Recently, I made another trip to Nashville for a concert. The plan was to see a concert and hit up a few restaurants for the blog. I was anxious to go this Mexican restaurant that won a James Beard award, one of the most prestigious in the culinary industry. Also, I wanted to tie up some loose ends on previous blog posts like taking pictures and gaining other additional content about places that I’ve been to in the past. Needless to say, I had a lot to accomplish on this trip, but my capacity to do those things are diminishing with age.
The Beginning
I am going to fast forward to Saturday morning, although the night before was interesting (for example, watching drunk women ride a mechanical bull, something that I might write about later in the “mini-blog”). I get up around eight o’clock in the morning feeling refreshed after the previous night. After showering, I spruced up and attempted to brush my teeth. On the latter, I wasn’t able to accomplish that because I forgot to bring toothpaste. So I decided to make a quick trip to Walgreens. As I was turning the corner on Rep. John Lewis Way, I noticed that a restaurant was open. Called Puckett’s, it’s a restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week that’s locally owned. For me, it seemed perfect for a blog post about a Downtown Nashville restaurant serving breakfast. However, given that I’m a food blogger based in Memphis (at least for now), I decided to pass up Puckett’s for another restaurant that has locations in the Bluff City. My options were Another Broken Egg and First Watch, both located near the intersection of 3rd Avenue and Commerce Street. I decided to go to First Watch because I had never been to one before and the only location in Greater Memphis is in Germantown, a suburb that’s hard to get if you’re not driving. Also, I’ve been to Another Broken Egg a few times for meals that were pretty good but not inspiring. The one thing that Another Broken Egg has going for it are the entrées that are “light” in terms of the amount of food you get. It’s enough to satisfy your appetite without weighing you down. First Watch uses a different approach to serve its customers.
First Watch is new to the “breakfast” scene with the restaurant chain recently opening a location in suburban Memphis. With another restaurant being near me in Nashville, I went there to get a taste of First Watch. As I said earlier, I was expecting a light breakfast but instead got a lot more. Unfamiliar with the menu, I eventually got the Chickichanga, a huge chimichanga loaded with chicken breast, chorizo, green chiles, avocado and cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses rolled in a flour tortilla and topped with Vera Cruz sauce and sour cream. By itself, that would have been all that I needed, but the Chickichanga comes with diced potatoes to make it a full meal. Because I assumed that the entrée wouldn’t have been sufficient, I got a side of pork sausage to accompany my breakfast. I believe that was the tipping point for me, for the sausage, the Chickichanga and the diced potatoes collectively put me in a food coma. By the way, I’m not disparaging what I had for it was delicious, but it was too much to eat in the morning. In hindsight, I should have eaten some of it and taken the rest of it back to my hotel but I couldn’t resist. The chorizo and chicken in the Chickichanga were very savory, enhanced by the sour cream, avocados and cheeses. It was a flavor bomb that was irresistible, especially when eating it with the diced potatoes and pork sausage links. To wash it down, I drank a big glass of First Watch’s prime non-alcoholic beverage 
“Pineapple Express,” which is a mix of pineapple, orange, coconut water, lime and agave with mint crystals on the glass rim. The drink was a sweet pleasure that I hope to have again, but adding that to my already bloated stomach was the last straw (no pun intended; by the way, First Watch also serves alcoholic drinks from a full-service bar). I left feeling full and barely able to walk, being so out of it that I was tempted to get an Uber to ferry me a few blocks back to my hotel. Somehow, I managed to wobble back to my hotel to recuperate before going out again. In writing this, I don’t want anyone to think that I got a bad impression of First Watch, for it was the opposite. I’m just saying that the restaurant (judging both from what I had and pictures that I’ve seen of the restaurant’s other menu items) will not leave you wanting more. However, if I’m in Nashville again, I will likely go to Another Broken Egg, Big Bad Breakfast or other places that don’t serve a “heavy” breakfast that can slow me down. If there’s a silver lining, I found a place that my Dad might like. He usually complains about some of the places where I take him for breakfast because they don’t serve the basics in ways that he’s accustomed to, but that’s not a problem at First Watch. It’s menu ranges from the fancy to the basic meat and egg breakfast that appeals to old guys like my near ninety year old Dad. I’m sure he will love it as would anyone else who likes a hearty meal. Of course, you have to pace yourself if you’re planning to do other things later in the day.
