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City House

I mentioned Nashville’s Restaurant Week and was excited to try a new restaurant. I looked over all the special menus with Beth but most didn’t satisfy her. We settled on Tin Angel, a more casual place on West End. I called this afternoon but they were booked (over booked actually) all weekend.

I immediately thought of City House, an Italian restaurant in Germantown, I have wanted to visit since we moved to Nashville. I admit I had an urge because of its proximity to both of our Nashville homes.

I easily booked an 8:30 reservation tonight which gave me enough time for a quick run and to finish a world in Super Mario Brothers Wii. We arrived a little early but got our table on time. As we were waiting I watched the bar and an saw a lot of wine but also mixed drinks which surprised me for some reason. I also noticed thew wait star sporting casual clothes which made the place even more laid back.

The building is old and full of old brick and blocks. The kitchen is tiny and open. You can see steam billowing and the wood pizza oven flickering in the large, loud room. We were seated in another section up the stairs on the street level where it was quieter. Our server was a very friendly hipster that I would ask for again if I knew his name.

I started with a huge, 25.4 ounce bottle of Hennepin Farmhouse Ale. None of the beers were familiar but I knew I wanted one of the big ass bottles I saw while standing around the bar. It didn’t blow me away but 25 ounces left me in a very happy mood by the end of my meal.

We ordered an appetizer of crispy potatoes and Gorgonzola cheese. I new what I was ordering but Beth misjudged the pungency of the cheese. The potatoes were crispy all around and the cheese was portioned well.

I didn’t want to order a entree similar to Beth’s so I pushed her to try the pizza which I would stick pasta. The had larger meat dishes but I wasn’t as interested in them. My pasta was shells (with some fancier name), pumpkin, & walnuts. It wasn’t as good as the ravioli I made with sage and walnuts weeks ago but was definitely solid. I was surprised at the large portion that I didn’t finish. I wouldn’t order it again because I was something with more flavor and zing.

Beth ordered a pizza with their house cured pork belly, Mozzarella, and chilies. When our food was dropped off I noticed dark streaks on Beth’s pizza I assumed was basil that had been cooked with the pizza. I also noticed the egg in the middle that Beth requested not be included. (I would have had it added but that is for next time.) Beth served a slice to herself and allowed it cool. Luckily that was long enough for our server to realized she was given an anchovy pie. I grabbed a piece before it was gone and assumed the flavor of the fish would be faint. I was very wrong and very thankful Beth didn’t take a bite. I’m certain it would have ruined her meal.

It must have went to the wrong table because Beth’s proper pizza came out one minute later. It was delicious with a thin layer of house made Mozzarella and strips of pork belly. The chili oil/red pepper flakes was an addition I thought I would enjoy but it took away from the flavors of the pork & cheese. I like spicy food but this was too much. I believe Beth still enjoyed it though.

We almost skipped dessert but the bourbon gelato sounded too good to pass on my birthday. Beth was apprehensive but willing. Luckily it tasted nothing like bourbon, more like brown sugar. I really couldn’t put finger on the taste. Nevertheless, we both loved it, maybe more for it’s relief from the chilies.

I loved our long and slow meal. The conversation was great. The food was delicious. And the environment was intriguing. The restaurant had the perfect level of class and casual. I will be back, maybe even to try the pork heart that was off the menu but mentioned.