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Outback Steakhouse
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Madison, TN
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I normally wouldn't review a chain restaurant of this sort, but
Outback does some things really well and are worth telling. First,
I love the fact that the servers get on your level (most of the time) when
taking your order. Second, Their service ...
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I normally wouldn't review a chain restaurant of this sort, but
Outback does some things really well and are worth telling. First,
I love the fact that the servers get on your level (most of the time) when
taking your order. Second, Their service is consistently good wherever
I go. Third, the pins your see on their shirts represent compliments
they receive from customers. So, if you get someone whose shirt seems
overloaded with pins, consider yourself lucky.
The main reason I wanted to write about Outback is their hot wings, or
as they call them, Kookaburra Wings. Whatever you do, don't call
them buffalo wings because they are not. Instead of the butter flavored
hot sauce indicative of the buffalo wing (originating at the Anchor
Bar in Buffalo, NY) the Kookaburra Wing is laden with spices that give
this mouth watering food its signature flavor. This appetizer, that
I usually get as an entree, is nothing but drumettes (the meatier part
of the wing.) Their homemade blue cheese gives the wing even more kick
and for some extra heat I dip my wing in red pepper flakes. Delicious.
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Montana Grille
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Bowling Green, KY
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Not to be confused with Ted's Montana Grille on West End in Nashville,
this restaurant does some things like no place else. When you walk in,
the first thing you will smell is their famous rotisserie chicken.
The next thing you will notice is tha ...
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Not to be confused with Ted's Montana Grille on West End in Nashville,
this restaurant does some things like no place else. When you walk in,
the first thing you will smell is their famous rotisserie chicken.
The next thing you will notice is that their kitchen is in the middle
of the restaurant, not hidden behind a wall. You can see everything,
and I find this to be a testament to the quality of their work. Their salads
are served on a chilled plate and you would not believe the difference
this makes.
Before your meal they serve Mexican fire bread which is corn bread served
in a small cast iron skillet. It's called "fire bread"
because of the jalapeños. Despite it's name, the fire is tame
enough for even the most tender of tongues. On a busy night, all the servers
work to make sure you are enjoying yourself and have plenty of what you
need.
What also impresses me is that at the end of your rib entree you don't
get a wet nap sealed in an impenetrable wrapper, but rather you get a
nicely folded cloth napkin on a plate that has had hot water added to
it. Very refreshing. It's the little things that make the biggest
difference at this unique establishment.
Every Tuesday night is all you can eat rib night and I try to make it there
for this special evening every few months. These ribs are served St.
Louis style with a dry rub that is better than Memphis' acclaimed
Rendezvous Restaurant. Make sure you get them dry with sauce on the
side. Anybody can make a good sauce but it takes a real restaurant to
make a rib that can go naked. Their Heath Bar Crunch Ice Cream dessert
is incredible as well.
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Swett's Restaurant
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Nashville, TN
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Wow. A great restaurant for good country cooking. There are so many
meats, sides, and desserts to choose from, you will have a difficult
time choosing what to get. It's all seasoned to perfection so taste
it before you salt it. Also, there's ...
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Wow. A great restaurant for good country cooking. There are so many
meats, sides, and desserts to choose from, you will have a difficult
time choosing what to get. It's all seasoned to perfection so taste
it before you salt it. Also, there's a second location at the Farmer's
Market so you'll have plenty to do after lunch. A great place to
visit especially on the weekends when the flea market is happening.
FYI: I had the pork chop today and even though it is beautifully fried
with a gravy that's not to be missed, the flimsy fork and knife wouldn't
cut loaf bread and the bone was hard to get around. Somewhat frustrating
but when you are able to get a bite, it's great.
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Sky Mesa
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White House, TN
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Most of us are familiar with Subway so think of Sky Mesa in that fashion
only instead of sandwiches and chips it's burritos and nachos.
You choose your tortilla (honey wheat, jalapeño, spinach, etc.),
you choose your meat, and you tell them what ...
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Most of us are familiar with Subway so think of Sky Mesa in that fashion
only instead of sandwiches and chips it's burritos and nachos.
You choose your tortilla (honey wheat, jalapeño, spinach, etc.),
you choose your meat, and you tell them what you want on it. Then, you
get a freshly made burrito the size of your forearm. Make sure to ask
for it grilled, and get the combo because there are five different homemade
salsas waiting for you on the salsa bar.
Something to keep in mind. Don't put items that are soupy or really
moist on your burrito (black beans, salsa, melted cheese.) Too much
moisture makes it fall apart leaving you with a mess that must be eaten
with a knife and fork.
I'm not 100% sure but I'm confident that the hot sauces on the
tables are just Tabasco Sauce.
