Nashville’s coffee game did not disappoint. I will proclaim that I had 3 of the best coffee beverages I’ve ever had. First was the “Southern Limerick” at Pinewood Social. A hot, delicious combination of rye, cream, & coffee. The perfect thing to warm your bones & soul. Next was the “Atlas” at Steadfast Coffee: a beverage that has a thick layer of sweet, cold cream on top followed by a smooth, tangy cup of joe. Lastly we tasted the “coffee soda” at Crema– a completely different experience. Coffee mixed with seltzer, Demerara sweet syrup, and orange zest. So refreshing!
Riding scooters from our hotel to the Ryman was equal parts terrifying & exhilarating. Jason Isbell was incredible per usual, especially when he brought his four year old daughter on stage.
Seeing old friends does nothing but fill your cup. 
It’s odd being back in the south, so close to where I grew up. I would say my emotions were a cocktail of nostalgic, glum, & peaceful. It’s hard to describe. In some ways, scooting around this city made me appreciative of how clean & well designed Minneapolis is, along with the lack of tourists & social media influencers taking selfies. Yet Nashville also has a certain grit about it that the midwestern metropolis lacks. The history & diversity here feels raw & organic. The food, flavorful yet straight forward, also calls me back to my roots – unlike the Scandinavian based, artsy, & often -in my opinion- overly fancy dishes of the twin cities. For me, it feels as though Minneapolis chefs are trying too hard. In Nashville, the food & drink are balanced in a way that suits me well. 
Shout out to my sweet Blake Alice who slept her cute self through Nashville. Don’t freak out, safe sleep connoisseurs- I was keeping a very close eye on her. 
We ended our short trip with dinner at Husk joined by sweet friends we hadn’t seen in years. It was a treat to eat at a restaurant started by one of the greats from Chef’s Table.
Until next time, Music City!
Kacie B. Sharpe 