Harper's

This morning, one of the hotel employees recommended we try a place called Harper's for lunch. Harper's is owned and operated by husband and wife team Paul and State Senator Thelma Harper. They serve home-cooked soul food, and the lunch we had was amazing.

Harper's is located near Fisk University north of Downtown. The place is set up cafeteria style, with an ample, clean dining area. Choices include fried chicken, baked chicken, pork chops, meat-loaf(that's what I had, and it was awe-inspiring meat-loaf), baked fish, green beans, pinto beans, collard greens, mac & cheeze, candied yams, fried corn, mashed potatoes.

We had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Harper, a very friendly and gracious fellow, who was justifiably proud of his restaurant, which has been in business since 2003.

Lunch at Harpers was a Nashville highlight.

We also saw some art this afternoon. At the Frist Visual Arts Centre, we enjoyed an exhibition of painting by members of the Hudson River School. This are what I would call Romantic landscapes - big vistas, dramatic detail and tiny figures. It was a really fine exhibition in a facility that was once the main post office in Nashville. The post office leased the building to the Frist, on condition that they keep a post office running in the building. The architecture is combination classical and deco, and it features some choice WPA grill-work.

After lunch, we ventured to Fisk University to see their collection. This was part of the Stiegletz Collection, give to the University by Georgia O'Keefe. It was well worth the trip just for the Marden Hartleys and the Arthur Doves. It is a small but fine collection, and as a bonus, we met a lady named Toby who has worked at the gallery for 15 years, and was full of wonderful stories.

We're back at the hotel for a break. Outside, it is very hot and sunny. Tonight, we'll venture out again for some music.

over and out from Nashville.