The Salted Table

The Jam Coffee House….Where hipsters hang loose!

I can’t help myself , I love my coffee shops, but we will get around to some actual restaurants eventually!…Bear with. My wife arrived home from work and the first words from her mouth were. “Let’s go to The Jam Coffee House, I got a deal on Scout Mob.” This wouldn’t be the first time she’s swooned me into trying something new with her discount deals. Which is a great way to try new things I might add.

We arrived to The Jam Coffee House on the corner of a strip of small business’ located at the segway of Wedgewood and 12 South. The outside of the building does not demand much attention. I know I’ve passed it several times on the way to The Frothy Monkey. But once you enter those doors, your greeted by kitschy 50’s decor and an environment reminiscent of Grandma’s house. If you have a ‘cool grandma’. This joint is decked with retro lounge chairs, diner tables and nostalgic black and white prints that’ll have you wondering where’s the Fonz.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

We perused the Lunch & Breakfast Menu selections which consisted of items such as the Mama Mia Sandwich, the Reggie Veggie Sandwich, and the Two Bomb Vegetarian Tacos which I ordered. The tacos were simplistically delicious, only lacking a little S&P and maybe lime juice(but that’s subjective). They’re adorned with shredded cabbage, avocado, Monterey Jack cheese, smushed pintos and the piece de resistance was the house-made taco sauce. This was accompanied by my heavenly, no joke, friends, heavenly Punjabi!

I know, who the heck is Punjabi, well I don’t know, but they’ve got one mean drink named after them. A delightful concoction of espresso, sweetened condensed milk, spiced w/ cardamom over ice. OMG! It was good.

The Jam also offers third wave coffee techniques, 50 selections of specialty teas and some good breakfast options. They also locally source some of they’re products, which we are a huge fan of at The Local Forkful. You can find bread featured from Provence Breads & Cafe, bakery treats from Lucy’s Kitchen, and non-homogenized milk from Gammon Farms.

My wife Jenna ordered the Bok-Bok Panini (yes, that’s chicken). A grilled sandwich on flaxseed bread with chicken, colby-jack, pesto and avocado. It was your typical panini with your typical fillings, but done superbly. You had the crispy crunch of the the grilled bread, all that flavor from the basil pesto coming through the chewy colby-jack and that buttery avocado just fit so perfectly. So if you’re a Panera Bread, Which Which fan, you’ve got a new option for well composed sandwiches and great hand-crafted drinks.

If these hip ladies Maile, Bethany & Diana(not in photo) keep it up, they’ll have it ‘Made in the Shade’.

The Jam Coffee Shop also features Live Music on Saturday Nights!

Whitt’s BBQ…A taste of comfort!

I was craving BBQ one day on my way home from work, and only being a resident in Nashville for a few months, I wasn’t quite sure as to where I should roll the dice on BBQ. The only thing I was vaguely familiar with was Hog Heaven from TV reviews. But it just so happens I don’t live but a couple of miles from one of the many Whitt’s BBQ locations.

When BBQ comes to mind, if you’re at all familiar with the cooking methodology of ‘proper bar-b-que’. There should be the flavor profile of smoke, char, fatty bits that melt in your mouth and that representation of the smoke ring with the contrast of pink, tan and brown meat. I know it sounds complicated but it’s not. Just plain old BBQ 101 and someone clearly let Whitt’s in on the secret. There’s no better way to say it than Whitt’s is simplistically good!

I unwrapped that paper and was pleasantly greeted with the aroma of smoky goodness, and the tender crunch of the slaw, surrounded by that soft bun. So Good. Next time you get the urge for the good stuff, don’t hesitate to stop at one of the “22” locations. Yes, “22”, you don’t have that many BBQ shacks if you’re not doing something right.

Don’t forget to get you’re slaw, but hold the pickle. I don’t feel it’s needed. And No BBQ sauce neccessary!. You will ruin the whole experience and this highlight will be in vain. Slather that stuff on next time you hit Buddy’s. (You know who Buddy is)

By the way, my photography is a work in progress, bear with, Photography isn’t my first LOVE. Food is. Don’t tell the wife!

