Need good idea for downtown dining tomorrow

Wife and I are going to see play at Actors at 7:30, but will not be able to get downtown until about 6 pm or so.

Bottom line: Looking for place to park, get seated without much of a wait, and get out in an hour or so.

Any ideas for a suburbanite?

Suggestions would be much appreciated.

If you are looking for something laid back and casual, I would suggest the new BBC right next door, or Bistro 301 around the corner. One parking spot and a very short walk to the theater. The new Impelizzari's is nice if you want a pizza pie.

If you are wanting something more upscale, I would say Z's or one of the places on East Market such as The White Oak or 732 Social.

If you are looking for something laid back and casual, I would suggest the new BBC right next door, or Bistro 301 around the corner. One parking spot and a very short walk to the theater. The new Impelizzari's is nice if you want a pizza pie.

If you are wanting something more upscale, I would say Z's or one of the places on East Market such as The White Oak or 732 Social.

Second BBC next door. You can score parking on third if you are lucky.

Second BBC next door. You can score parking on third if you are lucky.

With the introduction of BBC, parking on 3rd has being even more difficult than it was. When BBC opened, they removed all of the parking spaces in front of the restaurant to allow for the outside dining/cafe feel. Now the only parking is in front of the E.ON building, or the few spots down by Bistro 301.

There's a parking garage on Main, just before 1st...parked there yesterday and walked to the new Impellizzeri's. Was only a minute or two walk, but may be an option if can't find anything closer. Can pretty much promise you won't be able to get in and out of Impellizeri's in an hour...they are still working out the kinks on service and stay busy.

Z's Fusion. Last I heard, they want to cater to the pre-theater and pre-Arena crowds when events are happening, so I I think they would be prepared to get people in and out quickly.

We park once, and go to Z's, Bistro 301, or even the downtown Bristol. Have reservations for new BBC this weekend. One time when in a real hurry hit Wolfgang Puck's, but that's more of a QSR than we'd want before a play. If there were a game on that we wanted to see, we'd go to the Marriott first floor bar, but that's all fried bar food.

The restaurant in Actor's is decent, but very limited menu.

Vincenzo's is nice IF they know you, but if not you will be very rushed (slow service) and likely not enjoy the experience (several older posts in the Forum about this).

I think that Andrew hit the nail squarely on the head! Those would be my choices, too.

I had the exact same dilemma this week. I usually go to Z's but wanted something different. My friend suggested Mayan Cafe and it worked perfectly. I told them I was in a bit of a rush and they got us out in a little over an hour. Then a quick zip up to ATL.
Enjoy the show.

Something is going on at the KY Center also. And, oh by the way, the Eagles at the new arena. People should leave early and enjoy downtown tomorrow night. Main Street might be impossible to drive through after a certain point. That could be before 6:00 pm. Right around the arena should be jammed.
Went to the BBC 4th street before Neil Young concert this year. Couldn't get in the place. People were getting their food to go and sitting outside in the courtyard eating it. At least we got a beer! Beer is food! Good problem.

Something is going on at the KY Center also. And, oh by the way, the Eagles at the new arena. People should leave early and enjoy downtown tomorrow night. Main Street might be impossible to drive through after a certain point. That could be before 6:00 pm. Right around the arena should be jammed.
Went to the BBC 4th street before Neil Young concert this year. Couldn't get in the place. People were getting their food to go and sitting outside in the courtyard eating it. At least we got a beer! Beer is food! Good problem.

Aren't those shows on Saturday? The OP posted this last night, so I assume they are heading to ATL tonight and won't have to deal with these conflicts.

Appreciate all the suggestions.

Due to the time constraints, went straght from parking garage down to new BBC on 3rd and Main.

What a great location!! They will do very well across from YUM Center.

Had a nice meal at affordable price. Wife and I split a Pizza and large salad, with 3 beers, for under $30 pre-tip. Atmostphere is nice, though due to setup, it is a very long, thin dining room below and I can see how it will be hard to navigate for servers/patrons once larger crowds arrive.

Overall, believe they should be very successful and will definitely go back.

On a side note, I still do not see how parking/traffic will be seamless for big events. Last night, even with just KY Center for Arts and Actors Theatre traffic, it still took 10 minutes to get out of parking lot. Add in an event with 20,000, and I don't see it being that smooth, although I would recommend a get there real early/stay there real late strategy rather than just hanging in traffic.

We have a giant parking lot next to us, w/ easy access to both 64 & 71 via river road. I am biased, but if you are able to walk a bit, we may have one of the best spots to eat, drink, and get out of traffic easily. We are looking for a great weekend w/ the Eagles tonight, and Mick Sullivan & friends playing if you aren't going to YUM.

Good luck to everyone trying to navigate around the arena. It should be an interesting evening.