Very good, fresh food. I'm always happy to find restaurants that aren't relying solely on Sysco. Wish Belmont Blvd had some non-sysco options. The salads were wonderful. The atmosphere is a bit like you are in a conference room, but the food is fresh and colorful and healthy.
(4)
Alex A.
Hands down, one of the best restaurant experiences I've ever had. Swanky, sexy atmosphere, with a clean, industrial feel. Knowledgeable (and I mean knowledgeable), friendly staff. They really know the food, and which wines pair best. Inventive dishes with really unique flavor profiles. The Roasted Cauliflower is a religious experience. (And I always thought I HATED cauliflower.) Must try -- Pork Belly and Butter Tasting appetizers! Can't WAIT to go back!
(5)
Mousa H.
Since starting my reviews on Yelp at the suggestion of and to take an interest in something my girlfriend does I've been upset. My rating distribution is horrible. She keeps taking me to great places and obviously I'm giving mostly high marks. Well, she struck again. Except this may have been more than just a "great" place. This may have been the best overall dining experience I've ever had. I was less than impressed with the hostessing, but I'm not going to take away a star because the hostess wasn't overly friendly. From there on the experience did nothing but improve. I wish I could remember the young lady's name who was our server. Her timing was perfect, her table presence was on point and her suggestions were fantastic. I had the lamb dish (Lizzy had another, since she'll also write a review no need to mention it here). From the taste, to the presentation to the overall quality of the food I was just blown away... The peach crumble was incredible... tasted fresh and light and was not one of those desserts that makes you feel like you just gained a million pounds after eating it, though I'm sure we probably did... But like anything there has to be that one thing about a place that put it over the top... well for us it was Deb Paquette... the head chef of Etch... My GF has a tradition where when she goes to a place she loves she asks the chef to sign a menu for her, sometimes framing them but always saving them... despite it being late, and Deb being at the tail end of an exhausting Friday night she came out table side with the signed menu and spent a good 20 minutes with us regaling of tales from TV appearances she's had... educating us on the subtle and not so subtle differences of various southern accents and being an overall gracious hostess... Etch was a 5 star without a doubt before this, but the fact that she took the time to do this simply blew me away... We had many great meals in Nashville in our short visit, but this was by far and away the reason I will remember this trip for a life time...
Nice date spot!!! Upscale and quiet!!! Prices were decent cheaper than I expected!!! Bartender is amazing!!! Upscale to a T
(5)
Steve A.
The food at Etch is astonishing. Seriously. This was one of the best meals of my life. Every flavor component of every dish was surprising, complex, and worth savoring. Some dishes--such as the cauliflower appetizer--had different flavor combinations at different ends of the dish. There wasn't a single element of anything we tried that didn't contribute to the whole. An interesting wine list and knowledgeable servers complement this amazing food. And the ambiance is upscale, trendy, yet not too loud to have an intimate conversation. This restaurant would be a major weekly temptation if I lived in Nashville. Truly memorable.
We started with butter tastings.. yes BUTTER tastings! prosciutto truffle, smoked parmesan black pepper, ginger cashew and malt vinegar options. My favorite was the ginger cashew, it was sweet and salty. As a non-steak, big meat person, there was really only one option to enjoy and it was the Rutabaga La Plancha, which was a mix of veggies, potatoes, carrots, and more all combined to make a magnificent vegetarian option at a fine dining establishment. we ordered two desserts, one was a chocolate bread pudding and the other was a chocolate banana, peanut butter concoction that was eaten very quickly. the menu is smaller than I would like but everything was delicious and a great place to enjoy a nice dinner in Nashville!
Absolutely wonderful....though the review is really just on appetizers as we didn't make it to entrees. I started with a Moroccan Sangria, which was delicious. My friend pretty much just drank his way through a good portion of the whiskey list. And it's a fairly impressive and diverse list. Ordered: - Butter Tasting - very cool and a nice choice of app. The pineapple and mushrooms were the 2 favorites and we gobbled those up with the nice bread. The "everything bagel" was a bit meh, and the herb lardo was more like a very mildly flavored crisco. - Ciopino - Very nice with a lovely sauce that was a bit like a romesco. - Octopus and Shrimp Bruschetta - Also very nice, but with a tiny amount of shrimp....like there were only two VERY small pieces. - Venison Carpaccio - Damn, but this was delicious. But the favorite was.... - Pork Belly - So nice we ordered it twice! And that meant we were too full to carry on with an entree or dessert. :( Our server, Justin, was great and very helpful. This is a great restaurant and I'll be delighted to go back next time I'm in Nashville.
(5)
A B L.
I felt very adventurous eating here- many curious food combinations! Our waiter, Travis, was excellent. The Food was colorful! Also try the roasted cauliflower- I was surprised I loved it!! Travis also gave us great venue recommendations to listen to real singer/songwriters near Broadway (the listening room).
(5)
Gerry T.
I was visiting Nashville for the first time and I had heard about the recent influx of people to this city as well as the creativity going on in the culinary scene there so when people recommended Etch as a must go, I went. I thought the menu was uninspired and boring. I don't mean to sound like a douchie-foodie wanna be, but I have eaten in many great restaurants and this is not one of them. The service was efficient but nothing out of the ordinary. The drinks were good. We were a party of 3 so we sampled many dishes. The best part of the meal was the the drinks. Again, not bad but certainly not deserving of all the great reviews on yelp. Sorry everyone.
(3)
Amol U.
The next time you've got a special occasion or a business power-lunch, Etch is a solid choice. Compared to most places in Nashville, Etch has a distinctly cosmopolitan look. Think upscale lounge or dinner club, which is a much different vibe than most of the hipster-casual or Southern-kitchen styled places in Nashville. It's different, and very pleasant. The dining area also allows you to see the kitchen at work, which is a pretty cool touch. The food here, again, is unique. It's hard to put into a particular category, but suffice it to say that you'll encounter some new tastes and combinations you wouldn't have expected ... And it totally, totally works. For example, you won't want to miss the roasted cauliflower appetizer, which comes with an array of delicious tomato and pistachio dipping sauces. Likewise, you might raise an eyebrow at fried catfish with a berry(?) glaze, but it's fantastic. On a final note, the service at Etch lives up to the food and ambience. Complimentary valet removes the hassle of finding parking downtown, and if you're on a tight schedule for lunch or before an event, the service is quick and responsive. Etch is definitely a stretch of my budget, but one that's well worth it. Definitely looking forward to visiting here again!
(5)
Christina W.
I was very pleasantly surprised at how beautiful the restaurant was, I was expecting something a little more casual (based off conversation I had with friends) - so I'm glad I dressd up. :) There is free valet in the front, which almost seems like your best (and only?) option to park. Our waitress was very friendly and informative. We had 3 appetizers, the butter tasting, the cauliflower and the pork belly. The butter tasting was fun - we had our favorites and it was interesting to see the different flavors infused into the butters. Pork belly was AMAZING. I overheard that the set up changes on it at times, but the current set is so great. Fantastic complimenting flavors. Highlight of the evening for me. Even though I'm a server and most (i.e. - all I've ever talked to) hate Yelp (that's a different conversation, ha) - I use it frequently. So I took the advice of so many reviews and ordered the cauliflower considering it a MUST. Unfortunately, it's not a must. It wasn't bad, by any means. But I would not order it again. It was plain and underwhelming. I would divert to other wonderful things in the menu. We also had the venison (rare), which was wonderful. My father had the current vegetable plate which is a trio of mushrooms and other vegetables. He raved. We shared. It was pretty wonderful. He rated it a 10. I said 7.9 ;) All in all, twas a good visit.
(4)
Dan Z.
The Good: service; The butter (its an appetizer); the atmospheres. The Bad: nothing; it was an enjoyable evening. The Rest: overall a great stop. Met my expectations for a Nashville restaurant in this class. Service was exceptional, food was very good, as expected. Not an extensive menu but adequate. Four stars and recommend and will be back. Couldn't give the fifth star because the wow wasn't there, but don't be dissuaded, it was excellent.
(4)
Kristen S.
Came here while in town for the CMA Fest and my friends 30th birthday. The cauliflower appetizer is to die for (and I don't even like cauliflower!). I got the filet which was a whole new take on a normal dish. I thought the atmosphere was wonderful, the service was impeccable and the food tasty. My only complaint is the wine prices, I thought some were a little steep for the brand of wine they had.
(4)
James B.
Ok so I don't want to sound arrogant or anything but this place was good, but I think it's Nashville good. Look, it's good but when compared to the likes of some places in Chicago, and NYC, it's just good. We got the Cauliflower, and a soup to start. The cauliflower was good but it was because the seasoning. It's baked with truffle oil then has some dipping sauces. It was good for sure. Entrees were the Confit fish and venison. The venison came out similar to a fillet. Perfectly cooked, small portion. There was a sweet potato, Brie cream, and some sauces. There was too much Brie and it over powered the coca seasoned venison. Back off the Brie cream a bit and it's a great pairing. The confit fish was a mahi mahi served over a vignette (doughnut) with apricots and a vinegarette drizzle. The flavors were awesome but it was weird because the fish is so flavorless. It's almost like the fish was there to provide texture for the other pieces of the dish, instead of being a main portion. The flavors worked and it was balanced but I just think the fish could be better utilized. Overall the staff is knowledgable on wine, pairings, and their menu. Good ambiance. Good for Nashville, but didn't blow me away.
(4)
Joy M.
Our waitress was great! She was very passionate and explained the menu and have us a quick background on the chef's cooking style. We sat near the kitchen to see the dishes that would come out. Everything looked amazing and the waitresses would stop as they passed us explaining what dish they were holding. The food was excellent. Definitely loved the salmon dish which I believe was the fish of the day. The Rosemary bread that they served us with was a good initial touch to start our pallets. We ordered an old fashion (typically picky about how this is made as some places can make it too sweet). The drinks were made perfectly with a smokey finish and perfect blend. The bourbon pecan ice cream was delicious. It had a blend of pecans and cookie crumble. Overall a great experience and well worth the cost. What we ordered: -catfish app -cauliflower app -old fashion -szerac -fish of the day(salmon) -bourbon pecan ice cream -another fish dish I can't remember but had a beignet
(5)
Loralyn D.
After hearing all of the hype about Etch, I was excited to give it a try. The cauliflower appetizer was recommended by the waiter and was delicious. The reason I'm only giving 3 stars is because of two things. First, although each dish we had was delicious, between the appetizer, salad, main entrees, and sides there was so much sauce on everything that I was overwhelmed. I like sauces, but not as the main taste of every plate. Maybe we somehow ordered too many things with sauces. I don't know. Second, the atmosphere walking in was really nice, but we were asked by the hostess and server if it was our first time to the restaurant and after saying it was, I felt like we were not as important. The staff was nice and we weren't treated poorly, I just didn't feel like a valued customer like at other restaurants in this price range. None the less, it's a nice restaurant and served great food but I would choose other restaurants in the Nashville area for the price..
Dear Etch, Your wonderful food, friendly service, and great atmosphere once again made my day. I've sat at the chef's bar each time and it has always been a great experience. I continue to thoroughly enjoy your fresh and interesting menu. The oldie but goodies are always awesome as well. Thanks for continuing to be a fantastic restaurant. You made my 1.5 hour drive through tourist traffic well worth it.
(5)
Jane H.
This was the best meal we've had In years. The blending of delicious flavors was beyond good. We had the roasted cauliflower for an appetizer and the sauces were scrumptious. Service was impeccable and every course better than the one before it!
(5)
Cindy S.
Possibly one of the best restaurants in Nashville. Friend and I had quite a tasting. Started with watermelon bubbles. My friend had the butter tasting and roasted cauliflower for myself. Wow! Mine was great - the truffled pea pesto was the best. My friend's butter experience was nice but only liked the pineapple rum chili in the end. I tasted it and I have to agree. It could've have used a little heat. Outside of that, the grilled lamb loin, crispy potato salad and desserts were decadent!!! I'm not a huge fan of lamb but I have to say my tastebuds were very happy!!! With the potato salad, it was all about the texture. Great job there. She had the peach crumble tart and I had the bourbon pecan ice cream. For me, my experience was a homerun!!!
(5)
Linda B.
A definite must! Shrimp/octopus bruschetta was amazing. If you can't decide, try it for sure. Nice portion as well. Lamb- tangy and flavorful, with a twist on what you would expect. Venison- ate every last bite. Tender and not gamey. Loved the sides it was paired with. Too full for dessert, but it looked scrumptious. Atmosphere- nice, dim lighting and more upscale than the Broadway restaurants. Service- I wish I knew our servers name, he was knowledgable on every level and was a pleasure. Definitely made our experience. If you are looking for a nice dinner, food a little bit outside of the box, you have to check it out!
(5)
Debby S.
We LOVE this place! Food, service, ambiance..they got it all. Our first time in Nashville. The first night we arrived in Nashville 8:30pm so we were hungry. Etch had a 20 min wait and we didn't have reservations. We went next door to The Farm House where there was no wait and we know why! Terrible at The Farm. (see my review of Farm) I mentioned it here because we are not the type to complain about the price if the quality of the food is excellent. We made it a point to come back to this vicinity for Etch and we are so glad we did. Etch is first class. Our waitress was so nice and helpful. The food is high end. My venison was cooked perfectly. The marriage of flavors beautifully matched. The presentation artful. We didn't want to dig into the food right away so we could let the presentation of colors and arrangement of items feed our eyes before our stomach.
(5)
Umber A.
This place has to be the best restaurant I have ever been to. Each bite was a foodgasm. I'm a carnivore however somehow the waiter convinced me to try out their vegetarian options. I ended up getting the roasted cauliflower for app. The combo of goat cheese/ red sauce/ pea sauce was perfection. For my entree I got the rutabaga La Plancha. Very flavorful. I literally scraped the plate clean. Can't wait to go back. And the waiter was friendly and helpful! Service was excellent !
(5)
Nikita L.
Went to Nashville for business and picked this place since it's got good reviews on yelp. I'm glad yelp didn't disappoint. We had the butter tasting, roasted cauliflower, and the main course was the most recommended fish dish. The two appetizers were great! I especially liked the truffle butter. But the main course was just ok. It's got interesting flavors but just not my fav. Service was good too. Defitrly worth visiting .
My husband and I visited Nashville and met up with a long-time friend. Etch made for a perfect venue. The interior is spacious and tables were not on top of each other. Super fancy. Great place to dine, especially if you want to impress and have a non-rushed conversation with friends. Save your pennies, because it will take many of them and possibly a Benjamin or two depending on how good of a food and wine experience you have. We ordered the infamous beets and berries to start, followed by roasted cauliflower, and the entrees were Cobia and Grilled Lamb Loin. Just writing those makes my mouth water again. If I am ever in Nashville again, I will return gladly. If you are there, make a reservation and treat yourself to a great dining experience.
(5)
Jane S.
Thank you Etch for helping me make my mother's birthday a special one! Unfortunately, I was not able to dine at the restaurant with my parents but the staff at Etch truly were amazing. I called a week ahead to make reservations for my parents. They were in Nashville for a vacation and it happened to fall on my mom's bday. I gave them my credit card so my parents wouldnt have to see a bill. I also ordered dessert ahead of time knowing my parents wouldnt order one. They did everything I hoped they would do. My mom can be difficult sometimes but they took back her original order because she didn't like the sea bass. Then they switched her order and got her pork chops. They were all very accomodating and I appreciate that so much! My parents LOVED the roasted cauliflower! I wish I couldv'e tasted it :) All in all, I am very grateful for the staff here making my mom's bday special even though I couldn't be there in person!!
(5)
Liz C.
Trendy atmosphere so know that from the get go. Highly trained wait staff and amazing food. You're paying for atmosphere, service and food here and it's all well worth it. Delicious handcrafted cocktails for a variety of palettes. You MUST try the cauliflower appetizer. We hesitated and almost didn't order it, what a mistake that would have been! Wine was reasonably priced and food was amazing. Copia, venison, pork tenderloin and fillet were all amazing. Chocolate torte for dessert did not disappoint either. Would definitely visit again!
(5)
Charles S.
Deb Paquette's Etch is one of my favorite restaurants in Nashville. Food, drink, service, and atmosphere (minus the current construction across the street) are fabulous. It's easily among the top 5 restaurants in Music City right now. I've only been twice thus far, and while I'm sure they're capable of having an off night, I've not seen anything but perfection. My first experience was for a milestone birthday. The server, whose name I've unfortunately forgotten, was the essence of professionalism. He paced our meal perfectly, even though we had two appetizer courses, a salad course, entrees, desserts, and digestifs. The service was absolutely the best experience I've had in downtown Nashville. As far as the food is concerned, I must start by saying some flavor or texture combinations may seem odd on paper -- Paquette is nothing if not inventive, and her menus seem to enjoy putting diners outside of their comfort zones in all the best ways. I may not get any points for originality here, but I'll echo others and say both the cauliflower and butter tastings were amazing. I liked the charcuterie salad, but I would have preferred it as a charcuterie board, to be honest. The shellfish special I had was perfectly prepared, and the wine pairing our server suggested was nothing I would have ever ordered myself, but couldn't have been better suited for the dish. My wife's venison was good in my opinion, but it was definitely on the sweeter side, so be prepared. The wine I selected for her helped, but she wouldn't order the venison again. I'm not sure I would either -- I enjoyed tasting her dish, but likely also would have tired of the sweetness if it had been my entree. If you're doing a downtown event, particularly if it's at the Schermerhorn (across the street), Etch is the perfect place for dinner or dessert and drinks, before or after your show. Reservations are a necessity, and I encourage you to get them as early as possible -- at least 2-3 days in advance for Sun-Thurs nights, and at least 5 for Fridays and weekends. Bigger events should be booked at least 2 weeks in advance. The bar does start to empty out a bit later, so if you're getting out of an earlier show, you might chance across a couple of empty seats, but don't count on it.
(5)
Sam Z.
One of my favorite restaurants in Nashville! The service, the ambiance, the presentation, the portions are all impeccable. The cauliflower appetizer is simply incredible. A trip to Nashville is not complete without a visit to this amazing restaurant.
(5)
Tommie S.
In April 2014, my job sent me to Nashville for a conference, and I of course, immediately turned to Yelp. This was a great place for dinner. Locals know that it's a nice place to visit as the hotel shuttle driver teased me about being able to afford the place. Either way, I'm glad I scraped the funds together as it was well worth it. I had steak and changed my sides based on Yelpers, and the chef was more than accommodating. I don't usually order any sort of steak (no particular reason other than mind are the best), but I'm glad I tried this steak as it absolutely melted in my mouth. The suggested dessert was also great. The cocktail wasn't the strongest, but I had enough to make them taste good. As a lone diner, I sat at the bar BUT not the drinking bar. Do yourself a favor and sit at the chef's bar. It's a great view. If you're familiar with Houston dining, it's just as great as the chef's table at Artisans. The ambiance was a bit loud for a weekday late dinner, but not too bothersome. The restrooms were also lovely. The hostesses were also quite helpful with contacting my hotel when I was ready to be picked up without having to wait. This place really is tops.
(5)
Chris K.
FINALLY - a fine dining restaurant that has just the right ambiance! We walked into this hip restaurant, and immediately felt at ease. Classy, yet relaxed, decor; Miles Davis playing in the background, waiters and waitresses VERY accommodating and friendly - all fine dining restaurants should take note...waiters and waitresses that SMILE add immensely to a positive dining experience. Great job, staff! Now the food - EXCEPTIONAL...really interesting dishes - roasted cauliflower IS THE BOMB. Do not miss this appetizer if you are visiting for the first time. I know cauliflower isn't the most sexy vegetable these days, but this dish is proof that it's making an amazing come-back! The savory and sweet purees pair beautifully to your spectrum of taste buds; the almonds heighten the naturally "nutty" taste of the delightfully browned / roasted cauliflower. We also had the catfish and coconut chicken curry. Catfish was wonderfully crispy, with just the right amount of acid in the salad, sweetness in the strawberry preserve, tartness in the lime crema. The only reason I did not give 5 stars was because the coconut chicken curry with quinoa was unfortunately overcooked. Some chicken pieces were dry, while others were barely over cooked. The sauce was not as sweet and savory as I expected, but I also come from a Thai background, and it likely was not meant replicate Thai cuisine, but be an American twist on an asian dish. Overall - I will CERTAINLY be back - wonderful service, great food, great environment. Well done Etch - keep up the positive vibe!
(4)
Anthony S.
Etch is easily one of the best dining experiences I have ever had in Nashville. I can rave about my meal for pages, but I'm going to try to restrain myself. The service was expert and warm. The environment is nicely laid out, if just a little neutral for its own good. That's likely the hardest I can knock Etch, because nothing hit our table that didn't feel special. If their atmosphere feels a little dated in its detail, I'll over look it. We started simple with their butter tasting. Four butters that were as different as whipped dairy could be. We ordered the Etch salad which took me by surprise. I don't typically go for blue cheese and apple in a salad- I'd eat theirs all day. My lamb was succulent and tender, expertly spiced with amazing accompanying flavors. My wife ordered the filet, which I thought would be as boring and safe as you'd expect from a grilled filet---wrong! It melted in the mouth and was so flavorful I would have thought it was drugged. Finally, our torte dessert was packed with moussey, spicy flavor. I found the crunch of the bottom layer a little hard to cut into, but my wife is in love with this dessert and declared it her favorite part of the meal (which is saying a lot). Finally, I have to mention that Etch's team of mixologists could have given me the best cocktails I have ever had in Nashville. I tried two of their signature concoctions; one based in gin with tarragon and the other a spicy take on the Manhattan. Both were amazing. Their bartender made the best Vespar Martini I've had in this city and when I asked for it, neither the server nor bartender batted an eye. From start to finish, I found everything was to love with so little to complain about. Etch had raised the bar for me with dining choices in this city and I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Louis C.
Service, food, and drinks were all fantastic. My entire family loved their meal and we were all impressed with the service. Not mention, it was the best old fashioned I've ever had.
(5)
Amy D.
We checked out Etch during happy hour and were pleased with the quality wine, beers, bites and service. We considered dining in the bustling dining room but upon walking in noticed a single cozy booth in the bar area that had our name on it. I started off with their $5 happy hour red (a nice Gamay) and Jesse ordered a Nashville beer from Black Abbey which was $4 during happy hour. We ordered all 4 food items on happy hour: roasted cauliflower, tempura catfish, pork belly and octopus & shrimp bruschetta. Our food came out quickly, each dish plated nicely and at the correct temperature. I assumed the happy hour portions would be smaller but we were happy with generous feast in front of us. Roasted Cauliflower - believe it or not my second favorite of the dishes! The truffled cauliflower was plated with truffled pea pesto topped with salted almonds on one side of the plate and feta crema on the other. The lovely sauces complimented the dish nicely. Pork Belly - this was our favorite dish and possibly the best pork belly I have tasted. It was rich, tender and a melt in your mouth caramelized meat. It was served with kenji kimchi "fries", tahini tofu sauce and ginger. Tempera Catfish - a crisply filet served on top of a tasty slice of compressed watermelon, plump aleppo chili blueberries and a balsamic syrup. It was decent but a tad too sweet for my taste. Octopus & Shrimp Bruschetta - a slice of toasted bread with a generous portion of shrimp, sous vide octopus in duck fat topped with arugula, fennel, capers and the plate was dressed with a roasted tomato sauce. This dish was OK but I am now realizing I am not a huge fan of duck fat. The plate is gorgeous and worth a try. The standouts to me were the wonderful house made sauces, the to die for pork belly and their cauliflower would make anyone eat their veggies. Service was excellent and a manager kindly checked in on us during our visit. Also for 2 beers, 1 wine and 4 appetizers our bill was a mere $45. Happy hour is Monday-Friday 4pm-6:30pm & Saturday 4-5:30pm.
(5)
Tarantula B.
Made reservations, no wait time upon arrival. 1st timers, was with two others and we passed many open tables and were seated at the back of the restaurant,but with a window view. Nice clean eclectic restaurant, our server was nice and very helpful. Nice wine selection. The Ciopino appetizer was very good and can be shared with others. The from the sea creation for us was Halibut, we were told they ran out of the other fish and only two Halibut plates were left. Another guest tried the Cobia and truly enjoyed it. We and others around us wanted to end the evening with the Peach tort but were advised they were all out - no dessert review. Overall enjoyed the experience the food was good and would return. Curious on where we will be seated next time.
(4)
Ev J.
We stopped in without a reservation and were told it would be an hour wait. Somehow we got lucky and got to sit at the chefs bar. Our server Ramesh was awesome. He was very informative and friendly and took very good care of us. We were not sure what we exactly wanted and he was very accommodating. Deb was also very sweet and interesting and explained to us everything that we ordered. We had the bruschetta and the Cauli flower pesto... and we also indulged in some dessert. The service was great and we had an amazing time. I definitely recommend this to anybody stopping by in the area!
(4)
Ryan D.
Big space, fit for tables for two as well as large groups. Friendly, attentive service - we didn't even notice our entrees were running a bit behind, but our server did, and offered up free dessert. Appetizers were strong - it's odd to really, really enjoy a salad but the blend of bitter radicchio, champagne vinaigrette and fruit was perfect. My wife enjoyed her venison but we agreed that the lamb was beyond excellent. Precisely cooked, wonderful cuts. In aggregate, the accompanying filo dough puffs, mint, tapenade, and apricot bits made this middle eastern-ish dish entirely delicious.
(4)
Gi J.
Everything was excellent as other reviews have stated. The ambience, understated/modern decor and feel of the restaurant was great. The service was amazing and I thoroughly enjoyed the cauliflower appetizer as well as some sort of seafood/flatbread appetizer which was also pretty decent. They both came with the red pepper puree that I was a big fan of. I was also surprised at how much I liked the pea(hummus?) Sauce/emulsion. My brother was disappointed that his swordfish, which he was told would be seared, lacked any semblance of a crunch/sear. I was very satisfied with my lamb, although I wasn't expecting such a sweet dish. While I am, through and through, a savory person, I enjoyed the mix of the sweet elements, ranging from the Apple pie/tart with cheese to the apricot(?) On the plate. My father didn't complain about his vegetarian entree but both him and I, who shared portions of our meal, were in for a rude awakening. Perhaps we both contacted a stomach bug from elsewhere individually, but I find that highly unlikely considering that we had driven up to Nashville that day, checked into a hotel, and walked around briefly after our meal. Sharing a hotel room and having one toilet was a huge pain as both if us struggled to keep our meals down. When we tried to pinpoint what could have happened, we noted that my brother did not touch either of our meals and was completely fine. My father commented after we left that the veggies, despite being cooked, seemed like they weren't very fresh to him. I loved the experienced and maybe it was an off day, but I'm hesitant to give the place another try or to give this place the full rating it would have received normally. Tl;dr loved it but got food poisoning with my dad. Made for great bonding over the toilet
(3)
Vince E.
This is one of a few musts if you're a foodie who either lives in or is visiting Nashville. Although reservations are recommended, I walked in and sat at the Chefs bar. I loved that. You get to watch the kitchen. Very cool. The service was good, not great. They were very busy and I'm sure that contributed to a little decline in service but it was still good. I ordered the Lamb. It was amazing.
(4)
Dan H.
Mediocre meal overall. The food was thoughtfully prepared and it's a great atmosphere but the taste leaves a lot to be desired. Butter sampler was overly smokey and the venison has a feta fetish that overpowers the entire dish.
(3)
Erin T.
Only down side was husbands drink wasn't amazing (Stormy Cocktail - kinda tasteless). Other than that, it was exceptional! Venison and Lamb Loin were phenomenal!! Kenneth was our waiter and his speed, knowledge, and attentiveness took our experience over the top. If you are a foodie and like a burst of complimentary flavors in your food, this is your place! Etch will host a party in your mouth.
(5)
Mike N.
Best restaurant I have been to so far in Nashville. I am used to eating at restaurants in Philadelphia and New York, and Etch is comparable to these scenes. I got the roasted cauliflower which came with truffled pea pesto, salted almonds and feta dip as an appetizer, and it was superb. As a salad, I ordered the beets & berries which was an interesting blend of fruits, nuts and cheese. The highlight was the venison which was served with cocoa chili, grilled sweet potato, goat cheese and other flavors. The service was attentive and knowledgeable. I will definitely be returning.
(5)
Sarah Beth B.
We are not Nashville locals, so I am extra pleased with us for finding Etch during a recent trip to TN. Y'all, the food here is CRAZY and I mean that in the best way possible. We started off with the cauliflower app, because who just puts a pile of cauliflower and dip on a fancy restaurant menu? Well, everyone should do it. It was weirdly incredible. The sauces! The smokiness! The texture of the cauliflower! SO. GOOD. we ate literally every single piece of cauliflower, and there were just two of us. That's a lot of caulitflower, but worth it. For our mains, we had the cobia (which google tells me is also known as the prodigal son fish. get on that, menu writer!) and the venison. these were NUTS. the venison, which came with cranberries and ginger grits and some kind of banana sauce we didn't care for, was insane. The bright flavors in the grits and cranberries was so, so good with the gamey meat. The fish was... how do i describe the fish? It was INSANE. There were oranges, and cranberries, and capers, and almonds, and a sauce, and the fish was spicy, and it was all served on top of a beignet, which is important to remember is just a fancy word for DONUT. it was a fish DONUT, and I loved it. Please order the cobia. you won't regret it. even if you hate capers, as I do, you just don't have to eat them. I'm sorry I'm using so much detail but this place demands it. We also got drinks! they were good. we're not huge drinkers so I will leave it at that. Our waitress was a little too chatty, but we had a lot of questions, so we may have brought that upon ourselves. Other than that, and the capers, this was a basically perfect meal. I loved it. I want to eat it again. But you know, it's not for the faint of heart. Be brave and enjoy the bold flavors.
(5)
Brittany B.
The food, atmosphere, and service here are outstanding! Be sure to check out their nightly specials and ask your server for suggestions because they are passionate about the food and will give you great recommendation. For an extra treat, sit at the kitchen bar where you can watch the magic happen - it's almost like being at a chef's table.
(5)
Eileen D.
I had REALLY high expectations for this place, and unfortunately I left feeling pretty disappointed. First off, the ambiance is seriously lacking - it feels like someone plopped a restaurant into a hotel lobby. Second, the food was good but there was a little too much going on. I'd recommend the cauliflower, which had really good flavor. I'd skip the butter tasting, as none of them were particularly remarkable. The scallops were great and they were super great about splitting it between two plates - and it was an impressive portion. But there was a LOT going on on the plate, and not everything tasted that great with everything else. So we were kind of left not sure how to eat it in the way the chef had intended, which was odd. The waitress had a pretty bad poker face and seemed outwardly disappointed that we were only splitting a few appetizers and an entree and just getting beer as opposed to something a little more pricey. I also felt pretty rushed - they had us out of there in a little more than an hour when I was hoping for a more leisurely meal. There's a lot to be said for pacing, especially when we ordered so many different things.
(3)
Dianne M.
Was travelling in Nashville and visited this restaurant, in walking distance to major downtown hotels. Nice atmosphere and excellent wait staff. I ordered a dish and immediately did not care for it. Management insisted to replace with another choice at no cost, which I did. The waitress, very professional, answered all our questions with a smile and never made me feel as if we were inconveniencing her. The venison and pork tenderloin were delish as was the roasted cauliflower. Peach crumble tart also good. Love this place because it's not noisy. My partner and I could talk without shouting at each other. And surprisingly their liquor manager knows the difference between whiskey and whisky. While not an extensive selection of single malts Scotch, there was decent representation from all key areas and described correctly. Example Islay was separate from Islands. Highly recommend this for any special dining experience. Wish we had this restaurant in my home town.
(5)
Tom K.
Went here for lunch on a Wednesday for the first time and ordered the Kale and Turkey salad. Unfortunately they were out of turkey so they substituted chicken and it was still excellent. Will return to try it with turkey someday. Service, ambience and noise level was great too.
(4)
Beth F.
The food is worth all the accolades, but the restaurant itself, while elegant, is not pretentious at all. There was a relaxed atmosphere with attentive service. We had the butter tasting and the roasted Cauliflower for appetizers. The Cauliflower comes with a sweet pea pesto and creme as well as almonds. The butter tasting must be tried as well. I had the filet. We shared a side of chickpeas and they were the superstar of a star filled show. They are tossed in cream along with bacon, cherries, and arugula. I was enchanted by how good they were. I could have eaten them alone for a meal. It was so tender and the loaded potato the was served with it was more interesting than a normal baked potato. I had two drinks:the Bees Knees from the menu, then I ordered a vodka martini. Both were delicious. My dinner companion ordered the halibut special. She loved it. This place is great for special occasions and business meals. I'll definitely return.
(5)
John W.
We visited Nashville this past weekend with friends for my birthday, we visited Etch approximately 6 months ago and couldn't wait to return. The 2nd visit did not disappoint, Etch will be a regular destination when we visit in the future. The wine and cocktails were perfect starters to an adventurous dining experience. Our appetizers were the ever popular roasted cauliflower and we also had a shrimp and squid dish that was superb. I had the beets and berries salad, loved the contrasting flavors. I so enjoyed the Cobia that I ordered it again, love the contrasting flavors. Also in our party, the pork tenderloin, lamb chops, a beef filet, and a new superb white fish, Corvina was served. Each dish was perfect with no doggy bags needed For dessert, I was presented with a cheesecake tart, we also had the warm pound cake and the pretzel bar (favorite). The entire dining experience was as anticipated. I loved the energy and enthusiasm of our server, Kenneth. He truly had a great time as did we.
(5)
Molly M.
Easy valet and great downtown location just a couple blocks off Broadway. Friendly hostess and wonderfully welcoming and warm waiter, I unfortunately cannot remember his name. He recommended a moderately priced bottle of a Grenache blend that we really enjoyed. We tried the famous cauliflower, and we loved it! Unexpected, delicious flavors and artful presentation. Same for all the entrees, our party of four all were very pleased. Only pulled one star because my very favorite spots tend to be a bit earthier, a bit more rustic. This place is very business appropriate, with an elegant, mature ambiance, but could probably be romantic if it suited your style. There is a very cool little glass walled room that a large business party had reserved, probably about 10 seats. Could imagine a birthday dinner or the like in there.
(4)
Alison B.
Delish. yummy drinks and great food. Service excellent. The cobia entree was great. And the Brussels sprouts are to die for. Cool atmosphere too.
(5)
meghan c.
Hands down the best food I've ever eaten in my life. We didn't know what to expect because the rest of Nashville seems so casual and "pub" like (which we've also enjoyed!) Our server was fantastic- a brunette from Dallas- she had great timing, great recommendations and great energy Good beer selection- my husband is into craft beer and found a few local ones he hadn't had yet Cauliflower- as good as the other reviews implied. Alone would've been great but the dips really made it great Butter tasting- well it was butter and there's not much better in life than that! We loved the truffle butter especially. The ginger cashew was the only one we were skeptical of Filet- hubby has the steak rare, and was cooked to perfection. Beer salad with goat cheese- it was about the best salad ever. The goat cheese was with creme fresco and tasted like ice cream
(5)
Mary C.
This place was delicious! We had the roasted cauliflower appetizer as recommended, it was as good as all the other reviews say. My husband had what he called "a really good old fashioned" and he has very high standards for old fashioneds. I had a great little cocktail called "The Rosemary", this was really yummy- I love rosemary. For the entrees my husband had the "From the Sea" special which was swordfish with some delicious lite quinoa fitter things that I tasted. I had the "Rutabaga La Plancha"- this is the only vegetarian item on the menu- and it did not disappoint! I would order this again and again! Also the dinning room is very nicely designed. Our waitress was very good at her job and was Johnny-on-the-spot about everything. Also she was super friendly. Yes this is a fancier/pricier place but if you're going to have one expensive meal in Nashville I would make it Etch. The portions were actually really large for a fancy restaurant! We both arrived starving and it was hard to finish our entrees, we were stuffed. I really wanted to try their dessert but I was too full.
(5)
PJ S.
No shrimp cocktail, no chicken parm. I hate this place. #scarcasticyelpreviews #dubchub #testatakesnashville
(5)
Kate S.
Nothing inherently wrong here. Everything was good, but nothing was great. Ordered a couple of cocktails that were so forgettable, I can't even remember what I ordered. For appetizers, we did the lamb tartare and the shrimp and octopus bruschetta. I found the portion sizes to be pretty generous for an appetizer, almost too much. The lamb tartare was a little gamey, but it's lamb, and that's to be expected. The shrimp and octopus bruschetta was more like an open faced sandwich, not the little bite-sized crostinis I was expecting. After eating all the seafood and greens off top, you were left with a huge piece of french bread. The octopus and shrimp mixture was a little salty. For the main course, we did the cobia and the Duck Ratatouille Crudo. The Cobia was perfectly cooked, and the combination of flavors was really unique. But unlike other reviewers, we felt that the bignet just was self-indulgent and didn't add to the dish. It was like, "Oh, here's a donut. Just because we can". It was too sweet. The duck was maybe a tad bit dry, and wasn't much of it. It was almost hiding under a very large salad in the middle of the plate. This must have been the "crudo" portion of the dish - lots of thinly sliced, raw root vegetables. It was just OK. For dessert, we did the chocolate pretzel bar. It was probably the best part of the meal, but not anything I'd go out of my way for. This review may be a little harsh, but we had one night in Nashville and we really expected better things. I wouldn't return.
(3)
Jenny A.
Just ok. Given all of the reviews, I was really expecting a lot more from this place. My bf and I ordered the venison and pork (entrees) and roasted cauliflower, and bruschetta (appetizers). The venison was solid. The pork was doused with so many different sauces and sides that it really took away from the meal. This was also true for the bruschetta. Less is more sometimes.
Food was awesome and came in huge portions, staff was really welcoming and helpful, and my food allergy requests were seriously cared for above and beyond. They bake gluten free rolls from scratch and gave me grilled zucchini in place of focaccia for the octopus bruschetta appetizer. It was great.
(5)
Lin B.
Food/dining out doesn't get any better than this, seriously. Deb Paquette is a FOOD ARTIST. A chef whose ingredient palate is so diverse, so unique, so exciting, she deserves recognition as one of the top chefs in the country, if not the world. She is a culinary genius. You absolutely must eat here if you are in Nashville and consider yourself a fortunate 'foodie' if you do! Etch takes savoring food to a totally different level. The entire restaurant (so attractive and comfortable as well) runs like a well-designed machine. No detail is overlooked. The service and attentiveness of the staff (all staff) is impeccable. Now for the food details! Our goat cheese tart with greens and the beets and berries salad kicked off what was an unbelievable combination of flavors and textures. Next up Cobia (a flaky white fish) a dish that was fusion of Persia, The New South, and Cuba. Absolutely amazing combination of spices and ingredients. The Fish of the day was outstanding as well. We topped off our meal with the frozen lemon merengue that was another 'surprise', as in "how in the world do they create this???!". What an awesome meal. Thank you, Deb and Etch 'family' food professionals!
(5)
Matt W.
A tale of two meals...... Fantastic service, excellent cocktails (I had a smokey old fashioned) and appetizer (roasted cauliflower). When it came to main entree, that's where the roads diverged. I got the venison which was fantastic. Light but rich, flavorful and well complimented by sides. My beautiful bride (7th anniversary) got the rutabaga which sounded awesome. And it was... Except for the rutabaga. Undercooked and too course, it set the tone for the rest of the plate. Sounded so promising but was really a miss. Had they cooked/steamed the veggie just a little more, I think it would have been a completely different experience. Great restaurant, I'll chalk it up to a poor choice of meal.
(3)
Cest L.
My husband and I had an early dinner at Etch. We decided to do a few appetizers along with cocktails since we had plans for later that evening. Loved the decor, very modern but with warm touches. Service was incredible and for that alone it was 5 stars. Good wine and beer selection. As for the food it was good with some moments of greatness. We had the butter tasting, octopus and shrimp bruschetta, pork belly, and charcuterie salad. Pork belly was the best followed closely by the salad. The house made cured meats on the salad were really good. If they offered a charcuterie platter we would definitely order that! Octopus was really tender but the other items on the bruschetta were simply ok and overwhelmed the seafood aspect. Butter tasting was ok, some mixtures were better than others. Overall an Ok experience but nothing spectacular.
(3)
Sarah D.
Etch is an amazing establishment. Chef Deb Pacquette is a genius and each flavor is so artfully added into each dish. Read the rest of my review on my blog: forkfuloflife.com/2014/0…
(5)
Chelsea F.
SO AMAZING! Our servers brooke and amy were so great and made us feel right at home. It was great watching the chefs cook and the entire atmosphere was beautiful. I can't wait to come back!!!!
(5)
Sheena T.
After my exceptional happy hour experience, I was antsy to make my way back to Etch to sample their dinner. I was not disappointed. We took a chance and didn't make reservations for Tuesday night and showed up around 8:30... the place was full. On a freezing cold Tuesday night. So, get a reservation people!! Luckily we were able to snag a table pretty quickly and started looking over the menu. Deb's soup of the night was a Turkish spiced tomato and pear concoction with a fried fritatta on top. It was SO good. I loved that it was full of flavor and spicy. For entrees I had the pork tenderloin with mushrooms and potatoes with the pesto pea puree on top. The meat was so perfect and juicy, I was in heaven! My BF had the cobia fish with raisins, capers and a beignet. Also, spectacular! We had the brussel sprouts with butter as a side item, and they were just perfect. Not sure you can make those veggies taste any better! We were so stuffed we couldn't move but looked at the dessert menu anyway. It looked exceptional, but we passed with much chagrin. Etch makes me happy and if you are a foodie, you need to treat yourself to Etch!
(5)
Chef G.
I am coming back. Service excellent. Waiter new about all menu items in detail. I had the filet of beef. Tender, Cooked perfectly to a med rare. A must in Nashville
(5)
Cher Y.
6 STARS!! WOWOW! Nashville is so lucky to have Etch join the dining scene! A friend recommended this place to me, and Etch has lived up to every bit of expectation just as described! Location: it is downtown Nashville but they offer complimentary valet parking. Woohoo! Ambience: modern and trendy with music playing in the back drop. Plenty of seating but word has gotten around so make sure to call in for reservations in advance. Also a nice place to spot some big names in the Music City business scene. Service: outstanding! friendly and professional, ranging from the valet folks to the hostess to the wait staff! Food: a nice variety of dishes that can please both meat eaters and vegetarians alike. the presentation, portion sizes, quality and flavors are superb, and well worth every penny charged. From appetizers to entrees to their desserts, it was an experience worth repeating verbally to your friends and family alike. I look forward to all my meals here (so far have been here 4 times - left impressed each time!)
(5)
Chris J.
Service, location, food, prices...all good. Convenient location for the trade show crowd staying downtown. If you get there early enough,.... You can have a conversation without having to raise your voice, and also a terror choice of foods. For us, we had the cauliflower and it's associated flowers. Good stuff.
(5)
Bridget G.
I was lucky enough to stumble upon Etch on my first day after moving to Nashville. Happy Hour is a really good deal here. We got the Cauliflower which is a MUST. The flavors were perfection between the Cauliflower and sauces provided. The Butter Tasting was good, but as others stated it is a lot of butter. The Beet and Berry salad was the best salad I have ever had in my life! It's Umami. We finished with the Bread Pudding which was perfectly sweet and rich. Good to share. And Paul, the bartender, was awesome! He clearly loves his job and his passion is evident. I will definitely make this a frequently visited spot!
(5)
Petie D.
Ok, so when you look at the menu your first reaction might be - oh man, I'm not sure I like this, HOWEVER, trust me, wake up your adventurous side and pick a meal any meal. You might be surprised how delicious all of it is! The service is top notch as well. Very interesting menu, all of it delicious - you won't be disappointed. Did I mention valet parking? Awesomeness.
(5)
Liz B.
One of the most interesting and delicious meals I've ever had. Despite a few missteps (dessert), this place is still worthy of a five-star review. We had a reservation but arrived a bit early, so quickly grabbed a drink at the bar. DELICIOUS Manhattan and mocktail, which was tailored to my mom's specific tastes. It was kismet that we were seated at the bar, I'm convinced, as the two people on either side of us ordered something I never would have thought to try, but with their moans of ecstasy, decided to try for our entree - duck served on a lemon pound cake??? Oh my dear god was it amazing - the gaminess of the duck combined with the sweet richness of the pound cake was heaven in my mouth. As was the cauliflower, which has been praised all over this website with good reason. Roasted in truffle oil with several incredible dipping sauces - pureed peas and whipped feta - and marcona almonds. Such unique combinations that just blew my mind. For my entree I had the cobia. It was perfectly cooked and on top of a beignet - again, never would have thought to pair a spiced fish fillet with a pastry, but it was incredible! Finally, on the side we had the ginger grits which to this day I can't stop thinking about. I was able to track down a recipe and can't wait to try them out on my own. Etch is one of the best restaurants I've ever been to. If you ever find yourself in Nashville, I highly recommend an evening here.
(5)
Kel W.
I absolutely love this place. Great service, presentation, and taste. I highly recommend Etch kelwilliams.com
(5)
TJ N.
Etch has fantastic food and one of the best old fashioned's I have ever had. The dining room is nice but if you are there with a small group make sure to sit at the bar stools along the kitchen...that's the way to do this place.
We went this place on Wednesday night. I was amazed about the appetizers here at first, but later I found that nearly every dish includes a kind of green vegetable. Some of the dishes were really good: cauliflower, lamb. But some are not: etch salad is not my type of salad and the soup of the day is also not good. The reason I give 3 star is because we are notified about the charge of soup and salad. Usually I think maybe the entree comes with side or soup. But here does not and the server did not mention this point. I don't know if I'm not right about the entree.
(3)
Michelle S.
Amazing, Amazing, Amazing, Amazing! There are no other words for me to describe this place. The atmosphere was trendy, fun and upbeat. The service was off the charts. I was dining solo, so I decided to reserve a seat at the chef's bar and the waitstaff really made me feel welcome. The food, off the charts. I had pumpkin bisque w/ scallops, cobia, and ginger grits. I truly had a meal like I have never experienced before. Actually, it was more than a meal, it was an experience! I highly, highly recommend eating at Etch!!!! As a bonus . . . it's just a block from the Nash-Vegas strip!
(5)
Kelly W.
Don't get me wrong... Etch has amazing food. Some of the best I've eaten in Nashville and I'm a CA foodie through and through. But, I have a hard time paying $30-40 an entree with a view of the parking lot. Could they not have found a better space?!
(3)
Harleen P.
Amazing food.. Must try cauliflower, octopus and shrimp bruschetta, fish special and venison!
(5)
Mark S.
Went last night. Thought they did a great job. Had a later reservation and arrived a little earlier than expected but they accommodated us. When we first sat down the server came and started talking about the restaurant and himself and asking questions about how we picked the restaurant. We were concerned that was going to be the trend for the evening but we sent him for cocktails and after that we got another server. Cocktails were great, recommend the old fashioned. Started with really great appetizers. The lamb tartar and the roasted cauliflower were the real stars of the night. For entree I had the grouper special which I thought was good, probably too many sauces. The venison was very good although I only had a bite. Finished it off with some simple ice cream and an orange dish that was very good. Service was solid all night. Atmosphere was nice too. Cost about $100 each. That's pretty good including wine. Will probably go back but won't make it top of my must eat places in Nashville.
(4)
Aileen K.
We came here for our 31st anniversary. Food and service were excellent. Cauliflower app was great. Lamb and pork loin were fabulous. Salads and desserts wee excellent. Nothing low fat though. Brooke our server was superb. Another Deb Paquett victory.
(5)
Andrea J.
Amazing!! This was an experience. The roasted cauliflower was delicious and the octopus app to die for. I had the lamb porterhouse and i have to say one of the best lamb dishes i have had, EVER! For dessert I had the chocolate pretzel bar soooo goood! The service was wonderful, the staff was helpful and very friendly. You just can't go wrong here. Worth every penny if I am ever in Nashville again this will be a spot to revisit. I hope that everyone gets a chance to eat here. Thank you Etch.
(5)
Vito T.
This is an awesome upscale eating experience. The food here is amazing and the whole experience is wonderful. You can tell that the Chef takes real pride in what he prepares.
(5)
Kelly R.
Roasted cauliflower, butter tasting, all excellent....both times I have been the food has been perfect, along with fantastic service. Ordered dessert on the last visit in November...OH MY!!!!! Amazing!!!!
(5)
Michelle B.
Definitely will eat here again. Everything I had tonight from the wine, appetizer, salad, main dish, and dessert was top notch. OMG! Total goodness. Have the Roasted Cauliflower appetizer, the Beet Salad and for dessert, the Orange Creamsicle. You will not be disappointed. The main dish, I had the Cobia which was excellent. A little bit of savory with some sweet. Total comfort food. The Hubby had the Special which was a Halibut dish. Very, very good. Really, atmosphere and food was excellent. Not too noisy, but very nice. I cannot say enough good about this place. We were celebrating our anniversary, but we will definitely be back just because... Take a chance because it is well worth the money!
(4)
Courtney O.
Came here Saturday night for a nice dinner date with my boyfriend. We had reservations for the chef's bar - highly recommend if you like watching the chef's at work. My boyfriend is a foodie and loves being in the kitchen so he really enjoyed the chef's bar. Mark was our server and he was wonderful. Attentive, helpful, professional and courteous, overall absolutely wonderful and contributed to us having a great evening and experience. We started off with two wonderfully made old fashions, had the lamb tartare and the roasted cauliflower as appetizers, moved on to the grilled lamb and the venison as entrees and finally the vanilla pound cake and chocolate pretzel bar for desert. Yes - we ate a lot :) Everything was delicious but we felt like the emphasis was more on the sauces and flavor combinations that accompanied each dish rather than on the main dish itself. Apps: they are known for their cauliflower dish - we liked the roasted red pepper and feta combination but the truffle pesto was a little too smoky for my liking. The lamb tartare was great, especially with the Harissa sauce. The fried eggplant that accompanied the dish had no flavor - I love eggplant and was a bit disappointed at this. Entrees: I loved the grilled lamb. The flavor combinations that are paired with it are wonderful and it's something I would definitely get again if we go back. I didn't feel like the meat was seasoned though. My boyfriend had the venison and although it was good he wasn't blown away by it and said he would try something else if we came back. Dessert: The vanilla pound cake was not what I would calls a pound cake. Again, good flavor combinations but not what I was expecting. The chocolate pretzel bar was AMAZING and the caramel sauce that goes on the side is just to die for. We drizzled it all over - couldn't get enough. Overall a great experience at Etch. A restaurant that we would definitely recommend and come back for another meal - just might choose different dishes. Overall we enjoyed our experience at Etch.
(4)
Ken S.
We have had wonderful food here in Nashville. Last night the Catbird Seat may be the best meal ever, up with the French Laundry. Merchants is wonderful for bot lunch and dinner. The Capital Grill is outstanding. Etch is to be avoided at all costs. The calamari and shrimp bruschetta had no calamari. The entries we sweet to cover the stale food. Simply the worst meal in several years. The service was good! The cook is clueless. Gordon Ramsey would shut the place down.
(1)
David M.
The cold beet & berry soup was very good, while the fried catfish was just average. Service was very good.
(4)
Patrick B.
What a great find this ended to be - We were sat at the communal counter - 3 of us and right away The GM honed in on my idea of a rose and had a bottle to taste with in minutes - Our server Amy was amazing -- Ashley -- I really went at it with in a good way Both Girls were fabulous -- The special treat Chef Deb came by to say hello and check on us - Our food was amazing - The new best twist on egg salad sandwich ( see menu) I wanted the duck pastrami sandwich - That's when Ashley crushed my dreams -- " we are of out that today " - and joked all meal First time to Nashville and this was one of our highlight meals.
(4)
Lauren G.
This place really exceeded my expectations so for that I give it a 4.5, but put five cause I felt it more leaned towards that. I had heard about it and I guess had never heard anyone just go on and on about it cause everyone at the time was so wrapped up in The Southern and Husk, so I didn't rush over there until recently. However, upon walking in I was pleasantly surprised at the wonderful ambiance, low light, tables didn't seem too close together and had a very romantic feel.. However, the big star of the review is THE FOOD; I think my best meal so far since I've been back in Nashville (about a year now) There are a few places of course I have yet to try, but as of right now this is my favorite. I guess I was a little spoiled with my experience as my friend had the private dinning room set for 16 for her birthday so the services was obviously amazing, so for that I am biased. The server was extremely on top of it and my glass was always full of champagne :) The great thing about a big group is getting to try a lot of different apps and sides which really gave me a great feel for their food. Let me say this, every single time I took a bite of anything, my taste buds were in heaven!!!! The way they combine flavors is remarkable. I think I said "oh my God" probably a hundred times. Things you have to get, I know it sounds strange to some of you, but, get.the.califlower!! It is now probably my favorite app ever! We actually ordered three for the table I think and I could have eaten that all night! The other apps that in no way disappointed were the Pork Belly (just thinking of this makes my mouth water) and the Butter Tasting. The butter tasting sounds just ordinary but trust it is not!! Lets just say one of your options is...truffle butter. Need I say more? For my main dish I got the venison. I wanted something you don't normally get at a standard restaurant and honestly it is rare to see venison on the menu. Well, let me tell you, as someone who has family members who hunt and know how to cook venison...Etch's venison was superb!! They did their own version which I loved. The venison had a wonderful moroccan spice to it accompanied with sweet potato guava, ginger grits, pear butter and cranberry sumac relish. When you put all those flavors together into each bite, fireworks go off, and your taste buds are sent into orbit!! It was cooked just right, more on the rare sound, the presentation was gorgeous and yes, I ate allllll of it!! Just an amazing experience, not only for my taste buds but for the overall dining experience as well. Can't wait to go back...cause now I'm hungry.
(5)
Kim G.
You have to try the roasted cauliflower, the pea puree is the star! Then go on to the beet salad, fresh and very tasty! The pork tenderloin was good, great flavors, but the venison was fabulous! Know going into it that the potato puree and grits are very sweet but it is a perfect pairing for the MR venison! The service was fantastic to boot! Loved this place!
(5)
Mariel J.
I went to Etch with friends during a weekend trip to Nashville, seeing good reviews and expecting a decent dinner. I was blown away - this is honestly one of the best dinners, all around, I've had in a long time. The restaurant was excellent! The service was really good, and even the water tasted great! (That's the only time I've noticed the taste of water being better than normal. One friend in our group agreed with me, though no one else seemed to notice that the water was different.) The food was all really creative (and expertly prepared). My husband and I shared octopus and shrimp bruschetta (with manchego, arugula, fennel, roasted tomato, capers, garlic oil, bacon) and roasted cauliflower served with truffled pea pesto, salted almonds, feta crema to start. For my main course, I had moroccan spiced venison with sweet potato guava, ginger grits, pear butter, cranberry sumac relish. The venison was so good - cooked the perfect amount and a little bit spicy. Ginger grits may be a new favorite food of mine, too. Jeff ordered the katafi pastry, which was shredded phyllo stuffed with spaghetti squash with sage, fontina cheese and golden raisins, served with poblano gravy, charred eggplant puree, black olive barley tapenade. Seriously, this restaurant was amazing. I was already pretty full after the starters, but couldn't help but finish my main course once I had tasted it. Dessert seemed out of the question, but with everything else being so good, we had to at least try it - (obviously it was very good). And good coffee to end the meal. Just go here.
(5)
Mark W.
