Ethos by Randy Elrod - How To Create Culture

Stinky's Fish Camp..

Stinky's Fish Camp. My new favorite restaurant in all of the Destin area and quite possibly my favorite seafood restaurant of all time!!!

I know, I know, the name is dubious and even the building suspect...but, oh my!!!

Jim Richard (pronounced "ruh-shard") is the owner chef and is renowned as one of the premier chefs by the locals here and hails from New Orleans.

The evening started with red bean and chive butter and yes, Lance Captains Crackers. The butter was scrumptious. The next course was Smoked Cheese, Bacon and Horseradish Oysters Baked on the half shell. Chris and I agreed that these were quite possibly the best oysters of our lives.  And little did we know the culinary delight was just beginning.

Next course was a salad of fresh lump crab on a bed of fresh arugula mixed with locally home grown cucumbers and radishes, garnished with capers, topped with the chef's homemade papaya vinaigrette dressing. (We later were told that Chef Jim prepares EVERYTHING fresh in-house-even the mayonnaise.)
The salad was a delight.

Chris' main course was "Unca Duke's Geaux Jus BBQ Shrimp Garlic Crouton". Shrimp sauteed in shell with a butter, Worcestershire and "tons" of black pepper with garlic croutons for dipping. At the risk of sounding like me, Chris says this is the best shrimp dish of her life.

I savoured "Stinky's Stew". With a name like that, who could resist. And wow!!!!!!!!
Shrimp, Mussels, Gulf fish, Crab Legs, Oysters in a wine, tomato and lemon garlic broth with roast potato's and corn. On the side was a pressed crab po' boy wedge-which, by luck, I saved for last and realized it was destined to be dipped in the remainder of the broth. In fact, our outstanding server, Lou, brought extra "crouton's" -looks like flat bread- for even more dipping pleasure.

What an evening and what a find. Ethos rates Stinky's a 10+!!!!.

Arguably, the best seafood restaurant I have ever had the good pleasure to experience. If you are anywhere close to the Destin, San Destin, Seaside, Watercolor area-Stinky's is a  MUST!!!

Cash or Checks only. (850)267-3053
Located in Dune Allen Beach community on 30-A.

Back To Civilization...

Boo! Carnival Cruise Lines has a lot of improvement to do before their wireless is worth the exorbitant price they charge for it...very poor service and VERY expensive. Quite frustrating. Most of the time I spent trying to get online to no avail.

I found two new restaurants that were awesome!!!

Bravo! Seafood Haven in Arawak Cay, Nassau, Bahamas is a local favorite. It is now one of MY favorites. Two words...conch chowder!!!!! Fresh, in fact, the just emptied conch shells were stacked up out back...also great conch fritters and if you are brave...try the homemade hot sauce for the chowder. Great service and island ambience and NOT a tourist trap.

The Marina Restaurant at 101 Centre St., Fernandina  Beach, Florida.  Two words again...Fried shrimp.  They have numerous awards for their shrimp and I found out why. Also, the cheese grits are to die for!

Ethos Restaurant Review...

Virago

1811 Division St Nashville, TN 37203-2703 View Map

(615) 320-5149                   

My daughter and I had a great date to Virago this past Tuesday. What a place! Talk about feeling transported to a Los Angeles vibe. Wow!  A great atmosphere..and  the fact that the food rivals the ambience is an added delight. She had "Stoned Steak" with filet mignon--steak on hot rocks, citrus vinaigrette, spicy peanut sauce & yuzu vinaigrette. I had an Aloha Maki Sushi Roll--tempura shrimp, toasted coconut, crispy bacon, fresh pineapple and macadamia nuts with ginger soy and peanut sauces--- a Crispy Fire Crunch Sushi Roll--tempura shrimp, spicy mayo, cream cheese, and fire sauce rolled in warm crispy panko---and Fresh Escolar Sashimi Tuna (yes, that means raw). Delectably delicious.

The French Martinis are not to be missed.

