Restaurant Review: Red Pony (Franklin, TN)

Well, in true musician style – we didn't make any reservations for our Valentine's Day dinner the Saturday before Valentine's Day but thought – let's go out.  We had been told by another couple we are friends with to try the Red Pony in Franklin, TN.  So we went there.

When we got there we were asked if we had a reservation, and of course we didn't.   Did they turn us away or tell us there was a 2hr wait?  Nope.  They suggested we go to their second floor because we could sit in the bar/lounge and still get the full menu.  We thought – let's try it.

So we go up there and it was pretty swanky.  We found two seats at the bar and the two bartenders were super attentive.  We had menus lickity split and the bartenders were very helpful in suggesting menu items.

Darren had the 20oz Ribeye (as you can see it was GINORMOUS!) which came with roasted potato wedges and a mushroom slaw like side.  Darren asked if he could replace it with asparagus and they said – no problem.

Isn't this GINORMOUS!!!

As you can see they forgot the asparagus – but not a problem....

I had the Shrimp & Grits.  It was just the right size – and DELICIOUS!  The grits were homemade garlic and cheese with a portobello mushroom sauce – SO GOOD!

YUMMY SCRUMPTIOUS!!!!!

When Darren could only finish half of he steak the bartender asked if he wanted a box and Darren said yes.  At this moment the Bartender realizes he forgot the asparagus and profusely apologizes.  When he brings back the box with Darren's left overs in it, there is a full serving of fresh asparagus inside.  A WHOLE second meal.  VERY nice.  

This was the bread pudding we have for dessert.  As I am sure you can assume – it was FABULOUS!

sorry - forgot to take the picture until AFTER it was gone...

Although it was a little pricey – it was a great experience.  Great food – Great service – Great atmosphere.  A great special occasion place.

For more info go to their website: http://www.redponyrestaurant.com

A Sunday Dinner at Bella Napoli - My 1st Restaurant Review!

Not from Nashville but want a good spot for a bite that the locals go to?  A local looking for a new cool place that is yummy, great atmosphere and not too pricey – even worthy of a date night for the frugal couple – heck any couple??  

Well, tucked away in the old White Way Cleaners complex on Villa Street between 17th and 18th Avenue just up from Music Row is Bella Napoli.  This locale is totally perfect for this Neapolitan brick oven pizza joint.  Being a former NYer and current Italian, one of the great things about NY I miss are really great pizza and all the little tucked away places in the brick buildings with internal courtyards to grab a bite to eat.  You get both here and more.

The menu has something for everyone, several gourmet pizzas as well as salads, pasta entrees, yummy desserts and a nice wine list.  Don't worry if you are not a wine aficionado because each menu item has a suggested wine pairing that you can totally count on to compliment your entree or pizza perfectly.

I had the Capricciosa pizza (I only could eat half b/c it was SO big with so much stuff on it!).  This pizza comes nicely appointed with imported baked ham, Genoa salami, marinated artichokes black kalamata olives, mushrooms and fresh mozzarella.  It was perfecto!  Such a great savory with a little spice flavor.  Totally topped it off when paired with the house chianti, which is a Ruffino Chianti –  very nice.

Darren, my man, is a purist so he stuck with the Margherita with fresh mozzarella, fresh basil and extra virgin olive oil on top of a lovely schmeer of tomato sauce.  He ate the whole thing SO FAST I think I was still on my first 3 bites of mine.  That's how you know it's good.

I highly recommend this place – it would even make a great spot for a Valentine's Day dinner.


...from one tomato to another – Bella Napoli XOXO - Ti amo!

Want more info before visiting – Check out their website:

http://www.bellanapolipizzeria.com/index.php?pg=home