Quick Nashville Question
Dec 27th, 2007, 07:14 AM
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Quick Nashville Question
We have to make a quick trip to Nashville tomorrow afternoon, Friday, December 28th. We are staying overnight at the Marriott at Vanderbilt on West End.
I am ashamed to say that I have never been to the Grand Ole Opry or to Jimmy Kelley's.
Question:
1. If we go to the Grand Ole Opry (downtown at the Ryman), will we have time to go for an early dinner at Jimmy Kelley's? Or is Jimmy Kelley's even worth it?
2. If we decide to skip Jimmy Kelley's and just go to the Opry what's a good place downtown for a quick bite?
3. If we forgo the Opry all together, is there a decent restaurant within walking distance of the Marriott?
FYI, we are not foodies(although we enjoy good food), and we are not snobs who won't eat at chain restaurants.
I am ashamed to say that I have never been to the Grand Ole Opry or to Jimmy Kelley's.
Question:
1. If we go to the Grand Ole Opry (downtown at the Ryman), will we have time to go for an early dinner at Jimmy Kelley's? Or is Jimmy Kelley's even worth it?
2. If we decide to skip Jimmy Kelley's and just go to the Opry what's a good place downtown for a quick bite?
3. If we forgo the Opry all together, is there a decent restaurant within walking distance of the Marriott?
FYI, we are not foodies(although we enjoy good food), and we are not snobs who won't eat at chain restaurants.
Dec 30th, 2007, 08:29 AM
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Hi bwg, we had a quick and fun Nashville trip.
After we tended to business, we checked into the Marriott at Vanderbilt directly across the street from Centennial Park. The park was still beautifully lit and we had a great view of The Parthenon. Fortunately, I had pricelined a room and got this great hotel for $70. The hotel is under renovations right now. We did not have a newly renovated room, but the room we did have was fine. No problems at all. Plus, the bed was comfortable and the linens were soft. Room was clean. Service was outstanding. Every employee we encountered from check in to check out exhibited that true Southern hospitality.
There was a J Alexanders right near the Marriott so we grabbed an early dinner there before heading downtown. The food and service were both excellent. I had a filet and DH had ahi.
Yes, we did go to the Opry at the Ryman. And, I am sooooo glad we were able to go. Now, I can finally say I have been, and I am glad it was in the Ryman. A great new guy by the name of Bradley Walker was the highlight of the evening. He brought the house down! I must google and check him out. My favorite performance was Restless Heart. Thanks for encouraging me to go. It was a fun evening.
Marriott has a courtesy shuttle and we were fortunate to take the shuttle to the Ryman and the show ended early enough for him to still pick us up. Nashville was rocking on Friday night! When he picked us up, we had to stop and pick up others. Waited right in front of Tootsies, so you could hear the music blaring.
On Saturday morning, we were able to sleep in. Both of us needed that extra sleep. We purposely just grabbed a quick coffee and muffin for breakfast so we would have plenty of room for lunch at The Loveless Cafe. It was worth the 20 minute drive. When we got there, the wait was quoted as 1 1/2 hr., but we actually got in in less than an hour. Perfect timing, as we had just completed going thru the shops when we were buzzed! Food was very good. The real icee had fried chicken and I had country ham. Good country cooking veggies that we had were green beans, macaroni and cheese, and squash and onions. The biscuits were wonderful.
Carol Fay, The Biscuit Lady, was up front when we arrived. She recently had a throw down with Bobby Flay which is to be televised sometime at the end of January. I asked if she won the throwdown and she just kind of smirked. Guess she ain't supposed to kiss and tell!
If you want to know more about this restaurant, go to lovelesscafe.com
We left the Loveless Cafe fat and satisfied and headed toward Murfreesboro where I had intended to drive thru campus of my alma mater, MTSU. There was so much traffic that we just stopped at a new strip mall and I picked up some good bargains at Steinmart. I'll have to save a campus visit for another time.