Rating: (1-5 with 5 as best)
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ambience: 5
Price: 4_____
Overall: 4.75

Featured in: The Nashville Scene's Best of Nashville 2006 Readers' Poll

Best Sushi Bar
1. Virago
2. Ru San’s
3. Ken’s

Best Bar That Makes You Feel Like You’re Not in Nashville
1. Bar Twenty3
2. Virago
3. Cabana

Great New Restaurant..Red Pony in Franklin...

A GREAT new restaurant just three blocks from our new home in historic downtown Franklin...called in an order after a day of working tirelessly to clear boxes and set up furniture...and WOW! The Red Pony has just been open a few days and they have not marketed much as of yet...but, the food...oh, the food...I walked the short walk and picked up takeout...(I might add-the first take out order in the history --albeit short history of the restaurant) and WOW! Tempura sushi roll with two sauces-fabulous! and a great salad with homemade Caesar salad...and then a red pony B.L.T sautéed bacon, lobster, tomato served over Yukon gold ravioli, truffled corn cream...TREMENDOUS. If you live in the Nashville/Franklin area--be sure to get over to the Red Pony!!! Five stars! Two thumbs up. WAY UP!

A Delightful Evening In Historic Downtown Franklin...

...began with dinner at Palazzolo's Italian Restaurant located at 5th and Main. Executive Chef Christopher A. Mallon (formerly of Magnolia's) greeted us at our table and graciously agreed to prepare Ciopinno for my daughter Lauren and me even though it was not on the menu. Ciopinno is a spicy seafood stew made popular in San Francisco featuring shrimp, clams, and mussels in a white wine tomato broth with julienne fennel and onion. Yum! It was delicious. My wife Chris had Aglio Arostate y Olio-fresh basil, grape tomatos, and roasted garlic over angel hair finished with whole butter and parmesan. A perfect summer offering.

For a ten dollar corkage fee we brought a bottle of La Playa Cabernet Sauvignon discovered this past Tuesday at the weekly wine tasting at Sandy's Downtown Grille on 4th and Main. We enjoyed that evening with a couple who are very dear to us and tasted this scrumptious Chilean wine that is both affordable and satisfying.

The service, ambience and, of course, the food at Palazzolo's (and Sandy's) was tremendous and highly recommended.

We then wandered down Main Street and passed a building filled with people which we soon realized was the  "invitation only" soft opening of the Red Pony Restaurant. Before we knew it, we were whisked in and being introduced to owners Jason and Fran (Jason was formerly on the chef's staff at F. Scott's in Nashville) and given a grand tour of the very vibey and stunningly decorated restaurant. Upstairs is a beautiful bar, "speakeasy" is what we were told, and also a soon to be 400 square foot deck for outdoor dining. What fun...and what anticipation. For a sneak peek at their "fresh" menu, check out their website by clicking their name. RED PONY RESTAURANT
408 MAIN STREET
Franklin, TN 37064
(615) 595-PONY(7669)
INFO@REDPONYRESTAURANT.COM

We then ventured out to Main Street once more and spied the Franklin PediCab rolling by, so we promptly hailed the driver and soon the three of us were being transported through Franklin in grand style!

The driver Chris, who incidentally owns the very wonderful "Garden Path" store and garden in Franklin, Garden Path 117 3rd Ave N (615) 595-8811, willingly dropped us off at the newly relocated Cocoa Tree at 121 3rd Street. We ordered up chocolate fondue with bananas, pineapple, strawberries and pound cake complemented with delicious coffee.

As were leaving, regular chocolatiers and patrons of The Cocoa Tree, Brock and Auny Gill, rolled up on their motorcycle and visited with us for a while.

What a great evening.

 

 

Nice Evening In Nashville...The Frist and Margot Cafe...

An evening viewing the magnificent visuals of the Egypt collection at the Frist...and if that weren't enough...they have the Pulitzer Prize photograph display as well. If you live in close proximity to Nashville, this showing is well worth your time. Nashville should be proud of the Frist and its vision.