How good is it? As a comparison, Sky Mesa is immediately beside Quiznos.
While I was eating, ten people came into Sky Mesa and none went into Quiznos.
With items like grilled chicken and pico de gallo, it is possible to
make a pretty healthy burrito. They do have other items besides burritos.
They just started serving tamales made by some locals.
Don't miss the Smoked Jalapeño Salsa and Hot Sky Mesa Salsa (you
have to ask for this.)
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The Lady & Sons
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Savannah, GA
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A four story restaurant with a kitchen on each floor that is simple and
southern. Before going to Savannah I heard a great deal about the long
wait. Well, at 1pm on Sunday afternoon, I walked right in to the buffet.
The food wasn't anything you c ...
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A four story restaurant with a kitchen on each floor that is simple and
southern. Before going to Savannah I heard a great deal about the long
wait. Well, at 1pm on Sunday afternoon, I walked right in to the buffet.
The food wasn't anything you couldn't get at a church potluck
but since most restaurants don't serve this, The Lady & Sons
is a jewel.
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The Tomato Head
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Maryville, TN
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Malita and I ate here with her college roommate. She lives in Maryville
and I can see why. It is a beautiful town with rich offerings in art, music,
and theater. (Or maybe I was just there on the right weekend.) In any
case Tomato Head is a great res ...
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Malita and I ate here with her college roommate. She lives in Maryville
and I can see why. It is a beautiful town with rich offerings in art, music,
and theater. (Or maybe I was just there on the right weekend.) In any
case Tomato Head is a great restaurant with a clever name and equally
clever t-shirts. I plan on getting one during our next visit.
I was not thinking straight and ordered Malita the wrong meal. When
she told our waitress this she took it back and replaced it with the correct
order. It was my mistake but they fixed it. Now that's service!
So, I got to try the chicken burrito, chicken quesadilla, and my pizza.
All were fantastic.
The burrito was big and messy but the salsa and blue corn chips made you
forget about that pretty quickly. The quesadilla wasn't toasted
but in all three things I tried, you could taste the natural goodness
(that Tomato Head prides itself on) bursting through.
Don't miss the number four pizza with capers, sun dried tomatoes,
and lamb sausage.
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The Olde Pink House
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Savannah, GA
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On our trip to Savannah, we didn't know where to go, but this place
was listed in a top 10 so we tried it. We were not disappointed. It is in
a beautifully restored mansion and the dinning hall on the second floor
is unbelievable. The chef has be ...
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On our trip to Savannah, we didn't know where to go, but this place
was listed in a top 10 so we tried it. We were not disappointed. It is in
a beautifully restored mansion and the dinning hall on the second floor
is unbelievable. The chef has been on Iron Chef a number of times.
Don't miss the scallop/shrimp fettuccine (can't remember
what it's called). Also, their chocolate cake is wonderful. The
icing, if it's not, certainly tastes homemade. I usually have
ice cream with my cake but it would only distract from this three layer
culinary triumph. Their sirloin steak is a must as well.
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Sycamore Grill
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Stone Mountain, GA
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A charming restaurant in an old part of Georgia. The building has a proud
history dating back to the Civil War. Their food is delectable and you
can sit inside or out.
Don't miss the steak or lobster ravioli.
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Easy Bistro & Bar
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Chattanooga, TN
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There seems to be two to three restaurants on every block in the downtown
area of Chattanooga. There's also a theater, discovery museum,
and the aquarium is there so the setting is outstanding for an afternoon
and evening of fun.
When I heard th ...
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There seems to be two to three restaurants on every block in the downtown
area of Chattanooga. There's also a theater, discovery museum,
and the aquarium is there so the setting is outstanding for an afternoon
and evening of fun.
When I heard that the owner of Easy was also the chef, I knew it would be
great. He didn't disappoint. I had the shrimp with sweet onion
rings. I expected a few shrimp and some dainty sides, but what I got was
a large pile of beefy shrimp, homemade rings, and the most unique cole
slaw I've ever had. They were excellent.
Don't miss the bread pudding.
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Sitar Indian Restaurant
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Nashville, TN
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The setting was superb although it did need some background music.
I hate that nervous clanking of dishes sound.
I went here because I haven't had Indian food in about nine years.
Sitar didn't disappoint even for a buffet. Unless you're
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The setting was superb although it did need some background music.
I hate that nervous clanking of dishes sound.
I went here because I haven't had Indian food in about nine years.
Sitar didn't disappoint even for a buffet. Unless you're
in the area or really jonesin' for some curry, I'd stay in town
and eat at a Mexican joint.
Don't miss the lunch buffet. You get to try a variety of things if
you're unfamiliar with Indian cuisine.
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