Get the greatest selection of styles for this upcoming Spring season at Black Shag Vintage ⚡️ It’s almost time to take off those layers (two months away) and Black Shag has tons of shirts, jeans, dresses, leather, vintage tees, boots, and general badassery to help you upgrade your wardrobe. Now is the time, shop in-store or online, blackshagvintage.com!
Delicious Treats ready for order at Olive & Sinclair!
It’s official we need a delicious treat for getting this far into 2021. This means The Olive and Sinclair Chocolate Co. candies are available to order straight from your laptop or phone. Very rich and a perfect gift for the sweet tooth in your family!
Beware Fly By Night Credit Card Salespeople!
You’ve seen them come into your business.
They go from town to town selling ‘snake oil’ and promising you savings on your processing. They tell you of all the money you save while locking you into a long term contract and bilking you of money on the backend that erase any savings promised. Here is that story as John P tells of it happening recently to one of our very own clients. Guard yourself against the pain to your bottom line.
Send us a message or email us at NashvilleBuyLocal@gmail.com to talk directly with our owner. Send an email to a business owner with this link and help them out!
The Five Places You Need to Eat When Visiting, New Orleans and the One You Already Knew to Visit.
In April of 2018 (around Easter) something glorious happened. We visited New Orleans and the weather was glorious! Unlike most who visit in the summer, we experienced the highs in the mid 70’s. It was less crowded than usual. Other than the filming (Tom Hardy was filming Capone movie around the corner and The Purge TV show was also filming at nearby Loyola University) there weren’t many crowds. So our conditions were perfect. Less also because Mardi Gras had ended and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival was right around the corner. This gave us a great opportunity to talk to the locals who grew up in the area. We hope to get back as many of those businesses are hurting after losing the tourists during 2020.
We most likely ate at a place you love. Full disclosure, the list below were our favorite spots and none of them were expensive. They also were very casual and perfect for kids. So, there are fine dining places with awards all over their walls. This is not that article. We were staying in the Garden District off Magazine Street so we are also Garden District heavy.
The Camellia Grill
First off, leave the quarter. It’s a tourist trap. Get out into the Garden District and take a ride on the St. Charles Streetcar Line. As the line turns right onto South Carrolton, that is where you need to hop off. There you will find The Camellia Grill. Uptown locals, Tulane & Loyola Students and tourists are sitting side by side on one of the 28 stools in the small, yet nicely decorated room. The Beef Bacon burger’s are better here than most places I’ve eaten around the United States. The chocolate freeze with ice cream is a wonderful drink that is better than any milkshake I’ve had and very filling. I loved this place and if you follow me, you know I don’t usually eat meat or dairy. The Pecan pie is a Chocolate Pecan Pie fried in butter. Need we say more. Just order it and split it if you are already full. OK, also the service is what you have come to expect from every place in New Orleans but somehow it’s even better.
Camellia Grill Bacon Burger and Chocolate Freeze
See Menu by googling: “camellia grill new orleans menu” and Google has it for you. It’s the most accurate online we’ve found.
Domilise’s Po-Boy & Bar
This was not first on THIS list but it is definitely first in our family’s heart. We cancelled three other restaurant visits so we could go back for shrimp po-boys. Domiliese’s has been around since the 1920s for a very good reason. They are the best at what they do and what they do is make great po-boy sandwiches. The recently passed Anthony Bourdain featured this restaurant in his Layover show and they even have a sandwich specifically to honor him. But it was on our list to visit since we were staying in the neighborhood. This place is very popular with locals. It was confirmed by a high-five from a tour guide because we suggested this place to Canadian tourists. For us, it was the shrimp po-boy and that baguette. The shrimp was huge, fried and properly dressed sandwich on a baguette that had that perfect crunch. This is also another great spot for Loyola and Tulane students. Our daughter is not a shrimp fan so she grabbed the meatball and said it was superb. Also, they have great onion rings. There is a bar inside this restaurant. We got Barq’s root beer because we were told it was the local way.
Domilise’s Po-Boy & Bar
See Menu here: http://www.domilisespoboys.com/
Williams Plum Street Snoballs
A snoball place? I know, right. Not a place people usually put on a “Must Hit” list. Seriously though. We grabbed a variation of a banana flavor the two times we visited and the glorious chocolate with their housemade sweetened condensed milk was ordered both times as well. This place is great for the kiddos both big and small. Plus, I was not familiar with Snoballs being a popular and local treat in New Orleans. There are many snoball stands but the locals we talked to love this specific one. We had a wonderful conversation about how important this place was with people from the neighborhood and the wonderful owner Donna Black. Who, I have to say after meeting her during closing time, is maybe the most hospitable person in New Orleans in a city known for Hospitality. The joy and passion for Snoballs are real and it’s a locals kind of place.