Website: FirstWatch.com
SIDE NOTE: Weeks after my initial First Watch visit, my Dad and I went to the chain restaurant's Germantown location (the one near Memphis) for breakfast. When the server brought our food, this is what Dad almost got. Surprisingly, my father's reaction was 👀. Unfortunately, our server brought him the wrong plate (he eventually got two huge pancakes with scrambled eggs and sausage) but that plate made a positive impression on a man who is not easy to please. Needless to say, First Watch really brings it when it comes to food. Sometime soon, I will post another review that will primarily focus on the restaurant.
Recuperation
After getting back to my hotel, I sat around for a couple of hours recuperating (good thing that I didn't forget the Pepto-Bismol). With my stomach still woozy, I walked around Downtown Nashville to find a bar where I could get a soothing drink. I eventually ended up at a bar in an indoor "mall" of sorts called the The Arcade (not to be confused with a Memphis restaurant of the same name). The Arcade is basically two alleyways that are covered, with restaurants and shops that occupy two floors of buildings. I eventually found a bar to get a soothing drink of Jack & Coke (in hindsight, rum would've been better than "Jack"). 
At Buddy's Tink Tonk, I consumed my drink while contemplating what to do next when I saw an interesting beverage behind the bar. It was a can of Donna's Pickle Beer that is a good example of a bad idea that got greenlighted. It's basically lager beer mixed with the flavor of dill pickles, an awful combination. I like dill pickles and I LOVE beer (after all, I earned eight "plates" at the Flying Saucer for drinking hundreds of brews), but combining the two is stupid, in my opinion. The idea for Donna's Pickle Beer originated with a lady (I'm assuming that's "Donna") eating pickles and other snacks at the backstage of a Rolling Stones concert at Madison Square Garden when she was rushed onstage and managed to tongue kiss Mick Jagger who apparently had a few beers before the show. Boom! Pickle beer was born. Unless you have a fetish for the weird, you may want to stay away from Donna's Pickle Beer.
Website: DonnasPickleBeer.com
After feeling somewhat better, I quietly left the bar without the beer. Unfortunately, my thoughtful bartender made sure I got my money's worth by chasing me down to hand me the rest of my pickle beer in a plastic cup. Because The Arcade is enclosed, I didn't violate any of Nashville's open container laws by walking around with the beer. Within the indoor mall are restaurants and other retail on the bottom floor while the top floor consists mostly of workshops of artisans making things like designer clothes, jewelry and shoes (actually shoe repair). What stood out to me was the pizza joint, one of many in Downtown Nashville. I must have seen several pizzerias on Church Street alone, with more a block over on Commerce Street. By comparison, I can count on one hand the number of pizza joints in and around Downtown Memphis. One of them is Slim & Husky that was founded by Tennessee State University grads that currently doesn't operate a restaurant in Downtown Nashville (you have to go either to the "hood" (North Nashville), the airport or Antioch to get one of S&H's pizzas in Greater Nashville/Davidson County). Maybe on my next trip, I might focus on some of Nashville's pizzerias including Villa Castrioti, an Italian restaurant that I will talk about later. I literally didn't have room for pizza after my big breakfast, so I departed The Arcade without my beer that I discreetly disposed of before leaving the place.
Still feeling queasy, I returned to my hotel for more recuperation. If I wasn't such a dedicated foodie, I would have stayed there until the time of the show, forgoing my dinner reservation at Villa Castrioti. But I couldn't let the day go to waste, so I manned up to go a restaurant that's been on my radar for a long time. I managed to get on a WeGo bus and headed to Green Hills for more culinary fun. Along the bus route, I made a brief stop in Hillsboro Village to reminisce about the past. I made sure to visit the Vanderbilt University Medical Center where my Mom got treatments for a medical condition. With her having "passed," I got choked up revisiting the place where she received care. Although I would have loved for her to live longer, I'm sure she's in a good place after living a wonderful life.
