The Frothy Monkey Coffeehouse

As I promised last week, there's more love to come for 12 South.  In fact, here's a bit of it.  This week we headed to The Frothy Monkey Coffeehouse.  While we had all been to Frothy Monkey for coffee, most had never sampled their menu.  We also had another new addition to the JOPA this week, as our once-a-Marine-always-a-Marine (but now also a civilian) friend Michael joined us for lunch.

Another hotspot in the hipster Mecca that is 12 South

Just a block or two away from Edley's Bar-B-Que, Frothy Monkey is an independent neighborhood coffee shop, offering local fare in an inviting atmosphere. As most coffee shops within a mile or so of a college campus tend to be (and FM is close to two-- both Vandy and Belmont), Frothy Monkey was covered up with customers, even though we arrived early in the lunch hour. They have a fair amount of indoor seating, but with the heat, every table large enough for our crowd was taken by a single person with a laptop. We sat outside and attempted to enjoy the shade of a small tree on the patio. Frothy Monkey's outdoor seating is ample, and, I imagine, would be a pleasant place to people-watch when the heat index is under 100˚ (ie: not today). 

Not gonna lie, this guy's a little creepy.  But I look a bit like a deranged zoo animal

before my first cup of coffee too, so I suppose I should let it slide...

The lunch menu consists of salads and sandwiches, with soup and fruit as options for sides.  Frothy Monkey also serves their extensive breakfast menu all day.  Nobody was in the mood for pancakes or a scramble today, so we went with a variety of sandwiches, and a quesadilla for Garrick. 

The Royale for Michael-- a pretty fancy name for a toasted turkey sandwich

Michael and Ethan had turkey and roast beef sandwiches, respectively, and both received modest reviews.   Pretty much average, and not quite something you'd intentionally seek out a second time.  I believe we've used the phrase, "It got the job done," to describe similar meals in the past.  

The Larry for Ethan-- roast beast and provolone on sourdough

Garrick's quesadilla was also underwhelming, most notably because it wasn't served with sour cream (it did come with a side of guac). I'll have to side with Garrick on this one, as I would consider sour cream the supreme condiment, especially with a meal purporting to be of Southwest, Tex-Mex, or any variety of Hispanic origin. I'm certain there are regional food experts and lactose intolerants out there who will disagree with me, and to them I say-- "Can I have your sour cream?"

"The" Quesadilla for Garrick -- chicken and cheese with guac on the side

I may have been the only one impressed by my sandwich, a quasi-Italian prosciutto, mozz, and provolone combo with basil aioli. It was nicely toasted and all of the elements complimented eachother nicely. If I had one gripe, it would be that it would have been far better served on some crusty French bread or focaccia.  And there I go with the bread again... 

And the PMP for me -- that's prosciutto, mozz, and provolone

(with some avocado to sass it up)

We were unanimously disappointed with the side of tortilla chips and salsa that came standard with all of the sandwiches.  The menu does not state what side (if any) is included, and we were all let down by the small portion of from-the-bag tortilla chips and "blah" salsa.  Don't get me wrong, chips and salsa are a fine side for a sandwich, but give us something interesting!  Make your own chips, perhaps?  Or offer a peach or mango salsa?  If I wanted Tostitos and dip, I would have stopped at the grocery store. 

While lunch was low on pizzazz, the beverages were a delightful surprise.  I had a blueberry iced tea (blueberry, apple, and currant juices with hibiscus tea) and Ethan had an iced "Serene Green" tea.  Both were interesting and unique, and a refreshing (and necessary!) compliment to an outdoor lunch in the June sun.  It's always nice to find a coffeeshop that does non-java drinks as well as their signature, coffee-based ones.

Overall, The Frothy Monkey earned a 3.25.  While I'd definitely go back for coffee and conversation, I wouldn't make a special trip for lunch. 

Up next:  Gojo Ethiopian Cafe

~B


** Belay my last.  Garrick informed me today that the chips and salsa were advertised on the menu (at the bottom) as the default side.  My apologies for the oversight.  Regardless, the quality of the product served definitely left something to be desired. **

Edley's Bar-B-Que

E is for epic.  As in, the epic lunch we had at Edley's Bar-B-Que in 12 South today.  I've actually been looking forward to this one for a few weeks now, partly because of my underfed perfectly-smoked-pulled-pork-BBQ-lovin Memphis soul, and partly because the "Tribute to All Things Southern" slogan Edley's throws around is pretty darn intriguing.  Edley's did. not. disappoint.

We also welcomed a new member to the JOPA today, as our friend Jeremy joined us from another local Navy outpost (I know, there are quite a few of us squids stranded ashore here in Music City). 

I'd like that logo on a t-shirt--

Note to self: check out the merchandise next time around...

Edley's was our first stop in the newly trendy and rapidly growing 12 South neighborhood.  Several more of the stops on our ABC tour are also in (on?) 12 South, so expect plenty of foodie love for this area in posts to come. 

The restaurant has a casual interior, with a walk-up order counter and self-service seating.  They also have a bar area with its own seats.  As we were sticking with sweet tea and ice water today, we opted for a booth.

Inviting storefront, despite the new construction going on next door

Edley's offers the straightforward all-the-meats menu of a traditional BBQ joint.  Several varieties (pork, chicken, turkey, brisket...) are available on either a sandwich or a plate, with your choice of sides.  I am quickly learning that we should take a survey before ordering in places like this, since (for the second time) we ended up with a table-full of the same entrees.  Needless to say, we're a pulled pork crowd, although we did work in some variations in the sides.

