• About Gina
    • Contact Me
  • Restaurant Reviews
    • Tall Johns | Asheville
    • Eldr | Asheville
    • The Admiral | Asheville
    • Holeman & Finch | Asheville NC
    • Laura | Summerville SC
    • Rancho Lewis | Charleston
  • Travel
    • Asheville, North Carolina
    • Charleston, South Carolina
    • Charlotte North Carolina
    • Nashville, Tennessee
    • Rochester NY

Gina DiMartino

~ An Asheville Foodie, Writer, Creator & Dreamer

Gina DiMartino

Tag Archives: day trips

Weekends & Windscreens: Nashville TN

13 Monday Nov 2017

Posted by ginamd in travel, Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

day trips, Day trips from Asheville, nashville, nashville tn, tennessee, top things to do in nashville, travel, Travel Blog, Travel blogger, Weekend Trip

Welcome to Music City, the destination of this weekend’s birthday bash is… Nashville Tennessee!

My friend Rachel’s birthday was Sunday, and she wanted to get away for the weekend and have an adventure. We drove through the crazy winding pass from Asheville to Nashville and went straight to Gabby’s Burgers & Fries for lunch. Jon Acuff had mentioned a few weeks ago that they were the best burgers in Nashville, and I wanted to find out for myself. It is an unimpressive location, small, and nothing you would probably take notice of if you were not intentionally looking for it. But, we knew it was what we wanted so we pushed in, ordered at the counter, and sat at the bar in an adjacent tiny room. Amazing. These burgers were perfectly cooked, dripping with cheese, and so tasty. Add to that a perfectly creamy milkshake and your lunch is all you could ask for. I would have to agree with Jon Acuff that they are some of the best. I haven’t had every burger in Nashville so I can’t compare, but I would definitely go back for more!

IMG_7976IMG_7974

We rented a quaint little air b&b for the weekend in East Nashville and on the way decided to stop at OMG (Old Made Good) a vintage boutique. We browsed for a while, taking in all the vintage treasures, crafts and handmade goods. A fun little stop.  There was still time in the afternoon so we headed over to Barista Parlor which has long been a favorite coffee shop of mine. Anytime I visit Nashville, I make sure to stop there.  The creamy iced lattes hit the spot and the afternoon drifted away as we were reading/writing/playing video games (…I don’t play video games) …

IMG_4319IMG_4317

The Shoppes On Fatherland were close to our lodging, so we perused the different boutiques and unique stores before ending the day with some Mas Tacos for dinner and drinks at The Pinewood Social.

Pinewood Social has it all. Bowling, amazing food, a great coffee shop (Crema) a swimming pool, bocce, table tennis and a comfortable outdoor area where you can sit in the warm night air and order delicious drinks from the bar. Which is what we did. I’ve heard they have the best brunch around, so I’d love to go back the next time we’re in town. I had a cocktail called “Easy like sunday morning”. A cortado (espresso & steamed milk) with Fernet-Branca and Demerara. It was warm and smooth coffee with a hint of licorice and sweetness. So delicious.

IMG_7989IMG_4320

Our final day in Nashville we splurged on donuts at Five Daughters Bakery. Famous for their “100 layer” donuts, this is not a treat you want to miss. We shared donuts with flavors of pumpkin chocolate cheese cake, vanilla bean, and glazed cranberry. The cranberry was by far my favorite. Flakey laminated dough, frosted with a sweet frosting and topped with tangy and sour cranberries coated with a sugary glaze, OMG you have to try these donuts.

IMG_7998IMG_4340

Not wanting to drive home yet, we spent the afternoon reading Pride and Prejudice sprawled out under trees dropping their red and golden leaves all around us. A perfect end to the weekend!

IMG_4351

What are your favorite things to do in Nashville? I’d love to hear about them!

Want more info on Nashville? Check out this book!

Want to know where I’m going next? Be sure to follow my blog to keep up with my adventures! If you have a place you’d like me to visit or a restaurant to review, let me know!

Happy travels!