Etch Saturday night before symphony Overall, a good experience but not great. First off, the service was fantastic, Chrissy did a perfect job. The menu was fairly limited, only a few salads and entrees. I had the pork chop, it was ok but salty. My wife had the fish special, 5 Spice scallops, they were good but only 3 scallops for $33. Drinks were well poured, atmosphere was a bit noisy. Maybe go back some day, still a lot of options to try in the area.
(4)
Spencer S.
I've been to Etch twice now. The plates are stimulating and finely cooked. The meat has been prepared perfectly, and the sides keep each bite interesting. The chef adds eccentric levels and flavors to each plate, so play it safe if you're not adventurous, but I suggest trying out something beyond your comfort zone if you visit the restaurant. Don't forget to order the roasted cauli for an app. The service has been excellent both times I have visited.
(4)
Todd G.
In Nashville for a conference, tried several recommendated restaurants in the SoBro area near the Symphony and Music city center. Etch was one of the best and I would definitely recommended. Being from NYC and Philadelphia I have been to many equally good if not better places but definitely a quality experience. The famous roasted cauliflower was excellent as was the homemade ice cream for dessert. The entrees we found good but not great. The farm to table place next door is just as good and a little more unusual.
(4)
Yvette P.
The cobra was outstanding. But what I expected from the description. The place is beautiful. Great atmosphere and wine selection. We eat at the bar but the place was packed. Overall, a great place and would recommend eating here.
(4)
Eve K.
Convenient location downtown and interesting twist on the variety of the menu flavors, but something was a bit off to me and didn't live up to the 4.5 average yelp rating. Atmosphere: 3, Service: 3, Food: 3.3 Cost to worth it rating: 3 Return worthiness: no Highlights: - Duck confit on bread: fantastic. And I love duck confit - Pork belly: enormous and delicious - Crazy salad: a really big charcuterie board - Cobia fish: a fish I've never had before came turkish spiced (paprika-ish) and I enjoyed it. Lowlights: - Weird vibe: kind of businessy and tables too close together - Cocktails: didn't like mine and a few friends didn't like theirs either - Pork tenderloin: huge amount of chorizo on it was very odd - Beignet in fish: got soggy It was a decent meal, but because the food might be trying too hard to be complex and the feel of the place didn't click with me, I probably wouldn't return.
(3)
Vincent B.
I'm surprised by all the good reviews: I thought Etch was a nice concept and sounded good on the menu but was slightly off execution and taste wise.
(2)
Jim M.
Oh, how I adore Etch. On my list of the 5 best restaurants in Nashville. The food has constantly and consistently been amazing. My only (small) gripe is pricing, but for a date spot or once a month splurge, it's perfectly reasonable and well worth the decor, service, and food quality.
(5)
Nic N.
Nashville's Etch is truly a jewel. My girlfriend and I were visiting from Chicago and this place absolutely blew us away. Their scallop dish was one of the best we've had...ever. The service is excellent, the atmosphere is laid back, and the food is truly unique in the best way. Give it a go, you won't be disappointed!
(5)
Salman S.
Great food, everything on the menu rocks specially the Lamb Chops
(4)
Kristin J.
This place was amazing. I had read about the roasted cauliflower, pork belly and octopus apps. We came in with no res, and were psyched that it was not only Happy Hour, but we could order the whole menu. Paul was the the bomb, showed us how to get the perfect bite from each dish. Each one was better than the last! We cannot wait to come back!! The duo of Paul and Malia in the bar are worth just coming here for a quick bite and a drink in your way to the Listening Room or honky tonk!
(5)
Christina V.
Wow! That is the first word that comes to mind when I think about my experience at Etch last weekend. From top to bottom the amazing food, the great service and the knowledgeable staff have made me a huge, raving fan. Ever since Etch opened I've wanted to go and finally got the chance to go with my husband. I had hyped it up so much in my mind that I was afraid it wouldn't live up to my expectations. I'm so thrilled it did! The hubby and I aren't big drinkers, but we did try the Jack and Cocchi, which was delish and very reasonably priced at $9. We started with the butter tasting - so good! We asked for more bread because there was no way we were going to let them take all that delicious compound butter away from us. Then it was on to apps. Everyone I know has raved about the roasted cauliflower and OMG, it was incredible! I could have made a meal just out of that generous plate of beautifully roasted cauliflower, which I'm seriously considering doing for an upcoming lunch. My husband had the duck confit, which was also so good and he absolutely devoured. Next were the main courses. I chose the venison because it sounded so unique, which it was. I loved the Moroccan spices and the ginger grits were to die for. I have never tasted anything quite like it, which is exactly what I love. New flavors! My husband had the pork tender loin, which was beautifully prepared and so delicious. He said he loved that it was like comfort food, but just way more elevated and interesting. After all that food, we couldn't bring ourselves to indulge in dessert, but maybe next time as we will definitely be back to try more of the fabulous menu. Congrats to Deb Paquette and the Etch staff! This is definitely a stand-out in Nashville.
(5)
Chris R.
Get the butter tasting...everything was great! We are new to Nashville and this is probably the best restaurant we've tried so far.
(5)
P R.
Loved this place! Close to our hotel so we were able to walk which was a real plus. Great waiter, great service and great food. Superb presentation of everything we ate. Try the roasted cauliflower as well as the beets and berry salad for appetizers. Venison and fish entrees were great although I didn't love the spices on the fish but perhaps that's just me. Amazing deconstructed chocolate dessert. YUM! Deb is great at layering on the flavours and deserves kudos for her fine establishment. Make sure to visit this little gem when you're in Nashville!
(4)
Palak S.
Roasted cauliflower is overrated and a blunt mixture of tastes. However, some of the other dishes were excellent, including beet salad (beets were perfection) and the vegetarian pastry dish was outstanding and creative. As a vegetarian, I would happily visit again! Lastly, service is outstanding and friendly. Only thing I would recommend is to get rid of the tv at the bar.
(4)
Sonya V.
Oh my. Please move to my hometown! All of these tastes are my favorites. The cauliflower is absolutely outstanding. Octopus and shrimp bruschetta is delightful - the capers make it all happen. The venison was over-seasoned and overcooked. It was edible but a disappointment. There is a lot of the menu I would like to explore and the originality caught my attention immediately. One bad dish is not the end of the world, especially after such a lovely time. I shall return!
(3)
Erika C.
I like how Etch has Happy Hour. If more quality restaurants had Happy Hour, I would go out more, because most of the time the issue is I just don't want that much food. But an expertly prepared appetizer for $8, or two if I'm sharing, this makes sense to me. Plus, next time I'm really hungry, or I need to entertain people with normal appetites, I'll go back to Etch because I've already been wooed by this awesome Happy Hour. Oh, there is free valet. Do not make the mistake I did and pay for parking.
(5)
Vicki K.
For my first time in Nashville, I researched restaurants and chose Etch based on all the great reviews, and I was not disappointed. I sat at the Chef's bar and was in awe of the chef's expediting skills...she inspected each plate before it was sent out, and the entire kitchen moved in sync. Now normally, an appetizer of cauliflower would not catch my eye, but based on the reviews, I had to order it.....and it was fantastic. The essence of truffle was just enough without being overpowering...and the pea pesto was fantastic. I also had the butter tasting...had to, as butter is the worlds most perfect food.....an interesting array of flavors.....and I was by myself, I did not order an entree, as the cauliflower and butter/bread was filling me up, but I did have the beets and berries salad....a standout salad...and the frozen goat cheese cream was heavenly. Etch is a must for anybody visiting Nashville...and for natives, it should be a re regular stop.
(5)
Bobbie F.
As a single gal that travels regularly for work and with 10+ years of experience in the restaurant industry, let's just say that when I dine out, my expectations are rather high - But not because I expect expensive places to be better than cheap places. All establishments (across a variety of cuisines and price ranges) are going to have their strong and weak points. First of all, thank you to the hostess stand. I can name 20 different restaurants off the top of my head that could use a lesson in hospitality from you fine people. Thank you for saying "Hi there - How are you?" Instead of the usual "Just one?" Thank you for taking my coat (and not just taking it, but actually helping me out of it) and recommending a great place to sit for the meal and actually asking "is this seat ok for you ma'am?" before letting me sit down first, and then handing me the menu. The first few stages of a diners' experience are absolutely critical and the well-trained, competent and polite host and hostess shoved me into giddy and excited mode for the rest of the night. To the kitchen & chef: thank you for keeping your line organized and clean for those of us that have the pleasure of sitting at the chefs table. This is the best view in the restaurant, no matter which direction you turn. But a neat and tidy line is imperative (whether or not you take the risk of exposing your kitchen to the public eye). Well done. I also appreciate the light tone you used when communicating with one another through service (and with an exposed kitchen, this is hard to do). There's nothing worse than hearing the staff scream at one another when trying to enjoy your meal. Also, your dishes are creative, tasty, and in excellent portions. I'm all about adventure and something new. Thank you for taking care to create beautiful presentations that have color, texture and personality. Waitstaff: You flow well with one another and you communicate. You pay attention to the tiny details and you read your guests well. Thank you for being attentive but not over- bearing, precise but stuck up, helpful but not controlling. A very special thank you to Ramesh & Erica who demonstrated all of this. Management: I was checked on by one of you at least 3 times throughout my meal. That's unheard of. Every table was down and you still took the time to actually look at me in the eye when speaking and ask (genuinely) how everything was. I loved the shrimp and octopus bruschetta and the lamb entree was amazing. The wine list (by the glass) could use a bit more variety. However, the wines that were available were deliberately selected and very good. Etch was one of the best overall restaurant experiences I've ever had. Can I put you on speed dial so that you can set an example for the rest of the spots out there? Guess I may just have to move here. Yeah - you guys rock!
(5)
Richard F.
Almost gave this place a pass because the menu seemed kind of limited; so glad we decided to give it a try! We went on a Wednesday night which normally should have been on the slow side, but the boy band One Direction was at the stadiium so the joint was jumping! The two bar tenders were kind of stressed but the drinks were great and it all went fine. Got seated fairly quickly but the food came out slow; almost an hour for our entrees! Still, everything was so tasty that we were not going to make a fuss but the manager brought out our dessert and informed us they were going to comp our entrees, (and my wife had the filet!). Needless to say we were very pleased; great food in a super atmosphere and really nice people as well... can't beat that!
(4)
Jane E.
We started with some cocktails and decided to enjoy our meal at the bar. The sangrias are made to order and the Bees Knees is the bees knees. We ordered the pork belly and roasted cauliflower. Who knew roasted cauliflower could be so devine. It was an experience in itself. The butter tasting was unique and well worth ordering. Our favorite was the truffle prosciutto. As far as entrees go we ordered the filet and fish special. The Filet did not disappoint but the fish special knocked it out of the park. Top notch service at the bar.
(5)
Pamela M.
Etch is one of my top ten favorite restaurants in The South! Everything was delicious and meticulously prepared from start to finish. The taste and presentation is outstanding! Finally, a Nashville restaurant where the food matches the ambiance! I see it happen too often in Nashville where restaurants have beautiful atmosphere, but unfortunately, unmatched service and food. The dining experience at Etch shines in the aforementioned areas and does not disappoint. The butter quartet tasting that reviewers have been raving about is nothing short of fantastic. The thought that went into creating the flavor profiles of this lovely butter sampler is amazing! It is worth every mile of running to melt away the duck and smoked Plugra butter calories and fat afterwards! I would highly recommend the roasted cauliflower with truffled pea pesto and salted almonds. This dish brought me to food heaven. The artistry behind the scallop dish with the mushrooms, smoked shallot vinaigrette, bacon, greens, butternut garlic essence, and beet sriracha was perfectly executed. Way to be on the cutting Etch of the culinary scene, Chef Deb! I will surely return the next time I am in Nashville!
(5)
Jessica K.
We came in from Boston for a conference and hosted a client appreciation dinner in their back room. It was absolutely excellent! Our hosts Amy and Brooke took care of everything impeccably and the food was to die for! Everyone was skeptical of the butter tasting but it turned out to be one of the hits of the night! Excellent food and excellent service! Not sure how we will compete next year!
(5)
M R.
I sound like such a flip flipper but I'm in love again. Octopus bruschetta - perfect. The grilled lamb was amazing too. I still hope they bring the duck confit app back!
(5)
Johnna M.
I've been reluctant to review Etch because my experience here was just so awesome, I'm not sure I can do it justice. I came here by myself after a long few days of meetings that topped off a particularly stressful few days. Treat yo self 2013 was definitely needed and Etch provided the perfect treat. I sat at the chef's table which was a fantastic option for a solo diner. I enjoyed watching the hustle and bustle of the kitchen. My server was extremely knowledgeable, friendly and above all, passionate about food. At both his and every yelper's recommendation, I reluctantly ordered the cauliflower appetizer. "How can you make cauliflower interesting" It's very nature is boring." I thought. Do not fall for this assumption-you will miss something great. The truffled pea pesto is the perfect accompaniment - it was rich and surprising. The whipped feta also complimented the cauliflower. The cocktail list was interesting but pricey. I ordered one which was fantastic and then stuck to wine. My server was very good about describing wine and making sure I understood what I was drinking. For my main meal I had the lamb chop, which came with an assortment of accompaniments including eggplant and sausage. It had an almost Middle Eastern flavor (seems to be a theme) to it I was not expecting, but that certainly wasn't a bad thing-again it was unexpected but it worked fine. I ended with a stout ice cream, again at the recommendation of the server, which was a special, I think. Very heavy to end an already heavy meal, but fantastic and properly portioned. I think they make it with actual beer, and the taste is rich yet phenomenal. Etch seemed to me to be a really special place dedicated to providing both fantastic food and experience. It is rare to find a place that can surprise and delight so much-I can't tell you what to expect here, except to expect it will be delicious.
(5)
Kay O.
First time to Nashville, popped in on a Wednesday to check it out. We were greeted by the most charming pair of bartenders, Paul and Leah. We laughed, we cried, we drank and we ate. Perfectly muddled cocktails and killer food recommendations. YUM.
(5)
Swati B.
Fine dining in Nashville. I almost forgot where I was. The prices are reasonable....I really enjoyed the butter tasting..who wouldnt.. yes you read that right..BUTTER TASTING. The roasted cauliflower appetizer was out of this world. The pesto dish was also very good... The main course dish was ok, it was good but nothing amazing. The wine list is good, and really reasonably priced (Maybe because I am from Chicago to me it just seemed reasonable) Our server was awesome, attentive and really informative. definitely recommend this place.
(4)
Tim T.
To start, we had an excellent server. He could articulate the culinary experience we were about to enjoy every well. He described each dish with intimate detail. Our excitement was heightened and then elevated even further when we tasted our meals. The highlight of the evening was the Cobia. I do not recall experiencing so many favors in one dish as I did with this. Fish, citrus, nuts, olives all on a beignet. The waiter said it best, "what could be better then great food than putting it on a donut. Next time I'm at the Omni in Nashville, we will dine here.
(5)
Kathy C.
I don't usually do this, and by this I mean submit reviews for much of anything no matter how much I love, hate or ride the fence. I loved this place. The meal I had was divine, our service was impeccable and I can not wait to go back and take my husband!! Dinner before Kings of Leon with three girlfriends, and we shared the butter tasting and roasted cauliflower. Both were outstanding. The butters were awesome, because...well, who doesn't love butter? We had no idea there could be so many flavors on a plate of roasted cauliflower! Even the cauliflower haters at the table tried and loved this app. I had the filet--which was perfectly cooked and beautifully presented. We skipped soup/salad, since we were going to the concert and didn't want to be totally stuffed. However, we shared two bottles of wine suggested by our waiter that sent us running to the liquor store the next day to find more...and we shared the coconut meringues, which were very good. As we gushed about everything we ate on our way to the concert venue, we all agreed it was a really special dining experience.
(5)
Musatye R.
Recommended to me by the fabulous Ms. M. on Yelp! Food was delicious, the patrons at the bar, local - same building local - or a "night on the town"ers were the best part for me. Engaging conversation. Laughter. Sports, cars, performing arts, and anything else we could toss in the conversational salad, we did. The bartender, Paul, was a riot. If good food, pleasant ambiance and laughter is your thing, this is your spot.
(5)
Matt B.
I'll make this short and sweet. Overpriced menu, rude & pompous wait staff, and to boot, my car was towed for being in their valet spot. Next time before you screw me, let me put on lipstick first.
(1)
Leslie J.
The best in Nashville...hands down. I've liked every single thing I've ever ordered at Etch. My only complaint is that the dining area does not have great ambiance. It just seems a little stuffy/formal. I love the bar, however, and, their happy hour is awesome! Despite being downtown, they have valet, and the restaurant is a straight shot down Demonbreun. So don't let the downtown location scare you away. Can't wait to go back, again!!
(5)
Matthew L.
This was the best restaurant we visited in Nashville and we went to a lot of places. Far more superior than some of the nearby restaurants.
(5)
Dee Dee S.
Love the place, roasted cauliflower is a must! Cocktails are great and server was fantastic. I had the scollops and they were a little under cooked for my taste and may daughters fish was a little over cooked but all in all we had a great experience-I will be back!
(4)
Jennette F.
Service was great. Loved the cauliflower appetizer. My scallop dish good but the bacon in the salad was a little too much and made it greasy. My husband lived his lamb dish. It had an Indian flavor to it. Dessert was yummy too. Chocolate cake with carmel and hazelnuts.
(4)
Marissa C.
We had a fabulous experience last weekend at Etch. Since we currently live in NYC, when we travel we are always looking for a unique menu that we may not find here. Etch had both an innovative menu and wonderful service. What I first noticed were that the prices were almost identical to a NYC menu, yet the portions were double the size, giving you much more for your money. We started with the ratatouille salad and the shrimp and octopus bruschetta which were both phenomenal in taste and presentation. For entrees my husband had the venison and I had the scallops. The scallops were on top of a salad which included bacon and tempura fried mushrooms. We also had the cauliflower appetizer as a side which was huge. We had absolutely no room at all for dessert which was disappointing as I'm sure we could have found a few things to choose from. In addition to the food, one thing we found interesting was the very large open kitchen. It was not noisy or distracting at all, nor did our clothes smell upon leaving. I would highly recommend going to Etch for a great dining experience in Nashville!!
(5)
Tracey J.
Started with a great happy hour: $5 glasses of good wine and amazing roasted cauliflower (and I don't usually like cauliflower). Next we went to dinner and out of 8 people, there was not one negative comment. The service was great and the food was even better. I had the corvina special and I practically licked my plate. Next time I'm in Nashville, I will eat there at least twice!
(5)
Dev D.
Etch was a first rate first date experience for my girlfriend and I. It was very important to me how we were treated. We both took note of this. Due to work and travel I didn't have time to iron dress clothes for the evening so I dressed down and was admittedly, and embarrassingly, a little wrinkled. I felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb that just didn't belong but I didn't receive any glaring looks from the staff and our waiter didn't speak to me like I was a scab that just crawled in off the street. I knew what I wanted ahead of time because I called ahead to find out the best vegan and vegetarian options. The roasted cauliflower and the rutabaga la plancha was fantastic. My girlfriend mentioned that she was really pleased that our server made eye contact with me when he was speaking with me instead of supposedly talking to me but focusing his eyes on the pretty girl next to me. According to her, waiters uncomfortable dividing their attention was a typical experience for her on a date. I told him as much and I hope my tip reflected the satisfaction of our experience. Etch will make you feel like the king and queen of the hour have arrived. . .and the food is amazing!
(5)
Randy E.
Deb Paquette was my favorite Nashville chef when she was at Zola's. She does not disappoint at Etch--in fact she takes her artistry to a whole new level. Highly recommended!
(5)
Desiree K.
Amazing, just simply amazing. Everything we had was amazing. Beets and berries salad was everything I had hoped for, followed by the scallops which are normally served 3 ways but to accommodate my gluten allergy were served 2 ways, and melted in my mouth. My husband had the lamb chops, which he claimed fell off the bone. Finished it off with the mocha cremeaux (minus phyllo) which was amazing as well. My mocktail was perfection. The service was outstanding and overall we could not have had a better experience. Will definitely be going back with visitors and/or clients. Great place if you're aiming to impress.
(5)
carolyn h.
I love a restaurant that is creative with food and uses good quality fresh ingredients. Etch is one of the best restaurants in Nashville, it is not the most expensive but it is one of the best dining experiences that my husband and I have had recently. The cauliflower is wonderful, as well as the tenderloin my husband had and the tuna atop my so unusual salad. The chef has so many more creations that we want to try soon!
(4)
Jack K.
Our waitress described the food as "Eclectic World Palate", which is a good description for this very unique restaurant. Do not expect traditional restaurant items at Etch. Plates are small, have a distinctive asian flair, and food coming from the kitchen is somewhat slow. All of our dishes were perfectly prepared and artfully presented. The Roasted Cauliflower appetizer was great; the Butter Tasting is just that - butter with bread. The Duck, highly recommended by the waiter, was very good, but less tender than we expected. Scallops and Prawn is just that - 2 scallops and one shrimp, but very well prepared and beautifully presented. Overall, very unique and artful food.
(4)
Brandon G.
We randomly wandered into this place because we were attending an event downtown, and I ended up getting one of the best steaks I've ever had. It was delicious and cooked perfectly. They are doing some good, unique things.
(5)
Aileen F.
OMG! By far one of the best meals I've ever had. Enjoyed the Fall salad with currants, blueberries, pineapple, black beans and sweet potato. For dessert I had the chocolate caramel ice cream made from goats milk. Would come again next time I'm in town!!
(5)
Vanessa T.
My husband and I had one of the best meals EVER at Etch. We dined on a Saturday night and showed up without a reservation but we're greeted at the bar by Paul, who ended up being our server as we were able to snag a table in the bar area. From our expertly crafted cocktails, to our off-the-hook appetizer (the roasted cauliflower is their specialty and it's obvious why), to the beautifully prepared beets & berries salad, our AMAZING entrees and perfect deserts... we were just floored. Paul's recommendations were spot on (we're foodies but when you find yourself reading a menu where you could probably order and enjoy anything on it, it's good to get solid recommendations from an insider). Even though the place was packed, Paul treated us like we were the only guests he had. We definitely appreciated his attentive service and his outgoing and fun personality. All of that combined with his food and wine knowledge made for an excellent experience. And the food! It honestly couldn't have been better! So much went into each dish, so many layers of well developed flavors and textures. Truly one of the best dining experiences we've ever had. We highly recommend this restaurant!!
(5)
Lucy M.
I went to Etch for lunch this past Monday with my mom and was completely BLOWN away. 1. The location is AMAZING. It's downtown in the heart of all the action. My mom and I sat at the window, and we could see the Country Music Hall of Fame out of the window. 2. The menu is extremely unique. I had a white bean patty melt that was the best thing that I've ever eaten...no exaggeration. The homemade chips that accompanied the patty melt were delicious too. My mom and I also shared the soup of the day which was some type of mushroom soup ( can't remember the exact name). Nonetheless, the food, atmosphere, and location will make you want to go back to Etch for sure.
(5)
Mark C.
Second time was the charm! Food is excellent and service this time was great! However they need to change up or expand the menu otherwise boredom will slip in. Otherwise must stop in here
(5)
Susan D.
One of my favorite restaurants in Nashville. The staff there is super nice and I love the open kitchen bar where you can sit and watch the kitchen staff prep the meals. I had the Ratatouille Crudo Chicken Salad and it was big and filling and tasted so fresh and unique. I loved every bite of it and desired to follow up with some delicious desserts but fought off the temptation. I can't wait to go back the next time I'm dining in Downtown.
(5)
Reshawn L.
This is a lovely restaurant with an interesting menu. My colleague and I enjoy trying new restaurants when we travel and enjoyed our lunch at Etch. The service and food were both good. He enjoyed an open face burger with what he calls fancy mustard. It looked fantastic. I had the brisket pupusa. It was good but would have been better with less sauce and more seasoning. The absolute best part of the meal was the warm pound cake with crisp edges topped with pear sorbet!! OMG Delicious!!! My teammate had the pumpkin ginger custard which he loved! While Etch was a great place for lunch the wait for dinner was at least 30 min. With Farm House just steps away we chose not to wait for dinner. Instead we returned the next day for lunch. I loved the brightness of the place during the day. The decor made me want to lunch with girlfriends. If you can't make it for lunch definitely make a dinner reservation. Etch for lunch and Farm House for dinner made for a great downtown Nashville dining experience!
(3)
Lynda J.
Deb scores another win ! Etch is even better than Zola. The food is amazing. Its balanced and all dishes are though through. The flavor is full and perfectly cooked every.single.time. Spend your money with Deb Pacquette.
(5)
Food Critic S.
Best scallops ever!! Service was great and food had amazing flavors!! Loved sitting at the Chefs table!!
(5)
Kelly T.
Visited Etch this weekend for the first time. I have to say the food was good but nothing that would make it a must-go-again-soon. We started with the cauliflower after reading the reviews. The truffled pea pesto made the dish. I had the filet and my wife had the lamb. The filet was a really nice cut and was cooked as requested and the lamb was also. The mushroom pain pardu was a first for me and it was great but filling. I ended up leaving half of it on the plate, reluctantly. We also had the brussel spouts and they were very good as well. The service was good and wasn't slow as mentioned in other reviews. Overall, we liked it, our food was good and prepared right but we both thought the menu seems "limited". Hopefully this will be an ever evolving menu. If it stays absolutely the same I doubt we would be back soon. Nashville is brimming with a variety of dining possibilites these days.
(4)
Ozzie T.
Well...nice place, more servers & wait staff than people at 7pm=prime dinner time, which added to the buzz, but not the overall experience. The fruit fly that kept buzzing near my microbrew kept us from committing to entrees which lead to another question. Why so many managers in suits and out of place decor items + the stripped down minimalist lift look? The food was good, just kinda didn't live up to the hype. Very friendly staff though and Overall...very mixed feelings compared to other restaurants shooting for the higher end that have met my belly who landed flat:/
(3)
Jamie F.
I've been on a vacation and business travel junket for a month that has, to date, taken me to Greece, Rome, Sanibel Island, and Palm Beach. I have to say that this restaurant in Nashville has been the most dynamic and tastefully balanced of them all. I recommend the duck confit and lamb. They were simply exceptional.
(5)
Mitchell G.
Outstanding meal -- pricey but definitely worth it. We had the Cobia, Scallops, and the veggie tort (can't remember its name). They were all awesome! The service was great, as well. What's not to love!
(5)
George C.
Just WOW from start to finish. We just landed from our home in Miami and never thought we'd find a place like this in Nashville- but we did and all I can say is- it has kicked the A$$ of most places in the USA I've ever been to. We got: cauliflower app, pork loin, lamb chops and the vegetarian dish and all were the best of those dishes we each had ever had. Must come back!!! Thing I'll miss the most about Nashville- etch and we had one bad A$$ waiter- Darren P!
(5)
B T.
Great food! Great Service. I hope they use Humphreys Street Coffee Co. in the future....best coffee in Nashville and they roast right around the corner from Etch.
(5)
V T.
Pretty decent restaurant. Roasted cauliflower is highlight of appetizers. Had the lamb for the main and it was cooked perfectly. Good wine selection and overall ambiance. Might come back if in town again although there are so many other food options to try nearby.
(4)
Alyssa H.
The Roasted Cauliflower was our favorite. We also tried the shrimp & octopus bruschetta, Etch salad, the duck confit, and the pork tenderloin. The service and atmosphere were great. We loved it. Thank you for a wonderful dinner!
(5)
E. D.
Great food and a wonderful experience... I've been making roasted cauliflower at home ever since having it there (though mine isn't within a ten foot radius of what they offer.) Delicious and worth a try!
(5)
Michelle M.
Yum, Yum, and YUM!!!!! Good food, beautiful decor, very kind and helpful staff willing to explain everything in great detail. I can't wait to return.
(5)
Meridith B.
Really enjoyable evening at Etch. We had the octopus bruschetta, the beet and goat cheese salad, my boyfriend had the lamb dish and I had the filet. Everything was delicious. And our server was really excellent, he knew a lot about the dishes and wine list and he was very into the whole experience. I'll be back.
(5)
Jane D.
Excellent dining experience! My filet was cooked perfectly and delicious! Great service, informed and friendly. The dessert was eh, the peach upside down cake wasn't great. Great wine list. Lovely ambience.
(5)
Renee D.
I Ioved Etch from the minute I stepped in. The trio of butters, the lamb, the wine, was all fabulous. We were there for 3 hours and never felt rushed.
(5)
Cindy D.
This chef is truly a master of her craft. Her vision and passion for how foods pair together is truly a gift. Her staff is very knowledgeable and welcoming. I cannot recommend this restaurant enough and coming from me, that says a lot. Prices are reasonable and the food is incredible. I would love to do an internship under Chef Deb! Bellissima!
(5)
Sam D.
Not nearly as good as it wants to be. The portions were too large. The food was arranged poorly on the plate. The bread with the butter tasting was not fresh. Our meals looked nothing like the photos posted. The food needs refining. However, everything tasted fine and the decor was nice.
(3)
David M.
On the first bite of every course...speechless. What an amazing culinary journey! This is a MUST visit treat if you are in downtown Nashville.
(4)
Billy W.
We started my wife's birthday evening here last week. It was absolutely amazing. We had two small plates, duck and seafood, and had a few cocktails. The service was top notch and food was mouthwatering. We will definitely be back.
(5)
Cass L.
The service and food were both superb. The atmosphere was also very nice. I don't think you will find better 'fancy' food in Nashville, especially in the price range. The appetizers and entrees were all exceptionally flavorful, there wasn't one dish that wasn't a joy in my mouth (pork and venison entrees, pork belly and charcuterie apps). I doubt there is a dish that disappoints. Flavor mash-ups that all worked together. Complements to the chef!
(5)
Jasper T.
This was a last minute decision to finally try Etch. It was a for a birthday celebration and we had tickets to go see Kathy Griffin and thankfully Etch is just right across the street. When we went in we were informed that they were full till 8 however we could sit in the bar. That was perfect. We were still severed just like we were sitting in the dinning room and was the food ever amazing. We started off with the calliflower and it was to die for. Then we moved on to lamb chops and my partner had a filet. The food was simply stunning. We really can't wait to go Back.
(5)
Amanda B.
This was a wonderful place we stumbled upon, everyone was so great. The flavors are interesting, we each had the filet and were very pleased.
(5)
Bailey W.
So much yes. So much yum. I am so ridiculously picky about my filet and this one is to DIE for. I ordered the butter sampler app as a novelty and absolutely loved it. Butter made from duck fat? Um, yeah. Surprisingly pleased with the beets and berries salad and the rolls are delicious. Oh yeah, and the FILET. IS AMAZING. I have also enjoyed the pork tenderloin on occasion. The bartenders are friendly and attentive as well as knowledgable about their wines and the manager Richard is lovely and hospitable. The valets also seem like they only operate at a constant sprint, nice work. Thank you etch, for amazing repeat performances! See you soon.
(5)
Doug G.
I've had dinner here twice. I can say that the Filet with Mushroom Pain Perdu is quite possibly the best meal I've ever had. Deborah is an artist. This experience is a must for all who eat red meat. The Filet is top notch but the Mushroom Pain Perdu is what sets this meal apart. The texture and flavor is something I had never experienced. It's almost indescribable. The hairs on the back of my neck are standing up just thinking about that incredible warm, soft and flavorful combination of bread, mushroom, red wine... dear lord, it is amazing.
(5)
Teresa B.
As wonderful as you'd expect if you loved Zola! Fantastic menu, wonderful wine selection and classy, hip atmosphere. This is a great "special occassion" spot! Just plan lots of special occassions!
(5)
Tony H.
Love the sleek look of the place, and the very attentive staff. They're not stuffy, and are very articulate about the menu, etc. After two visits, I must say the menu shows great creativity and it delivers! You want healthy...done, vegetarian...done, beef sous vie'd in duck fat...done, great lunch salads...done. Good spot for a social or business lunch, can't wait to try dinner!
(4)
Bryan E.
We really enjoyed this restaurant. Great cocktails, I had the smoky old fashion and my wife had a tequila cilantro smash. Both amazing. We had a table looking out onto the street with a great view. The cauliflower app was delicious- highly recommend it and we don't even like cauliflower! The version and pork chop were both cooked perfectly and the flavor superb! Get a reservation ahead of time, smooth sailing from there!
(5)
Brandon K.
I was contacted by the Etch management regarding my previous review and they exhibited very fantastic service recovery. They clearly care about their guests and want a positive dining experience. I look forward to trying Etch again.
(4)
Sarah D.
dinner at Etch was sublime.. my favorite favorite thing here was dessert.... the olive oil ice-cream was seriously from another planet!
(5)
Jeff K.
This was probably the best start to finish meal I have ever eaten. We went for their Valentines 4 course tasting menu and it was really fantastic. I started with the champagne leek soup with truffle oil and a fried oyster which was very nice. The roasted cauliflower salad with smoked pea and truffle pesto with hazelnuts was crazy good. My wife had the duck confit salad which was very good-- not as good as the cauliflower in my opinion. Filet was cooked to perfection with a mushroom duxelle and wine reduction sauce with a potato beignet (pretty good). The desert was a chocolate ganache something with salted caramel sauce which was unbelievable. My wife had a citrus desert which was also tremendous. I was stuffed afterwards and the bill was expensive but it was a great meal. I am excited to come back. We do not drink so I can't speak to the wine pairings or mixed drinks.
(5)
Lauren W.
I have been here twice and both times a by underwhelmed. Cauliflower appetizer is wonderful and a must have! Other than that the main plates are fine. I have had the pork tenderloin and the spaghetti squash, neither of which was exceptional. On the upside I did see Ronnie Dunn and Reba here!
(4)
James R.
Enjoyed the restaurant and environment immensely. Went there last night. Person who seated us was extremely friendly and welcoming. Immediately, we had water poured, and drink request taken. We ordered the cauliflower to start which was excellent followed by additional meals which were very good as well. A little more expensive but well worth it. Though I'm continuing to try new restaurants in the area, this has been the best so far.
(5)
Dan L.
We scouted this place a month before going (passing through Nashville on a road trip). We knew it would be a highlight of the trip, and it was. Recommend ordering a succession of whatever you want from the menu (apps and entrees) and tell your server you want to eat family style. They will bring everything out gradually so you can focus on each dish, tasting-style. We received excellent treatment and service, and the head chef, Deb Paquette, even came out to say hello and obliged us food-fanatics with a photograph. EAT HERE - it is different, fresh, of the finest quality, and worth every penny. Get one of their signature cocktails, too.
(5)
David C.
Had yet another business lunch for 3 on 4/3/13. The buyer was a vendor from the DC area who was a foodie. Perfect yet again....entrees this time were the special of the day (gnocchi) for me and my co-worker and the egg sandwich for my vendor. This is my solid go-to lunch restaurant...be there again next Friday. :)
(5)
Ray C.
Had a great experience at Etch. I was with collegues from my business, and I was the guy who they look to to pick the good restaurants when we're at conventions all over the U.S. Etch did me proud. Every dish was spectacular. I won't go into detail, but the cauliflour side was excellent, the lamb and scallop dishes excellent, and the dessert awesome also. All around great meal, with lots of great flavors on every plate. If I every come back to Nashville, I'll be sitting at one of their tables again!
(5)
Liz D.
My husband and I came here for a celebratory dinner after hearing all the great things about Etch. We never had a chance to go to Zola before it closed, so I was excited to try this place out. It's a nice place- well situated in town, inviting atmosphere. But the food left much to be desired. I didn't realize there was so much Asian fusion on the menu- the thing about Asian fusion is that it's never quite as good as straight up Asian cuisine. We had the hoisin pork for appetizer, and while the pork was tender, hoisin is just an overwhelming flavor that takes over everything. Not well balanced. Then we had the fried short ribs, which was good itself, but the stir fry vegetables were like, straight from the frozen food section. Too much and unseasoned. The duck breast was okay, but not too much flavor on those. Pairing with the ginger grits was a save. Then we had dessert, the passion fruit mousse, which was okay- not stellar. I don't know, this place just didn't match up to the high standards that were placed on it. Maybe we just ordered the wrong things, but we ordered five items off the menu and only sort of liked portions of them. For how much we paid, I expected a better dinner experience.
Based on all the reviews, I had extraordinarily high expectations for this place and I am happy to say that our meal not only met but exceeded these! If this isn't the best restaurant in Nashville, it's in the top 3 for sure. It seems that their specialty is taking classic dishes and reinventing them. We started with the butter tasting and the cauliflower app. It's hard to believe that anyone could get so excited about a cauliflower dish but the way they season the cauliflower coupled with the sauces is just amazing and so flavorful! Highly recommend that! I had the pork tenderloin and it was seasoned impeccably - had a little bit of a kick to it. My husband had the lamb chop - it was tender and delicious! He totally cleaned his plate. Have to note that their wine selection was also pretty great and our server was very friendly and very knowledgeable. The atmosphere in this restaurant was more casual than I was expecting. My husband and I dressed up, thinking the prices dictated a more formal environment but we saw everything from sport jackets to shorts here so it's really a come as you are type of place. We will definitely return and would do so every weekend if we could afford it!
(5)
Dawn T.
Etch totally lived up to the glowing reviews I read online. We had an event at Bridgestone Arena, and were celebrating our wedding anniversary, so I wanted a nice restaurant within walking distance. I was anticipating a high bill, but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised it was not outrageous by any means. We had a bottle of wine, 2 very generous entrees, and split a dessert at the end for just under $100, not too shabby! I ordered the pork tenderloin, and my husband got the venison (interesting fact; the venison is farm-raised in New Zealand). Sadly, I do not possess the culinary vocabulary to accurately illustrate the glory of this meal. It was insanely good. I have never had so much going on on one plate in my life, and it all fused perfectly together. The venison was even wackier, with ginger grits and dollops of banana puree! I really wasn't sure after reading the descriptions on the menu whether I was going to like it as much as I did, but I will not hesitate to recommend this place to friends looking for a very special dining experience in downtown Nashville.
(5)
Anna S.
AMAZING! So many great flavors in everything we ate. I can't imagine that doesn't apply to all of their dishes. Great atmosphere and close to all the post-dinner Nashville fun.
(5)
Jen G.
Trendy with potential. Does not have the flow of an experienced restaurant. Some of the food was fantastic but did not meet all expectations in service, timing, and consistency between dishes. I would try it again, but would hope to see those problems solved (primarily Service for fine dining).
(5)
Benjamin R.
Very cool vibe and creative dishes. The main courses themselves were very interesting, good, but maybe just shy of as delicious as you'd expect given the creativity and presentation. The Japanese fried pork ribs were really good as a starter.
(4)
Oliver G.
Get over it Nashville. The past ain't past. The problems I had with Zola are loud and clear at Etch: the inability to self-edit. Every dish has about 50 ingredients, none of which provide any particular direction. That's going to be exciting for a lot of people (just look at all the 5-star reviews), and I'm sure the place will be popular with some. The space is great as was the service, the wine prices are as expected for a downtown lease. More is less.
(2)
Linz L.
The food was very good. The bruschetta is a must have, also the ratatouille salad was amazing. This place is good, but it is not the place to go and have a filet and potatoes. You absolutely must go out on a limb and get something more adventurous. That being said, I believe that this is a place for the food connoisseur that does not mind paying a higher price. Great service, food, and drinks, but priced a little too high ($11 dollars for a drink at the bar, and then the service charge added at the table- costing about an average of $14 a drink at the table). I do not mind paying extra for good food and service, but on the drinks- I really do not see the reason.
(4)
Meridith S.
Super classy place, great city views of the new Opera House. Wonderful Menu~ This place allows you a sneak peak to the kitchen as meals are prepared. Their Martinis are very good, the waitstaff very polite and attentive, and the roasted Cauliflower- yum! I had a filet that was nicely prepared. I cannot wait to be able to come back!
(5)
Queen B.
Again last night, friend and I had dinner. This time we opted to sit against the window and watch the people go by.. Craven waited on us and like a damn good waiter, he knew his menu.... inside and out. When asked a question, NOT once did he say to us, "I'm not sure..." Both friend and I thoroughly enjoyed our meals, the service, the ambience.. If I could change one thing.. I think I would put more "oomph" into some of the sauces. They were a little bland. For instance, the edamane sauce that came with the short rib appetizer. Short ribs are bland to begin with as is a lot of meat. I would have punched the sauce up more with more pizazz so that one of them shouted.. The vegetable slaw that came with the shrimp and filo appetizer was phenomenal.. Very good flavors melded together. The venison was a winner with the cranberry relish and ginger grits.. The venison was cooked medium rare and oh so tender.. My friend had the duck confit foi gras and he could only make noises and nod his head saying it was "better than sex." I fully understand. That is when a dish is "orgasmic." Not a table was to be had by 7pm.. Every table was occupied. The food is fantastic, the service is exquisite and Paul the bartender is right up there with the best martinis in town! I'm going to reiterate that this is probably the finest restaurant in town when it comes to service and food quality. I just wish she would put a little more "oomph" in some of her aioli and sauces......
(4)
Sonia L.
I wasn't quite sure what to expect... I read both fantastic reviews and mediocre ones. WELL. Etch is now one of my favorite restaurants!! Boyfriend liked it so much, he suggested we go again! I thought he was kidding... but we ended up at their happy hour the very next day. We had: 1) Roasted cauliflower (PLEASE GET THIS) 2) Octopus and shrimp bruschetta (Get this as well!) 3) Pork belly 4) Tortilla crusted catfish 5) The red, white, and sparkling wines at happy hour 6) Two cocktails (I'm too lazy to remember) 7) Grilled lamb 8) Cobia (So soft and flaky) This is a lot of food. Granted, we had two of the appetizers the next day, but still. I'm okay hating myself for eating so much if the food in my belly is from Etch. Even the wine blew me away. Shout-out to our waiter Kenneth for being fantastic!! BUT NO TIME FOR DESSERT. Stupid concert reservations... I don't think you could eat anything that isn't absolutely delicious here, especially the waitstaff's recommendations. I wish I lived in Nashville just to come to Etch all the time.
Had an overall amazing experience at this restaurant. First, we asked our waiter if he recommended either the butter tasting or the bread tasting special. He told us to get the bread tasting special and it was delicious! There were three types of breads with unique toppings and we finished the entire thing. Next, we got the pork belly and kim chi appetizer which was a beautiful plate and also really great, but I did prefer the bread tasting. For entrees I had the halibut and my boyfriend had the venison and we both finished our plates. The service was great. The waiter was very knowledgeable and attentive to our needs. We would definitely come to etch the next time we are in Nashville.
(5)
Beth D.
Fantastic food and ambiance. Had Artessa Chardonay. Not commonly found where I'm from and was amazing. The octopus bruschetta was incredible Charcuterie salad was awesome and filet was done perfectly. Paul was our bartender/waiter. Excellent service and entertainment Wished we could've stayed longer to enjoy the setting but CMA fest was calling. Will definitely be back. Hope to see Paul!!! A great experience all the way around ! Cheers
(5)
Umesh W.
This is a great find, thanks to Yelp. We settled for this and it was a great move. The food was exceptional. They had great plates, from apps to the main course. I had the pork belly appetizer and the venison. Both plates were perfect. My drink, The Don was very nice, almost like a mint julep. The ambiance and the service was very good as well. Definitely a place to try.
(5)
Erin L.
Great food and great service. We had the Shrimp Bruschetta, Roasted Cauliflower, Butter Tasting and Mulligatawny Soup (a special) as apps and they were all delicious. I had the seared scallops (seafood of the day) and it was good, but I didn't love the purees included. My husband has the grilled filet and liked it a lot. The service was friendly, informative without being overly solicitous. Would definitely go back if I am in Nashville again.
(4)
Jennifer S.
Amazing amazing amazing!!! The food pairs really well and the combination of tastes are ones that you wouldn't originally think would go together. It's also a great price for the amount of preparation that goes into each dish. One of the best places I have eaten before.
(5)
Allie W.
One of my favorites in Nashville. I've ordered the cauliflower every time I've been and you just can't go without ordering it! I don't even like cauliflower and I LOVE etch's cauliflower. The butter tasting is also fun for the group. For entrees I've tried the steak, veal, cobia, and a special of scallops. All were superb but the cobia is absolutely amazing. An astounding mix of flavors that I would love to have again and again! You can't go wrong with a dessert either. They seem to change periodically but my favorite was a peanut butter chocolate cake that was rich and delicate and just delicious!
(5)
Christina V.
I was in town for business and didn't have a reservation. Was easily able to find a seat in the bar area which was perfect for a solo female diner. My server, Leah, was excellent with her recommendations of food, cocktails and wine. I started with a chilled carrot and beet soup that was decadent. I then had the special fish entree - ivory salmon. It was excellent!
(5)
Sonia C.
Etch was memorable. The name fits. We arrived early, a good habit that I am picking up (I'm not living up to my name) and the hostess sat us immediately. I was not too pleased with the table, it was next to the window, but it was only two of us, so I really couldn't complain. The decor was simple yet chic. Very zen. Our waiter showed up immediately and introduced himself, and gave us time to look through the wine list. We never felt rushed or forgotten. We settled on a simple Spanish Syrah ( their wine prices are reasonable). After the presentation of the wine, the waiter went through the menu with us and answered all of our questions. To me that is a plus when the wait staff knows the menu. The two appetizers were outstanding! The roasted cauliflower drizzled with truffle oil was amazing and it came with with crema that was blended with feta cheese that was indescribable. The pork belly was seasoned and cooked to perfection. The Etch salad was good, but I could have gone for more cauliflower. Now the entree, I had the fillet, med. rare, sitting on top of puree of potatoes, and dressed with peeled asparagus. The fillet was so good, ate all of my steak and left the sides there. Needed room for dessert. After much thought, we finally narrowed it down to the rhubarb and pecan tart. One word - delicious. Great food, great service and great ambience.
(5)
Cait C.
We had the cauliflower, beet salad, venison, colbia fish, and lemon tart for dessert. All of the dishes had a lot of interesting combinations and creativity, but sadly there's nothing that I would go back for a second time. I'm giving four stars for creativity and complex flavors. The dishes are contemporary and certainly spark conversation.
(4)
Jeremy J.
Amazing food and Amazing service. Our waiter James walked us through the entire experience and shared with us what some of the signature items are as well as what his favorites were. He was spot on with his suggestions. I would highly recommend the Roasted Cauliflower. You would think how can someone do Cauliflower any different but it was the sauces that made the app so great. Then the entree, again a signature Cobia. Light flaky white fish but it was very flavorful and each bite was different on the plate. Great job. Next time I am in Nashville, I will be coming back for sure.
(5)
Luke C.
All I can say is wow! The food here is amazing. Definitely a spot for a "foodie". Great menu with a good variety of dishes, awesome fusion of flavors and textures. Dressy attire, upscale atmosphere, nice place for a fancy date.
(5)
Andrew M.
Very good fine dining at etch. Great location and ambiance. We had a very nice time. I would recommend them any time.
(5)
Gabi M.
As the name implies, my dinner at Etch from a few weeks ago will be "etched" in my memory for a really long time... it was fabulous! I was the oddball out being the only non-vegetarian / vegan in the group, so there were many more selections that appealed to me than to my colleagues -- hello -- can you say the entire menu is amazing? Despite our different food preferences, our party of three agreed on more than a few things: 1 - Deb Paquette is one of the most talented chefs ever! 2 - Etch provides an incredible dining experience with top notch service inside a lovely modern venue. 3 - That cauliflower appetizer (even though we ordered it with everything on the side) is perfection. 4 - Ratatouille Crudo - mine as it comes and theirs without the cheese - also incredible... I especially loved this mix of healthy and fresh zucchini, fennel, carrots, champignons, basil micro greens, garlic olive oil, eggplant salt, red bell tomato essence, parmesan. (Seriously, I could make a meal on this alone!) In addition to the above, I had a glass of wine and the scallop entree. My veggie mates had the Katafi Pastry entree, slightly tweaked for their preferences. We all were extremely content with our selections. Unfortunately, with all of the aforementioned food, we had no room left for dessert. Such a shame because the entire dessert menu sounded insane in a good way. I only hope for a return visit one day to experience Etch yet again... Thank you Marcia M for suggesting we eat here and for making the reservation. For anyone that may be reading this review, if you can get a reservation, go for it. I guarantee you will etch some fond memories of your meal there as well. Enjoy!
(5)
Carl D.
Delicious! Roasted Cauliflower appetizer was amazing! Split the fillet, medium rare, and it came out to perfection. Wasn't excited after reading the dessert menu, but got the truffle and added ice cream and was super pleased. Service was very professional and offered a lot of options to help us make selections. If ur in downtown Nashville, I definitely recommend Etch!
(5)
David D.
Fantastic restaurant with very clean, healthy food in a modern, yet warm space. Salads are outstanding and very inventive without being overbearing. I found the service pleasant and since I sat at the chef's counter I was able to watch the meticulous attention to detail in prep, cooking, and especially presentation. They are more than happy to stray off the beaten path should you have any special requests and as a final tip try the coffee. It's great.
(5)
Joi B.
Exquisite. To the casual observer, Etch is not at all a vegan restaurant. The menu boasts such meaterific dishes as pork tenderloin, venison and steak filet rubbed with smoked duck butter, yet there are vegetarian options, all involving cheese and/or butter. All it took was a simple (not-so-simple, really, but she made it seem simple) request to our waitress to "veganize" the salads and vegetarian entree some dishes and voila, we received some of the best vegan food I've ever had! So before I get into the food, I need to give major props for the service. I appreciate that although dinner reservations are hard to come by at Etch, they do make every guest feel like they matter and service is impressive: friendly, polite and approachable. Sometimes trendy places like this one make you feel like you're lucky to be there, you know? Now that that's out of the way. The food: All three of us couldn't pass up that Ratatouille Crudo, so we each ordered our own. And we each devoured it! If you want this salad vegan, just get them to leave off the parm. A delectable tower of raw zucchini, carrots, micro greens, fennel and mushrooms marinated in greatness. It's the perfect light app to get you ready for what is sure to be an outstanding entree to follow. The Katafi pastry. INSANE. I keep looking at my photo and I am not lying when I say that my mouth actually waters with the sight and memory of this fantastic entree. They made this to order for us, leaving out the Fontina cheese. Although I admittedly do think a fine cheese can only make a dish more delicious, I can't imagine that it's necessary here. I believe the vegetarian dish changes according to season, so I'm not sure if the vegetables are going to be the same for you, but last week's dish included a pile of kale, a whole grain and a charred tomato. On top of this lovely arrangement is a bird's nest of phyllo. And there's three different bits of purees (olive? carrot? beet? Some combination thereof that tasted incredible) that compliment everything beautifully. I want some more immediately... only, I won't be back to Nashville for a month. Bravo, Etch. You win the best meal I've had all month award!
(5)
Megan K.
AMAZING lunch experience! I lived here for a couple years before I had ended up finding my way to Etch. I'm so happy I did--the meal was one of the best I've had in this city. The roasted cauliflower and tempura mushrooms were fabulous starters... unreal flavors. I went with the Brisket Papusa for my entree and it was insanely delicious--tender and flavorful, so many flavors and incredibly filling. The chocolate pretzel bar was one of the best desserts I've ever had. Can't recommend this place enough... the atmosphere is edgy and modern--we valeted--it's right across from the Music City Center, so I'd count on valeting, especially if you go on a busy night. Have fun! :)
(5)
Mike B.
One of the better restaurants I've eaten at. Every single dish from appetizer to entree was unique and delicious. Pay special attention to the different sauces that are drizzled around and be sure it incorporate into your bites. I look forward to heading back soon.
(5)
Stacy P.
I rarely give out 5 stars reviews, but Etch is seriously deserving of it. From the decor to the service and the food, Etch delivered. The decor is very modern. Upon entering you will find the host stand and a full bar with seating around it and separate smaller tables as well. The main dining area is an open concept design and you have full view into the kitchen. There are an additional two separate rooms that are used for larger groups. Space is not wasted in the dining room design. The smaller, two seaters line the windows, while the four tops fill the remainder of the room. There is enough space that separates you from your fellow diners as to not feel cramped. There is also seating at the kitchen counter for those who wish to have a show while they eat. Etch doesn't boast as separate gluten free menu, but don't let that detour you if you need to eat GF. All but one of the entries, the Katafi Pastry, can be modified to accommodate for this. The salads as well as some of the appetizers can be modified as well. The dining adventures started with the roasted cauliflower. If you had to chose one item on the menu, hands down, this is the best item. The truffled pea pesto sauce topped with salted almonds is hands down what made the dish. The smokiness of the almonds was balanced well with the pesto. The feta crema dip was nice, but didn't compare to the pesto. If truth be told, two servings of the pesto would work instead of having the feta crema on the plate. For the main entree I opted for the cobia which was modified to sit on top of sweet potato slices instead of the beignet to accommodate the dish to be GF. The dish, when you dissected all of the individual ingrediants (cobia, turkish spiced, brown buttered oranges, capers, olives, raisins, feta, almonds, and sweet potatoes), didn't seem like they would work as a whole, but the combination provided an interesting and extremely balanced. The acidity from the citrus was soothed by the feta and sweet potatoes. The meal was extremely satisfying. Etch will definitely be on my list to return to if I find myself in the area again.
(5)
Sha P.
Interesting menu. Was in Nashville for our anniversary and this place was recommended to us by a friend. We were not disappointed. Our server was amazing. The roasted cauliflowers were amazing and highlight of our meal.i ordered the cobia and my husband got the steak. Both were very well prepared and flavorful. Servers are professional and accommodating. Very nice decor.
(4)
Emily F.
not the best place to go if you're on a budget, but the food is absolutely amazing. The best is the fried cauliflower...yum
(4)
Kevin R.
Top notch place! The service was spot on and the meals we had were interesting and unique. I don't like fish in general, burnt wife got their specialty fish and it was really good! Quality place for a special night out. No regrets.
(5)
Julie D.
What a wonderful restaurant in Nashville! We had made a reservation well in advance, and it's a good thing we did. When we arrived, there were people waiting for a table. We were seated right away and had a small table for two by a window. Our server was wonderful, very professional and able to answer all our questions concerning the menu. Beverage choices were great. We started with the Etch salad, fennel, green apple, arugula, radicchio, blue cheese, crushed hazelnuts, all my favorites topped with a champagne vinaigrette. Could not have been any better than this. We also shared a butternut squash soup. So good. The bf ordered the Venison. It was spicy with cocoa chili and served with grilled sweet potato and okra. He loved it. For my meal, I got a petit filet. It was perfectly cooked and served with baked potato bread pudding and a little zucchini slaw. For dessert, we shared a Warm Vanilla Pound Cake. This was another great dining experience in Nashville.
(5)
Lawrence C.
Dined 12/5/13 & 12/10/13 Both times we sat at the "chef's table", which is really a long counter fronting the prep work stations with the actual cooking going on behind them. Fun to dine and watch the action. Easy to see the professionalism on display. On one occasion, the executive chef stopped to chat with us. The owners are working all the areas, and they too stopped to check on us frequently. The food is of course well prepared, and beautifully presented. We enjoyed the 'etch' salad, shrimp & tuna appetizer, and Brussels as a side dish so much we ordered each of them again on our return visit. Comprehensive offerings of wines by the glass, averaging @ $13/glass. Dessert star was the chocolate crunch.
(4)
Casey M.
My first time at etch did not disappoint. We started with the truffled cauliflower. It came with a pesto pea mousse type of sauce that was amazing. Also we got the butter tasting. Then for entrees I ordered the filet which was on top of a sourdough baked potato bread pudding! and ate every bite. The other entrees at the table were the cobia and venison which were both excellent. We were too full for dessert but I will def be going back
(5)
Kashmir A.