Williams Plum St. Chocolate Sno Ball 
Website: http://www.plumstreetsnoball.com/
Dong Phuong Oriental Bakery
Since the fall of Saigon the Vietnamese community has been a big part of New Orleans. Their work and contribution to New Orleans can not be understated. They went to work in the fishing, oyster and shrimping industry when they arrived in the gulf coast. Many of their children and grandchildren have taken jobs in other industries but their footprint and mark on New Orleans is still seen in the culinary landscape today. Some of those first arrivals opened up po-boy stands because let’s be honest, it was a bánh mì to them. There is just such a perfect similarity between these two delicious sandwiches. Also, Vietnam and the Gulf Coast are very similar in many ways and it takes form on each plate in both the traditional and Vietnamese restaurants. In the Early 1980s Huong Tran opened her storefront bakery next to her mother in-laws restaurant. We had come because of the King Cake which is always in high demand during the Mardi Gras season. Unfortunately we were there during Easter and there isn’t a need to make King Cake out of season. So, we settled on a bag of vietnamese candies, cookies and cakes, a great baguette and of course the Grilled Pork bánh mì. Mixed reviews on the treats as some were new flavors to our daughter and that’s to be expected. There was no doubt though the love of the bánh mì. The pork was more like a deli slice but tasty. The vegetables were wonderful and I dare say I will return and get a vegetarian version of the bánh mì. Plus, that baguette was perfect. It had the perfect crunch on the outside with a soft pillow on the inside. The bakery is filled with cases of cakes, candies and cookies as are the shelves. It is worth the drive if you are fortunate to have a car to get there yourself. Not sure what an Uber would cost to get there but it’s a bit outside of the city center.
Dong Phuong Bakery Bahn Mi 
Website: dpbakeshop.com/
Turkey and the Wolf
We’re a bit late to the game when it comes to Turkey and Wolf. This is not the secret it was when we were told to visit. Bon appétit beat us there with a great overview video:
That said, this is the greatest hangover cure in New Orleans. This menu, which is a compliment, is some of the most alcohol absorbing food imaginable. We started with the deviled eggs with fried chicken skins with their own house made hot sauce. These are fantastic and are definitely an over the top version of deviled eggs. These may in fact be the Devil’s recipe. We had the Italian American sandwich (as of writing this it has been replaced on the menu). Not our favorite but that’s why the menu rotates. The star of the show in our eyes was the fried bologna sandwich with leighann’s bologna, hot english mustard, potato chips, shrettuce, mayo, american cheese on white. We had very basic soda but they have a full bar and the drinks have clever names. As the video shows these guys are doing something they love and it shows on the plate. They also work their tails off. As laid back as they seem in that video we ran into the owner huddled in the corner near the restroom working on his computer. When we came out he was making his rounds helping clear tables and make sure patrons were taken care of during the lunch hour. There is a reason this place is getting popular.
Turkey and Wolf Bologna Sandwich 
Website: http://www.turkeyandthewolf.com/menu/
Cafe Du Monde
Sorry, but we have to be cliche. This is our one tourist trap must do. Cafe Du Monde is legendary and everyone suggests it. So the lines are long. Wait in the line. Sit down and be amazed how many of these little pillows of heaven are served in just the time you are sitting there. Get Beignets at the place that seems to do it best in our humble opinion. The Cafe au lait is wonderful hot while sitting and eating the beignets. Pro Tip: the frozen version is a perfect walking around drink on a warm day. While walking around and being a tourist sip on that cold coffee that is perfectly sweet. If you are in a hurry or driving out of town, grab a bag of beignets. The bag eating of beignets skills is one that all Southern Living citizens should perfect. This is the first tourist trap I visited that I loved being “stuck in.”
Website: www.cafedumonde.com
New Orleans has so much going on with the food scene. So many great chefs and so many nice dining options. Yet, we gave you these low cost options for a reason. These gems are the local, working man picks. That’s exactly what they are, local favorites. Yes, Commander’s Palace and Antoine’s do a great job. That said, I will take three visits to Domilise’s and a snoball over one visit to those places. Enjoy a nice dinner but don’t overlook the New Orleans way the locals do it. If you have a better place for Po-boys, beignets or snoballs leave them in the comments.
