A Fine Dining Experience to Remember
In 2018, I returned to Nashville. Again this year I was there over a weekend, but this time by myself! One audit team left the Friday before and another came in Sunday evening…I had the in-between time to myself! As a mom of young boys, this is a luxury! As my boss apologized for not having anyone here with me, I rolled my eyes (over the phone of course…not to his face) I reassured him it was just fine and PLEASE don’t send anyone early…please. So, I happily made my plans and didn’t include a single person. It was amazing. I decided to go to the Grand Ole Opry Friday night, found a little 8k local race Saturday morning, fine dining for dinner Saturday night, and a spa day on Sunday…and probably shopping at some point. Okay, maybe it sounds like too much but I did it all and it was amazing. Thanks boss for the gift. No apologies necessary.
First up Friday night…the Grand Ole Opry. I wasn’t sure of the parking situation so opted for an Uber. While the large parking lot was quite accommodating, unless most places in Southern California, it turned out to be a good decision at the end of the show. I walked past the long line of cars, through the Opry Hills Mall, out through the other side where there was almost no one and waited for my Uber ride. However, it was so empty on that side that if I go again, I will just park on that side. There was no traffic. As I sat waiting for the show, four ladies squeezed in front of me and sat to my right. I couldn’t help but overhear them talking about their hometowns and recognized the names of the places so I turned to them and started chatting. As it turned out, they all live in Orange County, CA! In cities neighboring mine! Small world…of all the seats in the Opry House. The show was entertaining and it felt relaxing to unwind…by myself.
The next morning I drove to a park not far from my hotel for an 8k race I found through online searching. The monies raised benefited the Greenspace for Nashville, which works at preserving green space, or open space, in Nashville for recreational enjoyment and conserving of the natural environment. I haven’t raced many 8k races and this was a PR as the last one was many years before. Although I really wasn’t racing for a PR, but just to run outside and see the city.
Now for the best part of the trip…The primary motivator for finding the race was not only to run outside, but…that night I had reservations for The Catbird Seat! So definitely wanted and needed to burn some calories! It was a fine dining experience like no others I had before, and in Nashville! Sure I had to enjoy it alone but being alone has never bothered me. I had heard about the place the year before during the audit from a friend / co-worker (our audit teams spend a lot of time together on the out-of-town audits…your co-workers become your friends). It was highly recommended and also I was warned a little pricey. Okay, yes it was pricey but I also live in Southern California…compared to the fine dining we have there, it really wasn’t that bad. So now to the experience…the number of guests per seating is small; there are two seatings per night. And it sells out fast! I stalked the website for when my preferred date opened up (midnight CST, which was 10pm PST) and reserved my spot. The next day, it was sold out already for my date. All guests for the evening sit together at a big square shaped eating area, with the “kitchen” in the center. The chefs prepare the food in front of you, then present it with a full description of each dish. I got the drink pairing with it so also got a little education on each dish with the drink paired with it. Now, because it is fine dining, each dish is not very big but the drink pourings are generous. I Ubered to the restaurant and was definitely unable to drive after so it was a good choice. Here are some pictures of my food. I would say this is probably my favorite fine dining experience as I enjoyed watching the food preparation and the presentation of each dish. I highly recommend this place when in Nashville.
Other adventures from the weekend included shopping at the Opry Mills Mall and a couple of spa treatments on Sunday. Saturday the weather was beautiful. Sunday the rains came in. Sunday morning I got up a little early and went for a walk to Centennial Park, which was near my hotel. It was really quite beautiful. Later in the week, I went for a run outside through the park. I cannot say enough how much I love Nashville.
