Franklin, TN

Pictures With Santa In Franklin, TN - Try A Private Gathering Photo Studio

2009-11-19T20:19:27Z

I have never stood in line at the mall to get my son's picture taken with Santa and I never will.

I have been spoiled by the staff at A Private Gathering in Franklin.

I get to make an appointment with Santa and have a luxurious 20-minute sitting and then have fabulous pictures to show for it!

]]> Franklin, TN Photography Studio

A Private Gathering is a portrait studio owned by Elaine, the photographer.

She has been taking my family's pictures for 6 years now and I have never been disappointed.

The studio is located in her home in Franklin, TN. It's a very comfortable setting and Elaine makes the sessions easy.

Elaine is very suited for her job because she has fun with it and does a great job (and she is always happy!).

Santa Photos

The Santa sessions are especially fun. Elaine includes snacks, toys, holiday movies, and extra helpers for a festive atmosphere.

This year was no exception. Once we arrived, we were greeted and taken to an open area of her home with a kitchen and a living room. My son snacked on cookies, crackers, and fruit while watching Frosty the Snowman.

I talked with the friendly staff about whether or not he would really sit on Santa's lap this year.

After a few minutes, Elaine came to get us for the session. We walked upstairs to her studio where Santa and Mrs. Claus were waiting for us. This year Santa sat on a bench in front of a Christmas tree and stacks of wrapped gifts. (Elaine changes the scene each year.)

Sitting On Santa's Lap

Since my son is only 2-and-a-half, she gave him time to warm up to the big guy. My son walked around the room inspecting the place for a minute and then ended up standing in front of Santa who watched him patiently.

"I want a blue scooter, Santa" he announced. We all laughed, relieved that he wasn't too scared to talk to him. Since he seemed comfortable, Elaine took steps to get pictures of him interacting with Santa.

First she had him sit on the bench and draw pictures for Santa on an Etch-a-Sketch.
Next, he sat in Santa's lap and discussed Christmas gifts (success!!).
Then, Mrs. Claus joined them on the bench for a few photos too.

The whole time Elaine was taking pictures.

After a bit, she leaned over to me so that I could view the pictures on her camera. Once I was happy that I had some great ones to choose from, we said goodbye to Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Then I went up to another level of the house to view the pictures and place my order while my son went back down to the living room where he played with toys and was entertained by the staff.

The whole thing lasted about 30 minutes.

Is Your Child Afraid Of Santa?

So what if your child doesn't want to sit on Santa's lap?

No problem! Elaine uses Photoshop to include Santa in the picture with your child.

This happened with my son last year. He was too afraid of Santa to sit with him. So they took separate pictures of my son and Santa and then merged the 2 photos. The pictures were great and you couldn't tell that they were never together.

More About A Private Gathering

The cost of a session with Santa at A Private Gathering is more than you would pay at the mall, but walking out stress-free with a great picture is so worth it.

A Private Gathering also photographs babies, families, brides, high school seniors, and fun seasonal projects.

For an appointment call (615) 595-8200.

Funny Picture: Welcome To Franklin!

2009-11-08T22:21:56Z

I took this photo downtown Franklin, TN -- right in front of the Franklin Post Office.

PHOTO CAPTION:

Welcome to beautiful downtown Franklin. Have a seat.

...Well, on second thought, you better sit somewhere else!

Kids Need A Haircut? We Like Sweet & Sassy Salon For Kids In Cool Springs

2009-11-01T15:08:55Z

Although Sweet and Sassy is a very girly place, they also do little boy haircuts too. I actually called the salon and asked.

The first time I took my son, I scanned the salon and saw plenty of other boys too. Even though he wasn't even 2 years old at the time, I had to make sure I didn't make him the butt of any jokes later in life.

The reason that I tried Sweet & Sassy in the first place was because I didn't have good luck with Snip Its -- another salon for kids in Franklin. The haircuts my son received there were not consistently good and the staff wasn't very friendly. My biggest concern was that they don't take appointments unless you are a member and pay a fee.

Like most toddlers, my son doesn't wait easily. Sweet and Sassy does take appointments so I immediately wanted to give it a try!

]]> Great Location

Sweet and Sassy is located right in between Baja Fresh Mexican Grill and Bread and Company on Cool Springs Boulevard.