After leaving Murfreesboro, we decided to detour through Shelbyville, TN (walking horse capital of the world) and we headed over to Lynchburg to Jack Daniels. We got there and were able to take the last tour of the day at the distillery. It was a great tour and Angie, our tour guide, was very good. It always amazes me that the county is a "dry" county! You can however, buy a certain bottle of Jack at the visitors center. But, only a certain souvenir bottle. We enjoyed the tour very much.
Came home happy and rested. We had a great day in Tennessee.
Thanks for encouraging me to go to The Opry.
i'2
After we tended to business, we checked into the Marriott at Vanderbilt directly across the street from Centennial Park. The park was still beautifully lit and we had a great view of The Parthenon. Fortunately, I had pricelined a room and got this great hotel for $70. The hotel is under renovations right now. We did not have a newly renovated room, but the room we did have was fine. No problems at all. Plus, the bed was comfortable and the linens were soft. Room was clean. Service was outstanding. Every employee we encountered from check in to check out exhibited that true Southern hospitality.
There was a J Alexanders right near the Marriott so we grabbed an early dinner there before heading downtown. The food and service were both excellent. I had a filet and DH had ahi.
Yes, we did go to the Opry at the Ryman. And, I am sooooo glad we were able to go. Now, I can finally say I have been, and I am glad it was in the Ryman. A great new guy by the name of Bradley Walker was the highlight of the evening. He brought the house down! I must google and check him out. My favorite performance was Restless Heart. Thanks for encouraging me to go. It was a fun evening.
Marriott has a courtesy shuttle and we were fortunate to take the shuttle to the Ryman and the show ended early enough for him to still pick us up. Nashville was rocking on Friday night! When he picked us up, we had to stop and pick up others. Waited right in front of Tootsies, so you could hear the music blaring.
On Saturday morning, we were able to sleep in. Both of us needed that extra sleep. We purposely just grabbed a quick coffee and muffin for breakfast so we would have plenty of room for lunch at The Loveless Cafe. It was worth the 20 minute drive. When we got there, the wait was quoted as 1 1/2 hr., but we actually got in in less than an hour. Perfect timing, as we had just completed going thru the shops when we were buzzed! Food was very good. The real icee had fried chicken and I had country ham. Good country cooking veggies that we had were green beans, macaroni and cheese, and squash and onions. The biscuits were wonderful.
Carol Fay, The Biscuit Lady, was up front when we arrived. She recently had a throw down with Bobby Flay which is to be televised sometime at the end of January. I asked if she won the throwdown and she just kind of smirked. Guess she ain't supposed to kiss and tell!
If you want to know more about this restaurant, go to lovelesscafe.com
We left the Loveless Cafe fat and satisfied and headed toward Murfreesboro where I had intended to drive thru campus of my alma mater, MTSU. There was so much traffic that we just stopped at a new strip mall and I picked up some good bargains at Steinmart. I'll have to save a campus visit for another time.
After leaving Murfreesboro, we decided to detour through Shelbyville, TN (walking horse capital of the world) and we headed over to Lynchburg to Jack Daniels. We got there and were able to take the last tour of the day at the distillery. It was a great tour and Angie, our tour guide, was very good. It always amazes me that the county is a "dry" county! You can however, buy a certain bottle of Jack at the visitors center. But, only a certain souvenir bottle. We enjoyed the tour very much.
Came home happy and rested. We had a great day in Tennessee.
Thanks for encouraging me to go to The Opry.
i'2
Dec 30th, 2007, 10:49 AM
#7
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 8,798
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
yumm...the Loveless Cafe sounds like my kind of place. Would a gay, liberal, democrat, yankee feel out of place there?
Glad you had a good time! Those quick weekends away are sometimes the best trips, aren't they?
Glad you had a good time! Those quick weekends away are sometimes the best trips, aren't they?
Dec 30th, 2007, 10:57 AM
#8
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,248
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
iamq - the Loveless gets a lot of tourists, even Yankees, so I imagine you'd be fine! 
(Well. As long as you don't plan on espousing how much better the North is or engaging in lots of PDA. But if you're asking I'd imagine you're not!)
(Well. As long as you don't plan on espousing how much better the North is or engaging in lots of PDA. But if you're asking I'd imagine you're not!)
