Sunday Lately: Completing, Visiting, Repeating, Writing, Scheduling

We got back from a week-long, no-computer, Quebec vacation yesterday. I don't like to post on social media when we're both away from home, so now it's time for me to fill up ALL THE FEEDS with the amazing time we had. SO. MUCH. AWESOME.

COMPLETING...
I'm completing some social media post scheduling that I needed to do for some of my side gigs, because I feel so behind after a week away. I also need to do some of my side gig writing... the week after vacation always feels like playing catch-up, right? I'm all about tea for my caffeine fix these days.

VISITING...
We visited the brewery where Dan works (he switched in August) within two hours of our plane landing in Nashville. They were having a big Block Party so of course we had to go, right? Woof. Between alcohol and foie gras over the past week, you could probably serve my liver up on toast and it would be delicious.

REPEATING...
I'm repeating outfits a lot lately. Just generally. I'm trying not to buy as much stuff, and the cooler weather in Canada meant I could bust out some fall wardrobe staples!

WRITING...

... like, EIGHT blog posts about Quebec. That's what my notes are telling me makes the most sense. It's actually about the same amount I wrote for our week-long trip to Peru last year, so I guess that makes sense. I try to keep things organized so that the posts are helpful for people. I can't wait to share our experience with you, because we both fell in love with the region.

It doesn't matter if the glass is half empty or half full, there's always room for more wine.

SCHEDULING...
I'm just scheduling everything! Flights, classes, blogging, work, and more. I didn't take my planner on vacation, and now I need to get back on track so that I get everything done that needs to get done.

And since I haven't gotten my vacation pics and posts together yet, here's a shot of my lunch before we left; my coworker got me some Grilled Cheeserie and it was GOOD.

ON SOCIAL...

• On the Blog:  Did you miss my reviews of Prince's Hot Chicken or City House?  If you visit Nashville, you should consider visiting both.
• On Twitter:  I had to RT Lin-Manuel Miranda because he speaks the TRUTH about the importance of voting.
• On Instagram:  When you get back from a Canada vacay and have to make syrup decisions.

ON THE INTERNET...

• This is hilarious even if you just remove politics from it. Donald Maroney = Jenna Maroney (30 Rock) quotes on Donald Trump photos. It just sounds like things he would say!
• Nashville murals to satisfy your Instagram dreams.
• I really want to go on a safari!

What are you up to this Sunday?

Sunday Lately is a weekly linkup hosted by the Blogger Tribe. We e-hang out every Sunday, sharing a small glimpse into the last week of life in our own worlds. 

City House

Nashville was buzzing about the food at City House long before the James Beard Award came along for its chef Tandy Wilson.  But since I'm behind the times, and Germantown is a good half-an-hour drive from us, it took us a while to get there.  We'd heard nothing but good things!

City House claims a "rustic" Italian menu, and some great cocktails too.  I started with the Bella (Gin, Yellow Chartreuse, Grapefruit Juice, Campari, Lemon) and Dan started with the Solomon (George Dickel Rye, Orchard Apricot, Salt, Orange).  Both were strong and smooth.  I can't resist a gin drink with grapefruit flavors, and this restaurant had quite a few cocktails that tempted me!

I felt like I *had* to get a pizza, because I heard they're the thing at City House.  I wasn't disappointed.  I went for the Belly Ham pizza with Mozzarella, Grana Padano, Oregano, and Chilies.  I added a fried egg.  (Note: I learned later that's a $3 upcharge, quite the pricy egg!)  Aside from the egg, I felt like the entrees were really reasonably priced, with most under $20.

As for the pizza?  OH. EM. GEE.  That belly ham tasted like bacon and ham had a delicious baby.  Everything about the pizza from the toppings to the crust was awesome.  I was totally fan-girling, and so very happy that I hadn't come in with high expectations only to be underwhelmed.  This pizza was one of the best things I've eaten in a while!

I would say the pizzas are shareable in size, but if it's your entree, you could eat most of one yourself.  It's a thinner crust, and while it looks huge, you'll find it disappearing before your eyes because it's soooo good.

Dan had the cavatelli (really good, fresh-tasting pasta!) with Brisket, Zucchini, Tomato, Black Pepper, Pecorino.  It was a heavy dish, so I'm not sure I could have finished that!  Very dense and tasty.  Pasta al dente, so if that's not your thing, don't pick it.  If we go back, Dan will probably go for a pizza too!

Date night means dessert, right?  Apple Caramel Dumpling for two!  The buttermilk sorbet on top was tart and really an interesting flavor.  I wouldn't eat that alone, but in the context of the apples, oats, pecans, and caramel, it was a yummy sweet finish to our meal.

Our server was fantastic, and so was our hostess.  (We arrived 20 minutes early and were able to be seated right away, on a Saturday night!  That said, we're early birds; it's not that hard to get a 6pm reservation compared to later when the cool kids eat.)

I'd definitely come back to City House!

Prince's Hot Chicken

I've talked about Nashville hot chicken before on my blog...  I've been to our annual Hot Chicken Festival, and I enjoy Hattie B's and Rooster's.  But until recently, I hadn't ventured north to the origin of this Nashville signature dish: Prince's.  If you read this amazing, in-depth history of hot chicken, you'll know it's the original.

In August, I finally made the pilgrimage, about three years later than I thought I would!

There's not much I can say about Prince's that hasn't been written.   Tips: it's cash-only, drinks are from the vending machine, and if you bring an extra $3, invest it in a slice of cake or pie that the lady up front is selling.  Then you stand, and wait.  On a hot day, it's even hotter in this tiny spot.  There's only 5-6 tables for you to eat.  You just need to wait your turn, don't complain, get about your business.

It's awesome.  Once I was there, I realized how much better this hot chicken was than anything I'd had before.  I chose Medium (because I'm a wimp) and it was easily as spicy as Hot at other restaurants.  And the fries?  Excellent.  Perfectly crispy and wonderful.

We had to wait over an hour for our chicken, most of it standing.  We watched as people from all walks of life came in...  church ladies in pearls and heels, tourists with carry-on baggage who Uber-ed straight from the airport, local neighborhood regulars who called their orders in, you name it.  It's not in the nicest part of town; I probably wouldn't go there after dark.  But it was a true pilgrimage, and it was good.