A highlight of The Quest for Immortality: Treasures of Ancient Egypt is a life-sized replica of the burial chamber of the New Kingdom pharaoh Thutmose III, who ruled Egypt in the 15th century BC(1479-1425 BC). The original chamber is part of the pharaoh's tomb complex, in the Valley of the Kings, in Egypt.

The chamber measures approximately 15.2 x 8.8 x 3 meters (50 x 29 x 10 feet) and its walls are fully covered with the first-known complete copy of the Amduat, an illustrated funerary text intended as a guidebook to the afterlife, primarily for pharaohs. "Amduat" means "what is in the netherworld," and it was believed that by describing the afterlife it would aid the king, for to possess knowledge of something was to have power over it.

It is really magnificent...walking through the tomb.  A surreal experience for me as I am reading "Book of the Dead" about a murder in an Egyptian Tomb in a museum.

We also experienced dinner at the Margot Cafe and Bar. Wow! Another Nashville treasure. It was our first time there and will certainly not be our last.

A quaint and aristic decor makes for a pleasing experience when you walk through the door. Patti was our server and she was superb. Since I am not well versed on French, Italian or Spanish wines, she recommended a delicious wine for our meal. A Chateau du Trignon Gigondas. It was earthy, aromatic and chock full of taste and a delicious finish.

The starter featured what we soon found out to be one of the few staples on the menu (the menu changes each night-featuring a steak, game and two fish dishes) and also the local favorite. Its was Handcut Potato Chips with Aioli. Wow! Don't miss this when you go. We also had Marinated Olives with Fennel and Orange. It was amazing what the orange taste brought to the olives. Wonderful!

Then, first course was another stellar dish, Grilled Flatbread with Smoky Eggplant and Tomatoes. Again a delicious taste and treat.

Second Course for me was Pan Roasted Snapper (which was obviously flown in fresh) in a Saffron Tomato Broth with Artichokes, Fennel and Bacon. It was also superb.

My wife, Chris, (celebrating our 27th anniversary- a very special night) had the Grilled Tri Tip (a delicious Kobe steak) with Crispy Potatoes, Grilled Vidalia Onions, Spinach and Aioli. Also superb.

Our third course was complimented for me by a Graham's 20 yr. Tawny Port and outstanding decaf cofee delivered to the table in a coffee press (nice touch) for Chris. It was a Chocolate Orange Torte with Candied almonds and Meringue. Yum.

Rating (1-5 with 5 as best)

Ambience-5   

Food Quality -5

Service - 5+

Value - 5

Overall - 5 (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)                                                                                                                            

Aspen and Day 7 in Colorado...

or...A Disappointment Resolved...if you have ever checked out my list of favorite restaurants over at randyelrod.com, then you know that my favorite restaurant in the world is in Aspen, Colorado. The restaurant helmed by owner/chef Barclay Dodge called Mogador served up Moroccan culinary masterpieces. Imagine my surprise and disappointment when we arrived today to find Mogador's doors closed. Evidently the menu selections were too much for the Aspen community to sustain. I understood from locals there that Barclay will soon appear with a new restaurant in Las Vegas, Los Angeles or Maui. He evidently has plenty of investor support, so Ethos will be holding our breath to see where he lands.

The resolution of the disappointment came from a restaurant that several locals suggested called Cache, Cache. Wow! My review gives them a perfect score. Service, Ambiance, Price and Food were incredible.

I started with an appetizer of Seared Hudson Valley Foie Gras, French Toast Brioche, Caramelized apples, Blueberry-Chamomile Sauce complemented with a glass of Chateau de Cosse "Les domaines Barons de Rothschild" Sauternes 2002. Our waiter who was born in south of France let me know that it is customary to have this wine (a sweet wine) with foie Gras. WOW!!!

The entree was a scrumptious Veal Osso Bucco in Marsala sauce and served with French Lentils. The veal melted in my mouth. The sauce was perfect. The entree was complimented by a glass of Franciscan Magnificat 2002.

Dessert was Panna Cotta which is buttermilk Italian custard topped with Rhubarb Gelee and raspberries. Yum! A Perfect finish. What a delight!

