The book has closed on our fourth annual anniversary Day of No Cooking, and we had another fabulous day eating and celebrating.
Breakfast at BBB
We were exited to try Big Bad Breakfast, a casual place just down the road from us that focuses on Southern-style breakfasts. It’s a franchise begun in Nashville by a James Beard- winning chef, with restaurants now all over the south. Brett wanted a biscuit and ordered a simple sausage and cheese biscuit; I played it safe with a gluten-free “Jack Benny”: eggs Benedict on a potato hash cake with sautéed spinach. Service at BBB was friendly and efficient, and both breakfasts were filling, but they were both lacking when it came to flavor. We gave the restaurant 6 out of 10 possible points, and don’t think we’ll be going back.
Lunch was to have been at P.F. Chang’s, but it turned out we did not have an actual card, just instructions and codes to send off for an actual card. Oops! So, we headed to our original choice for lunch, Bishop’s, for a meat and three. Brett and I had a meat and three for lunch in downtown Memphis right before we got married, and hoped Bishop’s would be as memorable.
Lunch at Bishop’s
It definitely was, and Bishop’s earned an 10 out of 10 for their delicious southern-style food, served cafeteria style. Brett got fried catfish with hushpuppies for his meat along with two sides: macaroni & cheese and mashed potatoes. I chose Hattie B hot chicken tenders and added green beans, carrot soufflé, and macaroni & cheese for my sides. The portions were huge; I ended up bringing home two of the three hot chicken tenders as well as leftover green beans and carrot soufflé (the mac & cheese helped cut the heat of the chicken and I ate all of it). We also had dessert – banana pudding and peach cobbler – that we switched halfway through so we could enjoy some of each. For the record, I am now officially a carrot soufflé fan – it was different and delicious.
We were both extremely full after lunch so came home to rest, digest, and enjoy a cocktail before heading out to Nashville for dinner at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse.
A wonderful dinner and dessert at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse
From start to finish, everything about our time at Ruth’s Chris was superb. We were seated at a table strewn with rose petals – very romantic! I ordered the petite filet, but mentioned to our waiter that I felt sad the broiled tomatoes were no longer on the menu . . . and the head chef made them for me!! Brett ordered crab cakes with a mashed sweet potato casserole on the side and our waiter brought out vanilla ice cream to go with the potatoes – very, very yummy, and something neither of us would have thought of. And, at the end of our meal we were presented with a yummy cheesecake to share! We were pretty full at that point but managed a few bites and brought most of it home. It was an absolutely wonderful evening from start to finish, everything we expected and more, and the gift cards we received helped us enjoy a truly memorable evening.
This was our best Day of No Cooking yet, and I don’t know if we can top it. Even the less than stellar breakfast couldn’t drag it down. There will be lots of research to do this coming year to figure out where to go next year, but we’re looking forward to the challenge!
The Occasional Nomads 
Happy Anniversary to you, and you both look great in that photo!
Our daughter and SIL just bought a home in Franklin, where there is a BBB location it appears, so I’ll tell them to do their research first lest they be disappointed, as they are definitely foodies (as am I).
We were there for a quick visit recently, to watch the granddaughters while they house hunted, and got to experience a meat + 3, which was a first for us both. We shared one plate, and it was plenty . . . holy smokes those servings are big!
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We are talking about the same BBB because we are in Franklin! You probably went to Bishop’s too for your meat and three. Brett says he’d love to go back to Bishop’s but not on a day when we’re eating out all day. Three days later and we just finished the leftovers.
Let me know next time you come for a visit – I’d love to get together!
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Wow! You guys know how to celebrate!
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It was quite a day! Three days later and we just finished all the leftovers.
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Sounds like a wonderful day! Happy anniversary! We are still eating Easter brunch leftovers (and soooo much ham), so something fresh sounds good. 🤣
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It really was a fun day, and we truly enjoyed ourselves. Leftovers finally disappeared today.
I picked up a piece of ham the other, but am not quite sure what to do with it yet. I knew better though than to get a whole ham – it would spoil before Brett and I could finish it. But seeing all the hams out around Easter made me want some so . . . .
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Sounds like a fun day! Ruth’s Chris is so good about doing little extra things! And the lunch sounded wonderful!
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Ruth’s Chris was absolutely wonderful from the moment we arrived until we left – I’m so grateful we got to go this year. Lunch was fantastic as well, but Brett says we can only go if it’s the only meal we eat out that day. They gave us so much food (all of it good).
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Happy Anniversary! I’ve never been to Ruth’s Chris so I’ll have to look for one around here. I’ve also never heard of meat and three so I learned something new today, lol. Bishop’s sounds and looks amazing!
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Ruth’s Chris are located all over the U.S. They are *expensive* though – we only went this year because we received gift cards.
Meat and three is a southern thing. Brett said we can’t go back unless it’s our only meal as you get so much (yummy) food.
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Happy Anniversary! Sounds fabulous!
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Thank you! It was fabulous – best one yet!
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