Bombasha Brazilian Steakhouse

Happy Sunday!  This weekend has really flown by.  G and I got to head to Nashville for a meal at one of our favorite restaurants.  And thanks to Groupon we got a deal to do so!

Have you ever thought to yourself, "Man, I really wish I could just have an all-you-can-eat smorgasboard of meat brought right to my table."  I'm sure any man reading this answered with an emphatic yes.  Well friends, look no further than Bombasha Brazilian Steakhouse in Nashville!

Photo via Bombasha's Facebook page

Our friends introduced us to this delight on New Year's Eve this past year and we've been back a couple of times since.  It. Is. So. Good.  Basically, here is the rundown of the Bombasha experience:

Once seated by the hostess, you'll notice a card at each place.  The card is green on one side and red on the other.  This tells the gauchos (the meat guys) that you are ready and rearing for the meat course.  You'll also be offered the salad bar.  G chose to forego the salad bar experience and dove straight into the meat election by flipping his card to green.  I made myself a small plate of greens, sun-dried tomatoes and cheese then flipped my card to green as well.

This is where things get serious....seriously delicious.  Ladies and gentleman this is not for the vegetarian in your circle of friends.  Bombasha boasts 11 cuts of meat.  There is beef, pork, chicken and sometimes lamb.  I'm a big fan of the House Special and the Parmesan Pork.  This weekend's selection also offered a Parmesan Beef that was so tender it was like butter in your mouth.  Wonderful, meat butter.  

Not only is the food delicious at Bombasha, but so is the overall experience.  Once you've flipped your card to the green side the servers, called gauchos, begin coming past your table holding what I thought to be swords skewered with meat (see above photo).  They ask if you would like whichever cut of meat they have and you have the option to try it or pass.  They cut the meat right at your table, so it is fresh!

Bombasha is located in Hillsboro Village on Belcourt Avenue.  If you have ever eaten at Cabana you've probably tried to walk in the door to Bombasha (I sat beside the window and watched many a person stutter-step to get to the right one.  Oh, and I've done it before too.).  It's a little on the pricey side but totally worth it for the amount of food you get and the servers are really attentive.  

Oh and PS - if you go to Bombasha, try the little rolls.  They have a different texture so they aren't for everyone....but I ate the entire basket myself.  Sorry I'm not sorry.

Where's your favorite place to eat in the Nashville area?

Healthy Choices & Fun Tunes

Today I had lunch with my mom and some ladies from our church.  We ate at Ruby Tuesday.  I was glad to see that Ruby was taking some proactive stances in the obesity epidemic with their "Fit & Trim" menu choices that listed the calories on the menu.  I decided that I'd go with the Chicken Fresco that came with broccolli and mashed potatoes--all for 397 calories.  It was delish! 

I was feeling pretty proud of myself until we figured out that the delicious little garlic biscuits that had been brought to our table were 110 calories a piece.  Not too big of a deal......unless you were me who ate five of them.  Whoops.

This leads me to my next question....why weren't the calories of those listed?  And why were the "Fit & Trim" options the only menu items with nutritional values listed?  It's a good step forward to have the healthier items listed, but when the healthier items have "less than 700 calories" that makes me wonder how many the other entrees have.  Chili's is the same way with their "Guiltless Grill" options but have you ever looked up the nutrition on the other food there?  If you ever want to eat chips & salsa or queso dip I would suggest you just jog to Chili's rather than drive.  I like to know ahead of time what my menu options will be so I can adjust the rest of my day's eating. 

For example, Jack in the Box lists all of their menu items' calorie values on their drive thru board.  I know what you're probably thinking...why is she eating at Jack in the Box and trying to be remotely health conscious?....because I'm an American, a big fat American who just wants some of those curly fries....but I do want to know if I should eat only green beans for supper.  But Jack posts it all, the good and the bad.  It scares you into eating a better choice.  I could've ordered the giant, tasty hamburger that had 500 calories (just an estimate) but instead I ordered their weird little tacos for 200 calories (plus those things are 2 for $1!).  I really think that some people realize that Big Mac's aren't good for you, but they don't necessarily realize HOW they aren't good for you and maybe why you shouldn't have one for lunch and supper in the same day. 

Rant ended....for now.

On to more fun things!

The tune of the week is inspired by last week's lake visit.  I had heard that Little Big Town had a song called "Pontoon" and I couldn't imagine it actually being something I'd listen to on purpose.  I stand corrected!  Now granted, this is not the most soul-touching country song but dang it if this isn't relaxing and summer-y!

When they performed the song on the CMT Awards they actually had a pontoon boat (complete with water slide on the back) onstage and they sang from the hardtop like they are in the video.  So grab yourself a koozie, let's go!