Fox’s Donut Den…Iconic Deliciousness!

Tell Ya Kids, Tell Ya Wife! These glazed bits of heaven will have you claiming to be a morning person. The only way I’m recommending these donuts are straight from the grease, by-pass the coffee dipping, and send it straight to your tum-tum. The Donut Den has been an iconic piece of Nashville, TN history for over 30 years and the tradition of needing those donuts and pastries in your hands continues on.

I sat down with Mr. Fox himself to discuss the nostalgic donut shop nestled in the heart of Green Hills… but not before I grabbed a maple glazed doughnut and a cappuccino. The Business originally began in your current day Pizza Perfect location on Granny White Parkway. Mr. Fox had a friend whom he sold books with. This friend told him he should open a donut shop and the rest is history. The concept was derived from Harlow’s Bakery based out of Memphis, TN. The place where Fox and his staff learned one on one from the best in the business. He tackled this endeavor while in the Doctorate program at Vanderbilt University. Fox believes…I mean, knows that their fillings, toppings, cinnamon & products are indeed the best in the game. The Local Forkful believes it and we’ve gained 10 lbs. in the last few days doing research just for you. I mean there is over 54 years of experience from Mr. Oliver Harlow himself to back it up.

They moved to their current location in Green Hills during 1977 because it was the “perfect location”. It is said that some 40k + cars pass by the Donut Den a day. Not hard to believe if you’ve ever sat in Green Hills traffic…nightmaaaare!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

I was itching to see how these tasty treats were produced, and Mr. Fox was nice enough to oblige in letting us create these infamous goodies. We spent a few hours with the man who pumps out those consistent donuts. Thee Harold Graves is his name and he’s been working for the Donut Den since 1977. An amicable little man reminiscent of every child’s favorite grandpa, but don’t tell grandma.

It is an understatement to say that Fox’s Donut Den is a just another piece of edible iconography. You haven’t experienced Nashville until you’re removing the icing crumbs from the corner of your lips!…or licking them, which ever you prefer. Dr. Fox says, “Everyone from the Janitors to the Senators eat here.” And I wouldn’t dare contest that statement; these donuts can’t be tamed to the realms of social hierarchy.

I’m pretty sure I’ve tried everything they offer over the course of this interview. During this venture, I’ve yet to find something I disagree with recommending to my followers. Now, I will point you in the right direction. So upon arrival, snatch some of these delicious bits.

*The Apple Fritter-a delicious deep-fried pastry studded with cinnamon swirl and little chunks of apple, drenched in vanilla icing. Your first trip or next trip to the Donut Den tackle these or just splurge and grab a dozen….or two!

*Kolaches-A sausage cuddle-bummed in their sweet donut dough accompanied with shredded cheddar, baked to perfection. It makes for a great afternoon snack or lunch.

*Raspberry & Blackberry filled Doughnuts-my wife is a pretty picky eater so if shes says I need to add these to my recommendation list then so-be-it.

Last but not least, if the Kolaches weren’t a great way to step outside the box go ahead ans grab yourself a couple of bagels to go. The Spinach and Parmesan as well the Cinnamon Crunch are deliciooooous!

If you’re still hanging in their with your New Year’s Resolution crap, that’s a shame! And I have no idea why you’ve tortured yourself thus far. Come on! put down the ‘shake weights’ and get some doughnuts!

Extras: Do you want to know more about Fox’s Donut Den? Check these sites and deals out!

Sweet Jack.http://www.sweetjack.com/deal/nashville/50-donut-den-10-spend-1

Groupon. http://www.groupon.com/deals/fox-s-donut-den Catch it before it expires.

http://placesandplatypie.com/index.html They declare that Donut Den has the Best Donuts in the U.S., but we’ll let you be the judge.

