OK, I discovered my love for "coffee soda" at Steadfast Coffee, but it was furthered here at Crema.

Crema is THE local coffee shop in Nashville, known for its dedication to trusted farmers and focus on the coffee bean.

"We relationally source coffee from farmers we know and trust. They are our friends, fellow coffee fanatics, trusted partners in the unfathomably complex story of coffee going from the plant to your cup. Our calling, then, is to honor our farmers and friends by paying them well, roasting their coffee in a way that honors its history and nuance, and serving the coffee with gratitude, acknowledging our place in this family of coffee."

This shop has a clean, sleek vibe with a minimalist feel. White walls with some art, wooden accents and perfectly placed product make for an ultra hip space.

So, I ordered a coffee soda - a cold, carbonated coffee drink with just a touch of orange. Super refreshing, just a tiny bit sweet - and the perfect pick-me-up on a hot morning. Or afternoon.

And, I also opted for a muffin - good, but clearly their focus is on the coffee here. And, I'm OK with that. Brittany chose an avocado toast, which I had a bite of - not bad.

Crema is a super cool place to get a cup, sit back, and enjoy Nashville.

Grade: A

Brittany immediately suggested The Garden Brunch Cafe as soon as she caught word that I was coming to Nashville. Not one of the more iconic Nashville eateries I was going for, but a hidden gem she insisted.

The Garden Brunch Cafe is open only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. No reservations. And, the cafe focuses on fresh, seasonal produce.

Experience our unique renditions of Eggs Benedict, our seasonal variations of pancake delicacies, and our healthy take on Southern favorites like Fish and Grits and Steak and Eggs. In our upscale and comfortable atmosphere, enjoy our original cuisine, artwork, and ambiance. On occasion, we will entertain you with spoken-word or jazz inspired nights, and by request, host your most special events.

The interior of this small cafe is simple, clean and with a touch of Southern. Lots of lovely African-American art decorated the walls.

The menu features omelettes, pancakes, french toast, benedicts, salads, sandwiches and more. I was seeking out something just a bit different because I've had so many pancakes or french toasts in my life that I was just hoping for something more.

The one thing that caught my eyes was the "salmon cakes," which I got with sides of cheese grits, fresh fruit and toast. The salmon cakes had a great, well-seasoned flavor. They were a bit dry, but that was helped by the side of a honey mustard sauce. The fresh fruit was a lovely mix not weighed down with melon, and the cheese grits were OK - plain grits with some shredded cheddar on top.

So, overall, the service and ambiance at this place was great. The food was good, and I'd love to try some of the other items as well.

Grade: B

When I was soliciting thoughts on where to go in Nashville, one place that kept coming up was Demos' Steak and Spaghetti House - specifically for their sweet tea.

We walked in, and I thought I could maybe just get a tea to go, but I realized it's more of a sit-down restaurant. So, we perused the appetizers to see what would go well with sweet tea.

But first - we were brought out these buttery, cheese rolls. OMG. So good. Hot, buttery carbs.

OK, and the sweet tea was served unsweetened with a side of simple syrup so you can control how sweet you make it. I'm typically not a fan of sweet tea, but this was a game changer. I was able to make it pretty sweet - and just the flavor overall was spot on.

Our meatball appetizer wasn't bad. Not the best marinara sauce I've ever had, but it wasn't bad. The meatballs were ground very finely. Not a ton of flavor - could use a generous shake of salt. Fairly average overall.

Grade: B

Burger Up is well known in Nashville for having one of best - if not THE best - burgers in town. The trendy burger joint had a line wrapped around the corner when we arrived. But, luckily, there were two seats at the bar that we snagged.

The restaurant is communal-style seating, which I'm noticing is kind of a trend in Nashville. But, we got the same sort of effect at the bar. And, oooof, did we.

The menu has a ton of amazing burgers that I wanted - like the Ramsey Pimento Cheese Burger (housemade pimento cheese, iceberg, tomato, pickles, red onion, truffle aioli, benton's bacon on jalapeno bun) or the Bison Burger (white cheddar, fried red onion and jalapenos, romaine, tomato and honey dijon aioli). But, alas, I went with the Black and Blue Burger (crumbled blue cheese, blackening seasoning, red onion and arugula). I had a ton of pimento cheese already on this trip, o I wanted to switch it up. I also got an order of the truffle fries.

Let me just take one moment to pause and tell you about the woman dining next to me. It was just the most bizarre experience; I kept looking for hidden cameras. She was incredibly demanding - asking for about 30 paper napkins and another 10 cloth napkins. Asking for an entire pitcher of water so she can fill it up as she pleased. Changing her order with a different waiter. Sending the food back. Seeing a pickle on my plate and asking why she didn't get one. Taking the silverware and cutlery with her in her to-go box. It was just a trip. A memorable one. I felt bad for the servers.

So, the food - was phenomenal. The burger was cooked perfectly, and they have house ketchup and like a garlic sauce. Both super, super good. I love the bite from the blue cheese and the sweetness from the red onion. And those truffle fries were the stuff dreams are made of. My only complaint is that I can't get this exact burger in Morgantown.

Grade: A

Yazoo Brewing Company is the largest brewery in Nashville, so I was excited to check it out. As soon as we got inside, I noticed the tables full of samplers and a long line to order.



Cool vibe in this place, but not enough seating. That was kind of a bummer. We waited around for a bit before we found a place that was vacated.

I went for a Hefeweizen, and they have a good one here. Light, summery, refreshing.

I think I might try another visit when it's not so crazy busy. And definitely would like to try a few more on their lineup.


Grade: B