What a fantastic experience from start to finish! Let me just start out by saying that I travel with about 10-14 people a few times a year. We always like to have well rounded trips that start off with a nice dinner the night we arrive at our destination. Planning dinners for 14 people isn't always easy! Often you're offered limited menus or ridiculous check minimums. This was not the case with ETCH. I contacted Ali who is in charge of private dining and events. She was prompt in calling me after she received my email. She described the private dining area and let us know the minimum check amount ($750) which was very reasonable. We booked everything via email and we're all set for dinner. The night of the event we arrived we were brought right to our table, which was separated from the restaurant by glass walls. We had to option of closing the curtains, which we didn't. Our server was EXCELLENT! Ramesh was attentive and handled our large party with the help of another server. We probably has everything on the menu! Excellent craft cocktails and that BUTTER TASTING! I died... My boyfriend surprised me during dinner and proposed! They were right there with glasses of champagne. Splitting the check wasn't a problem, Ramesh handled it with ease. Our overall experience was fantastic. I love the ambiance, food, service and cocktails. I highly recommend ETCH when you're in Nashville!
We were looking for steak, wandered in here. Almost left after looking at the menu and seeing...one beef entree; pickled onions on the salad and grilled Lima beans - I wanted the 28 ounce Porterhouse with two pounds of mashed potatoes. But....the food was really good! The staff was really happy to be serving us, very attentive to our needs. Even though it wasn't quite what we were initially looking for I am glad that we went there; the food was nicely presented, there were some interesting sauces and the overall quality and taste were excellent. Try it, I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
(4)
Amy M.
Overall a nice meal, though I think they are trying too hard. This was my first meal in Nashville. I had read so many great reviews that I decided to make reservations for my weekend trip (met up with my college friend who was in Nashville for a conference). We ordered the much talked about cauliflower appetizer ($10). It was cauliflower. I love cauliflower. I eat a lot of cauliflower these days (weight loss super food)! It came with a couple sauces, a "truffled, pea-pesto" with marcona almonds, a roasted pepper sauce and a cauliflower-feta sauce..the truffled pea pesto was tasty though it didn't taste truffled and was nothing like pesto. I ordered the halibut special ($36) and my friend ordered the venison ($29). They were accommodating and substituted the "truffled potato cream" for the "truffled zucchini noodles" (again, I love the flavor of truffles and there wasn't even a hint of truffles noted). The wild mushrooms and the warm kale salad was quite tasty. Generous serving of halibut!! My friend's dish has a lot going on...lots of flavor. Overall an okay meal. Do I NEED to go back? No, not so much. I prefer amazing flavors that are a little less pretentious.
(3)
Elizabeth G.
I just got back with my friend and we had the most wonderful dinner. It was beyond our expectations. We shared the Shrimp and Octopus Bruschetta for an appetizer. The Berries and Beets salad was delicious. For our entrees we chose the lamb and filet which were out of this world. Then to top everything off with dessert, we had the Vanilla Meringue and Peanut and Chocolate Torte. The cocktails and wine were delicious. Everything was just perfect and Brooke and Amy gave perfect service! Etch is such a treasure of Nashville. It does not disappoint!
(5)
Lauren H.
Holy cauliflower! This place is just fantastic, from the food to the service an absolute 5 Star experience. I highly recommend their cauliflower starter, the chickpea side, the broccoli side and beet salad. The flavors are all very interesting in a great way, and the waiter wasn't scared to lead our pallets which made for a great dining experience. Seriously try this place if you're in town- easily the best food we have had so far!
We were seated quickly in the bar area, however had terrible service. We watched several tables around us get waited on while we were ignored. We ordered an appetizer that never came. We received it after asking and after being served our entrees. The food was good, but didn't seem to live up to the hype. Overall was disappointed because we had heard such great things.
(3)
Kevin J.
Excellent dining experience. Seven of us had a late dinner at Etch. The service and food were both top notch. Our waiter explained every dish and was very good in assisting us with the wines. The cauliflower appetizer was a standout. The accompanying sauces were great. Everyone was pleased with their mains. I had the cobia and it was excellent. Would definitely return.
(4)
Toni R.
Had a truly stellar lunch. I would think dinner would be even better!!! Fine service and lively decor accompany wonderful food, beautifully presented!
(4)
Holly F.
This is definitely a case of you getting what you paid for, meaning it is a bit pricey. But if you are looking for a creative restaurant where each plate has 15 delicious and perfected flavors then this is the place for you. There is nothing simple about any dish but in the most delightful way. I will certainly be returning my next trip to Nashville. Heavenly. (My only complaint was the lemon tart dessert, not up to par with the rest of the meal but couldn't' drag down the five star rating.)
(5)
Linda A.
It's been about a month since our visit and I'm just getting around to reviewing. I hope time hasn't knocked some of the shine off my review because we loved our experience at Etch. Hubby and I were celebrating our anniversary...finally! Etch is not an easy reservation to score when you're limited to weekends as we typically are. However, the stars aligned and we found ourselves both in town on a Monday night and decided to just take the easier reservation and have a Monday date! Wow...the service has to be mentioned first. Our server was just about perfect. I love it when a server can help you make choices and this young lady (alas, her name escapes me already) even helped me change my mind about my entree choice and I'm so glad she did! I had the Cobia, a fish I'd never tried before. So mild and delicious itself but the accompanying capers and olives made the flavor bright and just wonderful. My hub ordered the venison. Venison is our main protein source at home but this was such a treat. Next time, I'm getting that one for myself because I want my very own portion! We ordered the butter tasting and enjoyed it although I didn't swoon as much as some of the other reviewers. I have to make special mention about Chef Deb's willingness to adapt my husband's entree for his garlic allergy as well as our server's extra attention to steering him the right way with his entree choice with regards to the same. Always a plus with us! All in all this was a very special experience and just right for an anniversary. Look forward to returning!
(5)
Barry J.
From amazing hospitality to great food, this place, close to another great foodie spot has me denominating the shadow of the Country Music Hall of Fame as Foodie heaven. This place delivered from the moment I arrived with two college kids (foodies in training)--one hour before our reservation. They swept us into the restaurant early and the feast began. First, butter tasting, and lamb tartare. The butter tasting was a fun start and the lamb, a solid tartare. Timings perfect and Kim kept that exactly on target all evening. She was simply delightful and skilled at great service. Next we split two salads and that was plenty for three. The charcuterie salad had some great tastes and the beets and berries was stellar. The goat cheese semifreddo put us over the moon with the contrasting flavors. We saw some cranberries throughout the evening and that was thoughtful and fun. There was a Harissa based plate sauce. Everything good. Two of us had the signature Cobia. I know that violated foodie protocol but my daughter had her good friend along and I didn't know him well enough to include him on the family custom of everyone gets different items and shares. Next time he is "in". The Cobia is a new fish to me and I loved the dish. It was perfectly cooked. The oranges and berries in the dish complemented the fish nicely. The toasted almonds were perfect for the dish. I did become a bit Harissa-fatigued as I ate the rest of the portion...that does not hold me back from recommending the dish, however. We also had the venison. Also perfectly cooked to medium rare restaurant specks. Also Harissa-influenced. I had one lovely bite of this. Onto dessert. We again shared two. The Meyer lemon dessert was not exactly what we expected. It is a great choice for those wanting a more savory or neutral dessert. While a solid dessert, we thought it could use a bit more lemon flavor. Next the chocolate bread pudding. A triumph! We lingered at the table for a few minutes chatting. I am as close to five stars as I can be without going there. I admit I have become a tough grader. No hesitation in recommending this one!
(4)
Dolci K.
Etch is one of the newer restaurants in Downtown Nashville, TN near the Music City Convention Center. Upon entering, the high ceilings and bare concrete supporting pillars give the entire room a air of upscale urban dining, and the succulent plants on the center of every table give off a modern vibe. The table settings are modern, but the utensils are strikingly whimsical and simple. Upon sitting down, we were some of the first dinner guests of the night, and our waiters were slightly over excited to have us place an order. The menu is not overly extensive, but if you have never been there, you will want a minute to browse. After settling in, I ordered a NOLA cocktail which was phenomenal with notes of a Sazerac with additional hints of anise and licorice plus a lovely fizz. The garnish was beautiful and seemingly intricate in my glass. As an appetizer, I started with the Roasted Cauliflower which did not disappoint. Typically, I am always a bit apprehensive to order a vegetable as an appetizer because many are not big enough to share, over priced, and are not up to par with the rest of the meal. However, the Roasted Cauliflower was delightful, roasted to a perfection with a slight crunch instead of overly soggy, lightly drizzled with truffle oil, but not doused, and served with a feta cream and roasted red pepper puree on one side and a pea pesto with salted almonds on the other. It was sizable, and enough to share with a table, which is what every appetizer should be. All the flavors, while bold and of a wide variety, melted together seamlessly. In addition to the Roasted Cauliflower, we were brought fresh rolls rising with steam as the smell of rosemary piqued my intrigue. The butter served with it was at a perfect whipped texture and a flawless spreadable temperature. I had the gluten free version of the rolls, which to my taste were slightly tough, but overall, very pleasing. Moving on to the main course, my guest ordered scallops which were served with tempura mushrooms, and served on a bed of mixed greens with beet sriracha and butternut garlic essence. Honestly, the scallops were one of the more disappointing menu items of the night. The mushrooms were fantastical, but the scallops themselves were not cooked quite right and left much to be desired. A scallop should be hot and crisp on the outsides, and while the coloring was nice, there was no crisp bite at all as if the pan had not gotten hot enough. The in-between meat was too soft on the outer edges as well. As for the sauces, though elegantly plated, were only so-so. The beet puree was pretty, and tasted of beets, but the sriracha flavors were lost entirely. On the other hand, the butternut squash tasted slightly sweet with a mild hint of garlic, but really failed to add value to the dish at all. As a side, we ordered brussels sprouts which are a favorite dish of mine. Unfortunately, the brussels sprouts served here are soft, soggy, and too cabbage-y rather than having a more oven roasted flavor. They could have been ok, but were also mixed with caramelized onions which made the entire dish too cohesively offensive in texture without any contrast at all. Lastly, I ordered the Cobia, a tender white fish from the Gulf of Mexico. The spice on the fish was just right, a slight crunch, just enough spice, and a little salt. The top portion of fish was cooked to perfection, although the bottom one was a bit too dry. There was just enough mixture of sweet and savory in the garnish of browned buttered oranges and golden raisins with the olives, almonds, and capers. Out of everything, this was my favorite. Dessert was a Strawberry Cheesecake Sunday (Sans the graham cracker crumble garnish). The ice cream itself was made with goat cheese cheesecake and served with fresh strawberries and strawberry jam. The goat cheese ice-cream was the most interesting part about the dessert, but was substandard comparatively to the rest of the menu (although it was the only gluten free offering for dessert at the time). All in all, Etch was a great experience especially because of their knowledgeable and attentive servers. The chef, Deb Paquette is talented and has an gift for combining many different flavors to make beautiful, tasteful dishes. I look forward to going back another season to experience her combinations of other ingredients as well. read more detailed reviews at: LA DOLCI VITA ladolcivita.com/fooddrin…
(3)
Debbie P.
I took my mother to this restaurant for lunch on her birthday. It was the perfect place. Tuesday at lunch was not too crowded, the menu was deliciously varied and the service was attentive and friendly. The servers were so gracious to my mother, and made her feel special. They even put a candle on her dessert! This is an upscale restaurant near the heart of downtown and caters to business luncheons during the day and fine dining in the evening. I recommend it to anyone looking for a good dining experience.
(4)
justine h.
The spaghetti squash dish is EVERYTHING! And im a total meat eater. It's the kind of dish you have dreams about.
(5)
Stephanie C.
This is the most stellar, out of the world, perfectly prepared food I have ever had. We have been several times and every single dish is amazing! The management is beyond aware as they visit the table often, are always checking to see if there's anything they can do, and beyond generous to take care of anything not 100%. This is a place you must go!
(5)
Steve E.
Just to emphasize....the food is magic. Flavors on top of flavors, and they all work. We took a couple new to Etch---their fave in Nashville so far. And it is certainly on our list. Outstanding in every aspect.
(5)
Jared S.
Absolutely delicious, exquisitely-prepared food. Everything about Etch is top-notch, from the drinks, to the food, to the waitstaff. I am constantly impressed by how wonderful this restaurant is. Plenty of other people have left suggestions on what to try, so I won't go into details. Especially since I don't believe you could possibly be disappointed with anything you order. If you want a special night out, Etch is a great choice. I would recommend you get a reservation, and if you like the frantic pace of a kitchen, try sitting at the chef's bar. You might even get a chance to chat with Deb for a few minutes. That is, if there's a lull that allows her to slow down her militaristic attention to detail.
(5)
Frank P.
We sat at the bar because the restaurant was too full (with reason, this place rocks). Paul was an amazing bartender. We had the cauliflower appetizer (I usually hate cauliflower, but it was AMAZING) and shrimp/oyster bruschetta (again amazing!). We were pretty stuffed after just those two appetizers so we didn't get the the lamb porterhouse because we had heard it was amazing as well but decided against it since we were so full. Highly recommended!
(5)
Gregg S.
Etch came highly recommended by several people and did not disappoint! We were carefully steered through the menu and were very impressed with our selections. The cauliflower appetizer even impressed this guy who usually goes for something like raw oysters or calamari. The Etch and Beet salads were delectable and the lamb did not even hint at needing a "to go" box! Desert mostly stayed in front of my lady, but I did steal a small bite to see what all the "mmmmms" where about...yum! Kenneth, our server, gave us just the right amount of attention and had more knowledge of a menu than I ever thought possible. Whomever leads this team, from valet drop-off to valet pickup, really knows what they are doing. Well done folks!
(5)
K C.
Started with cocktails at the bar which were very good. Ordered appetizers, the Cobia, Venison, and some sides to share. We also shared a couple of desserts. The flavors of everything was excellent. The use of spices and the sauces were done right. If I lived anywhere near this restaurant I be a regular. Service was great, they provided some good wine recommendations, and the atmosphere was very cool.
(5)
Chet L.
This is one of those places that always seems to know what they're doing. After some business downtown, Yelp's fantabulous app directed me here for lunch. Free validated parking was the first sign of class. After being greeted by the hostess, and wonderful dining area is presented with a huge chef's bar where you can sit and watch the magic happen in the kitchen. Or just grab a beer and some soup and enjoy the view. For lunch I had a tasty black bean spicy soup - I hate black beans. This soup I would bathe in.....delicious. I also ordered the Brisket Pupusa: corn cake, smoked brisket, chihuahua cheese, onion, peruvian butternut carrot slaw, roja and poblano sauces, celery leaf avocado smash, lime crema, queso blanco......THIS WAS PHENOMENAL. Floor manager, kitchen manager, expo, servers, all asking if they can get you anything and of things are okay. Great place - cant wait to go for dinner. This place knows how to do food - just another sign Nashville is becoming a food mecca. Way to go Etch !!
Sitting at the bar facing the open kitchen and watching the staff prepare everybody's food adds to the fun of dining at Etch! Overall, this place lives up to the reputation hailed by so many diners. The entrees are fine but somehow bring in southern style which is not my personal favourite---a little too much of the fried, roasted, seared... The special summer cold soup is stunning, refreshing and pleasantly sizzling to the tasting buds. Fruit from the earth and the sea strike a harmony in just one bowl!
(4)
Frank J.
Don't eat the entrees, appetizers are very good though. Soup had great texture and flavor. Cauliflower was cooked very nicely with lots of great dipping sauces. Scallop entree: scallops were only cooked on one side--lack of texture. All scallops were split open when served. Served over way too much lettuce with some sort of fried mushroom stuck on the bottom and hidden. Strange dish. Filet was a big ball of mush. No crispness to the meat. Tough to swallow. Again with a bunch of lettuce and asparagus thrown on top of the piece of meat. Would not order again. Service was very good. Atmosphere was nice and it was great getting to sit at the bar and watch the chefs in the kitchen work.
(3)
Kevin B.
Food and service were fantastic even during a tornado watch and hailstorm!
(5)
Todd B.
I just had one of the best dining experiences of my life at R'evolution in New Orleans, and I didn't think it could get much better. Then I came to Etch tonight in the South's other culinary capital, Nashville. It was a sublime experience. I was dreading going downtown to Etch due to the parking issues, but the parking lot across from the restaurant was reasonable, or the valet option is very convenient as well. Parking was a cinch, so I already was in a good mood. Then I was greeted warmly, and the bar was immediately in front of me, inviting me over for a drink. Fortunately, the table was ready immediately, so we sat down in a beautiful airy space with high ceilings, nice lighting and a contemporary design. Parts of the dining room face the open kitchen. The wine list is short but has nice selections, and several cocktails appeared interesting for my next visit. Our server was knowledgeable, sweet, attentive and came to our table just at the right time. She did not interrupt conversations. The food was prepared well and delivered in a timely way. We began with the shrimp bruschetta and the roasted cauliflower. Both were amazing, but I'll have to side with the cauliflower as the best simply because I was so surprised -- I don't like cauliflower because I find it bland. This was not bland in the least. The cauliflower is roasted and then drizzled in truffle oil, and served with green pea truffle and goat cheese dips. My friend chose the Short Rib entree, and again I was so surprised to find that I liked it. I'm not much of a short rib fan in most cases, but this short rib was served in a sushi-like fashion, with a crispy outer edge and succulent meat inside. It was accompanied by an equally delicious salad of greens, shrimp and clear noodles. I chose the Cobia because it spoke Mediterranean to me -- but don't be fooled! There is a beignet up under that grouper fish and mango salsa, and it was -- well, words fail me. I'm not feelig one bit guilty that I violated my low carb diet to have a beignet with fish. The dessert menu looked fabulous--especially the pumpkin semifreddo -- but I abstained because I already had a beignet. I'll definitely be back, and I'm telling everyone I know in Nashville and beyond to experience this extraordinary restaurant. This is going to be on a lot of national lists for 2013.
(5)
Rick H.
Fresh and expertly crafted plates. Reco: octopus & shrimp bruschetta, ratatouille crudo salad sub the duck...excellent flavor!
(5)
Juliet L.
Really yummy food, lots of vegetarian options. Good ambiance and drinks, too. Had a great time. The cauliflower appetizer is delicious. We also tried the butter sampling, which was fun.
(5)
Janet S.
Checked in for Happy Hour on Friday around 4.30pm. Got the small booth in the corner, I think there were about 3 other bar tables and seats at the bar. Octopus and Shrimp Bruschetta manchego, arugula, fennel, roasted tomato, capers, garlic oil, bacon $8, was large, definitely filling for 1 person. Two Model T cocktails $6 each Ford's Gin, Fever Tree Tonic, Chrysanthemum Honey Liquor, Grapefruit. It just tasted like a gin and tonic to us but a very good one and it certainly hit the spot before the sun went down. Service was excellent, food excellent much better than I expected, all in all a top notch place to be proud of and great for snooty out of town diners.
(4)
Victoria S.
Awesome food! Get the shrimp and octopus bruschetta! Surprisingly the filet was awesome too!! I was told the chocolate pretzel bar I was voted best dessert is Nashville so I had to try it!!! Sooo good! Friendly bartenders too! I would highly recommend.
(4)
Jeff W.
My wife and I went here a few days ago for lunch and it was awesome! The wait staff couldn't be any nicer and I rather enjoyed the simple but elegant ambiance of the room. We started off by having the Octopus and Shrimp Bruschetta for an appetizer, I would definitely recommend this to anyone. There were large chunks of octopus and shrimp all over the bruchetta which made every bite a good one. The sauce that comes on the side really give it a good kick too. For an entree I got the lobster hoagie and my wife got the roost beef sandwich. Both were great, the lobster hoagie came stuff with lobster salad, lamb bacon, avocado, and korean red chili cucumbers. It was a perfect size that filled me up without over doing it. The roost beef sandwich was huge and I loved the parmesan horseradish sauce and roasted asparagus they had on it. The horseradish sauce was the best horseradish sauce I have ever had! Both sandwiches came with homemade chips that were great, I wish I could buy a bag of them to go. I would recommend this place for lunch to anyone I know!
(5)
Brennan W.
I've been combing over the two and a half hours I spent at Etch, and I can't seem to find a single reason why this place would deserve less than 5 stars. Simply put, this was one of - if not the - best meal I've had in Nashville. The drinks were quite fantastic, and the wine list was extensive. The Butter Tasting pops up in so many reviews for a reason - it's a wonderfully enjoyable and unusual experience. The entrees were cooked to perfection and presented with care, with so many unconventional flavors combining in ways you'd never expect. Add a nice atmosphere, combined with a knowledgeable, courteous, helpful, and all-around excellent staff, and you've got a must-visit in the Nashville fine dining scene.
(5)
Vanessa L.
Just really, really well done. Balanced flavors, warm, knowledgeable service, exciting options, beautiful room... The list goes on. This is a slam dunk. Well done!
(5)
Anna J.
WOW, I AM so glad Chef Deb from Zola is back, and with a bang! Etch met all my expectations. I can honestly say that this place is better than Catbird seat! For starters, I shared the duck confit, it is the best duck confit I've ever had. The flavors and presentation was just divine! It just melted in my mouth. I am a huge meat eater, however, this particular night, I was captivated by the Cauliflower La Plancha, their vegetarian dish. The table next to us had it and it made me want it more so than the port tenderloin I was originally going to get. Boy, I definitely made the right decision! Although I bet the pork tenderloin would be great as well. The dish was giant! It literally was half of the cauliflower rod, and lots of mushrooms, kale, onions, etc... the sauces were scrumptious! The BEST veggie dish ever! My boyfriend had the short ribs... they were just as great! So unique as well, who thinks of deep frying short ribs?! But the crunch complimented the fork tender ribs perfectly. The side of stir fry was delicious as well. For desert we shared the panna cotta. This was my least favorite part of the meal, but I think it just was a little heavy on the spice... ginger...cinnamon? not sure, but the sorbet on top was great! I am already planning my next trip here!
(5)
Kim P.
From food to drinks to service, everything was great! You know it's good when you wish you didn't have to share an appetizer dish and ask the waitress to bring some bread so you can clean up the delicious sauce left on the plate. Oh, I didn't even want to share my dinner even though I was pretty full by the time it came out. I was excited to have it for leftovers the next day (scallops). I was surprised that there were more than 4 large scallops! That doesn't happen often at an upper scale restaurant. Somehow I made it to dessert too. I would definitely come back here.
(5)
Reed K.
Rattatouie salad with chicken for lunch was just outstanding. Have eaten here twice before and neither time was I blown away by the creativity and favor of the food but that changed with this simple but delicious salad. Very well done. Service has been good each time I've been the Etch. Cool spot.
(4)
Alexis R.
Absolutely outstanding. Hands-on owner/chef. Everything was top notch and I rarely ever say that.
(5)
Leah G.
I had a delicious roast beef and asparagus sandwich last week... Everyone else at my table ordered a small salad covered in what looked like sprouts. Needless to say, they were all eyeballing my plate. Service was OK, but a little slow especially considering the mostly empty tables around us. I would recommend for anyone looking to try something a bit different.
(4)
Julia A.
Blown away by the expertise of the staff here. Our waiter explained all the combinations and ingredients down to the last detail. I've never had dishes that had so many seemingly dissimilar ingredients. However, all the tastes worked so well together. Whoever prepared the menu definitely knew how to make lively dishes. This restaurant is predominately meat, which makes it easy to find sauces and vegetables that complement the main courses. Highly recommend for any occasion, but do try to dress up.
(5)
Terry V.
I have been here for both lunch and dinner and it's ON POINT. The service is just excellent and the food is even better! I am so happy that I was able to taste Chef Deb Paquette's amazing creations. I missed out when they closed Zola so I wanted to eat there as soon as I heard that she was head chef!!! The valet was great and helps so much when you are a time constraint and don't have time to park. I'd much rather spend my time in the restaurant eating than trying to find parking! When you walk in, the hostess is very friendly and will gladly check your coat for you. Loved that touch. Everyone is friendly and I think the service is just excellent! They want you to have the best experience and they mean it. My lunch selection: Cobia! It had a nice caribbean spiced, mango pineapple salsa on the side with the fish on top of a fried donut bread accompanied with trinidad tamarind hot sauce (not hot), and tangerine butter. I love spicy food but I did not think it was spicy at all so don't get thrown off by the hot sauce. I actually that it had a nice tart touch because of the salsa. Then, I HAD to get a little dessert. The pumpkin semifreddo is FABULOUS. It is a pecan meringue cake with pecan crumble, pumpkin puree, and orange gastrique. Then you get two torched vanilla and spice marshmallows!! This is a great place for a power lunch, lunch date, lunch gathering, etc. I love how versatile it is. You feel chic when you are there and don't really want to leave. Anyone else agree with me? On another occasion, I went for dinner with a great group of friends. I had their duck confit for an appetizer and I LOVED it. The duck confit has fig foie gras butter, jalapeno, orange peel, bread, balsamic blackberries, and mustard seed. It had so many flavors and the duck was fantastic! Then, I had the pork tender loin. It was good but not the best I have ever had. It had porcini dusted with manchego, caramelized onion, potato, chorizo, spanish mountain mushroom sauce, and truffle oil. I would like to order the lamb shank or filet next time. Tip: Order the CHARRED BRUSSEL SPROUTS! I have never been a fan of brussel sprouts but they are done RIGHT here. They have such an amazing flavor and I seriously could have eaten the entire serving but I had to share! :) The only other ingredient was smaltz butter. Fantastic surprise! If I had any guests coming into town, I would definitely put this on the list of places we would HAVE to go and I hope you do too!
(5)
Ismar K.
This place aight. It's new, so service is on point. Not too expensive. Pushed the cauliflower on us and it was good. Beet salad was Phreshhhh.
(4)
Tony P.
Top 5 best lifetime food and service experience. While the wizard remained behind the curtain somewhere, the kitchen efficiently produces consistently excellent plates of delicious food. A small custom design flavor factory. Amazing flavor combinations. Suggestion: You have to have the "Don" cocktail - a Manhattan - with the duck confit. Mind blown! Many amazing dimensions to this food beverage spiral elevation of one's taste buds. French toast foie gras boo yah! Duckulence! The service at the front counter was a theatre of affectation, a steady stream of dedicated food delivery system food bees buzzing about the hive. And I enjoyed conversing with the truly dedicated staff who effortlessly made my meal more enjoyable with every brief witty and insightful visit. The woman beside me was having what looked to be her 24th birthday party. Its that kind of place. You'll remember it forever. Music City Food. There was a delicious rhubarb with gelato amazing crumbly primordially satisfying ooze at the end as well. Stellar!
(5)
Kim U.
My favorite Nashville restaurant is Margot, but Etch gives it a good run for the money. Whenever we're headed to a concert at the Schermerhorn, this is our go-to restaurant choice. Not inexpensive, but delicious and worth every penny. Make sure you get the cauliflower appetizer and the butter tasting. Pros: *Fantastic and innovative food options *Great wine list *Really on-the-ball waitstaff who pay attention *Location Cons: *Not that many vegetarian options (but what is available is amazing) *Can be hard to get a reservation - book early if you know you want to come here Kid-friendly scale: Nope. No. Absolutely not. Don't even think about it. Vegetarian-friendly scale: Get the cauliflower appetizer for your entree. You will not regret it. They're also very good about modifying when possible to turn a dish into a vegetarian option - like the butter tasting which sometimes contains lards. Let your waiter know and they'll work with you. I'd love to see some more variety in their vegetarian options, or if they offered some daily vegetarian specials. Protip: on our last visit, the waiter or front staff mentioned that if we were coming to the Schermerhorn, we should just valet park at Etch and leave our car there for our concert. We haven't tried this yet, but it could be really convenient depending on cost.
(5)
Kim S.
Fantastic experience! Started off the night with drinks in the bar and Paul and Malia made it a real treat! Extremely warm and friendly and poured to perfection these two had the night off to a great start. These guys know what they are doing- absolutely amazing service. Dinner was fantastic- some do not miss are the octopus and shrimp bruschetta and the lamb tartare- unbelievable. Finish with the seasonal fruit dessert- easily missed by the menu description and you will have an evening not to be forgotten!
(5)
Kenny Y.
Great but Expensive
(4)
Timothy H.
I enjoyed my first experience at Etch tonight. The roasted cauliflower appetizer was outstanding and is a great dish to share (you get plenty of it). I also had the soup of the day (a delicious bisque) and the lamb chop for my entree. The chorizo brik that came with the chop gave the dish a nice hint of spice, and the eggplant added some heartiness and additional texture. The lamb was a perfect medium rare. Etch had 6 beers on tap, all reasonably priced, mostly sticking to local brews. They had a good mix in those six, with selections ranging from wheat to ipa to porter. I always appreciate when restaurants with great food keep a solid rotation of brews on tap, so kudos to etch. The service was great, very attentive and kept drinks filled. There was also complimentary valet parking, which is quite helpful in that part of town. If I had to give a negative I would say some might have found the staff to be too attentive (they literally explained each ingredient of the dish when ordering and once the dish came out! Might be a little much for some people, but I appreciated it). Overall, a terrific experience and worth checking out.
(5)
David R.
Hands down, one of the best restaurants in town. The flavors are assertive, bold and balanced. I'd write more but feel that that's wasting your time. Go. Explore. Be delighted.
(5)
Lisa N.
I live in the area. I now have been to Etch but I do not feel the need to go back. Here is why: I chose Etch after hearing praise from many friends and colleagues and because we often dined at Zola in the past. I even went down a list of "best" restaurants in Nashville and cross-referenced reviews because I wanted the night to be memorable for my husband's birthday. I made reservations online, and we showed up at our designated time. The two hostesses did not actually greet us with a "Hello, welcome to Etch..." kind of greeting, but just started searching the computer for our names and having a lengthy discussion in front of us about who of the staff could "take us." To me this is not professional and made me panic for a couple of minutes as I worried they did not actually have my reservation. When one of the hostesses took us into the dining room, there were many two-tops available, but we were seated 5 feet away from a table of loud Midwestern tourists. Our tiny table was next to large windows, but since the afternoon sun was setting, shades were drawn, which felt even more claustrophobic. Certainly it was better than having the sun in our eyes, and the servers did raise the shades as soon as the sun went behind Bridgestone, but the room is not a romantic, special atmosphere. As for the food, which is why we were there, there were definitely some high points, although there was always an exception that kept each dish from reaching the "amazing" level. The oft-lauded roasted cauliflower appetizer is unique and tasty. My ratatouille crudo was just OK - rather bland. My husband loved the scallops, and my filet was delicious and well cooked, although VERY salty. The red wine gravy had a bitter aftertaste, and the beef was almost overwhelmed with about two cups of asparagus "whisps," making the duck butter moot. We split a dessert, a chocolate pretzel bar recommended as a favorite by our server. It was excellent and the only item all night that I ate with abandon. Overall, we had a nice evening out that should have been much more special. I had noted in my online reservation that it was my husband's birthday, and while I don't expect singing, clapping servers or a free meal, I mentioned it because IMHO truly great restaurants know that, for many, spending $150 on a meal is a big deal, and a few kind words from an attentive employee can make the occasion memorable. No one ever mentioned it. Maybe they don't pay much attention to the Open Table reservations, but that is the problem. If you take reservations, you KNOW who is coming. Figure out "who goes where" ahead of time, not while they are standing in front of you. Greet people like you're happy they chose your place, not as if they are interrupting you. So I guess I am writing this review more for the staff because the generic service made what was supposed to be a special occasion just ... ordinary.
(3)
Dennis W.
Simply wonderful food. The cobia is one of their signature dishes and it was prepared perfectly with various spices and accompaniments that brings out everything that this fish is and can be. The 7oz filet was superb and prepared exactly to order. They etch salad and the beet and berry salads were farm fresh and the cauliflower is a one of a kind must have. Can't say enough about Etch!
(5)
A B.
My boyfriend and I were in Nashville for the weekend and wanted to try a restaurant we had not experienced yet. This place is one I would recommend to any of my friends, and will definitely go back! All of the ingredients are very unique but so tasty! We started with the Octopus and Shrimp Bruschetta, which was incredible! Definitely not your typical tomatoes and garlic on bread. We split the Etch Salad, which was a perfect portion for us both, and it was so good! He had the venison and I had the grilled lamb as our entrees. Both were excellent and delicious! I believe the menu changes frequently, which is something I appreciate! Justin was an excellent server and was very knowledgeable about different ingredients. We will definitely return here!
(5)
Ed K.
Return trip...even better. (If you can deal w/ downtown)
(4)
Sloane S.
I'd been hearing about the legendary Etch for months and finally landed a reservation on a snowy Monday evening. My friend and I went early, wanting to take advantage of the fantastic happy hour offerings. (discounted apps, 4 dollar drafts, 5 dollar select wines, and 6 dollar select cocktails). Unfortunately, when we were seated and I asked for a happy hour menu, the hostess informed me that in order to enjoy happy hour, we had to sit at the bar. This isn't listed anywhere on the website or menu, so my friend and I began our experience a in a state of slight disappointment. She ordered the Model T and I ordered the Jack and Cocchi. The cocktails were good, but not stellar. Not worth $9. Verrrry strong, though. She ordered the Pork Tenderloin, and I ordered the Cobia. Oh. My. God. If I am every lucky enough to taste something so heavenly ever again, I will be the luckiest lady twice. It was a remarkably prepared fish, situated atop a large beignet and surrounded with an orange glaze, almonds, cranberries, and a mild feta. Foodgasm. I was so enthralled with my own dish, I didn't even look at my friend's pork tenderloin, but we both cleared our plates, not leaving a single morsel. We talked about the meal for days, and will (hopefully) return before we graduate in May. So, in summary: Happy Hour is in the bar. Strong cocktails, Make a reservation far in advance. You absolutely cannot go wrong with anything on the menu.
(4)
Aaron F.
Excellent food selections that offer creative options you may not see elsewhere. The roast cauliflower in truffle oil was very nice. Wonderful atmosphere, convenient parking (complimentary valet with validated ticket), wines are a bit pricey but good selection. If you're looking for a nice upscale dinner, highly recommend Etch!
(4)
Jill N.
Trendy place with great food and atmosphere. We ate at the kitchen/chef bar which was fun and interactive and a little less formal than sitting at a table. We skipped appetizers as it was late and just ordered the grilled 7oz filet. WOW. Absolutely delicious. Especially be zucchini slaw. I wish the entree came with more. I would definitely recommend to others and would go back again.
Amazing restaurant with excellent food and nice (if not terribly fast) service. The food combinations are quite novel and interesting, and pretty tasty. The price was not terribly high.
(4)
Jessica H.
Ate at Etch last night with my friends as we visited Nashville making a reservation on open table. My review is mixed. When we first entered the restaurant, the smell was so bad that we almost left immediately. I am not sure if there was a sewer leak or what but it was completely unpleasant. The hostesses were not very welcoming and seemed very new to the concept of greeting clients. The food was excellent. Service with James was very good. I would recommend the roasted cauliflower with the smoked pea pesto and the Cobia. I enjoyed the chef's layering of flavors and textures which is familiar to us from out West. If a restaurant review was Only about the food then they would receive a 5. One more thing about the front end service... When we were leaving, we asked the valet if he could arrange a cab and rather than arranging for us, he told us the number. Not Cool! As the cab company wanted the exact location with zip code and cross streets. That was not the southern hospitality that we had been experiencing all over the rest of Nashville. The good news that it should be easy to fix the problems with the valet, rude hostesses, and the disgusting stench upon entry. At least they have a great chef and James to wait on you.
(3)
Andria J.
Great experience! Entrees and apps were delightful. Brussel sprouts were not good at all. Service was great! A little loud but great experience!
(4)
Kristin L.
I knew Etch was scheduled to open sometime this fall, but wasn't sure when, but the stars aligned last evening when I happened to be downtown on their opening night with no dinner plans. The restaurant is located in a previously unoccupied corner of the Encore building; it's a fantastic alternative to all the more casual eateries on Broadway if you're looking for a nice dinner or fancy cocktails after work. No doubt, it will be packed to the brim once the Music City Center and Omni open their doors in 2013. Going to any restaurant on opening night is always a huge risk, but you would never have known Etch had just opened its doors--it seemed as if they'd been perfecting their techniques, service and menus for years. And that's probably because their leader, Deb Paquette (formerly of Zola fame), has been one of Nashville's biggest culinary treasures for decades. The meal started with fresh-baked rosemary rolls, of which each of my party ate two (and would have gobbled down more had we not been afraid of being too full once the main course arrived). I ordered the cauliflower steak not because I'm a vegetarian but because the description intrigued me so. It was an explosion for the senses--the confluence of the textures, the tastes and fresh ingredients (including pea pesto, miso blue cheese gravy, kale, fennel and caramelized onions)--and I will be dreaming about that meal for months to come. I also had the ginger grits, which were delightful and unlike any Southern dish I've ever tasted. My sister ordered the filet, which was accompanied by a decadent mushroom bread pudding (pardu), smoked red wine gravy, asparagus whisps and rosemary duck butter. I'm not sure which dish I liked better! Needless to say, I helped her clean her plate. I always feel a restaurant in the best judge by how it prepares chicken given that's typically the one choice that is glossed over by the chef, so when my cousin ordered the chicken I was eager to try it. Mounds of fresh greens and other ingredients (sage vinaigrette, fennel, farro, tomato, parmesan, prosciutto) were piled atop the pan-fried bird, like a combination of a pizza and a salad. And don't even make me try to explain the dessert. Pastry chef superstar Megan Williams--who was previously at Urban Grub and Capitol Grille--rose to the occasion to create a menu that featured such items as goat cheese almond semifreddo with almond meringue, hibiscus sauce, raspberry gelee and honey; milk chocolate chai panna cotta with dark chocolate sauce, pear sorbet, toasted hazelnuts and hazelnut tuile; and the goat milk vanilla and milk chocolate caradmom pistachio ice cream. We sampled a bit of everything: The ice cream with the salty cookie crumble was by far my favorite, though you can't go wrong with *any* of her desserts! The cocktail menu is nothing to stop at either. We went with these server's recommendation of the Maker's Mark whiskey cocktail. Let's just say it's good enough that I had a second and would have had a third had I not been driving. Having moved here from San Francisco a year ago, I feel like I am a good judge of culinary panache. And the fact that this city continues to surprise me--in an excellent way--is all only a solidifying factor in our decision to relocate permanently. When I went to City House earlier this week for Sunday Supper, I thought dinner in Nashville couldn't be any better. And then I tried Etch. All future meals no doubt will be judged based on my experience there--and you better believe I will be back very soon!
(5)
Mark L.
I'm still a little speechless after last night's dinner here. It was amazingly good. Kenneth was an outstanding server. He sized us up and matched our mood perfectly: coming when needed, offering perfect advice, friendly, but a complete professional. We tried as much as 3 people could comfortably eat from the menu. The cauliflower app is great, what a healthy, but rich treat. The beet salad was beautiful and delicious. I had the scallops for my entree and was overwhelmed. The fried mushrooms complimented the greens and the scallops so well, I can't believe I haven't had this combination before. So good! We split grits and brussels sprouts for our sides. I am a sprout fiend and loved the caramelized onions mixed with them. Amazing! We knew we had to save room for dessert, so we tried to pace ourselves. They all were wonderful. I'm gushing about Etch, but all 3 of us were stunned after we finished. Was it the best meal we've ever had? Damn close, if not. I'm in Nashville on business, but will scheme and plot to come back and eat here again. It was just great.
(5)
Sejal M.
We had great service and the atmosphere is fantastic. The food was pretty good. I wouldn't say it was spectacular but nonetheless, we did enjoy our meal.
(4)
Will H.
Four of us visited Etch last night, and we were absolutely blown away. The atmosphere, the food, and the service were all spectacular. Other reviewers have already talked about the modern decor. The space is very open without being cold or overwhelming. The place was pretty full, but (avoiding a pet peeve of mine) the noise level in the room did not interfere with our conversations. A seat at the bar would give you a fabulous view of the open kitchen; I settled for facing the kitchen and trying to catch glimpses from afar of the magic being created. The food and the service were both brilliant. Our waitress struck that wonderful balance of attentive, but not intrusive; she answered our questions about the menu with informative charm. We tried several cocktails, all tasty; I'd recommend the Hemingway for a sour rum treat or the Whiskey Smash for Maker's sweetened after the manner of a mojito. We started with the butter tasting -- that's four different butters with delectable breads and rolls, and for under five bucks you're a fool if you skip it. The octopus and shrimp bruschetta appetizer was fantastic and contained the best octopus I've ever eaten; our waitress said it had something to do with sous vide, but I was too busy inhaling it to listen closely. The entrees were stunningly presented and delicious. My partner had scallops prepared expertly; my steak was scrumptious. Desserts were heavenly, but we hardly had room; we didn't finish a panna cotta, but we inhaled the "mocha" (actually a chocolate cake with caramel mousse and coffee pot de creme). Etch is already the sort of place that I would take a visitor from NYC or SF to prove that we have quality restaurants in Nashville. It is a cut above other places I already love here. You really should go.
(5)
Jed K.
Found it underwhelming. The cauliflower was good. The venison dry and uninspiring. Tithe atmosphere was ok. Lots of better places in Nashville for my task ,rolf and daughters, city house and husk come to mind. Could be better
(3)
Tom K.
It's okay, but not worthy of the hype. The food is acceptable and the service is good, but this is not by any means a major dining experience. With that said, Etch should be in your lunch rotation if you work downtown.
(3)
Ryan H.
After reading Marcia's review I had to get my wife and I there. Saturday night and after a few drinks and some great music we wandered over to Etch. My wife is part vegetarian so the Cauliflower app seemed perfect. We got there and the hostess told us that the restaurant was 'fully committed" for the rest of the evening. I think she was telling us no tables available. Never heard it that was but made perfect sense. But luckily enough the bar area was available if anyone got up and, just like the rest of the weekend for us, we were in the dime zone and someone got up. And no one else was waiting. Thank you Elvis! We sat at a great high table with view of the restaurant, outside, and the entire bar area. "Tall Paul" was our bartender/waiter and I can only tell you that he, in addition to the food, made our evening. As Tom Cruise said, he competed us. Well not exactly like that. But I hope you get the jist of what I am saying. He first suggested the perfect beer for our taste after my wife changed my mind on the bottle of Prosecco. She was right in that we did not need that much. Just food. We had the Tuna Shrimp appetizer which was delicious but 3rd in line of creativity and taste. The Cauliflower App is what we came for and we were not disappointed. Wow. I think that more than half the folks that we saw got this and I doubt anyone was disappointed. Lot of baked Cauliflower with 2 sauces to dip them in. Mix all three and it was Nirvana! I know what you are thinking. He said 3 appetizers. Surely that last one was tops. Well, because of the utter disregard for health and the cleverness of the last app along with how damn good it was we ordered the 4 Butter Tasting. They brought out fresh soft yummy roles and some other baguette type bread with 4 big globs of butter. It was much better presented than my explanation. It included a Duck Confit, Peanut butter and honey, Smoked, and Truffle set of butters. Not sure if they would do it but next time I think I would ask to skip all of them for the Truffle flavor. It was stupendous. Not to take away from the others as they were all fantastic but the truffle created a new reason for living. Hands down my favorite thing I ate in Nashville. Maybe it was a little bit of the alcohol speaking but I really think I enjoyed it that much. "Tall Paul" was our favorite server on our 48 hour trip by far and the food was equally as good so Etch is now my favorite can't miss spot in Nashville. If I ever go back, it will be amongst our stops. Thanks for the great service and the delectable food! As good or better than what we are used to in Charleston! And I thought that Nashville was a music and BBQ town. Etch brings it up to a Foodie haven as well!
(5)
Emily K.
Service was slow. But they have the best ice in their drinks. The steak was amazing! The martini's really good also.
(3)
Marc B.
Really did not expect that quality and innovation. Would recommend this place for a solid meal.
(4)
Allison H.
Food-wise, I would give Etch five stars. I had to lower my rating due to the glacial pacing between the appetizer and entree. I mean, how can you not start off a restaurant with at least 3-4 stars if it has a freakin' BUTTER TASTING? Which was delicious, by the way, and I wanted to put it on everything (I might've smeared extra truffle butter on my steak). My table also really loved the octopus and shrimp bruschetta. Really interesting flavors that just worked together perfectly. I was so excited that this place was living up to what I had read about it, but then.. I guess the kitchen was in the weeds big time, because we must've waited well over half an hour for our entrees. The manager walked by us and I think he noticed our unhappy faces, and he came over and asked if all was well. We said we'd been waiting a while, and he rushed into the kitchen, realized we were right, and immediately comped them. I was not even going to ask for anything so drastic, but it was appreciated. It wasn't our server's fault at all, I don't remember her name but she was great and gave excellent wine recommendations. If I lived in Nashville I would absolutely go back and give it another shot. I was a little concerned that the entrees would be rushed and not up to par, as that can happen in that sort of situation, but I'm pleased to say they were all lovely. I liked the ginger grits side; not something I would've thought of, but the flavor was awesome. Almost forgot - we were a bit early for our reservation and had a drink at the bar beforehand. Really pleasant and nice bartender. I would've been happy to hang out there all night.
(3)
Benita M.
I had my 30th birthday dinner at Etch over Labor Day weekend. Everyone in my group of six loved everything we ordered. Word of warning: servings are huge! I was stuffed after our table shared a butter tasting (a must order!) and two orders of the cauliflower ( amazing) and I ordered one of their soups of the day, a to-die-for summery gazpacho with watermelon. My soup came in a seemingly never-ending bowl. By this point, I could have called it a night. But my entree was on its way. I'm a vegetarian and I ordered the nest with vegetables and cheese and a delicious sauce. It was a very large portion and I only ate about a third of it. It was very good but nothing too exciting. I preferred the appetizers and soup so next time I would likely make a meal out of those instead. My server was wonderful and I felt bad as she thought I didn't like it but since we were going out that night and taking cabs, I had to decline her offer of boxing it up. Despite how stuffed I was, I decided I had to order dessert considering it was my birthday. I ordered a dark chocolate, hazelnut torte, which exceeded expectations.
(4)
Sam N.
You know when you find yourself saying "that meal was good, but not quite as good as Etch" at every nice restaurant you go to, you found something special. Etch was one of the best meals I've ever had - not just in Nashville. Everything about it was fantastic: the food, the service, and the atmosphere. We sat at the bar, which was right outside of the kitchen so you could watch everyone work. I was a little nervous it would be distracting but it actually was quite interesting, and it meant that service was extremely prompt! Our food was great as well, and even the butter sampler appetizer we got was memorable and delicious. We love dining out, and do so often (probably too often), and the fact that we keep thinking about this place should speak volumes. If you are in Nashville and like nicer restaurants, go here. It's not even a question.
(5)
Ryan O.
Etch is certainly one of the top 5 restaurants in the city. Chef Deb Paquette is among the Nashville elite and Etch reflects every bit of that. If you don't want take my word for it just consult any of the recent accolades like best restaurant by Nashville Lifestyles or the number one spot on Eater Nashville's June 2013 heatmap. As if the food were not enough here, the presentation and plating really push this place over the edge. I would say in that category it IS the best in Nashville. The dishes are so beautiful it's like eating artwork. I could go on and on about some of the dishes here but the menu rotates often so it's probably pointless. If I had to classify it I would call it world cuisine but Deb's agenda here is to serve dishes that would be very hard to make at home. In that regard I think she really hits the mark as you'll see things on the menu here that you just won't find even a remote semblance anywhere else in town. One staple that seems to remain on the menu though that I really love is the butter tasting. Specifically, and this is not a joke, the duck butter. With its abundant thyme flavor and infusion of duck (fat?) combined with the rosemary bread, it's a combination that always tastes reminiscent of Thanksgiving to me. That's a nostalgic feeling and it's pretty damn awesome. A final note about the food, the desserts here are really, really incredible. The pastry chef here is truly outstanding and you should not skip dessert here under any circumstances. As far as spirits go, the bourbon and whiskey list is rather paltry but they do have a few great drinks on the cocktail menu. I particularly like The Don which essentially a black manhattan but I also seem to recall seeing classics like a Boulevardier and Negroni on there as well. They even use real luxardo style cherries which is an added bonus. The only real negative I can come up with is that the price point is a bit on the high side but it almost pains me to say that since I think what you get is worth every bit of the cost. The lunch menu is very economical though and I would encourage you to check it out as the price to value ratio there is excellent.
(5)
The Peggy H.
At lunchPaul the bartender provided the best customer service we experienced in Nashville! Not only was the food delicious but his friendly cadence and invite back with suggested meal was plenty to convince us to come back tonight for the Venison.
(5)
Kathryn M.
We went to Etch today for lunch, the food was delicious (we ordered the fish tacos and beef brisket), but it took 45 minutes for us to get our food after we ordered. The service was good, but it took forever to get our drinks and food. Go for good food but only if you're okay with waiting.
(3)
Max N.
If you're visiting Nashville and enjoy fine dining, you legitimately should not leave without visiting Etch. Something I very much appreciate about Etch, first and foremost, is that it isn't a "twist on southern food" like most other restaurants in the area. With a spectacular chef, an almost to good to be true wait staff and assumingly top notch management, I can guarantee a fantastic experience. I have heard some people mention that it "looks like a hotel lobby," and though I can see some similarities that does not at all take away from it's elegance and ambiance. Absolutely comparable to a five star restaurant in New York or Los Angeles.
(5)
Sarah W.
Let me tell you a secret. I would eat the cauliflower at Etch every.damn.day . if I could. It's that amazing. No. But for real. It is incredible. Let me say that again. The cauliflower is utterly divine. Etch is a wonderful addition to the downtown area. It is one of the places I will venture downtown for and it is definitely where I like to go after a concert a the Schermerhorn or a show at TPAC ...or just anytime, really. Service is always flawless, from the valet to the hostess to the servers to the bar staff. Never have I ever been received with anything less than a lovely smile, a soft welcome and an "enjoy". The butter tasting is ridiculous. And I am not that crazy about butter. The offerings are wonderfully flavored. The cauliflower is a reason to go all on its own! Smoke pesto pea puree and almonds and creamy cheese on the side, not withstanding, the flavor of the roasted cauli all by itself is just delectable. Back in the days when I ate meat, the fish, duck and steak were superb. Extremely well seasoned and cooked with perfectly complimenting side dishes. The salads are wonderful and creative. The drinks are delicious and the staff knowledgeable about what they have to offer. I have visited in jeans, dressed to the nines and just about everything in between. I always feel comfortable and not out of place. The only downside? No martini glass. What is that about? Nutshell: GO. NOW. Wait, call me first and I will join you. :)
(5)
M R.
We traveled to Nashville for our anniversary and the Labor Day holiday weekend, and dined at Etch for the third time. It NEVER disappoints. Like Johanna's review says, words can barely do the experience justice. Our serverLane was terrific and everyone else we encountered was friendly and you can tell this place attracts people who are passionate about food, as we are. Rule Number One at Etch: Order the cauliflower appetizer. I know, I know, CAULIFLOWER?? Trust me, even if you're just meh on cauliflower in general, this app will simultaneously change and blow your mind. Put a bit of cauliflower on your fork, then take your knife and add a Marcona almond, and a little of the accompanying smoked truffle English pea puree and feta crema. I recommend you chew slowly and close your eyes to keep the tears of joy from escaping as you savor the perfect bite. The charcuterie salad is an outstanding second course. Featuring a superb combination of flavors, including smoked lima beans and pickled onion (yum!), it's topped with a few crispy fried oyster mushrooms, and the whole thing is delightful. (Also, it's huge so I recommend splitting it between at least two people.) For dinner we split the scallop entree. Welcome to the world's most perfectly cooked, tender, sweet, large sea scallops (U12 is my guess). They're served with a trio of mushrooms (grilled, confit and tempura). The rest of the setup includes smoked shallot vinaigrette, bacon, greens, and once again two perfect, velvety sauces to play with (butternut garlic essence & beet sriracha). Chef Deb Paquette is a master of combining not only the right whole ingredients but also the perfect preparations for each one. Her use of spice, smoking, and pickling creates a culinary experience you won't soon forget. One more thing... Deb's culinary vision would never be brought to life if not for skilled execution, so big fat delicious kudos to the entire culinary team at Etch! If you're like us, once you visit Etch you'll yearn to come back again and again.
(5)
Lindsay B.
Incredible atmosphere, love that the kitchen is so open that you can see the chefs at work. Food was delicious- we had the pork and duck dishes and thoroughly enjoyed both. We started with the butter tasting which was unique and also tasty. I also tried the Hemingway cocktail and it was delicious. I felt like the only downfall of the night was the service- our waiter was just fair at best, not very attentive. I'd definitely recommend people check out this new place! P.S. The valets at this place were fantastic- great Nashville advice and they literally ran to get the cars :)
(4)
Leigh D.
Went back recently and didn't have as great of an experience. The portions felt very large and over salted/seasons. After eating there, I felt pretty gross. Sad update. -------------- A perfect dining experience. From the moment we walked in the staff was incredible attentive and helpful. The hostess was able to get us a table as soon as we were ready and, in the meantime, the waitress in the bar area recommended terrific drinks to kick things off. Our waitress was very knowledgable about the menu and the Chef. Chef Deb Paquette is an absolute magician! Everything was perfect. Unique, unexpected flavors that were perfect combinations. Here's what I had: (HIGHLY recommend everything) Butter Tasting: truffle butter, smoked plugra butter, goat butter, duck butter Special Soup: Corn and ____ puree with watermelon chutney Venison: moroccan spiced, sweet potato guava, ginger grits, pear butter, cranberry sumac relish Cannot wait to go back.
(3)
Joe N.
Great food and great service. Roasted cauliflower and etch salad were my favorites. Sit at the counter and watch the kitchen process.
(5)
L. M.
Impeccable service and every dish we ordered was delicious. We did the butter tasting and had the duck confit, cauliflower, spaghetti squash, and scallops. Everything was delicious!
(5)
Catherine F.
Fantastic food and service. Happy hour is fun, but sit in the main dining room for dinner. The scallops are perfectly done and Amy is a great waitress. Wine menu is well cultivated and the desserts are melt in your mouth good, especially the caramel pretzel and lemon tart. Expensive, but excellent. Treat yourself for a special occasion.
(4)
Gina M.
I was visiting Nashville with some girlfriends for a bachelorette party and read great reviews for this restaurant. So glad we ate here! The food was amazing and the service was perfect. You must get two things: the butter tasting and the roasted cauliflower. I will be dreaming of that cauliflower and I'm not even a huge fan typically! Duck app was a bit too sweet for us and the pork belly was good, just not great. For dinner most of us had the scallops, which were perfectly cooked and delicious. It just sat on the hugest bed of lettuce, which was overkill in my opinion. The bride had the filet and it was perfectly cooked and pretty delicious. Overall, a really really good meal. But please get the cauliflower. I will be craving it!!!
(4)
Starr P.
The service and food is excellent!!!! Love love the roasted cauliflower appetizer!!!! My filet melted like butter in my mouth!!! Great time for my birthday!
(5)
restaurant r.
LOVE LOVE LOVE!! Go here the food is great! Atmosphere great...easy to talk if you are doing business because there is no echo! We only had to wait 10 minutes for our table...the place was packed! The girls at the front check in were so nice :) They had a nice selection of wine and once again the food was AMAZING! GO HERE!!!