After leaving Vanderbilt's campus, I made a brief stop at a cafe (Fido) for an energy drink to rejuvenate a weary body. Hillsboro Village is cool neighborhood with chic shops and restaurants that cater to college students and others who are young at heart. When I return to Nashville, I might stay at a hotel in a part of Nashville that is similar to Memphis' Cooper-Young neighborhood. Hillsboro Village is a "chill" neighborhood that's far removed from the tourist traps like Broadway where people can dine at places like Pancake Pantry in a more relaxed environment.
Taco Time
Once I finished walking around Hillsboro Village, I got back on the bus and headed to Green Hills for lunch. I eventually got tacos at Taco Bamba, a James Beard Award-winning restaurant with several locations throughout the country. I learned of the restaurant while watching an episode of The Dish, a CBS weekend morning show highlighting restaurants around the world. Usually when I watch the show, it has me wishing to be in the moment when the host is eating something delicious on TV. Because I never seen a "Dish" episode that focused on a Memphis restaurant, I usually file the shows in the "maybe someday" category of places to visit. Fortunately, I was able to live out one of my fantasies.
When I got to Taco Bamba, I made the bold decision to get three tacos despite how I was feeling. The first taco I ate was the Bum Bum Gai, a Thai-inspired creation consisting of chicken sprinkled with bits of chile spiced peanuts, carrots, Thai basil, sweet soy, crispy onions and chile aioli in a flour tortilla. Compared with Thai dishes that I had in the past, the Bum Bum Gai can hold its own in terms of flavor. The carrots, soy and peanuts really stand out in this crunchy taco, making for a gourmet masterpiece that could be served in the finest Thai restaurants.
The other tacos I ate were the Pescado and the Taco Bamba’s signature taco. The Pescado had Baja fish topped with slaw and crema (Mexican sour cream) that made for a decent pescado/fish taco. Compared to other fish tacos that I've had in past, I would give it a "B" for flavor but it would face stiff competition from other Mexican restaurants if I were looking for that again (it's definitely not beating out one of my favorite Memphis bars, the Slider Inn).
As for the restaurant's signature taco, the Taco Bamba proved to be very good. The meaty taco has skirt steak, chorizo and chicharrón atop a spread of grilled guacamole and garnished with cilantro and cotija cheese. What stood out the most was the pickled flavor emanating from the onions and Fresno peppers in the taco that made everything else in it more flavorful. This is not to slight the meats and other elements of the taco that were good on its own, but the onions and peppers really did it for me with regards to flavor. Along with the Bum Bum Gai, the Taco Bamba taco (sounds redundant) were two of the best tacos that I've had in a long time. It seems that the James Beard Award was well deserved.
From what I had so far, it seems Taco Bamba is worthy of the praises and accolades that it gets. Hopefully sometime in the future when I return to Nashville (or fortunate enough to visit a Taco Bamba in another city) I will do a deep dive on the restaurant. Because it offers things like Mexican street corn and its version of a spring roll, I am intrigued. Maybe when someone like Kacey Musgraves has a concert in Nashville, I will definitely be there for that and more from Taco Bamba.
