The Queen of Nashville: Monell

All I can think about is spring break. And that means Nashville, Tennessee. And that means Monell's.


During water aerobics yesterday, while lifting foam weights over my head and hopping on one foot in the shallow end, I was telling some friends (under the age of sixty!) about Monell's. I told them that it is the best restaurant I have ever been to. Immediately upon saying this, I realized it was true.
At most restaurants, I experience one of two predicaments:

1. I drive myself into a rut: so in love with one dish, I am unable to try anything new. This is the case at Coffee News (the subject of a previous post), and though I'm perfectly happy getting the same sandwich every time I go there, I recognize how much I might be missing.
2. (actually, this is an offshoot of #1, but not really) I only like a few items on the menu. This, of course, is a global issue, but that doesn't make it any better for sufferers.

At Monell's, though, I experience neither.
I do not experience #1 because I have no choice but try everything, and I do not experience #2 because everything is good.



Now, let me introduce to my Top Restaurant:


MONELL'S!

We walk down 6th Street. It's dark out, and the neighborhood is quiet. An old brick house, warmly lit from the inside. Two rooms, two huge tables. Murals on the walls. Laughter, folks sit together at the tables, sharing food, needing no reason besides this shared experience to feel completely at ease.
Family-style southern fare covers the table, constantly refilled, increased, and compounded. Biscuits, chicken, potatoes, macaroni and cheese, strawberry shortcake.
I've never come across something that I didn't want to finish (read: didn't finish) at Monell's.



A visit to Monell's is the sole reason I insisted on planning a spring break trip down south last year, and the reason I insist on doing the same trip this year.

I cain't wait!

-Lillie