My wife and I will be there tomorrow, and would like some suggestions on a good place for dinner. Preferably downtown, or close to it.
We live in Alabama so we’re not looking for BBQ or “typical Southern comfort food.” Though we wouldn’t rule out good Southern-style restaurants of course. Last time we were there we ate at Zola which looked like the kind of place we normally enjoy, but the food didn’t seem anything special.
What’s your definition of “downtown?”
If you’re really talking about the central business district and close thereby, look at Germantown Cafe, Mad Platter, or City House. If you want some higher-end NY Italian made by a real Italian and a real New Yorker, try Sole Mio.
Across the river in East Nashville, I like Eastland Cafe. There’s also a new place, Allium, that’s owned by the Germantown Cafe people. Another really well-regarded place is Margot.
In The Gulch, there’s Watermark, also Sambucca, although Sambucca can be uneven.
Flyte is between The Gulch and Downtown.
If you want to venture into midtown/Vanderbilt/West End territory, I like Lime. I liked Miro District but they’ve changed chefs and cuisines since I was there last so I can’t say what it’s like now. 1808 Grill is supposed to be good but it’s new and I haven’t been there yet.
A little off the beaten path is another new place, Miel on Charlotte. Totally blue-collar neighborhood, expensive French food. Also, Yellow Porch in Berry Hill is one of my favorites in the whole city.
For reviews, check out www.tennessean.com and www.nashvillescene.com
Thanks! We’re staying close to the Ryman Auditorium - what do you call that part of downtown?
The Ryman is definitely in the core of downtown. The reason I asked the question is that a lot of visitors will call “downtown” anything that’s not the suburbs.
Still, everything I mentioned is within 15 minutes driving time at MOST.
Demos’. They are a steak and spaghetti place. One of the best steaks I’ve had in a long, long time. Pretty affordable, too, IMO.
eh … I’ve never been impressed with Demo’s. Old school, heavy food. Like restaurants I went to when I was a kid.
Ah. My apologies to scr4. I didn’t realize he only wanted edgy, light food. 
I just thought that someone who was interested in Zola wouldn’t be excited about Demos. And, personally I’ve never been impressed with it.
Yeah, you’re right. I’m not sure what I was thinking, posting in the “In My Humble Opinion” forum, trying to make a suggestion to a fellow doper that wasn’t impressed with Zola’s food and was looking for suggestions for a good place for dinner.
I am of the opinion that an excellent steak is part of a good dinner. Perhaps I should bow out to your obviously superior taste buds… :rolleyes:
The Midtown Cafe or the Acorn. Both are within a short driving distance from your location. Oh, also the Capitol Grille.