So it's also in a great location to grab dinner after the haircut!

Their address is 430 Cool Springs Blvd #110 Franklin, TN 37067
Call (615) 771-1099 for an appointment.

First Impressions

The inside has lots of distractions for kids, which is key to keeping them entertained and not scared. The walls are painted with bright colors, the ceiling has colorful circular shapes and there are white columns with mosaic designs on them.

There are several sections of the salon too.

There is an area called Glam Central for getting makeup done, and the Pampered Place for hair styling and nail polishing, a gift shop with lots of girly gifts, and of course the haircut area.

They're Great With Kids!

The last time we went, we were greeted by the stylist as soon as we walked in. She immediately started talking to my son and she walked him to her haircut station. She placed him on the chair and kept him talking. Then she asked us how we wanted the cut.

She started cutting while he watched 101 Dalmatians on a TV at her station. When she wanted him to look down so that she could cut the back of his hair, she pulled out a magna doodle and put it in his lap and asked him to draw her something.

She also had some cars on hand just in case, but it wasn't necessary. She was done in about 10 minutes and then he got a high 5 and a sucker!

For us, Sweet & Sassy will do just fine for now. When my son is older I'm sure that we can switch to Sport Clips in Franklin.

By the way, if you have a little girl, Sweet and Sassy also offers salon parties!

Free Pumpkins & FallFest Activities At The Franklin Farmer's Market

2009-10-21T15:32:52Z

The Franklin farmer's market is giving away FREE pumpkins this weekend as part of their FallFest activities.

FallFest includes fun arts, crafts and tastings, in addition to the typical vendors you can always find at the farmers market.

The Franklin farmers market FallFest takes place this Saturday from 8AM to 1PM at the Franklin Factory.

We're saying "thank you" with a celebration of farms, food and fun. It's time for FallFest, Saturday October 24th. There's free mini-pumpkins for the kids (while supplies last), along with a free breakfast for the first 200 customers at the market. There will be special arts and crafts too along with the contest for the best scarecrow among the farmers plus great live music all through the market day. And as always, the absolute best in fresh food from local farms. So mark your calendar now for October 24th and get ready to celebrate at FallFest! Source

Wolfgang Puck Express In Cool Springs - A Review

2009-10-12T17:44:45Z

As far as I know, Franklin's Wolfgang Puck Express is a one-of-a-kind restaurant in this area. It's gourmet food served fast. They call it "fast-casual meals."

Wolfgang Puck Express takes the best qualities from fast food and gourmet dining and merges them.

I have been going for years now, and I have always had consistently great food served in minutes.

Here's my review of Wolfgang Puck Express in Cool Springs, in case you're thinking about going...

]]> Placing Your Order

When you go in, Wolfgang Puck Express in Cool Springs has a really different set up.

First, you place your order and pay at the counter.

Like a fast food restaurant, the counter does have a menu board above the cashier's head, but unlike a fast food joint, it also has a flat screen TV playing images of Wolfgang Puck himself preparing meals.

There is also a cooler in front of the cashier stocked with mineral water, wine, and beer.

After ordering, you receive a plastic tent with your order number on it to display on your table.

The dining area is very open and has a high ceiling. The colors are warm and the style is contemporary.

The kitchen is in the back and is open. There is even a counter with chairs surrounding it, if you prefer to watch the cooking.

After waiting only about 5 minutes, a waiter finds your number and brings your food. So it's not McDonalds fast, but much better than the typical fine dining wait.

How's The Food?

The best part is the food! It really is gourmet, and there is a wide variety to choose from.

On the menu, they offer:

salads

soups

sandwiches

pastas

pizzas

classic entrees with fish, chicken, and more

I never go without ordering a cup of the Butternut Squash soup. It's great! I also like the Chinois Chicken Salad, Margarita Pizza, and Pesto Chicken Sandwich.

My husband and son always get the same thing when they go: barbeque chicken sandwich and macaroni and cheese, respectively.

Lucky for us, the price is not gourmet. It's quite affordable:

Salads are $8

Sandwiches are $7

Pastas are under $11

Individual pizzas are $8

Classic entrees are under $14

Kid-Friendly Dining

Besides the food, another reason that I like Wolfgang Puck Express is because it's kid-friendly. It is on our list of 2-year-old approved places -- which means it's just loud enough to not feel uncomfortable if it happens to get loud at our table.

