Dining Out for Life at Silly Goose [Eat]

For once, I'm writing about something recent. I need to go back and write about why Trader Joe's should move to East Nashville (and all the recipes I made with TJ's groceries), why I'm in love-hate with Facebook and the crazy new open graph, planting tomatoes, eggplant and squash, and how awesomely my made-from-scratch (yeast dough and everything!) cinnamon rolls turned out, but for now, let's focus on last night.

I stayed at work until 7 last night, which is rare in general but exceptionally rare for Tuesdays, because I have a strict schedule of Pilates at 6:30 and Lost at 8. But Pilates was cancelled and Lost was a repeat (how dare they!), so I finished some stuff up and decided to pick up dinner at one of the restaurants participating in Dining Out for Life, because I'm all about easy charity and an excuse to try new restaurants.

I decided on Nuvo Burrito, because it comes highly recommended from my coworker/carpoolmate Courtney, and I got Ty all excited about a Ques-Idea called Just 2 Lil Grills From Little Rock (basically, BBQ chicken quesadilla). I illegally parked (well, other people were also illegally parked) and thought I could just run in and out, but the line was literally out the door. I forgot it was probably going to be super crowded due to their Glee parties. And I didn't want to wait (or miss Glee) and get a parking ticket, so I gave up and went to Silly Goose.

Silly Goose is across from Rosepepper and is way, way more pleasant (may have had two bad experiences in a row at Rosepepper and am never eating there again. Drinking... perhaps). It's small, so not a lot of seating, but the hostess was very nice, telling people they could wait inside Ugly Mugs next door and she'd come and get them. Now that's service. And people just kept bringing in wine for them to chill. Gotta love a place that lets you BYOB... I'd save so much money if I sought those places out.

I also loved their big chalkboard of local purveyors, which include Kenny's Farmhouse Cheese (they live up in Kentucky, my mom has visited their farm), Delvin Farms greens, Noble Springs Dairy and Provence Breads. Everything just looked so fresh and delish.

They also have fresh juices and homemade ice cream... I mean, everything I saw just looked amazing. Not a good place to go if you have a big group, but for two people, or even four, it has a great atmosphere. There was a family with two young kids (one little redhead eating avocado reminded me of the infamous Jack), an older retired-looking couple and a few people my age. Most people were dining in, but a couple did do takeout as well. I don't know if it's normally this crowded or only was for Dining Out for Life, but I sure hope they stay in business.... I'm going to do my part, for sure.

Ty had told me just to pick something for him, so I ordered him the Bird: Grilled chicken breast, sun-dried tomato, avocado, bacon, peppered goat cheese on organic flax seed bread.

Even their takeout is pretty. While waiting, I got to watch them prepare everyone else's meals... several people got the King Kong, I assume, which is curried shrimp on couscous, and it looked amazing. They kind of specialize in couscous, I guess – she asked if I wanted couscous, greens, or a little of both and of course I went with a little of both. The girl making the sandwiches was great at cutting avocados, by the way, I need to take lessons. And then she drizzled it all with balasmic and what I imagine to be some sort of basil vinaigrette.

Judge the quality by their handwriting, not my iPhone photos

I ordered the Saylor, which is Grilled eggplant, roasted red pepper, avocado, basil, arugula, lemon-kalamata olive aioli on honey flax. Also, yum, but messy.

Still, I made it home in time for Glee (which was unfortunately disappointing, though how could they possibly top that Madonna ep) and now know about a delicious place to eat when I'm wanting a fresh sandwich or salad. And I definitely need to try that shrimp couscous situation. Can't wait.

Olive and Sinclair Chocolate [Eat]

Like most people, I love chocolate. Unlike most chocoholics, I love bittersweet, dark, dark chocolate.

My parents have a friend who travels to Nicaragua and helps build schools, or something like that, and along the way he has developed his own recipe for homemade chocolate. It comes in little mason jars like jelly, with names based by different numbers, I guess the percentage of cacao to whatever else goes in there. You have to heat the jar of chocolate in a pot of boiling water, and then once it's melted, pour it in a baking dish and put it in the fridge to harden. Then you can break it up into pieces like a Hershey bar. A rich, bittersweet, earthier Hershey bar. The best is to put a piece or two on top of the coffee in the filter before it brews. Take note, Starbucks.

So I had heard about Olive and Sinclair Chocolate for a while, but it wasn't until my friend and I were at Mitchell's Deli that I decided to buy a bar. They do stone-ground artisan chocolate with crazy flavors like Sea Salted and Cinnamon Chili. But when I saw Coffee Bean, I knew that's exactly what we needed.

The chocolate was not sweet at all -- just the way I like it. There was a distinct coffee flavor, not really mocha but something along the lines of chocolate-covered espresso beans, but not waxy. Just like the Nicaraguan chocolate, except much less work.

The stone-ground aspect intrigues me, and they also have these unique stamps that make their chocolates little works of art. You can watch their videos on Facebook to learn more about the whole process. One of our freelancers who is very much into eating locally also profiled them on her Local Table blog.

I have heard rumors of them getting a storefront in East Nashville, but in the meantime I've seen their chocolate bars at various places around the neighborhood. The chocolate bars run at a couple bucks apiece, but it's totally worth it.

Next time, I'll try the ultimate homemade chocolate test: brewing it in my coffee.