Dec 30th, 2007, 11:12 AM
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
UR too funny, bbq! I was thinking the same thing that jent wrote about the PDA. Plus, there are a crap load of Democrats in the south! One of my college roommates(who is such a Democrat that she and I do the same as you and I do---don't discuss politics) lives in a house that Al and Tipper Gore lived in when they were first married. She thinks it's the grandest thing! I think the earth would probably be too damned warmed if I sat foot on that property!! It's a joke, ok?????
Yes, it was a great get a way.
Yes, it was a great get a way.
Dec 30th, 2007, 04:49 PM
#12
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,326
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for the report & I'm bookmarking for a potential upcoming trip to Nashville. Iceeu2 and iamq, you may disagree politically, but you are excellent role models for the way others should act on this board. Thank you!
Dec 31st, 2007, 01:37 PM
#15
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 927
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
MMMM Loveless Cafe. We had breakfast there once. HUGE helpings of hashbrown casserole. Excellent biscuits. And my pancakes were layered with slices of banana, instead of just having bits of fruit mixed in the batter. It was decadent. Hubby's strawberry pancakes were done the same.
Dec 31st, 2007, 03:06 PM
#16
Guest
Posts: n/a
The preserves they serve are divine. I'm a biscuit, butter, jelly lover and they brought us out piping hot biscuits and fresh preserves! Oh, yeah!!!!!!! And, the biscuits were like what Mother made. Didn't have that tangy wangy buttermilk taste.
I would love to go back to The Loveless Cafe.
Another place I would like to go is Miss Mary Bobo's in Lynchburg. Anyone been there?
I would love to go back to The Loveless Cafe.
Another place I would like to go is Miss Mary Bobo's in Lynchburg. Anyone been there?
Jan 1st, 2008, 07:30 AM
#17
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
iceu2 Thanks for the report! Have not been to the Opry at the Ryman but would love to see it at that location.
Have not been to the Loveless Cafe -mainly because it has received mixed reviews here in the past, but your experience definitely puts it back on my to try list. You may also want to check out Elliston Place Soda Shop-awesome malts!Have you been to the Pancake Pantry?
We happened to be in Nashville the weekend of the BBQ Cookoff in Lynchburg and we took a drive there. It was definitely worth it, but the crowds were huge so did not get to do the tour.
We love Nashville - so much to do and for us Northeners it's like another world!
Have not been to the Loveless Cafe -mainly because it has received mixed reviews here in the past, but your experience definitely puts it back on my to try list. You may also want to check out Elliston Place Soda Shop-awesome malts!Have you been to the Pancake Pantry?
We happened to be in Nashville the weekend of the BBQ Cookoff in Lynchburg and we took a drive there. It was definitely worth it, but the crowds were huge so did not get to do the tour.
We love Nashville - so much to do and for us Northeners it's like another world!
Jan 1st, 2008, 10:27 AM
#19
Guest
Posts: n/a
'lani, it's the difference in Yanks and Rebs!!!!! Their systems just process foods differently!! Also, when you get that microbus cranked up, make sure it will make it on down to Myrtle Beach so you can ride the Led Zepplin at the new Hard Rock Park, ok?
bwg, I was a bit worried about the reviews I had read about The Loveless Cafe, but when I saw that Carol Fay had just had a throwdown with Bobby Flay, I knew she must cook up some mighty fine biscuits!
bwg, we so have to be careful of some reviews because I read one that said they had an alcoholic drink there. I just cannot imagine this kind of place serving alcohol and I certainly didn't see any.
Will let you know if we head back up that way. Should check out the soda shop at Elliston Place...oh yeah!
bwg, I was a bit worried about the reviews I had read about The Loveless Cafe, but when I saw that Carol Fay had just had a throwdown with Bobby Flay, I knew she must cook up some mighty fine biscuits!
bwg, we so have to be careful of some reviews because I read one that said they had an alcoholic drink there. I just cannot imagine this kind of place serving alcohol and I certainly didn't see any.
Will let you know if we head back up that way. Should check out the soda shop at Elliston Place...oh yeah!