Plus, you can get in and get out pretty quickly. We are not the only ones that feel this way, since I do see a lot of young families there. (But then again we do go early, around 5:30.) I have seen plenty of after work people drop in too.

What About Tipping?

The one thing that was confusing to me with the merging of the 2 dining types is the subject of tipping.

Yes, you have a waiter, but they don't take your order or bring a bill. They just bring the food to your table and then check on you.

So I asked about this. The cashier told me that you can tip at the counter when you pay and the entire staff shares it, although I got the impression that it's optional. So, I decided to tip when I paid at the counter, but just a couple bucks, much less than the typical 18 percent.

Location, Location, Location

Wolfgang Puck Express is located in a great area of Cool Springs. It's in the same shopping area as Bed Bath and Beyond, right in between Starbucks and Carrabbas.

The address:
553 Cool Springs Blvd.
Franklin, TN 37067

You can even call ahead and pick up your meal. Their phone number is (615) 771-9066.

Here's another review of Wolfgang Puck Express in Cool Springs.

Precious Prints - A Fun & Easy Way To Preserve Your Child's Hand Prints And Foot Prints

2009-10-01T14:21:40Z

Have you ever tried to make a handprint or footprint of your little one? I have and it's not easy.

First of all, they do not hold still well. When I tried to do my son's hand, he wouldn't keep it flat on the surface of the clay and kept gouging into it in an attempt to scoop it up. I did not get the hand print.

His footprint was easier, but not a job well done by mom. I thought I would give it a try since I received 3 hand/foot print kits for my baby shower. But after messing up 2 of the kits, I decided to just give up on the third.

Then at my son's 2nd birthday party, a friend got us a gift certificate for a garden stepping stone from Precious Prints. Thank you! This was my answer.

She explained that garden stepping stones are light grey cement stones that include your child's hand and foot prints with the year and decorative ceramic tiles.

I just brought my son to the Precious Prints studio in Franklin and they did the rest!

]]> First Impressions

Just inside the door is the office with examples of finished stepping stones and ceramic plates.

We were greeted by Mary Loftus, the owner, who explained the process and moved us into the studio.

It was spacious with tables and chairs to work on. But what you notice first is the cartoonish nature scene painted on the wall. It looks like something out of a children's book and gives the space a kid-friendly feel.

Choosing The Tiles For The Background

Before we arrived, she had already poured the wet cement into a plastic circular mold, so we were ready to begin.

First, she used a toothpick to hand write the year: 2009.

Next, she had us choose our ceramic tiles. These decorative tiles are placed on the wet cement to represent your child's interests at the time. Our son loves sports, trains, and animals, so we chose the tiles that represented those things.

She placed the tiles on the wet cement and then was ready to do the hand prints and foot prints.

Making The Hand Prints & Foot Prints

She told my son what we were going to do and told him to watch carefully. So I held him up, and she took each of his hands and quickly and expertly pushed them into the cement. I think the trick was to be quick and to engage him into what we were doing!

Next, she did his feet. The whole time, she was talking to him so he was just staring at the process and not moving.

That was it. As soon as we finished the imprints, she had him wash up in the Winnie the Pooh sink that was located right in the same room. The whole thing took about 20 minutes.

The finished product looked great. We left it at the studio to dry and picked it up one week later. Now it's in our backyard under a tree. I love it!

Now my advice to new parents is to not do it yourself when it comes to making your child's hand prints and foot prints, and I send them to Precious Prints.

Why I Like Precious Prints Stepping Stones

They do all the work with great results.
It's very affordable - starting at $32.
It's a great gift idea for grandparents.
A Precious Prints gift certificate is a great idea for new parents.
The staff works well with children.
They also make stones and plates for pets.

Besides ceramic plates and garden stepping stones, Precious Prints offers stone parties, birthday parties, and art classes for children.

Precious Prints is located at 400 Sugartree Lane #310, Franklin, TN 37064 -- right off of Murfreesboro Road. To make an appointment, call (615) 794-4802.

'Rubdown' - A Comedy About The Ups & Downs Of The Spa Business Is Being Filmed In Franklin

2009-09-26T16:58:41Z

"Rubdown" is a half-hour comedy TV series that takes you behind-the-scenes of the spa business -- with stories inspired by real life situations.

