It may be an hour away, but Nashville is worlds away and a great place for a weekend getaway. If you’re looking for something a little different this summer, you can venture to Germantown, then over to Hillsboro Village and finally to up-and-coming East Nashville for a few days and nights of delight. Squeeze in a five-mile hike, as I did, and you won’t have to roll yourself back to Bowling Green.

My Friday night trip began at the City House in Germantown since my dining companion had read about its pizza in Food and Wine magazine. City House, the former home and art studio of sculpture Alan LaQuire, also was hailed as the best new restaurant in an August issue of the Nashville scene last year. We were seated on the second floor, near the fireplace, and from my view down the open staircase I could see into the bar and first floor, where patrons were relaxed and in high spirits. It was contagious.

We ordered an out of the ordinary watermelon with salt and chili oil appetizer. It reminded me of the first time someone suggested putting chili powder in hot chocolate – intriguing! The waiter told us that about every third bite would have a kick and he was right. The watermelon slices were lovely and refreshing for two bites, then a jolt of spice reminded me it can be a steamy summer, inside and out.

The cuisine is Italian and next we ordered a couple of those nationally recognized Margherita pizzas with homemade soft mozzarella. The cheese, the light refreshing tomato sauce, the garlic, the tomatoes and the enormous, flavor-filled basil leaves were all presented in perfect balance on a crispy thin crust to make the meal both light and filling at the same time.

Menu items at City House are unique, flavorful and healthy – like the summer vegetable minestrone soup, homemade cheeses, olives and more on the antipasto menu. Then for some depth of taste, it offers pastas, pizzas, fish and meat like Painted Hills Tri Tip with red onion, lemon and thyme. Tri tip is an incredible cut of beef that is unfortunately a well-kept secret in this part of the country.

And then there was the gelato. We ordered the salted caramel. Two bites and my dining companion figured it out “it tastes like eating caramel corn.” This homemade gelato is a high-end ice cream and is creamy, frozen, dense and delectable.

Two other sweet City House bonuses: a screened porch for outdoor dining and online reservations through the opentable.com system.

Mid-morning the next day we headed to West End and Bongo Java Roasting Company’s Fido coffee shop for brunch in Hillsboro Village near the Belcourt Theatre. Two iced chai lattes and one order of grilled salmon Benedict later, we were ready for a hike at Old Stone Fort in Manchester. Two poached eggs on a bed of polenta cheese grits with hollandaise and baby spinach were enough protein and carbs to keep us on the trail for hours. Fido also has a variety of baked goods, veggie and meat scrambles, breakfast burritos, pancakes, bagel sandwiches and regular sandwiches served until 2 p.m. on the weekends.

Finally, on the way back to Bowling Green, it was a stop on the east side of Nashville at Rosepepper Cantina on Eastland Avenue for some first-rate margaritas and appetizers. We hadn’t planned on eating appetizers only, but sitting on the porch, who could resist? These were tempura-battered sweet peppers on a bed of sunflower seeds drizzled with avocado sauce and a side of chipotle relish for dipping. So we dove in and ordered guacamole with flour chips and chicken nachos layered with cheese, beans, tomatoes and jalapenos served with guacamole, sour cream and ranchero salsa. Both were delicious.

So don’t take my word for it, venture out on your own with the little guidance you’ve read here today and enjoy!

— Our anonymous food reviewer gives new restaurants a six-week grace period before reviewing. To comment, please contact Managing Editor Mike Alexieff at 783-3235 or via e-mail to malexieff@bgdailynews.com.

For more information

City House – www.cityhousenashville.com

Fido – www.bongojava.com

Rosepepper Cantina and Mexican Grille – www.rosepepper.com