Website: TacoBamba.com
Brew To Go
Once I finished lunch at Taco Bamba, I made a quick stop at a nearby Kroger before going back to my hotel. I made sure to get a six-pack of lager beer from Nashville Brewing Company to take home in Memphis. Made by a local company whose roots date back to the 19th century, Nashville Brewing Company has a reputation for brewing great beers. Founded by German immigrants, Nashville Brewing Company, in its many iterations, has produced great beers over the decades including Gerst (currently brewed by Yazoo Brewing Company). That tradition continues with its unique lager, brewed with Weyermann Pilsner malt and Hallertauer Mittelfruh hops. The taste is mildly hoppy in a good way, unlike a typical IPA ("India Pale Ale" for the uninitiated). The hops gives it a bit of floral flavor that’s easy on the palette, which combined with the malt results in a beer that is very tasty and a pleasure to drink. I say this as a beer lover who has dranked a lot of it in my life, but you don’t have to take my word for it. The lager has won the 2018 Silver Award at the World Beer Cup and the very prestigious Silver Metal at the 2020 Great American Beer Festival (a festival I hope to attend whenever I get my tenth “plate” at the Flying Saucer). Both awards were in the “Munich Helles” category, keeping with Nashville Brewing Company’s high standard for genuine German-style brews that I hope makes its way to Memphis soon.
Website: NashvilleBrewing.com
SIDE NOTE: As I was checking out the brewer’s website, I saw that it offered a pickle-flavored beer. If it’s anything like the pickle beer that I had earlier, Nashville Brewing’s “Zwickel My Pickle” will likely be a hard pass. However, if a bar has it on tap, I might get a sample of it in the hopes of a pleasant surprise.
Once I got back to my hotel, I was still feeling queasy. Although the tacos from Taco Bamba weren't exactly a belly buster by themselves, it added to my unwellness that was brought on by the breakfast at First Watch. If this was a typical day in Memphis, I probably would have retired for the day and recuperated at home. But I didn't go to Nashville to "chill". I was going to see Shawn Colvin (this time, by herself, sort of) even if it killed me. So after a quick blow, I headed out again. I went over to the outdoor mall adjacent to Assembly Food Hall to find a tote bag for my beer, but because I was unwilling to spend over a hundred dollars for boutique luggage, I walked back to my hotel empty handed. Before I did, I wanted to get some chicken shawarma from Istanbul Shawarma for the road trip back to Memphis. In getting it, I wanted to get another taste of the Tzatziki sauce so I could get a better sense of it and update the blog. As I approached the concession stand where Istanbul Shawarma was at, a voice inside my head screamed "DON'T DO IT!" At that point, my stomach was at full capacity and couldn't take any more. Although I only wanted a taste, I was afraid of eating too much and spoiling my dinner plans. I eventually went back to my hotel to get ready for the rest of the evening.
The Final Meal
Just before going to City Winery to see Shawn Colvin, I stopped at Villa Castrioti in Downtown Nashville for dinner. Feeling queasy from what I ate earlier, I knew I couldn’t eat much so I had to scale back from what I originally wanted (meaning no appetizers or dessert). Going straight to the main course, I got the Sorrentino, a veal scallopini sautéed with lemon garlic white wine sauce and topped with prosciutto, mushrooms and mozzarella cheese. Compared with the few times that I had veal scallopini before, that was the first time that I had it with melted cheese that eventually turned out being very good. In addition to the Mozzarella, the defining flavor of the Sorrentino was the white wine sauce that added a tangy element to the entrée. With the prosciutto and mushrooms adding a nice touch (along with spinach as a “side”), the Sorrentino made for a very nice meal that put me in a good mood for the concert that I later attended. It’s definitely something that I will have again whenever I’m back in Nashville (or in Memphis suburbs like Cordova or Lakeland where Villa Castrioti has restaurants).
NOTE: For those who don’t like veal, chicken is another meat option that Villa Castrioti offers.
Website: VillaCastrioti.com
SIDE NOTE: When I entered the restaurant, I went through the Villa Castrioti’s side door instead of the front entrance (directly across from the Wild Beaver Saloon, a story in itself that I might talk about someday on the “mini-blog”). As I was going to the dining room, I noticed the restaurant’s windowless private dining room. Although private dining rooms in restaurants aren't unusual, the fact that Villa Castrioti has a side entrance to its room is interesting. It’s convenient for celebrities and others who want to discreetly dine at the restaurant without the publicity.