The pilot for the show is being filmed in historic Franklin, Tennessee on October 4th and 5th.

The series also focuses on the staff’s daily trials with one another and the eccentric group of clients that come in for an escape -- from music industry celebrities to simple Tennessee rednecks. Behind a seemingly calm façade, hides a chaos of hilarity done in grand southern style. Through each episode, the staff will navigate through the reality-inspired escapades of their clients, and their own personal lives. Some of the clients will be regulars for the viewers to get to know. You have never had a “Rubdown” until you have had it southern style. -- press release

For more information, contact: Zac Adams at lemonadeproductions@yahoo.com or (615) 414-5871.

Re-Opening Franklin Theatre: The Downtown Movie Theater Becomes More Than Just A Franklin Cinema

2009-09-24T17:56:41Z

Those of you who went to the downtown Franklin movie theater know how great it was!

After 70 years of showing movies in downtown Franklin, the Franklin Cinema closed its doors in January 2007 due to the ever-increasing rent in the area. That was such a sad day for those of us who frequented the theater.

Franklin Cinema In The Past

Besides playing current movies, Franklin Cinema was a neat venue and it offered a unique service.

The historic building offered 2 movie houses with not only comfy seats, but also tables in front of each seat to either put your food and drinks on or to rest your feet on.

Besides the typical soft drinks and popcorn, Franklin Cinema also offered beer and pizza! It was just a cool place to see a movie and I always ran into friends there.

I will never forget the night my husband and I went to see Austin Powers in Goldmember. (Yup, we like goofy movies!) We were still new to the area and didn't know too many people. The movie was funny and we had a good time.

When we were leaving, we noticed a couple from our neighborhood was there. They were our age and didn't have kids yet either. So we stopped and talked to them. Then, another couple we kind of knew from the neighborhood came out of the theater too. Again, our age, no kids. Well, the 6 of us stayed downtown Franklin and had dinner and laughed about the movie. Seven years later, we are all still great friends!

That is the kind of experience we had at the Franklin Cinema.

]]> Efforts To Re-Open The Franklin Theatre

So, what's happening now?

Thanks to The Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County, efforts are being made to re-open the theater. They have purchased the building and are in the process of determining how the theater can be profitable.

They are going to be renovating it first, and they're planning to use it as a mixed-use entertainment facility for not just movies but also live entertainment and events. These other events will financially help sustain the movie theater portion of the building.

What they need now are the funds. They estimate needing around $7 million. The community has shown that they are behind this renovation. They got a good start on their goal by getting almost half of the money from 2 locals who believe in the cause, Emily Magid and the Cal Turner Family Foundation.

Also, Southern Exposure Magazine's annual Turning the Tables fundraiser benefited Save the Franklin Theater in 2008. This event is big and brings in local celebrities as servers for the evening of food, drinks, and entertainment. As well, Franklin resident Jimmy Gentry donated the money from his movie premier, "An American Adventure" to the theater renovations.

Help Get The Franklin Movie Theater Re-Opened

How can you help?

Here are a few ways you can help to save the Franklin Theatre:

1. You can purchase Franklin Theater t-shirts from Philanthropy, a downtown boutique near the Franklin Cinema. They are neat looking with the historic 1937 photo of the theater on the shirt. (I bought 2!) They sell them for $25 and half of the money goes back the theater.
2. The Heritage Foundation is selling framed shadow boxes with a piece of the original 1937 curtain for $40. (I purchased one as a Christmas gift for a friend.)
3. Of course, you can simply make a donation. The Save The Franklin Theatre brochure has all of the details.

Nowadays, all 3 couples from that one night at Franklin Cinema 7 years ago have kids. Hopefully, one day we can all take them to the Franklin Theater too.

FREE Music Events In Nashville Are Great For Networking On A Budget!

2009-09-19T14:11:12Z

Nashville Music Muse recently posted Networking In Nashville On A Budget -- a list of FREE music events for every day of the week.

The point is:

1. There are plenty of amazing FREE music events every day of the week in Nashville;

and

2. Attending these types of events enable you to see and be seen in Nashville... without breaking the bank!

]]> It's so true.