One of the best meals I've had in my life! Everything we ordered was top notch. The butter tasting sounds weird but was great. The octopus and shrimp bruschetta was perfect for 3 people. My favorite of the evening was far and away my entre, the Cobia. I loved every flavor in this dish. Salty, sweet, crunchy, soft. It really had it all. I recommend it highly!
(5)
Marci Z.
First time at Etch for our anniversary dinner. I've never posted a rating for anything before, but the food at Etch is worth it. We had the butter tasting, the squash soup, the grouper (seafood special), pork chop, and the peach and brown butter cake. We would definitely recommend all of these items, and we will definitely be back!
(5)
Sarah H.
AMAZING!! Flavors are like a party in your mouth! Every bite of everything tastes different. I've been here twice in the past 2 months while visiting for work and the service is great, can not say enough good things about the food! Will definitely become a regular spot while working/playing in NashVegas!
(5)
Taylor S.
We had a wonderful dinner at Etch! Food was all delicious!! The manager, Will, runs a great restaurant and took care of us! We will definitely be back next time we are in Nashville!
(5)
M L.
My rating is solely based on the food. Dishes are creative, flavorful, and great looking. It is clear that all ingredients used are if the highest quality. Deb Paquette is talented and creative and Nashville is lucky to have her. The downside to Etch is that you feel like you are sitting in a banquet room at a hotel. It just really lacks the ambiance you want. If I were from out of town and went there I would t realize it, however as a local I can say the atmosphere is just boring. To top it off we had the strangest server possible, vampire ish. So weird
(4)
Jacob T.
Thai chicken was awesome, had bitter lemon cocktail equally delicious. Cool vibe, lots of good looking people. Could use a larger offering on their menu.
(4)
Bridget S.
Wow! Etch blew me away. Chef Deb Pauquette has created wonderful, melt in your mouth food. Our dinner experience last night was perfect. Downtown was busy with the CMA festival,yet ETCH was quiet and and provided a great dining experience. The shrimp & filo appetizer was spicy sweet. My husband had the scallops which were fresh and oh so tasty.( A trio of grilled, confit and tempura mushrooms, smoked shallot vinaigrette, bacon, greens, butternut garlic essence, beet sriracha). I had the filet with horseradish celery creamed potatoes, red wine gravy, asparagus whisps, smoked duck butter.....oh my wonderful. The filet was one of the best that I've had in Nashville. The gravy was rich and full of bold flavors.I am now anxious to return. This is a must try when in or if living in Nashville. Oh..the service impeccable and not pretentious.
(5)
Lana L.
Came in town for work and decided to check Etch out because of all of the great reviews. Had the cauliflower and lamb tartar to start. Great! Could have left it at that because the portions were so generous. And wish I would have because then it went downhill... We got the Rutabaga La Plancha and Lamb Porterhouse. Must have chosen the wrong items off the menu. The lamb was really difficult to cut through because it was so raw. I like my meat rare but I also don't like to saw through it. The service was great and when the waiter came to the table and asked how everything was I lied and said it was really good but then asked him, "What is this again?" Once again I should have stopped with the "it was really good" because he told me that the chef put a little fritos in the carrot masa sauce that was on the side of the rutabaga. Interesting, huh? So I tried the sauce again and couldn't seem to get the flavor off my tongue for the rest of the night. I wouldn't say the food was bad but if the dishes were made on TV they definitely would be "Chopped" for having too many flavors going on. I'm glad my company was footing the bill otherwise I may have sent my meal back to the kitchen. Although not hungry we still got desert so we could "cleanse" the pallet. We chose the peanut butter chocolate ice cream, thank god there weren't too many flavors going on with that one.
(2)
David B.
I'm giving Etch a 6! If there was one. This was the best dining experience I've had in pretty much any city I've been to. The professional knowledge, service, timing of courses, presentation of dish, and holy hell the taste. Please INVEST in a reservation. This is a life changing experience.
(5)
Bob R.
This place will not disappoint I've eaten here several times and each time is better and better than the last. Both times I've eaten at the front bar, and have been served by Paul--the quintessential bartender! Upon arrival I was greeted with an inviting "Welcome Back!" and it had been almost a year since my last visit. Not only was I welcomed back, but he even remembered my name... Impressive! The ambiance at the front bar is a modern, friendly, and comforting space. Get the Roasted Cauliflower... the flavors are unbelievable. I got the filet and it was cooked perfectly with horseradish mashed potatoes, shaved asparagus, a pea-truffle puree sauce and duck butter--exquisite. Whether you're going for a drink, or dinner, or both, this place will not disappoint and do yourself a favor and ask for Paul - he's the guy up front with a big smile, and he'll take care of you.
(5)
Stephanie W.
Etch. Where do I begin?! We came here and automatically were drawn to the Butter Tasting appetizer. This was creamy bliss. We also ate the Catfish Tempura which was not your typical Tempura. It was a rich fried and juicy piece of fish. For our main dish. Rutabaga La Plancha and the Halibut special. Everything looked and tasted like a work of art. For dessert the Pretzel with Hazelnut Mousse and chocolate ganache dripped with caramel sauce. This was the most genius dessert ever. It was better than anything I have seen on a dessert shirt on The Food Network. I feel lucky that I have gotten to experience such fine dining and would love to return next time I am in Nashville.
(5)
Jennifer R.
Food is great, but the atmosphere is a bit pretentious. I'll probably go again just for the Cauliflower.
(4)
Anne C.
I was so impressed. The staff was outstanding. Many people checked on us, smiled or welcomed us whether they served our table or not. The food was incredible. They had a special borshch soup that was the best soup I've ever had. When I sent my compliments to the chef, she made sure they went to the sous chef that prepared it. I'm sad I'm just visiting and can't visit this restaurant more often!
(5)
Laura G.
LOVE LOVE LOVE! They had me at butter tasting to be honest. Ligh, whipped butter - prosciutto truffle, smoked parmesan black pepper, ginger cashew, malt vinegar, all delicious but the truffle and parmesan were my favorites. We shared the Cobie - georgeous fish with turkish spice - so much going on and it all made perfect sense. We also shared the filet - smoked brown sauce, truffled pea butter, baby potatoes - this was one of the best filets I've had in recent memory - DELICIOUS. Great wine list - we went with the sommelier recommended syrah from Spain. I will NEVER go to Nashville without making this restaurant a priority on my MUST EAT list. Also - we sat at the bar overlooking the kitchen which was great - I liked sitting there - you can see all the dishes comming out.
(5)
Cassie S.
Had a fantastic experience here with a group of 11 on a Friday night. The service was impeccable. The food (at least what I ate) was incredible. The butter tasting - do it. Also, the roasted cauliflower. Might sound strange, but so good! For an entree, I had the fish and it was delightful, I also tasted the lamb tenderloin, which was very good. Desserts and drinks were also wonderful. The only thing that keeps it from being a 5 star review is that I can't afford to go back on my own! But if someone else is paying...
If I'm going to pay for a nice meal it better not be over dressed so I can't taste my meat. I had the lamb and there were so many different flavors & swimming in sauce. I now understand is more of a southern thing. We had the clarified butter app which was great, but the cauliflower dish was so so. We may have had too high of expectations, especially just coming from CA wine country where I'm from. I expect greatness when I'm paying $30+ bucks for a meal. It wasn't snobby though which was nice, and there was a mix of people dressed up and not. It was a bit loud, but I loved being able to watch them in the kitchen. Scale of 1-10 (10 being awesome!) Ambiance: 7 (more LA chic) Noise: 4 (loud) Food: 5 Drinks: 5 (would have liked a better wine selection) Dessert: 6 (better than our meal) Appetizers: 6 (better than our meal) Staff: 6 (our waitress didn't have the specials or menu memorized) Price: 4 (over priced) This is coming from 2 people that make our own nut milks, have a crop share, & try to eat decently healthy despite my nagging sweet tooth for chocolate. We don't eat processed junk or fast food, so our palates like great food. The hype of the restaurant may have made us more critical and it less enjoyable.
(3)
Lei B.
Our first option for dinner, Rolf & Daughters, was completely booked so we found this gem with the trusty Yelp app of course. Parking was kinda crazy downtown but they have complimentary valet with validation. Butter Tasting (truffle butter, smoked plugra butter, ginger peanut brittle butter, duck butter) - surprisingly my favorites were the peanut brittle and duck butter, guess I really did like the sweet and savory combo. Roasted Cauliflower (truffled pea pesto, salted almonds, feta crema) - loved the roasted cauliflower and the sauces were a great pairing. The salted almonds were crazy addicting. Octopus and Shrimp Bruschetta (manchego, arugula, fennel, roasted tomato, capers, garlic oil, bacon) - good chunks of octopus and shrimp but was very hard to eat as bruschetta. Scallops (trio of grilled, confit and tempura mushrooms, smoked shallot vinaigrette, bacon, greens, butternut garlic essence, beet sriracha) - my sister and I shared this dish and it was great that they already split the plate for us. We sat at the bar overlooking the open kitchen, was great to see the action. Service was ok but the good food made up for it.
(4)
Craig M.
Stopped in here on a road trip from Indy to alabama. We tried multiple restaurants for happy hour appetizers to get a taste of the town. This was by far the best happy hour app I have ever had. We are planning another trip to Nashville soon and plan to eat a full meal here. I would highly recommend this place to anyone traveling through Nashville. Can't wait to be back to try it again.
(5)
Jackie D.
Amazing dinner on my last night in Nashville. I was ready for New American cuisine after a few heavy southern meals. Must order the roasted cauliflower + chocolate + peanut butter torte! I also ordered the catfish appetizer but didn't enjoy it as much as it was a bit too breaded and fried and not enough fish.
(5)
Stephanie W.
Excellent. My mind is still blown over what the chef is capable of. Beautiful, gorgeous and beyond tasty food. Cauliflower appetizer was fantastic! 20 thumbs up if I had 20 thumbs.
(5)
Doug L.
Great service. She wasn't afraid to give her opinions but wasn't overbearing Started with a flatbread special she suggested. The flavors exploded in my mouth. Very good Had the vegetarian plate, rutabega. Lots of other veggies and the flavor combination was great Nice atmosphere Can't go wrong here!
(4)
Alicia U.
Walked in on a Wednesday night with no reservations. Luckily a few seats at the bar were open. Bartenders were really nice and knowledgeable about the food. 8 local craft beers are on tap and more are in bottles. Tempura Catfish - A crunchy tempura battered shell surrounds a tender, lightly seasoned catfish filet. The heat of the fish is contrasted with the cool compressed watermelon block. Blueberries, fennel and balsamic add to the dish. Very refreshing appetizer to start with. Roasted Cauliflower - The cauliflower combined with the truffled pea pesto, mild feta crema and roasted red pepper puree makes this dish a super star. Drooling just thinking about it! Octopus & Shrimp Bruschetta - the octopus is sous-vided for 12 hours to make it super tender. Mixed with arugula, capers and other yummy things on soft, toasted focaccia. Chef Paquette is amazing! Great dishes with interesting flavor combinations and very artistic presentations. I would definitely make this a regular stop when visiting Nashville.
(5)
Maggie M.
Great tasting grilled cauliflower as an appetizer. Drinks are very good. Perfect ambience, though can get a little noisy. Our waitress was excellent and knowledgeable of the menu with on point recommendations. Overall pretty tasty food. This would have been the perfect dining experience if not for the poor and lack luster attitude of the hostesses, but a great place for downtown Nashville.
(4)
Dee O.
I started this month just a little differently than I usually do. Or at least I tried to. Like all other prior months, I logged on to my credit card account to pay my bill. Appalled by how much I had spent eating out in May, I decided I was going to significantly cut back on eating out in June. And I was very determined to stick to my resolution , until I ate at Etch. Most easily the best dining experience I had during my 5 day stint in Nashville. We went on Wednesday night, after attempting to walk in for dinner at the Catbird Seat restaurant. Haha. That was actually quite a hilarious experience but I digress. After realizing we needed to find a place that didn't require reservations six months in advance, Yelp came to the rescue and to Etch we went. I called on my way from the Catbird Seat restaurant and was able to get immediate reservations (imagine that). Alas, it was the evening of the CMA and many downtown roads were closed. Being a novice to downtown Nashville, It took 20 extra minutes to figure my way around and find parking. Our hostess was gracious even though we were late for our reservation and got us seated quickly. We shared the cauliflower appetizer and it was as good as it has been described. They had a special apple soup special that was just delightful. It went well with the complimentary bread served. We both had the vegetarian spaghetti squash dish. Which was mind blowing good. It was obvious that the chef intentionally thought about how to make his (her) vegetarian patrons happy. It wasn't the typical afterthought salad or pasta that is usually offered by many upscale restaurants. It was innovative, thoughtful and exceptionally good. My only regret was that I had indulged in the cauliflower and the soup and couldn't finish my entree. That dish deserves a standing ovation, for taste, creativity and presentation. Most certainly will be getting an encore in the near future. Very well done, Etch. We finished the night by sharing one scoop of their sorbet. It was a nice ending to a perfect meal. Our waitress was awesome. Simply said. She was friendly, knew the menu inside out, provided the right amount of attention and knew when to let us be. The manager also stopped by twice to ensure we were content. For such an amazing experience, the check didn't completely break the bank either. However as I handed my credit card to our waitress to pay the check, I realized I would never be able to stick to my resolution when restaurants like Etch exist. I am thankful for places like this that provide exceptional remarkable unforgettable meals. And as long as they are cooking, I will be eating. Will absolutely most definitely be back!
(5)
Pam S.
My husband and I ate here our last night in Nashville and so glad we did. Loved the atmosphere of the restaurant, the service, and the food! Our waiter, Tom, was outstanding. We were going to share the cauliflower and a salad before our entrees, but he warned us that we might be too full to enjoy our dinners. Love it when a server is honest, instead of pushing you to order everything on the menu! We make roasted cauliflower at home, but I could never re-create those amazing sauces she puts with it. My husband had the lamb and I ordered the halibut which was one of the specials. Both were so good. For dessert (no idea how we had room) we shared the ginger cake - great ending to a great meal!!
(5)
James A.
Amazing place. Great ambiance. The service was flawless. The menu is peppered with many normal items...but the chef transforms the ingredients into some mind-blowing combinations. Apps: Our party ordered the Butter Tasting, Pork Belly, Roasted Cauliflower, and Octopus and Shrimp Bruschetta. The butter was delicious, light, and a fun app to pass around the table. There were 4 different flavors on the plate served with bread. The pork belly was yummy, but I wouldn't order it again. The shrimp and octopus was different, and tasty, but I only ordered that because I had never had octopus. The "go-to" is the cauliflower. Crazy that they can make cauliflower with a truffled pea pesto taste so darn good. That is the app to order. Entrees: I had the Grilled Lamb Loin. Delicious. The flavors were perfect. I've never had something so flavorful and delicious. I would spread the lemon black olive tapenade on a piece of the lamb, and the flavors complimented each other so well. The okra and pearl onions were a perfect combination. The filo was a nice touch and brought this greek dish to another level. I would definitely order this again and again. My wife had the Filet. Hers was tender and amazing, although she only allowed me to have one bite. She also ordered the side of broccoli...and she talks more about the broccoli than the filet. But, everything was delicious. Dessert: The Warm Vanilla pound cake and Coffee Panna Cotta. Both were a deliciously perfect end to our experience at Etch. The portion sizes are perfect. This isn't a place where you go to have a meal. You pay extra for the experience. Starting with the drinks (Smoked Old Fashioned) and the service. I think the menu is fairly priced, and reasonably priced. I left the place stuffed...but not like normal restaurant stuffed. I leave the Olive Garden feeling heavy and depressed. :) Everything Etch made was so light and wonderful. I don't think I've ever eaten something with this flavor combination. The flavors are what stood out to me. I remember when we all had gotten our food and started eating...there was a silence over the table. I remember just staring at my plate as I was eating. Not only was it presented like a work of art, but the flavors almost put you in a trance. It's like tasting something for the first time.
(5)
Jared M.
Use valet and tip as it will save you from paying the parking yourself...10 for 1 hour and 15 for 2. The cauliflower and the butter tasting are well worth the cost. The scallops were FANTASTIC. Go eat them, they need you :) This is a must-go for newbies to the area or visiting tourists going nearby to a show/event.
(4)
Rhonda B.
Came here for lunch. It was a little stuffy. I liked my food but my bf hated his. Might be better and more fun for dinner but I wouldn't recommend it for a weekday lunch unless it's a biz meeting. Our waiter was very friendly.
(3)
Heather H.
I thought Etch was exceptional. The kind and accommodating bar staff made me a perfect smoked old-fashioned and my waitress made excellent dinner and appetizer suggestions. The roasted cauliflower was wildly flavorful, the octopus and shrimp bruschetta was bright and fresh tasting, and my filet was tender and perfectly cooked. Finally, the dark chocolate bread pudding was sweet and slightly salty. I would definitely return.
(5)
Lisa W.
Had a delicious lunch here with great service. The tempura oyster mushrooms, soup special (pumpkin), and goat cheese vanilla ice cream were particular standouts although everything tasted great and was high quality. A classy choice for any meal.
(4)
Jen D.
Ate here a few weeks ago during Music Fest. I could not have been happier with the meal. Literally - not a single bad thing to say. Amazing service - we were in a huge rush, but our server - who had only been there 3 days managed to get us in/out on the schedule we needed. He took such good care of us. We raved about him on our way out to the hostesses. Such an asset to this place. Riduclously good food - one of the better meals I've had all year. - Bread w/butter flight - Wow. They're pros at making awesome awesomer - Cauliflower - mmmmmmmmmm - Entrees - everyone loved their food. We mostly had seafood and pork. My fish was the best I've had in a very long time. Great flavors, perfectly prepared. Oh - and amazing cocktails too. If you have only 2 nights in Nashville, hit up Etch!!
(5)
Cheryl F.
this place! Enjoyed it so much last time I was in town I ventured there alone this time. The lamb tartar was excellent - request extra Harissa paste because you'll want it! Love the chef's counter seating, made it less awkward to dine alone.
(5)
Linda T.
Came here for the NYE dinner menu and really enjoyed our night! The restaurant was beautiful inside and servers were polite and knowledgeable. Every dish was beautifully presented and tasted fresh and delicious. Would come back here again to try items food of their regular menu.
Chic, trendy and totally worth a visit. A bit different from the other restaurants I tried in the area. If you're into that scene, this is your place. I want to say the chef is artistic and his meals represent a little work of art. The combination of flavors win!
(4)
Sonya M.
I really really liked the food!!! I was in town for a conference and walked into Etch, since it was only a short 2 block walk from the new convention center. The place was packed; they had not anticipated such a huge crowd from the conference. As soon as I walked in the [mildly unpleasant] hostess told me there was no room in the main dining room and the bar tender is not serving food at the bar since he is so busy!!! I have to admit that was a huge turn off, but as I turned around I saw an empty seat at the bar and the gentleman behind the bar told me that he will be able to seat me if I was not in a rush (7-8 minutes). I gladly waited! The service was good, and even though they were busy, I got my food relatively quickly. I tried the tuna bowl and it was very enjoyable. I was glad that I go to give this place a try while in Nashville!
(4)
Samuel E.
Amazing food, some of the best I've ever had in my life. Greatest service ever. From drinks and appetizers to entree's, everything was a high note. I would suggest wearing a jacket though, the temperature inside on my watch was 66 degrees.
(5)
TNmedicine29 R.
Everytime I come here- I love it more and more! I am a Nashville local, and this very well may be my favorite restaurant in town. Whether you are running in for a drink and maybe an appetizer, or doing a full dinner, or lunch.... phenomenal! I soo appreciate the delicious fish/ vegetarian dishes served up with such incredible flavors. For appetizers, hands down love the cauliflower (and it supports charity!). The dips for the cauliflower-- um YUM! For entrees, I love the cobia; it is bold and rich not what you would expect from a mild fish. I would be happy eating this everytime I visit... but with so much other great plates to try out. This past time we were heading to a show and popped in and sat at the bar. I had the Trio de Setas. I am not usually a huge mushroom fan, but I saw this dish come out of the kitchen and couldn't not try it. Man oh man it did not disappoint. I was almost licking my plate. The infusion of different flavors and textures-- your mouth is in aww trying to absorb all that heavenliness. I also love the brussel sprouts... I mean I love brussel sprouts anytime, but Etch so lightly coats them and fries them it gives a good wow factor. I have heard great things about the Pork tenderloin as well, but I don't eat red meat so I can't give much to that. Really if you haven't tried Etch.... stop reading and go!
(5)
Crizzly A.
My girlfriend and I went here for her birthday. I honestly didn't know what to expect when going in because it is such a classy restaurant. It ended up being a very comfortable and relaxed setting. the hostess and waiter worth so friendly ans sat us quickly. My girlfriend is a vegan and had some decent options here. I recommend that venison dish, it's amazing!!
(5)
Rich K.
Really nice, Sophisticated but not pretentious- and 5 stars go equally for the service (thanks Lea you were great) and food together experience but also the reception and management were extremely professional. My only criticism would be that at times you were overwhelmed with the plate. So many different tastes- very creative but it worked. My venison was perfectly cooked over a bed of many things, including sweet potatoes. The sweet potatoes were warm, but hot would have been better. Other than that superb experience
(5)
BethAnn S.
I need to get out more. And when I say I need to get out more, I mean, "I need to go out to Etch more" because YUM!! I took my lab folks here for lunch as a special treat and was super impressed by the fresh creative mixings, professionalism and price. I got the roasted cauliflower appetizer to show off that I was healthy (also because I was afraid of the octopus option), but damn if it wasn't amazing! It was served with pea pesto, which was delicious, sweet and made me wish I ate more vegetables. My table mates enjoyed the feta dipping sauce more than I did (not a huge feta fan) but the bites of honey, almonds and balsamic (?) around the plate made for a fun eating adventure aboard perfectly roasted cauliflower that tasted more like garlic popcorn than grandmas cauliflower. (Side note: I was so inspired by this dish, I tried to make it over the weekend. Lets just say I won't be opening a restaurant soon). I had the Roast Beef sandwich on toasted sourdough bread, that came with Parmesan horseradish sauce (on the side.... lets be honest, horseradish is tricky business), roasted asparagus and tempura onion. One of the more stunning things about this place evidenced as my sandwich arrived was how flipping big the portions are. I mean, like Cheesecake Factory big. We way over ordered as a table. The winner for lunch was a non-foodie buddy who got the corn cake with smoked brisket, Chihuahua cheese, onion, Peruvian carrot slaw, roja and poblano sauces, celery leaf avocado smash, lime crema and queso blanco. She ordered it because she had no idea what any of it was and all it was delicious. I saw the giant lunch plates coming and was worried about hers because its sort of a plating disaster.... not attractive at all but the flavors blended well while maintaining their individual integrity. The lime crema was amazing and she declared it 'like a really good burrito type thing'. ?? We also managed to crush a couple desserts (I know I said it was huge portions, but we threw in a bottle of wine and our eyes grew bigger than our stomachs). So.... quick final things - Super bargain! $130 for the three of us with three courses each and a bottle of wine for lunch. Beat that Midtown Cafe! Meh...hostess was sort of a snot playing with her personal phone while we stood there. Valet parking is a nightmare. They are set up so the valet spends 80% of his time running across the street because everyone takes a right on Broadway to get there. Also, great space. So pretty....you'll definitely impress your out of town buddies with this foodie hit!
(5)
Samantha M.
I got the fresh fish daily special it was ok but I expected more from my meal based on all the positive reviews lackluster was best way to describe it. We started w butter sampling which was interesting ( not enough bread) the best part was the octopus shrimp bruschetta.
(3)
EasilyAmuse D.
I'm a bit late in posting this since the friend and I ate here February 4th. We were in town for a conference and I had made reservations prior to our trip based upon Yelpers reviews. They didn't let us down! We had a drink at the bar and the bartender was very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. At the bartenders recommendation we had the Roasted Cauliflower with truffled pea pesto, salted almonds, and feta dip as an appetizer. Oh my...it was delicious! I had no idea cauliflower could taste so good. For dinner we shared the Rutabaga La Plancha and the seafood dish of the day. I don't remember the name of the seafood dish (it had mussels), but suffice it to say we barely spoke during the meal except to ohh, ahh, and share bites. Each bite had a different flavor. I'm pretty sure this is the first time I've eaten rutabaga and the bar has been set high. We also shared the carrots as a side dish. They tasted fine and were arranged beautifully, but was a bit much considering the app and sharing 2 dishes. Our server was professional, but the bartender was super friendly. He stopped to chat with us and ask how his recommendations worked out. If I lived closer, I would eat at Etch more often. It was the best meal I've ever had. I would give it 6 stars if I could!
(5)
PJ T.
This is hands down one of the best restaurants I've ever eaten at and truly enjoyed everything I ordered. For an appetizer we had the roasted cauliflower and it was phenomenal. They roast this in the oven and the drizzle truffle oil over it before they serve it to you. They serve it with two different types of dips. One is a creamy feta with a roasted red garnish and garnished with chives. The second is a truffled pea pesto and it is garnished with salted almonds. Both were incredible and the waiter told me since they opened about a year ago they've served over 17,000 of the roasted cauliflower app. I could eat this every week and not get sick of it. Definitely order this for an app. I also ordered the etch salad and it was great. You had orange garnish for the citrus, just the right amount of green apple for a little sour taste, and a champagne vinaigrette to top it off. For dinner I ordered the steak which is vacuumed sealed and broiled for an hour with a burnside butter to really infuse the meat with flavor. Then grilled and I ordered it medium rare which it was cooked perfectly. It is then served on top of a sourdough baked potato bread pudding which was awesome. My dad ordered the cobia fish which usually when I order fish at a restaurant it can be over cooked and dry. This came out perfect and tasted great. It had a Turkish spice which wasn't spicy but gave it a little almost tiny hint of cinnamon but not over powering at all. It doesn't sound great on fish at least for me but it tasted great because it was accompanied with a brown buttered oranges, olives, raisins, almonds, feta, and capers. Each bite tasted a little different but every bite I tried tasted great. Definitely recommend this place and would've given it 6 stars if I could.
(5)
Corey W.
This place is pricing but it is worth every penny. I was a bit shocked when we could not get a reservation until 9:15 calling over a week ahead of time. After eating their food it is no surprises why. Food and service are both 5 stars each by themselves. Pork belly appetizer, charcuterie salad, followed by sear venison with ginger grits. Every plate was more amazing than the last. My wife ordered the scallops... wow. Not only did it come with some amazing side sauces, they saw fit to plate not 3, not 4 but 5 large scallops. All the great service notes where hit as well. Server who knows the menu inside and out, prompt, and professional. When I was questionable on what cocktail to order they assured me that if I didn't like it they'd take it back and get me something else. All and all definately a highclass place with highclass food.
(5)
Alex G.
Quite stylish and nice place. Another happy hour though. It is pricey, but decor, food, and service are good all around. Liked duck confit, but shrimp and octopus bruschetta had more bacon than anything else. Trying to be objective, but don't get this fascination with bacon in way too many dishes. It just slightly affected my score. Still would recommend this place.
(4)
Chris B.
I am not particularly into corporate or hotel restaurants. This is definitely one of those and is full of "tourists". There is nothing wrong with the food it is well prepared and meats were cooked to requested temp (medium rare) however the menu isn't as original as people say and there are better places to both experience dinner and those places make better food.
(4)
Julie S.
Absolutely delicious!!!! My husband and I both had the venison, and the flavor of all the parts of the dish were just phenomenal!!! They complimented each other so much!!! All flavor sensations were covered, thus it felt like we had dinner and desert at the same time! Being a personal trainer, I am extremely health conscious--and I thoroughly enjoyed what Etch offered! Oh- and the Roasted Cauliflower is TO DIE FOR!!! We ordered two...
(5)
Taylor S.
The food was pretty good and the service was great. We enjoyed the different butters and the cauliflower for our appetizers. The entrees were ok. The pork chop was decent but the copia was a bit too sweet for my liking. I'd go back to try some other things but overall I'd give them 3.5/5 stars.
(4)
Tran T.
This review is for lunch only. Parking: Complimentary valet parking or Central parking across from the restaurant. Drink: Asked for a sweetened tea but they only had un-sweetened one (I had a bad experience with this) so I just went with water. Lunch: I had the Octopus and Shrimp Bruschetta ($10) and Catfish ($13). The combination of seafood and bacon made the bruschetta so salty, it was hard for me to even finish half of the dish. The waitress also agreed that it was too salty. I wouldn't order this again. Thanks to the sweetness from the pomegranate sauce from the Catfish dish, I was able to taste the fish after all that saltiness from the bruschetta. Catfish was fresh and cooked to perfection. The portions were very big for the price, great for sharing. Service: I asked for a quiet table, and got more than what I wished for. The waitress wasn't attentive and disappeared after brought out my entree. Someone else had to bring me the check instead. Hopefully the service will be better next time, as I do want to come back here for dinner. 2013/#66
(3)
Robert K.
First time at Etch. We are a family visiting Nashville for first time. Good service, great food. I would recommend. I had made reservations weeks in advance and was not disappointed. My kids are 19 &21 and had a great time. I will be back when returning to Nashville. Found Etch from top restaurant list 2014 in Nashville magazine on line. I'm glad it did!
(4)
Liz K.
The food at Etch is amazing. I loved the roasted cauliflower. The service was also great; we were very impressed with all of the staff and loved meeting the head chef. We are just visiting Nashville and already have plans to come back here!
(5)
Lauren W.
*** this is one of my top places in Nashville**** Etch is located in one of the new downtown condo buildings that just seem to keep popping up. Because downtown parking can be crazy I was very happy that they offered complimentary valet parking which made things very easy . The decor is simple and clean. I was a big fan of their large eat-in bar. I love restaurants that have a food bar overlooking the kitchen (City House). I'm hoping one day I can sit at the kitchen and watch my food being made. But this party of 3 had a table by the window overlooking the Country Music Hall of Fame. Not too shabby. Of course I'm having cocktails. I stuck with my go-to drink: the Old Fashioned. Etch made a good one. I especially like the addition of sweet dried cherries to the mix. Gave it a different flavor than the soaked kind. My Mom was feeling adventurous and opted for the Brandy Crusta which contained Courvoisier VS, Maraschino, Cointreau, Lemon Juice, and a Sugar Rim. I thought her drink was pretty good. The sugar rim added a much needed sweetness to the tart lemon juice. I know what you are thinking: WHY ARE YOU SHOWING ME A PLATE OF BREAD AND BUTTER?! Well, let me explain. Etch offers a butter tasting. NO JOKE. You get four types of specialty butter and some bread. The best part is that the type of butter is hidden under the cup so you are supposed to guess which one you were eating. I love food games! The butters displayed were truffle butter, smoked plugra butter, goat butter, and duck butter. My family's favorite (far and away) was the truffle butter. I was sticking my finger in that little dish trying to scrape out any remaining fat solids. This is a must order at Etch. The second appetizer we ordered to share was the chilled mussels, which was a lot more than just mussels. There was a layer of pork loin that sat on the bottom with Moroccan spiced mussels and calamari on top. And for a bonus they sprinkled chunks of feta on top. It had a good kick, but I wouldn't go as far as to call it spicy. It was good, but very hard to split among 3 people. This is a 2 or less appetizer. For my entree I ordered the duck. I'm a pretty boring dinner companion because if duck is on the menu, I normally order it. The duck was Moroccan spiced and served perfectly cooked. I like my duck breast cooked more like a steak with some red in the middle. Good job Etch chefs! It was served with ginger grits, cranberries and carrot puree. I have never had anything like those ginger grits before. Even my Mom who isn't the biggest fan of grits had to admit that these were damn tasty. I was a member of the clean plate club. My jaw dropped when my parents entree arrived (yes, they both ordered the same thing). They ordered the short ribs and this is what arrived. HOW BEAUTIFUL. We had no idea from the menu description that they would be getting a very sushi-version of short ribs. Those sushi bites are short ribs that are braised and then rolled in panko and fried. They had the best texture! The green is not wasabi, but pea puree. The large bowl contained glass noodles, carrots, mushrooms, sugar snap peas and tons of shrimp topped with fresh cilantro. I usually think that my choice of entree was the best option, but clearly my parents won this round. Seeing that it was my birthday celebration I had to have some sweets after all! The panna cotta itself was a chocolate/chai mixture that was topped with pear sorbet and a lace cookie. The whole bottom of the bowl was covered with dark chocolate sauce and toasted hazelnuts. This was heaven- so good that I even shared a bit with my parents. I loved everything about Etch. I know it's kind of a pansy review when you don't really have anything to critique, but I didn't. My parents both loved Etch and they kept talking about it the next few days. I know that this will be a place they want to visit on their next trip back. For my sake, I hope it is!
Great appetizers--went for wine and quick bite. Loved the seafood bruschetta and California apps. So, so good!!! Happy hour is 1/2 priced apps!
(4)
Ginger J.
Oh my is all I can say! The staff is wonderful and really attentive. The food? Some of the best I have ever had! If I could have licked my plate I would have! Great treat!
(5)
James P.
What a great place! We sampled the Shrimp & Octopus Brochette (Great) - Tempura Catfish (Great) - Cobia (Good) - Filet (Great) - and a side of Brussel Sprouts (Great) - A keeper, if I lived here, I would come here often!
(5)
John H.
The space is lovely, and I think most business travelers and conference attendees would feel comfortable here. I recommend you sit at the bar, as I did for a recent lunch, at which you can watch food prep in the open kitchen, and engage in a little friendly conversation with your bartender/server. Mine shared stories about his visit to St. Louis, as well as provided good info about the menu. My meal: *Jackalope Thunder Ann APA, local, a good match for mild to medium spice, with which my fine bartender served a plate of complimentary house chips, the potato sliced lengthwise. *Brisket Pupusa (I learned a "pupusa" is a thick corn tortilla filled with stuff, in this case smoked brisket, chihuahua cheese, onion, Peruvian butternut slaw, roja and poblano sauces, celery leaf avocado smash, lime crema, queso blanco). It was smoky, sweet, and spicy, with a south-of-the-border taste going on. *Charred Brussel Sprouts as a side, in butter with some onion, very good and sliced, which I prefer to having them served whole. *Jackalope Thunder Ann APA (my kind of dessert). My main source of entertainment was watching food preparation. I especially enjoyed a fine show of artful vegetable cutting with a straight peeler. My lunch was measured by the processing of exactly 3 bunches of celery and 7 bunches of asparagus, after which it was, sadly, time to depart.
One word... AWESOME. My mom and I stopped in for lunch right as it opened so it wasn't busy at all. Our waiter was super nice and let us know that if we had any menu questions he could help us. My mom couldn't decide on one so he helped her out and she decided on the Wild Rice Salad and added Shrimp. The portion was huge and came on a granite slate which was different and cool. I ordered the Thai Chicken and Quinoa. It was a great dish, but a little salty for my taste though the sweet potatoes did help a lot. Cashews came in the dish, but I substituted those for the candied peanuts that I saw on another dish. A great lunch in a great atmosphere! Really loved the open kitchen concept and it wasn't a noisy kitchen either. Another thing... Don't you hate going in to a restaurant where they have god awful music playing in the background and it's overly loud? Well you definitely won't find that here! We found the music to be calm and at a great sound level even though we were the only ones in the restaurant. Definite recommend! If I had to say one bad thing, it would be that they didn't make sweet tea (in the South?!) but the waiter did offer me unsweetened tea and that he could give me sweetener, but it is just not the same,
(5)
Christopher M.
This place is phenomenal. My partner and I were in town while making a cross country move. We were staying downtown and wanted to celebrate his birthday. We were lucky to get in without a problem on a Thursday night. I did make a reserve that afternoon, without too much trouble. We started with the roasted cauliflower appetizer, which was terrific, as were the cocktails. They had some very interesting favors. The whole meal was exceptional. Our server, Ed was attentive without being disruptive. The ambiance is very sleek and contemporary. The acoustics are nicely balanced so that even with a very full dining room and the open kitchen concept, it didn't feel too loud or distracting. I'm vegetarian and was particularly pleased with their offerings. They didn't have a huge selection of vegetarian items to choose from, but the ones they offered were very interesting, with complex layers of favors. Not the usual roasted portabello mushroom! My partner had lamb, on the rare side and he said that it was cooked to perfection. He was also impressed with the wine list. We'll definitely be back if we visit Nashville again.
(5)
Blair S.
I went to Etch on night with a symphony, a rock concert, a hockey game, and one of the first warm clear nights of the spring all converging on Downtown Nahsville at once. This was one of those nights where complimentary valet is very nice (dinner guest only, I'm told) and reservations are a must. The waiter was quick to follow the hostess who seated us, shared specials and drink recommendations, then watched from out of sight as we decided what we wanted without nagging or leaving us hungry. Throughout the meal, his timing was just right. We soon started with duck confit and an seared tuna salad. The confit was just the right size for two, was wonderfully tender, and seasoned perfectly. The tuna salad was large and a perfect mix a flavors and textures. The lamb chop entree was one of the best I've had in ages. Perfectly cooked and again with a great mix of flavors. The quality of the meat was top notch, as was the price. The scallops were perfectly executed too. For dessert we shared a meyer lemon frozen mousse. It was light, tangy, and not overly sweetened. It perfectly capped off a great meal. The prices are higher than most restaurants, but if you need a romantic date night, to celebrate a special occasion, or to entertain someone on the expense account, Etch should a top choice. You won't think twice about the price after you finish your meal.
(5)
Joshua P.
Very nice atmosphere and a very good menu. Not a great menu... The biggest problem here was the side ingredients always seemed to overpower what was supposed to be the star of the dish (pork for example). Dessert and appetizers were amazing!
(4)
Craig L.
It has been a while since I've had my taste buds sent off on such an exhilarating journey. We visited Nashville for a week of auditory pleasure and got even more when we dined at Etch. We started with the Roasted Cauliflower based on all the reviews. It was excellent, especially with the pea pesto source. I had the Pork Loin that I demolished is short order, not because I have a large stomach but because after the first bite there was no stopping. My wife enjoyed the Grilled Scallop entree which she reported as an unexpectedly tasty composition based intriguing combination of ingredients including mushrooms, bacon, beets and squash. We accompanied it with a bottle of 2010 Zinfandel and topped it all off with Vanilla Cake and Olive Oil ice cream. It was a delightful experience.
(5)
NJ G.
Was in town for work, this place was on a list of recommended eats given to me by my hotel and ranked well on Yelp! This was by far one of the best meals I had while in Nashville. I almost would have eaten the same dish for all my meals if I weren't trying to the the tourist thing and try a bunch of places. I had the tuna salad. It was delicious. I did feel a bit out of place with all the suits at the other tables but the ambiance is pretty relaxed. The restaurant has what looks like two separate, semi-private dining area, perfect for a business lunch or personal event. My meal was well priced and very tasty. I would recommend this place no problem.
(4)
Ryan B.
By far one of the best dining experiences, period. Tall Paul, the bartender, is outstanding. His attention to detail is superior, just as is their food.
Was in Nashville, TN for a business trip. This was probably the best meal I had the whole time I was here. Cauliflower indeed is amazing. I had the fish for dinner which was very fresh and flavorful. My friend had the pork tenderloin - it was to die for. If I am ever in this town again, I'd go to Etch.
(5)
Katie I.
Was not expecting a good meal at all since we've had such disappointing dining experiences lately. However, my husband and I were both pleasantly surprised at how good it was. We sat at the chef's bar and split the etch salad- very delicious. I had the scallops which were wonderful and beautifully presented. My husband had the filet which was fabulous. Awesome cut of meat and so tender. We were both surprised at how delicious it was. We were too full for dessert. I will say the menu had a Moroccan flair- lots of citrus, raisins and the like. I'm usually not a citrus-y person, but what we chose for dinner were both hits. Will return!
(4)
Jason M.
I booked with Open Table (where I have it noted that my wife has a gluten allergy) and that was the first thing they mentioned when we arrived. The server helped my wife navigate the menu and choose something that was gluten free. They did have several options. We ordered a non-alcoholic drinks that were not on the menu. Lemon-Lime Bitters... It's sprite + lime juice + some bitters. They prepared it perfectly with no fuss and only charged us for a soda... Great job! We shared the Cauliflower appetizer and were blown away by it. It was so good! As many others have said, do try it. We then shared an Etch salad... they split one between two plates and it was more than enough for both of us also. The greens were fresh, the flavors were all over the pallet and it was simply a fantastic salad. For mains, my wife had the Venison and I had the filet. My filet was cooked perfectly (medium rare)... there was a lot of it too... it was no small filet. My wife loved the venison and wished there had been more of it; her only complaint was that she wanted more. She did find the sides a little sweet... the grits that came with the venison were sweet and it also had cranberries as well... maybe too much sweetness combined. We did not have desert as we already had reservations for the Melting Pot. However, the server did bring desert menu's too us. At the point of bringing the desert menu's they seemed to lax a little on helping with gluten-free options. It seemed that most of the deserts likely had gluten and the server offered no assistance in selecting a gluten free option. Hey, we loved it though and will go back. The complimentary valet was great too. Keep up the good work Etch; we'll see you again soon.
(4)
Michael P.
This was an odd experience for me. Arrival: Really nice inside, well done restaurant. Pleasant hostess got me a seat at the Chef's Bar. Greeted by a server immediately. He did a great job start to finish. I ordered brisket upon his suggestion. It was good. Not great by any stretch, but good. Here is why the experience was odd. It was basically deconstructed enchiladas. Corn cakes, guac, sour cream etc. It was described as such, but I guess my anticipation got ahead of me. From the menu: "corn cake, smoked brisket, chihuahua cheese, onion, peruvian butternut slaw, roja and poblano sauces, celery leaf avocado smash, lime crema, queso blanco" For 18 bucks I should be Wowed. I wasn't. I would rather go to a true Mexican restaurant, get enchiladas that are as good or better, chips and salsa and go from there. If I go back I am ordering a sandwich. They looked more like what I wanted, but I took server's recommendation. Not his fault. I should have paid closer attention.
(3)
Emily W.
Absolutely amazing. Per other people's reccomendations, I ordered the roasted cauliflower. The truffle pea pesto that comes with this is so delicious. Because of this dish I have now had roasted cauliflower last night for dinner and today for lunch. Sounds so simple, but so good! Everything was amazing, the mint chocolate ice cream made with was incredible. Great atmosphere, definitely make a reservation, this place fills up. Our server Lane was so knowledgeable and I was so impressed by the fact that the servers get to try the dishes, that lets me know the restaurant really cares about making sure their customers have great reccommendations. Best restaurant in Nashville!
This is one of the most memorable meals I have had for a while. Starting with the roasted cauliflower ... a sometimes dull and overcooked vegetable...here successfully made the star. Cobia...flaky perfectly cooked fish with spices and tastes that brings you to Morocco.....sweet and spicy well balanced. Incredible. Dessert was the Pretzel,chocolate, caramel bar.....I was just speechless. Delicious!!! Service was friendly and attentive.
(5)
Lindsay W.
I would give them 4.5 stars but the food alone pushed them to 5. When we arrived the 2 girls at the hostess stand were all over the place. Not in the good efficient all over the place. They were a bit unorganized and made myself and my party a little wary about what we were walking into. One girl was on the phone and kept rolling her eyes as she was talking. Not very professional. They seated the party before us but then made a mistake and moved them to another table. Those poor guys were just left standing in the middle of the dining room. We were watching this going 'uh oh...' Luckily, we got seated and weren't left standing in the dining room or made to move. Our server, James, was fantastic. He made great recommendations for us. We started with the short ribs. Oh my goodness! They had pulled all that tender meat and then fried it. Looked like dark croutons on the plate but tasted amazing. My mom ate all the vegetable kimchi and didn't share with the group but according to her it was delicious. My stepfather ordered the Cobia per James recommendation- said it was their signature dish. I have never seen that man be so quiet once he started eating! He said that based on that dish alone he would come back despite the unorganized mess that was the hostess stand (btw we watched them set and then reset a couple tables by us, and leave a second couple standing in the dining room- we joked that we should make a drinking game of it). I had the pork. What I loved about this dish was how all the flavors married together perfectly. It had a southwestern edge with the manchego, chorizo, and mushroom sauce. All of us had cleaned our plates and still had room for dessert. My dessert was a chocolate hazelnut crunch. It was perfection. I wanted to take the whole cake home and eat on it all night long. Overall the food was as close to perfect as can be. Everything was cooked beautifully and the presentation alone was swoon-worthy. I hope to go back just to try more of the menu and (fingers crossed) the hostesses will have their act together.
(5)
Jade D.
Delicious, delightful and definitely worth a visit!!!! I liked it so much I gave it 5 stars but it does only deserve a 4.5 because ((at this point/in my opinion) the 2 desserts we ordered looked and sounded better than they tasted). HOWEVER, shame on me for starting off on the negative when the food (besides dessert), service, ambiance and design of this place are SUPERB. Menu items were interesting and well executed and left each member of our table of 7 pleased. I chose for colleagues/clients and everyone was complimenting me on the pick. The cobia was the standout ((although my beignet it was seated on (how fun!) was a bit overcooked)) but I would have still ordered the dish and I ate most of the beignet. HA. Had to stop myself from devouring it all. Really delicious white, meaty fish in a unique, tasty preparation. Larger portions than I expected--I could have shared my dish. Other stand out was the octopus and shrimp bruschetta which I ordered for the table, however wished I ordered it all to my gweedy lil self ; p Love the seats at the "food bar" where you can watch the chefs in the open kitchen. If I went back for date night, I would def sit there. Too bad I am out of town or I would be back with my fincer!! .... def def dine at Etch, you will be glad you did!! XoX
(5)
Andrew V.
We would give 6 stars if possible--- the food and service were incredible. Scallops, shrimp & octopus bruschetta, lamb chops (rare), and ratatouille salad were all fantastic to the last bite. Been to tons of nice restaurants in the world and have very high praise for Etch.
(5)
Nicki R.
Beautiful restaurant. Beautiful food. And what's more, everything tasted as good as it looked! Started with the Butter Tasting. Definitely a must for your first time but not sure I would have to have it every time. Next, the Duck Confit. I enjoy going to the park and feeding the ducks so I have a little bit of a hard time eating duck. (It's my own issue, I know) all that to be said, our waited suggested it, so we got it. I still think about it. It was hands down my favorite course of the evening. Next, the Etch Salad. Delicious mix of greens, tart apple, nuts and a zesty champagne vinaigrette. For our main course, I got the trio of scallops and my husband got the filet. Both delicious and both highly recommended. And then dessert. I mean, who has room for dessert after all that? Um, we did. And it was amazing. Warm Banana & Chocolate Cake, peanut buttercream, chocolate sauce, peanut brittle, banana citrus sorbet. Boom.
(5)
Peter C.
Great meal, great wine
(5)
Dede H.
Really good dinner while visiting Nashville! Our server was very friendly, quite knowledgeable about the menu. We had the tasting of 4 kinds of butter--European, duck, truffle, and our favorite, goat butter They were out of the two entrees I wanted, the cobia and scallops. Ordered vegetable plate which was really good, colorful and artistic. Would have preferred my original choices.My husband enjoyed his filet.They were out of the pumpkin dessert, so we had a nutella tarte--yummy with a very nice presentation. The atmosphere is minimalist, could use a few warm touches. Has a private dining area. The parking attendant was especially nice--pulled our car up for us as we prepared to leave.
(4)
Courtney E.
This restaurant and chef were absolutely amazing. We ordered the butter tasting, lamb, venison, and a couple other dishes. The combinations of taste and texture were unique but spot on. Our waiter gave great recommendations and explained which parts of the dish were meant to complement each other. The ambiance of the restaurant is great too. Whether a date night or a group dinner, this place won't disappoint! We will definitely be back in the near future, and I'm hoping to try out the lunch menu sometime.
(5)
Pepper P.
Loved Etch. Decor, elegant and clean, you can watch the chefs create their beautiful plates right from their tidy, bright, friendly bar, The service is quite good, the only downside was the (i think) manager that hit me with the fake smile and asked (told) me to move down because apparently I had sat myself at a spot where you had to have reservations.. I don't mind being asked to get up or even to wait if I have perhaps made a misstep, but the faker tooth condescending smile and obvious irritation? Yep, my neighbors totally noticed too. The rest of the staff was perfect and twice what I had expected. Wine list, excellent. Beet salad, delightful. Lamb shank, awesome. Pork chop.....yep, fantastically cooked to tender perfection. My neighbor's panacotta looked divine and they said it was. My only huge regret was that I could not possibly have another bite. Next time, Etch I promise. Bravo! Keep up the fantastic service and food. a little tweak with front of the house service and you'll be all the way there!!
(4)
Stacy T.
How great is Etch? AMAZING. I've been here twice, once when my in-laws were in town and another for a Christmas dinner (in the private room). Both times, the experience was incredible. If you like fish, the Cobia is the way to go. It's served on a beignet and the Turkish spices they use, along with the mango, makes it a real hit! I could eat this dish over and over and never tire of it. It really is fantastic. Also, the curry cauliflower is really delicious and a great compliment to the Cobia. Others in my group have had the short ribs (father-in-law raved about them), filet, etc. Also, we did the butter tasting. It was great, but it's not really the star of the menu. Everything I've had here is great and you won't be disappointed by your experience here. 5 stars every day of the week.
(5)
Allison D.
Had lunch here today thanks to Yelp and so glad we did. We are traveling and looked like poorly groomed tourists when we walked through the doors but received impeccable service despite our slightly rough appearance. We arrived around 11:15 before the lunch crowd. Never would have found it but for Yelp, but obviously all the locals know about it because it got pretty crowded by Noon. Our waiter remained very attentive and was unfazed when a younger member of our party innocently knocked over a water glass. The service was very very good, but the food was phenomenal. There were lots of great items on the menu that would have made a vegetarian very happy, but also a lot for meat lovers. We had the cauliflower and agree it was wonderful. Also the tempura mushrooms were delicious. The pork ramen was amazing. The mozzarella sandwich fantastic. Even the kid in our group was very happy with a burger they were happy to make plain to his liking. We live in a city with world class restaurants, and this one can stand up to any I've been to. Highly recommend for foodies and anyone who likes great ingredients, inventive combinations, and excellent execution.
(5)
Vanuchi E.
Nothing short of excellent! The kitchen is run by this little lady who is super cool and on top of every detail. We had the best seat in the house at the chef bar and delightfully watched her magic! She made sure of every detail... even bused our plates because she noticed we were finished with our amazing duck confit app! Everything was spot on, creative flavors, imaginative combos, perfect temp on the lamb rack, Cobia was perfect with the ginger grits. Topping it all off, the sevice was impeccable! So yummy all around, we had so much fun! One of the best meals I've had in a while. I'll be back on my next trip to Nashville.
(5)
Bob S.
Great meal! I will update - made this for my top 5 list
(5)
Sam T.
As a newer restaurant and it being Saturday night, our reservation was for 930 which initially concerned me because I worried things might be shutting down or some of the menu options might be 86'd by that point. However, it was hopping when I arrived and the restaurant was in full swing. The late reservation gave us a chance to have drinks elsewhere and walk around broadway like tourists. As you walk in, you notice the bar is right at the entrance and next to the hostess station which I thought was a little weird. It's very small and seating is next to impossible there. However, it is convenient if you are waiting for a table and want to grab a drink. We were fortunate enough to sit at the kitchen bar, which is always my favorite. You get to see all the action and enjoy all the wonderful food coming out of there. The colors and presentations of the food is exquisite! They take such time and effort to make everything look so wonderful! And the portions are huge! You truly get your money's worth. We tried the short ribs, etch salad, gingery grits, and sweet potato soup. Aside from the soup which was really too sweet, even for sweet potatoes, the food was excellent. We really enjoyed it. The service was good. Prompt and polite enough, nothing out of the ordinary. The have valet parking or a pay lot next door which was lucky since parking was a nightmare at that time.
(4)
Robert W.
Really elegant restaurant! They treated use royally even though we were in t shirts, shorts and scandals for the CMA Fest (Most others were in suits etc.) Excellent wait staff, my food was wonderful! Try it!!! We had the lunch menu, dinner menu is a little pricy, but probably worth it based on my experience. Coffee was excellent.
(5)
Joe M.
stopped in for a drink. I was impressed with the Bar staff. They know what their doing. If your downtown you should stop in. We did not eat hear, but I am going to on my next trip to Nashville.
(4)
Amber A.
Awesome restaurant! Asian inspired and delicious. I had the scallops and we all shared the short rib roll appetizers. Both were amazing. Wine list was great and service was perfect.
(5)
Leslie C.
Excellent food and busy vibe. They could have been more creative with the atmosphere, but it was well-done nonetheless. We enjoyed the chef's bar. Hope to visit again soon!
(5)
MyongHi S.
Amaaaaaazing lamp chops! Server was friendly and knowledgeable and allowed me to order the lamp chops with the side items from the filet entree. Overall a great dining experience with prompt and friendly service from the hostess, server (Justin), and the server's assistant as well. The previous reviews did not lie! I'm definitely glad I made this stop on my first trip to Nashville.
(4)
David G.
Fantastic. Unadulterated fun in my mouth. I never knew cauliflower could be so sexy... and tasty. Let's face it, Etch is a wonderful delight and a unique departure from Deb Paquette's previous (and enjoyable) adventure that was Zola. Etch is located downtown, and parking is a breeze. There are metered spots along 3rd, there is a large parking lot managed by one of the parking companies right down on the corner, there is a large parking garage (that closes at 11) on the other corner, AND there is free valet service. Seriously, unless you are driving your 18-wheeler with cargo in-tow, you be able to find a parking space. Oh? Your car is U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier? Well, then you are out of luck. The rest of we normal folk can find a park. The space/decor at Etch is open, airy, and I'm guessing pretty classic cool. I'm not terribly "cool" so I can only judge. If I wanted to be one of the cool kids, I'd want to be Etch. Plus, I like that I can see the kitchen from the main dining room. The menu is vegan friendly, vegetarian friendly, gluten free friendly, and carnivore friendly. In other words, all of your friends should be able to find something that they want to eat here. Recommendations: * The cauliflower appetizer is to die for. I'm serious. I was forced to slay a few people with my butter knife over the dish. It comes with truffled pea pesto, salted almonds, and some kind of cheese sauce (goat, I think?). Anyhow, please excuse the bodies... but don't touch my cauliflower. * Lamb Chops. Hey, I'm a carnivore. I might have slain over my cauliflower but I also enjoy carnivorous delights (that sounds dirty... I've digressed). They were cooked perfectly and paired with my appetizer were more than enough for this gentleman to consumer for an evening. * Wine. The list of wine is short but robust - if that makes sense. Went with a red recommendation from the sommelier - an Argentinian (the wine, not the sommelier). It's close enough that if you parked yourself (or you get your keys from the valet) that you can walk downtown after your meal and enjoy some honky-tonking. Or, hop in your car and take a short trip up to The Gulch or Belmont/Vandy or 12 South. Love Etch. Love the location. Love the food. If I were Billy Bob from Varsity Blues, I'd be screaming "TEN! I give it a TEN!" and asking it to marry me.
(5)
Debby B.
I was visiting Nashville for the first time last week with my cousin and we decided to try Etch for dinner on our first night. The meals we had were simply the most deliciously prepared entrees we have ever tasted! My cousin had the lamb chops and I ordered the pork roast. The combinations of ingredients used to prepare these dishes are beyond compare. We had a wonderful server, Amy who took our picture with her phone, when I discovered I left my phone in the car. She then sent me a text with the picture. My cousin will be traveling to Nashville for her chemotherapy drug trial on a regular basis and I know when it is my time to take her again, we will be dining at Etch! It is a wonderful experience to dine there, I simply give it the highest recommendation!
