Rodizio Grill

Note:  I have so many food reviews lined up and not enough other stuff... so basically now you're going to think all I do is eat and drink.  And that's okay because I DOOOOOO!

One of Duke's most favorite things in the whole wide world to eat is picanha, a Brazilian rump cap beef cut rubbed in butter and sea salt and cook on a spit.  Yes, it is as phenomenal as it sounds.

picanha

That is why he loves Brazilian steakhouses with all-you-can-eat concepts.  Since we weren't spending Thanksgiving together this year, we decided our "Couplesgiving" meal would be at the Rodizio Grill in downtown Nashville.  A win for me with no cooking required, and a win for Duke and his carnivorous cravings!  We took advantage of an e-mail we got that gave us a Buy One, Get One Half Off deal on our meal.  (Just sign up for e-mails on the website!)

We've never been to Rodizio before, but we have visited similar concepts.  I think Rodizio does an excellent job!  We were surprised by the price, which was about $10 less than other chains we've been to.  We were seated right away, and we had very attentive service.  The only thing not included in your meal price is drinks and dessert.

Appetizers

They start you with a few appetizers, like tasty fried bananas and even polenta.  The "salad bar (which is way more than just salad) was well-stocked, and enormous!  Everything from rice and soups to quail eggs and mozzarella salad.  I think a vegetarian could go to town on the variety offered.  They had four full sides of options on that buffet.

One of FOUR sides of the "salad" bar

We put the "green" signal up when we were ready, and then we went to town.  The picanha guy knew that was our absolute favorite, so he gave us as much as we wanted whenever he came by.  We were pitched sausage, ham, brisket, lamb, fish, chicken, turkey, and even a DELICIOUS grilled pineapple.  Yum.

GREEN means GIMME MEAT

When you need the meat to stop coming, you just put the red signal up and they leave you alone.  But then you spot something juicy coming by and you're like, GREEN!  Let's just say we ate our fill.

If you like gorging yourself on delicious and juicy meats, this is absolutely the place for you.  We happen to love the idea, and we sort of starve ourselves all day beforehand anticipating the meal.  We'll definitely be back to Rodizio!

P.S.  They also have valet, in case downtown is cray-cray.

Restaurant Revisits: Wicked Weed Brewing & Early Girl Eatery

Duke and I have a habit of going back to places we like to eat.  We're great for restaurant repeats... even though we love to branch out to new foodie experiences!  On our latest trip to Asheville, we decided to check back in with two of our favorites.  We had limited time in the area, so we made the best of it.

Wicked Weed Brewing was just awesome as the last time we were there.  They have a very ambitious beer list (Duke's assessment, not mine) with a ton of offerings.  Their food remains top-notch.  We both opted for burgers given it was lunchtime, and I chose the Weed Burger: beef burger + pimento cheese + cheddar salt pork rinds + red onion marmalade.  On a bun I could tell was baked that day.  With crispy delicious fries.

It was just so perfectly executed once again.  And even though it was 3:30pm on a Saturday, the place was jam-packed with people.  They had a fire pit outside too.

We also headed back to Early Girl Eatery, since we knew we only had one brunch to take advantage of.  I think it was even better than I remember!  I chose the Porky Breakfast Bowl, but since I'm not a fan of traditional gravy the waitress suggested a tomato gravy instead.

The bowl consisted of Homefries, BBQ pork, scrambled eggs and farmstead cheese... and it was GLORIOUS!  I want to recreate this with pulled pork in the future.  I literally gorged myself and scraped the bowl clean.  Delicious.  Amazing.  I want more.

So you see, it's kind of difficult for us to branch out when we know just how good the food can be at places like these.  We think about these meals before we even arrive in town, and it's never disappointing!  I would be lying if I told you we're surely going to eat different places next time... because we just keep coming back to the standbys.

Biltmore Candlelight Christmas

For the second time this year, Duke and I made a little getaway to Asheville, North Carolina.

