Music City Food & Wine in Nashville

Wine & Dine in Music City: Nashville’s Food Fest

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It’s no big secret: Music City Food & Wine (formerly Music City Eats) is my favorite weekend of the year in Nashville. Granted, it’s only happened for three years now, but it’s such a fun event I can’t help but dig it.

Music City Food & Wine in Nashville

The first year, it was a bit of an unknown, and numbers weren’t nearly as solid as people expected, but then again, that’s the Nashville problem: You’ve got to prove yourself first. Well, they did and the festival’s second year totally rocked. I didn’t miss a minute of it.

This year, however, my sister decided to get married on that very weekend. And because I love her dearly (most of the time), I kept my mouth shut while I was crying on the inside.

But! There’s a silver lining. While I missed all the pre-fest activities—and hot damn, there are a lot, pretty much daily leading up the MCFW—I got up bright and early on Sunday morning and drove to Bicentennial Park for the final day. And what a beautiful fall day it was, too.

Music City Food & Wine in Nashville

Music City Food & Wine in Nashville
Music City Food & Wine in Nashville

I missed some of my favorite Nashville chefs on Saturday like Karl Worley and Trey Cioccia, but there were plenty of others I did get to catch at the fest like Kahlil Arnold and Pat Martin—not to mention, new delicacies I tried. For those new to the city, there’s never a better time of year to get a crash course on the culinary landscape and all the tasty treats it has to offer.

Music City Food & Wine in Nashville

Music City Food & Wine in Nashville
Music City Food & Wine in Nashville
Music City Food & Wine in Nashville
Music City Food & Wine in Nashville
Music City Food & Wine in Nashville
Music City Food & Wine in Nashville
Music City Food & Wine in Nashville

But to be honest, the bulk of what I tasted wasn’t food, but booze. I went straight for the Tito’s Bloody Mary bar before even finding my friends or food. Some things are just too predictable, I suppose.

Music City Food & Wine in Nashville

I feel a little guilty going with a big national name since many of my favorite local brands, like Picker’s Vodka/Pennington’s Whiskey, were there, too. But don’t worry, I didn’t play favorites: I simply tried them all!
Music City Food & Wine in Nashville

Music City Food & Wine in Nashville

Put what you want
Put what you want
Put what you want
Music City Food & Wine in Nashville
Music City Food & Wine in Nashville

And I absolutely loved the venue: This year, the festival moved from Public Square Park, where there’s not an ounce of natural shade in sight, to the leafy Bicentennial Park, where they were plenty of places to lounge and cool off. I must say I hope year four follows suit exactly.

The good news is that I have no more siblings or cousins to get married, so I will not miss a single event, including Harvest Night, on the next go around!
Music City Food & Wine in Nashville

Music City Food & Wine in Nashville

Music City Food & Wine in Nashville
Music City Food & Wine in Nashville

Music City Food & Wine in Nashville

Music City Food & Wine in Nashville
Music City Food & Wine in Nashville
Music City Food & Wine in Nashville

In continuing with our epicurean adventures, SVV—who was left out of my festival plans, sadly (he opted to stay home and work on our house, as he’s often wont to do!)—and I did some grand eating this past weekend at Chauhan Ale & Masala House, which recently started offering a brunch service.

I love me a good Indian restaurant, and Maneet Chauhan’s one-year-old spot fuses traditional Indian fare with Southern flair. In other words, it’s perfect for those who want to venture into Asian cuisine without completely leaving their comfort zone.

Brunch at Chauhan House in Nashville

Chauhan’s lunch was already one of my favorite options in downtown, and I must say the brunch followed suit, too. The moment I saw monkey bread on the menu, there was no way I couldn’t not order it!

Brunch at Chauhan House in Nashville

There were plenty of other recognizable Indian ingredients on the menu, like paratha and naan, but I stuck to a pretty basic pulled pork with coconut and spices atop a crispy rice cake. It didn’t disappoint either.

Brunch at Chauhan House in Nashville
Brunch at Chauhan House in Nashville

Naturally, I had to have a cocktail or two, because, well, I wanted to give a well-rounded review (obviously). And for those who have asked how life post-Whole30 is, let’s just say I feel morbidly obese and guilty every time I put something like this in my mouth.

Brunch at Chauhan House in Nashville

I do intend to maintain some semblance of the plan long-term—mainly for weigh management and to balance how much I eat for my job—but for now I needed a week off. And quite the week off I had! Already looking forward to year four of Music City Food & Wine, not to mention my imminent return to Chauhan for brunch, round two.

Brunch at Chauhan House in Nashville

Chauhan House
Chauhan House

Brunch at Chauhan House in Nashville

COMMENTS
  • September 28, 2015

    Every picture in your post looks so beautiful. Thanks.

    • September 29, 2015

      Thank you so much, Jame! That’s sweet of you to say.

  • September 30, 2015

    I love festivals; especially of the food and wine variety.

    We are always having them in Melbourne. This year I have been to a chocolate festival, night noodle market festival, icecream festival and next week I’m hoping to get the time to go to a cheese festival!

  • October 14, 2015

    it reallly a awesome post.thanks for sharing your experience with us it helps many people to survive and enjoy in college life.

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