Jim and I go to 3 of the 7 places on that list quite regularly:

Bluebird Cafe
Listening Room Cafe
Douglas Corner Cafe

And we usually make a point to take visitors to those places as well.

The other 4, we will definitely make a point to visit soon!

What are your favorite places to go out and listen to FREE music in and around Nashville?

Here are some of ours:

Nashville Style Map in New York Times Magazine

2009-09-16T14:01:28Z

David Higdon Design recently pointed out this Nashville style map from the New York Times. I thought others would be interested in seeing it as well.

He wrote:

It's great to see Hatch Show acknowledged as well as Robert's Western World, but Billy Reid and Venus ans Mars have barely been here for two, maybe three years (although they do kick ass)... and how about showcasing some of the great spots on the East-side of the river?

What are some places YOU think should've been included on the map?

Here's a list of other things that Nashville, Franklin, and Williamson County have received accolades for.

Maggie Moo's Ice Cream & Treatery In Franklin, TN

2009-09-11T15:06:22Z

Yes, I think that they made up the word "treatery", but you get the idea. It's a great place to eat treats!

Maggie Moo's is an ice cream parlor that lets you get creative with your treat.

First, you pick your ice cream.

Next, you pick the mix-ins (candy, fruit, or nuts).

Then, they take your treat combo to the cold marble top (so no melting occurs) and fold everything together by hand.

Since it's blended right there, the taste is fresher than if you got a scoop of ice cream that is premixed and then frozen.

]]> Maggie Moo is the sassy pearl necklace wearing cow on the logo.

She is also all over the walls in the ice cream parlor with little bubble messages to the kids about her ice cream.

Maggie and the vibrant colors inside give the place itself a cartoon feel. The décor appeals to kids, as do the large displays of yummy mix ins!

Mix-Ins & Flavors

You can choose as many or as few mix-ins as you like, including:

almonds

brownies

coconut

heath bar

gummie bears

m&m's

pecans

strawberries

...to name just a few!

If you are too overwhelmed to choose yourself, they offer some of their favorite ice cream combinations called Fresh Escapes.

I always try something new when I go, and so far I have always won the tasting contest between my husband and I. He keeps telling me that next time he will just order whatever I do, but so far he never has.

More Than Just Ice Cream

Besides ice cream combinations, Maggie Moo's also offers:

ice cream cakes

cupcakes

sundaes

smoothies

shakes

ice cream coffees

The Best Ice Cream Flavors

What sets Maggie Moo's apart from a similar ice cream place (like Marble Slab Creamery) is their ice cream. I simply like the ice cream flavors better at Maggie Moo's.

And I'm not the only one who feels this way since they have won blue ribbon awards for some of their flavors from the National Ice Cream Retailers Association for the 9th year in a row!

Some of the yummy flavors offered at Maggie Moo's are:

brownie batter

amooretto

cinamoo

cotton candy

dark chocolate

udderly cream

pina cowlada

Location, Location, Location

Maggie Moo's is in a great location in Cool Springs -- close to restaurants and shopping.

It is located on Cool Springs Blvd in the same shopping area as Borders bookstore and Bed Bath & Beyond in the same section as Atlanta Bread Company, and Royal Thai. Across the street is TGI Fridays.

With so many restaurants right there, it's an ideal spot for an after dinner treat. Or if you're shopping, just take a break and have a treat! They also have seating outside if it's a nice day.

I always leave satisfied, but wondering about the combination that I didn't get. When I walk out the door I am always thinking the same thing: "Next time I will try..."

Check out Maggie Moo's Ice Cream Treatery yourself:

535 Cool Springs Blvd #125
Franklin, TN 37067
(615) 771-9441

NBC Is Casting Couples In Nashville For 'The Marriage Ref' TV Show

2009-09-02T16:21:06Z

NBC is holding an open casting call in Nashville, Tennessee September 12-13 for their new show created and produced by Jerry Seinfeld called The Marriage Ref.

Want to be a contestant on the show?...

The following information came to me by way of Greg Fieser, Casting Producer for “The Marriage Ref”:

We are looking for outgoing, opinionated couples who have a long-standing argument, disagreement or squabble that they are passionate about and that they would like resolved once and for all by our panel of celebrities and our very own Marriage Referee.

Following are the details...

