reviews

Leave a comment Posted on food reviews, Health, reviews, Uncategorized, vegan

Vegan Review Of The Farm House In Downtown Nashville

Even though I live just about 12 miles from the glory and fame of downtown Nashville, I only end up there a couple times each year…

Vegan Review Of The Farm House In Downtown Nashville

But last week while attending the Lexus NX Press Preview at Union Station Hotel, we car reviewers were treated to dinner at a high end restaurant called The Farm House; featuring the music of Jeff Hyde and Jeremy Spillman.

We got to ride a trolley there…

Vegan Review Of The Farm House In Downtown Nashville by Nick Shell

One of the things that tremendously sets The Farm House apart is that the food they offer is local. Their slogan is “local farms create local plates.”

That’s impressive, seriously!

However, The Farm House’s food truly is fresh- because the food didn’t have to travel that far to the plate.

Vegan Review Of The Farm House In Downtown Nashville by Nick Shell

It’s a very relevant idea that I believe will becoming more of a trend. But The Farm House is already doing it.

Perhaps the true test of how good a restaurant really is, is to have a vegan like me to do the review:

When you strip away the rich flavor of meat, eggs, and dairy from a meal, you get to really find out how good the food actually is or isn’t.

I can confirm that I was not disappointed in the least with my meal. As peculiar as it may sound, my meal was a huge bowl full of garden vegetables including potatoes, okra, tomatoes, and eggplant; varying from pickled, seasoned, and fried.

Vegan Review Of The Farm House In Downtown Nashville by Nick Shell

It was a complete delight! And so hearty.

(It reminded me of a month ago when I visited my parents in Alabama. They have an all organic, non-GMO garden. For a few meals during our family’s visit, we simply ate grilled garden veggies.)

For dessert at The Farm House, I had cantaloupe sherbet infused with chili powder. It was a lot of fun.

As you can see from my photo collage above, I am not the only one to say that The Farm House is a truly respectable establishment. (It was the winner of the 2014 OpenTable Diner’s Choice.)

I predict that if you end up at The Farm House, you will be pleased. I definitely was.

Vegan Review Of The Farm House In Downtown Nashville by Nick Shell

 And if you’re curious about other stories I’ve written that feature the Lexus NX…

I now invite you to view the Lexus NX Press Release Flickr page, as well as the completely library of posts I’ve published on the 2015 Lexus RX:

The “True Grit, Pure Grace” Lexus NX Press Preview In Nashville, TN

2015 Lexus NX Review/Preview Across The Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge

Vegan Review Of The Farm House In Downtown Nashville

2015 Lexus NX 200t: 10 Professional Photos

2015 Lexus NX 300h: 11 Professional Photos

2015 Lexus NX 200t F Sport: 13 Professional Photos

Luxury Package of 2015 Lexus NX 200t F Sport: 7 Professional Photos

2015 Lexus NX: A Flickr Link To Professional Photos

Thanks for stopping by. Be on the look-out for more of my reviews on the Lexus/Toyota/Scion family!

6 Comments Posted on car reviews, reviews, Uncategorized

2015 Lexus NX Review/Preview Across The Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge

Despite living in Nashville since September 11, 2005, I had never been to the iconic Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge.

2015 Lexus NX Review/Preview Across The Natchez Trace Bridge

Fortunately, I was invited by Lexus to test drive their upcoming NX to it; serving as a perfect, and not to mention, beautiful, test drive.

Seeing the bridge in person somehow made me think of the setting of The Hunger Games…

2015 Lexus NX Review/Preview Across The Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge

I enjoyed walking the trail leading underneath the bridge. My co-driver Jason Muxlow of Automotive Trends thought he lost me there for a minute after I disappeared while he was taking pictures of the NX as we were stopped at the scenic view parking lot.

As far as driving the Lexus NX for the test drive, the very first word that came to mind was “effortless”. I had nearly driven all the way back to the Union Station Hotel before thinking to myself, “Oh yeah, I’m driving a Lexus NX right now, and I have been for the past 30 minutes. Soak this in right now; this is a big deal.”

2015 Lexus NX Review/Preview Across The Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge

I mean that as a good thing. It’s like when I hear a good classic song, like “1979” by The Smashing Pumpkins, for example. It takes me to a different place for a few minutes and it’s not until the song ends that I realize that escape itself is proof that I love it.

In case you’re wondering, the NX is a small sport-utilility vehicle, but it looks and feels like a sports-car.

2015 Lexus NX Review/Preview Across The Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge

Obviously, the folks at Lexus make sure their vehicles provide a certain kind of experience. For me, and I have reviewed many Lexus vehicles by now, there’s this quiet, subtle power that comes with the experience of driving one.

I’m not the kind of guy who likes huge, loud, obnoxious, attention-stealing vehicles. Granted, every time I review a Lexus, I see people turning their heads and then trying to pretend they’re not once they see me catching them.

Something that I particularly appreciated about the Lexus NX is its size. I like that it feels lower to the ground, handles perfectly, and has the right amount of power.

2015 Lexus NX Review/Preview Across The Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge

Usually I would close with some official stats on the car, but since the NX is still just a prototype, I can only give estimates.