The impetus for the trip was mainly my own selfish desire to attend Biltmore's Candlelight Christmas Evenings.  We are Biltmore passholders, so we were able to buy discounted tickets in advance.  We also get free rein to run around the estate (we hope to do some horseback riding and biking there in the spring for Biltmore Blooms) and of course the free tastings at the winery.

But first, priorities.  Before we even checked in at the Aloft, we hit up Bruisin' Ales for some craft brews to drive home across the border.  Tennessee has weird alcohol laws, so we always try to stock up on beer that isn't in distribution in our state to bring home.  Once we filled half the trunk with brews, we made our way to the hotel and grabbed lunch at Wicked Weed Brewing.

Now for those of you who recall our visit to Asheville last time, you are starting to sense a pattern.  Biltmore, Aloft, Bruisin' Ales, Wicked Weed... yeah.  Every single place we visited this short trip was a favorite from the last time.  Since we were only there for a quick overnight, we really stuck to what we know.  When we return in the spring, we plan to branch out a bit and make some new favorites!

Yeah, I know I kind of skipped over Thanksgiving and all, but I don't care!

After our late lunch, we made our way to Biltmore Estate.  Knowing we didn't have a ton of time, we went straight to the winery for tastings!  The place was absolutely packed; given that it's one of the few venues on the estate that is open past 5pm/dusk, evenings at the winery are hectic.  We did our tastings (and a few premium tastings at the wine bar), marked our selection, then had the wonderful Kitty assist us in putting together our case of wine.

Yes, a case.  You see, we had a number of bottles promised to bring back to TN, specifically the Christmas wine, for friends.  So we took advantage of their case discount and picked of a cool dozen.  There are helpers in the shop that will grab a trolley (oh my, I'm so Southern now) and take your list to fill the case.  Then they will have the case waiting at a special register for you, so you can pull up your car after you pay to load!

Between the beer and the wine, we looked like bootleggers or something bringing this haul back over the state line.

So beautiful!!!

After the winery, we headed to the house for our candlelight tour.  We got there early knowing that parking+shuttle take a little while.  Once at the house, we realized that each group of visitors (assigned by time based on your ticket) could only go in at or after their appointed time.  So we headed to the stables to grab a chai latte, a gingerbread man, and to peruse the stores.

Once it was our time to enter the house, we lined up at the door.  They usually have the door open during the day, but for that evening it was a slightly more intimate group (they purposely sell limited tickets) and stage a great door opening to start the night.  We were immediately hearing the sounds of the live music inside; during our visit, we heard the organ, a bell choir, a chorus, and a solo cellist.  The first floor's decoration (and crackling fireplaces) were stunning.  Given the different lighting, we noticed so many things we'd missed in March during our house tour.

Upstairs and downstairs there were fewer changes/decorations (there was a gingerbread replica of the house in the kitchen though!) so we breezed past some of the other visitors.  They say the tour takes 2 hours, but since it was my 3rd time and Duke's 2nd in the home, we made our way through at our own pace based on our interest in the rooms.  There are a few choke points where you feel like cattle being herded through old hallways (typical Biltmore) but less so than a normal visit given the numbers of people.

Afterwards, we went to go check out our souvenir photo, but it had been skipped by the computer.  They wanted us to wait 15 minutes in the dark and cold to get a print.  Well, Duke was a trooper and we stuck around... and we were NOT disappointed!  I used my passholder discount to get a large photo of us and the house, plus two small photos to go into frames they provided.  We don't get great photos of us as a couple often, so we are happy we got one!

We hadn't eaten a real dinner since lunch was so late, so once we got back to the hotel we walked over to Barley's Taproom & Pizzeria, just like last trip.  Great slices, and I had a craft hard cider that was so light and refreshing.

In the morning, we met up with friends at our favorite Early Girl Eatery for brunch before heading home.  Yes, everything on this trip was a repeat... but when you have only a bit of time, and you're seeing everything in a different season/light, sometimes that makes for the best time.

We were grinning the entire trip, and we can't wait to head back to Asheville in the spring.