]]> NBC Casting in Nashville

WHEN:

Saturday, September 12th 11am-4pm

and

Sunday, September 13th 11am-4pm

WHERE:

Nashville Home Decorating and Remodeling Show

ADDRESS:

Nashville Convention Center
601 Commerce St.
Nashville, TN 37203

Can't make the Nashville casting auditions? You can also apply online.

Jerry Seinfeld, the Executive Producer of “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and the producers of “Supernanny” now bring you “The Marriage Ref”

For more information, check these links:

NBC Casting Call For The Marriage Ref

The Marriage Ref: About The Show

Follow The Marriage Ref on Twitter

Check Out The Marriage Ref on Facebook

SOL Restaurant - An Upscale Mexican Restaurant In Downtown Franklin, TN

2009-09-02T04:02:26Z

When I heard that SOL was going to open, my first thought was, "What is upscale Mexican food?"

I mean you think tacos, enchiladas, what else? Well, let me tell you! It means these same great dishes, but with fresh, gourmet ingredients and food preparation. Like nachos served with seared tuna, and seafood enchiladas made with crab, shrimp and scallops.

SOL is Mexican cuisine, not just Mexican food. -- SOL website

Also, the guacamole is made right at your table. Talk about fresh! If you go, the guacamole is a must have.

]]> First Impressions

The first thing you will notice when you walk in is the décor.

It is quite striking with bold colors and interesting pieces decorating the walls. It gives you the impression that this is nothing like the Mexican restaurants you have tried before.

Mexican Cuisine

The next thing you notice is the interesting menu.

They offer both small plates (average price $8) and large plates (average price $20) with items like the Chile Relleno filled with seafood and Tres colores, which is similar to a caprice salad, but with Mexican cheese and avocado.

My favorite dish is the Shrimp Herradura. It is shrimp served on a creamy corn salsa made with Herradura tequila.

What About The Drinks?

The drinks are pretty good too (average price $9).

I like their margarita tradicional (served in a martini glass) and the blackberry-pomegranate margarita.

I did not like their mojito. I compare it to Rumba's mojito, which in my opinion is perfection.

They also have a nice Mexican beer selection including Modelo, Tecate, Dos Equis, Pacifico, and of course, Sol -- as well as some domestic beers.

After Dinner Tequila Tastings

They have an extensive tequila menu offered as an after dinner tasting.

Although I have not yet tried it, I really like the idea and have not seen anything like it in this area.

Serving tastings of tequila is an authentic Mexican tradition. As an American exchange student living in Mexico many years ago, I observed my host parents offering tequila to any friends or family that visited our home.

SOL's Customer Service

What impressed me the most about SOL Mexican Restaurant is the service. I have been there 4 times now and have had consistently excellent service.

The servers are friendly, efficient and knowledgeable about the menu. In addition, each time I have been there the manager has come over to the table to make sure everything is satisfactory.

SOL is the second restaurant in downtown Franklin owned by Jason McConnell. The first is the very popular Red Pony. The menu at the Red Pony is much different with one exception: they have the same awesome tableside-made guacamole.

SOL Location & Parking

The SOL Mexican Restaurant is located on the corner of Main Street and 4th Avenue in historic downtown Franklin, Tennessee.

Parking is easy since the 4th Street parking garage is right across from it.

It's located where Sandy's Downtown Grill used to be, and as a restaurant they've had big shoes to fill. Sandy's was a local favorite and it was a big disappointment for us when it closed.

SOL has delivered! I like it for their awesome service, fresh and tasty menu items, and in keeping with traditional Mexican food and drinks.

When To Go

SOL serves dinner Monday through Saturday and is closed on Sunday. They also offer lunch Tuesday through Saturday.

The lunch menu is a scaled down version of the dinner menu with the addition of tortas (sandwiches).

If you want to give the SOL Mexican Restaurant in Franklin a try, I suggest getting reservations first because it is usually busy. You can make reservations on line or via phone (615) 538-6021.

And if you're in the mood to be outside, they have a few tables right on Main Street!

Boiler Room Theatre - A Fun Evening Out in Franklin

2009-08-02T19:54:12Z

No need to go all the way to New York or Chicago to see live theater. Just head over to the Factory at Franklin and visit the Boiler Room Theatre.