Eat It Tennessee: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Donut-Den/15153771875

Like them on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Donut-Den/15153771875

Darlene’s Kakes now resides at Fox’s Donut Den Location: http://www.darleneskakes.com/#!

The Grilled Cheeserie….Lucky Bread!

Welcome to the first installment of Fork-bites. We decided to start giving you the bits and pieces before the whole cow. It seemed unfair to keep our followers from knowing where they need to spend their precious dollars. So we’re bringing you mini reviews so you know who we reccommend for great dining experiences. And then we will return to give you the Who? What? Whens? and Wheres? of our Culinary Adventures.

We dined @ the delicious Grilled Cheeserie Food Truck parked in the Centennial Park. This was not our first homage to find the nostalgic wagon that delivers those ooey-gooey perfections. Crystal and Joseph definitely have these delectable sammiches down to a science. I had the ‘The Caliente’, which has chorizo, pepper-jack, and avocado aioli layered between two grilled to perfection slices of sourdough bread.I salivate thinking of it. I hope you like it spicy because this sandwich has a kick that’s not intended for those without Pepcid AC in their pocket. (But it’s worth the pain) My wife had the Gruyere/Swiss blend which she says you can’t eat without asking for a side of pickles. She’s right, there’s something about the sweet, nutty, buttery, tangy and creamy that just works! If this wasn’t enough, we put the cherry on top with The Grilled Cheeserie’s old fashioned Tomato Soup. My grandma never made this unless it was accompanied with rice, but in this version, no rice necessary. It was delicious all on it’s own.

Please, if you visit this little piece of Nashville Food Truck heaven, don’t adorn your cheese sandwich with any extra condiments, you can’t upgrade ‘Cheesy Perfection’.

We definitely will become ‘serial Grilled Cheeser’s’ and we recommend you jump on the wagon. You won’t be sorry!

Iron Fork 2012…Edible Deliciousness!

You don’t want to miss out on this incredible display of Culinary Talent among some of the Best Chefs Nashville has to offer. Be there or be square, or better don’t miss out on this Culinary Disneyland. The first time when leaving with a belly ache is well worth it! following post from the Nashville Scene

POSTED BY JIM RIDLEY ON MON, MAR 5, 2012 AT 9:00 AM

More tasting stations and a new venue will put some extra sparkle on the gleaming tines of the fifth annual Iron Fork, the culinary extravaganza and charity benefit sponsored by the Scene. The event, in which five of Nashville’s finest chefs vie to impress a panel of judges with their inventive application of a single common ingredient — any resemblance between this and a certain imported Japanese food-competition show is strictly coincidental — vastly exceeded the expected turnout in its first year and has been a blockbuster ever since.

The main attraction each year, however, is the roster of participating chefs. They’re treated and greeted like the rock stars they are, cheered on by fans, and this year’s lineup promises rowdy rooting sections from East and West Nashville. The Iron Fork chefs for 2012 are:

Laura Wilson, 2011 Returning Champion (Nashville Farmers’ Market)
Roderick Bailey (Silly Goose)
Hernan Borda (Rumours East)
Jason Brumm (Merchants)
Vinny Tardo (Saffire)

Please, no wagering. Instead, check out the local favorites who’ll provide tasting stations about the arena: 12 South Taproom and Grill, Amerigo, Copper Kettle, Cuestion Tequila. Four Roses Bourbon, Fuse Sports Club, Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q, Mirko Pasta, Nashville Farmer’s Market, Noshville Delicatessen, Perl Catering, Porta Via Italian Kitchen, Solario, Stone House Q, Swett’s, The Art Institute of Tennessee, The Corner Market, The Southern, Urban Flats, Vito’s Ristorante & Wine Bar and Woodlands, with many more to be announced.

The 2012 Iron Fork takes place 6-10 p.m. Wednesday, April 25 at the huge new Marathon Motor Works concert space in Marathon Village. Tickets are $35, available here until April 1 (when they go up to $45). This year’s event benefits Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee.