Let's play a little Q & A.
Q: What does it cost to park at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Convention Center during the day?
A: $18
Q: $18?! Are you shitting me?
A: No.
Q: But what does it cost if you eat at any of their four main signature restaurants?
A: Nothing.
Q: Do any of them serve a decent lunch?
A: Oh yeah. And how.
If you're like me you may have a major phobia of parking at Gaylord, even if it is free after validation. But after all, who couldn't use a little validation? If that IS the case, you can always park at the far edge of Opry Mills lot and take a two-minute nostalgic stroll over to the resort along the concrete creek that was the old Opryland Grizzly River Rampage. This will drop you off at the Delta section of resort where you can walk through the middle of the hotel to the Cascades. Take your time and remember that thousands of folks save all year to take their vacations right where you're headed for lunch.
In the middle of the atrium, along the banks of the indoor river and fountains, is the Cascades American Cafe.
Chef Forrest Parker has put together an inventive menu based around hard-to-get fresh seafood from around the country and creative takes on Southern classics. Start your lunch with a glass of this beautiful Lavender Tea. The lavender adds a floral aroma without making the drink too syrupy sweet. I'm told it's also excellent with the addition of vodka, but it was lunchtime when I tried it, and I was working ...