 

 

SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave

Weekends & Windscreens: Rochester, New York

03 Friday Nov 2017

Posted by ginamd in travel, Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

day trips, new york, rochester, top things to do in rochester, travel, Travel Blog, Travel blogger, Weekend Trip

I can’t write travel blogs without blogging about my hometown can I? There are so many things I love, love, LOVE about Rochester, but to keep in tune with my weekend posts, I will simply give you a few things to do if you have a day to spend in the amazing Rochester, New York.

IMG_3237

It’s a Saturday morning, so of course the best place to start your day is at the Rochester Public Market.  Stop into Javas or Fuego for some coffee. I never get flavored coffees but at the market for some reason I always get an almond flavored iced latte. Both coffee shops are coincidentally right next to the most amazing bakery at the market, which you will of course have to visit.  At Flour City Bread you will find some of the best granola you have ever put into your mouth, as well as the most  light and flakey chocolate croissants you can dream of. Please. Indulge.

IMG_6486 IMG_3142

Wander the different areas of the market and just take in all the sights, sounds, and smells. Don’t smell too hard in the fish area. Yuck! But the cheeses and fresh fruits & veggies and the food. Oh the food. Yes I really just go to the market to EAT. Fresh made empanadas, the best breakfast sandwiches ever, poutine if you’re lucky enough to go when the poutine truck is there… I could go on and on but I’ll let you experience it for yourself.

IMG_3263IMG_3173

What else should you do with your day? I mean I could take you to so many coffee shops and amazing places to eat, but for the sake of time, we will narrow it down. You will of course want to have lunch somewhere amazing. I would pick Esan. On the famed Park Avenue, Esan is the king of Thai food. Tom, the owner, is from Vietnam, so it doesn’t really make sense, but he is adorable, and the food is AMAZING. Although it is a very unimpressive looking spot, I promise if you like Thai food, you will love it. Sit outside if you can. Sitting outside on Park Ave is glorious. For people watching mostly. The perfect quintessential Rochester experience.

Right down the street from Esan, is Abbotts which is where you absolutely need to stop for some creamy custard. My favorite is the chocolate almond and it is one of the things I miss most about not living in NY anymore. Luckily they just opened a location in Greer, SC, which is only about an hour away. An hour for the best ice cream ever is definitely not too far to drive.

Now that you are full of thai food and custard, you can hop over to East Ave and take in a matinee at The Little Theater. Opened in 1929, this theater is a gem of downtown Rochester. They have cute little cafe where you can often find live jazz music, art exhibits, and of course movies. This intimate setting makes seeing a movie so unique. Don’t forget to grab a Naniamo Bar for a snack from the concessions stand. The only place I have ever seen these bars, and they are perfection. Chocolatey goodness with creme filling and a nutty crust.

One last stop. You definitely need a late night garbage plate! Founded in 1918, these garbage plates have been a staple of Rochester cuisine for a LONG TIME! Our favorite location to get a garbage plate is from Empire Hots in Webster, but you can find these famous plates at many establishments around Rochester. I know it sounds weird, but please believe me when I say you will find this to be quite addicting and you will find yourself craving one next week. I know I will be.

IMG_8758IMG_8670

What are your favorite things about Rochester? I’d love to hear about your travels.

What do you buy when you travel? Souvenirs? Keepsakes? Here’s a great shirt I picked up last time I was visiting.  I usually buy a hand made pottery mug in the blue/green/teal color scheme. All of my mugs “match” but are from all over the world. Every day I drink coffee from a different one and I remember my adventures.

This weekend I’m off to Nashville, so check in next week to see my Nashville post!

Happy travels!

 

SaveSaveSaveSave

Never miss a post!! Follow me today!

Join 244 other subscribers

Recent Posts

  • 2024 Books
  • Soprana | Asheville
  • Cultura | Asheville
  • Luminosa | Asheville
  • Tall Johns

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Subscribe Subscribed
    • Gina DiMartino
    • Join 116 other subscribers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Gina DiMartino
    • Subscribe Subscribed
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...