Nashville - Henrietta Red
A quiche with acorn squash? Yes Please. And - are people eating at restaurants in December? Why does it feel so quiet in Toronto..
I take great delight in life’s little luxuries - I keep a list of things that make me happy - with priority spots for those that make me feel quite spoiled. Having Someone Make You Breakfast sits in the Top 10. Eggs scrambled by my mother, pancakes made by my best friend - being treated at the beginning of the day is a special way to get going. [No, husband does not cook, or boil water, unfortunately].
Because I value breakfast, I am typically the one cooking for others - at the cottage or home - we rarely eat out, unless while travelling.
This backstory is necessary because brunch at Henrietta Red in Nashville was fantastic - but I cannot help but think my impression was swayed by the indulgent order of a breakfast quiche, prepared by someone else, in the company of great friends. Regardless, it was southern comfort, the menu inspired by what was in season - acorn squash, beets - with a farm to table flare.
What we ordered: Buttermilk Biscuits, Peach Jam $6 | (1) Breakfast Sandwich, Maple Sausage, Fluffy Egg, Pepper Jelly, Fontal $15 | (1) Beet Toast, Cashew Brie, Roasted Cabbage, Beet Jam, Pistachio Gremolata $16 | (2) Farmer’s Market Quiche, Acorn Squash, Caramelized Onion, Fontal $16
Never have I ever thought of ordering Beet Toast for breakfast; but our friend ordered it on a whim and it was elite. The pistachio gremolata was fantastic - obviously, since the nut is having a moment, and the dish was not overwhelmingly beet-y.
Have you ever been to the south and had a homemade biscuit? No? Run. Go now.
Recommend for: Located in Nashville’s Germantown neighbourhood, this is clearly a go-to spot for locals: large groups celebrating birthdays, some morning-afters, a couple couples, and lots of girlfriends. This would be the number one spot I would take my parents and vow to come back to for a night of oysters and wine.
Reservations: Yes, via Opentable
Complet’s Current
Memorable Meal? We ate at Alobar Downtown this week, and I have to say - I really, really do not like it. I frequent the bar probably once every two weeks - or at least twice a week this month - given it is so close to the office. To Alobar’s credit, they are one of two destinations in the financial district that serve a non-alcoholic wine, Odd Bird in case you are wondering. [Frenchy in the Hilton is the other place serving up the sparkling 0%.] The menu at Alobar Downtown is practically all raw, and each dish is incredibly oil-y or sauce-y; I do not want my crudo submerged or my tuna drowning thank you very much. The restaurant is so loud and the tables so large that you are constantly elbows on-the-table, chest-on-your-plate screeching at your company, or rolling your eyes to say - Nevermind! because the DJ’s ‘beats’ were drowning you out on a Tuesday night. Given their reputation and expertise, this restaurant could be so much better.
Where am I Eating Next? Tomorrow I am heading back to Mott 32 for a work lunch; it wouldn’t be the week-before-Christmas without mandatory work drinks at King Taps and a holiday party at Black and Blue; and finally, one lunch for a friend’s insurance company at Rodney’s Oyster House.
What My Friends Are Talking About: I know I have written about General Public before, but I really need to get there soon. Doesn’t that burger look cute?
All my friends are talking about is their Christmas travel, either domestic to see their families, or foreign, Paris, Vienna, London, New York, Bahamas - no one is talking about hot new restaurants. I have read some interesting articles of late about restaurant trends - the small bite craze WSJ, very expensive sandwiches in NYC HTSI, and whether or not luxury dining can survive (this one is Toronto focused, but is the topic of most restaurant substacks) Globe and Mail. I’ll be curious to see what 2026 brings..!
Added to My International Must-See List: I think I would like to do an art trip to Italy next year - Rome and Florence for sure. So now starts the Pinterest, AmiGO, and Substack searches. Pierluigi, the seafood focused resto, keeps popping up so it is the first pin on the Travel Wish List..!