Nashville Redux

Jack's BBQ did not disappoint... I was so stuffed from my Copper Kettle experience that I only ordered the kids portion of ribs, but it was still perfect. 3 gorgeous, tender, tasty pork ribs, and here's the thing I liked best about this Nashville institution: they let you choose any and all of your sauces! So I had a different BBQ experience for each of my ribs: one was Tennessee (natch), and vinegar based...tangy. One was Texas; tomato-based...sweet. And one was Kansas City mild... smoky. I gave the nod this night to the smoky, because it had a little sweet to it, too...
If you're ever in the Music City, Jack's is a must (http://www.jacksbarbque.com/)...

After my hit at the Fox affil, I heeded the advice of a good friend who happens to be Wolfgang Puck's pastry chef. She recommended a spot called Las Paletas (http://www.wheresthesign.com/), off the beaten path, in a rural spot outside downtown (a cameraman at Fox talked it up, too). Kinda reminded me of Decatur, GA, what with it's converted homes as shops and eateries. Charming. Well, let me tell you...what a revelation! Las Paletas translates loosely to 'popsicles,' and that's exactly what the owner, a lovely lady named Norma, has been doing there for over 7 years. So well-regarded is she that Bobby Flay surprised her on an episode of "Throwdown" on the Food Network... and Norma won!! She opened up early just for me, because I was there at 9:30am, as apparently most folks don't partake of popsicles (even gourmet ones) until noon and after. I chose the chocolate and strawberries version. She has about 2 dozen gourmet flavors at any given time, all home made right there...
It was as close to channeling Violet Beauregard as I've ever come. I actually tasted the chocolate and the strawberries individually as I bit in! Quite the Willy Wonka moment for me, and that's saying something (since I can quote that entire movie). Amazing! My only minor regret was they didn't have Peanut Butter flavor today... I only hope there will be next time for me in Nashville...
Now it's off to New Orleans!...