“Matt Russo and The Gambling Stick BBQ Trailer” by Pamela Lamp of whoimettoday.com!
According to Matt Russo, “a gambling stick is an old Appalachian name for a stick used to hang a pig from the limb of a tree. Threaded through the heels of the pig, the stick supports its weight while the animal is harvested.” The gamble, and hope, is the stick can handle the pig’s weight, and the animal will not come tumbling down.
In a parking lot in trendy East Nashville, you will find a different sort of Gambling Stick. Serving barbecued beef, chicken, and pork – and cornbread bowls too – out of a trailer, Matt’s barbecue operation is simple, fresh, and totally delicious.
Memphis barbecue centers around pork, a dry rub, and a tomato-based sauce
Raising the lid of the smoker he designed, a former 250-gallon water tank, Matt covers the first lesson of the day. What is the difference between barbecuing and grilling? When you barbecue or smoke, Matt explains, the charcoal or wood fire never touches the meat. You cook low and slow – Matt’s ribs, briskets, and sausages are on the smoker by 7:30 each morning – and the indirect heat infuses the meat with a wonderful smoky flavor.
I notice the pork and beef briskets, “the tougher, more worked, shoulder portions of the animal,” are coated generously with seasonings – much heavier than the light sprinkling I add to my meats at home. Matt pats a special concoction of spices and salt and pepper onto his meats. He doesn’t use an oil – it’s a dry rub. “Shake off all the excess so it’s not heavy,” he instructs. Smiling, he adds, “Of course I can’t give away all my secrets.
In North Carolina, barbecue is typically “all about the pig” with a vinegar-based sauce
After 12-16 hours of slow smoking over the cherry wood fire, at a “pretty constant 250 degrees,” the briskets come off the grates and rest for several minutes. “Resting helps the meat retains its juices,” he says.
Sitting down to my pork brisket (“pigsket” Matt laughingly calls it) sandwich, I question the absence of a sauce. Matt always offers his unique, and absolutely delectable, vinaigrette-type sauce on the side. “The meat should speak for itself,” he believes, and not be drowned in a sauce. After he confesses to adding rendered pork fat (basically purified fat-not nearly as bad as it sounds!) to his smoked onion sauce as a thickening agent, I understand why it tastes so good.
Kansas City barbecue encompasses all kinds of meat and a sweeter, molasses sauce
Seemingly quiet and reserved, I laugh when Matt describes himself as someone who’s “always liked to work with fire.” Growing up in Louisville, one of his first jobs was smoking the meats and maintaining the fires at a bbq joint. Back then, Matt already knew he wanted a career working with food and, someday, his own barbecue restaurant.
Matt credits his grandfather for encouraging him to turn his passion into a way to earn a living. After the older gentleman suggested “food can definitely be an educational option,” Matt headed off to upstate New York and the Culinary Institute of America. The famous school, overlooking the Cascade Mountains, prepared him for various chef roles at Michelin-starred restaurants in New York City.
Typical Alabama barbecue is served with a white sauce
After managing cold foods and salads as the garde manger (“keeper of the food” in French) in an elegant restaurant, Matt “sidetracked into the cheese world for a bit.” “I am always curious about how things work,” he explains with his boyish grin, “and I wanted to learn as much as I could about the restaurant business.” Besides handling the stylish restaurant’s famous table-side cheese cart, he learned how to properly age and store cheeses in the “cheese caves.”
South Carolina is known for a mustard style barbecue sauce
Taking a break from the fine dining scene, Matt landed in a butcher shop in hip East Nashville. The “hands-on kind of guy” figured learning how to “break down the whole animal” might also come in handy in the food business.
Nowadays, that same butcher shop supplies all the pasture-raised beef, pork, and chicken AND the parking lot for The Gambling Stick. Matt is proud of his initial step into the restaurant business and, for now he’s taking it slow, a little at a time. “I can’t afford to pay a lot of people, so I’ve learned to do whatever necessary to make things work,” he says.
In Texas, brisket is often chopped instead of sliced
Unlike a traditional restaurant, Matt gets to see who he is serving from his perch in the trailer. He enjoys interacting with his customers and watching their happy reactions to his plates and sandwiches and cornbread bowls. Continually developing and tweaking his “super seasonal sides,” the offerings today include heirloom tomato and cucumber salad, collard greens, apple slaw, and baked beans. I sampled – and recommend – them all.