(5)
Lisa S.
I went back for lunch yesterday, and although I've still got to make it to dinner I just hate leaving such a bad review. Yes, I had a bad experience, but this place is really top notch and the food is incredible. Service at lunch was impeccable, food was amazing and reasonably priced, AND I just saw that the manager sent me a message after my initial review apologizing for the experience and offering to make it up to us. Why did YELP not send me a notification of the message or something!? I wouldn't have taken anything from them, but it would have been nice to respond to such a genuine concern for what happened!! This place deserves every bit of the four stars. Great food, great service, great location, great everything. I would bet it'll be five stars when I get a chance to give dinner another try.
(4)
Lindsey B.
My favorite chef in Nashville. The food is always creative and delicious. You won't be disappointed!
(5)
Holly S.
I ate here once, and it was good; but I will never go back due to the rudeness of the staff when I brought a guest here from out of town. We had just left Wine On the River, so we had wine glasses with us (empty) from the event. We were seated at the bar because we didn't have reservations - which was fine. However, when the waitress came, she picked up one of the wine glasses, made an exaggeratedly horrified face and huffed, "Uhh. WHAT. Is this?!" We left in disgust and dined elsewhere. There are too many good restaurants in Nashville to put up with this nonsense.
(2)
Mike J.
Simply put, Etch is the best restaurant we've tried in Nashville. We've eaten here twice, once in a large group - so we've sampled most of the entrees and a few of the specials. I am particular to the cobia, but I haven't tried anything that wasn't 5 stars. I've recommended this place to several others, and all have thanked me -
(5)
Jaime B.
Go hungry bc you need to order the cauliflower app... Hazelnut/blue cheese/apple salad... Fish... And peach sorbet with brown butter cake dessert. All of them, worth it!
(4)
Ted P.
By far one of my top 3 favs in nashville, Cauliflower that you will crave daily and entrees that simply can't be matched!!! The owner/chef Deb is amazing!!! so kind, creative and accommodating. Do not miss this restaurant on your visit!!!
(5)
Chris S.
The tuna bowl and the Fall Salad with Chicken are great. Solid lunch options all over the menu. Generally pretty easy to get in and out of too. Highly recommend the sweet potato and tomato soup.
(4)
Edib L.
Food was delicious. Service was sub-par. Plates were cleared when one of us was still eating, which was a grevious faux pas. Our waiter was smarmy and rude once he learned that we weren't ordering cocktails. Service, especially at a place like Etch, should be consistent and excellent, no matter what you order.
I'd like to start this review off apologizing that this particular one hasn't come sooner, as it concerns one of my absolute favorite 'new' restaurants in town: Etch. Since my first experience at lunch several months ago (and many, many subsequent visits after for both lunch and dinner), I have been unable to stop thinking about this fabulous restaurant nor stop talking about it to anyone who is willing to listen. I must admit, not too many years ago a place like Etch would have intimidated the hell out of me. Most menu items being out of my "comfort zone", I would have considered it to be a bit much. Thankfully, with access to the ever-booming local restaurant scene in Nashville since I moved to the 'big city', I have been a bit more adventurous with food, and my goodness, am I glad I did! Etch has some of the most inventive, unique, and flavorful meals I've ever had. Truly an experience for your taste buds, every single menu item I've ordered has absolutely blown me away. My suggestion-- go with a small group, order several apps, soups, salads, and an entree or two, and SHARE. You will not want to miss out on any of Chef Paquette's amazing creations. Here are some of my personal faves: Butter Tasting. Ok, everyone loves butter, but Etch gives it a fun twist. Rolls served with truffle, smoked plugra, duck, and goat butters. Divine. Roasted Cauliflower. With truffled pea pesto, salted almonds, and feta crema. To describe this glorious creation, I believe my friend says it best (and classiest): "I would literally bathe in the truffled pea pesto." Interesting take, yes, but it really is that wonderful. Duck Confit. Words truly cannot begin to describe how fab this is.The balsamic blackberries and the citrus from the orange peel with the duck... Unbelievable. Short Ribs. Perfection. Such a delicious and fun twist on the traditional short rib. Pork Tenderloin. Again, such a unique take on a traditional menu item. Monchego. Carmelized Onions. Mushroom sauce. Oh, and it contains truffle.. Enough said. Brisket Papusa (lunch). Corn cake, smoked brisket, cheese, onion, slaw, a wonderful tomato sauce, avocado, lime crema, queso blanco. Every single bite of this lunch-only entree was phenomenal. Hands down the best lunch I've ever had. Recently, a colleague of mine told me my theory that one always has room for dessert no matter how full is actually a scientific fact. Not sure how accurate that is, but, I'll go with it it. That said, you MUST order dessert at Etch! I have had the Meyer Lemon Frozen Mousse (lemon curd, goat milk caramel, lemon crumble, brown butter pizzelle, cirtus segments) and Chocolate Hazelnut Crunch, both incredible. So....Now that I am pretty much out of positive adjectives, I'm going to wrap this up by simply saying if you haven't yet made it to Etch, you are missing out on the best of the best in Nashville.
(5)
Rahel K.
My fellow yelpers, I cannot tell a lie. I told you I would return to Etch and update my review. Here it is..... Grabbed two seats at the bar. Ordered the happy hour wine ($5 - nice). Ordered octopus bruschetta appetizer..........A.....................MAZE.....Â...........ZING. The chopped fennel added a pleasant fresh crunch. Ordered the Copia entree - I have never tasted all those flavors together before. A halibut-type meaty white fish that is pan seared with a dressing of olives, fruit, capers, salty & sweet & savory & buttery and......it was an explosion of every taste bud. Oh - and then hide a beignet in that mountain of goodness just to soak up the juices. I loved it. Service was great. We had a great meal. Highly recommended.
(4)
Jagan P.
Really solid. The sous vide steak was excellent -- a must try.
(5)
Marcia M.
Oh, yes. Oh, hell yes. Oh, (beep) yes. (sometimes even I need to be censored) As someone who never had the luxury of enjoying a meal at brilliant chef Deb Paquette's previous venture, Zola... I had scraped together enough hear-say to know that Etch is a complete departure from the previous menu and aesthetic. I was finally able to enjoy a Paquette experience for lunch the other day and was very impressed. I should also start off by saying that parking WAS NOT an issue as I know that many locals get worked up about how/where/who to park but I pulled right up front and slipped a few quarters into the meter. You may also utilize the complimentary valet service too. Easy breezy, right? Next, I strutted my ravenous self into Etch's gorgeous modern space that boasts natural sunlight from the abundant windows throughout. Throw in lofty high ceilings, clean design, and a classic white tablecloth and you feel as if you've been whisked away to NYC. Many spots try to reenact the quiet sophistication that Etch so nicely pulls off. The space felt comfy and inviting yet chic' in the same breath. Rumblings of an "Etchy Hour" (happy hour) along with a Downtown Resident loyalty were program were in the air along with the capability for the space to be used as a venue for special events and dinner parties. A smaller private dining area (10-20ish guests) is nestled near the entrance too. Ready to get the scoop on the food? The extremely veg-friendly menu was much appreciated for this vegan and the doting and experienced server was great at suggesting some tweaks for my lifestyle. I opted to start off with an appetizer of Roasted Cauliflower ($8) to share and enjoyed the healthy yet filling dish. This normally comes paired with truffled pea pesto, salted almonds, and feta crema dipping sauces but he made some adjustments for me. For my main course, I chose the innovative Zucchini Slaw Roll ($9) that was a DELICIOUS concoction of arugula, fennel, red onion, roasted carrot, shiitake confit, avocado, and horseradish mayo (I altered to not include the mayo) paired with house-made potato chips. As a bit of a splurge, I tried the peach sorbet ($3 per scoop) and didn't feel the least bit guilty as i ate every last bite. Everything that I ordered was thoughtfully prepared, presented, and beyond tasty. I normally refrain from giving 5 stars on a first visit but I just can't help myself... Etch will definitely become one of my regular spots. My next visit will be to try out the dinner menu and to pony up to the bar to try their cocktail menu. This would be a fabulous spot to take a date... hint hint.
(5)
Ted T.
Lively place near all of the downtown action. Art Deco. Fabulous food. Flavorful and lots of fun textures. I had the cobia. Very good. My wife had the filet infused w duck butter. The roasted cauliflower appetizer was very good too. I'd go back.
(5)
Carolyn M.
Yum. Really really yum. We had the cauliflower app - this is really the time to not skip your veggies. The pesto pea mousse thingy is kind of amazing. I had the much-loved short ribs and (surprise!) frigging loved them. Hubby had the pork dish, which was also fanfreakingtastic. Two Jackalope pale ales a piece and total bill of $87? Yes please! (That's pre-tip and our server was a lamb, so it did get pricier when you add his comp in).
(5)
Samuel M.
Fantastic food. Very overpriced, you are paying for the "atmosphere". Absolutely pathetic portion sizes, the appetizers were larger than my entree. Just go across the street to Southern Steak and Oyster.
(2)
Samantha B.
Trusting the people of Yelp, we chose Etch as our first dinner in Nashville this past weekend. When we walked in, I was surprised by the set up of the space...very different than most restaurants in Philly, and more formal. The bread to start was great, but after that everything went downhill. I had to send my drink back (which I rarely do), and the second one wasn't much better. We shared multiple things and were in search of a slightly lighter meal. We started with the octopus and shrimp bruschetta and the cauliflower. While the cauliflower dish could have been promising, it was under-roasted and there was WAY too much of it. Cauliflower overload. Again, the bruschetta could have been promising, but we found it odd that it was served room temp. On to the next with hope of better dishes...the Katafi pastry. all of these flavors sounded great to us, but it was SO heavy! And the plate was loaded with a huge amount of gross looking (and not so great tasting) sauce. At this point we were a bit upset, but ordered the pork belly appetizer so we didn't leave hungry. Finally, the pork belly was delicious. However, it was served on a plate with tahini and blueberries?? Still confused about that one. To top it off, I felt like the server was trying to rush us out of the restaurant. Overall, I'd say Etch got a 2.5 in my book. Would not recommend for a relaxing and delicious date night.
(3)
J H.
I'm just going to observe that yes, it's true. This was a culinary experience not simply a meal. Twelve of us. In the private dining sanctuary just to the right after entering the restaurant. We could see into the restaurant and not feel cut off, but it was our own space and the business, political, sports, and social conversations were enhanced by the venue, the food, and the service. I'm not going to force my menu choices on anyone else. Feel confident to range anywhere on the menu.
(5)
Richard J.
Wow, that was completely amazing. The venison is rubbed with a spice that provides a gentle kick, and it's portioned just right. The taste reminded me of some of the best Indian/Pakistani meat dishes I've had, toned down a step or two in spice, with a better cut a meat that just melts in your mouth. Also on the plate is another worthy star: the ginger grits, supported by the tastes of pear butter and sweet potato guava. For dessert I ordered the chocolate hazelnut crunch, which was the perfect blend of sweet, salty, and - as the name implies - crunch. All in all, a fantastic dining experience, with attentive and helpful service.
(5)
michael d.
Cool modern ambiance. Small bar, good drinks. Lamb crudo excellent. Menu not terribly inventive but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Good food, good presentation and excellent service are the keys to a good night out and that we had.
(4)
Ursula M.
Fantastic food. Im not a dessert person but the citrus parfait was a revelation. The only (minor) quibble is that the portions ate a wee bit large.
(5)
Natalie C.
Great restaurant and great food. Love the cauliflower appetizer and I love the scallop entree. Always good service and great food!
(4)
David T.
I ate here for dinner during a recent trip. Every dish we had was fantastic from the concept to the execution. The cauliflower seems to be the fan favorite for good reason. The pork was moist and tender, and the venison was incredibly flavorful and soft. The sauces are definitely the highlight of the dishes at this restaurant. It is also centrally located near all the major broadway attractions.
(5)
Jesse B.
Etch is one of my favorite restaurants in Nashville, and I've been to many of the competitors. 1. The food is excellent. I've heard some critiques that there is 'too much going on' which may be true. If you're worried about this, perhaps look elsewhere. But I love the varying flavors and contrasting things going on. 2. Ambiance is very trendy. Great place for a date, event, or to impress.
(5)
robert l.
Okay, so I'm a terrible foodie - I admit it. Etch really scratches that itch, for sure. Now, I live in Northern California where the trend is "the simplest preparation lets the ingredients speak for themselves" - Etch ain't that. In fact, the only thing that keeps me from giving this place five stars is that there were SO MANY THINGS HAPPENING ON THE PLATE THAT I GOT DIZZY!!! That said, I had a great meal here. Let me 'splain. First course: pork belly with kimchi (and a whole bunch of other stuff). Now, we all know how easy it is to screw up pork belly: cooked too long, it gets greasy and tough; too short and it's even worse. This was absolutely perfectly cooked: soft, unctuous and thoroughly delicious. The kimchi, which I wouldn't have thought would work, was perfect (and, itself, delicious). Now comes the confusing part: the dish was served with two schmears of tahini and that was, in turn, accompanied by blackberries and raspberries (mind you, this is February in Nashville so you KNOW those berries aren't farm-fresh!). The tahini was simply confusing and out of place; the berries might have been nice if they were fresh and flavorful (they were neither) but as it was they were simply a jarring note to an otherwise delicious and perfectly executed dish. Main course: venison, served on a bed of ginger-inflected grits that was, in turn, served on a bed of sweet potatoes; the meat came with a dollop of cranberry conserve and was accompanied by a few daubs of banana/walnut emulsion and a scoop of pear butter. Are you feeling me now? The dish was really good - everything sang with a clear voice - but it was like sitting in a choir: the music was wonderful but deafening. The profusion of flavors forces you to eat slowly, which is a good thing, but when you do the dish suffers from temperature degradation, which is a bad thing. The grits, for example, started out hot and phenomenal; by the time I was halfway done they were lukewarm and had lost some of that "wow" factor. The service? Outstanding! The wait staff was universally terrific, the wine steward knowledgeable and incredibly spot-on and the restaurant has the best sous chef/expediter in the business (a critical component in executing the chef's vision - he's the best I've seen). Would I go back? Absolutely. I couldn't eat there every day - I'd go crazy - but for "anti-comfort" food that will engage you on every level, this is your place.
(4)
W L.
Thanks to TripAdvisor, we enjoyed a great dinner with friends. The food was so good that I came back for lunch by myself the day after. The tuna bowl salad ($16) was worth the price: innovative, light, and yet flavorful. The roasted cauliflower was $9 for lunch and $10 for dinner: the serving is very fulfilling, enough for 4 people to share. The filet was very tender, the signature fish entree bursts with multiple flavors and is on the sweet side. The pork chop was cooked to perfection. Service at both times was attentive without being overbearing. Definitely worth the number 2 rating on Trip Advisor.
(5)
Bill Z.
Amazing dynamic flavors, i had the lamb....every bite had a different nuanced combo of flavor. A rare but welcome change of pace....I had the pork belly and cauliflower appetizers too....both very good
Our best formal meal in Nashville. Cocktails and appetizers were especially good (including the cauliflower that everyone raves about). Service was also great. Enjoy!
(5)
Bridgette C.
I would like to thank Etch, as I was in a foul mood when I first came here, by no fault of theirs (trying to go downtown to a symphony show while it was raining and the SEC tournament was at Bridgestone was not a good driving combo) and thanks to the lovely staff and service at Etch, I returned to my more pleasant form. A gorgeous space in downtown Nashville across from the Schermerhorn, Etch has gotten so much love from my friends that I was very excited to try it out. It was a great pre-show spot with a fantastic happy hour and a great bar with good bartenders. They have great appetizers based on my brief taste I am excited to try a real dinner here! While this may be my shortest review yet its only because my experience here was unfortunately brief, so tune in for an update soon.
(4)
Jeremy E.
Best lunch in Nashville. Great value. Great food. This is my #1 spot for business lunches.
(5)
Brian N.
I had a less than perfect meal at Etch last week, and let them know about it. In my entire life, I've never seen a chef or a manager go to such great lengths to correct the situation, and they should be applauded for it. If you're on the fence about going here, get off the fence and just GO! People who have that much passion for what they do should always be rewarded. Your meal will be fantastic; I know the chef and manager will see to that.
(5)
Noelle T.
I guess I'm just not a foody like I thought I was! This stuff was just too complicated to taste good to me! I ate here for lunch today. We both took full advantage of the free valet because it is freezing. We had a lovely table by the window, great service, and a nice view of the Omni. Even though it was lunch they made an exception and brought us the butter appetizer you guys have been raving about trying but it was just too much for me. After eating the truffle butter, the French fat butter, the ginger peanut brittle butter, and the duck butter I already felt uneasy but I wanted to keep going to try to understand the love affair with Etch. Then we tried the roasted cauliflower with the pea pesto and feta crema which was fine. I like cauliflower and I've had some really good dishes here in town but I guess I expected it to blow my mind since everyone keeps talking about how great it is. I probably would have liked it better if the bar wasn't set so high in my mind. Next we shared the brisket pupusa. I love a good pupusa but it was so hard to find the little thing buried under thinly sliced brisket and multiple colored sauces. I pushed aside an onion, meat, cheese, a strange orange sauce, a red sauce, celery leaf avocado smash, lime crema, some veggies, then another white sauce and savored my one little soggy bite of pupusa - good but again all the sauces were very unappetizing to me. At this point in time I just wanted something normal but even the dessert menu seemed a little frilly. I settled on the poached apples, roasted apple puree, black currant sauce, toasted almonds, apple chips, on a twinkie...I mean vanilla cake...with a side of olive oil ice cream. Can't a girl just get a cupcake? Any way, I get why you guys like it. It's a taste exploration but I don't have that many calories in a day to explore with. If I am going to eat something I want it to provide nutrition and pleasure and perhaps a little simplicity. I will say I liked my wine and they make a mean cup of coffee. So there is that. Bottom Line: If you want an adventure in your mouth this is the place for you. If you just want a tasty and simple meal, look elsewhere.
(3)
lisa j.
My favorite restaurant and I live in Chicago. You have to have the cauliflower appetizer, the beets & berries salad, the cobia entree and the chocolate pretzel bar dessert. These are all just AMAZING!!!
(5)
Audrey D.
Absolutely amazing vegetarian creation- "Katafi Pastry"- spaghetti squash with sage, fontina cheese and golden raisins. poblano gravy, charred eggplant puree, black olive barley tapenade- for $19 - totally worth it. From the texture variations, to the colors to the tastes, it was RESPECT to vegetarian cusine, rather than the typical (boring) pasta dishes offered at most restaurants that are geared to meat eaters. Hubbie had the venison- he gave it a 5/5, but he actually became enamoured by my vegetarian dish, saying the dynamic range of taste was more vast than his meal. Ginger grits on the side; sweet and buttery. Bon appetit!
(5)
Paula Jean K.
Nashville's No. 1 restaurant in Zagat's America's Top Restaurants 2014! We had the pleasure of dining here on a Saturday night. What a spectatcular experience! We were immediately greeted at the front door by a lovely hostess who brought us to our table. We perused the drink menu and chose 2 signature cocktails which were brought to our table promptly. Suddenly, the maitre d' comes over and apologizes to us because the table that we were seated at had been reserved for another party. Would we mind changing tables? No, Of course not. Drinks on the house! Really? That was awful nice! We ordered the Octopus and Shrimp Bruschetta, the Pork Loin and the Lamb Chop. Wow! Simply marvelous. Everything that we ate was well prepared, flavorful and beautifully presented. The lamb was so good that I really wanted to gnaw on the bone but since this was a very high class restaurant, I'm sure that, that, would have been frowned upon. The sides that accompanied out proteins were also delicious. The ambience was soothing. We felt very loved here. Etch is as good as it gets!
(5)
Michael M.
I liked it. Very interesting menu with excellent service and presentation. The cauliflower was good (a little hard) but I prefer it fried. My friends had the bruchetta and loved it. I had the veggie thingy Katafi Pastry for a main course which was interesting & delicious. I'm a carnivore but took a shot and it was worth it. Plate went back to the kitchen clean. Hard to describe but a great alternate if you don't want to get weighed down on meat. The olive oil ice cream was good but was vanilla with or without the EVO....no matter what the waiter said ;-) Decent wine menu loaded with cabs; lite on Italians but we found something we liked. Impressed they had Pappy Van Winkle bourbon available.
(4)
Alisha W.
The only thing I regret about my dining experience is that I was too full to try everything. I had very high expectations going into this dinner, and I was not let down. James my waiter was very knowledgeable with all of the dishes and was good about giving our space after we ordered. We started with a few cocktails and then we got the Octopus Bruschetta, it was delicious! So many good favors all mixed onto a delicious toasted bread. We them ordered a bottle of wine to go with dinner. My boyfriend had the pork tenderloin that was so good, the basic meat and potatoes done very well. I was shocked when he even ate the mushrooms! I was not very hungry so I did the tuna salad for dinner. There was plenty for dinner, I couldn't even finish it all. The dressing was light and tangy it went very well with the tuna. For dessert we had the chocolate fudge. It was very rich! The chocolate with the nuts and caramel all together made a great end to a wonderful meal. I will be back!
(5)
Michael M.
A must! Sat at the chefs table and I have have to say from the moment I walked in I was greeted with excellent service. My waiter was spot on with solid knowledge of the menu wines and recommendations. I'm going back on Wednesday with friends. Go you will be pleasantly surprised!
(5)
Robert U.
I was disappointed by Etch. The biggest problem was the service was unacceptably slow. Our appetizer took about 30 minutes to arrive. Our entrees arrived just before the ONE HOUR mark. Our server never mentioned anything like "your food is coming," or "sorry for the wait" or offered any sort of acknowledgement. Is this the norm here? The food was good. The cauliflower appetizer is nice. The okra side is really good, with an orange sauce and some feta cheese that complemented it. But generally, the food, while unique, was kind of bland.
(2)
Victor H.
I can safely say that Etch is the best dining experience I've had in Nashville. The service is wonderful, the drinks are delicious and the atmosphere/decor is perfect for a great date night. Our server was very knowledgable and went out of her way to describe the menu. The food though, WOW, the food is what really shines. The pork dinner entree is one of the best things I've ever eaten. My wife purchased the 7oz filet and I couldn't believe or understand how tender and delicious it was... It literally melted in my mouth. Also, don't forget to leave room for dessert, the homemade ice cream is delightful, our server even brought us a candle in our dessert because we were celebrating my wife's birthday! If I could give this place six stars I would. Save up a little money and go have one of the best dining experiences Nashville has to offer.
(5)
Jessica B.
The food here was delicious, fresh and even though it was a super busy day the service was fast and professional.
(4)
Robby S.
For an elegant, finer dining experience... this is my go-to! The dishes were as beautiful as they were delicious. Who knew roasted cauliflower could be THAT incredible?! From the beet and berry salad to the perfectly cooked filet, I was nothing but impressed. Very professional and kind service from both our server and the manager who came by to check on us. If you're anywhere near this restaurant, make plans to have one of the best dinners in town there!
(5)
Gary C.
Very busy so had to eat at the bar. Very comfortable and Paul was great. Pork belly app tasted fantastic but was extra fatty and small (the only reason I didn't give 5 stars). The filet steak was absolute perfection. I will be back to this place.
(4)
Amanda B.
Maybe I ordered the wrong dish or maybe the kitchen was short handed, but after waiting over one hour for the entree, my venison arrived cold, room temperature at best. I'm no expert on venison, but I think it's traditionally a hot plate. I politely asked the waiter to heat up my dish, and he obliged by promptly returning with an entirely new venison dish. To my dismay, the replacement venison was still cold. I'm left to believe some menu items are pre-made and left waiting in the wings where they cool to room temperature before being served. Overall, it was a dissatisfying experience. I can't justify paying 30 dollars for two ounces of cold meat. Update: I'm happy to report the restaurant rectified the situation by crediting the meal.
(5)
Caitlin C.
Probably one of the best service experiences I may ever have. If you've felt under appreciated lately, head on over to Etch. Kenneth (I hope that's right) was a fantastic server, he made my birthday fabulous with his patience and finesse! Also the fabulous bartender up front was very impressive, dealing with all the folks waiting for the tables but still wanting to squeeze in a pre-meal cocktail. If you are staying in downtown Nashville and you're looking for something that's not a twist on southern (like every other restaurant in town), check out Etch. Although the menu isn't seasonal and does not make much mention of local sourcing, the food was excellent and very unique. My particular favorites included the bruschetta with shrimp, octopus, capers and bacon, as well as the beet salad, which had a spicy kick and tart berries. I also really really enjoyed the olive oil cake dessert. In some cases the ingredients all seem sort of whacky, or the idea of putting them together seems whacky, but it just works! The place itself is simple and clean. Although yes it does resemble a hotel lobby it's not off putting. We were seated by the window with a view of the Country Music Hall of Fame and I quite enjoyed the atmosphere, it was refreshing not to be surrounded by barn wood and mason jars. If you're looking for a great fine dining experience in downtown, I would check out Etch!
(5)
Alex G.
Among the very best, if not THE best meal I've had in Nashville yet. Went with a party of 6 and had the chance to try most of the menu: the Lamb, the Pork, the Cobia, Short Ribs, and Duck. Also had the Mussels (was actually replaced w/Shrimp), Cauliflower, Butter tasting, and Octopus. Each dish was delicious. Also, I should note that the service was fantastic throughout the meal. Everyone was knowledgeable and helpful and our waiter was happy to run back to the kitchen to address any questions we had that he couldn't answer himself. Big shout out to Deb and 2 big thumbs up for Etch. Also has a very solid happy hour.
(5)
Kira S.
Easily the best restaurant in Nashville right now. The food is consistently well-executed, well-presented, and incredibly creative. We've dined here twice already and have yet to be disappointed in anything. Even foods that are not my favorite (short ribs, cauliflower) are so creatively utilized in dishes that they have changed my mind. Don't skip the butter tasting. Duck butter, smoked butter, goat butter...truly delicious and different. The short ribs are incredible - designed to look like a sushi roll with a panko coating. The one part that doesn't quite live up to the expectations the rest of the meal sets is dessert. The desserts we tried just weren't at the same caliber as the other parts of the menu, so don't feel bad if you skip out on it at the end. Service the second visit was better and more involved than the first visit. We had waited a little while for our entrees when our server informed us that the kitchen was not pleased with how my short ribs had turned out, so they were remaking it and would be a bit longer. Communication was helpful. Definitely get to Etch!
(5)
Sugar X.
This is a date spot, absolute elegance. The staff is humble yet effective. The open air space lite by warm ambient light is romantic. The food selection tastes gourmet yet recognizable. I had the ginger grits, and short ribs both flavorful and thoughtfully plated. The riesling was served at a perfect temp.. Overall ritzy, world class service, make sure to dress up;)
(5)
Sarah S.
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM. MMMMMMMMMMMMMM. MMMMMMMMMM. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Now I can begin: I went to Etch with a party of 6 others and it was simply glorious. We waiting at a table near the bar while our party was arriving and were quickly greeted and served drinks. As soon as our entire party was there, we were seated. The decor was open and airy, yet elegant. Our server was quite friendly and very well educated on the dishes. He explained each of the appetizers and entrees to us. While this may have been overkill for a party of 2, a party of 7 will have a wide variety of tastes, so I found it to be much appreciated. One thing to note is that the menu changes every 5 months or so; there may be a review about a dish you'd like to try that won't be there, so check the menu online ahead if you want to know what to expect. For the appetizer course, we agreed we'd love to taste them all, so our party ordered one of each and shared. Every single one shined in its own way, but all were completely mouth wateringly delicious. That Duck Butter was incredible! The Shrimp and Filo was savory and sweet and mmmmmmm those Short Ribs!!! All the dishes had flavors that were well thought out and played together in a super delish way. The Soup. Oh Blessed Blessed Soup. It was a chilled butternut squash soup (the rest of the details leave me as it was not on the menu) but sweet mother that soup was amazing. The men near me polished off their bowls. I found it to be slightly sweet (in a great way, but it was rich) so I gave it a good go, but couldn't eat it all. Meanwhile: Our server continued being amazing. The entrees ordered were the Pork Tenderloin, Lamb Chops, Cobia, Scallops, and the Filet. My order was the filet and good freaking food gods it was delicious. I'm a "steak ruiner" in that I really prefer medium well (I'm trying to get to medium...I am!). This can be challenging while cooking steak, I know. And while my steak was actually completely well done, it was still juicy and had a wonderful taste. It was served with a red wine sauce (hints of chardonnay and bacon...omg), horseradish and celery creamed potatoes, asparagus whips and topped with smoked duck butter. And it made my mouth water with every singe bite. (jealous yet? good. go eat this!) I was far too full for dessert, but several of our party indulged and I had a delicious cup of coffee and let my food settle. The dessert reviews were great so if you have saved room, go for it! Love love love Etch. Fully enjoyed every bite.
(5)
Ali M.
One of the best meals ever -- comparable to a NYC 5 star restaurant. We sat at the bar for lunch and Paul was outstanding. Very helpful in making us non-alcoholic drinks, and then recommending some fine choices. The cauliflower appetizer was excellent and was an explosion of flavors. The brisket was fantastic and melded extremely well with the corn bread and the multitude of sauces accompanying it. The Thai chicken and quinoa was satisfying as well (ask for extra spicy) and you could taste distinct ingredients in every bite. Definitely don't miss and I'd recommend sitting at the bar with Paul.
(5)
Liz S.
Decided to give Etch another try, as my food was phenomenal the first time and my roommate still hadn't dined here and wanted to go. As fate would have it, I had the same server as I did when I went with my boyfriend the first time. I'm pretty convinced, however, that either OpenTable or the restaurant itself had some sort of note taking system that "set us up," if you will. I'm also pretty certain that my server knew exactly who I was and that I was the one who wrote the previous review. Our server redeemed himself greatly and my dining experience was improved by a tenfold. I instantly knew he had improved when he asked my roommate and I right after we sat down if we would like to hear about the specials before or after our drinks and how we wanted to pace the evening. He was also extremely knowledgeable about all of the dishes we ordered and was happy to answer any questions we had. He was always present when needed, but not pushy or trying to rush us. When it came to our food choices, my roommate and I decided to order a few items and share, mostly so we could try many of the amazing flavors Etch has to offer. We started with the cauliflower and the soup of the day, which was some sort of a pumpkin bisque with a perfectly cooked seared scallop. The cauliflower was outstanding (the one thing I told my roommate we HAD to get), and the soup had an enjoyable sweet flavor without being too much. The two of us split the lamb entree, and the meat was so tender and cooked to a perfect medium rare. Another standout accompaniment to the dish was a filo pastry filled with cheese, spinach, and cooked in duck fat. Outstanding. We finished up with the coffee panna cotta, and it was the perfect balance of flavors, textures, and sweetness. I expected the food to be top notch, but the improvement in hospitality that our server made is what really blew me away. It meant so much that Etch had taken the initiative to address the previous issue and that this particular server had personally improved on so many levels. Because of this experience, I can guarantee you I will be back many times in the future, and will probably even ask for this server again! :)
(5)
Quin T.
Absolutely fantastic!!! I sat at the Chef's table & it was really cool to see the staff in action. Mark was my waiter and he was extremely knowledgeable and very professional. For starters I chose the roasted cauliflower & they accommodated me by giving me a single portion because I was dining solo. For my main course I originally chose the Cobia, but it was too citrusy for me, so I opted for the scallops. I requested no bacon & I heard several people call out no bacon, however, when I received my meal, bacon was on it. Not to worry, the staff apologized profusely & I received the perfect plate. I felt like a pain in the ass, but the staff made me feel wonderful & for that I am grateful! The scallops were some of the most amazing scallops I have ever had & I travel all over the world, so that's saying a lot! I was way past stuff & still kept going!!
(5)
erin z.
Amazing.
(5)
Kathleen W.
My entire experience and everything I ate at Etch was perfect. There is just not much more to say. Every bite was memorable. Service was fantastic. Well done.
(5)
Karyn C.
Nice, fresh greens. The barley in the chorizo soup - so good. Plus, chef Deb checked to see if I was enjoying the food!
(4)
Chrissy L.
Everything is interesting, creative and delicious. Out of our meal, the duck confit with the foie gras butter app and the short ribs served to look like sushi rolls as a main were the best. But I get the feeling you cant go wrong here. Some of the best food I've had in Nashville.
(5)
Jim C.
I can't complain here. Our waiter team was excellent and friendly. The manager is top notch and really cares that his diners are having a wonderful experience. The decor is elegant, chic and very fun. The restaurant has a wonderful vibe with a combination of young and old who are out to have outstanding cuisine. My duck/foie gras was sheer perfection. My only issue is that this restaurant works so hard at being artistic and innovative, that some dishes lack that warm and comfy taste that comes with simplicity. My filet was of the highest quality but I wouldn't say that I absolutely loved it. Still, I admire what the chef/owner/manager/staff are doing to create a magnificent restaurant.
(4)
Chris S.
The food is beyond solid as is the service. This is one of those places where you might order something that you end up not particularly liking, but still recognize that's it's good and other people probably love it. I did find the off menu squash bisque great as well as the roasted cauliflower. Filet and pork loin were both prepared perfectly.
(4)
Glenn F.
I have been to Etch twice; once for dinner and once for lunch. I am convinced that Chef Deb Paquette has out done herself from Zola. The menu was obviously created with much thought and experience. The flavors are magnificent. On each occasion, I have ordered the cauliflower appetizer. The truffle oil and pea pest are exquisite. The short rib entree was delicious, but the waygu beef hot dog was so surprisingly scrumptious. Ambiance, location and prices make this place #1 on my lunch preferences. Keep it up Deb Paquette. You rock!
(5)
David L.
What a delightful find for out of towners. We found Etch on Yelp! and we couldn't have been more pleased. We started off with the Etch salad and the Ratatouille Crudo - both delicious. Then we had the Pork Tenderloin - with porcini dusted with manchego, caramelized onion, potato, chorizo, spanish mountain mushroom sauce, and truffle oil to top it off was out of this world. The Lamb Chops, with merguez sausage brik, cauliflower feta cream, tomato chermoula, and more were truly the best lamb chops I have ever eaten and I have eaten a lot of lamb chops.
We had a tremendous experience at Etch while visiting Nashville. We started with the cauliflower and the favors were amazing. My husband had the lamb and I had the venison. Cooked to perfection. Ginger grits were a highlight for me. I wish I had thought of that myself! I would highly recommend this restaurant to everyone!
(5)
Andrea D.
We were in town for the night and were told this was a great place. It did not disappoint. Roasted cauliflower was stupendous and the scallops and filet was divine. My husband loved it even more than I did and he is a tough cookie. Would recommend this restaurant for sure. Great dining experience we will return the next time we are in town
Good food but didn't have the best experience overall. I would put this in with silo and cafe fundamental as great restaurants that aren't the best in the city. Need to try it again soon though. might have to update my review after reading others.
(4)
G C.
After such a terrible experience at Etch last night on 5/29/14, I thought it was time to write my first yelp restaurant review, ever. We arrived at Etch and wanted to sit at the bar, as the two other girls I was with were all ("fine dining") bartenders. They told us we would have to wait, although, there were plenty of seats at the Chef's bar- luckily, I discovered this and asked if we could sit there. After being seated, the server came up to us and we wanted to order a bottle of wine. We were very detailed on what sort of wine we wanted, with hope for some guidance, we received almost nothing. Knowing nothing about wine, he recommended the house merlot/cabernet blend and fortunately we were able to taste it. After leaving for ten minutes, he then decided to come back and ID us (we get it, ABC is cracking down, but ID us as we order, please?). The merlot/cab was not the greatest so we got a bottle of syrah and it was good. Before even ordering the bottle of wine, which took about 30 minutes to received, we immediately ordered the brussel sprouts so we could put something in our bellies, as we were starving. We were able to order our food about 30 minutes after that and told him how starving we were- we happened to sit right in front of the bread and noticed servers were providing their tables with bread so we had to ask for bread (not sure why he didn't want to provide it to begin with?). Our appetizers came out, but over an hour later, still no brussel sprouts. Instead of apologizing or even taking the brussel sprouts off the check- considering, it was pointless for them at this point as we had some form of food, he just gave us a dumbfounded look and said he was not sure why our brussel sprouts weren't out . They even forgot to make my salad, but that was an easy, fast fix, as it is a salad- good thing it wasn't my entree? The beets and berries salad was very tasty, but then again, it's just greens and cheese with fruit and veggies. The other two got the tuna and shrimp and the cauliflower- I didn't care much for the tuna, but the cauliflower was okay. I couldn't decide on what entree to order, so went for two appetizers. The duck confit was mildly over cooked, and I'm not sure why anyone would want to overload that dish with sweetened orange peels to make such a dish even richer, but it was unpleasant and untouched. The octopus and shrimp bruschetta had potential but it was packed with so much rich and salty foods it was far too overwhelming and heavy. My poor sister was visiting from Sonoma, CA, and this, sadly, being our only dinner outing on her visit, had the pork tender loin and it was, by far, the worst tenderloin I have ever had. It reminded me of a mix between a mediocre mexican with a sweetened curried indian dish- nothing matched well with this dish at all. It's actually grossing me out thinking of the taste. The charcuterie salad was pretty good, however. At this point we want to leave as fast as we can, the server was so inconsiderate. Kissing every body's asses but ours. Finally, he provided us with the check and we immediately threw a card down, as we really just wanted to leave and go somewhere else to get the taste out of our mouths. He swiped the card and realized he left the bottle of wine off the check. Came back, weakly apologized added another 30-40 minutes to provide us with the "proper" check. I had to go outside, as I was so annoyed with this awful server- maybe it was his first day of ever serving? Lucky for him, we still tip 20% no matter what. But when the girls came out to showed me the check I noticed he charged us MORE for the bottle of wine than what it was listed on the wine list. Some form of manager happened to be outside so I informed him of the improper charge and the terrible service and he offered to give us a gift certificate. I kindly rejected his offer, as I will never step foot in that building again. Although, this was one of the worst "fine dining" experiences I have ever had... out of many... there was a lady running food and she was great, her presence was enjoyable. Super professional. If only she could've taken care of us, then this review probably would have never happened.
(1)
Kurt R.
Etch lives up to all of the 5 star ratings! The service was impeccable, the food excellent. Our server - Kristen - was knowledgeable about everything on the menu, from how it was prepared down to the ingredients in each dish. We will definitely return to Etch.
(5)
Susie C.
Amazing! No other way to say it. We were visiting from NY and found this place on yelp. We ordered then cauliflower appetizer because of the reviews and it was unbelievable. Believe me, this will make anyone a cauliflower convert. And the meal just got better from there. Five stars, two thumbs up, worth every penny.
(5)
Meitra A.
Wow! I am very particular about awarding any restaurant 5 stars, but Etch definitely earned that rating. The food was creative in the combinations of flavors - pork belly and smoked tofu? Incredible! The service was fantastic, although it was clear they were extra attentive in hopes of drawing back the local crowd. Great place to dine before the symphony. We will definitely be back.
(5)
Dustin B.
Excellent service and food to match. I loved the atmosphere and the staff was very helpful. Had some very interesting and modern takes on classic dishes which were a welcome surprise and change! I will most definitely go back :)
(5)
J L.
Went for dinner for 3 people. Business dinner so we orderd a bit of everything. Appetizers were great (roasted cauliflower, pork belly, and octopus/shrimp bruschetta were all great). I ordered the short ribs which were delicious, and I liked the accompaniment noodles (Asian flavored). My two colleagues ordered the lamp chop, they both thoroughly enjoyed. Two desserts (Mocha and Panna Cotta) were good. Bottle of Amarone wine was very good. Only complaint is service- our server was very friendly and knowledgable and professional, but for some reason it took a long time between ordering drinks/wine to ordering food (first ordered appetizers, then took a very long time to come back and take our entree orders). The meal took a very long time due to long gaps between our server coming back to our table. Decor and space are good for business lunch/dinners or more special/formal occasions. But the bar (small bar at entrance, and long food bar facing the open kitchen) seemed like good places to grab a drink and bite for a more casual feel. Would be great place to eat before an evening at the Symphony or night out.
(4)
Louis J.
Fabulous meal! My wife and I enjoyed a great evening at Etch. Our table location was great and out server was attentive and knowledgeable. The drinks were delicious and if anything went down too easily. The beet salad was terrific as was the butter tasting. My wife had the short ribs and I had the cauliflower. Bothe were generous portions and delicious. A wonderful evening; we'll be back!
(5)
Richard N.
Awesome flavors. Atmosphere was good. only downside with trendy restaurants is that it gets a little loud. We sat at the bar. I thought the service was fine. The smoked pea puree is absolutely amazing. Everything was spot on including their cocktails.
(5)
Chris S.
We ate at Etch three days ago for lunch, and it's still on my mind. I had the pork loin roll up and my wife had the chicken. We also had the roasted cauliflower. Outstanding in all respects. I think I am now a truffle oil junkie.
(5)
Lisa J.
Great delicious food. This is worth the money and reservations! The trout was the best I have ever had... so may flavors coming together for amazingness in your mouth. Drinks were good and service was great. Definitely a place to come back to for special nights!
(5)
Nadia h.
Great Food! We loved the short rips, cauliflower, duck confit...our waiter not that great but the food and cocktails made up for it!
(5)
Be G.
We happened to go here because The Southern was full - and we're glad we did. Service was attentive without being overbearing, and the flavors were outstanding. We ate at the kitchen bar, which was great for a: watching food, and b: scoring a comp'ed appetizer that had been prepared by mistake. We didn't have time to linger, but we will be back in the future.
(4)
Carolyn R.
Second visit to this restaurant, and truly disappointing. I bought out of town business colleagues, thinking a nice meal and a walk downtown to see the sights. The service tonight was wretched. Glacial comes to mind. A full hour between appetizers and dinner. The food was poor as well. The roasted cauliflower was excellent, as was the seared tuna salad, but the spaghetti squash was a greasy, salty mess. The scallops had a deep fried congealed mass of something unidentifiable. No one at the table finished their entree except the one who ordered the venison. By the time we finally got out of there, it was way too late to explore downtown. There seems to be a heavy reliance on dots of spooge on the plate to provide flavor. At these prices, I expect an excellent tasting meal, and good service with a bit of style. Style we got....service and taste, not so much.
(2)
Billy C.
Great food and everyone was extremely helpful, friendly and attentive.
(5)
Kyle F.
Outstanding presentation. Very professional staff. Beautiful restaurant. Complimentary valet parking. The menu is a bit limited, but it is made up for by the breadth of dishes on the menu. Extensive wine selection. High recommend to those looking for a nice dinner downtown.
(5)
L J.
I was a little skeptical when I saw the menu selections and since this is such a new restaurant but it was a great experience - we basically just sampled a ton of stuff on the menu and my mistake was that by the time the entree arrived, I could barely eat another thing! What I liked most was that the wait staff is EXTREMELY friendly, so it takes away any "stuffy" attitude that you can sometimes get with these type of restaurants. Not to mention the food was superb. Would go back in a heartbeat.
(5)
August T.
Classy! Was sad that Zola closed years ago, but am now delighted with Etch and its location! Food, of course, by Ms. Paquette met - no, actually exceeded - expectations. Ample portions for the price and, of course, delicious. Don't miss this gem.
(5)
Lisa H.
Amazing dining experience! I went here with a few coworkers while we were in town for a work meeting. We raved about every dish we had! We started with the mussels app and the butter tasting. The truffle butter was the best, but they were all yummy. We then had the cobia, pork tenderloin, and cauliflower entrees. We each enjoyed our own meals and tasted each others as well. The flavors and spices were so vibrant! For sides, we tried the okra and ginger grits. I was fearful of the okra, but it tasted great! The ginger grits were sweet, but not too sweet. We were stuffed after our meals but couldn't resist trying the chocolate chai panna cotta. The amazingness (is that a word?) continued! Every part of this meal was perfect! My only downside was that service was a bit slow, yet I felt well taken care of. I highly recommend this restaurant and am looking forward to eating here again when I return to Nashville.
(5)
CC S.
I really wanted to like Etch, but it does have some kinks to work out. Our server was very knowledgable and not overbearing. Others in the restaurant were nice and friendly. The food was the downfall. We ordered the Beets & Berries salad, Etch salad, Short Ribs, and Filet. The salads were great. The entrees need some work. The short ribs by themselves were great. The side of asian salad that came with it didn't fit well with the rest of the dish and was heavily dressed. The noodles looked like they were in a soup due to the dressing of the stir fry salad. It was almost inedible due to the heavy hand. I ordered the Filet medium and when it arrived it was well-done. I didn't have time to send it back since I had a show to get to after dinner. It was so-so. For the price, I wasn't very pleased. The mushroom/bread side it came with was good, but very heavy and there was a lot of it. It seemed to fit with the filet at first, but after a few bites it started to be off-putting. Maybe I'll give Etch a few months and try it again.
(3)
Lauren F.
We loved lunch at etch! The server was helpful with recommendations, and we got to try a lot of things for a very reasonable price. We loved the roasted cauliflower app, and the cobia with mango salsa and donut bread was such an interesting combination, and wonderful! You have to get the chai panna cotta. It was amazing, and I don't usually like panna cotta. Can't wait to go back for dinner!!
(5)
Holly B.
really inventive menu and wonderful service. loved the truffle butter and also really enjoyed the duck breast. it definitely seems very up and coming and I would definitely go back!
(5)
Cory A.
So after much anticipation, I and three other companions enjoyed an incredible dining experience at Etch! Greeted warmly by the Hostess, who's name I can not remember, remembered me from my visit during mock service. She is on her game. My party was immediately seated and we all quickly had our designs on the bar menu. Intrigued by the pre-prohabition style cocktails we collectively chose the French Seventy Five, a beautifully well composed mix of Bourbon, Champagne and citrus. Don't let the crisp, light and fragrant taste fool you, as a couple of these could glue your "hiney" to the chair. We decided to share three appies...The Pork Belly with smoked tofu bathed in a smooth and rich chinese braise that turned out to the perfect "sop" for pastry chef Megan's rosemary rolls that accompanied the exsquisite butter tasting of truffle, plugra,goat and duck butters. Ahhhh, the Octopus & Shrimp Bruschetta! The creamy taste and firm texture of the SousVide octopus with manchego and roasted tomato "Viola"! I expressed to our attentative and knowledgable server, Brent, "Pacing myself at this point is futile, but I am gonna power thru, so bring it on!" and he did! We all chose something different so as to share as much of the experience as possible. So here we go...The Japanese Short Ribs & Korean noodles in a shrimp/carrot aioli. "Holy Moly!" Porcini crusted Pork Tender Loin in a spanish mountian mushroom sauce with a polish of truffle oil brought this dish to the perfect shine! This next one, apparently new to the menu, had the ultimate visual star power...Sea Scallops on a bed of white truffle smashed potato with a regal giant prawn standing stately in the center like a gastronomic Bird of Paradise! Oh Mama!!! I relinquished my selection to the suggestion of GM Richard Peterson. I was not dissapointed! He surprised me with the Moulard Duck Breast in a perfect blend of Moraccan spices & carrot pear sauce with a cinnamon crumble giving the dish a warm holiday feel...Yum!!! Just before the dessert, Chef Deb Paquette came to our table to check on our visit. All I could say to her was "congratulations"! So comes the "Finale". The table shared the SemiFreddo Goat Cheese Mousse with an intense raspberry gelee blushed with a hibiscus sauce. My need for coffee was sated with the last dish....A gorgeous Mocha Chocolate Caramel Fudge Mousse.....The perfect cup of Chocolate Caramel Macchiato! KUDOS to the entire team! I can not recall a dining experience Like the one I had at Etch that embodied the entire essence of incredible food, wonderful companions and an environment that whispers to me "Come Back"! You must GO!!! Maybe I will see you there, because I am heeding the call!
(5)
Gina H.
I will be brief, but you have to go. Etch is excellent from the front door to the amazingly talented kitchen. Excellent wine and beer list, well thought out and not so large you get lost in the selections. Friendly, non robot like servers with a real interest in you experience and knowledge to guide you through the experience. Comfortable streamlined room that has a " not so stuffy" feel. Great energy, great space, great people and excellent food. If you want to go to a restaurant and feel at ease and know the quality is there, this is the place.
(5)
TJ S.
truly an unbelievable meal.
(5)
Vanessa H.
My review is short and sweet. I think I am too old for trendy restaurants. I will say that the butter course was unique and tasty, and that the cauliflower appetizer, and especially the spreads that came with it, were inspiring. My husband had the short ribs and although he said they were good (not great) he noted that the side that came with them was odd. I tried both and I have to agree. I had the scallops and prawn and it was off somehow. Overspiced and too dusky in flavor whereas the thickly sliced veggies underlying the dish were clunky and flavorless. However, the bar was fun, although a little tight space-wise, and the bartender, the server and all personnel I came in contact with were courteous and went the extra mile. Will I return, no. I live and work in the greater Nashville area, and although I enjoy going south of Broadway, I tend to eat in the West End area or Cool Springs if I am headed out for the evening. I did, however, have a beer at Jackalope on 8th before meeting my husband on the train from Lebanon--now THAT was a fun time!
(3)
Cathy U.
I was such a huge fan of the restaurant Zola's and was anxiously awaiting for this restaurant to open. It did not disappoint, Wonderful food, and wonderful location. Nashville is lucky to have such a world class chef as Debra Paquette. The entree portions are very creative and as usual very appealing to the eye. Everything would have been perfect except for our waiter, who had the worst attitude for a restaurant of this calibre. Yes, I do expect good service and attentive service when paying these prices for food. Part of dining out is not just the food, but the experience as a whole. The place is beautiful, the food delicious, why should the evening be ruined by a most pompous waiter who isn't that good to begin with. We had to ask for bread, never got it and had to ask twice for coffee at the end of the meal. Any questions asked about the menu were met with an unwillingness or at least an incredibly rude attitude. Really, I have had much better service at Chile's. Please address this issue of the rude waiters if you expect to have repeat customers.
(3)
Tonna H.
This restaurant is easily in contention for best restaurant in Nashville. Menu, food quality, presentation and professional wait staff rival offerings in larger cities. (Once had a Myers Lemon Pie slice that was so good I could have eaten the whole pie and still begged for more!) Never pass on the opportunity to dine at this establishment.
(5)
W L.
You know food is good when you SMILE. It's great when you DANCE. But to EXPERIENCE the two and also feel the LOVE of put into every individual morsel that is placed on a plate is truly rare and something to be cherished. Delightful is not a word to describe the passion placed in the creations here.
(5)
Ed P.
This place is just awesome. They have valet parking which makes going downtown much easier. The food and service was top notch. Tried the butter tasting and is was perfect. Could have made a meal out of that. I had the pork loin and I have never had pork loin that tender. It melted in my mouth and was perfect. The entrees have layers of flavors and textures. They look like a work of art on a plate. The only negative comment I would make is the atmosphere is open and very busy. If you are looking for a quiet dinner, this may not be your place. If you are looking for great food, it is a must visit.
(5)
Julia W.
Was in Nashville, TN for a business trip. This was probably the best meal I had the whole time I was here. Cauliflower indeed is amazing. I had the fish for dinner which was very fresh and flavorful. My friend had the pork tenderloin - it was to die for. If I am ever in this town again, I'd go to Etch.
(5)
Katie I.
Was not expecting a good meal at all since we've had such disappointing dining experiences lately. However, my husband and I were both pleasantly surprised at how good it was. We sat at the chef's bar and split the etch salad- very delicious. I had the scallops which were wonderful and beautifully presented. My husband had the filet which was fabulous. Awesome cut of meat and so tender. We were both surprised at how delicious it was. We were too full for dessert. I will say the menu had a Moroccan flair- lots of citrus, raisins and the like. I'm usually not a citrus-y person, but what we chose for dinner were both hits. Will return!
(4)
Emily W.
Absolutely amazing. Per other people's reccomendations, I ordered the roasted cauliflower. The truffle pea pesto that comes with this is so delicious. Because of this dish I have now had roasted cauliflower last night for dinner and today for lunch. Sounds so simple, but so good! Everything was amazing, the mint chocolate ice cream made with was incredible. Great atmosphere, definitely make a reservation, this place fills up. Our server Lane was so knowledgeable and I was so impressed by the fact that the servers get to try the dishes, that lets me know the restaurant really cares about making sure their customers have great reccommendations. Best restaurant in Nashville!
(5)
Jade D.
Delicious, delightful and definitely worth a visit!!!! I liked it so much I gave it 5 stars but it does only deserve a 4.5 because ((at this point/in my opinion) the 2 desserts we ordered looked and sounded better than they tasted). HOWEVER, shame on me for starting off on the negative when the food (besides dessert), service, ambiance and design of this place are SUPERB. Menu items were interesting and well executed and left each member of our table of 7 pleased. I chose for colleagues/clients and everyone was complimenting me on the pick. The cobia was the standout ((although my beignet it was seated on (how fun!) was a bit overcooked)) but I would have still ordered the dish and I ate most of the beignet. HA. Had to stop myself from devouring it all. Really delicious white, meaty fish in a unique, tasty preparation. Larger portions than I expected--I could have shared my dish. Other stand out was the octopus and shrimp bruschetta which I ordered for the table, however wished I ordered it all to my gweedy lil self ; p Love the seats at the "food bar" where you can watch the chefs in the open kitchen. If I went back for date night, I would def sit there. Too bad I am out of town or I would be back with my fincer!! .... def def dine at Etch, you will be glad you did!! XoX
(5)
Andrew V.
We would give 6 stars if possible--- the food and service were incredible. Scallops, shrimp & octopus bruschetta, lamb chops (rare), and ratatouille salad were all fantastic to the last bite. Been to tons of nice restaurants in the world and have very high praise for Etch.
(5)
Nicki R.
Beautiful restaurant. Beautiful food. And what's more, everything tasted as good as it looked! Started with the Butter Tasting. Definitely a must for your first time but not sure I would have to have it every time. Next, the Duck Confit. I enjoy going to the park and feeding the ducks so I have a little bit of a hard time eating duck. (It's my own issue, I know) all that to be said, our waited suggested it, so we got it. I still think about it. It was hands down my favorite course of the evening. Next, the Etch Salad. Delicious mix of greens, tart apple, nuts and a zesty champagne vinaigrette. For our main course, I got the trio of scallops and my husband got the filet. Both delicious and both highly recommended. And then dessert. I mean, who has room for dessert after all that? Um, we did. And it was amazing. Warm Banana & Chocolate Cake, peanut buttercream, chocolate sauce, peanut brittle, banana citrus sorbet. Boom.
(5)
Peter C.
Great meal, great wine
(5)
Dede H.
Really good dinner while visiting Nashville! Our server was very friendly, quite knowledgeable about the menu. We had the tasting of 4 kinds of butter--European, duck, truffle, and our favorite, goat butter They were out of the two entrees I wanted, the cobia and scallops. Ordered vegetable plate which was really good, colorful and artistic. Would have preferred my original choices.My husband enjoyed his filet.They were out of the pumpkin dessert, so we had a nutella tarte--yummy with a very nice presentation. The atmosphere is minimalist, could use a few warm touches. Has a private dining area. The parking attendant was especially nice--pulled our car up for us as we prepared to leave.
(4)
Courtney E.
This restaurant and chef were absolutely amazing. We ordered the butter tasting, lamb, venison, and a couple other dishes. The combinations of taste and texture were unique but spot on. Our waiter gave great recommendations and explained which parts of the dish were meant to complement each other. The ambiance of the restaurant is great too. Whether a date night or a group dinner, this place won't disappoint! We will definitely be back in the near future, and I'm hoping to try out the lunch menu sometime.