According my notes taken during the “True Grit, Pure Grace” Lexus NX Press Premiere, the estimated cost of the vehicle will be “less than $40K.”

The targeted demographic is “men and women in their 30s and 40s who are single or married with young kids, having a combined household income of $130K.”

Estimated gas milage will be 22 city, 28 highway, and 24 average.

For the hybrid version, it will be 31 city, 35 highway, and 33 average.

2015 Lexus NX Review/Preview Across The Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge

Some other features of the 2015 Lexus NX include the following:

-All new 2.0-liter, 235 horsepower turbocharged gasoline engine with a combination water-cooled cylinder head, integrated exhaust manifold and twin scroll turbocharger.

-All new six-speed automatic transmission networks with turbo engine and torque to demand ideal level of boost pressure for quick response for quick-response performance and fuel economy.

-G-Force Artificial Intelligence (G-AI) system automatically selects optimum gear and downshift pattern in response to G-Force.

-Pre-loaded front differential (and yaw rate feedback control on proactive all-weather AWD versions) to ensure optimum grip, control, and agility.

-Wireless Charging Tray for compatible phones and devices.

-Lexus Remote Touch Interface (RTI) with a touch pad and comprehensive Multi-information Display that features a G-Force meter and boost gauge.

2015 Lexus NX Review/Preview Across The Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge

I would also normally tell what my 3 year-old Jack said about the vehicle, but since he was at daycare while I did the test drive, he was unavailable for an interview.

All I know is that he’s looking forward to me officially reviewing it once it’s available to the general public sometime around November 2014.

2015 Lexus NX Review/Preview Across The Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge

That’s it for today! Thanks for reading my review/preview.

If you’ve enjoyed reading about the Lexus NX today…

And there’s plenty more where those came from…

I now invite you to view the Lexus NX Press Release Flickr page, as well as the completely library of posts I’ve published on the 2015 Lexus RX:

The “True Grit, Pure Grace” Lexus NX Press Preview In Nashville, TN

2015 Lexus NX Review/Preview Across The Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge

Vegan Review Of The Farm House In Downtown Nashville

2015 Lexus NX 200t: 10 Professional Photos

2015 Lexus NX 300h: 11 Professional Photos

2015 Lexus NX 200t F Sport: 13 Professional Photos

Luxury Package of 2015 Lexus NX 200t F Sport: 7 Professional Photos

2015 Lexus NX: A Flickr Link To Professional Photos

Thanks for stopping by. Be on the look-out for more of my reviews on the Lexus/Toyota/Scion family!

6 Comments Posted on car reviews, reviews, Uncategorized

The “True Grit, Pure Grace” Lexus NX Press Preview In Nashville, TN

This week I had the honor and privilege of being invited by Lexus to the official reveal of their upcoming NX, which will not officially hit the showrooms until at least this November.

The “True Grit, Pure Grace” Lexus NX Premiere In Nashville, TN

The Lexus crew from Atlanta drove up to Nashville in eleven prototypes of their upcoming NX for their “True Grit, Pure Grace” press preview.

I personally only had to drive 12 miles to get to the classic Union Station Hotel from my house in Nashville. It seemed everyone else I met was from somewhere else on the eastern side of the United States; particularly the Detroit area or Florida.

I admit, it was pretty awesome to get to drive a luxury vehicle that technically doesn’t exist yet.

Out of the dozens of vehicles I’ve reviewed in the course of the past 3 years, largely the past 9 months, I’ve mentioned that the Toyota Rav4 was one of my favorites.

The “True Grit, Pure Grace” Lexus NX Premiere In Nashville, TN

Simply put, it was a vehicle that would be extremely practical for me to own, as a dad with one small child- and that’s perhaps the highest compliment I can gave in a review.

With that being said, the upcoming Lexus NX is actually loosely modelled after the Toyota Rav4. Actually, my initial thought when seeing the picture of the NX in the invitation for the reveal was, “That looks like an edgier, more luxurious version of the Rav4.”

The “True Grit, Pure Grace” Lexus NX Premiere In Nashville, TN

However, according to the presentation, I learned the Lexus NX has “20% more rigidity than the Rav4” and “90% new parts than the Rav4.”

(If the Rav4 is the cousin of the NX, then the Lexus RX would be the older brother; which I recently reviewed.)

After the presentation, we each immediately got paired up with another fellow journalist for one of three different driving routes.

I chose the longest route; to the Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge and back. So did Jason Muxlow of Automotive Trends. He was a really cool Midwestern guy and we had a lot in common.

The “True Grit, Pure Grace” Lexus NX Premiere In Nashville, TN

Continue this story by clicking on “2015 Lexus NX Review/Preview Across The Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge,” which is the title of next part of my 2015 Lexus NX review/preview.

You will get to see plenty of cool shots of the vehicle alongside the trek of the iconic Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge.

