Suggestions for West Nashville

[cheezy1]

We're going to be staying in West Nashville by Vanderbilt U for about 5 days and was looking for suggestions, preferably walking distance, for a nice dinner (steak, seafood, etc.) as well as any great casual spots for breakfast/lunch/dinner.
Any help is appreciated.

[ymiller]

If we are talking burgers in the Vandy area, then Brown's Diner has to be on your list. Ombi is an underrated dinner spot on Elliston Place; in addition to the chains Ruth's Chris and Fleming's, Jimmy Kelly's is nearby. This is a very "Nashville" place to dine, but I have been disappointed w/ the quality recently. Depending where you are staying, Mambu and Midtown Cafe are good dinner spots as well. A good lunch, beer selection and the best wings (roasted as opposed to fried) I've experienced can be found at Broadway Brewhouse. All of these should be walking options. Enjoy your stay.

[sparkplug]

For a nice dinner, I definitely second the recommendation for Zola- it's one of my favorite restaurants in the city. Another great choice is The Acorn. My friends and I just had dinner there Friday night and all 7 of us loved what we ordered. They also have a great upstairs covered patio which is nice for dining this time of year.
For lunch I love Calypso Cafe- I go there about twice a month to get their black bean nachos or black bean salad (both with chicken).

[notgreg]

I must say I have to agree with you, nm, about rotier's. Though it has more flavor than your fast-food varieties, I find that the darn thing just keeps getting smaller everytime I order one. Anyone else? I cast my vote for Zola as well, and The Acorn has kicked it up another notch after signing on the former chef of flyte. You may also think about mambu on Hayes, not as much press as the others but adventurous and quite flavorful.
Also, might I add hog heaven for lunch? Beside Centennial Park, behind what used to be a Mcd's but is now simply a crater, this little shack churns out delicious bbq and smoked turkey sandwiches.

[kelomaki]

Check out Noshville on Broadway, just off West End Ave
for breakfast or lunch.... great sandwiches!
http://www.noshville.com/
Also, if you like good craft beers.. look for Basco's just down the
street in the Hillsboro Village area of 21st Ave.

[la_ebbie]

Rotier's (on Elliston Place) is pretty good. They have great burgers and Meat and Three type of meals and they're not too expensive. Pancake Pantry also has awesome pancakes and breakfast food for a decent price too. Both are pretty causal.

[jcreasy]

I second the Pancake Pantry recommendation. Be prepared to wait in line around the corner though, especially during graduation week.

[nm1]

la ebbie, what is your definition of an ideal burger? I'm asking because most people in Nashville rave about Rotier's, and I think the burgers there are mediocre, and it's occuring to me that the problem may be different definitions of what a burger ought to be like. So I'm trying to find out. This is not meant to try to discourage anyone from going to Rotier's; I'm obviously in the minority on this one.

I would recommend Zola on West End Ave. for a nice dinner, though. In fact, I'd say they have the best food in the city. A more casual walking-distance place for lunch or dinner would be Calypso Cafe, which is a meat and three but with Caribbean-styled food (e.g. jerk chicken instead of fried, mofongo instead of greens).

[la_ebbie]

Personally I really hate regular hamburger buns and love that you can get your burger with french bread. Burgers don't have to be all complicated and "gourmet" to taste great. Sometimes you just need a really good old fashioned hamburger and that's what Rotier's is.

[nm1]

But what is a good old fashioned burger, to you? That's what I'm asking. For me, Rotier's burger isn't juicy enough, and there's no special flavoring that might make up for that.