The Nashville City Paper reports today that PETA, in a effort to curb the use of chicken suppliers who use inhumane slaughter techniques, has purchased 160 shares of the Nashville-based restaurant. I don’t call myself a stock market guru, but 160 shares doesn’t seem large enough a portion to have much control, perhaps they plan on buying more later. PETA also owns shares of YUM! brand, which owns Kentucky Fried Chicken, and a target of a widely-publicized campaign to stop the cruel techniques used by their suppliers. Already comments have been made that PETA is trying to make O’Charley’s a vegan restaurant, not the case. Of course, anytime PETA is involved you will find a few insecure meat-eaters.

We found ourselves without child this weekend and wanting to go out to eat somewhere that we don’t usually bring the morsel along.   We decided quickly on The Cheesecake Factory since the usual smog deters us from shaving years of the life of our child and visits are few and far between, unless we eat there in Atlanta.  When asking for a table we usually give the line “The table furthest away from the smoking section, please.” only this time to be told the entire restaurant is non-smoking!  It is nice to know I can enjoy my food now without someone’s lung-gunked cancer dust settling on my fries.  I have noticed many resaturants going this route lately.  Ted’s Montana Grill is completely non-smoking, even the patio, since their opening.  Buca Di Beppo went non-smoking last year.  We have found ourselves not considering restaurants with smoking sections when we do eat out.

Another evening at Blue Coast Burrito in Coolsprings. We spend alot of time there and it is probably our first choice when eating out. One thing is for certain, you will get plenty to fill you up. I had an R&B Salad with lots of fresh guacamole to top it off, of course it isn’t complete without the pineapple salsa.

Next time…Guacamole Tacos!

If you are a vegetarian or vegan in Nashville then you know exactly what I am talking about. IT never ceases to amaze me how new restaurateurs or franchisees can decide that this area is lacking in choices for a plate of roasted pig. I read this past week that two more barbecue joints will be opening in the south Nashville area. Enough! Even omnivores must get tired of this! I have been waiting for a Sweet Tomatoes to setup shop in the Coolsprings area but now that we have yet another cookie-cutter steakhouse festering on the south side it’s not looking very good. I’m not asking for a vegan-only restaurant but something different that can also give me another choice when we’re too lazy to cook at home would be a welcome addition.