As we were dining several luminaries came in including Martha Stewart and her entourage.

Pictures from today are HERE.

Ethos Restaurant Review and MORE...

My dear friend Ramon and I enjoyed a shady outdoor breakfast on the deck of The Gallery Cafe in Spring Hill, TN this morning. We talked about life and friendships and many other deep things. Basically, we solved most of the problems of the world this morning.

THE BREAKFAST: Wow! Delicious "light as a feather" omelete with tomato, cheese and mushrooms. Fresh fruit and superb coffee served up in a very unique titanium cup and saucer. The cafe features local artists work throughout and features an artist as they work during the weekend evenings. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner with a french flair. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Ratings 1-5 (5 is best)
Food - 5
Service - 5
Ambience - 5+
Price - 5
Overall - 5

Ramon read a recent journal entry at our In Vino Veritas meeting (sort of my version of C.S. Lewis inklings) in May and I begged him to let me include it in this blog.

Here it is unedited, untitled as if you were peeking in his journal...

"I have these two plastic sticks which serve as fences in the grocery line. They clearly define what I've chosen and  what I will pay for. I did not choose barbecue pork rinds--they are yours. For the person behind me I put my fence down as a way of saying Don't crowd my stuff and in case anyone is looking the case of Coor's Lite is not mine. I have coralled my choices.
     But when I get to the cashier I find there are items in my collection I did not choose. Difficult and painful things I did not select. Stressors I did not, do not want. I had no Buy 1--Get 1 Free coupon for some of this crap. I don't want it. I did not pluck it from the shelf and put it in my cart. However, it is mine. It is not the life of the lady in front of me; it is not the life of the guy behind me. It's mine. God, help me pay cost of these things I did not choose. Help me carry these bags I did not want."

Ethos Restaurant Review: Tavern On The Ridge...

My wife and I were attending a wedding south of our Franklin home and decided to experience a new restaurant. Imagine our surprise that a few minutes south in an unexpected location we found a fantastic new eatery. Tavern On The Ridge cuisine includes shrimp marigny; bison filet with stilton cheese; com-pound butter and spoon bread; and crab cakes and fried green tomatoes with shrimp remoulade. 

I had the fish special of the evening (flown in fresh, I might add): Escolar Patricia with Crab stuffing and Dijon cream sauce, my wife had: Cornbread Crusted Salmon served on a bed of maux chou with an asparagus sauce. Delectable!!!

Rating is on a 1 to 5 scale with 5 representing perfection.
Service: 4+
Ambience:4
Food Quality:5
Food Presentation:4
Overall:4+

Tavern On The Ridge
3525 Kedron Road
Spring Hill, TN 37174
Ph. 931-489-0008

Here is a review by the Tennessean.

Tell owner Howard Keltner that you heard about it here at the Ethos blog!!

Ethos Restaurant Review...

Ethos enjoyed lunch today at Chef Tim's "The Cracked Pepper" in Franklin, TN. The food and service were tremendous. Chef Tim himself made greeted us and gave us a warm welcome. His personality matches his culinary skills.
I enjoyed a Muffaletta,(the real thing-first time since Cafe Maspero's on Royal Street in New Orleans), traditional with ham, salami, turkey, onions, chopped olives, provolone cheese and Chef Tim's own special dressing. Chris had a Chicken Prejean sandwich. Dark beer marinated chicken, grilled and topped with shredded pork, fried onions, pickles, swiss cheese, all on a french baguette. Delicious. My daughter had crawfish etoufee, also superb.
Other samplings include: Mama's Pot Roast Sub, New Orleans Style Po-Boys, Gumbo du Jour, BBQ Duck Salad and an array of desserts.

Rating is on a 1 to 5 scale with 5 representing perfection.
Service: 4
Ambience:3
Food Quality:4
Food Presentation:4
Overall:4

Chef Tim's Cracked Pepper
102 Lumber Drive, Suite 200
Franklin, TN 37064   615.790.1202