After dinner at Villa Castrioti, I took a Lyft to City Winery to Shawn Colvin. As expected, she put on a great show that featured guest appearances from notable artists like Sarah Jarosz and Emmylou Harris (yes, that Emmylou Harris). Overall, I enjoyed the concert despite feeling a little nauseous from a day of grubbing. Initially, I thought about getting dessert at the concert venue but I couldn't eat another bite. I was envious of one of my table companions chomping on a delicious-looking smash burger that I would have loved to eat, but I wasn't taking a chance on City Winery's unpredictable menu (click here to read more about my thoughts on that). Despite not getting anything to eat there, I enjoyed my evening at City Winery and left very happy.
Because my phone was nearly dead, I walked up the street from City Winery to where the Greyhound Bus Station was to get a USB cord for my charger (like an idiot, I left my phone cord at the hotel). Actually, I went to a convenience store across the street from the bus station that was happy to charge me fifteen dollars for that. It seems that desperation is Capitalism's best friend, for it takes advantage of poor travelers who need the essentials at any price. After getting my cord, I went to a nearby and familiar place to chill while charging my phone.
Last Call
Near the bus station and City Winery is a distillery that specializes in moonshine. Yep, you read that correctly, this place makes genuine moonshine that would make The Beverly Hillbillies proud. Ole Smoky Distillery makes legal moonshine, which is high proof, unaged whiskey that was traditionally distilled at night to avoid detection from the "revenuers" who were tasked with busting up illegal stills (hence the name "moonshine"). Now that it's legal and regulated, the moonshine is a little more refined but still packs a punch. 
Because I wasn't in the mood for a 100 proof shot of either Ole Smoky's original moonshine or its White Lightnin', I settled for one of its less potent (40 proof) flavored versions. On recommendation from the bartender, I got a moonshine shot with apple pie flavor. The taste was spot on, for it was essentially the equivalent of apple pie in liquid form with fermentation added in. It had a nice kick to it, on par with quality liquors that many would classify as "top shelf" good. I enjoyed that with a beer from Yee-Haw Brewing Company who makes a tasty "Cerveza" that holds its own with the best Mexican lagers. By the way, the place where Ole Smoky is at (6th and Peabody, which is both the street intersection and Yee-Haw's official name of the place) is shared with Yee-Haw in a spacious taproom that hosts parties and anyone else looking to have a good time (including lots of bachelorette parties). For me, it was a nice end to a day where overindulgence almost took me down but not out of it. Eventually, this old sonny was able to come home (that being my hotel) and called it a night (yes, that last sentence was a very awkward reference to a Shawn Colvin lyric that has always been a favorite).
Website: OleSmoky.com
SIDE NOTE: Unlike with Nashville Brewing Company, you can get Ole Smoky anywhere including Memphis. I'm sure your neighborhood liquor store will have it.
After a weekend of eating and drinking, I came to the realization that I don't have the physical stamina to consume like I did in the past. I should've taken a lesson from a couple of years ago after I wore myself out from drinking when I was in Nashville for an Alanis Morissette concert. Learning from that experience, I knew my days of all-day drinking were over. However, I assumed that I could still put down a good amount of food and be okay. Apparently, I have to cut back on eating as well, for it seems that one huge meal is more than enough for me. I might have to follow my Dad's lead in getting "senior" entrées that some restaurants offer in the form of smaller servings. Not having the knowledge of a nutritionist, I'm assuming that older people require less food for nourishment. If that's true, it's a bitter pill for me to swallow after years of excessive eating. Going forward, I need to be more careful in what and how much I eat in order to maintain my health. I know that I have the discipline to cut back, although fighting the temptation to indulge in my favorite foods will be difficult even if my doctor puts me on a GLP-1 like Ozempic or Wegovy. In the end, I realize that I have to act my age and tone down the "food find." So on my next trip to Nashville, maybe I eat nothing but salads and low carbs? A tofu and kale weekend? Okay, maybe I shouldn't do something that extreme, but I need to be smarter going forward if I'm going to continue this blog. "Ken's Food Fast" ain't coming anytime soon.
NOTE: Returning home was a unique experience in itself. On the "mini-blog", I talk my first experience riding a Vonlane bus. It was a doozy.
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