I can’t wait for this hard working, likable guy to open his next venture – I am definitely rooting for him. In the meantime, I’m happy he is doing what he loves – working with fire – and turning out some of the best barbecue this Texas girl has eaten.
For hours, location, and catering menus, visit The Gambling Stick website.
You may also enjoy reading about a craft brewery in Denver or a Texas Brahman cattle rancher.
*This originally posted whoimettoday.com Make sure to follow Pamela Lamp on Instagram
The Fox Bar & Cocktail club Favorites! What will you choose?
Below are a few of The Fox Bar & Cocktail Club’s favorite menu items. Click here to view the full menu!
FOX DAIQUIRI • A Blend Of Appleton Reserve, Rhum Clément, & El Dorado 5 Rums, Lime Stock, Pineapple Skins, Sea Salt, Sugar, Lime Oil
LEFT HANDED BANANA • Belle Meade Bourbon, Banana, Cocchi Americano Rosa, Bruto Americano, Chocolate Bitters, Angostura Bitters, Olive & Sinclair Dark Chocolate
HOT CHICKEN HUMMUS • Chickpeas, Garlic, Hot Chicken Spices, Olive Oil, Honey. Served With Baguette & Veggies (Contains No Meat)
MISO DEVILED EGGS • Sesame Oil, Sriracha, Pickled Radish, Black Sesame, Green Onion
SUGARY DELIGHTS FOR THE ADVENTUROUS PALATE FOUND AT BANG CANDY CO.
The Bang Candy Company is a Nashville-based sugar-peddler specializing in whimsical confections. It is a magical, indulgent place where candy lovers bear no shame.
Indulge yourself in their gourmet marshmallows half-dipped in Belgian chocolate, enliven drinks and desserts with our delicious syrups or spread some Bang Candy love by sending a gift to the lover of sweets in your life.
They use only the highest-quality ingredients, their twisted imagination and lots of whimsey to bring you the most delicious handmade creations from their confectionary lab here in Nashville. Come visit!
Your Dream Home Awaits at 1109 Roberta Street!
NEW LISTING AT 1109 Roberta Street! Absolutely gorgeous property in the heart of East Nashville and a short walk to both Shelby Park and the Cornelia Air Park. Featuring amazing architectural details including a porte-cochère, wainscoting, custom mudroom, hardwoods throughout, open concept layout, master on main, oversized bonus room, covered back deck, fenced-in yard, and amazing outdoor entertaining space. This one has it all and is top to bottom meticulous! Elementary: Rosebank Middle: Stratford Stem High: Stratford Comp. This property is listed at $579,900. Consult your local real estate agent to see.
Looking for a Trip that is unique to American History and Culture? Nashville Buy Local Travels to New England!
During the 4th of July week in 2018, we decided to visit the folks in the North-Eastern part of the United States and get a taste of New England. If you haven’t been to New England yet, it’s time to go and help repair the local economy ravaged by 2020! Breathtaking scenery, culture, and obviously history. It’s also blessed with all seasons of the year. New England has some of the best experiences America has to offer. Here are some of our favorite things to do in New England:
Our Highlights
1. Funky Rock Art- Driving up from New Hampshire to Portland we stopped in the lovely seaside town of Kennebunkport, Maine. The town has scenic beaches and breakwater rocks that you can stand on for a closer look at boats in the harbor. You can drive along the edge of the water for breathtaking views. We also walked along the banks to view mansions and the summer home of our former president, George H. W. Bush. Around the rocky areas of the coast, we noticed people leaving well-stacked art designs for others to enjoy. We also left a design of our own.
Former President George H.W. Bush’s Home 
Stopping to smell the flowers 
Our little Creation 
2. Portland Head Lighthouse- I know it’s weird to say this was our highlight of Portland with such great food and beer in the city but it really was the highlight. This is a historic lighthouse in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, as well as the oldest in Maine. Located on over 90 acres of recreational space, we enjoyed walking the cliffside loop exploring the rocky beach. This is the most photographed lighthouse in America so don’t forget your camera! Also a lovely place for watching sailboats go by and enjoy a New England Treasure.
3. Salem Witch Museum- Everyone knows that Salem, Massachusetts is home to one of the worst injustices of the legal system with the Salem Witch Trials. The Salem Witch Trials are brought to life through 13 stage sets at the Salem Witch Museum featuring life-size figures and narration describing the 1692 hysteria. The second part of the tour is a guided walk through the museum that explains the history of witchcraft, modern practices, and stereotypes for a true understanding of witchcraft through the ages. Another fun thing about the city of Salem is exploring the filming locations of several movies, including an all-time favorite “Hocus Pocus’ a Disney Movie pictured below in white. One of the original Historical homes of the Salem Witch Trials is a few doors down in black. Also, how cool is the “I Dream of Jeanie” Statue?