They offer around 7 shows per year with different productions to cater to different tastes. I have seen great comedies (Anything Goes, Forever Plaid), dramas (The Miracle Worker), and big productions (Chicago, Cabaret) at Franklin's Boiler Room Theatre.

]]> What It's Like

The name speaks for itself.

The theater is located in the building which housed the boiler of the old stove manufacturing factory.

The theater itself is small, with only 120 seats, which gives it an intimate feel. Besides a small seating area, the stage is also quite small. I always find it interesting how they do so much with so little.

The actors do a fabulous job proving, once again, there is no lack of talent in the greater Nashville area!

The shows are usually between 2 and 3 hours with an intermission included between acts when you can use the restroom or grab a snack and drink at the concession area.

Tickets & Upcoming Shows

Boiler Room Theatre tickets are reasonably priced at $25 apiece for the weekend evening shows and even less for Sunday matinees ($23), Thursday evenings ($15), or Tuesday evenings ($12.50).

The theater opens 30 minutes before the show and has an open seating policy. Since it's such a small venue, there really are no bad seats.

To give you an idea of the types of shows, here's the schedule for the remainder of the 2009 season:

Jesus Christ Superstar (Aug 21 - Sep 19)

Clue: The Musical (Oct 9 - Nov 7)

The Last Night of Ballyhoo (Nov 27 -Dec 20)

Hard Boiled Christmas (Nov 28 -Dec 23)

And here's a sampler of shows planned for the 2010 season:

Fiddler on the Roof

The Fantasticks

Brighton Beach Memoirs

Nine

Les Miserables De Deux Recit Du Villes

Rent

Christmas Belles

The Boiler Room Theatre also offers one or two children's shows a year as a nice alternative to the movies.

How To Get There

The Factory at Franklin is located on the corner of Franklin Road and Liberty Pike -- less than a mile north of downtown Franklin. So dinner before the show is an option at any downtown Franklin restaurant, or at the Factory itself at either Boxwood Bistro or Saffire (located right next to the theater.)

If you end up loving the Boiler Room Theatre, you can get season tickets for the entire year (like I did). It's a good time, and also a sure way to get my husband out on a date night 7 times a year!

Restaurants - Downtown Franklin

Red Pony

SOL

Mellow Mushroom

McCreary's Pub

And don't miss... All The Best Restaurants In Franklin, TN.

Baja Fresh Mexican Grill in Franklin Tennessee - A Review

2009-07-14T13:22:42Z

We seem to frequent these Mexican burrito restaurants. I'm not sure what that says about us, but it's interesting to be able to compare them around town!

No matter how many others we try out, my husband goes back to the Baja Fresh Mexican Grill every time. It's his absolute favorite.

Here's why...

]]> Baja Fresh has the slogan that they don't use microwaves, canned foods, or frozen foods.

All of their foods are prepared to order using fresh ingredients.

That commitment really shows in the taste of their menu items.

Baja Fresh is one of the few places left with a salsa bar. They make the salsa from fresh ingredients every day. This is one of the main reasons my husband loves Baja Fresh. He loves his condiments, and there's nothing like having an array of fresh salsas from which to choose.

My husband claims that Baja Fresh has the best Fish Burrito and Fish Tacos around. I, personally, don't like fish so I can't say firsthand. But his actions speak as loud as his words considering he's been going there 3 to 4 times a month and says he needs to go more often!

Right now, they are offering a Taco Trio for a limited time with a grilled mahi mahi taco. My husband says it is the best thing on the menu. I think I will stick with the Chicken Burrito Mexicano with salsa verde -- my all-time favorite.

They have a kid's menu with the choice of a Burrito, Quesadilla, or Taquito. Most of the time, we just get an order of beans and rice for our daughter and she loves it. They also have crayons and a placemat to color -- which is great for entertaining the kiddos while the food is being prepared.

Baja Fresh is a nice, casual eatery with indoor and outdoor seating. It's a great place to take kids.

Maybe if we keep trying the other burrito restaurants in the area, he'll find one he likes better. But for now, we'll be going to Baja Fresh so my hubby can get his Fish Burrito and Fish Taco fix.

Visit Baja Fresh in Cool Springs...

430 Cool Springs Blvd.
Franklin, TN 37067
(615) 778-8888