We sympathize with you. Most of all, we hate to see you spend your money eating bad food in the Food Court of this mall or that one. So, as a public service, we decided to put together our First Annual Christmas Shopper�s Guide to Good Food.
This list could go on for several pages, so we had to limit ourselves to four choices in each city.
Let�s start with the state capital, Nashville. One of the finest restaurants we have encountered in quite some time is P. F. Changs China Bistro. They are located at 2525 West End Avenue, near Vanderbilt University. If you like Chinese food, you will adore P. F. Changs. You will not find any tired old buffet here. They take traditional Chinese foods and update them in a totally gourmet style. You can reach them at 615-329-8901.
Located in that same part of town is another favorite of ours. Fleming�s Prime Steakhouse is wonderful. They may be the best restaurant in Nashville. You can find them located just upstairs from P. F. Changs. Fleming�s is the kind of place you must visit at least once in your life, a perfect spot for a romantic dinner this holiday season. For more info, call them at 615-342-0131.
Another place you can treat yourself to a fabulous meal is Old Hickory Traditional Steakhouse. Here you will find true Southern elegance at its finest. It is located inside the Opryland Hotel. We cannot think of a nicer way to spend an evening than viewing the beautiful lights at the Opryland Hotel followed by a great meal. They are only open for dinner. Sunday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday & Saturday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
If something less crowded and less expensive is what you are looking for, we recommend Old Heidelberg, a quaint little restaurant in downtown Nashville that serves wonderful traditional German food. They are located at 423 Union Street and can be reached at 615-256-9147. German food is some of the finest ethnic food you will ever try. Pay them a visit soon.
Now we must turn our attention to the east, Knoxville. The first place we want to recommend is Mandarin House. They have the best Chinese Buffet we have ever eaten. They have won the Best Chinese Restaurant in Knoxville Award several years in a row. They are located at 314 Merchants Drive, just off Kingston Pike. Call them at 865-689-4800. When you visit, you must try the Lemon Chicken. It is heavenly.
You may also want to visit the Copper Cellar for a fine dining experience. They are located at 7316 Kingston Pike and can be reached at 865-673-3422. They have been a Knoxville favorite for many years. Everything on the menu is outstanding.
If you love BBQ and Ribs as much as we do, then you probably already know about Calhoun�s. You even have a couple of choices as to location when speaking of Calhoun�s. They can be found at 6515 Kingston Pike and at 10020 Kingston Pike. They have long been the popular place to eat following UT Football games, and they continue to set a high standard for excellence in the world of BBQ.
Lastly, we would not be doing the public a service without mentioning at least one great Italian restaurant. Romano�s Macaroni Grill is one of our absolute favorites. They are located at 7723 Kingston Pike, and they offer some of the most traditional and rustic Italian meals served anywhere. Macaroni Grill is worth the drive to Knoxville, even if you are not Christmas shopping.
We hope the readers will use this list and enjoy some new culinary experiences this holiday season. We would love to hear from you if you visit one of these restaurants. You can e-mail us at [email protected] or write to us at P.O. Box 3393, Cookeville, TN, 38502-3393.
We wish you health, wealth, and a good appetite!!
Kingston Pike
Kingston Pike
