BB King’s Blues Club in Nashville, Tennessee

Dining Outside the Home: BB King’s Blues Club in Nashville, Tennessee! Follow the rhythm through the double doors of BB King’s for a legendary adventure in soul music. Glance around the room. The art-filled walls create an ambiance endorsing the musical genre that originated in the Deep South. Listen to the toe-tapping chords strumming on the guitar. Is that a blend of country, jazz, blues, and classical? Better hang around a little longer for this kind of talent. Afternoon turns into evening. Libations flow easy. Southern dishes satisfy hunger pangs. And the music plays on. Maybe it’s time to get back to your roots.

Ole Red in Nashville, Tennessee

Dining Outside the Home: Ole Red in Nashville, Tennessee! Blake Shelton has a following, that’s for sure. Whether it’s his chart-topping hits, his popular menu favorites, or his rugged good looks, Ole Red is a Lower Broadway destination worth talking about. Take the elevator up. The lookout sky bar boasts the best hideaway where glam-meets-grit. The view is dynamic, so grab a seat. Signature cocktails come smooth and often, which aim to please. Chew on shareable plates for grazing to leave room for sweet regrets. This isn’t just a bar, it’s an experience.

Kid Rock’s Big Ass Honky Tonk Rock N’ Roll Steakhouse in Nashville, Tennessee

Dining Outside the Home: Kid Rock’s Big Ass Honky Tonk Rock N’ Roll Steakhouse in Nashville, Tennessee! The name alone is a mouthful, which means this place is a nonstop party all day long. The music is loud, the steak is amazing, and the drinks are icy cold. Since the entertainment can be heard a half a block away, it draws thrill-seekers like moths to a flame. From street level to rooftop, five floors, four stages, and six bars make this joint the biggest, baddest honky tonk downtown. Grab a seat and settle in for awhile.

Luke Bryan’s 32 Bridge in Nashville, Tennessee

Dining Outside the Home: Luke Bryan’s 32 Bridge in Nashville, Tennessee! Check out this popular watering hole named after a bridge that goes over the Flint River and holds special memories for Luke Bryan. As you stroll along iconic Broadway street in Music City, step through these doors where everyone becomes a friend and sunny optimism is a darn fine quality. Raise your glass to live music when single artists and talented bands give their all. Hungry for an afternoon bite? Lukes’s Elk Burger satisfies those pangs with ground elk, red dragon cheese, garlic aioli, pickle, and tomato. It’s mouth-watering goodness in every bite. From starters to sushi, steaks to dessert, Luke’s 32 Bridge has it all.

Chuy’s Tex-Mex in Nashville, Tennessee

Dining Outside the Home: Chuy’s Tex-Mex in Nashville, Tennessee. Where can you go and literally dish up drool-worthy nachos from the trunk of a full-loaded Nacho Car? Say again? You heard me. It’s the trunk of an Elvis-era classic car with a spread of tortilla chips, spicy salsa, creamy jalapeño, cheesy queso, and taco meat. And here’s the kicker: it’s FREE during Happy Hour Monday through Friday at Chuy’s. The restaurant decor is pure Elvis from velvet paintings, neon signs, shiny hubcaps, and nostalgic music. The menu boasts of Mexican favorites and then some of Elvis’s as well. After your fill of food and drink, there’s nothing left to say except, “Thank you, thank you very much”, in that ever familiar Elvis southern drawl.

Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak, and Stone Crab in Las Vegas, Nevada

Dining Outside the Home: Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak, and Stone Crab in Las Vegas, Nevada! Not every restaurant can boast of serving Chilean Sea Bass with class, finesse, and quiet elegance. Joe’s Seafood can, yet they do it without exaggeration. After all, the wide selection of fresh seafood is flown in daily. When the porcelain plate is set before you on a linen tablecloth, without a doubt the chef’s creation of chilean sea bass with miso glaze, bok choy, and shiitake mushroom will color your world. The impeccable service is simply icing on the cake.

Mon Ami Gabi in Las Vegas, Nevada

Dining Outside the Home: Mon Ami Gabi in Las Vegas, Nevada! An afternoon shower can provide a welcome respite from constant motion along the Las Vegas Strip. Slip through the French turquoise doors of Mon Ami Gabi at Paris for a sip of this and a nibble of that. Might I suggest an unpretentious Aperol Spritz to accompany the “Fruit de Mer” succulent Shrimp Cocktail platter. The magnificent essence of orange moscato is aromatic with citrus notes, which makes it perfect for any afternoon.

Nacho Daddy in Las Vegas, Nevada

Dining Outside the Home: Nacho Daddy in Las Vegas, Nevada! What’s not to love about a Mexican restaurant whose name is Nacho Daddy with a slogan of “Never a Dry Chip”. The name alone sounds like a party. Peruse the menu to find a list of incredible nacho combinations smothered in cheesy queso and spicy salsa. But the challenge doesn’t end there. Nacho Daddy double-dog dares you to sling back an original Scorpion Shot, which is actually served with a real scorpion in the tequila glass. If you go to Vegas and want to return home with a story to tell, check out this must-see hotspot and #getstung as seen on the Food Network.

Harry’s Restaurant in Washington, DC

Dining Outside the Home: Harry’s Restaurant in Washington, DC! With a sidewalk café that stretches at least half a block, Harry’s Restaurant is a place for meeting old friends and making new ones. Its patriotic surroundings bring a homey mixture of local flavor, genuine history, pub grub, and thirst-quenching beverages. It’s the perfect spot away from the tourist traps; the kind of place to sit back and unwind with a drink before heading elsewhere. If you’re hungry, try the Harry’s and Harriett’s Burger. It’s a half-pounder, cooked medium, with melted cheese, veggie sides, potato chips, and coleslaw. The surprise ending is an Oreo cookie. This is America after all.