I admit, I drink way too much coffee even though I drink less now that I once did.  At one time I was putting down 8 cups a day of sock juice (brewed coffee) since it was entirely too convenient. I could fill the french press and drink away and not even realize I was on that sixth cup before I had my eighth. I am also somewhat of an artsy-fartsy coffee connoisseur. I make soy lattes throughout the day, though I cut myself off at about 5pm, and occasionally douse them with this flavoring or that syrup.

There are those days when I’m not home and occasionally feel I like throwing down $4 on a cup of coffee. Those days don’t come often as I am pretty tight with my cash. I have been working on a list of coffee houses around Nashville to get your fix and all of those on the list include soymilk in their milk selections and one, DrinkHaus, also offers rice milk and sometimes almond milk.

I always prefer the local coffee houses. To me it always tastes better and I like not knowing exactly what to expect. I always search out a local coffee house when I travel and usually take home a pound from the places I like. Of course Starbucks is on every street but why go to the corporate bean when you can get your swill from a local coffee joint?

If your favorite coffee isn’t on the list let me know and tell me why it’s your favorite.

UPDATED 4/16/2010

Billy Goat Coffee
401 S. Mt. Juliet Rd., Suite 345
Mt. Juliet, TN
(615) 773-8272

Crema
15 Hermitage Ave.
Nashville, TN
(615) 255-8311

Bongo Java
1812 21st Ave S
Nashville, TN
(615) 777-3436

DrinkHaus Espresso + Tea
500 Madison St.
Nashville, TN
(615) 255-5200

Edgehill Studios Cafe
1201 Villa Place
Nashville, TN
(615) 301-8539

Fido
1812 21st Ave S
Nashville, TN
(615) 777-3436

Frothy Monkey
2509 12th Ave S
Nashville, TN
(615) 292-1808

Portland Brew
3431 Murphy Rd
Nashville, TN
(615) 292-9010

Sam and Zoe’s
525 Heather Place
Nashville, TN
(615) 385-2676

Ugly Mugs
1886 Eastland Ave
Nashville, TN
(615) 915-0675

Cafe Coco
210 Louise  Ave
Nashville, TN
(615) 321-2626

We made our way out to the new Trader Joe’s in Green Hills Friday morning.   The parking lot was running over into the Walgreen’s parking lot next door and police were directing traffic.  Someone had so conveniently decided to setup shop in an RV in the lot and had in the process taken up 8-10 parking spaces and made it harder for everyone to get around the lot.  Once inside I realized this was probably the smallest Trader Joe’s I had been in.  We picked up a few of our regular items: pita, chips and chocolate covered espresso beans, which I could not find and had to ask someone to help only to find out they didn’t know where they were either.   Of course, there’s no wine section but, while small, the beer section is available.  I’ll pick up a new Hefewiessen on my next trip.   I can only guess they don’t have all of their items stocked yet as many things seemed to be missing that I usually find.

For those of you who don’t get into making your own hummus Trader Joe’s has a good selection at good prices, and all vegan unlike some varieties that contain cream.  The chipotle and the horseradish are my favorites.   My wife thinks their cocoa is some of the best available but has gone up in price so it isn’t quite the deal it once was.  The raw almonds you’ll find at Trader Joe’s are also unblanched unlike other raw almonds you find now.

Since Trader Joe’s is only taking up half of the space of the old Wild Oats, the lack of wine being sold and the recent closing of yn at The Hill Center, I can only guess someone will be looking into opening a wine store in the other half that is now for lease.

Contrary to reports on some sites listing October 31st as the announced date for the grand opening of the local Trader Joe’s, news from those AT the location today makes that date November 7th.  Will I be there when doors open?  Probably.

Also, asking around at other Trader Joe’s I have visited recently all answer the possible separate entrance for booze question as , “No”.   Sorry, Charles Shaw fans.

If you read my post a few months back about St. Augustine you will remember me mentioning Rita’s Italian Ice.   Rita’s now has a location in Hermitage at 4219 Lebanon Pike.  All of the Italian Ices are vegan and delicious.  Mango is the best with Alex’s Lemonade not far behind.  Black Cherry is also a good choice as is Tangerine and Pineapple.  The vanilla is tasty as well.  Ok, ALL of the flavors are great!

I am partial to the beachside location in St. Augustine but it is good to have a location nearby.

Free regular size Italian Ices through next week!  MANGO! MANGO!

It seems it is finally happening!  Trader Joe’s will be opening a location by Thanksgiving this year at the old Wild Oats location in Green Hills!

From tennessean.com:

Trader Joe’s, a grocery chain some Nashvillians have long clamored for, is set to open a Green Hills location by Thanksgiving of this year.

The store will be at 3909 Hillsboro Pike and measure 14,000 square feet, said spokeswoman Alison Mochizuke. That’s in line with the California-based company’s average store size of approximately 10,000- to 15,000-square feet.

The address is the former Wild Oats location.

Maybe they can get the wine issue straight by that time.   I’m thinking this might hurt Whole Foods a little bit, they already have issues with my reusable TJ cooler bags.

A day earlier and I would not have believed it.