(5)
Pepper P.
Loved Etch. Decor, elegant and clean, you can watch the chefs create their beautiful plates right from their tidy, bright, friendly bar, The service is quite good, the only downside was the (i think) manager that hit me with the fake smile and asked (told) me to move down because apparently I had sat myself at a spot where you had to have reservations.. I don't mind being asked to get up or even to wait if I have perhaps made a misstep, but the faker tooth condescending smile and obvious irritation? Yep, my neighbors totally noticed too. The rest of the staff was perfect and twice what I had expected. Wine list, excellent. Beet salad, delightful. Lamb shank, awesome. Pork chop.....yep, fantastically cooked to tender perfection. My neighbor's panacotta looked divine and they said it was. My only huge regret was that I could not possibly have another bite. Next time, Etch I promise. Bravo! Keep up the fantastic service and food. a little tweak with front of the house service and you'll be all the way there!!
(4)
Stacy T.
How great is Etch? AMAZING. I've been here twice, once when my in-laws were in town and another for a Christmas dinner (in the private room). Both times, the experience was incredible. If you like fish, the Cobia is the way to go. It's served on a beignet and the Turkish spices they use, along with the mango, makes it a real hit! I could eat this dish over and over and never tire of it. It really is fantastic. Also, the curry cauliflower is really delicious and a great compliment to the Cobia. Others in my group have had the short ribs (father-in-law raved about them), filet, etc. Also, we did the butter tasting. It was great, but it's not really the star of the menu. Everything I've had here is great and you won't be disappointed by your experience here. 5 stars every day of the week.
(5)
Ryan D.
Big space, fit for tables for two as well as large groups. Friendly, attentive service - we didn't even notice our entrees were running a bit behind, but our server did, and offered up free dessert. Appetizers were strong - it's odd to really, really enjoy a salad but the blend of bitter radicchio, champagne vinaigrette and fruit was perfect. My wife enjoyed her venison but we agreed that the lamb was beyond excellent. Precisely cooked, wonderful cuts. In aggregate, the accompanying filo dough puffs, mint, tapenade, and apricot bits made this middle eastern-ish dish entirely delicious.
(4)
Kate S.
Nothing inherently wrong here. Everything was good, but nothing was great. Ordered a couple of cocktails that were so forgettable, I can't even remember what I ordered. For appetizers, we did the lamb tartare and the shrimp and octopus bruschetta. I found the portion sizes to be pretty generous for an appetizer, almost too much. The lamb tartare was a little gamey, but it's lamb, and that's to be expected. The shrimp and octopus bruschetta was more like an open faced sandwich, not the little bite-sized crostinis I was expecting. After eating all the seafood and greens off top, you were left with a huge piece of french bread. The octopus and shrimp mixture was a little salty. For the main course, we did the cobia and the Duck Ratatouille Crudo. The Cobia was perfectly cooked, and the combination of flavors was really unique. But unlike other reviewers, we felt that the bignet just was self-indulgent and didn't add to the dish. It was like, "Oh, here's a donut. Just because we can". It was too sweet. The duck was maybe a tad bit dry, and wasn't much of it. It was almost hiding under a very large salad in the middle of the plate. This must have been the "crudo" portion of the dish - lots of thinly sliced, raw root vegetables. It was just OK. For dessert, we did the chocolate pretzel bar. It was probably the best part of the meal, but not anything I'd go out of my way for. This review may be a little harsh, but we had one night in Nashville and we really expected better things. I wouldn't return.
(3)
Jenny A.
Just ok. Given all of the reviews, I was really expecting a lot more from this place. My bf and I ordered the venison and pork (entrees) and roasted cauliflower, and bruschetta (appetizers). The venison was solid. The pork was doused with so many different sauces and sides that it really took away from the meal. This was also true for the bruschetta. Less is more sometimes.
Food was awesome and came in huge portions, staff was really welcoming and helpful, and my food allergy requests were seriously cared for above and beyond. They bake gluten free rolls from scratch and gave me grilled zucchini in place of focaccia for the octopus bruschetta appetizer. It was great.
(5)
Lin B.
Food/dining out doesn't get any better than this, seriously. Deb Paquette is a FOOD ARTIST. A chef whose ingredient palate is so diverse, so unique, so exciting, she deserves recognition as one of the top chefs in the country, if not the world. She is a culinary genius. You absolutely must eat here if you are in Nashville and consider yourself a fortunate 'foodie' if you do! Etch takes savoring food to a totally different level. The entire restaurant (so attractive and comfortable as well) runs like a well-designed machine. No detail is overlooked. The service and attentiveness of the staff (all staff) is impeccable. Now for the food details! Our goat cheese tart with greens and the beets and berries salad kicked off what was an unbelievable combination of flavors and textures. Next up Cobia (a flaky white fish) a dish that was fusion of Persia, The New South, and Cuba. Absolutely amazing combination of spices and ingredients. The Fish of the day was outstanding as well. We topped off our meal with the frozen lemon merengue that was another 'surprise', as in "how in the world do they create this???!". What an awesome meal. Thank you, Deb and Etch 'family' food professionals!
(5)
Matt W.
A tale of two meals...... Fantastic service, excellent cocktails (I had a smokey old fashioned) and appetizer (roasted cauliflower). When it came to main entree, that's where the roads diverged. I got the venison which was fantastic. Light but rich, flavorful and well complimented by sides. My beautiful bride (7th anniversary) got the rutabaga which sounded awesome. And it was... Except for the rutabaga. Undercooked and too course, it set the tone for the rest of the plate. Sounded so promising but was really a miss. Had they cooked/steamed the veggie just a little more, I think it would have been a completely different experience. Great restaurant, I'll chalk it up to a poor choice of meal.
(3)
Cest L.
My husband and I had an early dinner at Etch. We decided to do a few appetizers along with cocktails since we had plans for later that evening. Loved the decor, very modern but with warm touches. Service was incredible and for that alone it was 5 stars. Good wine and beer selection. As for the food it was good with some moments of greatness. We had the butter tasting, octopus and shrimp bruschetta, pork belly, and charcuterie salad. Pork belly was the best followed closely by the salad. The house made cured meats on the salad were really good. If they offered a charcuterie platter we would definitely order that! Octopus was really tender but the other items on the bruschetta were simply ok and overwhelmed the seafood aspect. Butter tasting was ok, some mixtures were better than others. Overall an Ok experience but nothing spectacular.
(3)
Sarah D.
Etch is an amazing establishment. Chef Deb Pacquette is a genius and each flavor is so artfully added into each dish. Read the rest of my review on my blog: forkfuloflife.com/2014/0…
(5)
Chelsea F.
SO AMAZING! Our servers brooke and amy were so great and made us feel right at home. It was great watching the chefs cook and the entire atmosphere was beautiful. I can't wait to come back!!!!
(5)
Sheena T.
After my exceptional happy hour experience, I was antsy to make my way back to Etch to sample their dinner. I was not disappointed. We took a chance and didn't make reservations for Tuesday night and showed up around 8:30... the place was full. On a freezing cold Tuesday night. So, get a reservation people!! Luckily we were able to snag a table pretty quickly and started looking over the menu. Deb's soup of the night was a Turkish spiced tomato and pear concoction with a fried fritatta on top. It was SO good. I loved that it was full of flavor and spicy. For entrees I had the pork tenderloin with mushrooms and potatoes with the pesto pea puree on top. The meat was so perfect and juicy, I was in heaven! My BF had the cobia fish with raisins, capers and a beignet. Also, spectacular! We had the brussel sprouts with butter as a side item, and they were just perfect. Not sure you can make those veggies taste any better! We were so stuffed we couldn't move but looked at the dessert menu anyway. It looked exceptional, but we passed with much chagrin. Etch makes me happy and if you are a foodie, you need to treat yourself to Etch!
(5)
Chef G.
I am coming back. Service excellent. Waiter new about all menu items in detail. I had the filet of beef. Tender, Cooked perfectly to a med rare. A must in Nashville
(5)
Cher Y.
6 STARS!! WOWOW! Nashville is so lucky to have Etch join the dining scene! A friend recommended this place to me, and Etch has lived up to every bit of expectation just as described! Location: it is downtown Nashville but they offer complimentary valet parking. Woohoo! Ambience: modern and trendy with music playing in the back drop. Plenty of seating but word has gotten around so make sure to call in for reservations in advance. Also a nice place to spot some big names in the Music City business scene. Service: outstanding! friendly and professional, ranging from the valet folks to the hostess to the wait staff! Food: a nice variety of dishes that can please both meat eaters and vegetarians alike. the presentation, portion sizes, quality and flavors are superb, and well worth every penny charged. From appetizers to entrees to their desserts, it was an experience worth repeating verbally to your friends and family alike. I look forward to all my meals here (so far have been here 4 times - left impressed each time!)
(5)
Chris J.
Service, location, food, prices...all good. Convenient location for the trade show crowd staying downtown. If you get there early enough,.... You can have a conversation without having to raise your voice, and also a terror choice of foods. For us, we had the cauliflower and it's associated flowers. Good stuff.
(5)
Bridget G.
I was lucky enough to stumble upon Etch on my first day after moving to Nashville. Happy Hour is a really good deal here. We got the Cauliflower which is a MUST. The flavors were perfection between the Cauliflower and sauces provided. The Butter Tasting was good, but as others stated it is a lot of butter. The Beet and Berry salad was the best salad I have ever had in my life! It's Umami. We finished with the Bread Pudding which was perfectly sweet and rich. Good to share. And Paul, the bartender, was awesome! He clearly loves his job and his passion is evident. I will definitely make this a frequently visited spot!
(5)
Petie D.
Ok, so when you look at the menu your first reaction might be - oh man, I'm not sure I like this, HOWEVER, trust me, wake up your adventurous side and pick a meal any meal. You might be surprised how delicious all of it is! The service is top notch as well. Very interesting menu, all of it delicious - you won't be disappointed. Did I mention valet parking? Awesomeness.
(5)
Liz B.
One of the most interesting and delicious meals I've ever had. Despite a few missteps (dessert), this place is still worthy of a five-star review. We had a reservation but arrived a bit early, so quickly grabbed a drink at the bar. DELICIOUS Manhattan and mocktail, which was tailored to my mom's specific tastes. It was kismet that we were seated at the bar, I'm convinced, as the two people on either side of us ordered something I never would have thought to try, but with their moans of ecstasy, decided to try for our entree - duck served on a lemon pound cake??? Oh my dear god was it amazing - the gaminess of the duck combined with the sweet richness of the pound cake was heaven in my mouth. As was the cauliflower, which has been praised all over this website with good reason. Roasted in truffle oil with several incredible dipping sauces - pureed peas and whipped feta - and marcona almonds. Such unique combinations that just blew my mind. For my entree I had the cobia. It was perfectly cooked and on top of a beignet - again, never would have thought to pair a spiced fish fillet with a pastry, but it was incredible! Finally, on the side we had the ginger grits which to this day I can't stop thinking about. I was able to track down a recipe and can't wait to try them out on my own. Etch is one of the best restaurants I've ever been to. If you ever find yourself in Nashville, I highly recommend an evening here.
(5)
Kel W.
I absolutely love this place. Great service, presentation, and taste. I highly recommend Etch kelwilliams.com
(5)
TJ N.
Etch has fantastic food and one of the best old fashioned's I have ever had. The dining room is nice but if you are there with a small group make sure to sit at the bar stools along the kitchen...that's the way to do this place.
We went this place on Wednesday night. I was amazed about the appetizers here at first, but later I found that nearly every dish includes a kind of green vegetable. Some of the dishes were really good: cauliflower, lamb. But some are not: etch salad is not my type of salad and the soup of the day is also not good. The reason I give 3 star is because we are notified about the charge of soup and salad. Usually I think maybe the entree comes with side or soup. But here does not and the server did not mention this point. I don't know if I'm not right about the entree.
(3)
Michelle S.
Amazing, Amazing, Amazing, Amazing! There are no other words for me to describe this place. The atmosphere was trendy, fun and upbeat. The service was off the charts. I was dining solo, so I decided to reserve a seat at the chef's bar and the waitstaff really made me feel welcome. The food, off the charts. I had pumpkin bisque w/ scallops, cobia, and ginger grits. I truly had a meal like I have never experienced before. Actually, it was more than a meal, it was an experience! I highly, highly recommend eating at Etch!!!! As a bonus . . . it's just a block from the Nash-Vegas strip!
(5)
Kelly W.
Don't get me wrong... Etch has amazing food. Some of the best I've eaten in Nashville and I'm a CA foodie through and through. But, I have a hard time paying $30-40 an entree with a view of the parking lot. Could they not have found a better space?!
(3)
Harleen P.
Amazing food.. Must try cauliflower, octopus and shrimp bruschetta, fish special and venison!
(5)
Mark S.
Went last night. Thought they did a great job. Had a later reservation and arrived a little earlier than expected but they accommodated us. When we first sat down the server came and started talking about the restaurant and himself and asking questions about how we picked the restaurant. We were concerned that was going to be the trend for the evening but we sent him for cocktails and after that we got another server. Cocktails were great, recommend the old fashioned. Started with really great appetizers. The lamb tartar and the roasted cauliflower were the real stars of the night. For entree I had the grouper special which I thought was good, probably too many sauces. The venison was very good although I only had a bite. Finished it off with some simple ice cream and an orange dish that was very good. Service was solid all night. Atmosphere was nice too. Cost about $100 each. That's pretty good including wine. Will probably go back but won't make it top of my must eat places in Nashville.
(4)
Aileen K.
We came here for our 31st anniversary. Food and service were excellent. Cauliflower app was great. Lamb and pork loin were fabulous. Salads and desserts wee excellent. Nothing low fat though. Brooke our server was superb. Another Deb Paquett victory.
(5)
Andrea J.
Amazing!! This was an experience. The roasted cauliflower was delicious and the octopus app to die for. I had the lamb porterhouse and i have to say one of the best lamb dishes i have had, EVER! For dessert I had the chocolate pretzel bar soooo goood! The service was wonderful, the staff was helpful and very friendly. You just can't go wrong here. Worth every penny if I am ever in Nashville again this will be a spot to revisit. I hope that everyone gets a chance to eat here. Thank you Etch.
(5)
Vito T.
This is an awesome upscale eating experience. The food here is amazing and the whole experience is wonderful. You can tell that the Chef takes real pride in what he prepares.
(5)
Kelly R.
Roasted cauliflower, butter tasting, all excellent....both times I have been the food has been perfect, along with fantastic service. Ordered dessert on the last visit in November...OH MY!!!!! Amazing!!!!
(5)
Michelle B.
Definitely will eat here again. Everything I had tonight from the wine, appetizer, salad, main dish, and dessert was top notch. OMG! Total goodness. Have the Roasted Cauliflower appetizer, the Beet Salad and for dessert, the Orange Creamsicle. You will not be disappointed. The main dish, I had the Cobia which was excellent. A little bit of savory with some sweet. Total comfort food. The Hubby had the Special which was a Halibut dish. Very, very good. Really, atmosphere and food was excellent. Not too noisy, but very nice. I cannot say enough good about this place. We were celebrating our anniversary, but we will definitely be back just because... Take a chance because it is well worth the money!
(4)
Courtney O.
Came here Saturday night for a nice dinner date with my boyfriend. We had reservations for the chef's bar - highly recommend if you like watching the chef's at work. My boyfriend is a foodie and loves being in the kitchen so he really enjoyed the chef's bar. Mark was our server and he was wonderful. Attentive, helpful, professional and courteous, overall absolutely wonderful and contributed to us having a great evening and experience. We started off with two wonderfully made old fashions, had the lamb tartare and the roasted cauliflower as appetizers, moved on to the grilled lamb and the venison as entrees and finally the vanilla pound cake and chocolate pretzel bar for desert. Yes - we ate a lot :) Everything was delicious but we felt like the emphasis was more on the sauces and flavor combinations that accompanied each dish rather than on the main dish itself. Apps: they are known for their cauliflower dish - we liked the roasted red pepper and feta combination but the truffle pesto was a little too smoky for my liking. The lamb tartare was great, especially with the Harissa sauce. The fried eggplant that accompanied the dish had no flavor - I love eggplant and was a bit disappointed at this. Entrees: I loved the grilled lamb. The flavor combinations that are paired with it are wonderful and it's something I would definitely get again if we go back. I didn't feel like the meat was seasoned though. My boyfriend had the venison and although it was good he wasn't blown away by it and said he would try something else if we came back. Dessert: The vanilla pound cake was not what I would calls a pound cake. Again, good flavor combinations but not what I was expecting. The chocolate pretzel bar was AMAZING and the caramel sauce that goes on the side is just to die for. We drizzled it all over - couldn't get enough. Overall a great experience at Etch. A restaurant that we would definitely recommend and come back for another meal - just might choose different dishes. Overall we enjoyed our experience at Etch.
(4)
Lauren G.
This place really exceeded my expectations so for that I give it a 4.5, but put five cause I felt it more leaned towards that. I had heard about it and I guess had never heard anyone just go on and on about it cause everyone at the time was so wrapped up in The Southern and Husk, so I didn't rush over there until recently. However, upon walking in I was pleasantly surprised at the wonderful ambiance, low light, tables didn't seem too close together and had a very romantic feel.. However, the big star of the review is THE FOOD; I think my best meal so far since I've been back in Nashville (about a year now) There are a few places of course I have yet to try, but as of right now this is my favorite. I guess I was a little spoiled with my experience as my friend had the private dinning room set for 16 for her birthday so the services was obviously amazing, so for that I am biased. The server was extremely on top of it and my glass was always full of champagne :) The great thing about a big group is getting to try a lot of different apps and sides which really gave me a great feel for their food. Let me say this, every single time I took a bite of anything, my taste buds were in heaven!!!! The way they combine flavors is remarkable. I think I said "oh my God" probably a hundred times. Things you have to get, I know it sounds strange to some of you, but, get.the.califlower!! It is now probably my favorite app ever! We actually ordered three for the table I think and I could have eaten that all night! The other apps that in no way disappointed were the Pork Belly (just thinking of this makes my mouth water) and the Butter Tasting. The butter tasting sounds just ordinary but trust it is not!! Lets just say one of your options is...truffle butter. Need I say more? For my main dish I got the venison. I wanted something you don't normally get at a standard restaurant and honestly it is rare to see venison on the menu. Well, let me tell you, as someone who has family members who hunt and know how to cook venison...Etch's venison was superb!! They did their own version which I loved. The venison had a wonderful moroccan spice to it accompanied with sweet potato guava, ginger grits, pear butter and cranberry sumac relish. When you put all those flavors together into each bite, fireworks go off, and your taste buds are sent into orbit!! It was cooked just right, more on the rare sound, the presentation was gorgeous and yes, I ate allllll of it!! Just an amazing experience, not only for my taste buds but for the overall dining experience as well. Can't wait to go back...cause now I'm hungry.
(5)
Mariel J.
I went to Etch with friends during a weekend trip to Nashville, seeing good reviews and expecting a decent dinner. I was blown away - this is honestly one of the best dinners, all around, I've had in a long time. The restaurant was excellent! The service was really good, and even the water tasted great! (That's the only time I've noticed the taste of water being better than normal. One friend in our group agreed with me, though no one else seemed to notice that the water was different.) The food was all really creative (and expertly prepared). My husband and I shared octopus and shrimp bruschetta (with manchego, arugula, fennel, roasted tomato, capers, garlic oil, bacon) and roasted cauliflower served with truffled pea pesto, salted almonds, feta crema to start. For my main course, I had moroccan spiced venison with sweet potato guava, ginger grits, pear butter, cranberry sumac relish. The venison was so good - cooked the perfect amount and a little bit spicy. Ginger grits may be a new favorite food of mine, too. Jeff ordered the katafi pastry, which was shredded phyllo stuffed with spaghetti squash with sage, fontina cheese and golden raisins, served with poblano gravy, charred eggplant puree, black olive barley tapenade. Seriously, this restaurant was amazing. I was already pretty full after the starters, but couldn't help but finish my main course once I had tasted it. Dessert seemed out of the question, but with everything else being so good, we had to at least try it - (obviously it was very good). And good coffee to end the meal. Just go here.
(5)
Mark W.
Etch Saturday night before symphony Overall, a good experience but not great. First off, the service was fantastic, Chrissy did a perfect job. The menu was fairly limited, only a few salads and entrees. I had the pork chop, it was ok but salty. My wife had the fish special, 5 Spice scallops, they were good but only 3 scallops for $33. Drinks were well poured, atmosphere was a bit noisy. Maybe go back some day, still a lot of options to try in the area.
(4)
Spencer S.
I've been to Etch twice now. The plates are stimulating and finely cooked. The meat has been prepared perfectly, and the sides keep each bite interesting. The chef adds eccentric levels and flavors to each plate, so play it safe if you're not adventurous, but I suggest trying out something beyond your comfort zone if you visit the restaurant. Don't forget to order the roasted cauli for an app. The service has been excellent both times I have visited.
(4)
Todd G.
In Nashville for a conference, tried several recommendated restaurants in the SoBro area near the Symphony and Music city center. Etch was one of the best and I would definitely recommended. Being from NYC and Philadelphia I have been to many equally good if not better places but definitely a quality experience. The famous roasted cauliflower was excellent as was the homemade ice cream for dessert. The entrees we found good but not great. The farm to table place next door is just as good and a little more unusual.
(4)
Yvette P.
The cobra was outstanding. But what I expected from the description. The place is beautiful. Great atmosphere and wine selection. We eat at the bar but the place was packed. Overall, a great place and would recommend eating here.
(4)
Eve K.
Convenient location downtown and interesting twist on the variety of the menu flavors, but something was a bit off to me and didn't live up to the 4.5 average yelp rating. Atmosphere: 3, Service: 3, Food: 3.3 Cost to worth it rating: 3 Return worthiness: no Highlights: - Duck confit on bread: fantastic. And I love duck confit - Pork belly: enormous and delicious - Crazy salad: a really big charcuterie board - Cobia fish: a fish I've never had before came turkish spiced (paprika-ish) and I enjoyed it. Lowlights: - Weird vibe: kind of businessy and tables too close together - Cocktails: didn't like mine and a few friends didn't like theirs either - Pork tenderloin: huge amount of chorizo on it was very odd - Beignet in fish: got soggy It was a decent meal, but because the food might be trying too hard to be complex and the feel of the place didn't click with me, I probably wouldn't return.
(3)
Vincent B.
I'm surprised by all the good reviews: I thought Etch was a nice concept and sounded good on the menu but was slightly off execution and taste wise.
(2)
Jim M.
Oh, how I adore Etch. On my list of the 5 best restaurants in Nashville. The food has constantly and consistently been amazing. My only (small) gripe is pricing, but for a date spot or once a month splurge, it's perfectly reasonable and well worth the decor, service, and food quality.
(5)
Nic N.
Nashville's Etch is truly a jewel. My girlfriend and I were visiting from Chicago and this place absolutely blew us away. Their scallop dish was one of the best we've had...ever. The service is excellent, the atmosphere is laid back, and the food is truly unique in the best way. Give it a go, you won't be disappointed!
(5)
Salman S.
Great food, everything on the menu rocks specially the Lamb Chops
(4)
Kristin J.
This place was amazing. I had read about the roasted cauliflower, pork belly and octopus apps. We came in with no res, and were psyched that it was not only Happy Hour, but we could order the whole menu. Paul was the the bomb, showed us how to get the perfect bite from each dish. Each one was better than the last! We cannot wait to come back!! The duo of Paul and Malia in the bar are worth just coming here for a quick bite and a drink in your way to the Listening Room or honky tonk!
(5)
Sonya V.
Oh my. Please move to my hometown! All of these tastes are my favorites. The cauliflower is absolutely outstanding. Octopus and shrimp bruschetta is delightful - the capers make it all happen. The venison was over-seasoned and overcooked. It was edible but a disappointment. There is a lot of the menu I would like to explore and the originality caught my attention immediately. One bad dish is not the end of the world, especially after such a lovely time. I shall return!
(3)
Erika C.
I like how Etch has Happy Hour. If more quality restaurants had Happy Hour, I would go out more, because most of the time the issue is I just don't want that much food. But an expertly prepared appetizer for $8, or two if I'm sharing, this makes sense to me. Plus, next time I'm really hungry, or I need to entertain people with normal appetites, I'll go back to Etch because I've already been wooed by this awesome Happy Hour. Oh, there is free valet. Do not make the mistake I did and pay for parking.
(5)
Vicki K.
For my first time in Nashville, I researched restaurants and chose Etch based on all the great reviews, and I was not disappointed. I sat at the Chef's bar and was in awe of the chef's expediting skills...she inspected each plate before it was sent out, and the entire kitchen moved in sync. Now normally, an appetizer of cauliflower would not catch my eye, but based on the reviews, I had to order it.....and it was fantastic. The essence of truffle was just enough without being overpowering...and the pea pesto was fantastic. I also had the butter tasting...had to, as butter is the worlds most perfect food.....an interesting array of flavors.....and I was by myself, I did not order an entree, as the cauliflower and butter/bread was filling me up, but I did have the beets and berries salad....a standout salad...and the frozen goat cheese cream was heavenly. Etch is a must for anybody visiting Nashville...and for natives, it should be a re regular stop.
(5)
Bobbie F.
As a single gal that travels regularly for work and with 10+ years of experience in the restaurant industry, let's just say that when I dine out, my expectations are rather high - But not because I expect expensive places to be better than cheap places. All establishments (across a variety of cuisines and price ranges) are going to have their strong and weak points. First of all, thank you to the hostess stand. I can name 20 different restaurants off the top of my head that could use a lesson in hospitality from you fine people. Thank you for saying "Hi there - How are you?" Instead of the usual "Just one?" Thank you for taking my coat (and not just taking it, but actually helping me out of it) and recommending a great place to sit for the meal and actually asking "is this seat ok for you ma'am?" before letting me sit down first, and then handing me the menu. The first few stages of a diners' experience are absolutely critical and the well-trained, competent and polite host and hostess shoved me into giddy and excited mode for the rest of the night. To the kitchen & chef: thank you for keeping your line organized and clean for those of us that have the pleasure of sitting at the chefs table. This is the best view in the restaurant, no matter which direction you turn. But a neat and tidy line is imperative (whether or not you take the risk of exposing your kitchen to the public eye). Well done. I also appreciate the light tone you used when communicating with one another through service (and with an exposed kitchen, this is hard to do). There's nothing worse than hearing the staff scream at one another when trying to enjoy your meal. Also, your dishes are creative, tasty, and in excellent portions. I'm all about adventure and something new. Thank you for taking care to create beautiful presentations that have color, texture and personality. Waitstaff: You flow well with one another and you communicate. You pay attention to the tiny details and you read your guests well. Thank you for being attentive but not over- bearing, precise but stuck up, helpful but not controlling. A very special thank you to Ramesh & Erica who demonstrated all of this. Management: I was checked on by one of you at least 3 times throughout my meal. That's unheard of. Every table was down and you still took the time to actually look at me in the eye when speaking and ask (genuinely) how everything was. I loved the shrimp and octopus bruschetta and the lamb entree was amazing. The wine list (by the glass) could use a bit more variety. However, the wines that were available were deliberately selected and very good. Etch was one of the best overall restaurant experiences I've ever had. Can I put you on speed dial so that you can set an example for the rest of the spots out there? Guess I may just have to move here. Yeah - you guys rock!
(5)
Richard F.
Almost gave this place a pass because the menu seemed kind of limited; so glad we decided to give it a try! We went on a Wednesday night which normally should have been on the slow side, but the boy band One Direction was at the stadiium so the joint was jumping! The two bar tenders were kind of stressed but the drinks were great and it all went fine. Got seated fairly quickly but the food came out slow; almost an hour for our entrees! Still, everything was so tasty that we were not going to make a fuss but the manager brought out our dessert and informed us they were going to comp our entrees, (and my wife had the filet!). Needless to say we were very pleased; great food in a super atmosphere and really nice people as well... can't beat that!
(4)
Jane E.
We started with some cocktails and decided to enjoy our meal at the bar. The sangrias are made to order and the Bees Knees is the bees knees. We ordered the pork belly and roasted cauliflower. Who knew roasted cauliflower could be so devine. It was an experience in itself. The butter tasting was unique and well worth ordering. Our favorite was the truffle prosciutto. As far as entrees go we ordered the filet and fish special. The Filet did not disappoint but the fish special knocked it out of the park. Top notch service at the bar.
(5)
Pamela M.
Etch is one of my top ten favorite restaurants in The South! Everything was delicious and meticulously prepared from start to finish. The taste and presentation is outstanding! Finally, a Nashville restaurant where the food matches the ambiance! I see it happen too often in Nashville where restaurants have beautiful atmosphere, but unfortunately, unmatched service and food. The dining experience at Etch shines in the aforementioned areas and does not disappoint. The butter quartet tasting that reviewers have been raving about is nothing short of fantastic. The thought that went into creating the flavor profiles of this lovely butter sampler is amazing! It is worth every mile of running to melt away the duck and smoked Plugra butter calories and fat afterwards! I would highly recommend the roasted cauliflower with truffled pea pesto and salted almonds. This dish brought me to food heaven. The artistry behind the scallop dish with the mushrooms, smoked shallot vinaigrette, bacon, greens, butternut garlic essence, and beet sriracha was perfectly executed. Way to be on the cutting Etch of the culinary scene, Chef Deb! I will surely return the next time I am in Nashville!
(5)
Jessica K.
We came in from Boston for a conference and hosted a client appreciation dinner in their back room. It was absolutely excellent! Our hosts Amy and Brooke took care of everything impeccably and the food was to die for! Everyone was skeptical of the butter tasting but it turned out to be one of the hits of the night! Excellent food and excellent service! Not sure how we will compete next year!
(5)
M R.
I sound like such a flip flipper but I'm in love again. Octopus bruschetta - perfect. The grilled lamb was amazing too. I still hope they bring the duck confit app back!
(5)
Johnna M.
I've been reluctant to review Etch because my experience here was just so awesome, I'm not sure I can do it justice. I came here by myself after a long few days of meetings that topped off a particularly stressful few days. Treat yo self 2013 was definitely needed and Etch provided the perfect treat. I sat at the chef's table which was a fantastic option for a solo diner. I enjoyed watching the hustle and bustle of the kitchen. My server was extremely knowledgeable, friendly and above all, passionate about food. At both his and every yelper's recommendation, I reluctantly ordered the cauliflower appetizer. "How can you make cauliflower interesting" It's very nature is boring." I thought. Do not fall for this assumption-you will miss something great. The truffled pea pesto is the perfect accompaniment - it was rich and surprising. The whipped feta also complimented the cauliflower. The cocktail list was interesting but pricey. I ordered one which was fantastic and then stuck to wine. My server was very good about describing wine and making sure I understood what I was drinking. For my main meal I had the lamb chop, which came with an assortment of accompaniments including eggplant and sausage. It had an almost Middle Eastern flavor (seems to be a theme) to it I was not expecting, but that certainly wasn't a bad thing-again it was unexpected but it worked fine. I ended with a stout ice cream, again at the recommendation of the server, which was a special, I think. Very heavy to end an already heavy meal, but fantastic and properly portioned. I think they make it with actual beer, and the taste is rich yet phenomenal. Etch seemed to me to be a really special place dedicated to providing both fantastic food and experience. It is rare to find a place that can surprise and delight so much-I can't tell you what to expect here, except to expect it will be delicious.
(5)
Kay O.
First time to Nashville, popped in on a Wednesday to check it out. We were greeted by the most charming pair of bartenders, Paul and Leah. We laughed, we cried, we drank and we ate. Perfectly muddled cocktails and killer food recommendations. YUM.
(5)
Swati B.
Fine dining in Nashville. I almost forgot where I was. The prices are reasonable....I really enjoyed the butter tasting..who wouldnt.. yes you read that right..BUTTER TASTING. The roasted cauliflower appetizer was out of this world. The pesto dish was also very good... The main course dish was ok, it was good but nothing amazing. The wine list is good, and really reasonably priced (Maybe because I am from Chicago to me it just seemed reasonable) Our server was awesome, attentive and really informative. definitely recommend this place.
(4)
Tim T.
To start, we had an excellent server. He could articulate the culinary experience we were about to enjoy every well. He described each dish with intimate detail. Our excitement was heightened and then elevated even further when we tasted our meals. The highlight of the evening was the Cobia. I do not recall experiencing so many favors in one dish as I did with this. Fish, citrus, nuts, olives all on a beignet. The waiter said it best, "what could be better then great food than putting it on a donut. Next time I'm at the Omni in Nashville, we will dine here.
(5)
Kim G.
You have to try the roasted cauliflower, the pea puree is the star! Then go on to the beet salad, fresh and very tasty! The pork tenderloin was good, great flavors, but the venison was fabulous! Know going into it that the potato puree and grits are very sweet but it is a perfect pairing for the MR venison! The service was fantastic to boot! Loved this place!
(5)
Stephanie W.
Etch. Where do I begin?! We came here and automatically were drawn to the Butter Tasting appetizer. This was creamy bliss. We also ate the Catfish Tempura which was not your typical Tempura. It was a rich fried and juicy piece of fish. For our main dish. Rutabaga La Plancha and the Halibut special. Everything looked and tasted like a work of art. For dessert the Pretzel with Hazelnut Mousse and chocolate ganache dripped with caramel sauce. This was the most genius dessert ever. It was better than anything I have seen on a dessert shirt on The Food Network. I feel lucky that I have gotten to experience such fine dining and would love to return next time I am in Nashville.
(5)
Jennifer R.
Food is great, but the atmosphere is a bit pretentious. I'll probably go again just for the Cauliflower.
(4)
Anne C.
I was so impressed. The staff was outstanding. Many people checked on us, smiled or welcomed us whether they served our table or not. The food was incredible. They had a special borshch soup that was the best soup I've ever had. When I sent my compliments to the chef, she made sure they went to the sous chef that prepared it. I'm sad I'm just visiting and can't visit this restaurant more often!
(5)
Laura G.
LOVE LOVE LOVE! They had me at butter tasting to be honest. Ligh, whipped butter - prosciutto truffle, smoked parmesan black pepper, ginger cashew, malt vinegar, all delicious but the truffle and parmesan were my favorites. We shared the Cobie - georgeous fish with turkish spice - so much going on and it all made perfect sense. We also shared the filet - smoked brown sauce, truffled pea butter, baby potatoes - this was one of the best filets I've had in recent memory - DELICIOUS. Great wine list - we went with the sommelier recommended syrah from Spain. I will NEVER go to Nashville without making this restaurant a priority on my MUST EAT list. Also - we sat at the bar overlooking the kitchen which was great - I liked sitting there - you can see all the dishes comming out.
(5)
Cassie S.
Had a fantastic experience here with a group of 11 on a Friday night. The service was impeccable. The food (at least what I ate) was incredible. The butter tasting - do it. Also, the roasted cauliflower. Might sound strange, but so good! For an entree, I had the fish and it was delightful, I also tasted the lamb tenderloin, which was very good. Desserts and drinks were also wonderful. The only thing that keeps it from being a 5 star review is that I can't afford to go back on my own! But if someone else is paying...
If I'm going to pay for a nice meal it better not be over dressed so I can't taste my meat. I had the lamb and there were so many different flavors & swimming in sauce. I now understand is more of a southern thing. We had the clarified butter app which was great, but the cauliflower dish was so so. We may have had too high of expectations, especially just coming from CA wine country where I'm from. I expect greatness when I'm paying $30+ bucks for a meal. It wasn't snobby though which was nice, and there was a mix of people dressed up and not. It was a bit loud, but I loved being able to watch them in the kitchen. Scale of 1-10 (10 being awesome!) Ambiance: 7 (more LA chic) Noise: 4 (loud) Food: 5 Drinks: 5 (would have liked a better wine selection) Dessert: 6 (better than our meal) Appetizers: 6 (better than our meal) Staff: 6 (our waitress didn't have the specials or menu memorized) Price: 4 (over priced) This is coming from 2 people that make our own nut milks, have a crop share, & try to eat decently healthy despite my nagging sweet tooth for chocolate. We don't eat processed junk or fast food, so our palates like great food. The hype of the restaurant may have made us more critical and it less enjoyable.
(3)
Lei B.
Our first option for dinner, Rolf & Daughters, was completely booked so we found this gem with the trusty Yelp app of course. Parking was kinda crazy downtown but they have complimentary valet with validation. Butter Tasting (truffle butter, smoked plugra butter, ginger peanut brittle butter, duck butter) - surprisingly my favorites were the peanut brittle and duck butter, guess I really did like the sweet and savory combo. Roasted Cauliflower (truffled pea pesto, salted almonds, feta crema) - loved the roasted cauliflower and the sauces were a great pairing. The salted almonds were crazy addicting. Octopus and Shrimp Bruschetta (manchego, arugula, fennel, roasted tomato, capers, garlic oil, bacon) - good chunks of octopus and shrimp but was very hard to eat as bruschetta. Scallops (trio of grilled, confit and tempura mushrooms, smoked shallot vinaigrette, bacon, greens, butternut garlic essence, beet sriracha) - my sister and I shared this dish and it was great that they already split the plate for us. We sat at the bar overlooking the open kitchen, was great to see the action. Service was ok but the good food made up for it.
(4)
Craig M.
Stopped in here on a road trip from Indy to alabama. We tried multiple restaurants for happy hour appetizers to get a taste of the town. This was by far the best happy hour app I have ever had. We are planning another trip to Nashville soon and plan to eat a full meal here. I would highly recommend this place to anyone traveling through Nashville. Can't wait to be back to try it again.
(5)
Jackie D.
Amazing dinner on my last night in Nashville. I was ready for New American cuisine after a few heavy southern meals. Must order the roasted cauliflower + chocolate + peanut butter torte! I also ordered the catfish appetizer but didn't enjoy it as much as it was a bit too breaded and fried and not enough fish.
(5)
Stephanie W.
Excellent. My mind is still blown over what the chef is capable of. Beautiful, gorgeous and beyond tasty food. Cauliflower appetizer was fantastic! 20 thumbs up if I had 20 thumbs.
(5)
Doug L.
Great service. She wasn't afraid to give her opinions but wasn't overbearing Started with a flatbread special she suggested. The flavors exploded in my mouth. Very good Had the vegetarian plate, rutabega. Lots of other veggies and the flavor combination was great Nice atmosphere Can't go wrong here!
(4)
Alicia U.
Walked in on a Wednesday night with no reservations. Luckily a few seats at the bar were open. Bartenders were really nice and knowledgeable about the food. 8 local craft beers are on tap and more are in bottles. Tempura Catfish - A crunchy tempura battered shell surrounds a tender, lightly seasoned catfish filet. The heat of the fish is contrasted with the cool compressed watermelon block. Blueberries, fennel and balsamic add to the dish. Very refreshing appetizer to start with. Roasted Cauliflower - The cauliflower combined with the truffled pea pesto, mild feta crema and roasted red pepper puree makes this dish a super star. Drooling just thinking about it! Octopus & Shrimp Bruschetta - the octopus is sous-vided for 12 hours to make it super tender. Mixed with arugula, capers and other yummy things on soft, toasted focaccia. Chef Paquette is amazing! Great dishes with interesting flavor combinations and very artistic presentations. I would definitely make this a regular stop when visiting Nashville.
(5)
Dolci K.
Etch is one of the newer restaurants in Downtown Nashville, TN near the Music City Convention Center. Upon entering, the high ceilings and bare concrete supporting pillars give the entire room a air of upscale urban dining, and the succulent plants on the center of every table give off a modern vibe. The table settings are modern, but the utensils are strikingly whimsical and simple. Upon sitting down, we were some of the first dinner guests of the night, and our waiters were slightly over excited to have us place an order. The menu is not overly extensive, but if you have never been there, you will want a minute to browse. After settling in, I ordered a NOLA cocktail which was phenomenal with notes of a Sazerac with additional hints of anise and licorice plus a lovely fizz. The garnish was beautiful and seemingly intricate in my glass. As an appetizer, I started with the Roasted Cauliflower which did not disappoint. Typically, I am always a bit apprehensive to order a vegetable as an appetizer because many are not big enough to share, over priced, and are not up to par with the rest of the meal. However, the Roasted Cauliflower was delightful, roasted to a perfection with a slight crunch instead of overly soggy, lightly drizzled with truffle oil, but not doused, and served with a feta cream and roasted red pepper puree on one side and a pea pesto with salted almonds on the other. It was sizable, and enough to share with a table, which is what every appetizer should be. All the flavors, while bold and of a wide variety, melted together seamlessly. In addition to the Roasted Cauliflower, we were brought fresh rolls rising with steam as the smell of rosemary piqued my intrigue. The butter served with it was at a perfect whipped texture and a flawless spreadable temperature. I had the gluten free version of the rolls, which to my taste were slightly tough, but overall, very pleasing. Moving on to the main course, my guest ordered scallops which were served with tempura mushrooms, and served on a bed of mixed greens with beet sriracha and butternut garlic essence. Honestly, the scallops were one of the more disappointing menu items of the night. The mushrooms were fantastical, but the scallops themselves were not cooked quite right and left much to be desired. A scallop should be hot and crisp on the outsides, and while the coloring was nice, there was no crisp bite at all as if the pan had not gotten hot enough. The in-between meat was too soft on the outer edges as well. As for the sauces, though elegantly plated, were only so-so. The beet puree was pretty, and tasted of beets, but the sriracha flavors were lost entirely. On the other hand, the butternut squash tasted slightly sweet with a mild hint of garlic, but really failed to add value to the dish at all. As a side, we ordered brussels sprouts which are a favorite dish of mine. Unfortunately, the brussels sprouts served here are soft, soggy, and too cabbage-y rather than having a more oven roasted flavor. They could have been ok, but were also mixed with caramelized onions which made the entire dish too cohesively offensive in texture without any contrast at all. Lastly, I ordered the Cobia, a tender white fish from the Gulf of Mexico. The spice on the fish was just right, a slight crunch, just enough spice, and a little salt. The top portion of fish was cooked to perfection, although the bottom one was a bit too dry. There was just enough mixture of sweet and savory in the garnish of browned buttered oranges and golden raisins with the olives, almonds, and capers. Out of everything, this was my favorite. Dessert was a Strawberry Cheesecake Sunday (Sans the graham cracker crumble garnish). The ice cream itself was made with goat cheese cheesecake and served with fresh strawberries and strawberry jam. The goat cheese ice-cream was the most interesting part about the dessert, but was substandard comparatively to the rest of the menu (although it was the only gluten free offering for dessert at the time). All in all, Etch was a great experience especially because of their knowledgeable and attentive servers. The chef, Deb Paquette is talented and has an gift for combining many different flavors to make beautiful, tasteful dishes. I look forward to going back another season to experience her combinations of other ingredients as well. read more detailed reviews at: LA DOLCI VITA ladolcivita.com/fooddrin…
(3)
Maggie M.
Great tasting grilled cauliflower as an appetizer. Drinks are very good. Perfect ambience, though can get a little noisy. Our waitress was excellent and knowledgeable of the menu with on point recommendations. Overall pretty tasty food. This would have been the perfect dining experience if not for the poor and lack luster attitude of the hostesses, but a great place for downtown Nashville.
(4)
Dee O.
I started this month just a little differently than I usually do. Or at least I tried to. Like all other prior months, I logged on to my credit card account to pay my bill. Appalled by how much I had spent eating out in May, I decided I was going to significantly cut back on eating out in June. And I was very determined to stick to my resolution , until I ate at Etch. Most easily the best dining experience I had during my 5 day stint in Nashville. We went on Wednesday night, after attempting to walk in for dinner at the Catbird Seat restaurant. Haha. That was actually quite a hilarious experience but I digress. After realizing we needed to find a place that didn't require reservations six months in advance, Yelp came to the rescue and to Etch we went. I called on my way from the Catbird Seat restaurant and was able to get immediate reservations (imagine that). Alas, it was the evening of the CMA and many downtown roads were closed. Being a novice to downtown Nashville, It took 20 extra minutes to figure my way around and find parking. Our hostess was gracious even though we were late for our reservation and got us seated quickly. We shared the cauliflower appetizer and it was as good as it has been described. They had a special apple soup special that was just delightful. It went well with the complimentary bread served. We both had the vegetarian spaghetti squash dish. Which was mind blowing good. It was obvious that the chef intentionally thought about how to make his (her) vegetarian patrons happy. It wasn't the typical afterthought salad or pasta that is usually offered by many upscale restaurants. It was innovative, thoughtful and exceptionally good. My only regret was that I had indulged in the cauliflower and the soup and couldn't finish my entree. That dish deserves a standing ovation, for taste, creativity and presentation. Most certainly will be getting an encore in the near future. Very well done, Etch. We finished the night by sharing one scoop of their sorbet. It was a nice ending to a perfect meal. Our waitress was awesome. Simply said. She was friendly, knew the menu inside out, provided the right amount of attention and knew when to let us be. The manager also stopped by twice to ensure we were content. For such an amazing experience, the check didn't completely break the bank either. However as I handed my credit card to our waitress to pay the check, I realized I would never be able to stick to my resolution when restaurants like Etch exist. I am thankful for places like this that provide exceptional remarkable unforgettable meals. And as long as they are cooking, I will be eating. Will absolutely most definitely be back!
(5)
Pam S.
My husband and I ate here our last night in Nashville and so glad we did. Loved the atmosphere of the restaurant, the service, and the food! Our waiter, Tom, was outstanding. We were going to share the cauliflower and a salad before our entrees, but he warned us that we might be too full to enjoy our dinners. Love it when a server is honest, instead of pushing you to order everything on the menu! We make roasted cauliflower at home, but I could never re-create those amazing sauces she puts with it. My husband had the lamb and I ordered the halibut which was one of the specials. Both were so good. For dessert (no idea how we had room) we shared the ginger cake - great ending to a great meal!!
(5)
James A.
Amazing place. Great ambiance. The service was flawless. The menu is peppered with many normal items...but the chef transforms the ingredients into some mind-blowing combinations. Apps: Our party ordered the Butter Tasting, Pork Belly, Roasted Cauliflower, and Octopus and Shrimp Bruschetta. The butter was delicious, light, and a fun app to pass around the table. There were 4 different flavors on the plate served with bread. The pork belly was yummy, but I wouldn't order it again. The shrimp and octopus was different, and tasty, but I only ordered that because I had never had octopus. The "go-to" is the cauliflower. Crazy that they can make cauliflower with a truffled pea pesto taste so darn good. That is the app to order. Entrees: I had the Grilled Lamb Loin. Delicious. The flavors were perfect. I've never had something so flavorful and delicious. I would spread the lemon black olive tapenade on a piece of the lamb, and the flavors complimented each other so well. The okra and pearl onions were a perfect combination. The filo was a nice touch and brought this greek dish to another level. I would definitely order this again and again. My wife had the Filet. Hers was tender and amazing, although she only allowed me to have one bite. She also ordered the side of broccoli...and she talks more about the broccoli than the filet. But, everything was delicious. Dessert: The Warm Vanilla pound cake and Coffee Panna Cotta. Both were a deliciously perfect end to our experience at Etch. The portion sizes are perfect. This isn't a place where you go to have a meal. You pay extra for the experience. Starting with the drinks (Smoked Old Fashioned) and the service. I think the menu is fairly priced, and reasonably priced. I left the place stuffed...but not like normal restaurant stuffed. I leave the Olive Garden feeling heavy and depressed. :) Everything Etch made was so light and wonderful. I don't think I've ever eaten something with this flavor combination. The flavors are what stood out to me. I remember when we all had gotten our food and started eating...there was a silence over the table. I remember just staring at my plate as I was eating. Not only was it presented like a work of art, but the flavors almost put you in a trance. It's like tasting something for the first time.
(5)
Jared M.
Use valet and tip as it will save you from paying the parking yourself...10 for 1 hour and 15 for 2. The cauliflower and the butter tasting are well worth the cost. The scallops were FANTASTIC. Go eat them, they need you :) This is a must-go for newbies to the area or visiting tourists going nearby to a show/event.
(4)
Rhonda B.
Came here for lunch. It was a little stuffy. I liked my food but my bf hated his. Might be better and more fun for dinner but I wouldn't recommend it for a weekday lunch unless it's a biz meeting. Our waiter was very friendly.
(3)
Heather H.
I thought Etch was exceptional. The kind and accommodating bar staff made me a perfect smoked old-fashioned and my waitress made excellent dinner and appetizer suggestions. The roasted cauliflower was wildly flavorful, the octopus and shrimp bruschetta was bright and fresh tasting, and my filet was tender and perfectly cooked. Finally, the dark chocolate bread pudding was sweet and slightly salty. I would definitely return.
(5)
Lisa W.
Had a delicious lunch here with great service. The tempura oyster mushrooms, soup special (pumpkin), and goat cheese vanilla ice cream were particular standouts although everything tasted great and was high quality. A classy choice for any meal.
(4)
Jen D.
Ate here a few weeks ago during Music Fest. I could not have been happier with the meal. Literally - not a single bad thing to say. Amazing service - we were in a huge rush, but our server - who had only been there 3 days managed to get us in/out on the schedule we needed. He took such good care of us. We raved about him on our way out to the hostesses. Such an asset to this place. Riduclously good food - one of the better meals I've had all year. - Bread w/butter flight - Wow. They're pros at making awesome awesomer - Cauliflower - mmmmmmmmmm - Entrees - everyone loved their food. We mostly had seafood and pork. My fish was the best I've had in a very long time. Great flavors, perfectly prepared. Oh - and amazing cocktails too. If you have only 2 nights in Nashville, hit up Etch!!
(5)
Cheryl F.
this place! Enjoyed it so much last time I was in town I ventured there alone this time. The lamb tartar was excellent - request extra Harissa paste because you'll want it! Love the chef's counter seating, made it less awkward to dine alone.
(5)
Linda T.
Came here for the NYE dinner menu and really enjoyed our night! The restaurant was beautiful inside and servers were polite and knowledgeable. Every dish was beautifully presented and tasted fresh and delicious. Would come back here again to try items food of their regular menu.
Chic, trendy and totally worth a visit. A bit different from the other restaurants I tried in the area. If you're into that scene, this is your place. I want to say the chef is artistic and his meals represent a little work of art. The combination of flavors win!
(4)
Sonya M.
I really really liked the food!!! I was in town for a conference and walked into Etch, since it was only a short 2 block walk from the new convention center. The place was packed; they had not anticipated such a huge crowd from the conference. As soon as I walked in the [mildly unpleasant] hostess told me there was no room in the main dining room and the bar tender is not serving food at the bar since he is so busy!!! I have to admit that was a huge turn off, but as I turned around I saw an empty seat at the bar and the gentleman behind the bar told me that he will be able to seat me if I was not in a rush (7-8 minutes). I gladly waited! The service was good, and even though they were busy, I got my food relatively quickly. I tried the tuna bowl and it was very enjoyable. I was glad that I go to give this place a try while in Nashville!
(4)
Samuel E.
Amazing food, some of the best I've ever had in my life. Greatest service ever. From drinks and appetizers to entree's, everything was a high note. I would suggest wearing a jacket though, the temperature inside on my watch was 66 degrees.
(5)
TNmedicine29 R.
Everytime I come here- I love it more and more! I am a Nashville local, and this very well may be my favorite restaurant in town. Whether you are running in for a drink and maybe an appetizer, or doing a full dinner, or lunch.... phenomenal! I soo appreciate the delicious fish/ vegetarian dishes served up with such incredible flavors. For appetizers, hands down love the cauliflower (and it supports charity!). The dips for the cauliflower-- um YUM! For entrees, I love the cobia; it is bold and rich not what you would expect from a mild fish. I would be happy eating this everytime I visit... but with so much other great plates to try out. This past time we were heading to a show and popped in and sat at the bar. I had the Trio de Setas. I am not usually a huge mushroom fan, but I saw this dish come out of the kitchen and couldn't not try it. Man oh man it did not disappoint. I was almost licking my plate. The infusion of different flavors and textures-- your mouth is in aww trying to absorb all that heavenliness. I also love the brussel sprouts... I mean I love brussel sprouts anytime, but Etch so lightly coats them and fries them it gives a good wow factor. I have heard great things about the Pork tenderloin as well, but I don't eat red meat so I can't give much to that. Really if you haven't tried Etch.... stop reading and go!
(5)
Crizzly A.
My girlfriend and I went here for her birthday. I honestly didn't know what to expect when going in because it is such a classy restaurant. It ended up being a very comfortable and relaxed setting. the hostess and waiter worth so friendly ans sat us quickly. My girlfriend is a vegan and had some decent options here. I recommend that venison dish, it's amazing!!
(5)
Rich K.
Really nice, Sophisticated but not pretentious- and 5 stars go equally for the service (thanks Lea you were great) and food together experience but also the reception and management were extremely professional. My only criticism would be that at times you were overwhelmed with the plate. So many different tastes- very creative but it worked. My venison was perfectly cooked over a bed of many things, including sweet potatoes. The sweet potatoes were warm, but hot would have been better. Other than that superb experience
(5)
BethAnn S.
I need to get out more. And when I say I need to get out more, I mean, "I need to go out to Etch more" because YUM!! I took my lab folks here for lunch as a special treat and was super impressed by the fresh creative mixings, professionalism and price. I got the roasted cauliflower appetizer to show off that I was healthy (also because I was afraid of the octopus option), but damn if it wasn't amazing! It was served with pea pesto, which was delicious, sweet and made me wish I ate more vegetables. My table mates enjoyed the feta dipping sauce more than I did (not a huge feta fan) but the bites of honey, almonds and balsamic (?) around the plate made for a fun eating adventure aboard perfectly roasted cauliflower that tasted more like garlic popcorn than grandmas cauliflower. (Side note: I was so inspired by this dish, I tried to make it over the weekend. Lets just say I won't be opening a restaurant soon). I had the Roast Beef sandwich on toasted sourdough bread, that came with Parmesan horseradish sauce (on the side.... lets be honest, horseradish is tricky business), roasted asparagus and tempura onion. One of the more stunning things about this place evidenced as my sandwich arrived was how flipping big the portions are. I mean, like Cheesecake Factory big. We way over ordered as a table. The winner for lunch was a non-foodie buddy who got the corn cake with smoked brisket, Chihuahua cheese, onion, Peruvian carrot slaw, roja and poblano sauces, celery leaf avocado smash, lime crema and queso blanco. She ordered it because she had no idea what any of it was and all it was delicious. I saw the giant lunch plates coming and was worried about hers because its sort of a plating disaster.... not attractive at all but the flavors blended well while maintaining their individual integrity. The lime crema was amazing and she declared it 'like a really good burrito type thing'. ?? We also managed to crush a couple desserts (I know I said it was huge portions, but we threw in a bottle of wine and our eyes grew bigger than our stomachs). So.... quick final things - Super bargain! $130 for the three of us with three courses each and a bottle of wine for lunch. Beat that Midtown Cafe! Meh...hostess was sort of a snot playing with her personal phone while we stood there. Valet parking is a nightmare. They are set up so the valet spends 80% of his time running across the street because everyone takes a right on Broadway to get there. Also, great space. So pretty....you'll definitely impress your out of town buddies with this foodie hit!
(5)
Samantha M.
I got the fresh fish daily special it was ok but I expected more from my meal based on all the positive reviews lackluster was best way to describe it. We started w butter sampling which was interesting ( not enough bread) the best part was the octopus shrimp bruschetta.
