Aquarium: An Underwater Dining Adventure

While in Nashville this past weekend, I finally got back to Aquarium: An Underwater Dining Adventure in Opry Mills mall. This place was a treat!

Honestly, I went in thinking "Great themeing and it'll have ho-hum food, since it's an atmosphere sort of thing." Well, it seems a slice of humble pie was served with the outstanding shrimp scampi. The food quality was on par with what one would expect from a nice dress-up quality restaurant. It was rich and flavorful and definitely not any of the discount produce or seafood. Both scampi and the shrimp and crab dip were well cooked. They were simply and elegantly displayed. Yes, I was wrong. Also felt bad for not wearing at least a suit coat to this place.

Our server was knowlegeable, friendly, and on the ball. We never had to hunt for him and our drinks never went past the halfway point. He also told us some fun facts about the aquarium in the center of the room. Seems their resident Guitar Fish (looks like a cross between a Shark and a Sting Ray) is named Gibson. Can you guess why? (Hint: A Gibson Guitar store is located in Opry Mills).

Ok, on to the terriffic themeing. To enter the restaurant, you pass through a small hall way with fish on all sides, just like in the larger aquariums. You might also see a diver doing various things while you wait to be seated. Besides the central aquarium, the whole room is made up like a sea cave. Blue lights give an ocean feel from depresisions in the ceiling as well as simple wall sconces. The carpet has an ocean bottom look to it with pictures of sand and coral. Fish-shaped pendant lights also hang from the ceiling. If you like themeing of any sort or things like Rainforest Cafe, you enjoy Aquarium as well.

For more information, head on over to: http://www.aquariumrestaurants.com/aquariumnashville/

Thanks folks for a great meal and see you again next time I'm in town.