We have a large group -- 4 couples -- staying over night in Nashville in early Jan. We will be there on a SUNDAY night. We want to eat somewhere really fun and fabulous. Cost doesn't matter, but a fun atmosphere and excellent food and service are important. We are staying in the Hermitage, so we could always just eat at the Capitol Grille, but we'd rather venture out before taking in our concert at the Gaylord if possible. Suggestions? Remember, we'll be there on a Sunday, so this will be the challenge!

Thanks in advance.

Any particular type of food? Eight people isn't THAT big (when I saw the title I was thinking more like 20!). Most places you'd want should be able to accommodate you without too much problem, and Sundays are hardly dead. Do you want to eat close to Opryland, or are you OK with driving around town a bit? There are tons of restaurants in the hotel itself, but I can't speak to the food or atmosphere there. There are also several restaurants around the mall area, but all the ones I know of are chains, like Macaroni Grill or Rainforest Cafe.

You might check out Sambuca or Cabana to start with. Sambuca's a bit out of my price range so I haven't been there, but I've heard good things about the food. It's in the Gulch area, near downtown. Cabana is in Hillsboro Village, on Belcourt (across from Sunset Grill, which I also like. But Cabana is a little trendier, so that may fit more with your definition of "fun atmosphere").

Oh, forgot to mention - at Cabana, you can reserve a cabana if you have a certain number of people; I think eight would do it, but I can't find anything on their site to confirm that.

The Melting Pot in downtown Nashville is fun for a group and you can make reservations.

We would rather not eat at a chain. Sambuca would be the PERFECT place--but they are having their company party that night. Any more suggestions?

You might look into Watermark as well - it's very close to Sambuca. I haven't been there either, but it gets good reviews around here. (However, it does look like they're closed for several days in early January, so that might be a conflict.) There's also Morton's steakhouse downtown, if that's something you'd be interested in, or try Tin Angel near Vanderbilt.

Thanks all for the suggestions. Tin Angel is closed on Sunday, as is Watermark in early Jan. Can't believe we are running into this problem in a bigger city! Anyway, I found out our concert is actually at Sommet Center, which is close-ish to the hotel (Hermitage). I looked at Sunset Grill and Cabana online and they look fun. Although they are not as fine dining as I was thinking, they still could be a good time. I am not as familiar with that area--but it looks like it is not terribly far from downtown, just south of Vanderbilt's campus, is that correct?

Still open to suggestions, or opinions about Cabana vs Sunset Grill. Also heard about a place called Bound'ry...is it any good?

I think Cabana would have more of the atmosphere you seem to want, but I prefer the food at Sunset. (It's not like the atmosphere at Sunset is stuffy; it's just not as "fun." Cabana's trendier, with music, all that.) I haven't been to the Bound'ry; I've heard of it more as a bar/social spot than for the food, but as I said, I haven't been there. Check out Tayst in the same area (Hillsboro Village). Zola might work if they're still open; they get great reviews for the food, but the chefs are about to retire to the Caribbean and I don't know when they're closing.

Other places to check out (and keep in mind, most of these are out of my price range, so I haven't been personally, but they're well known in town): Acorn, Allium, Flyte, Mambu or Margot. Flyte is downtown, Acorn and Mambu are in midtown (Vanderbilt), and Allium and Margot are in East Nashville (just a few minutes from downtown). Margot is pretty small, but it's owned by the same chef who owns Marche, which is my absolute favorite place for brunch in town. So I'm guessing the food is really good. (Marche also has dinner, but I don't think the setup would be what your group is looking for - it's lots of small cafe tables.)

Oh, I meant to add - the midtown/Vanderbilt area is probably ten minutes from the Sommet Center at the most, depending on where exactly you are. Just remember to add time to park/walk if you drive yourselves. Also, Flyte is in the downtown area, but it's not within walking distance of the show. It's actually in a somewhat industrial area just south of downtown, between SoBro (the area just south of Broadway) and the Gulch (where Sambuca is).

Jent, you have given some great recommendations, and luckily we do not live far away from Nashville and can return and eat at some of these places in the future. It looks like we will have to pass on every one of those recommendations you listed in your previous post, though, because they are ALL closed on Sunday evenings (and most on Mondays too!). All of them: Tayst, Zola, Acoen, Allium, Flyte, Mambu, Marche and Margot. This just blows my mind! In our small town, that is pretty common, but in a bigger city it surprises me. Do people in Nashville not eat on Sundays and Mondays? J/k

Anyway, we will go with Cabana or Sunset Grill I think. I will let our group know the narrowed down options and we will go from there.

Thank you so much for your help!!!

What in the world! No, I promise we eat out on Sunday nights. Or at least I do, but it's usually at somewhere like Logan's or Five Guys. And I know for a fact Cabana's open. I thought at least Margot was too, but looking at it it seems like they're just open for brunch. Well, good luck and enjoy the food and show!

You might consider the City House. I know they are open on Sunday nights. Small, independent, pretty casual. Have a wood burning oven and do some great Italian style pizzas. Would be able to accommodate four couples in January without any problem.

sanibella, coming from someone who has eaten in most of the places that have been mentioned, let me give my two cents. Cabana is a decent choice only because you can reserve your own cabana (not sure if it can fit 8)with your own T.V. and personal I Pod hook up. However both Sunset Grill and Cabana leave something to be desired when it comes to the food. Add to that, the large college customer base I would not recommend either. If you do choose one of these, go with Cabana.

I would recommend Bound'ry. It is open 7 nights a week. The food is creative, trendy, and delicious. Make sure to get the lobster BLT flat bread pizza for an appetizer. It is unbelievable! The atmosphere is upscale and chic but at the same time warm and welcoming. Make sure to reserve ahead as it is always busy. By the way the atmosphere is unique and therefore fun to experience.

I haven't personally eaten in City House but have heard rave reviews as the best rustic Italian in Nashville.