On the Calendar for May

8th and Roast “Try Our Food”

Saturday, May 11th
9 am – 1 pm

2108 8th Ave S
Nashville, TN 37204

$5/person

Eighth and Roast, opened last November by Lesa and Brad Wood of wholesaler Roast Inc., has become a much frequented spot for me. I often have meetings there, usually early morning, and I’m pretty much always hungry when I go (because I never seem to have much time to actually eat in the morning any more. That’s what having a kid does to you. Feed him, think about yourself later).

They’ve had a small selection of baked goods and quiches being brought in (the bacon cheddar scone -I think made by Dozen – is delicious), but sometimes I’d get there too late and my favorites would already be sold out. So when I heard the news that Chef Sam Tucker (previously of Watermark) had come on board and they are now serving breakfast and lunch seven days a week, I was pretty excited!

The seasonal, regularly changing menu is predominantly comprised of items made from locally sourced products, and includes pastries, breakfast sandwiches, quiches, salads and soups.

Mother’s Day Brunch by Carlos of Riffs

Sunday, May 12th
10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Casa Azafran
2195 Nolensville Pike
Nashville, TN 37211

$26.50 adults
$12.50 children 10 and under
(gratuity not included)

30% of the ticket price goes to support the work of Conexión Américas

As soon as I saw the menu for Chef Carlos Davis’ special Mother’s Day brunch buffet, there was no doubt in my mind where this mom was going to be dining on Sunday morning!

He had me at Bleu Cheese Biscuits with Sorghum Butter. Okay, so it was really the Gulf Shrimp, Pork Belly and Smoked Tomato Grits. Then the Caramelized Banana Bread Pudding just took me over the edge. And that doesn’t even cover half of what he’ll be serving up! Check out the full menu here (and prepare to drool).

In case you’re not familiar with Carlos, he is one of the talented chefs behind Riffs Fine Street Food, a favorite food truck of mine. And FYI: in 2011, his shrimp and grits played a big role in Riffs being named on my Best Of list. They are seriously, seriously incredible.

Pre-purchase your tickets in advance here (I did!) to reserve your seat.

Generous Helpings

Thursday, May 16th
5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Nashville Farmers’ Market
900 Rosa L Parks Boulevard
Nashville, TN

Cost:
$40 Advanced Ticket
$50 At-the-Door

I say it every year and I’ll say it again – Generous Helpings is one of my favorite food tasting events in Nashville. In 2009, it’s where I met Chef Jeremy Barlow for the first time and discovered the beauty of his food, specifically a Root Beer Braised Pork Bread Pudding with Sarsaparilla Creme and Sea Salt.

A friendship began and in 2010, I even volunteered to help him work behind the tayst table, serving up lamb nachos to attendees. In 2011, I was back on the other side of things, once again enjoying myself with friends and stuffing my face with good food. Sadly there was one amazing dish I missed out on that night though because they’d run out before I got around to their table: Stuffed Squash Blossoms from F. Scott’s.

I tell you this so you don’t make the same mistake I did. If others at an event tell you a dish is amazing, run – do not walk – straight to that spot and get it. Also, get there early. Be on a mission to eat. You can chat with friends later. Conquer food first!

(side note: I did eventually get to try those Squash Blossoms and they were every bit as fantastic as people said)

Head over to the Second Harvest website to see a full listing of this year’s participating restaurants and purchase tickets for the event.

If you’d like to try your luck at winning some FREE tickets, head over to my friends’ blogs: Lesley Eats and So How’s It Taste. Hurry though because their giveaways end later today (Lesley) and tomorrow (Leah/So How’s)!