It's Nashville's version of a cronut.

Five Daughters Bakery was at the top of Brittany's to-visit list while I was in Nashville, and I have to admit that I was not particularly thrilled. Not because I don't trust Brittany's choices - I 100% do - but because donuts just aren't really my thing. Pastries in general just don't do it for me.

But this was different.

We walked into Five Daughters Bakery and back toward the donuts they had prepped and ready to go. These fine creations take up to three days to make. Chocolate Sea Salt, Maple Glaze - there were tons that all looked amazing.

The donut is this croissant/donut hybrid. The 100-layer donut is rolled in sugar, filled with cream and topped with an amazing glaze.

I went for the strawberry lemonade. And WOW. Think of taking a donut, making it thin and flaky inside, slathering it with butter, adding a lemon cream among those layers, topping it with a strawberry glaze and sugar. Just amazing.

Don't let the $5 price tag fool you. You won't need more than one. But, it may just be the best $5 you ever spend.

Grade: A

Pancake Pantry - in addition for being known to have Nashville's best pancakes - is notorious for long lines wrapping around the restaurant and out to the street corner. I fully expected no less than an hour wait.

But, when we arrived, I was pleased to see just a couple folks in front of us. We were seated within five minutes. Score! We were seated along the wall - close quarters with the folks nearby.

This restaurant has been around for more than 50 years, making fresh breakfast delights every day. It's not a huge space, and all the tables were just out in an open room. The servers were busy running back and forth and tending to the busy tables - every single one of them full.

The menu has everything from classic pancakes to ones with fruit to potato pancakes to Santa Fe cornmeal pancakes. Plus, if you're a heathen, you could get something that isn't a pancake - like omelettes, hash browns, etc.

So, I went for: Georgia Peach Pancakes Three tender, rolled pancakes each hold a dollop of sweet Georgia peach compote. Topped with more delicious compote, powdered sugar, and whipped cream.

Well, I kept seeing Georgia peaches all over, and this one just sounded good. And, it was. The peaches were juicy, the compote and whipped cream were sweet - but I, of course, still topped it with syrup. These pancakes are thin, but light and just super good. I love the variety at this restaurant, and I'd love to try one of the more unique options next.

Grade: A

Well, I always thought Nashville was lots of folks walking around in cowboy boots, honky tonk music at every corner and boozing.

I was wrong. Obvi.

Most of Nashville is like a nice, midsize city. But they do have one street downtown - Broadway - that is just that. It's a mini Las Vegas strip, filled with (mostly) tourists trying to get Nashville to fit into that ideal they've created for the city. Bright lights, bars with local musicians and lots and lots of cowboy boots. And, the best place to see it all? From the top of Acme Feed & Seed.

Acme Feed & Seed is this odd conglomerate of cocktail bar, restaurant, and skytop lounge all separate by floors. The first floor focuses on that "honky tonk" theme with local musicians and the restaurant. The second floor has a lounge and bar with some shareable menu items. The third-floor is more of an event/music venue. And, the top is the open-air rooftop bar. We mostly visited this for the latter, but I stopped in for the former because food.

As soon as we entered the building, I snagged a menu and ordered some sweet potato fries at the counter. I waited around on the first floor until they were done, and then we went to the top. And, wow, it is a lovely view of the city. I love sweeping city views. It was pretty crowded, and there was some garbage left behind from other folks littered about.

And the sweet potato fries with rooster pepper remoulade was pretty good - I love sweet potato fries, and the remoulade made it feel indulgent. But the view was great.

Grade: B

Everywhere I went in Nashville, I kept seeing references to The Bang Candy Company. Small quartets of handmade marshmallows were sold at shops all across town. I love how Nashville businesses support other Nashville businesses, and since the candy shop was just across town, we decided to check it out.

The shop is quite small (but it's located in this cool lively strip with other shops), with just a few shelves of their various products. They also serve coffee, tea and other drinks and baked goods. I bought a box of marshmallows as a gift, and I got a few out of the case to try for myself.

I ordered Maple Bacon Bourbon, Rose Cardamom, Mango Tamarind and PB&J.

To be honest, these all kind of tasted the same to me. They weren't bad, but the actual flavors weren't totally noticeable. Very faint. And, the chocolate was a dark chocolate.

I think the idea here is pretty cool. I do wish the flavors were a bit more bold. Maybe I picked wrong. Either way, cool concept and branding.


Grade: B

Edley's Bar-B-Que, while specializes in BBQ and a delicious assortment of side dishes, serves up one of the most legendary drinks in Nashville. So, if for that reason alone, I made it a priority to stop. Plus, who am I to turn down BBQ?

Once we entered the 12South location (there are three locations in town), we walked up to the counter to place our order. I went with my classic barometer BBQ selection: a pulled pork sandwich. And, I ordered the mac & cheese and banana pudding as my sides. I mean, if you're giving me the choice between cole slaw and banana pudding for sides ... that's no contest.

So, I tried to order my drink at the food counter, but you have to go to the bar. So, I went to the bar for my Bushwacker. Bushwackers are like coffee, liquor and chocolate had a baby. While they SOUND like they would be amazing, I was not a fan. Are you coffee? Are you liquor? Are you chocolate? Pick a lane, bud. Because my brain is expecting delicious ice cream and my tastebuds are getting whiskey. I'll keep my flavors separated so I can enjoy the simplicity of each. Also, it was just really effing strong, and I wasn't feeling it this night.

So, Brittany was right. The BBQ was dry. But, that's nothing a nice, thick, sweet BBQ sauce can't fix. The sides, however, were bangin. A heaping cup of macaroni & cheese and banana pudding more than made up for the main component of this plate. The mac & cheese was creamy with a touch of breadcrumbs on top. The banana pudding was phenomenal. Overflowing with layers of sweet vanilla custard, bananas and whipped cream.

Overall, delicious (and numerous sides), eh BBQ. And ehhhh to Bushwackers.

Grade: B