OT: things to do places to eat in Nash?

[KafudaFish]

Hello everyone.

My family will be in Nashville Friday night through Saturday night at the Gaylord (wife has a workshop) and was wondering if anything cool was going on in Nashville that we should check out? Christmas or other.

Also any good places to eat besides the standard national chains?

We pretty much eat anything.

We have a 6, 4, and a 1 yo.

Thank you.

 

[SRT80]

I don't make it to Nashville much....except downtown (lower broadway). But if you are stayin' at the Gaylord....that's the Opryland Hotel right? They have the Christmas lights and a ice show the kids should really enjoy.

I was gonna say hit up some bars on lower broadway....but not with kids....haha.

Steve

 

[shanealanbeaty]

Opryland Hotel for Christmas for sure. Also The Frist for adults and The Science Museum for kids.

 

[KafudaFish]

Ok thanks guys.

Turns out we are staying for Saturday night too because we got the special rate.

Woot.

 

[pelagic7]

what kind of food are you looking for?
There are alot of fine dinning restaurants in downtown, but expensive.. eg: Merchants
something good, and less expensive:Amerigo
something local, not expensive: demos, jacks BBQ
foreign: Golden Coast(Chinese) Miss Saigon(Viet), House of Korean(KOR),Samurai(Jap, expensive), Ichiban(jap, less expensive)

Hope it helps.

 

[mapn4reef]

http://nashville.citysearch.com/

Some of my favorites:

Park Café (* have seen babies there)
Sunset Grill
South Street * (away from bar area)
Whiskey Kitchen (have pizza, so half *)
Monell's *
Mambu
Pancake Pantry (OK during the weekday, not worth standing in line outside on a Sat/Sun)
Boscos *
Cabana
Stoney River steakhouse (chain) *
Maggiano's Little Italy (a chain but awesome) *
The Farmhouse at Fontanel *
Tee's Fireside Café *
Virago (sushi)
Mafiaozas (pizza) *
DaVinci's (pizza) *

Heard good things:
The Mad Platter
Germantown Café
Tin Angel

Go on Google Maps and type in restaurants Nashville, you'll get the layout of everything available.

If it has to be kid friendly, that would be a limiting factor for most of the locally owned places. I put a star by those that have some kid appeal, and are generally kid friendly. Most of them listed though would probably place you at a table suited for folks with young children.

If you can tell me your favorites or preferences...I can probably narrow it down for ya. Many more options I didn't list.

 

[KafudaFish]

Wow thank you very much.

As far as narrowing things down I can't really say except sushi. We made sure that our kids would order off the menu of the place we were eating at vs. going by McD's on the way in. Also 99% of the time they are well behaved, don't get up and run around and NEVER hang over the booth and stare at others (pet peeves of mine) but you never know when a melt down can happen so thanks for the *s.

We do seafood, Italian, Mexican, Chinese (sort of with kids), yes on Japanese steak house, BBQ, steak house is ok but others sound better, pizza joints, soup and sandwitches, and American but kind of skip home cooking because what is the point.

Again thank you for the list.

 

[mapn4reef]

I didn't mention Mexican on there, but I know a couple places that are different...

Let me suggest checking out different neighborhoods (if you have the time, there are interesting shops in these areas too), most have several locally owned restaurants or unique chain ones.

12th South area: http://www.12south.org/localbusinesses.html

Greenhills area, has the mall, and this place (highend shopping, some really good local eateries, La Paz for Mexican is in this area)
http://www.hillcentergreenhills.com/

The Gulch (near the Frist Center, art and stuff) has some really good restaurants unique to Nashville: http://www.nashvillegulch.com/

Hillsboro Village area has pedestrian type shopping and places to eat, most if not all locally owned: http://www.hillsborovillage.com/HVmerchants.htm

Germantown has historic value, and some great small restaurants, just North of the Farmer's Market and Bicentennial Mall
http://www.historicgermantown.org/LINKS_2.html

Good history lesson: http://www.tennessee.gov/environment/parks/Bicentennial/

East Nashville Neighborhood: http://www.eastnashville.org/
(Batter'd and Fried is supposed to replicate New England seafood, supposed to have clams servered with the bellies...had to make it reef related right...)

That'll probably keep you busy for awhile...

J. Alexander's (a chain) but has awesome chicken tenders and fries...Otter's Chicken Tenders on Demonbreun are good too...just thinking, kids = tenders at some point.

Dang...I need to go on a diet...LOL

 

[mapn4reef]

If you find that you get yourself dragged to The Streets of Indian Lake in Hendersonville. I suggest mexican at Casa Vieja http://www.casaviejamexicangrill.com/cms/

And a chain called Cheddar's (you might be familiar with them), I think they have the best chicken tender combos (steak, shrimp, etc.) for the price in the area.

Also Sushiyobi on Demonbreun is supposed to be good, haven't eaten there:
http://www.sushiyobi.net/

And Shintomi in Greenhills was always good...OH, and a placed called Firefly Grille is really good, same area.

You mention not home cooking...Monell's has the best pan fried chicken I've ever had...

OK...I'll stop...I promise...really...

Oh, yeah, stop by the Aquatic Critter too...

 

[NeedBiggerTank]

You and your children might enjoy the Gerst Haus (German food - but child friendly, with items that aren't German). There is music and dancing (they encourage diners to join in) - and great beer selection. This is an "original" Nashville restaurant - been around since 1955. Different snd fun.

For bugers, homemade pie, etc. I'd go to Rotiers. Its been around forever (1945), also child friendly, fairly inexpensive and well known to Nashvillians. Its essentially a "diner" - although I suppose some would call it a "dive". LOL

A must for brunch/lunch is the Loveless Cafe (1951) - a bit of a haul from Opryland, but the best breakfast you'll ever have! Another really good place for brunch/lunch that is closer is The Pancake Pantry (1961) - a local restaurant (not to be confused with IHOP or a chain). Both of these are VERY popular - but don't let a long line deter you... they turn tables quickly and both are well worth the wait!

Darn... now I'm hungry for pancakes.

 

[Jennifier615]

I like buca di beppos

 

[Bonsai7255]

Mexican___ La Hacienda at
2615 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN 37211-2216

Wonderful mexican food with a mexican store. Great Breads in the store.

 

[KafudaFish]

Thank you guys especially to Map for all the suggestions. That must have taken a long time. Sorry you are hungry now!

Reefers always know where the best places are to eat.

 

[NeveSSL]

... Also 99% of the time they are well behaved, don't get up and run around and NEVER hang over the booth and stare at others (pet peeves of mine) but you never know when a melt down can happen so thanks for the *s. ...

I just want to say thank you for this! :lol:

Those are pet peeves of mine as well.

Brandon