Learned Store

Finally, finally made it to H.D. Gibbes Store in Learned, Mississippi for supper. We’d been there during the day before it becomes a restaurant and have been meaning to return for when it’s all steaks on paper plates. Even on their website, they say “what’d ya expect from an ol’ broke down store?”.

Following, pics from both visits:

Gibbes Country Store, Learned MS

No reservations, so we sat on the porch and waited our turn but did it the right way, getting there right at opening.

Gibbes Country Store, Learned MS

H.D. Gibbes & Sons, Learned MS

Salad? Salad.

H.D. Gibbes & Sons, Learned MS

I ordered the lamb chops which were pretty good – a lot of char though, along with potato and squash

H.D. Gibbes & Sons, Learned MS

and buttermilk pie, always. Someone said it was the best buttermilk pie on the planet and mmmmm not sure about that but was it good? yes.

Buttermilk Pie, H.D. Gibbes & Sons, Learned MS

Would come here again just for the ambiance and to support this kind of business and tradition. Thinking of others that remind me of this place — some country store-turned-restaurant, some just restaurant, like Taylor Grocery — a post of places in that genre for next week…xoxo!

Thompson Nashville Love

Absolutely loved our stay at The Thompson Hotel in Nashville. It’s in the Gulch and it was easy to get around. The on-site restaurant, Marsh House, gets great reviews and not only did we have supper there, it was so good we went back for brunch too. Andddd there was a visit up the elevator to L.A. Jackson, the rooftop bar.  The hotel is a part of AmEx Travel’s Fine Hotels + Resorts so lots of benefits for card holders.

The THompson Hotel, Nashville TN

The Thompson Hotel, Nashville TN

The room was a nice size and had some fun touches, like a Marshall amp, art featuring the Fort Lonesome cowgirl, an Oliver Hemming clock

The Thompson Hotel, Nashville TN

The Thompson Hotel, Nashville TN

The Thompson Hotel, Nashville TN

Okay now I love great hotel bath amenities — this was my first stay at a hotel with D.S. & Durga and wow yes yes yes.

D.S. & Durga Bowmakers, The Thompson Hotel, Nashville TN

Marsh House for supper. Had a greatttt time here.

The Thompson Hotel, Nashville TN

oysters from the raw bar

Marsh House, The Thompson Hotel, Nashville TN

Pork Chop, Marsh House, The Thompson Hotel, Nashville TN

Brent had the pork chop with balsamic pickled figs, fried brussel sprouts, fingerling potatoes and a bechamel

I went with the grilled Tractor Hat Farm hanger steak with a romesco, charred broccolini, rosemary potato, and creole fried oyster aioli

Hanger Steak, Marsh House, The Thompson Hotel, Nashville TN

Hopped over to Sambuca to listen to live music — that was fun.

Sambuca, Nashville TN

Went back & upstairs to the LA Jackson rooftop bar.

L.A. Jackson Rooftop Bar, The Thompson Hotel, Nashville TN

snacked on venison poppers

Venison Poppers, L.A. Jackson Rooftop Bar, The Thompson Hotel, Nashville TN

Then, Marsh House for brunch — ordinarily I wouldn’t be excited to go the same place two days in a row, but since this would be a different type of food AND it had been so incredible the night before…and, hi, this cinnamon roll was incredible

Cast Iron Cinnamon Roll, Marsh House, The Thompson Hotel, Nashville TN

The omelette was dainty and perfectly omelette-y and the potatoes…yessir.

Omelette, Marsh House, The Thompson Hotel, Nashville TN

The surprise was that the oysters on this eggs benedict were the best fried oysters of my life and for somebody who’s had their share, HOW does this happen in Nashville and not somewhere around Apalachicola? I have no idea but goodNESS they were incredible.

Fried Oyster Eggs Benedict, Marsh House, The Thompson Hotel, Nashville TN


xoxo!

Retro Taco Bell

Found a retro Taco Bell in Huntsville, Alabama just off the Parkway. This one doesn’t have a much-older sign like the one that exists in Savannah:

Taco Bell Sign, Savannah GA

…but the one in Huntsville DOES have a fun ’90s interior:

Retro Taco Bell, Huntsville AL

The $.59/.79/.99 menu kept me going in college, with the help of the $.99 Super Value Meal at Wendy’s. Anybody miss the enchirito? Yeah.

Retro Taco Bell, Huntsville AL

Retro Taco Bell, Huntsville AL

Retro Taco Bell, Huntsville AL

In 2020, when Taco Bell was discontinuing the Mexican Pizza (though I think it’s back? not sure.), I had to get it one more time. I don’t even eat fast food much at all and Taco Bell almost never, but there’s such a sweet nostalgia.

Mexican Pizza


Apparently some of the other chains are bringing back their retro designs — places like Pizza Hut with their ‘Classics’ locations and — not sure if they’re coming back or if they’re just artifacts of franchisees who never quit them — KFC buffets.