Grill at Green Hills - Whole Foods Market

4021 Hillsboro Pike
Nashville, TN 37215
(615) 440-5100
11AM - 8PM Sun - Thurs
11AM - 9PM Fri & Sat
http://wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/nashville/

To start with, this is not the buffet-style pay-by-the-pound section of the store though I hear from my girls that the offerings there are very good.  The Grill is a large sit-down counter with high stools and a small menu featuring freshly prepared selections.

I don't recall how we happened out here the first time but we are usually here for dinner on Saturdays once a month or so. 

On this visit Alex had the fish and chips which are her favorite.  I have had them a time or two and they are excellent.  They are freshly prepared, not a frozen product.  The secret seems to be in the batter - that and the fresh fish.  Robyn and I both had the fish tacos which were large enough that we could have split an order and both been satisfied.

A few notes for you:

• Though you may notice the Yazoo taps behind the counter, you cannot have a beer with your meal.  The taps are for growlers only and those are poured "to go".
• No wine either.
• Limited seating can be a problem -especially at lunch.
• The Grill is very close to both the produce and seafood departments and it can be pretty cool sometimes. 
• Though we have never done it, you can make a fresh seafood selection at the seafood counter and have it prepared and served with a couple of sides at the Grill.
• If you want dessert, just stop by the bakery department on the way out.  We usually do. 

Great place.  Dinner for three (3) is typically about $35 with tax.  We will be coming back. 

12th South Taproom and Grill

2318 12th Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37204
(615) 463-7552
Open 11AM-12AM Monday - Saturday
 http://12southtaproom.com

 We were there on a cold Thursday night and glad to get inside and warm.  They were full when we arrived at about 6:30 but the wait was just a few minutes.

From the name alone you know that there is likely some serious beer involved - but this is one place that the name does not tell the whole story.  In looking for new places to try I followed up on a lead from Robyn's co-worker.  I of course started with the internet and it didn't take me long to commit to making it our next stop.

To be fair, the beer is a huge pull here.

The beer menu is over 100 strong with draft, domestic, import, micro-brew and high-gravity selections.  The beers for Robyn and me were Blue Moon (draft), Lefthand 400lb. Monkey (draft) and Jubilee Brown Ale (bottle).  The Lefthand 400lb. Monkey was a pick by me based only partly on the name.  The waiter backed me up and I really enjoyed it.  The Jubilee Brown Ale was a substitution for something I asked for that was not in.  Not a favorite - the favor was close to what I was looking for but by the time the head was down it was too flat for me.  With their huge selection I am sure I can find something else to try next time.

Though I enjoyed the beer, it's the food that will have us coming back.  The food orders for our four (4):

• Ceviche - this was big enough for four (4) to share as a appetizer.  It included chips and was topped with three or four slices of avocado.  On the side was a red sauce and it was HOT.
• Black-n-Blue Burger with Roasted Potato Wedges (Bob)
• Garlic Stuffed Roasted Pork Loin with the Seasonal Vegetable (Robyn)
• BLT with Salmon [Roasted Potato Wedges] (me) [Button Mushrooms] (Donna)

Everything came out great freshly-prepared and as ordered.  In fact the potatoes were straight out of the oven and Bob had to warn me to give them a minute to cool down.  We enjoyed everything and everyone wants to come back soon.  I must say that this is one of the best buys I have seen in Nashville,  The food quality is way above what you would expect in a tavern but his isn't just bar food.  It is a quality menu with broad selections and very reasonable prices.

Overall a big hit and I am planning a trip back with my lunch buddies soon.

Sportsman's Grille - Belle Meade

Sportsman's Grille
Belle Meade
5405 Harding Road
Belle Meade, TN 37205
Telephone: (615) 356-6206
http://www.sportsmansgrille.com

As you can tell in the photograph, the weather was pretty lousy out tonight and we were glad to be able to walk in and immediately get a table in the warm, comfortable, neighborhood-pub environment.  The real point of the visit was that it was the last night for our favorite waitress who is heading back to school.  Good luck Jax!

I had the BBQ sandwich and a can of Momma's Little Yella Pils.  
 

I had tried it on draft last week at  Mafiaozoe's on 12th South and liked it enough to have it again.  I recommend both - but prefer the draft.

As to Sportsman's - my BBQ and fries were good as always and with a price at $8.99 it's hard to beat.  My father-in-law had the Lodge Salad ($8.50) and my mother-in-law had the grouper sandwich ($11.50).  Everyone was happy and the prices are about impossible to beat.  Those folks in Belle Meade are lucky to have the place so close.

Things to keep in mind:

• The Monday special is $5 for a hamburger or BBQ with fries.  This is really popular and goes for lunch and dinner.  
• Also something that the place is really known for is its fried catfish, a great reason to stop in for that southern Friday tradition. 
• One unusual menu item is the German Fried Bologna Sandwich.  I went to the Cool Springs location for lunch with a friend just to give it a try one day.  It is very good but don't feel like you have to leave a clean plate on this one.  It was probably more than either of us needed since we both had to head back to our desks.

Thoughts on "Not Recommended" Restaurants

Anybody can have a bad day.  In fact, they can have more than one!  At one point or another in my life I have done about everything there is to do in a restaurant from washing dishes, working prep, tending bar to managing and on and on.  I know how it goes.

My plan is that if I go to a place and have a less than stellar experience I will not post anything.  However, if the menu, location or reputation does have promise, I will give it a second shot - a clean slate (plate?).  If my second experience is also negative I will post the contact information regarding the restaurant (name, address and such) and the sole comment "Not Recommended."  I will not go into detail about what was wrong.  I will not run-down or trash a  restaurant's service, menu or food.  Like I said - anybody can have a bad day or two.  The worst anyone will get from me is a "Not Recommended."  But remember that if you see that as a comment from me - I did give them at least two chances.