Home used in Hocus Pocus 
“I Dream of Jeanie” Statue 
Original Home from The Salem Witch Trial era
4. Visit Ivy League Colleges- These colleges are known for their academic rigor, rich history, and long-standing traditions. We loved visiting Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, Brown, and MIT to get a taste of their culture and explore their beautiful grounds and architecture. Photo is in front of The Harvard Lampoon Building and the other is Yale from The Study Hotel. Staying in the Study hotel we were overlooking Yale’s old campus. Over 350 years ago this was our ancestor’s homestead. The many times Great Grandfather of our publisher donated his farmland just below for the original campus. On June 4, 1639, a young man named William Tuttle signed the church covenant document that established New Haven Colony.
A beautiful view from The Study Hotel looking out on Yale’s Campus 
The Harvard Lampoon!
5. Mansion Row- If you love The Biltmore in Asheville you are going to love Newport, Rhode Island. The mansions of Newport were built as summer homes for wealthy tycoons in the 1850’s to the 1990s and are simply breathtaking. If you love history and historical architecture, tours of these mansions should not be missed.
6. Plymouth Rock & Lexington and Concord- Everyone wants to see Plymouth Rock, Massachusetts. We visited New England’s most visited rock (which is most likely not the actual rock)! This famous landmark is the spot where the Pilgrims landed in 1620 to found Plymouth, Massachusetts. Gazing upon the rock will connect you with the Pilgrim story in a way that no textbook can! Not to mention the road it sits on is lined with cute shops and drinking/eating establishments facing the harbor. We also add Lexington and Concord to this because we only have room for 10. That said, this is going with the US History buff must visits. Following the trail of Paul Revere and seeing the spot where The Shot Heard Around the World took place was our favorite part. The actual Boston sites were fine but we enjoyed Lexington and Concord more and it seemed to be less crowded so you could enjoy the experience and learn more about the events at these locations.
Becoming a Junior Ranger 
Pose with a Minuteman on The 4th of July at the location that started the War for Independence. 
Outside of the Minute Man National Historical Park 
Steps from the North Bridge, where colonial militiamen were first ordered to fire on British soldiers, thus committing treason. Here also the first British soldiers were killed. 
The coast right off of Plymouth.
7. Ice Cream in Vermont- Visit Ben and Jerry’s factory tour in Waterbury, Vermont and enjoy a unique American company. We took a guided factory tour to see what it takes for our favorite flavors to come to fruition. We were able to taste new flavors the staff was working on. You can also mourn the loss of discontinued flavors in their flavor graveyard right next to the factory parking lot. A truly delicious experience! Pro-Tip: Get the Maple Flavored ice cream that is available only at the Waterbury location.
We think she found her future career! 
The Flavor Graveyard 
RIP
8. The Vermont Country Store- Step back in time when you visit this general store that opened in 1946. The Vermont Country Store takes pride in selling merchandise that is durable and practical as well as food items that are delicious and timeless. We bought our fair share of Vermont maple syrup while visiting. This store also has a mail-order catalog that has a cult following. We have ordered several things, ourselves, since returning home. It’s just that good!
9. Heartthrob Tour- Get a sidewalk lesson in pop history! New Kids On the Block fans can get a peek of Danny Wood’s childhood home, Jonathan and Jordan Knight’s childhood home, and Donnie Wahlberg’s apartment! You can even go by the NKOTB favorite hangout, Hi-Fi Pizza! And don’t forget to get your picture in front of the recording studio of Aerosmith! Thank you, Boston, for some of my favorite music!
330 Newbury where Aerosmith recorded “Dream On.” 
The Old Hi-Fi 
Jordan and Jonathan’s childhood home.
Everybody Loves Ribs! Grab Take Out or Delivery from Peg Leg Porker!
We know you love Peg Leg Porker Ribs, Mac n’ Cheese, Memphis Sushi, and those hand pies! That’s why there is no reason to get fancy for dinner. Take a chance for a nice Beer and BBQ in the heart of Nashville.
The Menu
Find out more at their website www.peglegporker.com. They are open Monday-Saturday 11am-10pm! Follow them on Facebook and Instagram for a delectable feed of BBQ.
