Splendid Ice Cream

On a whim my brother took me to Jenis Splendid Ice Creams upon my arrival to Nashville. Who really needs an excuse for ice cream? Not this gal.

The creamery is nestled on a hip little corner in East Nashville. You can't miss it as their is often a line of people patiently and eagerly awaiting a few moments of bliss. It is just that good. So good that we made two trips in one weekend. The first time I oh so conveniently forgot my camera or so I said. Guess we will have to circle round for part deux.

The ice cream itself is out of this world delicious. But the experience is just as wonderful with kitchy little names and an impressively knowledgable, cheerful staff.

Toppings are called gravel. If you ask me, I'd like a little bit ice cream with my gravel. I was licking the bowl begging for more. Pour on some sauce aka hot fudge. All the other goodies including sprinkles, whipped cream, nuts, etc are your accouterments. I took the sundae approach, both times, more bang for my buck!

Living within close range would be very dangerous. Thankfully there is a 3 hour cushion. I'll stop yammering on. Enjoy!

Next time I'll get one of these to go.

According to this little lady, the ice cream isn't terrible for you. I didn't dig too deep, but I'll take her word for it.

The gravel. Chocolate Blackout has changed my life.

Kat, Jared's girlfriend, is clearly healthier than us without all the accouterments.

Jared and I might be related as we ordered the exact same thing only mine is better because it has sprinkles. We went for the Askinosie Dark Milk Chocolate (phenomenal) and The Buckeye State (chocolate peanut buttery goodness packed in a scoop). Our sauce was hot fudge. Gravel of choice, both nights, Chocolate Blackout. Topped with homemade whipped cream (I watched them make it) and sprinkles for myself.

Gone in a flash!

Yes, I am a child too. I shared my chalk with the little one. I wrote "Jared loves the Buckeyes" because he made such a big deal about ordering an ice cream called The Buckeye State. He is not in fact an Ohio State football fan no matter how much he loves chocolate and peanut butter. He requested a name change.

His mother and sisters apparently taught him to show his affections in strange ways. Sorry Kat.

Lucky for all of you, you don't actually have to go to Nashville to get Jeni's. You can order it online too! You can buy the ice cream, sauces, gravel, and sandwiches here. Could be a great Christmas gift if I do so say so myself!

I will be seeing you again Jeni's.

XO,
Bee

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Noshville

Fair warning: I took a ton of pictures this last weekend which is why I am spreading this Nashville weekend out.

After our delectable burgers we thought it wise to put on our walking shoes and see some of the sites. As we were driving by the Vanderbilt campus we noticed this really impressive Southern style building that we later learned was the education school. We whipped into a parking spot and started on our quest.

That evening we went to my favorite spot to see the city skyline over on Rolling Mill Hill. It is far more impressive than any camera could possibly capture.

The next morning we started our day off with a Nashville breakfast staple, Noshville, located in Midtown right next to good ole Taylor Swift's apartment (as if that is relevant). 

It was diner style, quick service, and delicious food. No complaints over here. 

Cafe con leche.

I don't go anywhere without these bad boys.

Please pay attention to me. I swear my conversations are stimulating he just doesn't appreciate it because we're related. 

I'd like to point out how unfair life is. Not sure why he was blessed with the blue eyes. He isn't really all that humble about it either. Envious. 

Also notice the dude with the apron in the background posing. Future America's Next Top Model action. 

Jared had the French toast with eggs and bacon. 

I had a griddle cake with fresh strawberries, eggs, and bacon. 

True test

Not complaining. Devoured. 

We walked it off by climbing one of those notorious middle Tennessee hills in Percy Warner Park. 

Can you even believe this is only 15 min from the city? Crazy how you can have that metropolitan life and still get that rural feel. Warms my heart as a small town gal.

Made it to the top! I commented on how cool my arm muscles look. I told Jared my push ups must be paying off. His response...

Yeah I do push ups too...mental push ups. It's really exhausting, you know, but I can really see the definition. He is a charming bloke. 

I really wanted to recreate a Rocky scene, but I was being shy with all the serious runners around. 

Well, that wraps up my weekend. Nashville has so much to offer. If you get the chance to visit, I promise it is so worth your time to venture away from the "touristy" spots downtown. Broadway is great, but the rest of this city has so much character. It is totally worth exploring. 

XOXO,

Bee

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Burger Republic

Those of you who haven't quite figured me out yet might think that I live in Nashville simply because I am there so often. I in fact live in Memphis. Let me say this, I love Memphis. Culturally Memphis exudes all things Southern. I often find my self shocked upon all the little nuances that this Southern melting pot has revealed. 

Nonetheless, my first Southern love is Nashville, and my brother so conveniently lives in the heart of Tennessee. I find myself venturing over for the weekend every now and then to get my fix. This weekend we tried out a Nashville gem, Burger Republic, hidden far outside of the city in Lenox Village. It is growing in popularity with a wall signed by Southern celebs like Luke Bryan, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, etc. They would't let me sign the wall. Apparently they don't appreciate my blogging celebrity status. 

Sometimes these raved about spots don't live up to the hype, but this one surely did as we nearly made ourselves sick stuffing our faces.

We started with the fan favorite Tater Tot Fondue. The tots were perfectly crisp (way better than the dump and bake found in the frozen food aisle). For added pleasure they came with a loaded bake potato fondue. We're talkin' cheese, sour cream, chives, and bacon. 

Some of us were a little over zealous (Jared).

We washed it down with our sweet teas, which happened to be my only complaint. The sweet tea itself wasn't all that sweet and a little watery. I ordered an unsweetened so I could dump in sugar to my hearts content. Unfortunately I had to choose between raw sugar (which doesn't dissolve) and Splenda (I don't do artificial). Rarely is it difficult to get a tall glass of tasty sweet tea in the South, so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. 

Our fascinating conversation hmmm. 

Then came the burgers! I got the Burger Republic cooked medium, rare and topped with Vermont aged white cheddar, Guinness braised bacon and onions, lettuce, tomato, and Republic sauce on a Brioche bun. 

My you don't know how to press a button face?

First bite was not disappointing. This is not somewhere I would go if I was trying to impress a dude with my etiquette.

Jared got the Buy the Farm burger. It was cooked medium, rare with lettuce, tomato, onion, smoked gouda, fried organic egg (cooked perfectly), red pepper relish, and bacon. 

Heinz 57 french fry potato (my one Jimmy Buffett reference).

I will now take the opportunity to relish in some sibling love/rivalry by picking on my brother when he cannot defend himself. Being the manly man that he claims to be, he was struggling to get through the first half of his burger. 

He claims he ate significantly more tots. 

I claim he is a little girl. And so he responds no no no...

I am an honorary member of the clean plate crew (less the fries)

Seeing that we are extremely competitive with each other. I am going to chalk this one up as a win. I even had time to photograph the whole meal before he was done. 

Overall it was wildly successful and delicious as we were miserable the rest of the afternoon coping with very full stomachs. I highly recommend. Who knows you might run into someone famous too.

XOXO,

Bee

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