Okonomiyaki, $3.99 A sort of pancake-meets-yakisoba noodle dish, with Japanese-style mayonnaise and a katsu-like dressing. Misoyaki Butterfish, Nishime and Sekihan (mochi rice with Azuki Beans) bento , $6.79. Ward Farmers Market has transformed over the years from being mostly made up of small vendors offering a variety of local foods and produce to what it stands today with just several larger tenants. On the east end you have Tropic Fish & Vegetable Market. In the center there’s Haili’s Hawaiian Foods, and across them, still in the center there’s Lyn’s Foods, a store that offers an assortment of mostly cracked seeds and local snacks. Finally, on the west end, occupying the most amount of square footage is Marukai Market Place. They recently expanded right up to Haili’s, where as before they were approximately 30′ or more farther down. This added floor space had them moving the produce section from the far left, to the far right, adjacent to the main entrance, which is only accessible through Farmers Market’ main corridor.

This also allowed for a full service Okazuya, which you can see just behind that cashier checkout counter. While it can be a toss-up on selection between them, Don Quijote and Shirokiya, Marukai often ends up having that special imported Japanese ingredient that the other two doesn’t stock. One such item that comes to mind is the Menma (marinated bamboo shoots) that are a must-have for great ramen. I found that once in Don Quijote, but never again. Marukai always has several brands in stock. Keep in mind that we’re talking about their smaller Ward location. I haven’t been to the main Dillingham warehouse location in quite a while, but know that there is much, much more selection there. They also have some American basics such as eggs, milk, and select canned and frozen foods. As you’ve seen in the first set of photos, besides groceries, they also have an excellent selection of hot and cold meals to go. Items such as fresh-made salads, sushi, oden, okonomiyaki, fried chicken and a huge assortment of bento lunches.

Marukai also owns and operates the 99 Cent Store, which is located to the left of the Market Place in another building. The current Marukai annual membership fee is just $10, which you must have in order to enter and shop there, and a must-have if you love Japanese food such as myself. It's not summer, it's patio season. And failing to eat, drink, and generally have fun outside is, we assume, an arrestable offense. Helping you to avoid a lengthy jail term, here are the finest Music City spots for outdoor merrymaking... Acme Feed & Seed/Jake Giles Netter Acme Feed & Seed not only has great food and a long list of refreshing beverages, its rooftop patio is also one of the best in town, overlooking downtown and the Cumberland River. It has live music playing outside on a regular basis so check the schedule to know what’s going on. And if you’re into it, during the summer months it also hosts "Yoga Buzz" on the rooftop, which is yoga thankfully followed by drink specials.

Voted best margarita in town for over 10 consecutive years, there was really no doubt that Rosepepper’s patio would make the list. The outdoor space is large, covered, and surrounded by a decent number of fans so it’s a good option even during the most brutal summer months. Pinewood Social prides itself on being a social gathering place fit for everything from a quick coffee date to happy hour with friends and even a cocktail by the pool. jiro dreams of sushi slateThat’s right, it has an outdoor patio area that’s complete with two dipping pools, bocce ball, a large courtyard, and an Airstream bar. sushi grade fish charlotte ncThe patio even has its own special food & cocktail menus.sushi grade fish ft lauderdale

12 South Taproom & Grill With a rather large patio, 30 beers on tap, and over 70 different bottled beers, the 12 South Taproom would probably still be enjoyable in a blizzard. It has a great selection of local brews and constant drink specials happening, and if all of the great beer isn’t quite enough for you, it also has a great bar menu to boot.sushi grade fish hampshire Not only does The Pharmacy have some of the best burgers in the city, but it also has a great patio area that it refers to as the beer garden. There’s lots of extra seating in the garden and even an additional bar outside where you can grab a drink while waiting for your table. If you’re looking for a good place to relax before or after an event at Bridgestone Arena, Pub5 is your spot. Directly across from the arena, the rooftop patio overlooks much of downtown and Lower Broad. (Oh, and if you go during lunch hours, don’t forget to take advantage of the free valet parking.)

Not only is it one of the best cocktail bars in the city, and one of the best brunch spots in the city, but the Stone Fox can also add its spacious patio to its list of superlatives. Not only is it nice to sit out on, but you won’t go hungry or thirsty, that’s for sure. Fat Bottom has a pretty decent outdoor space for you to park your own fat bottom -- the patio area is covered, and you can enjoy a nice meal with your brew, as well as a pretty gorgeous courtyard area. If you crave sushi & sake during the summer months (don’t we all?), then this Asian-fusion restaurant in the Gulch is where you want to be. Compared to the rest of the more relaxed patios on this list, Virago’s outdoor space has more of a formal dining vibe with artistically served cuisine and some rather fancy cocktails. Many locals will also argue that Virago’s elaborate sushi menu is the best in all of Nashville, and it’s HALF OFF on Mondays. While both M.L. Rose locations have great patios, the one on Charlotte in West Nashville has an especially killer outdoor area.