Cafes, Nashville

wild bill's beignets and bikes is a very unique cafe style restaurant located downtown. a great place to have a beignet and coffee. they also serve new orleans style cajun cuisine. the cafe is decorated with custom made motorcycles that are hand made by the owner. a very interesring cafe to visit when in downtown nashville.

I really wanted to like this place - I saw "beignets" on the sign, and being a little homesick, I was very excited to find a little "home" in my new hometown. I ordered a small cafe au leit and an order of beignets. I cringed a little at $3.99 for two beignets, but as a treat, I didn't think it was too bad.

I got the coffee first - as I added the sugar, I see there are "things" floating on the top. It looked like the milk had curdled - two sips, and I realized I couldn't drink it.

The beignets were made to order, and arrived lightly dusted with powdered sugar. I know I am spoiled, but at New Orleans Cafe du Monde, there is at least an inch of powder on the top. When I bit into the beignet, it was heavy and tasted of butter. I ate them both, but it did not satisfy the craving I had developed when walking into the cafe. It probably wasn't BAD, just not what I expected from a beignet.

Bottom line - if you've never been to New Orleans, it might taste good. If you have had "real" beignets, you will not like these. I should know better...

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The Nashville Hard Rock Cafe is located in the site of Nashville's first brothel - a cool history in and of itself. The separate Rock Shop merchandise store on the corner still has the remnants of the original floor of the Silver Dollar Saloon. Always seems to be something going on here - live music from local and up-and-coming artists too.

Favorite Dish: Can't go wrong with the Classic Burger. I also love the nachos - enough for two!

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Hard Rock Cafes are popular restaurants all over the world, and for those who crave rock music in a city of country music, this is definitely a great place to go! The atmosphere is typical of all Hard Rock Cafes, with memorabilia everywhere! Some of the things located specifically in Nashville's Hard Rock Cafe include Madonna's black outfit from her "Take a Bow" video and movie Evita, various Beatles platinum records, a signed Johnny Cash guitar, Jimmy Hendrix's stars and stripes stage shirt worn throughout his 1970 tour, and many more! The food is typical of American Hard Rock Cafes, so it is very delicious, too! (you can download a menu from the hard rock cafe website I've listed below, prices not listed)

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Most of us are used to going to a restaurant in a building specially modified or made to be a restaurant, but Nashville have a number of very popular ones which were simply houses of persons made into a place for the public chic crowds to come and eat and enjoy themselves. During the day, they look like nothing more than an early 20century home, for example, but at night they come alive with neon light. These for example, DA VINCI´S and MAMBU are on Hayes Street, just off West End Avenue, almost standing room only. Reservations are accepted, parking is difficult, because its a narrow street with cars parking all along the avenue, extremely limited. One can come earlier, but of course, later is more crowded interesting. Hope you are lucky to get in.

This place can get pretty crowded, but it is a great alternative for a late night meal if you aren't into Waffle House.

This place serves up sandwiches, salads, and burgers 24hrs a day.

Personally, I don't think the coffee is that great, but I like to get my fix off of Caramel Frappacinos from Starbucks. So those of you who are anti-Starbucks may enjoy it (If I were you I'd also hit up Bongo Java, famous for the nun bun that looks like Mother Theresa, and Fido, a subsidiary of Bongo Java)

It can get loud inside the main room with the music and ordering and all. I would suggest going outside for some quite or going to another room.

Also, the back porch houses concerts every once in a while.

Eating at Rainforest Cafe is always a good time. The decor of the resturant is amazing, with many Rainforest animals around. Every 15 minutes or so, some of the animals move and make noise, and every 30 minutes or so, there is a Thunderstorm. (Don't worry, no water involved) This is a very nice eating environment, and is one of the most entertaining places I've ever eaten.

Favorite Dish: Blue Mountain Chicken Sandwich. Wow. I can honestly say that this was one of the best meals I have ever had. The sandwich was absolutely amazing! You must try it!

The food was ok, the service a little slow, but the draw is the decorations. The entire restaurant is in a jungle theme complete with moving animatronic animals, thunderstorms, and walking mascots. I was surprised at how well little kids tolerated all the noise and movement! The child at the next table was about 2 years old. Her expression upon being greeted by one of the mascots says it all!