FOOD FINDS
By Don Napier
Everybody loves a good “Seafood Buffet,” right? Well I know I do. As a land-locked native Tennessean, I have never really had all the seafood I ever wanted. I love crab legs, shrimp, oysters, and all kinds of fish.
Over the years I have eaten at my fair share of seafood spreads. There used to be a great restaurant in Nashville, near the airport, called The New Orleans Manor House located in an old southern mansion. It was a special destination when I was active in the Tennessee Press Association and went to Nashville a lot. They had a 50-item buffet. When you finished with that, they would bring you a whole lobster. I think that place is now operated under the name of Monell’s Manor and features family style (strangers sharing the same table).
These days, I like to have crab legs at home. You can buy them from Food City occasionally at $5.95 to $6.95 a pound, and they are easy to steam. $50 dollars worth, about seven or eight pounds will take care of four people, and the price will usually be less than dinner for four .
But there’s a new place to get your seafood fill, R-House Restaurant, operating in the old Lake Tansi Country Club building. My family went there a couple weeks ago without knowing what to expect. It had been recommended to me by one of my golf buddies.
It was standing room only the night I was there, every table in their 150-seat dining room was filled, and people were waiting. That was a pretty good sign for things to come.
Our waitress that night was a sweet lady named Ruth Ann. She did a wonderful job taking care of us, refilling our tea and coffee and carrying away empty plates. She was also very friendly and informative.
When I eat seafood, I don’t fool with salad, bread or vegetables. And this night was no different. I started with about a dozen of the biggest oysters on the half shell I ever saw. I then got some peel ‘n eat shrimp, which were good-sized shrimp. Restaurant Owner, Sheri Addison, told me her seafood, including her oysters, were shipped in fresh, every Friday.
This was Don Napier’s first plate on Seafood Night at R-Place Restaurant.
I liked the fact that the food was served in an adjoining room with lots of space for lots of hungry people. I never felt crowded. They had four food bars: A large salad bar, a cold bar, and two hot seafood bars.
After my oysters, I headed for the leg bar, not crab legs, but frog legs, one of my favorite. I love frog legs and consider myself to be an expert on that item. Some of the best I ever had came from Ollie’s in Celina, TN, and from Hibachi Super Buffet in Crossville. I really loved the batter used by R-Place.
On their first hot bar, they had: Fried Cod, Fried Catfish, Spicy Shrimp, Fried Shrimp, Jalapeno Cheese Shrimp, Fried Calmari, Stuffed Crab, Fried Clam Strips, Salmon (with a chutney).
On their second hot bar, they had grilled Mahi Mahi, Frog Legs (in pairs), Crawfish, Tater Tots, Hush Puppies and Onion Rings, Fried Okra and Green Beans, pre-measured drawn butter in small plastic cups (w/lids)
It should be noted that the Snow Crab Legs were steamed and NOT laying in water like they are at nearly every restaurant. When the shells get wet and lay there for a few minutes, it makes them very difficult to break into. The shells break so much more easily when dry steamed, as these were. They also provided diners with a good set of crab pliers.
While I ate no dessert, my family did, choosing from: four kinds of cake, including Red Velvet, chocolate pie, cheesecake, lemon pie and others.
They also had an 16-item salad bar, with fresh pineapple and melons, and of course, several dressings.
Serving the Seafood Buffet on Friday nights, since last July, R-Place Restaurant charges $30 per person. If seafood is not your thing, you can order off their menu.
They also have several other special event days. On Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., they feature an old fashioned Sunday Brunch. On Wednesday nights, they have their Fried Chicken Buffet, and on Saturday night they specialize in ribs and barbecue.
Also operate 19th Hole
The same people operate The 19th Hole Restaurant, located adjacent to the Pro Shop at the Lake Tansi Golf Course. The 19th Hole, in the opinion of a lot people I have spoken with, say they have the best hamburger/cheeseburger/patty melt in the region. They also serve breakfast and grille items for lunch.
To make a reservation, call (931) 788-2550 or 788-6717. The restaurant is located at 103 Country Club Drive.
