Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center

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**** (4 stars)

This is quite a spectacular hotel, with the rooms facing huge (as in HUGE) atriums filled with plants, waterfalls, rockwork and rivers. There are many restaurants scattered about, and the theming is really well done.

Having been to the Gaylord in Orlando, I was surprised to be reminded how much larger and nicer this Nashville one is.

As with any giant hotel, there are hordes of guests, so part of the trick of staying here is to try to avoid the rush. That means not arriving right at check in, when there can be 100 people in line at the front desk, particularly on a Saturday night. And if your room includes breakfast, go early before the lines form.

Staff is very friendly, so as long as you can avoid the crowds it’s a good place to stop in Nashville (note that it is nowhere near downtown, though).

Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center
2800 Opryland Dr
Nashville, TN 37214
(615) 889-1000
http://www.yelp.com/biz/gaylord-opryland-resort-and-convention-center-nashville-8

Bristol Bar & Grille

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*** (3 stars)

This is a pleasant place for lunch and dinner in the heart of Louisville’s tourist district. There are extensive bourbons and other adult beverages at the handsome bar. Service is friendly. Note that Sunday brunch buffet is all that’s available until 2pm, so if you don’t want that a late lunch is a better plan.

Bristol Bar & Grille
614 W Main St
Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 582-1995
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bristol-bar-and-grille-louisville-2

Proof on Main

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**** (4 stars)

This excellent and popular restaurant is lively and fun. There is an interesting wine list with more countries represented than any list I’ve see (Armenian wine, anyone?) Menu selections are limited, but constantly changing, and there is a special three course dinner every Sunday night. An excellent choice in Louisville, and a no-brainer if you’re staying at the wonderful attached 21c Museum Hotel.

Proof on Main
21C Museum Hotel
702 W Main St
Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 217-6360
http://www.yelp.com/biz/proof-on-main-louisville

21c Museum Hotel

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***** (5 stars)

I love this unique boutique hotel, where every wall is filled with captivating modern art. There are extensive galleries off the lobby and downstairs, and many different media are represented. There is also an excellent restaurant, Proof on Main. Many of the city’s most interesting attractions are within two blocks. This is definitely the place to stay when passing through Louisville.

21c Museum Hotel
700 W Main St
Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 217-6300
http://www.yelp.com/biz/21c-museum-hotel-louisville

Tempo Bistro To Go

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**** (4 stars)

This small shop offers delicious sandwiches and salads made to order from very fresh ingredients. I had the BLT (a surprising offer from a mostly vegetarian place) and it was quite good. I found the inclusion of cheddar cheese odd, and would omit it on a future visit. The green salad was mostly spinach, very fresh, and came with a delicious miso dressing option.

There are only a few tables in side, and a few more out back, so a lot of orders are to go.

Temp Bistro is definitely a great choice when looking for a healthy alternative.

Tempo Bistro To Go
1516 NW 13th St
Gainesville, FL 32601
(352) 336-5834
http://www.yelp.com/biz/tempo-bistro-to-go-gainesville

Atlanta Grill

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*** (3 stars)

There’s nothing particularly impressive about the food here, especially given that it is in the Ritz Carlton.

The meal begins with a bread basket with excellent biscuits and corn bread. We tried three appetizers, charred octopus, fried green tomatoes and shrimp cocktail. All were fine.

The bone in “prime” striploin I had as an entree was truly the toughest piece of meat I’ve ever been served, literally uncuttable with a steak knife.

Side dishes were grilled asparagus (nothing special) and caramelized Brussels sprouts (the highlight of the meal).

The inedible steak was promptly removed from the bill, which was representative of the overall excellent service we received. This was particularly true of Brian, the sommelier, who is extremely knowledgeable.

The winless is fairly broad, although pricing is high and inconsistent, with some wines prices at up to four times retail.

The outdoor balcony offers a pleasant if noisy view of Peachtree.

Atlanta Grill
The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta
181 Peachtree Street, N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 659-0400
http://www.yelp.com/biz/atlanta-grill-atlanta

The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta

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*** (3 stars)

Conveniently located downtown near tourist attractions and convention center, this is a good choice for a quick stay in Atlanta. The staff is the usual welcoming, well trained Ritz personnel.

The facility itself feels more like a Marriott than a Ritz. There is nothing particularly posh about the rooms or amenities.

The Atlanta Grill offers live jazz and a good spot for drinks, but there are better choices for food in the area.

The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta
181 Peachtree Street, N.E
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 659-0400
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-ritz-carlton-atlanta-atlanta

Norman’s

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**** (4 stars)

A recent visit here showed much improvement. Clearly ownership has taken a renewed interest. The food is consistently good if not stunning, and service is a lot more professional.

General Manager and wine director Yusuf Yildiz clearly knows his stuff, and has great plans for a new wine room, storage and emphasis on depth of the wine list, coming in August 2015. I look forward to seeing if Orlando can finally add a truly world class wine list to its restaurant portfolio after several decades without one.

Norman’s
4012 Central Florida Pkwy
Orlando, FL 32837
(407) 393-4333
http://www.yelp.com/biz/normans-orlando

Whisper Creek Farm: The Kitchen

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**** (4 stars)

This vibrant space off the Marriott lobby offers appetizers, small plates and beer. The concept is local sourcing from the property’s farm, although that’s not apparent in a lot of the items, since they aren’t raising pigs or cows or fish.

Many of the beers are microbrewed. I liked the porter I had, although the menu changes so often you can’t count on the selections listed on the sample menus outside the door actually matching the menu inside. Since they’re both just pieces of printer paper, I’m not sure why.

The background music is lively, so it’s a better after convention spot to have a drink than a place for a relaxing meal.

Whisper Creek Farm: The Kitchen
4040 Central Florida Pkwy
Orlando, FL 32837
(866) 435-7627
http://www.yelp.com/biz/whisper-creek-farm-the-kitchen-orlando

Fresh Made Kitchen

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**** (4 stars)

What a makeover this place has had since its origins as a Perkins and then short stints as two sports bars. This latest remodeling has opened the place up and lightened it so that it’s hard to believe it’s the same spot. Now it’s light, airy and energetic.

The food has improved, too. You order a broad selection of salads, sandwiches, or entrees at the counter and they bring it to your table. There is a focus on fresh ingredients, and everything is prepared to order.

There is also a large beverage bar in the center of the room, with homemade infused teas and waters. Beer and wine is also available.

Our group had three salads and a chicken noodle bowl, and everyone liked their selections.

Service was very friendly, and management seems to really be on top of things.

This is definitely the best concept for this place so far, and should be quite successful.

Fresh Made Kitchen
8965 Conroy Windermere Rd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 720-8329
http://www.yelp.com/biz/fresh-made-kitchen-orlando