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The 5 Best Nashville Brunch Spots — Locals’ Picks

By U.S. News & World Report

Nashvillians have a hearty appetite for ideas, hospitality — and, perhaps most importantly, food. So, it shouldn’t be a surprise to see long lines outside Nashville‘s best brunch spots on Saturdays and Sundays. To help you navigate the brunch scene during your visit, U.S. News asked local experts for recommendations. Here’s what they had to say.

Sky Blue Cafe

Sky Blue Cafe, discreetly tucked away in Nashville’s historic Edgefield neighborhood, is where in-the-know natives go for a laid-back brunch.

[Read: The Best Hotels in Nashville.]

“That’s where you’ll find all of the locals on the weekends,” says Amanda Cramer, guest services agent at the Union Station Hotel, Autograph Collection. “I love Sky Blue because it just screams Nashville.”

This charming eatery serves up hearty classics like three-egg omelets, breakfast burritos and plates piled with pancakes larger than the heads of most of its patrons. Also, if you’re looking to indulge, the steak and eggs with a homemade biscuit is the way to go.

One thing to keep in mind is the waiting list tends to get long on the weekends, so your best bet is to get there early. But, if you’re not in a hurry, grab a spot outside and enjoy the complimentary Drew’s Brews coffee, which is hand-roasted in Nashville. Breakfast is served all day. Sky Blue Cafe is open daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saint Añejo

” Saint Añejo has a very unique brunch menu because they’ve got Mexican as well as Southern cuisine all mixed in there,” says Kelcie Borton, lead concierge at the Sheraton Grand Nashville Downtown.

While Saint Añejo in the Gulch has only been open since 2013, it has already earned a reputation as one of the town’s best places to brunch. Order the Omelet Dos, made with shrimp, lobster and a roasted red pepper cream sauce. You’ll likely still be reminiscing about it even after you return home and unpack.

[Read: Locals’ 5 Favorite Bars in Nashville.]

Brunch is Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Biscuit Love

” Biscuit Love is obviously amazing,” Borton says. “Everybody talks about Biscuit Love. Their menu is so simple, but it’s so good. And, I think that’s almost partly what makes it so good.”

Biscuit Love specializes in what you might expect: all things biscuits. Its East Nasty, a biscuit stuffed with a fried boneless chicken thigh, aged cheddar and gravy, was recognized by Bon Appétit as the best sandwich from a U.S. restaurant that opened in 2015. That’s not bad for an eatery that started out as a lone food truck operated by a husband-and-wife team with big dreams.

Cramer likes to recommend Biscuit Love to people who may not be familiar with Southern cuisine because “it just embodies Southern cooking,” she says. “It’s very heavy and very hearty. You are very full at the end of the meal.”

The full menu is available from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

Tavern

“At the top of the list, I personally think, is Tavern,” says Andrew Atkins III, lead navigator and concierge at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel. “You’ve got great food, you’ve got a great atmosphere, and it’s like the party never ended from the night before. Because they don’t do reservations, I recommend that my guests get there at 9:30 [a.m.], before they open at 10.”

This gastropub is situated near Vanderbilt University and downtown, making it a favorite for 20-somethings and young professionals looking to take a break from their studies and seriously unwind. And, Laura Cunningham, head concierge at the Hutton Hotel, agrees, saying, “Tavern is one of the best spots for brunch in town.”

[Read: 5 Great Nashville Shopping Spots.]

Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with two-for-one brunch cocktail specials.

Butcher & Bee

Butcher & Bee is a relatively recent addition to East Nashville, but its meticulously planned menu has been attracting big crowds — and loads of attention. If you do have the pleasure of spending some time here, be sure to order the whipped feta, served with fermented honey, cracked black pepper and pita bread.

Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

To experience more of what Nashville has to offer, check out the U.S. News Travel guide.

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The 5 Best Nashville Brunch Spots — Locals’ Picks originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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