Pulled Pork Plate with Mac & Cheese and a "Plug" of Slaw for Garrick,

with Jalapeño Cornbread on the side

As I mentioned earlier, I'm a Memphis gal, and thus, a major BBQ snob.   Texas can keep their beef, and North Carolina can pack it in with their spicy vinegar-based sauce.   Give me pulled pork so tender and juicy you can spread it on white bread, and sauce that's sweet and smoky-- for dipping or pouring, mind you, none of this drowning the meat in sauce (Kansas City, I'm lookin at you).

So it goes without saying that I was thrilled to finally have a decent pulled pork sandwich here in Nashville.  In fact, decent would be a real understatement.  Edley's doesn't stop with the pork, they hit all of the key components: a generous portion of meat, sauce that complements perfectly, and a bun that keeps it all together.  Edley's sandwich rolls were downright out of this world.  And you know how I feel about good bread!  (see last week's post re: Demos' cheese bread)

Pulled Pork Sandwich with the Slaw on top, and a side of Potato Salad for Ethan

Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Mac & Cheese and Jalapeño Cornbread for both Jeremy and me

As for the sides, everything was hot, fresh, and noticeably homemade-- except the slaw, which was cold, of course.  The mac & cheese, while tasty, needed a pop of flavor, some sharp cheddar, perhaps.  Jeremy thought the portion was a little small, so it was at least good enough to leave the customers wanting more : ) 

I'm a cornbread purist, preferring to leave out the jalapeños, bell peppers, onions, or what-have-you, but I'll admit that Edley's wasn't bad.  I did really like the thick slices, and the fact that they tossed them on the flat top for a bit of crispness before serving.  I was the only one with any complaints about the cornbread, though-- they boys all seemed to really enjoy it.  

And because they might as well be vitamins around here, Fried Pickles for the table

I've intentionally saved the fried pickles for last.  When I ordered them, the cashier shouted "fried pickles!" over her shoulder.  I thought it was wierd until they arrived last: piping hot, crisp, and very obviously made to order.  You'll remember that we tried the fried pickles at Bobbie's Dairy Dip last month, and were fairly impressed.  They were, however, fried pickle spears.  What any connoisseur of pickle dill-iciousness will tell you, though, is that pickle slices are absolutely the way to go when frying.  To quote Ethan, it's all about the "fry to pickle ratio."  Hands down, Edley's are the best I've had in a long while.

Overall, Edley's took a 4.38, earning them a comfortable second place spot among the five restaurants we've tried so far.  If they put fried okra on the menu, Jeremy might re-consider his "solid 4.0" score.

Next up:  Frothy Monkey

~B 

Demos' Steak and Spaghetti House

And we're back! After a couple of weeks off, we headed to Demos' Steak and Spaghetti House on Commerce St.   Demos' is our first chain restaurant, but seeing as they are a locally born, family owned chain (the first Demos' opened in Murfreesboro in the late 80's), we looked the other way.

Easy to find, hard to miss-- on the corner of 3rd and Commerce.

I'll admit I had some trouble classifying Demos'.  Their menu, as advertised, offers steak and spaghetti in a variety of forms, but also includes burgers, sandwiches, and salads, in addition to a few seafood options.  If you're downtown at lunchtime, try out their weekly $4.25 lunch special or daily $5.95 lunch special.  Today, a Greek style chicken spaghetti (weekly special) and a pasta primavera (daily special) were on offer, but none of us were sold on either.

Demos' offers rotating daily specials in addition to a weekly special feature

Most lunch and dinner entrees come with soup or salad and bread.  When the salads showed up, I immediately wished someone had tried the soup.  As you can see from my wilted little plate of leaves here, the salad isn't much to write home (or blog) about.  Pre-plated, refrigerated, and served with a plastic cup of dressing.  I'm not much of a ruffage eater anyway, but this earned a unanimous thumbs down.

: (

Fortunately, everything the salad at Demos' lacks is made up for by their bread.  Oh boy.  Now, if you put cheese and/or butter on it, I'm gonna eat it.  But this bread was freshly baked, still warm, AND sprinkled with butter and cheese. 

If you'll permit me, I'll step on my soap box for just a minute... I'd say a restaurant can make or break itself with its complimentary bread offering.  In fact, I'd venture that most customers would prefer no bread at all to a stale, dry, or obviously pre-packaged loaf in a plastic basket (You'll remember that Coco's committed this crime a few weeks ago... for shame...).   I'll throw out that my second bread-related restaurant crime is stinginess, "I'm sorry, one roll each, then you'll have to buy a basket..."

Anyway, Demos' does it right, and keeps the bread coming.  On to the entrees.

Can you smell that at home? 

I chose a lunch portion of the brown butter and garlic spaghetti, and added a side of "Jim's Famous Spinach."  The portion was just the right size for lunch, and at $4.95 (the spinach was extra), was a remarkable value.  And I can see why Jim's spinach is famous-- Yum.

Brown Butter Garlic Spaghetti with a side of Jim's Famous Spinach

Garrick opted for the Italian sausage and spaghetti with marinara, and Ethan went with the lunch portion of lasagna.  While the lasagna portion seemed small, the quality of both meals was above average.  None of the pastas were house-made, though, as Demos' apparently relies on the dried versions.

Italian Sausage and Spaghetti with Marinara

Lasagna (lunch portion)-- yes, it's under there!

Our overall impression of Demos' was positive: the atmosphere is more comfortable, and the staff more friendly than your average chain restaurant.  However, the lackluster salads and the premade pastas earned them a just-better-than-average 3.17 (two 3's and a 3.5).

Tasting next week:  Edley's Bar-B-Que

~B