And there’s plenty more where those came from…

I now invite you to view the Lexus NX Press Release Flickr page, as well as the completely library of posts I’ve published on the 2015 Lexus RX:

The “True Grit, Pure Grace” Lexus NX Press Preview In Nashville, TN

2015 Lexus NX Review/Preview Across The Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge

Vegan Review Of The Farm House In Downtown Nashville

2015 Lexus NX 200t: 10 Professional Photos

2015 Lexus NX 300h: 11 Professional Photos

2015 Lexus NX 200t F Sport: 13 Professional Photos

Luxury Package of 2015 Lexus NX 200t F Sport: 7 Professional Photos

2015 Lexus NX: A Flickr Link To Professional Photos

Thanks for stopping by. Be on the look-out for more of my reviews on the Lexus/Toyota/Scion family!

Leave a comment Posted on Nostalgia, parenting, reviews

Dear Jack: Review Of Suitable Fireworks For Small Children To Watch

3 years, 7 months.

Review Of Suitable Fireworks For Small Children

Dear Jack,

This past July 4th, you were finally old enough to truly appreciate the observation of fireworks. I was just as happy as you were to go to the Tennessee/Alabama state line to pick up our stash of fireworks that I felt would be appropriate for you to witness; not to actual ignite yourself. (Obviously.)

Well, except for the super snaps…

fw2

With great pride, I chose the finest array of made in China fireworks I could find for our family:

Snakes, color smoke balls (smoke bombs), moon travellers (bottle rockets), attack vehicles (tanks), cocks crowing (chickens), party poppers, super snaps (snap & pops), turbo flashes, and “new small bees.”

I wanted to make sure you would be able to see some tamer, more cartoonish versions of what might be exciting at a big fireworks show.

fw6

To my surprise, your absolute favorite were what I called the smoke bombs, but labelled as “color smoke balls,” which sounds less violent, I suppose.

I think next year, I’ll just buy like 6 packs of those and a box of super snaps, and you will be just fine. Those were the things that excited you the most.

Review Of Suitable Fireworks For Small Children

If the smoke balls won 1st place, and the super snaps won 2nd, then I’d say that coming in at 3rd place would be the snakes. You weren’t too impressed when I lit them up alone. The real show was lighting a pack at a time, which is 6.

Review Of Suitable Fireworks For Small Children

From there, the lesser fireworks to you seemed to be the louder ones. You did like the sparks flying out of the turbo flash; it was like a mini, festive explosion… but you only appreciated it from across the lawn.

Review Of Suitable Fireworks For Small Children

While I personally have always loved the hilarious chickens and tanks, they were a bit to unnerving for you; as they suddenly screeched into a fiery demise.

Review Of Suitable Fireworks For Small Children

As for the “new small bees,” they hardly cost anything, but basically just vanished into the air and were gone.

pw9

After your Uncle Andrew and I shot off all the good stuff, we helped out Nonna and Papa by blowing up some ant hills, in classic Alabama style.

fireworks review

I know you had as much fun as I did seeing your first backyard fireworks show. But like I said, if all I would have bought were smoke bombs and super snaps, you would have been just as happy.

 

Love,

Daddy

1 Comment Posted on parenting, reviews

Family Summer Vacation Road Trip: Sacramento To Lake Tahoe, CA

June 26, 2014 at 10:09 pm , by

3 years, 7  months.

Dear Jack,

When it comes to family summer vacations, I have always felt that the photos taken during them truly tell the stories better than I could tell them myself. When I think back on this past week, which memories will serve as the forever bookmarks in the history of our family’s story?

For me, it was the quality time you and I spent together. Granted, our annual family vacations also serve as the annual family reunions for Mommy’s side of the family.

(She is number 9 of 10 kids, scattered across the country, so getting the majority of the family together takes some special planning and management!)

With that being said, spending time with my own son during our family vacations can be a challenge, because that’s the only time of year when you get to see your many cousins, aunts, aunts, uncles, and grandma.

It’s something I’m very understanding of. So I wait for those opportunities to get some one-on-one time with you.

We loaded up the Toyota Highlander for the 118 mile/2 hour drive from Mommy’s hometown to Sacramento, CA to Lake Tahoe (Squaw Valley), which is near the Nevada border.

By the way, it was the perfect vehicle to take on that road trip: plenty of room for our luggage, as well as a rotating array of relatives who hopped in during the midst of the caravan.
You told me that your favorite part of the Highlander was the windows because you see all the mountains we were driving through.
And that was truly one of the highlights of our vacation: the scenery on the road trip itself.
It’s not everyday that you get to look at the window and see huge rocky mountains and clear blue skies… and not much else. That kind of scenery is very crucial to the psychological aspect of taking a vacation!
As for Lake Tahoe itself, I think you had more fun than anyone- the lake’s sandy coast served as the biggest sandbox you’ve ever seen!
You spent hours burying your plastic dinosaur and Hot Wheels in the sand. It was almost miraculous we were able to locate all your toys by the time we left.
In between “sand avalanches” I helped you locate rocks and sticks to throw into the waves. You declared:“Tomato fight! Potatoes!”
And that’s one of those memories that will serve as one of the forever bookmarks in the history of our family’s story. It really doesn’t take much- just knowing I’ve got some time to hang out with you and be goofy together.
To me, that’s bigger than real life.
Love,
Daddy