Germantown and Joe Bona-who?

Germantown in Nashville is north of Broadway and one of my favorite areas.  It's home to some of the best restaurants in town and the coolest historic homes. Like all things in Nashville, it's up-and-coming and there is a ton of new construction and businesses opening all the time.

This guy doesn't seemed phased by it all.

A perfect spring evening for a stroll!

On the same street is a Nashville staple, Germantown Cafe.

We started with Pork Belly Tater Tots.

The pork belly is on the outside and inside is shredded sweet potato. Lots of antioxidants in this one!

We also had a salad that I didn't get a picture of but thought it was worth mentioning.  We did have some greenery.

The swordfish special was yummy and light.

As was the Pan Seared Trout with chow chow.

All the healthiness of the above was negated by the Apple Pie with Walnut Butter and Cinnamon Ice Cream.

One of the many things I love about Germantown Cafe is that it's food is inventive without seeming like it's trying too hard. They don't throw bacon on everything just to be clever.

The service was great and we finished just in time to get to our show of the evening at the Ryman, guitarist Joe Bonamassa. I was first introduced to him when he did an album with Beth Hart.  Wait, do they still call them albums?

He did an acoustic set using a different guitar for every song!

After a little break he came back out all plugged in.

And continued to change guitars for every song.  That may sound like a bit overkill, but he is excellent and it didn't seem as obnoxious as it sounds. I think every guitar geek in town was at this show!

Guitar geek aside, Joe had some great guitar solos but it wasn't like they were vanity solos.  You know what I'm talking about, those guys who throw arpeggios around just to show they can do it. Mr. Bonamossa's solos didn't feel forced and felt like they went with the song. Kinda of like Germantown Cafe's judicious use of pork products (tying it all together, people!).

If you love blues, guitar, or blues guitar I highly recommend you check him out.

Reservations for Germantown Cafe.