Eastland Cafe and the Blues

Scrolling through the Opentable app trying to decide on dinner, I saw one of our favorite hangouts, Eastland Cafe.  It's a big deal because Eastland Cafe hasn't always been on Opentable and I can't be bothered to pick up an actual phone. Eastland Cafe is the hipper sister to Park Cafe and is one of those places in East Nashville where you are likely to see someone you know or meet a new friend on the banquet.  It's loud and energetic so don't go planning to have a quiet romantic dinner. They always get the "Best Happy Hour" award but I've never been. Another thing to add to my list.

All the specials that night sounded great so we started with the cocktail of the night, a raspberry-infused vodka lemon drop-like martini.

For the appetizer we stuck to the regular menu and had what we always have (creatures of habit), the Goat Cheese Brûlée with Local Honey.

The off-menu salad was an amazing combination of arugula with heirloom tomatoes, shaved fennel, and buffalo mozzarella and needs to always be on-menu.

Someone had a little trouble deciding on what wine to have with dinner. The servers here are very knowledgeable about wine and they've never steered us wrong.  If you're having trouble, though, they'll bring you a taste and let you decide for yourself.

Mr. Ville had the grouper special with hearty Crowder peas, roasted okra, and tomato jam.

My chicken was actually the Grilled Coleman Farms Chicken off the main menu but instead of the cherries, it was served with peaches.  The ricotta gnocchi it comes with are super light and delish!

We really weren't interested in having dessert. When you eat out as much as we do you have to cut back somewhere. Like all good servers, she didn't take no for an answer and went on to describe Granny Smith Apple Donuts with Carmel Gelato. She had me at donuts.

Inside was a ring of Granny Smith Apple so we figured it was good for us.

Happy plate!

Eastland Cafe is a great neighborhood gem. I'll see you guys there for Happy Hour!

I'll leave you with the show of the evening: Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite at the Ryman. I have to say, the old guys have a lot to teach the young ones about stage presence. When it was Charlie's turn at the mic, he was magnetic. He didn't have to make an outrageous comment or shamelessly flirt with the women; he just stood up and sang and pulled you in.