(3)
EasilyAmuse D.
I'm a bit late in posting this since the friend and I ate here February 4th. We were in town for a conference and I had made reservations prior to our trip based upon Yelpers reviews. They didn't let us down! We had a drink at the bar and the bartender was very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. At the bartenders recommendation we had the Roasted Cauliflower with truffled pea pesto, salted almonds, and feta dip as an appetizer. Oh my...it was delicious! I had no idea cauliflower could taste so good. For dinner we shared the Rutabaga La Plancha and the seafood dish of the day. I don't remember the name of the seafood dish (it had mussels), but suffice it to say we barely spoke during the meal except to ohh, ahh, and share bites. Each bite had a different flavor. I'm pretty sure this is the first time I've eaten rutabaga and the bar has been set high. We also shared the carrots as a side dish. They tasted fine and were arranged beautifully, but was a bit much considering the app and sharing 2 dishes. Our server was professional, but the bartender was super friendly. He stopped to chat with us and ask how his recommendations worked out. If I lived closer, I would eat at Etch more often. It was the best meal I've ever had. I would give it 6 stars if I could!
(5)
PJ T.
This is hands down one of the best restaurants I've ever eaten at and truly enjoyed everything I ordered. For an appetizer we had the roasted cauliflower and it was phenomenal. They roast this in the oven and the drizzle truffle oil over it before they serve it to you. They serve it with two different types of dips. One is a creamy feta with a roasted red garnish and garnished with chives. The second is a truffled pea pesto and it is garnished with salted almonds. Both were incredible and the waiter told me since they opened about a year ago they've served over 17,000 of the roasted cauliflower app. I could eat this every week and not get sick of it. Definitely order this for an app. I also ordered the etch salad and it was great. You had orange garnish for the citrus, just the right amount of green apple for a little sour taste, and a champagne vinaigrette to top it off. For dinner I ordered the steak which is vacuumed sealed and broiled for an hour with a burnside butter to really infuse the meat with flavor. Then grilled and I ordered it medium rare which it was cooked perfectly. It is then served on top of a sourdough baked potato bread pudding which was awesome. My dad ordered the cobia fish which usually when I order fish at a restaurant it can be over cooked and dry. This came out perfect and tasted great. It had a Turkish spice which wasn't spicy but gave it a little almost tiny hint of cinnamon but not over powering at all. It doesn't sound great on fish at least for me but it tasted great because it was accompanied with a brown buttered oranges, olives, raisins, almonds, feta, and capers. Each bite tasted a little different but every bite I tried tasted great. Definitely recommend this place and would've given it 6 stars if I could.
(5)
Corey W.
This place is pricing but it is worth every penny. I was a bit shocked when we could not get a reservation until 9:15 calling over a week ahead of time. After eating their food it is no surprises why. Food and service are both 5 stars each by themselves. Pork belly appetizer, charcuterie salad, followed by sear venison with ginger grits. Every plate was more amazing than the last. My wife ordered the scallops... wow. Not only did it come with some amazing side sauces, they saw fit to plate not 3, not 4 but 5 large scallops. All the great service notes where hit as well. Server who knows the menu inside and out, prompt, and professional. When I was questionable on what cocktail to order they assured me that if I didn't like it they'd take it back and get me something else. All and all definately a highclass place with highclass food.
(5)
Alex G.
Quite stylish and nice place. Another happy hour though. It is pricey, but decor, food, and service are good all around. Liked duck confit, but shrimp and octopus bruschetta had more bacon than anything else. Trying to be objective, but don't get this fascination with bacon in way too many dishes. It just slightly affected my score. Still would recommend this place.
(4)
Chris B.
I am not particularly into corporate or hotel restaurants. This is definitely one of those and is full of "tourists". There is nothing wrong with the food it is well prepared and meats were cooked to requested temp (medium rare) however the menu isn't as original as people say and there are better places to both experience dinner and those places make better food.
(4)
Julie S.
Absolutely delicious!!!! My husband and I both had the venison, and the flavor of all the parts of the dish were just phenomenal!!! They complimented each other so much!!! All flavor sensations were covered, thus it felt like we had dinner and desert at the same time! Being a personal trainer, I am extremely health conscious--and I thoroughly enjoyed what Etch offered! Oh- and the Roasted Cauliflower is TO DIE FOR!!! We ordered two...
(5)
Lauren W.
*** this is one of my top places in Nashville**** Etch is located in one of the new downtown condo buildings that just seem to keep popping up. Because downtown parking can be crazy I was very happy that they offered complimentary valet parking which made things very easy . The decor is simple and clean. I was a big fan of their large eat-in bar. I love restaurants that have a food bar overlooking the kitchen (City House). I'm hoping one day I can sit at the kitchen and watch my food being made. But this party of 3 had a table by the window overlooking the Country Music Hall of Fame. Not too shabby. Of course I'm having cocktails. I stuck with my go-to drink: the Old Fashioned. Etch made a good one. I especially like the addition of sweet dried cherries to the mix. Gave it a different flavor than the soaked kind. My Mom was feeling adventurous and opted for the Brandy Crusta which contained Courvoisier VS, Maraschino, Cointreau, Lemon Juice, and a Sugar Rim. I thought her drink was pretty good. The sugar rim added a much needed sweetness to the tart lemon juice. I know what you are thinking: WHY ARE YOU SHOWING ME A PLATE OF BREAD AND BUTTER?! Well, let me explain. Etch offers a butter tasting. NO JOKE. You get four types of specialty butter and some bread. The best part is that the type of butter is hidden under the cup so you are supposed to guess which one you were eating. I love food games! The butters displayed were truffle butter, smoked plugra butter, goat butter, and duck butter. My family's favorite (far and away) was the truffle butter. I was sticking my finger in that little dish trying to scrape out any remaining fat solids. This is a must order at Etch. The second appetizer we ordered to share was the chilled mussels, which was a lot more than just mussels. There was a layer of pork loin that sat on the bottom with Moroccan spiced mussels and calamari on top. And for a bonus they sprinkled chunks of feta on top. It had a good kick, but I wouldn't go as far as to call it spicy. It was good, but very hard to split among 3 people. This is a 2 or less appetizer. For my entree I ordered the duck. I'm a pretty boring dinner companion because if duck is on the menu, I normally order it. The duck was Moroccan spiced and served perfectly cooked. I like my duck breast cooked more like a steak with some red in the middle. Good job Etch chefs! It was served with ginger grits, cranberries and carrot puree. I have never had anything like those ginger grits before. Even my Mom who isn't the biggest fan of grits had to admit that these were damn tasty. I was a member of the clean plate club. My jaw dropped when my parents entree arrived (yes, they both ordered the same thing). They ordered the short ribs and this is what arrived. HOW BEAUTIFUL. We had no idea from the menu description that they would be getting a very sushi-version of short ribs. Those sushi bites are short ribs that are braised and then rolled in panko and fried. They had the best texture! The green is not wasabi, but pea puree. The large bowl contained glass noodles, carrots, mushrooms, sugar snap peas and tons of shrimp topped with fresh cilantro. I usually think that my choice of entree was the best option, but clearly my parents won this round. Seeing that it was my birthday celebration I had to have some sweets after all! The panna cotta itself was a chocolate/chai mixture that was topped with pear sorbet and a lace cookie. The whole bottom of the bowl was covered with dark chocolate sauce and toasted hazelnuts. This was heaven- so good that I even shared a bit with my parents. I loved everything about Etch. I know it's kind of a pansy review when you don't really have anything to critique, but I didn't. My parents both loved Etch and they kept talking about it the next few days. I know that this will be a place they want to visit on their next trip back. For my sake, I hope it is!
(5)
Tran T.
This review is for lunch only. Parking: Complimentary valet parking or Central parking across from the restaurant. Drink: Asked for a sweetened tea but they only had un-sweetened one (I had a bad experience with this) so I just went with water. Lunch: I had the Octopus and Shrimp Bruschetta ($10) and Catfish ($13). The combination of seafood and bacon made the bruschetta so salty, it was hard for me to even finish half of the dish. The waitress also agreed that it was too salty. I wouldn't order this again. Thanks to the sweetness from the pomegranate sauce from the Catfish dish, I was able to taste the fish after all that saltiness from the bruschetta. Catfish was fresh and cooked to perfection. The portions were very big for the price, great for sharing. Service: I asked for a quiet table, and got more than what I wished for. The waitress wasn't attentive and disappeared after brought out my entree. Someone else had to bring me the check instead. Hopefully the service will be better next time, as I do want to come back here for dinner. 2013/#66
(3)
Robert K.
First time at Etch. We are a family visiting Nashville for first time. Good service, great food. I would recommend. I had made reservations weeks in advance and was not disappointed. My kids are 19 &21 and had a great time. I will be back when returning to Nashville. Found Etch from top restaurant list 2014 in Nashville magazine on line. I'm glad it did!
(4)
Liz K.
The food at Etch is amazing. I loved the roasted cauliflower. The service was also great; we were very impressed with all of the staff and loved meeting the head chef. We are just visiting Nashville and already have plans to come back here!
Great appetizers--went for wine and quick bite. Loved the seafood bruschetta and California apps. So, so good!!! Happy hour is 1/2 priced apps!
(4)
Ginger J.
Oh my is all I can say! The staff is wonderful and really attentive. The food? Some of the best I have ever had! If I could have licked my plate I would have! Great treat!
(5)
James P.
What a great place! We sampled the Shrimp & Octopus Brochette (Great) - Tempura Catfish (Great) - Cobia (Good) - Filet (Great) - and a side of Brussel Sprouts (Great) - A keeper, if I lived here, I would come here often!
(5)
John H.
The space is lovely, and I think most business travelers and conference attendees would feel comfortable here. I recommend you sit at the bar, as I did for a recent lunch, at which you can watch food prep in the open kitchen, and engage in a little friendly conversation with your bartender/server. Mine shared stories about his visit to St. Louis, as well as provided good info about the menu. My meal: *Jackalope Thunder Ann APA, local, a good match for mild to medium spice, with which my fine bartender served a plate of complimentary house chips, the potato sliced lengthwise. *Brisket Pupusa (I learned a "pupusa" is a thick corn tortilla filled with stuff, in this case smoked brisket, chihuahua cheese, onion, Peruvian butternut slaw, roja and poblano sauces, celery leaf avocado smash, lime crema, queso blanco). It was smoky, sweet, and spicy, with a south-of-the-border taste going on. *Charred Brussel Sprouts as a side, in butter with some onion, very good and sliced, which I prefer to having them served whole. *Jackalope Thunder Ann APA (my kind of dessert). My main source of entertainment was watching food preparation. I especially enjoyed a fine show of artful vegetable cutting with a straight peeler. My lunch was measured by the processing of exactly 3 bunches of celery and 7 bunches of asparagus, after which it was, sadly, time to depart.
One word... AWESOME. My mom and I stopped in for lunch right as it opened so it wasn't busy at all. Our waiter was super nice and let us know that if we had any menu questions he could help us. My mom couldn't decide on one so he helped her out and she decided on the Wild Rice Salad and added Shrimp. The portion was huge and came on a granite slate which was different and cool. I ordered the Thai Chicken and Quinoa. It was a great dish, but a little salty for my taste though the sweet potatoes did help a lot. Cashews came in the dish, but I substituted those for the candied peanuts that I saw on another dish. A great lunch in a great atmosphere! Really loved the open kitchen concept and it wasn't a noisy kitchen either. Another thing... Don't you hate going in to a restaurant where they have god awful music playing in the background and it's overly loud? Well you definitely won't find that here! We found the music to be calm and at a great sound level even though we were the only ones in the restaurant. Definite recommend! If I had to say one bad thing, it would be that they didn't make sweet tea (in the South?!) but the waiter did offer me unsweetened tea and that he could give me sweetener, but it is just not the same,
(5)
Christopher M.
This place is phenomenal. My partner and I were in town while making a cross country move. We were staying downtown and wanted to celebrate his birthday. We were lucky to get in without a problem on a Thursday night. I did make a reserve that afternoon, without too much trouble. We started with the roasted cauliflower appetizer, which was terrific, as were the cocktails. They had some very interesting favors. The whole meal was exceptional. Our server, Ed was attentive without being disruptive. The ambiance is very sleek and contemporary. The acoustics are nicely balanced so that even with a very full dining room and the open kitchen concept, it didn't feel too loud or distracting. I'm vegetarian and was particularly pleased with their offerings. They didn't have a huge selection of vegetarian items to choose from, but the ones they offered were very interesting, with complex layers of favors. Not the usual roasted portabello mushroom! My partner had lamb, on the rare side and he said that it was cooked to perfection. He was also impressed with the wine list. We'll definitely be back if we visit Nashville again.
(5)
Blair S.
I went to Etch on night with a symphony, a rock concert, a hockey game, and one of the first warm clear nights of the spring all converging on Downtown Nahsville at once. This was one of those nights where complimentary valet is very nice (dinner guest only, I'm told) and reservations are a must. The waiter was quick to follow the hostess who seated us, shared specials and drink recommendations, then watched from out of sight as we decided what we wanted without nagging or leaving us hungry. Throughout the meal, his timing was just right. We soon started with duck confit and an seared tuna salad. The confit was just the right size for two, was wonderfully tender, and seasoned perfectly. The tuna salad was large and a perfect mix a flavors and textures. The lamb chop entree was one of the best I've had in ages. Perfectly cooked and again with a great mix of flavors. The quality of the meat was top notch, as was the price. The scallops were perfectly executed too. For dessert we shared a meyer lemon frozen mousse. It was light, tangy, and not overly sweetened. It perfectly capped off a great meal. The prices are higher than most restaurants, but if you need a romantic date night, to celebrate a special occasion, or to entertain someone on the expense account, Etch should a top choice. You won't think twice about the price after you finish your meal.
(5)
Joshua P.
Very nice atmosphere and a very good menu. Not a great menu... The biggest problem here was the side ingredients always seemed to overpower what was supposed to be the star of the dish (pork for example). Dessert and appetizers were amazing!
(4)
W L.
Thanks to TripAdvisor, we enjoyed a great dinner with friends. The food was so good that I came back for lunch by myself the day after. The tuna bowl salad ($16) was worth the price: innovative, light, and yet flavorful. The roasted cauliflower was $9 for lunch and $10 for dinner: the serving is very fulfilling, enough for 4 people to share. The filet was very tender, the signature fish entree bursts with multiple flavors and is on the sweet side. The pork chop was cooked to perfection. Service at both times was attentive without being overbearing. Definitely worth the number 2 rating on Trip Advisor.
(5)
Bill Z.
Amazing dynamic flavors, i had the lamb....every bite had a different nuanced combo of flavor. A rare but welcome change of pace....I had the pork belly and cauliflower appetizers too....both very good
Our best formal meal in Nashville. Cocktails and appetizers were especially good (including the cauliflower that everyone raves about). Service was also great. Enjoy!
(5)
Taylor S.
The food was pretty good and the service was great. We enjoyed the different butters and the cauliflower for our appetizers. The entrees were ok. The pork chop was decent but the copia was a bit too sweet for my liking. I'd go back to try some other things but overall I'd give them 3.5/5 stars.
(4)
Bridgette C.
I would like to thank Etch, as I was in a foul mood when I first came here, by no fault of theirs (trying to go downtown to a symphony show while it was raining and the SEC tournament was at Bridgestone was not a good driving combo) and thanks to the lovely staff and service at Etch, I returned to my more pleasant form. A gorgeous space in downtown Nashville across from the Schermerhorn, Etch has gotten so much love from my friends that I was very excited to try it out. It was a great pre-show spot with a fantastic happy hour and a great bar with good bartenders. They have great appetizers based on my brief taste I am excited to try a real dinner here! While this may be my shortest review yet its only because my experience here was unfortunately brief, so tune in for an update soon.
(4)
Jeremy E.
Best lunch in Nashville. Great value. Great food. This is my #1 spot for business lunches.
(5)
Brian N.
I had a less than perfect meal at Etch last week, and let them know about it. In my entire life, I've never seen a chef or a manager go to such great lengths to correct the situation, and they should be applauded for it. If you're on the fence about going here, get off the fence and just GO! People who have that much passion for what they do should always be rewarded. Your meal will be fantastic; I know the chef and manager will see to that.
(5)
Noelle T.
I guess I'm just not a foody like I thought I was! This stuff was just too complicated to taste good to me! I ate here for lunch today. We both took full advantage of the free valet because it is freezing. We had a lovely table by the window, great service, and a nice view of the Omni. Even though it was lunch they made an exception and brought us the butter appetizer you guys have been raving about trying but it was just too much for me. After eating the truffle butter, the French fat butter, the ginger peanut brittle butter, and the duck butter I already felt uneasy but I wanted to keep going to try to understand the love affair with Etch. Then we tried the roasted cauliflower with the pea pesto and feta crema which was fine. I like cauliflower and I've had some really good dishes here in town but I guess I expected it to blow my mind since everyone keeps talking about how great it is. I probably would have liked it better if the bar wasn't set so high in my mind. Next we shared the brisket pupusa. I love a good pupusa but it was so hard to find the little thing buried under thinly sliced brisket and multiple colored sauces. I pushed aside an onion, meat, cheese, a strange orange sauce, a red sauce, celery leaf avocado smash, lime crema, some veggies, then another white sauce and savored my one little soggy bite of pupusa - good but again all the sauces were very unappetizing to me. At this point in time I just wanted something normal but even the dessert menu seemed a little frilly. I settled on the poached apples, roasted apple puree, black currant sauce, toasted almonds, apple chips, on a twinkie...I mean vanilla cake...with a side of olive oil ice cream. Can't a girl just get a cupcake? Any way, I get why you guys like it. It's a taste exploration but I don't have that many calories in a day to explore with. If I am going to eat something I want it to provide nutrition and pleasure and perhaps a little simplicity. I will say I liked my wine and they make a mean cup of coffee. So there is that. Bottom Line: If you want an adventure in your mouth this is the place for you. If you just want a tasty and simple meal, look elsewhere.
(3)
lisa j.
My favorite restaurant and I live in Chicago. You have to have the cauliflower appetizer, the beets & berries salad, the cobia entree and the chocolate pretzel bar dessert. These are all just AMAZING!!!
(5)
Audrey D.
Absolutely amazing vegetarian creation- "Katafi Pastry"- spaghetti squash with sage, fontina cheese and golden raisins. poblano gravy, charred eggplant puree, black olive barley tapenade- for $19 - totally worth it. From the texture variations, to the colors to the tastes, it was RESPECT to vegetarian cusine, rather than the typical (boring) pasta dishes offered at most restaurants that are geared to meat eaters. Hubbie had the venison- he gave it a 5/5, but he actually became enamoured by my vegetarian dish, saying the dynamic range of taste was more vast than his meal. Ginger grits on the side; sweet and buttery. Bon appetit!
(5)
Paula Jean K.
Nashville's No. 1 restaurant in Zagat's America's Top Restaurants 2014! We had the pleasure of dining here on a Saturday night. What a spectatcular experience! We were immediately greeted at the front door by a lovely hostess who brought us to our table. We perused the drink menu and chose 2 signature cocktails which were brought to our table promptly. Suddenly, the maitre d' comes over and apologizes to us because the table that we were seated at had been reserved for another party. Would we mind changing tables? No, Of course not. Drinks on the house! Really? That was awful nice! We ordered the Octopus and Shrimp Bruschetta, the Pork Loin and the Lamb Chop. Wow! Simply marvelous. Everything that we ate was well prepared, flavorful and beautifully presented. The lamb was so good that I really wanted to gnaw on the bone but since this was a very high class restaurant, I'm sure that, that, would have been frowned upon. The sides that accompanied out proteins were also delicious. The ambience was soothing. We felt very loved here. Etch is as good as it gets!
(5)
Michael M.
I liked it. Very interesting menu with excellent service and presentation. The cauliflower was good (a little hard) but I prefer it fried. My friends had the bruchetta and loved it. I had the veggie thingy Katafi Pastry for a main course which was interesting & delicious. I'm a carnivore but took a shot and it was worth it. Plate went back to the kitchen clean. Hard to describe but a great alternate if you don't want to get weighed down on meat. The olive oil ice cream was good but was vanilla with or without the EVO....no matter what the waiter said ;-) Decent wine menu loaded with cabs; lite on Italians but we found something we liked. Impressed they had Pappy Van Winkle bourbon available.
(4)
Alisha W.
The only thing I regret about my dining experience is that I was too full to try everything. I had very high expectations going into this dinner, and I was not let down. James my waiter was very knowledgeable with all of the dishes and was good about giving our space after we ordered. We started with a few cocktails and then we got the Octopus Bruschetta, it was delicious! So many good favors all mixed onto a delicious toasted bread. We them ordered a bottle of wine to go with dinner. My boyfriend had the pork tenderloin that was so good, the basic meat and potatoes done very well. I was shocked when he even ate the mushrooms! I was not very hungry so I did the tuna salad for dinner. There was plenty for dinner, I couldn't even finish it all. The dressing was light and tangy it went very well with the tuna. For dessert we had the chocolate fudge. It was very rich! The chocolate with the nuts and caramel all together made a great end to a wonderful meal. I will be back!
(5)
Michael M.
A must! Sat at the chefs table and I have have to say from the moment I walked in I was greeted with excellent service. My waiter was spot on with solid knowledge of the menu wines and recommendations. I'm going back on Wednesday with friends. Go you will be pleasantly surprised!
(5)
Robert U.
I was disappointed by Etch. The biggest problem was the service was unacceptably slow. Our appetizer took about 30 minutes to arrive. Our entrees arrived just before the ONE HOUR mark. Our server never mentioned anything like "your food is coming," or "sorry for the wait" or offered any sort of acknowledgement. Is this the norm here? The food was good. The cauliflower appetizer is nice. The okra side is really good, with an orange sauce and some feta cheese that complemented it. But generally, the food, while unique, was kind of bland.
(2)
Victor H.
I can safely say that Etch is the best dining experience I've had in Nashville. The service is wonderful, the drinks are delicious and the atmosphere/decor is perfect for a great date night. Our server was very knowledgable and went out of her way to describe the menu. The food though, WOW, the food is what really shines. The pork dinner entree is one of the best things I've ever eaten. My wife purchased the 7oz filet and I couldn't believe or understand how tender and delicious it was... It literally melted in my mouth. Also, don't forget to leave room for dessert, the homemade ice cream is delightful, our server even brought us a candle in our dessert because we were celebrating my wife's birthday! If I could give this place six stars I would. Save up a little money and go have one of the best dining experiences Nashville has to offer.
(5)
Debbie P.
I took my mother to this restaurant for lunch on her birthday. It was the perfect place. Tuesday at lunch was not too crowded, the menu was deliciously varied and the service was attentive and friendly. The servers were so gracious to my mother, and made her feel special. They even put a candle on her dessert! This is an upscale restaurant near the heart of downtown and caters to business luncheons during the day and fine dining in the evening. I recommend it to anyone looking for a good dining experience.
(4)
justine h.
The spaghetti squash dish is EVERYTHING! And im a total meat eater. It's the kind of dish you have dreams about.
(5)
Stephanie C.
This is the most stellar, out of the world, perfectly prepared food I have ever had. We have been several times and every single dish is amazing! The management is beyond aware as they visit the table often, are always checking to see if there's anything they can do, and beyond generous to take care of anything not 100%. This is a place you must go!
(5)
Steve E.
Just to emphasize....the food is magic. Flavors on top of flavors, and they all work. We took a couple new to Etch---their fave in Nashville so far. And it is certainly on our list. Outstanding in every aspect.
(5)
Jared S.
Absolutely delicious, exquisitely-prepared food. Everything about Etch is top-notch, from the drinks, to the food, to the waitstaff. I am constantly impressed by how wonderful this restaurant is. Plenty of other people have left suggestions on what to try, so I won't go into details. Especially since I don't believe you could possibly be disappointed with anything you order. If you want a special night out, Etch is a great choice. I would recommend you get a reservation, and if you like the frantic pace of a kitchen, try sitting at the chef's bar. You might even get a chance to chat with Deb for a few minutes. That is, if there's a lull that allows her to slow down her militaristic attention to detail.
(5)
Frank P.
We sat at the bar because the restaurant was too full (with reason, this place rocks). Paul was an amazing bartender. We had the cauliflower appetizer (I usually hate cauliflower, but it was AMAZING) and shrimp/oyster bruschetta (again amazing!). We were pretty stuffed after just those two appetizers so we didn't get the the lamb porterhouse because we had heard it was amazing as well but decided against it since we were so full. Highly recommended!
(5)
Gregg S.
Etch came highly recommended by several people and did not disappoint! We were carefully steered through the menu and were very impressed with our selections. The cauliflower appetizer even impressed this guy who usually goes for something like raw oysters or calamari. The Etch and Beet salads were delectable and the lamb did not even hint at needing a "to go" box! Desert mostly stayed in front of my lady, but I did steal a small bite to see what all the "mmmmms" where about...yum! Kenneth, our server, gave us just the right amount of attention and had more knowledge of a menu than I ever thought possible. Whomever leads this team, from valet drop-off to valet pickup, really knows what they are doing. Well done folks!
(5)
K C.
Started with cocktails at the bar which were very good. Ordered appetizers, the Cobia, Venison, and some sides to share. We also shared a couple of desserts. The flavors of everything was excellent. The use of spices and the sauces were done right. If I lived anywhere near this restaurant I be a regular. Service was great, they provided some good wine recommendations, and the atmosphere was very cool.
(5)
Chet L.
This is one of those places that always seems to know what they're doing. After some business downtown, Yelp's fantabulous app directed me here for lunch. Free validated parking was the first sign of class. After being greeted by the hostess, and wonderful dining area is presented with a huge chef's bar where you can sit and watch the magic happen in the kitchen. Or just grab a beer and some soup and enjoy the view. For lunch I had a tasty black bean spicy soup - I hate black beans. This soup I would bathe in.....delicious. I also ordered the Brisket Pupusa: corn cake, smoked brisket, chihuahua cheese, onion, peruvian butternut carrot slaw, roja and poblano sauces, celery leaf avocado smash, lime crema, queso blanco......THIS WAS PHENOMENAL. Floor manager, kitchen manager, expo, servers, all asking if they can get you anything and of things are okay. Great place - cant wait to go for dinner. This place knows how to do food - just another sign Nashville is becoming a food mecca. Way to go Etch !!
Sitting at the bar facing the open kitchen and watching the staff prepare everybody's food adds to the fun of dining at Etch! Overall, this place lives up to the reputation hailed by so many diners. The entrees are fine but somehow bring in southern style which is not my personal favourite---a little too much of the fried, roasted, seared... The special summer cold soup is stunning, refreshing and pleasantly sizzling to the tasting buds. Fruit from the earth and the sea strike a harmony in just one bowl!
(4)
Steve A.
The food at Etch is astonishing. Seriously. This was one of the best meals of my life. Every flavor component of every dish was surprising, complex, and worth savoring. Some dishes--such as the cauliflower appetizer--had different flavor combinations at different ends of the dish. There wasn't a single element of anything we tried that didn't contribute to the whole. An interesting wine list and knowledgeable servers complement this amazing food. And the ambiance is upscale, trendy, yet not too loud to have an intimate conversation. This restaurant would be a major weekly temptation if I lived in Nashville. Truly memorable.
We started with butter tastings.. yes BUTTER tastings! prosciutto truffle, smoked parmesan black pepper, ginger cashew and malt vinegar options. My favorite was the ginger cashew, it was sweet and salty. As a non-steak, big meat person, there was really only one option to enjoy and it was the Rutabaga La Plancha, which was a mix of veggies, potatoes, carrots, and more all combined to make a magnificent vegetarian option at a fine dining establishment. we ordered two desserts, one was a chocolate bread pudding and the other was a chocolate banana, peanut butter concoction that was eaten very quickly. the menu is smaller than I would like but everything was delicious and a great place to enjoy a nice dinner in Nashville!
Absolutely wonderful....though the review is really just on appetizers as we didn't make it to entrees. I started with a Moroccan Sangria, which was delicious. My friend pretty much just drank his way through a good portion of the whiskey list. And it's a fairly impressive and diverse list. Ordered: - Butter Tasting - very cool and a nice choice of app. The pineapple and mushrooms were the 2 favorites and we gobbled those up with the nice bread. The "everything bagel" was a bit meh, and the herb lardo was more like a very mildly flavored crisco. - Ciopino - Very nice with a lovely sauce that was a bit like a romesco. - Octopus and Shrimp Bruschetta - Also very nice, but with a tiny amount of shrimp....like there were only two VERY small pieces. - Venison Carpaccio - Damn, but this was delicious. But the favorite was.... - Pork Belly - So nice we ordered it twice! And that meant we were too full to carry on with an entree or dessert. :( Our server, Justin, was great and very helpful. This is a great restaurant and I'll be delighted to go back next time I'm in Nashville.
(5)
A B L.
I felt very adventurous eating here- many curious food combinations! Our waiter, Travis, was excellent. The Food was colorful! Also try the roasted cauliflower- I was surprised I loved it!! Travis also gave us great venue recommendations to listen to real singer/songwriters near Broadway (the listening room).
(5)
Gerry T.
I was visiting Nashville for the first time and I had heard about the recent influx of people to this city as well as the creativity going on in the culinary scene there so when people recommended Etch as a must go, I went. I thought the menu was uninspired and boring. I don't mean to sound like a douchie-foodie wanna be, but I have eaten in many great restaurants and this is not one of them. The service was efficient but nothing out of the ordinary. The drinks were good. We were a party of 3 so we sampled many dishes. The best part of the meal was the the drinks. Again, not bad but certainly not deserving of all the great reviews on yelp. Sorry everyone.
(3)
Amol U.
The next time you've got a special occasion or a business power-lunch, Etch is a solid choice. Compared to most places in Nashville, Etch has a distinctly cosmopolitan look. Think upscale lounge or dinner club, which is a much different vibe than most of the hipster-casual or Southern-kitchen styled places in Nashville. It's different, and very pleasant. The dining area also allows you to see the kitchen at work, which is a pretty cool touch. The food here, again, is unique. It's hard to put into a particular category, but suffice it to say that you'll encounter some new tastes and combinations you wouldn't have expected ... And it totally, totally works. For example, you won't want to miss the roasted cauliflower appetizer, which comes with an array of delicious tomato and pistachio dipping sauces. Likewise, you might raise an eyebrow at fried catfish with a berry(?) glaze, but it's fantastic. On a final note, the service at Etch lives up to the food and ambience. Complimentary valet removes the hassle of finding parking downtown, and if you're on a tight schedule for lunch or before an event, the service is quick and responsive. Etch is definitely a stretch of my budget, but one that's well worth it. Definitely looking forward to visiting here again!
(5)
Christina W.
I was very pleasantly surprised at how beautiful the restaurant was, I was expecting something a little more casual (based off conversation I had with friends) - so I'm glad I dressd up. :) There is free valet in the front, which almost seems like your best (and only?) option to park. Our waitress was very friendly and informative. We had 3 appetizers, the butter tasting, the cauliflower and the pork belly. The butter tasting was fun - we had our favorites and it was interesting to see the different flavors infused into the butters. Pork belly was AMAZING. I overheard that the set up changes on it at times, but the current set is so great. Fantastic complimenting flavors. Highlight of the evening for me. Even though I'm a server and most (i.e. - all I've ever talked to) hate Yelp (that's a different conversation, ha) - I use it frequently. So I took the advice of so many reviews and ordered the cauliflower considering it a MUST. Unfortunately, it's not a must. It wasn't bad, by any means. But I would not order it again. It was plain and underwhelming. I would divert to other wonderful things in the menu. We also had the venison (rare), which was wonderful. My father had the current vegetable plate which is a trio of mushrooms and other vegetables. He raved. We shared. It was pretty wonderful. He rated it a 10. I said 7.9 ;) All in all, twas a good visit.
(4)
Dan Z.
The Good: service; The butter (its an appetizer); the atmospheres. The Bad: nothing; it was an enjoyable evening. The Rest: overall a great stop. Met my expectations for a Nashville restaurant in this class. Service was exceptional, food was very good, as expected. Not an extensive menu but adequate. Four stars and recommend and will be back. Couldn't give the fifth star because the wow wasn't there, but don't be dissuaded, it was excellent.
(4)
Kristen S.
Came here while in town for the CMA Fest and my friends 30th birthday. The cauliflower appetizer is to die for (and I don't even like cauliflower!). I got the filet which was a whole new take on a normal dish. I thought the atmosphere was wonderful, the service was impeccable and the food tasty. My only complaint is the wine prices, I thought some were a little steep for the brand of wine they had.
(4)
James B.
Ok so I don't want to sound arrogant or anything but this place was good, but I think it's Nashville good. Look, it's good but when compared to the likes of some places in Chicago, and NYC, it's just good. We got the Cauliflower, and a soup to start. The cauliflower was good but it was because the seasoning. It's baked with truffle oil then has some dipping sauces. It was good for sure. Entrees were the Confit fish and venison. The venison came out similar to a fillet. Perfectly cooked, small portion. There was a sweet potato, Brie cream, and some sauces. There was too much Brie and it over powered the coca seasoned venison. Back off the Brie cream a bit and it's a great pairing. The confit fish was a mahi mahi served over a vignette (doughnut) with apricots and a vinegarette drizzle. The flavors were awesome but it was weird because the fish is so flavorless. It's almost like the fish was there to provide texture for the other pieces of the dish, instead of being a main portion. The flavors worked and it was balanced but I just think the fish could be better utilized. Overall the staff is knowledgable on wine, pairings, and their menu. Good ambiance. Good for Nashville, but didn't blow me away.
(4)
Joy M.
Our waitress was great! She was very passionate and explained the menu and have us a quick background on the chef's cooking style. We sat near the kitchen to see the dishes that would come out. Everything looked amazing and the waitresses would stop as they passed us explaining what dish they were holding. The food was excellent. Definitely loved the salmon dish which I believe was the fish of the day. The Rosemary bread that they served us with was a good initial touch to start our pallets. We ordered an old fashion (typically picky about how this is made as some places can make it too sweet). The drinks were made perfectly with a smokey finish and perfect blend. The bourbon pecan ice cream was delicious. It had a blend of pecans and cookie crumble. Overall a great experience and well worth the cost. What we ordered: -catfish app -cauliflower app -old fashion -szerac -fish of the day(salmon) -bourbon pecan ice cream -another fish dish I can't remember but had a beignet
(5)
Loralyn D.
After hearing all of the hype about Etch, I was excited to give it a try. The cauliflower appetizer was recommended by the waiter and was delicious. The reason I'm only giving 3 stars is because of two things. First, although each dish we had was delicious, between the appetizer, salad, main entrees, and sides there was so much sauce on everything that I was overwhelmed. I like sauces, but not as the main taste of every plate. Maybe we somehow ordered too many things with sauces. I don't know. Second, the atmosphere walking in was really nice, but we were asked by the hostess and server if it was our first time to the restaurant and after saying it was, I felt like we were not as important. The staff was nice and we weren't treated poorly, I just didn't feel like a valued customer like at other restaurants in this price range. None the less, it's a nice restaurant and served great food but I would choose other restaurants in the Nashville area for the price..
Dear Etch, Your wonderful food, friendly service, and great atmosphere once again made my day. I've sat at the chef's bar each time and it has always been a great experience. I continue to thoroughly enjoy your fresh and interesting menu. The oldie but goodies are always awesome as well. Thanks for continuing to be a fantastic restaurant. You made my 1.5 hour drive through tourist traffic well worth it.
(5)
Jane H.
This was the best meal we've had In years. The blending of delicious flavors was beyond good. We had the roasted cauliflower for an appetizer and the sauces were scrumptious. Service was impeccable and every course better than the one before it!
(5)
Cindy S.
Possibly one of the best restaurants in Nashville. Friend and I had quite a tasting. Started with watermelon bubbles. My friend had the butter tasting and roasted cauliflower for myself. Wow! Mine was great - the truffled pea pesto was the best. My friend's butter experience was nice but only liked the pineapple rum chili in the end. I tasted it and I have to agree. It could've have used a little heat. Outside of that, the grilled lamb loin, crispy potato salad and desserts were decadent!!! I'm not a huge fan of lamb but I have to say my tastebuds were very happy!!! With the potato salad, it was all about the texture. Great job there. She had the peach crumble tart and I had the bourbon pecan ice cream. For me, my experience was a homerun!!!
(5)
Linda B.
A definite must! Shrimp/octopus bruschetta was amazing. If you can't decide, try it for sure. Nice portion as well. Lamb- tangy and flavorful, with a twist on what you would expect. Venison- ate every last bite. Tender and not gamey. Loved the sides it was paired with. Too full for dessert, but it looked scrumptious. Atmosphere- nice, dim lighting and more upscale than the Broadway restaurants. Service- I wish I knew our servers name, he was knowledgable on every level and was a pleasure. Definitely made our experience. If you are looking for a nice dinner, food a little bit outside of the box, you have to check it out!
(5)
Debby S.
We LOVE this place! Food, service, ambiance..they got it all. Our first time in Nashville. The first night we arrived in Nashville 8:30pm so we were hungry. Etch had a 20 min wait and we didn't have reservations. We went next door to The Farm House where there was no wait and we know why! Terrible at The Farm. (see my review of Farm) I mentioned it here because we are not the type to complain about the price if the quality of the food is excellent. We made it a point to come back to this vicinity for Etch and we are so glad we did. Etch is first class. Our waitress was so nice and helpful. The food is high end. My venison was cooked perfectly. The marriage of flavors beautifully matched. The presentation artful. We didn't want to dig into the food right away so we could let the presentation of colors and arrangement of items feed our eyes before our stomach.
My husband and I visited Nashville and met up with a long-time friend. Etch made for a perfect venue. The interior is spacious and tables were not on top of each other. Super fancy. Great place to dine, especially if you want to impress and have a non-rushed conversation with friends. Save your pennies, because it will take many of them and possibly a Benjamin or two depending on how good of a food and wine experience you have. We ordered the infamous beets and berries to start, followed by roasted cauliflower, and the entrees were Cobia and Grilled Lamb Loin. Just writing those makes my mouth water again. If I am ever in Nashville again, I will return gladly. If you are there, make a reservation and treat yourself to a great dining experience.
(5)
Jane S.
Thank you Etch for helping me make my mother's birthday a special one! Unfortunately, I was not able to dine at the restaurant with my parents but the staff at Etch truly were amazing. I called a week ahead to make reservations for my parents. They were in Nashville for a vacation and it happened to fall on my mom's bday. I gave them my credit card so my parents wouldnt have to see a bill. I also ordered dessert ahead of time knowing my parents wouldnt order one. They did everything I hoped they would do. My mom can be difficult sometimes but they took back her original order because she didn't like the sea bass. Then they switched her order and got her pork chops. They were all very accomodating and I appreciate that so much! My parents LOVED the roasted cauliflower! I wish I couldv'e tasted it :) All in all, I am very grateful for the staff here making my mom's bday special even though I couldn't be there in person!!
(5)
Liz C.
Trendy atmosphere so know that from the get go. Highly trained wait staff and amazing food. You're paying for atmosphere, service and food here and it's all well worth it. Delicious handcrafted cocktails for a variety of palettes. You MUST try the cauliflower appetizer. We hesitated and almost didn't order it, what a mistake that would have been! Wine was reasonably priced and food was amazing. Copia, venison, pork tenderloin and fillet were all amazing. Chocolate torte for dessert did not disappoint either. Would definitely visit again!
(5)
Charles S.
Deb Paquette's Etch is one of my favorite restaurants in Nashville. Food, drink, service, and atmosphere (minus the current construction across the street) are fabulous. It's easily among the top 5 restaurants in Music City right now. I've only been twice thus far, and while I'm sure they're capable of having an off night, I've not seen anything but perfection. My first experience was for a milestone birthday. The server, whose name I've unfortunately forgotten, was the essence of professionalism. He paced our meal perfectly, even though we had two appetizer courses, a salad course, entrees, desserts, and digestifs. The service was absolutely the best experience I've had in downtown Nashville. As far as the food is concerned, I must start by saying some flavor or texture combinations may seem odd on paper -- Paquette is nothing if not inventive, and her menus seem to enjoy putting diners outside of their comfort zones in all the best ways. I may not get any points for originality here, but I'll echo others and say both the cauliflower and butter tastings were amazing. I liked the charcuterie salad, but I would have preferred it as a charcuterie board, to be honest. The shellfish special I had was perfectly prepared, and the wine pairing our server suggested was nothing I would have ever ordered myself, but couldn't have been better suited for the dish. My wife's venison was good in my opinion, but it was definitely on the sweeter side, so be prepared. The wine I selected for her helped, but she wouldn't order the venison again. I'm not sure I would either -- I enjoyed tasting her dish, but likely also would have tired of the sweetness if it had been my entree. If you're doing a downtown event, particularly if it's at the Schermerhorn (across the street), Etch is the perfect place for dinner or dessert and drinks, before or after your show. Reservations are a necessity, and I encourage you to get them as early as possible -- at least 2-3 days in advance for Sun-Thurs nights, and at least 5 for Fridays and weekends. Bigger events should be booked at least 2 weeks in advance. The bar does start to empty out a bit later, so if you're getting out of an earlier show, you might chance across a couple of empty seats, but don't count on it.
(5)
Chris K.
FINALLY - a fine dining restaurant that has just the right ambiance! We walked into this hip restaurant, and immediately felt at ease. Classy, yet relaxed, decor; Miles Davis playing in the background, waiters and waitresses VERY accommodating and friendly - all fine dining restaurants should take note...waiters and waitresses that SMILE add immensely to a positive dining experience. Great job, staff! Now the food - EXCEPTIONAL...really interesting dishes - roasted cauliflower IS THE BOMB. Do not miss this appetizer if you are visiting for the first time. I know cauliflower isn't the most sexy vegetable these days, but this dish is proof that it's making an amazing come-back! The savory and sweet purees pair beautifully to your spectrum of taste buds; the almonds heighten the naturally "nutty" taste of the delightfully browned / roasted cauliflower. We also had the catfish and coconut chicken curry. Catfish was wonderfully crispy, with just the right amount of acid in the salad, sweetness in the strawberry preserve, tartness in the lime crema. The only reason I did not give 5 stars was because the coconut chicken curry with quinoa was unfortunately overcooked. Some chicken pieces were dry, while others were barely over cooked. The sauce was not as sweet and savory as I expected, but I also come from a Thai background, and it likely was not meant replicate Thai cuisine, but be an American twist on an asian dish. Overall - I will CERTAINLY be back - wonderful service, great food, great environment. Well done Etch - keep up the positive vibe!
(4)
Anthony S.
Etch is easily one of the best dining experiences I have ever had in Nashville. I can rave about my meal for pages, but I'm going to try to restrain myself. The service was expert and warm. The environment is nicely laid out, if just a little neutral for its own good. That's likely the hardest I can knock Etch, because nothing hit our table that didn't feel special. If their atmosphere feels a little dated in its detail, I'll over look it. We started simple with their butter tasting. Four butters that were as different as whipped dairy could be. We ordered the Etch salad which took me by surprise. I don't typically go for blue cheese and apple in a salad- I'd eat theirs all day. My lamb was succulent and tender, expertly spiced with amazing accompanying flavors. My wife ordered the filet, which I thought would be as boring and safe as you'd expect from a grilled filet---wrong! It melted in the mouth and was so flavorful I would have thought it was drugged. Finally, our torte dessert was packed with moussey, spicy flavor. I found the crunch of the bottom layer a little hard to cut into, but my wife is in love with this dessert and declared it her favorite part of the meal (which is saying a lot). Finally, I have to mention that Etch's team of mixologists could have given me the best cocktails I have ever had in Nashville. I tried two of their signature concoctions; one based in gin with tarragon and the other a spicy take on the Manhattan. Both were amazing. Their bartender made the best Vespar Martini I've had in this city and when I asked for it, neither the server nor bartender batted an eye. From start to finish, I found everything was to love with so little to complain about. Etch had raised the bar for me with dining choices in this city and I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Louis C.
Service, food, and drinks were all fantastic. My entire family loved their meal and we were all impressed with the service. Not mention, it was the best old fashioned I've ever had.
(5)
Amy D.
We checked out Etch during happy hour and were pleased with the quality wine, beers, bites and service. We considered dining in the bustling dining room but upon walking in noticed a single cozy booth in the bar area that had our name on it. I started off with their $5 happy hour red (a nice Gamay) and Jesse ordered a Nashville beer from Black Abbey which was $4 during happy hour. We ordered all 4 food items on happy hour: roasted cauliflower, tempura catfish, pork belly and octopus & shrimp bruschetta. Our food came out quickly, each dish plated nicely and at the correct temperature. I assumed the happy hour portions would be smaller but we were happy with generous feast in front of us. Roasted Cauliflower - believe it or not my second favorite of the dishes! The truffled cauliflower was plated with truffled pea pesto topped with salted almonds on one side of the plate and feta crema on the other. The lovely sauces complimented the dish nicely. Pork Belly - this was our favorite dish and possibly the best pork belly I have tasted. It was rich, tender and a melt in your mouth caramelized meat. It was served with kenji kimchi "fries", tahini tofu sauce and ginger. Tempera Catfish - a crisply filet served on top of a tasty slice of compressed watermelon, plump aleppo chili blueberries and a balsamic syrup. It was decent but a tad too sweet for my taste. Octopus & Shrimp Bruschetta - a slice of toasted bread with a generous portion of shrimp, sous vide octopus in duck fat topped with arugula, fennel, capers and the plate was dressed with a roasted tomato sauce. This dish was OK but I am now realizing I am not a huge fan of duck fat. The plate is gorgeous and worth a try. The standouts to me were the wonderful house made sauces, the to die for pork belly and their cauliflower would make anyone eat their veggies. Service was excellent and a manager kindly checked in on us during our visit. Also for 2 beers, 1 wine and 4 appetizers our bill was a mere $45. Happy hour is Monday-Friday 4pm-6:30pm & Saturday 4-5:30pm.
(5)
Tarantula B.
Made reservations, no wait time upon arrival. 1st timers, was with two others and we passed many open tables and were seated at the back of the restaurant,but with a window view. Nice clean eclectic restaurant, our server was nice and very helpful. Nice wine selection. The Ciopino appetizer was very good and can be shared with others. The from the sea creation for us was Halibut, we were told they ran out of the other fish and only two Halibut plates were left. Another guest tried the Cobia and truly enjoyed it. We and others around us wanted to end the evening with the Peach tort but were advised they were all out - no dessert review. Overall enjoyed the experience the food was good and would return. Curious on where we will be seated next time.
(4)
Ev J.
We stopped in without a reservation and were told it would be an hour wait. Somehow we got lucky and got to sit at the chefs bar. Our server Ramesh was awesome. He was very informative and friendly and took very good care of us. We were not sure what we exactly wanted and he was very accommodating. Deb was also very sweet and interesting and explained to us everything that we ordered. We had the bruschetta and the Cauli flower pesto... and we also indulged in some dessert. The service was great and we had an amazing time. I definitely recommend this to anybody stopping by in the area!
(4)
Sam Z.
One of my favorite restaurants in Nashville! The service, the ambiance, the presentation, the portions are all impeccable. The cauliflower appetizer is simply incredible. A trip to Nashville is not complete without a visit to this amazing restaurant.
(5)
Tommie S.
In April 2014, my job sent me to Nashville for a conference, and I of course, immediately turned to Yelp. This was a great place for dinner. Locals know that it's a nice place to visit as the hotel shuttle driver teased me about being able to afford the place. Either way, I'm glad I scraped the funds together as it was well worth it. I had steak and changed my sides based on Yelpers, and the chef was more than accommodating. I don't usually order any sort of steak (no particular reason other than mind are the best), but I'm glad I tried this steak as it absolutely melted in my mouth. The suggested dessert was also great. The cocktail wasn't the strongest, but I had enough to make them taste good. As a lone diner, I sat at the bar BUT not the drinking bar. Do yourself a favor and sit at the chef's bar. It's a great view. If you're familiar with Houston dining, it's just as great as the chef's table at Artisans. The ambiance was a bit loud for a weekday late dinner, but not too bothersome. The restrooms were also lovely. The hostesses were also quite helpful with contacting my hotel when I was ready to be picked up without having to wait. This place really is tops.
(5)
Umber A.
This place has to be the best restaurant I have ever been to. Each bite was a foodgasm. I'm a carnivore however somehow the waiter convinced me to try out their vegetarian options. I ended up getting the roasted cauliflower for app. The combo of goat cheese/ red sauce/ pea sauce was perfection. For my entree I got the rutabaga La Plancha. Very flavorful. I literally scraped the plate clean. Can't wait to go back. And the waiter was friendly and helpful! Service was excellent !
(5)
Nikita L.
Went to Nashville for business and picked this place since it's got good reviews on yelp. I'm glad yelp didn't disappoint. We had the butter tasting, roasted cauliflower, and the main course was the most recommended fish dish. The two appetizers were great! I especially liked the truffle butter. But the main course was just ok. It's got interesting flavors but just not my fav. Service was good too. Defitrly worth visiting .
(4)
Sonia L.
I wasn't quite sure what to expect... I read both fantastic reviews and mediocre ones. WELL. Etch is now one of my favorite restaurants!! Boyfriend liked it so much, he suggested we go again! I thought he was kidding... but we ended up at their happy hour the very next day. We had: 1) Roasted cauliflower (PLEASE GET THIS) 2) Octopus and shrimp bruschetta (Get this as well!) 3) Pork belly 4) Tortilla crusted catfish 5) The red, white, and sparkling wines at happy hour 6) Two cocktails (I'm too lazy to remember) 7) Grilled lamb 8) Cobia (So soft and flaky) This is a lot of food. Granted, we had two of the appetizers the next day, but still. I'm okay hating myself for eating so much if the food in my belly is from Etch. Even the wine blew me away. Shout-out to our waiter Kenneth for being fantastic!! BUT NO TIME FOR DESSERT. Stupid concert reservations... I don't think you could eat anything that isn't absolutely delicious here, especially the waitstaff's recommendations. I wish I lived in Nashville just to come to Etch all the time.
Had an overall amazing experience at this restaurant. First, we asked our waiter if he recommended either the butter tasting or the bread tasting special. He told us to get the bread tasting special and it was delicious! There were three types of breads with unique toppings and we finished the entire thing. Next, we got the pork belly and kim chi appetizer which was a beautiful plate and also really great, but I did prefer the bread tasting. For entrees I had the halibut and my boyfriend had the venison and we both finished our plates. The service was great. The waiter was very knowledgeable and attentive to our needs. We would definitely come to etch the next time we are in Nashville.
(5)
Beth D.
Fantastic food and ambiance. Had Artessa Chardonay. Not commonly found where I'm from and was amazing. The octopus bruschetta was incredible Charcuterie salad was awesome and filet was done perfectly. Paul was our bartender/waiter. Excellent service and entertainment Wished we could've stayed longer to enjoy the setting but CMA fest was calling. Will definitely be back. Hope to see Paul!!! A great experience all the way around ! Cheers
(5)
Umesh W.
This is a great find, thanks to Yelp. We settled for this and it was a great move. The food was exceptional. They had great plates, from apps to the main course. I had the pork belly appetizer and the venison. Both plates were perfect. My drink, The Don was very nice, almost like a mint julep. The ambiance and the service was very good as well. Definitely a place to try.
(5)
Erin L.
Great food and great service. We had the Shrimp Bruschetta, Roasted Cauliflower, Butter Tasting and Mulligatawny Soup (a special) as apps and they were all delicious. I had the seared scallops (seafood of the day) and it was good, but I didn't love the purees included. My husband has the grilled filet and liked it a lot. The service was friendly, informative without being overly solicitous. Would definitely go back if I am in Nashville again.
(4)
Jennifer S.
Amazing amazing amazing!!! The food pairs really well and the combination of tastes are ones that you wouldn't originally think would go together. It's also a great price for the amount of preparation that goes into each dish. One of the best places I have eaten before.
(5)
Allie W.
One of my favorites in Nashville. I've ordered the cauliflower every time I've been and you just can't go without ordering it! I don't even like cauliflower and I LOVE etch's cauliflower. The butter tasting is also fun for the group. For entrees I've tried the steak, veal, cobia, and a special of scallops. All were superb but the cobia is absolutely amazing. An astounding mix of flavors that I would love to have again and again! You can't go wrong with a dessert either. They seem to change periodically but my favorite was a peanut butter chocolate cake that was rich and delicate and just delicious!
(5)
Christina V.
I was in town for business and didn't have a reservation. Was easily able to find a seat in the bar area which was perfect for a solo female diner. My server, Leah, was excellent with her recommendations of food, cocktails and wine. I started with a chilled carrot and beet soup that was decadent. I then had the special fish entree - ivory salmon. It was excellent!
(5)
Sonia C.
Etch was memorable. The name fits. We arrived early, a good habit that I am picking up (I'm not living up to my name) and the hostess sat us immediately. I was not too pleased with the table, it was next to the window, but it was only two of us, so I really couldn't complain. The decor was simple yet chic. Very zen. Our waiter showed up immediately and introduced himself, and gave us time to look through the wine list. We never felt rushed or forgotten. We settled on a simple Spanish Syrah ( their wine prices are reasonable). After the presentation of the wine, the waiter went through the menu with us and answered all of our questions. To me that is a plus when the wait staff knows the menu. The two appetizers were outstanding! The roasted cauliflower drizzled with truffle oil was amazing and it came with with crema that was blended with feta cheese that was indescribable. The pork belly was seasoned and cooked to perfection. The Etch salad was good, but I could have gone for more cauliflower. Now the entree, I had the fillet, med. rare, sitting on top of puree of potatoes, and dressed with peeled asparagus. The fillet was so good, ate all of my steak and left the sides there. Needed room for dessert. After much thought, we finally narrowed it down to the rhubarb and pecan tart. One word - delicious. Great food, great service and great ambience.
(5)
Cait C.
We had the cauliflower, beet salad, venison, colbia fish, and lemon tart for dessert. All of the dishes had a lot of interesting combinations and creativity, but sadly there's nothing that I would go back for a second time. I'm giving four stars for creativity and complex flavors. The dishes are contemporary and certainly spark conversation.
(4)
Jeremy J.
Amazing food and Amazing service. Our waiter James walked us through the entire experience and shared with us what some of the signature items are as well as what his favorites were. He was spot on with his suggestions. I would highly recommend the Roasted Cauliflower. You would think how can someone do Cauliflower any different but it was the sauces that made the app so great. Then the entree, again a signature Cobia. Light flaky white fish but it was very flavorful and each bite was different on the plate. Great job. Next time I am in Nashville, I will be coming back for sure.
(5)
Luke C.
All I can say is wow! The food here is amazing. Definitely a spot for a "foodie". Great menu with a good variety of dishes, awesome fusion of flavors and textures. Dressy attire, upscale atmosphere, nice place for a fancy date.
(5)
Andrew M.
Very good fine dining at etch. Great location and ambiance. We had a very nice time. I would recommend them any time.
(5)
Gabi M.
