiest food market in Japan, it has some history, 400+ years to be exact. If only those walls could talk!
Roaming For Ramen
Some of you might be saying "yawn...ramen? Isn't that foodie trend over?"
No, I'm not talking about the Maruchan noodles you may have considered dinner in college to fund your "extracurricular activities." I'm referring to the delicious broth that's cooked for hours on end that oozes with flavor and filled with delectable noodles. Inevitably leaving a smile on your face, a full tummy and guiding you straight to a food coma.
Cream Puffs And Cotton Candy...What More Does A Girl Need?
When I started planning my trip to Japan, my excitement was at an all-time high. My Instagram collection labeled Japanese Bites was packed with some of the craziest and most beautiful food I'd ever seen. From 3D latte art, gold leaf soft serve and a unicorn parfait that will make your mouth drop, Japan has it all.
Have A Brew-tiful Day At Reissue
When you decide you're taking a trip, what's the first thing you do? Book your hotel? Check out flight times? Both are very logical and practical things but I handled my Japan trip a bit differently. From the emailed itineraries to the blog posts and articles, each was filled with more recommendations than I could possibly absorb.
Blossoming Brunch At Aoyama Flower Market Tea House
I have quite the fondness for fresh flowers. Splurging on these little blossoms not only puts a smile on my face but it serves as a reminder to be present and enjoy each moment because no two are the same. It's amazing how these fragile little blossoms can be so powerful.
Osteria Del Tempo Perso: Ostuni, Italy
When I travel abroad, I inevitably find one dish I fall head over heels in love with. Of course, I arrive back in the states and try my hardest to find a dish locally that emulates it. Realizing that it is an impossible task, I end up scrolling through pictures on my phone re-living that meal.
This past week was no different. Overcast rainy Nashville nights had me craving pasta.
Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler At City Tap
City Tap House, one of Sobro's newest establishments, has been calling Music City home since late 2017. Located on 3rd Avenue South, City Tap House has over 60 craft beers sourced from local and regional breweries and focuses on serving gourmet American pub fare. It's ideal for those wanting to grab a beer flight and bite before a show at Ascend or even those locals who are playing tour guide to their out of town friends. There is certainly something for everyone.
Five Points Stole A Pizza My Heart
Tacos, queso, nachos, wine, and pizza. If you follow my Instagram, you know these are my un-official food groups. I think my fellow foodies and I are making quite the case for the USDA to reexamine the food pyramid.
Over the weekend I had a chance to revisit a Nashville classic, Five Points Pizza which is located in East Nashville's Five Points District.
Break Out The Control Top Lederhosen: Von Brunch At Von Elrod's
One of the biggest complaints I hear about the Nashville food scene is the lack of diversity. Let's face it, there isn't a shortage of fried chicken, biscuits and burgers. However, it wasn't until recently that you could find some solid German food in Music City.
Ringing in 2018 at Bastion
New Year's Eve is most definitely one of those holidays that's take it or leave it. From skiing, rooftop parties in swanky cities to sitting at a friend's house drinking some amazing champs, I've celebrated every way imaginable. One thing that I have learned, it's not where you are and what you are doing, but who you're with that really matters. Am I right?
Get Toasted at Proper Bagel
I graduated from Belmont University in 20 (cough cough) and I continue to be amazed by the number of restaurants and boutiques that pop up in the area. While I was in school, our options were limited, VERY limited.
Hypnotized by Hugh Baby's
Burgers. It's one thing that Nashville does not have a shortage of. From the classics like Gabby's Burgers and Fries, Paradise Park and Burger Up to the newcomers like Jack Brown's and Hopdoddy, it's hard to go wrong. However, Nashvillians are as opinionated about their burgers as Chicagoans are about their pizza.
Fork Yeah! Little Goat Diner
Why is it so hard to find a decent brunch place on a Friday? Is it because most of the general population is supposed to be working? Work schmerk. After all, a girl has gotta eat!
Globetrotting Gastronomic World Tour @ Next Restaurant
For those of you who have been following Blonde Voyage Nashville, you know that I have season tickets to Next Restaurant in Chicago, Illinois. It's probably the one thing that I get asked about the most as people have a difficult time ascertaining the whole "season tickets to a restaurant" concept. To be quite honest, it's been an experience for which I am incredibly grateful.
The Finest Formaggio at Masseria Lamapecora
If someone asked what your favorite food was, what would be your answer? Pizza? Steak? All things Italian? When your fondness for food is as great as mine, it can certainly be a tough question. However, there is one thing that I can never get enough of, cheese!
Evo Ristorante : Alberobello, Italy
Who would have thought that wandering could work up such an appetite! Um, this girl! Fortunately, we had reservations at one of Alberobello's best restaurants, Evo.
Loco for Locanda Marinelli
After spending the day tasting an array of Proseccos from Adami and Col Vetoraz, I was starving. Perhaps, borderline hangry. Oriana, our driver in Prosecco, recommended this lovely inn, Locanda Marinelli, for lunch. Nestled in the hills of Treviso Prealps, Locanda Marinelli is a must for anyone visiting the Prosecco region.
New Orleans is a city that takes its food seriously, and after a weekend filled with beignets, po’boys, and enough oysters to last a lifetime, I thought I had tasted it all. But then came Mosquito Supper Club—a dining experience that felt less like a restaurant and more like a love letter to Cajun cuisine.