Where we tryin’ to eat?

 

MONDAY

We’re up early and walk to the Ryman Auditorium for our self-guided tour. We watch a cool projection video then wander around. The building is beautiful and there isn’t a bad seat in the house. I can see why musicians find it so magical.

Afterwards, I catch myself asking Karl, “where we tryin’ to eat later?” Tryin’? Why are tryin’ to eat? I don’t know about you, but I’m definitely going to eat later.  It hits me that this is phrasing I’ve picked up in Ohio. It’s like when you’re “fixin’.”  You’re fixin’ to make supper or fixin’ to go out.  So while y’all (thanks, Nashville) are busy tryin’ and fixin’, I’ll just be over here “eating” and “going.”

After a failed attempt to tour the  RCA Studio B on Music Row, we head to Jack White’s record shop, Third Man Records, in The Gulch. And now it’s time to eat.

Burger Up was a solid choice for lunch. A black & bleu burger, a fried chicken sandwich with pickles and black pepper sauce and a delightfully large pile of truffle fries was exactly what the doctor ordered. We walk off our lunch and stop at a cute juice bar. I order a shot of ginger because I’ve never tried it and I’m still full from lunch. I should have known something was up when the guy handed it to me and said, “good luck.” First the spice hits your lips, then your eyes begin to water, you become flush, and next there’s a fire burning in your stomach. So obviously I’m feeling pretty healthy. They rush over some strawberry slices to “ease the pain” (which goes on for at least 30 more minutes) and Karl makes me shoot the rest like it’s tequila. Meanie.

Now we’re off to Belle Mead Plantation. We didn’t go in ($30 seemed steep) but we roam around a little cabin on the property, enjoying the day.

There’s a nasty storm coming so we plan somewhere close for dinner. Skull’s Rainbow Room. Sounds pretty cool, right? It is. Beautiful cocktails made right, live music and some history.

Here’s the story:

Schulman opened the Rainbow Room in the lower level of the landmark Southern Turf Building in 1948. During Skull’s five-decade tenure, the legendary venue transformed multiple times; jazz, burlesque, country, strip-tease, and rock ‘n’ roll all claim chapters in its history.

Etta James, Elvis Presley, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, Waylon Jennings, Joni Mitchell, Jerry Lee Lewis, and comedian Andy Griffith have all graced the original checker-board stage. 

Sadly, in January of 1998, David “Skull” Schulman was murdered during a robbery in his beloved club. People from all walks of life mourned his passing. The iconic Rainbow Room closed shortly thereafter, staying shuttered for almost 17 years.

After an extensive three year renovation, we are proud and honored to once again open the doors of David Schulman’s World Famous SKULL’S RAINBOW ROOM.

Dinner was killer. Garlic parmesan mushrooms filled with escargot, duck empanadas, and tuna tartare with creme fresh and homemade potato chips.

Yes. Yes. Yes.