+Memphis & Nashville
After Sweetie Pie mentioned she had a long New Year’s Eve holiday weekend off of work I decided we had to do a trip. And being out of vacation time even switched jobs :) A great destination was picked for New Year's and kept a secret since she loves surprises. And kept from everyone else so SP would be the first to know.
It would be a city I had been to a few times so I could introduce it (and the food!) to my Babycakes.
6 Days
9 States
2,715 Miles
23 Restaurants
8 Bakeries
4 Ice Cream Shops
1 Candy Shop
Tuesday, December 30th, 2014
Regular Travelogue readers know I’ve thoroughly explored Memphis. (And the food!)
Cozy Corner is permeated with BBQ smoke.
We had to go with their renowned Ribs and sides of BBQ Spaghetti and Cole Slaw.
Heading downtown I showed SP the world famous Peabody Hotel Ducks.
And then to the entertainment district Beale Street.
A. Schwab started as a dry goods store in 1876.
After explaining how Dyers has pan fried burgers in the same grease for a century we sat at the counter and watched. You can see the skillet in the background.
Arrived at the marquee destination. New Orleans for New Year's!
Wednesday, December 31st, 2014
It was a full decade ago I first discovered the Chili Omelet at The Camellia Grille.
Really, there is a fluffy omelet in there.
My Sweetie Pie Special Edition Tour of NOLA commenced starting in Uptown, going over to Magazine Street.
Stopping for Oysters at the circa 1919 Casamento's.
Why a bib at a the white table cloth Pascal's Manale?
To shield us from the path of destruction after tearing into these sweet and succulent BBQ Shrimp.
Paris-Brest before leaving the Magazine Street area.
We continued the tour in the Garden District and then headed to the CBD.
And over to the 7th and 9th Wards to see how Katrina repairs have been in the 3 ½ years since I was there.
Po’Boys. A New Orleans staple. Parkway Bakery and Tavern’s history goes back to 1911.
The Surf and Turf (their famous roast beef and fried shrimp) became the best po’boy I’ve ever had and the best food of trip.
Stowed the car in parking garage and headed to the French Quarter. Bourbon Street was just starting to get packed.
Jackson Square.
Beignets at Cafe du Monde is a NOLA requirement.
Saw Train in concert by Woldenberg Park.
Taking the ferry from Canal Street to Algiers Point allows a view of the skyline.
From Bourbon to Royal to Jackson Square to the levee it was wall to wall people by 11PM.
They don’t drop a ball at midnight, they drop a fleur de lis.
And then the fireworks went off over the Mississippi.
Thursday, January 1st, 2015
Let's start the day with Chocolate Beignets before heading out of NOLA.
Had to drive over the 23.83 mile Lake Ponchatrain Causeway again. After all, it is an engineering marvel.
Crossing the Causeway commenced the road trip through Mississippi.
After committing to fruits and vegetables after yesterday’s gluttony for lunch we did….a buffet in Picayune.
Hattiesburg is a pleasant burg in the south central part of the state.
Checked out a nice antiques store for SP.
Though now downcast, Merdian still reflects its historical past if you look for it.
Friday, January 2nd, 2015
That's right, start another day with bakery.
Second time in Jackson for the traditional picture in front of the State Capitol.
Madison is a small refined village outside of Jackson.
Donut Barn, Donut Palace, Canton Donuts.
On the morning of November 29th, 2004 I sat in a Harkin's Family Bakery on Canton’s town square watching the sun rise over the courthouse.
Today my Sweetie Pie and I sat in that same storefront, now The Frisky Biscuit, and ordered breakfast at the counter.
The lady went with Biscuits and Gravy.
The dude went with Country Ham and Grits.
We ambled the inviting town square in the drizzle.
Louisville's 2 block long downtown.
Oxford has long been one of my favorite town squares.
Folks get off the beaten path to find Taylor.
For Taylor Grocery, who declares best the catfish in Mississippi.
She went with Fried Catfish with sides of Cole Slaw and Potato Salad.
I went with Grilled Catfish with sides of Baked Beans and Debbie's Famous Brown Rice.
Saturday, January 3rd, 2015
Corinth is rooted in the Civil War.
Borrum’s Drug Store is the state’s oldest soda fountain- 1865. We went with a Strawberry Ice Cream Soda made the old-fashioned way with syrup and seltzer from the ancient spigot.
Traipsing north across Tennessee and then heading east into some mountains led us to The Beacon Light Tea Room. Country Ham, Hashbrown Casserole and Cole Slaw. The pork had more salt than ham.
Time to tour another familiar southern city- Nashville. Surprised that our first two stops are food related? Cafeterias are common in the South and Swett’s has been smoking ribs for 6 decades. In addition to a half rack our chosen sides are Fried Apples and Candied Yams.
Elliston Place Soda Shop is Nashville’s oldest restaurant going back to only 1939.
Third time in Nashville for the traditional picture in front of the State Capitol.
It was -2 degrees at home and 65 degrees in The District; their entertainment and shopping area.
Red Velvet. Had to go southern.
Screech. A donut shop. Then if we weren’t bursting at the seams already Mexican for dinner.
Sunday, January 4th, 2015
One more meal before heading back. Seeing Fried Rice Omelet on the menu I declared, "When else will I see a fried rice omelet on a menu?".