As the name implies, my dinner at Etch from a few weeks ago will be "etched" in my memory for a really long time... it was fabulous! I was the oddball out being the only non-vegetarian / vegan in the group, so there were many more selections that appealed to me than to my colleagues -- hello -- can you say the entire menu is amazing? Despite our different food preferences, our party of three agreed on more than a few things: 1 - Deb Paquette is one of the most talented chefs ever! 2 - Etch provides an incredible dining experience with top notch service inside a lovely modern venue. 3 - That cauliflower appetizer (even though we ordered it with everything on the side) is perfection. 4 - Ratatouille Crudo - mine as it comes and theirs without the cheese - also incredible... I especially loved this mix of healthy and fresh zucchini, fennel, carrots, champignons, basil micro greens, garlic olive oil, eggplant salt, red bell tomato essence, parmesan. (Seriously, I could make a meal on this alone!) In addition to the above, I had a glass of wine and the scallop entree. My veggie mates had the Katafi Pastry entree, slightly tweaked for their preferences. We all were extremely content with our selections. Unfortunately, with all of the aforementioned food, we had no room left for dessert. Such a shame because the entire dessert menu sounded insane in a good way. I only hope for a return visit one day to experience Etch yet again... Thank you Marcia M for suggesting we eat here and for making the reservation. For anyone that may be reading this review, if you can get a reservation, go for it. I guarantee you will etch some fond memories of your meal there as well. Enjoy!
(5)
Carl D.
Delicious! Roasted Cauliflower appetizer was amazing! Split the fillet, medium rare, and it came out to perfection. Wasn't excited after reading the dessert menu, but got the truffle and added ice cream and was super pleased. Service was very professional and offered a lot of options to help us make selections. If ur in downtown Nashville, I definitely recommend Etch!
(5)
David D.
Fantastic restaurant with very clean, healthy food in a modern, yet warm space. Salads are outstanding and very inventive without being overbearing. I found the service pleasant and since I sat at the chef's counter I was able to watch the meticulous attention to detail in prep, cooking, and especially presentation. They are more than happy to stray off the beaten path should you have any special requests and as a final tip try the coffee. It's great.
(5)
Joi B.
Exquisite. To the casual observer, Etch is not at all a vegan restaurant. The menu boasts such meaterific dishes as pork tenderloin, venison and steak filet rubbed with smoked duck butter, yet there are vegetarian options, all involving cheese and/or butter. All it took was a simple (not-so-simple, really, but she made it seem simple) request to our waitress to "veganize" the salads and vegetarian entree some dishes and voila, we received some of the best vegan food I've ever had! So before I get into the food, I need to give major props for the service. I appreciate that although dinner reservations are hard to come by at Etch, they do make every guest feel like they matter and service is impressive: friendly, polite and approachable. Sometimes trendy places like this one make you feel like you're lucky to be there, you know? Now that that's out of the way. The food: All three of us couldn't pass up that Ratatouille Crudo, so we each ordered our own. And we each devoured it! If you want this salad vegan, just get them to leave off the parm. A delectable tower of raw zucchini, carrots, micro greens, fennel and mushrooms marinated in greatness. It's the perfect light app to get you ready for what is sure to be an outstanding entree to follow. The Katafi pastry. INSANE. I keep looking at my photo and I am not lying when I say that my mouth actually waters with the sight and memory of this fantastic entree. They made this to order for us, leaving out the Fontina cheese. Although I admittedly do think a fine cheese can only make a dish more delicious, I can't imagine that it's necessary here. I believe the vegetarian dish changes according to season, so I'm not sure if the vegetables are going to be the same for you, but last week's dish included a pile of kale, a whole grain and a charred tomato. On top of this lovely arrangement is a bird's nest of phyllo. And there's three different bits of purees (olive? carrot? beet? Some combination thereof that tasted incredible) that compliment everything beautifully. I want some more immediately... only, I won't be back to Nashville for a month. Bravo, Etch. You win the best meal I've had all month award!
(5)
Stacy P.
I rarely give out 5 stars reviews, but Etch is seriously deserving of it. From the decor to the service and the food, Etch delivered. The decor is very modern. Upon entering you will find the host stand and a full bar with seating around it and separate smaller tables as well. The main dining area is an open concept design and you have full view into the kitchen. There are an additional two separate rooms that are used for larger groups. Space is not wasted in the dining room design. The smaller, two seaters line the windows, while the four tops fill the remainder of the room. There is enough space that separates you from your fellow diners as to not feel cramped. There is also seating at the kitchen counter for those who wish to have a show while they eat. Etch doesn't boast as separate gluten free menu, but don't let that detour you if you need to eat GF. All but one of the entries, the Katafi Pastry, can be modified to accommodate for this. The salads as well as some of the appetizers can be modified as well. The dining adventures started with the roasted cauliflower. If you had to chose one item on the menu, hands down, this is the best item. The truffled pea pesto sauce topped with salted almonds is hands down what made the dish. The smokiness of the almonds was balanced well with the pesto. The feta crema dip was nice, but didn't compare to the pesto. If truth be told, two servings of the pesto would work instead of having the feta crema on the plate. For the main entree I opted for the cobia which was modified to sit on top of sweet potato slices instead of the beignet to accommodate the dish to be GF. The dish, when you dissected all of the individual ingrediants (cobia, turkish spiced, brown buttered oranges, capers, olives, raisins, feta, almonds, and sweet potatoes), didn't seem like they would work as a whole, but the combination provided an interesting and extremely balanced. The acidity from the citrus was soothed by the feta and sweet potatoes. The meal was extremely satisfying. Etch will definitely be on my list to return to if I find myself in the area again.
(5)
Sha P.
Interesting menu. Was in Nashville for our anniversary and this place was recommended to us by a friend. We were not disappointed. Our server was amazing. The roasted cauliflowers were amazing and highlight of our meal.i ordered the cobia and my husband got the steak. Both were very well prepared and flavorful. Servers are professional and accommodating. Very nice decor.
(4)
Emily F.
not the best place to go if you're on a budget, but the food is absolutely amazing. The best is the fried cauliflower...yum
(4)
Kevin R.
Top notch place! The service was spot on and the meals we had were interesting and unique. I don't like fish in general, burnt wife got their specialty fish and it was really good! Quality place for a special night out. No regrets.
(5)
Julie D.
What a wonderful restaurant in Nashville! We had made a reservation well in advance, and it's a good thing we did. When we arrived, there were people waiting for a table. We were seated right away and had a small table for two by a window. Our server was wonderful, very professional and able to answer all our questions concerning the menu. Beverage choices were great. We started with the Etch salad, fennel, green apple, arugula, radicchio, blue cheese, crushed hazelnuts, all my favorites topped with a champagne vinaigrette. Could not have been any better than this. We also shared a butternut squash soup. So good. The bf ordered the Venison. It was spicy with cocoa chili and served with grilled sweet potato and okra. He loved it. For my meal, I got a petit filet. It was perfectly cooked and served with baked potato bread pudding and a little zucchini slaw. For dessert, we shared a Warm Vanilla Pound Cake. This was another great dining experience in Nashville.
(5)
Lawrence C.
Dined 12/5/13 & 12/10/13 Both times we sat at the "chef's table", which is really a long counter fronting the prep work stations with the actual cooking going on behind them. Fun to dine and watch the action. Easy to see the professionalism on display. On one occasion, the executive chef stopped to chat with us. The owners are working all the areas, and they too stopped to check on us frequently. The food is of course well prepared, and beautifully presented. We enjoyed the 'etch' salad, shrimp & tuna appetizer, and Brussels as a side dish so much we ordered each of them again on our return visit. Comprehensive offerings of wines by the glass, averaging @ $13/glass. Dessert star was the chocolate crunch.
(4)
Casey M.
My first time at etch did not disappoint. We started with the truffled cauliflower. It came with a pesto pea mousse type of sauce that was amazing. Also we got the butter tasting. Then for entrees I ordered the filet which was on top of a sourdough baked potato bread pudding! and ate every bite. The other entrees at the table were the cobia and venison which were both excellent. We were too full for dessert but I will def be going back
(5)
Kashmir A.
What a fantastic experience from start to finish! Let me just start out by saying that I travel with about 10-14 people a few times a year. We always like to have well rounded trips that start off with a nice dinner the night we arrive at our destination. Planning dinners for 14 people isn't always easy! Often you're offered limited menus or ridiculous check minimums. This was not the case with ETCH. I contacted Ali who is in charge of private dining and events. She was prompt in calling me after she received my email. She described the private dining area and let us know the minimum check amount ($750) which was very reasonable. We booked everything via email and we're all set for dinner. The night of the event we arrived we were brought right to our table, which was separated from the restaurant by glass walls. We had to option of closing the curtains, which we didn't. Our server was EXCELLENT! Ramesh was attentive and handled our large party with the help of another server. We probably has everything on the menu! Excellent craft cocktails and that BUTTER TASTING! I died... My boyfriend surprised me during dinner and proposed! They were right there with glasses of champagne. Splitting the check wasn't a problem, Ramesh handled it with ease. Our overall experience was fantastic. I love the ambiance, food, service and cocktails. I highly recommend ETCH when you're in Nashville!
We were looking for steak, wandered in here. Almost left after looking at the menu and seeing...one beef entree; pickled onions on the salad and grilled Lima beans - I wanted the 28 ounce Porterhouse with two pounds of mashed potatoes. But....the food was really good! The staff was really happy to be serving us, very attentive to our needs. Even though it wasn't quite what we were initially looking for I am glad that we went there; the food was nicely presented, there were some interesting sauces and the overall quality and taste were excellent. Try it, I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
(4)
Amy M.
Overall a nice meal, though I think they are trying too hard. This was my first meal in Nashville. I had read so many great reviews that I decided to make reservations for my weekend trip (met up with my college friend who was in Nashville for a conference). We ordered the much talked about cauliflower appetizer ($10). It was cauliflower. I love cauliflower. I eat a lot of cauliflower these days (weight loss super food)! It came with a couple sauces, a "truffled, pea-pesto" with marcona almonds, a roasted pepper sauce and a cauliflower-feta sauce..the truffled pea pesto was tasty though it didn't taste truffled and was nothing like pesto. I ordered the halibut special ($36) and my friend ordered the venison ($29). They were accommodating and substituted the "truffled potato cream" for the "truffled zucchini noodles" (again, I love the flavor of truffles and there wasn't even a hint of truffles noted). The wild mushrooms and the warm kale salad was quite tasty. Generous serving of halibut!! My friend's dish has a lot going on...lots of flavor. Overall an okay meal. Do I NEED to go back? No, not so much. I prefer amazing flavors that are a little less pretentious.
(3)
Elizabeth G.
I just got back with my friend and we had the most wonderful dinner. It was beyond our expectations. We shared the Shrimp and Octopus Bruschetta for an appetizer. The Berries and Beets salad was delicious. For our entrees we chose the lamb and filet which were out of this world. Then to top everything off with dessert, we had the Vanilla Meringue and Peanut and Chocolate Torte. The cocktails and wine were delicious. Everything was just perfect and Brooke and Amy gave perfect service! Etch is such a treasure of Nashville. It does not disappoint!
(5)
Megan K.
AMAZING lunch experience! I lived here for a couple years before I had ended up finding my way to Etch. I'm so happy I did--the meal was one of the best I've had in this city. The roasted cauliflower and tempura mushrooms were fabulous starters... unreal flavors. I went with the Brisket Papusa for my entree and it was insanely delicious--tender and flavorful, so many flavors and incredibly filling. The chocolate pretzel bar was one of the best desserts I've ever had. Can't recommend this place enough... the atmosphere is edgy and modern--we valeted--it's right across from the Music City Center, so I'd count on valeting, especially if you go on a busy night. Have fun! :)
(5)
Mike B.
One of the better restaurants I've eaten at. Every single dish from appetizer to entree was unique and delicious. Pay special attention to the different sauces that are drizzled around and be sure it incorporate into your bites. I look forward to heading back soon.
(5)
Lauren H.
Holy cauliflower! This place is just fantastic, from the food to the service an absolute 5 Star experience. I highly recommend their cauliflower starter, the chickpea side, the broccoli side and beet salad. The flavors are all very interesting in a great way, and the waiter wasn't scared to lead our pallets which made for a great dining experience. Seriously try this place if you're in town- easily the best food we have had so far!
We were seated quickly in the bar area, however had terrible service. We watched several tables around us get waited on while we were ignored. We ordered an appetizer that never came. We received it after asking and after being served our entrees. The food was good, but didn't seem to live up to the hype. Overall was disappointed because we had heard such great things.
(3)
Kevin J.
Excellent dining experience. Seven of us had a late dinner at Etch. The service and food were both top notch. Our waiter explained every dish and was very good in assisting us with the wines. The cauliflower appetizer was a standout. The accompanying sauces were great. Everyone was pleased with their mains. I had the cobia and it was excellent. Would definitely return.
(4)
Toni R.
Had a truly stellar lunch. I would think dinner would be even better!!! Fine service and lively decor accompany wonderful food, beautifully presented!
(4)
Holly F.
This is definitely a case of you getting what you paid for, meaning it is a bit pricey. But if you are looking for a creative restaurant where each plate has 15 delicious and perfected flavors then this is the place for you. There is nothing simple about any dish but in the most delightful way. I will certainly be returning my next trip to Nashville. Heavenly. (My only complaint was the lemon tart dessert, not up to par with the rest of the meal but couldn't' drag down the five star rating.)
(5)
Linda A.
It's been about a month since our visit and I'm just getting around to reviewing. I hope time hasn't knocked some of the shine off my review because we loved our experience at Etch. Hubby and I were celebrating our anniversary...finally! Etch is not an easy reservation to score when you're limited to weekends as we typically are. However, the stars aligned and we found ourselves both in town on a Monday night and decided to just take the easier reservation and have a Monday date! Wow...the service has to be mentioned first. Our server was just about perfect. I love it when a server can help you make choices and this young lady (alas, her name escapes me already) even helped me change my mind about my entree choice and I'm so glad she did! I had the Cobia, a fish I'd never tried before. So mild and delicious itself but the accompanying capers and olives made the flavor bright and just wonderful. My hub ordered the venison. Venison is our main protein source at home but this was such a treat. Next time, I'm getting that one for myself because I want my very own portion! We ordered the butter tasting and enjoyed it although I didn't swoon as much as some of the other reviewers. I have to make special mention about Chef Deb's willingness to adapt my husband's entree for his garlic allergy as well as our server's extra attention to steering him the right way with his entree choice with regards to the same. Always a plus with us! All in all this was a very special experience and just right for an anniversary. Look forward to returning!
(5)
Barry J.
From amazing hospitality to great food, this place, close to another great foodie spot has me denominating the shadow of the Country Music Hall of Fame as Foodie heaven. This place delivered from the moment I arrived with two college kids (foodies in training)--one hour before our reservation. They swept us into the restaurant early and the feast began. First, butter tasting, and lamb tartare. The butter tasting was a fun start and the lamb, a solid tartare. Timings perfect and Kim kept that exactly on target all evening. She was simply delightful and skilled at great service. Next we split two salads and that was plenty for three. The charcuterie salad had some great tastes and the beets and berries was stellar. The goat cheese semifreddo put us over the moon with the contrasting flavors. We saw some cranberries throughout the evening and that was thoughtful and fun. There was a Harissa based plate sauce. Everything good. Two of us had the signature Cobia. I know that violated foodie protocol but my daughter had her good friend along and I didn't know him well enough to include him on the family custom of everyone gets different items and shares. Next time he is "in". The Cobia is a new fish to me and I loved the dish. It was perfectly cooked. The oranges and berries in the dish complemented the fish nicely. The toasted almonds were perfect for the dish. I did become a bit Harissa-fatigued as I ate the rest of the portion...that does not hold me back from recommending the dish, however. We also had the venison. Also perfectly cooked to medium rare restaurant specks. Also Harissa-influenced. I had one lovely bite of this. Onto dessert. We again shared two. The Meyer lemon dessert was not exactly what we expected. It is a great choice for those wanting a more savory or neutral dessert. While a solid dessert, we thought it could use a bit more lemon flavor. Next the chocolate bread pudding. A triumph! We lingered at the table for a few minutes chatting. I am as close to five stars as I can be without going there. I admit I have become a tough grader. No hesitation in recommending this one!
(4)
Frank J.
Don't eat the entrees, appetizers are very good though. Soup had great texture and flavor. Cauliflower was cooked very nicely with lots of great dipping sauces. Scallop entree: scallops were only cooked on one side--lack of texture. All scallops were split open when served. Served over way too much lettuce with some sort of fried mushroom stuck on the bottom and hidden. Strange dish. Filet was a big ball of mush. No crispness to the meat. Tough to swallow. Again with a bunch of lettuce and asparagus thrown on top of the piece of meat. Would not order again. Service was very good. Atmosphere was nice and it was great getting to sit at the bar and watch the chefs in the kitchen work.
(3)
Kevin B.
Food and service were fantastic even during a tornado watch and hailstorm!
(5)
Todd B.
I just had one of the best dining experiences of my life at R'evolution in New Orleans, and I didn't think it could get much better. Then I came to Etch tonight in the South's other culinary capital, Nashville. It was a sublime experience. I was dreading going downtown to Etch due to the parking issues, but the parking lot across from the restaurant was reasonable, or the valet option is very convenient as well. Parking was a cinch, so I already was in a good mood. Then I was greeted warmly, and the bar was immediately in front of me, inviting me over for a drink. Fortunately, the table was ready immediately, so we sat down in a beautiful airy space with high ceilings, nice lighting and a contemporary design. Parts of the dining room face the open kitchen. The wine list is short but has nice selections, and several cocktails appeared interesting for my next visit. Our server was knowledgeable, sweet, attentive and came to our table just at the right time. She did not interrupt conversations. The food was prepared well and delivered in a timely way. We began with the shrimp bruschetta and the roasted cauliflower. Both were amazing, but I'll have to side with the cauliflower as the best simply because I was so surprised -- I don't like cauliflower because I find it bland. This was not bland in the least. The cauliflower is roasted and then drizzled in truffle oil, and served with green pea truffle and goat cheese dips. My friend chose the Short Rib entree, and again I was so surprised to find that I liked it. I'm not much of a short rib fan in most cases, but this short rib was served in a sushi-like fashion, with a crispy outer edge and succulent meat inside. It was accompanied by an equally delicious salad of greens, shrimp and clear noodles. I chose the Cobia because it spoke Mediterranean to me -- but don't be fooled! There is a beignet up under that grouper fish and mango salsa, and it was -- well, words fail me. I'm not feelig one bit guilty that I violated my low carb diet to have a beignet with fish. The dessert menu looked fabulous--especially the pumpkin semifreddo -- but I abstained because I already had a beignet. I'll definitely be back, and I'm telling everyone I know in Nashville and beyond to experience this extraordinary restaurant. This is going to be on a lot of national lists for 2013.
(5)
Rick H.
Fresh and expertly crafted plates. Reco: octopus & shrimp bruschetta, ratatouille crudo salad sub the duck...excellent flavor!
(5)
Juliet L.
Really yummy food, lots of vegetarian options. Good ambiance and drinks, too. Had a great time. The cauliflower appetizer is delicious. We also tried the butter sampling, which was fun.
(5)
Janet S.
Checked in for Happy Hour on Friday around 4.30pm. Got the small booth in the corner, I think there were about 3 other bar tables and seats at the bar. Octopus and Shrimp Bruschetta manchego, arugula, fennel, roasted tomato, capers, garlic oil, bacon $8, was large, definitely filling for 1 person. Two Model T cocktails $6 each Ford's Gin, Fever Tree Tonic, Chrysanthemum Honey Liquor, Grapefruit. It just tasted like a gin and tonic to us but a very good one and it certainly hit the spot before the sun went down. Service was excellent, food excellent much better than I expected, all in all a top notch place to be proud of and great for snooty out of town diners.
(4)
Victoria S.
Awesome food! Get the shrimp and octopus bruschetta! Surprisingly the filet was awesome too!! I was told the chocolate pretzel bar I was voted best dessert is Nashville so I had to try it!!! Sooo good! Friendly bartenders too! I would highly recommend.
(4)
Jeff W.
My wife and I went here a few days ago for lunch and it was awesome! The wait staff couldn't be any nicer and I rather enjoyed the simple but elegant ambiance of the room. We started off by having the Octopus and Shrimp Bruschetta for an appetizer, I would definitely recommend this to anyone. There were large chunks of octopus and shrimp all over the bruchetta which made every bite a good one. The sauce that comes on the side really give it a good kick too. For an entree I got the lobster hoagie and my wife got the roost beef sandwich. Both were great, the lobster hoagie came stuff with lobster salad, lamb bacon, avocado, and korean red chili cucumbers. It was a perfect size that filled me up without over doing it. The roost beef sandwich was huge and I loved the parmesan horseradish sauce and roasted asparagus they had on it. The horseradish sauce was the best horseradish sauce I have ever had! Both sandwiches came with homemade chips that were great, I wish I could buy a bag of them to go. I would recommend this place for lunch to anyone I know!
(5)
Brennan W.
I've been combing over the two and a half hours I spent at Etch, and I can't seem to find a single reason why this place would deserve less than 5 stars. Simply put, this was one of - if not the - best meal I've had in Nashville. The drinks were quite fantastic, and the wine list was extensive. The Butter Tasting pops up in so many reviews for a reason - it's a wonderfully enjoyable and unusual experience. The entrees were cooked to perfection and presented with care, with so many unconventional flavors combining in ways you'd never expect. Add a nice atmosphere, combined with a knowledgeable, courteous, helpful, and all-around excellent staff, and you've got a must-visit in the Nashville fine dining scene.
(5)
Vanessa L.
Just really, really well done. Balanced flavors, warm, knowledgeable service, exciting options, beautiful room... The list goes on. This is a slam dunk. Well done!
(5)
Anna J.
WOW, I AM so glad Chef Deb from Zola is back, and with a bang! Etch met all my expectations. I can honestly say that this place is better than Catbird seat! For starters, I shared the duck confit, it is the best duck confit I've ever had. The flavors and presentation was just divine! It just melted in my mouth. I am a huge meat eater, however, this particular night, I was captivated by the Cauliflower La Plancha, their vegetarian dish. The table next to us had it and it made me want it more so than the port tenderloin I was originally going to get. Boy, I definitely made the right decision! Although I bet the pork tenderloin would be great as well. The dish was giant! It literally was half of the cauliflower rod, and lots of mushrooms, kale, onions, etc... the sauces were scrumptious! The BEST veggie dish ever! My boyfriend had the short ribs... they were just as great! So unique as well, who thinks of deep frying short ribs?! But the crunch complimented the fork tender ribs perfectly. The side of stir fry was delicious as well. For desert we shared the panna cotta. This was my least favorite part of the meal, but I think it just was a little heavy on the spice... ginger...cinnamon? not sure, but the sorbet on top was great! I am already planning my next trip here!
(5)
Kim P.
From food to drinks to service, everything was great! You know it's good when you wish you didn't have to share an appetizer dish and ask the waitress to bring some bread so you can clean up the delicious sauce left on the plate. Oh, I didn't even want to share my dinner even though I was pretty full by the time it came out. I was excited to have it for leftovers the next day (scallops). I was surprised that there were more than 4 large scallops! That doesn't happen often at an upper scale restaurant. Somehow I made it to dessert too. I would definitely come back here.
(5)
Reed K.
Rattatouie salad with chicken for lunch was just outstanding. Have eaten here twice before and neither time was I blown away by the creativity and favor of the food but that changed with this simple but delicious salad. Very well done. Service has been good each time I've been the Etch. Cool spot.
(4)
Terry V.
I have been here for both lunch and dinner and it's ON POINT. The service is just excellent and the food is even better! I am so happy that I was able to taste Chef Deb Paquette's amazing creations. I missed out when they closed Zola so I wanted to eat there as soon as I heard that she was head chef!!! The valet was great and helps so much when you are a time constraint and don't have time to park. I'd much rather spend my time in the restaurant eating than trying to find parking! When you walk in, the hostess is very friendly and will gladly check your coat for you. Loved that touch. Everyone is friendly and I think the service is just excellent! They want you to have the best experience and they mean it. My lunch selection: Cobia! It had a nice caribbean spiced, mango pineapple salsa on the side with the fish on top of a fried donut bread accompanied with trinidad tamarind hot sauce (not hot), and tangerine butter. I love spicy food but I did not think it was spicy at all so don't get thrown off by the hot sauce. I actually that it had a nice tart touch because of the salsa. Then, I HAD to get a little dessert. The pumpkin semifreddo is FABULOUS. It is a pecan meringue cake with pecan crumble, pumpkin puree, and orange gastrique. Then you get two torched vanilla and spice marshmallows!! This is a great place for a power lunch, lunch date, lunch gathering, etc. I love how versatile it is. You feel chic when you are there and don't really want to leave. Anyone else agree with me? On another occasion, I went for dinner with a great group of friends. I had their duck confit for an appetizer and I LOVED it. The duck confit has fig foie gras butter, jalapeno, orange peel, bread, balsamic blackberries, and mustard seed. It had so many flavors and the duck was fantastic! Then, I had the pork tender loin. It was good but not the best I have ever had. It had porcini dusted with manchego, caramelized onion, potato, chorizo, spanish mountain mushroom sauce, and truffle oil. I would like to order the lamb shank or filet next time. Tip: Order the CHARRED BRUSSEL SPROUTS! I have never been a fan of brussel sprouts but they are done RIGHT here. They have such an amazing flavor and I seriously could have eaten the entire serving but I had to share! :) The only other ingredient was smaltz butter. Fantastic surprise! If I had any guests coming into town, I would definitely put this on the list of places we would HAVE to go and I hope you do too!
(5)
Ismar K.
This place aight. It's new, so service is on point. Not too expensive. Pushed the cauliflower on us and it was good. Beet salad was Phreshhhh.
(4)
Tony P.
Top 5 best lifetime food and service experience. While the wizard remained behind the curtain somewhere, the kitchen efficiently produces consistently excellent plates of delicious food. A small custom design flavor factory. Amazing flavor combinations. Suggestion: You have to have the "Don" cocktail - a Manhattan - with the duck confit. Mind blown! Many amazing dimensions to this food beverage spiral elevation of one's taste buds. French toast foie gras boo yah! Duckulence! The service at the front counter was a theatre of affectation, a steady stream of dedicated food delivery system food bees buzzing about the hive. And I enjoyed conversing with the truly dedicated staff who effortlessly made my meal more enjoyable with every brief witty and insightful visit. The woman beside me was having what looked to be her 24th birthday party. Its that kind of place. You'll remember it forever. Music City Food. There was a delicious rhubarb with gelato amazing crumbly primordially satisfying ooze at the end as well. Stellar!
(5)
Alexis R.
Absolutely outstanding. Hands-on owner/chef. Everything was top notch and I rarely ever say that.
(5)
Leah G.
I had a delicious roast beef and asparagus sandwich last week... Everyone else at my table ordered a small salad covered in what looked like sprouts. Needless to say, they were all eyeballing my plate. Service was OK, but a little slow especially considering the mostly empty tables around us. I would recommend for anyone looking to try something a bit different.
(4)
Julia A.
Blown away by the expertise of the staff here. Our waiter explained all the combinations and ingredients down to the last detail. I've never had dishes that had so many seemingly dissimilar ingredients. However, all the tastes worked so well together. Whoever prepared the menu definitely knew how to make lively dishes. This restaurant is predominately meat, which makes it easy to find sauces and vegetables that complement the main courses. Highly recommend for any occasion, but do try to dress up.
(5)
Kim U.
My favorite Nashville restaurant is Margot, but Etch gives it a good run for the money. Whenever we're headed to a concert at the Schermerhorn, this is our go-to restaurant choice. Not inexpensive, but delicious and worth every penny. Make sure you get the cauliflower appetizer and the butter tasting. Pros: *Fantastic and innovative food options *Great wine list *Really on-the-ball waitstaff who pay attention *Location Cons: *Not that many vegetarian options (but what is available is amazing) *Can be hard to get a reservation - book early if you know you want to come here Kid-friendly scale: Nope. No. Absolutely not. Don't even think about it. Vegetarian-friendly scale: Get the cauliflower appetizer for your entree. You will not regret it. They're also very good about modifying when possible to turn a dish into a vegetarian option - like the butter tasting which sometimes contains lards. Let your waiter know and they'll work with you. I'd love to see some more variety in their vegetarian options, or if they offered some daily vegetarian specials. Protip: on our last visit, the waiter or front staff mentioned that if we were coming to the Schermerhorn, we should just valet park at Etch and leave our car there for our concert. We haven't tried this yet, but it could be really convenient depending on cost.
(5)
Lisa N.
I live in the area. I now have been to Etch but I do not feel the need to go back. Here is why: I chose Etch after hearing praise from many friends and colleagues and because we often dined at Zola in the past. I even went down a list of "best" restaurants in Nashville and cross-referenced reviews because I wanted the night to be memorable for my husband's birthday. I made reservations online, and we showed up at our designated time. The two hostesses did not actually greet us with a "Hello, welcome to Etch..." kind of greeting, but just started searching the computer for our names and having a lengthy discussion in front of us about who of the staff could "take us." To me this is not professional and made me panic for a couple of minutes as I worried they did not actually have my reservation. When one of the hostesses took us into the dining room, there were many two-tops available, but we were seated 5 feet away from a table of loud Midwestern tourists. Our tiny table was next to large windows, but since the afternoon sun was setting, shades were drawn, which felt even more claustrophobic. Certainly it was better than having the sun in our eyes, and the servers did raise the shades as soon as the sun went behind Bridgestone, but the room is not a romantic, special atmosphere. As for the food, which is why we were there, there were definitely some high points, although there was always an exception that kept each dish from reaching the "amazing" level. The oft-lauded roasted cauliflower appetizer is unique and tasty. My ratatouille crudo was just OK - rather bland. My husband loved the scallops, and my filet was delicious and well cooked, although VERY salty. The red wine gravy had a bitter aftertaste, and the beef was almost overwhelmed with about two cups of asparagus "whisps," making the duck butter moot. We split a dessert, a chocolate pretzel bar recommended as a favorite by our server. It was excellent and the only item all night that I ate with abandon. Overall, we had a nice evening out that should have been much more special. I had noted in my online reservation that it was my husband's birthday, and while I don't expect singing, clapping servers or a free meal, I mentioned it because IMHO truly great restaurants know that, for many, spending $150 on a meal is a big deal, and a few kind words from an attentive employee can make the occasion memorable. No one ever mentioned it. Maybe they don't pay much attention to the Open Table reservations, but that is the problem. If you take reservations, you KNOW who is coming. Figure out "who goes where" ahead of time, not while they are standing in front of you. Greet people like you're happy they chose your place, not as if they are interrupting you. So I guess I am writing this review more for the staff because the generic service made what was supposed to be a special occasion just ... ordinary.
(3)
Dennis W.
Simply wonderful food. The cobia is one of their signature dishes and it was prepared perfectly with various spices and accompaniments that brings out everything that this fish is and can be. The 7oz filet was superb and prepared exactly to order. They etch salad and the beet and berry salads were farm fresh and the cauliflower is a one of a kind must have. Can't say enough about Etch!
(5)
Kim S.
Fantastic experience! Started off the night with drinks in the bar and Paul and Malia made it a real treat! Extremely warm and friendly and poured to perfection these two had the night off to a great start. These guys know what they are doing- absolutely amazing service. Dinner was fantastic- some do not miss are the octopus and shrimp bruschetta and the lamb tartare- unbelievable. Finish with the seasonal fruit dessert- easily missed by the menu description and you will have an evening not to be forgotten!
(5)
Kenny Y.
Great but Expensive
(4)
Timothy H.
I enjoyed my first experience at Etch tonight. The roasted cauliflower appetizer was outstanding and is a great dish to share (you get plenty of it). I also had the soup of the day (a delicious bisque) and the lamb chop for my entree. The chorizo brik that came with the chop gave the dish a nice hint of spice, and the eggplant added some heartiness and additional texture. The lamb was a perfect medium rare. Etch had 6 beers on tap, all reasonably priced, mostly sticking to local brews. They had a good mix in those six, with selections ranging from wheat to ipa to porter. I always appreciate when restaurants with great food keep a solid rotation of brews on tap, so kudos to etch. The service was great, very attentive and kept drinks filled. There was also complimentary valet parking, which is quite helpful in that part of town. If I had to give a negative I would say some might have found the staff to be too attentive (they literally explained each ingredient of the dish when ordering and once the dish came out! Might be a little much for some people, but I appreciated it). Overall, a terrific experience and worth checking out.
(5)
David R.
Hands down, one of the best restaurants in town. The flavors are assertive, bold and balanced. I'd write more but feel that that's wasting your time. Go. Explore. Be delighted.
(5)
A B.
My boyfriend and I were in Nashville for the weekend and wanted to try a restaurant we had not experienced yet. This place is one I would recommend to any of my friends, and will definitely go back! All of the ingredients are very unique but so tasty! We started with the Octopus and Shrimp Bruschetta, which was incredible! Definitely not your typical tomatoes and garlic on bread. We split the Etch Salad, which was a perfect portion for us both, and it was so good! He had the venison and I had the grilled lamb as our entrees. Both were excellent and delicious! I believe the menu changes frequently, which is something I appreciate! Justin was an excellent server and was very knowledgeable about different ingredients. We will definitely return here!
(5)
Ed K.
Return trip...even better. (If you can deal w/ downtown)
(4)
Sloane S.
I'd been hearing about the legendary Etch for months and finally landed a reservation on a snowy Monday evening. My friend and I went early, wanting to take advantage of the fantastic happy hour offerings. (discounted apps, 4 dollar drafts, 5 dollar select wines, and 6 dollar select cocktails). Unfortunately, when we were seated and I asked for a happy hour menu, the hostess informed me that in order to enjoy happy hour, we had to sit at the bar. This isn't listed anywhere on the website or menu, so my friend and I began our experience a in a state of slight disappointment. She ordered the Model T and I ordered the Jack and Cocchi. The cocktails were good, but not stellar. Not worth $9. Verrrry strong, though. She ordered the Pork Tenderloin, and I ordered the Cobia. Oh. My. God. If I am every lucky enough to taste something so heavenly ever again, I will be the luckiest lady twice. It was a remarkably prepared fish, situated atop a large beignet and surrounded with an orange glaze, almonds, cranberries, and a mild feta. Foodgasm. I was so enthralled with my own dish, I didn't even look at my friend's pork tenderloin, but we both cleared our plates, not leaving a single morsel. We talked about the meal for days, and will (hopefully) return before we graduate in May. So, in summary: Happy Hour is in the bar. Strong cocktails, Make a reservation far in advance. You absolutely cannot go wrong with anything on the menu.
(4)
Aaron F.
Excellent food selections that offer creative options you may not see elsewhere. The roast cauliflower in truffle oil was very nice. Wonderful atmosphere, convenient parking (complimentary valet with validated ticket), wines are a bit pricey but good selection. If you're looking for a nice upscale dinner, highly recommend Etch!
(4)
Jill N.
Trendy place with great food and atmosphere. We ate at the kitchen/chef bar which was fun and interactive and a little less formal than sitting at a table. We skipped appetizers as it was late and just ordered the grilled 7oz filet. WOW. Absolutely delicious. Especially be zucchini slaw. I wish the entree came with more. I would definitely recommend to others and would go back again.
Amazing restaurant with excellent food and nice (if not terribly fast) service. The food combinations are quite novel and interesting, and pretty tasty. The price was not terribly high.
(4)
Jessica H.
Ate at Etch last night with my friends as we visited Nashville making a reservation on open table. My review is mixed. When we first entered the restaurant, the smell was so bad that we almost left immediately. I am not sure if there was a sewer leak or what but it was completely unpleasant. The hostesses were not very welcoming and seemed very new to the concept of greeting clients. The food was excellent. Service with James was very good. I would recommend the roasted cauliflower with the smoked pea pesto and the Cobia. I enjoyed the chef's layering of flavors and textures which is familiar to us from out West. If a restaurant review was Only about the food then they would receive a 5. One more thing about the front end service... When we were leaving, we asked the valet if he could arrange a cab and rather than arranging for us, he told us the number. Not Cool! As the cab company wanted the exact location with zip code and cross streets. That was not the southern hospitality that we had been experiencing all over the rest of Nashville. The good news that it should be easy to fix the problems with the valet, rude hostesses, and the disgusting stench upon entry. At least they have a great chef and James to wait on you.
(3)
Andria J.
Great experience! Entrees and apps were delightful. Brussel sprouts were not good at all. Service was great! A little loud but great experience!
(4)
Kristin L.
I knew Etch was scheduled to open sometime this fall, but wasn't sure when, but the stars aligned last evening when I happened to be downtown on their opening night with no dinner plans. The restaurant is located in a previously unoccupied corner of the Encore building; it's a fantastic alternative to all the more casual eateries on Broadway if you're looking for a nice dinner or fancy cocktails after work. No doubt, it will be packed to the brim once the Music City Center and Omni open their doors in 2013. Going to any restaurant on opening night is always a huge risk, but you would never have known Etch had just opened its doors--it seemed as if they'd been perfecting their techniques, service and menus for years. And that's probably because their leader, Deb Paquette (formerly of Zola fame), has been one of Nashville's biggest culinary treasures for decades. The meal started with fresh-baked rosemary rolls, of which each of my party ate two (and would have gobbled down more had we not been afraid of being too full once the main course arrived). I ordered the cauliflower steak not because I'm a vegetarian but because the description intrigued me so. It was an explosion for the senses--the confluence of the textures, the tastes and fresh ingredients (including pea pesto, miso blue cheese gravy, kale, fennel and caramelized onions)--and I will be dreaming about that meal for months to come. I also had the ginger grits, which were delightful and unlike any Southern dish I've ever tasted. My sister ordered the filet, which was accompanied by a decadent mushroom bread pudding (pardu), smoked red wine gravy, asparagus whisps and rosemary duck butter. I'm not sure which dish I liked better! Needless to say, I helped her clean her plate. I always feel a restaurant in the best judge by how it prepares chicken given that's typically the one choice that is glossed over by the chef, so when my cousin ordered the chicken I was eager to try it. Mounds of fresh greens and other ingredients (sage vinaigrette, fennel, farro, tomato, parmesan, prosciutto) were piled atop the pan-fried bird, like a combination of a pizza and a salad. And don't even make me try to explain the dessert. Pastry chef superstar Megan Williams--who was previously at Urban Grub and Capitol Grille--rose to the occasion to create a menu that featured such items as goat cheese almond semifreddo with almond meringue, hibiscus sauce, raspberry gelee and honey; milk chocolate chai panna cotta with dark chocolate sauce, pear sorbet, toasted hazelnuts and hazelnut tuile; and the goat milk vanilla and milk chocolate caradmom pistachio ice cream. We sampled a bit of everything: The ice cream with the salty cookie crumble was by far my favorite, though you can't go wrong with *any* of her desserts! The cocktail menu is nothing to stop at either. We went with these server's recommendation of the Maker's Mark whiskey cocktail. Let's just say it's good enough that I had a second and would have had a third had I not been driving. Having moved here from San Francisco a year ago, I feel like I am a good judge of culinary panache. And the fact that this city continues to surprise me--in an excellent way--is all only a solidifying factor in our decision to relocate permanently. When I went to City House earlier this week for Sunday Supper, I thought dinner in Nashville couldn't be any better. And then I tried Etch. All future meals no doubt will be judged based on my experience there--and you better believe I will be back very soon!
(5)
Mark L.
I'm still a little speechless after last night's dinner here. It was amazingly good. Kenneth was an outstanding server. He sized us up and matched our mood perfectly: coming when needed, offering perfect advice, friendly, but a complete professional. We tried as much as 3 people could comfortably eat from the menu. The cauliflower app is great, what a healthy, but rich treat. The beet salad was beautiful and delicious. I had the scallops for my entree and was overwhelmed. The fried mushrooms complimented the greens and the scallops so well, I can't believe I haven't had this combination before. So good! We split grits and brussels sprouts for our sides. I am a sprout fiend and loved the caramelized onions mixed with them. Amazing! We knew we had to save room for dessert, so we tried to pace ourselves. They all were wonderful. I'm gushing about Etch, but all 3 of us were stunned after we finished. Was it the best meal we've ever had? Damn close, if not. I'm in Nashville on business, but will scheme and plot to come back and eat here again. It was just great.
(5)
Sejal M.
We had great service and the atmosphere is fantastic. The food was pretty good. I wouldn't say it was spectacular but nonetheless, we did enjoy our meal.
(4)
Ryan H.
After reading Marcia's review I had to get my wife and I there. Saturday night and after a few drinks and some great music we wandered over to Etch. My wife is part vegetarian so the Cauliflower app seemed perfect. We got there and the hostess told us that the restaurant was 'fully committed" for the rest of the evening. I think she was telling us no tables available. Never heard it that was but made perfect sense. But luckily enough the bar area was available if anyone got up and, just like the rest of the weekend for us, we were in the dime zone and someone got up. And no one else was waiting. Thank you Elvis! We sat at a great high table with view of the restaurant, outside, and the entire bar area. "Tall Paul" was our bartender/waiter and I can only tell you that he, in addition to the food, made our evening. As Tom Cruise said, he competed us. Well not exactly like that. But I hope you get the jist of what I am saying. He first suggested the perfect beer for our taste after my wife changed my mind on the bottle of Prosecco. She was right in that we did not need that much. Just food. We had the Tuna Shrimp appetizer which was delicious but 3rd in line of creativity and taste. The Cauliflower App is what we came for and we were not disappointed. Wow. I think that more than half the folks that we saw got this and I doubt anyone was disappointed. Lot of baked Cauliflower with 2 sauces to dip them in. Mix all three and it was Nirvana! I know what you are thinking. He said 3 appetizers. Surely that last one was tops. Well, because of the utter disregard for health and the cleverness of the last app along with how damn good it was we ordered the 4 Butter Tasting. They brought out fresh soft yummy roles and some other baguette type bread with 4 big globs of butter. It was much better presented than my explanation. It included a Duck Confit, Peanut butter and honey, Smoked, and Truffle set of butters. Not sure if they would do it but next time I think I would ask to skip all of them for the Truffle flavor. It was stupendous. Not to take away from the others as they were all fantastic but the truffle created a new reason for living. Hands down my favorite thing I ate in Nashville. Maybe it was a little bit of the alcohol speaking but I really think I enjoyed it that much. "Tall Paul" was our favorite server on our 48 hour trip by far and the food was equally as good so Etch is now my favorite can't miss spot in Nashville. If I ever go back, it will be amongst our stops. Thanks for the great service and the delectable food! As good or better than what we are used to in Charleston! And I thought that Nashville was a music and BBQ town. Etch brings it up to a Foodie haven as well!
(5)
Will H.
Four of us visited Etch last night, and we were absolutely blown away. The atmosphere, the food, and the service were all spectacular. Other reviewers have already talked about the modern decor. The space is very open without being cold or overwhelming. The place was pretty full, but (avoiding a pet peeve of mine) the noise level in the room did not interfere with our conversations. A seat at the bar would give you a fabulous view of the open kitchen; I settled for facing the kitchen and trying to catch glimpses from afar of the magic being created. The food and the service were both brilliant. Our waitress struck that wonderful balance of attentive, but not intrusive; she answered our questions about the menu with informative charm. We tried several cocktails, all tasty; I'd recommend the Hemingway for a sour rum treat or the Whiskey Smash for Maker's sweetened after the manner of a mojito. We started with the butter tasting -- that's four different butters with delectable breads and rolls, and for under five bucks you're a fool if you skip it. The octopus and shrimp bruschetta appetizer was fantastic and contained the best octopus I've ever eaten; our waitress said it had something to do with sous vide, but I was too busy inhaling it to listen closely. The entrees were stunningly presented and delicious. My partner had scallops prepared expertly; my steak was scrumptious. Desserts were heavenly, but we hardly had room; we didn't finish a panna cotta, but we inhaled the "mocha" (actually a chocolate cake with caramel mousse and coffee pot de creme). Etch is already the sort of place that I would take a visitor from NYC or SF to prove that we have quality restaurants in Nashville. It is a cut above other places I already love here. You really should go.
(5)
Jed K.
Found it underwhelming. The cauliflower was good. The venison dry and uninspiring. Tithe atmosphere was ok. Lots of better places in Nashville for my task ,rolf and daughters, city house and husk come to mind. Could be better
(3)
Tom K.
It's okay, but not worthy of the hype. The food is acceptable and the service is good, but this is not by any means a major dining experience. With that said, Etch should be in your lunch rotation if you work downtown.
(3)
Emily K.
Service was slow. But they have the best ice in their drinks. The steak was amazing! The martini's really good also.
(3)
Marc B.
Really did not expect that quality and innovation. Would recommend this place for a solid meal.
(4)
Allison H.
Food-wise, I would give Etch five stars. I had to lower my rating due to the glacial pacing between the appetizer and entree. I mean, how can you not start off a restaurant with at least 3-4 stars if it has a freakin' BUTTER TASTING? Which was delicious, by the way, and I wanted to put it on everything (I might've smeared extra truffle butter on my steak). My table also really loved the octopus and shrimp bruschetta. Really interesting flavors that just worked together perfectly. I was so excited that this place was living up to what I had read about it, but then.. I guess the kitchen was in the weeds big time, because we must've waited well over half an hour for our entrees. The manager walked by us and I think he noticed our unhappy faces, and he came over and asked if all was well. We said we'd been waiting a while, and he rushed into the kitchen, realized we were right, and immediately comped them. I was not even going to ask for anything so drastic, but it was appreciated. It wasn't our server's fault at all, I don't remember her name but she was great and gave excellent wine recommendations. If I lived in Nashville I would absolutely go back and give it another shot. I was a little concerned that the entrees would be rushed and not up to par, as that can happen in that sort of situation, but I'm pleased to say they were all lovely. I liked the ginger grits side; not something I would've thought of, but the flavor was awesome. Almost forgot - we were a bit early for our reservation and had a drink at the bar beforehand. Really pleasant and nice bartender. I would've been happy to hang out there all night.
(3)
Benita M.
I had my 30th birthday dinner at Etch over Labor Day weekend. Everyone in my group of six loved everything we ordered. Word of warning: servings are huge! I was stuffed after our table shared a butter tasting (a must order!) and two orders of the cauliflower ( amazing) and I ordered one of their soups of the day, a to-die-for summery gazpacho with watermelon. My soup came in a seemingly never-ending bowl. By this point, I could have called it a night. But my entree was on its way. I'm a vegetarian and I ordered the nest with vegetables and cheese and a delicious sauce. It was a very large portion and I only ate about a third of it. It was very good but nothing too exciting. I preferred the appetizers and soup so next time I would likely make a meal out of those instead. My server was wonderful and I felt bad as she thought I didn't like it but since we were going out that night and taking cabs, I had to decline her offer of boxing it up. Despite how stuffed I was, I decided I had to order dessert considering it was my birthday. I ordered a dark chocolate, hazelnut torte, which exceeded expectations.
(4)
Sam N.
You know when you find yourself saying "that meal was good, but not quite as good as Etch" at every nice restaurant you go to, you found something special. Etch was one of the best meals I've ever had - not just in Nashville. Everything about it was fantastic: the food, the service, and the atmosphere. We sat at the bar, which was right outside of the kitchen so you could watch everyone work. I was a little nervous it would be distracting but it actually was quite interesting, and it meant that service was extremely prompt! Our food was great as well, and even the butter sampler appetizer we got was memorable and delicious. We love dining out, and do so often (probably too often), and the fact that we keep thinking about this place should speak volumes. If you are in Nashville and like nicer restaurants, go here. It's not even a question.
(5)
Ryan O.
Etch is certainly one of the top 5 restaurants in the city. Chef Deb Paquette is among the Nashville elite and Etch reflects every bit of that. If you don't want take my word for it just consult any of the recent accolades like best restaurant by Nashville Lifestyles or the number one spot on Eater Nashville's June 2013 heatmap. As if the food were not enough here, the presentation and plating really push this place over the edge. I would say in that category it IS the best in Nashville. The dishes are so beautiful it's like eating artwork. I could go on and on about some of the dishes here but the menu rotates often so it's probably pointless. If I had to classify it I would call it world cuisine but Deb's agenda here is to serve dishes that would be very hard to make at home. In that regard I think she really hits the mark as you'll see things on the menu here that you just won't find even a remote semblance anywhere else in town. One staple that seems to remain on the menu though that I really love is the butter tasting. Specifically, and this is not a joke, the duck butter. With its abundant thyme flavor and infusion of duck (fat?) combined with the rosemary bread, it's a combination that always tastes reminiscent of Thanksgiving to me. That's a nostalgic feeling and it's pretty damn awesome. A final note about the food, the desserts here are really, really incredible. The pastry chef here is truly outstanding and you should not skip dessert here under any circumstances. As far as spirits go, the bourbon and whiskey list is rather paltry but they do have a few great drinks on the cocktail menu. I particularly like The Don which essentially a black manhattan but I also seem to recall seeing classics like a Boulevardier and Negroni on there as well. They even use real luxardo style cherries which is an added bonus. The only real negative I can come up with is that the price point is a bit on the high side but it almost pains me to say that since I think what you get is worth every bit of the cost. The lunch menu is very economical though and I would encourage you to check it out as the price to value ratio there is excellent.
(5)
The Peggy H.
At lunchPaul the bartender provided the best customer service we experienced in Nashville! Not only was the food delicious but his friendly cadence and invite back with suggested meal was plenty to convince us to come back tonight for the Venison.
(5)
Kathryn M.
We went to Etch today for lunch, the food was delicious (we ordered the fish tacos and beef brisket), but it took 45 minutes for us to get our food after we ordered. The service was good, but it took forever to get our drinks and food. Go for good food but only if you're okay with waiting.
(3)
Max N.
If you're visiting Nashville and enjoy fine dining, you legitimately should not leave without visiting Etch. Something I very much appreciate about Etch, first and foremost, is that it isn't a "twist on southern food" like most other restaurants in the area. With a spectacular chef, an almost to good to be true wait staff and assumingly top notch management, I can guarantee a fantastic experience. I have heard some people mention that it "looks like a hotel lobby," and though I can see some similarities that does not at all take away from it's elegance and ambiance. Absolutely comparable to a five star restaurant in New York or Los Angeles.
(5)
Sarah W.
Let me tell you a secret. I would eat the cauliflower at Etch every.damn.day . if I could. It's that amazing. No. But for real. It is incredible. Let me say that again. The cauliflower is utterly divine. Etch is a wonderful addition to the downtown area. It is one of the places I will venture downtown for and it is definitely where I like to go after a concert a the Schermerhorn or a show at TPAC ...or just anytime, really. Service is always flawless, from the valet to the hostess to the servers to the bar staff. Never have I ever been received with anything less than a lovely smile, a soft welcome and an "enjoy". The butter tasting is ridiculous. And I am not that crazy about butter. The offerings are wonderfully flavored. The cauliflower is a reason to go all on its own! Smoke pesto pea puree and almonds and creamy cheese on the side, not withstanding, the flavor of the roasted cauli all by itself is just delectable. Back in the days when I ate meat, the fish, duck and steak were superb. Extremely well seasoned and cooked with perfectly complimenting side dishes. The salads are wonderful and creative. The drinks are delicious and the staff knowledgeable about what they have to offer. I have visited in jeans, dressed to the nines and just about everything in between. I always feel comfortable and not out of place. The only downside? No martini glass. What is that about? Nutshell: GO. NOW. Wait, call me first and I will join you. :)
(5)
M R.
We traveled to Nashville for our anniversary and the Labor Day holiday weekend, and dined at Etch for the third time. It NEVER disappoints. Like Johanna's review says, words can barely do the experience justice. Our serverLane was terrific and everyone else we encountered was friendly and you can tell this place attracts people who are passionate about food, as we are. Rule Number One at Etch: Order the cauliflower appetizer. I know, I know, CAULIFLOWER?? Trust me, even if you're just meh on cauliflower in general, this app will simultaneously change and blow your mind. Put a bit of cauliflower on your fork, then take your knife and add a Marcona almond, and a little of the accompanying smoked truffle English pea puree and feta crema. I recommend you chew slowly and close your eyes to keep the tears of joy from escaping as you savor the perfect bite. The charcuterie salad is an outstanding second course. Featuring a superb combination of flavors, including smoked lima beans and pickled onion (yum!), it's topped with a few crispy fried oyster mushrooms, and the whole thing is delightful. (Also, it's huge so I recommend splitting it between at least two people.) For dinner we split the scallop entree. Welcome to the world's most perfectly cooked, tender, sweet, large sea scallops (U12 is my guess). They're served with a trio of mushrooms (grilled, confit and tempura). The rest of the setup includes smoked shallot vinaigrette, bacon, greens, and once again two perfect, velvety sauces to play with (butternut garlic essence & beet sriracha). Chef Deb Paquette is a master of combining not only the right whole ingredients but also the perfect preparations for each one. Her use of spice, smoking, and pickling creates a culinary experience you won't soon forget. One more thing... Deb's culinary vision would never be brought to life if not for skilled execution, so big fat delicious kudos to the entire culinary team at Etch! If you're like us, once you visit Etch you'll yearn to come back again and again.
(5)
Lindsay B.
Incredible atmosphere, love that the kitchen is so open that you can see the chefs at work. Food was delicious- we had the pork and duck dishes and thoroughly enjoyed both. We started with the butter tasting which was unique and also tasty. I also tried the Hemingway cocktail and it was delicious. I felt like the only downfall of the night was the service- our waiter was just fair at best, not very attentive. I'd definitely recommend people check out this new place! P.S. The valets at this place were fantastic- great Nashville advice and they literally ran to get the cars :)
(4)
Leigh D.
Went back recently and didn't have as great of an experience. The portions felt very large and over salted/seasons. After eating there, I felt pretty gross. Sad update. -------------- A perfect dining experience. From the moment we walked in the staff was incredible attentive and helpful. The hostess was able to get us a table as soon as we were ready and, in the meantime, the waitress in the bar area recommended terrific drinks to kick things off. Our waitress was very knowledgable about the menu and the Chef. Chef Deb Paquette is an absolute magician! Everything was perfect. Unique, unexpected flavors that were perfect combinations. Here's what I had: (HIGHLY recommend everything) Butter Tasting: truffle butter, smoked plugra butter, goat butter, duck butter Special Soup: Corn and ____ puree with watermelon chutney Venison: moroccan spiced, sweet potato guava, ginger grits, pear butter, cranberry sumac relish Cannot wait to go back.
(3)
Joe N.
Great food and great service. Roasted cauliflower and etch salad were my favorites. Sit at the counter and watch the kitchen process.
(5)
L. M.
Impeccable service and every dish we ordered was delicious. We did the butter tasting and had the duck confit, cauliflower, spaghetti squash, and scallops. Everything was delicious!
(5)
Catherine F.
Fantastic food and service. Happy hour is fun, but sit in the main dining room for dinner. The scallops are perfectly done and Amy is a great waitress. Wine menu is well cultivated and the desserts are melt in your mouth good, especially the caramel pretzel and lemon tart. Expensive, but excellent. Treat yourself for a special occasion.
(4)
Gina M.
I was visiting Nashville with some girlfriends for a bachelorette party and read great reviews for this restaurant. So glad we ate here! The food was amazing and the service was perfect. You must get two things: the butter tasting and the roasted cauliflower. I will be dreaming of that cauliflower and I'm not even a huge fan typically! Duck app was a bit too sweet for us and the pork belly was good, just not great. For dinner most of us had the scallops, which were perfectly cooked and delicious. It just sat on the hugest bed of lettuce, which was overkill in my opinion. The bride had the filet and it was perfectly cooked and pretty delicious. Overall, a really really good meal. But please get the cauliflower. I will be craving it!!!
(4)
Starr P.
The service and food is excellent!!!! Love love the roasted cauliflower appetizer!!!! My filet melted like butter in my mouth!!! Great time for my birthday!
(5)
restaurant r.
LOVE LOVE LOVE!! Go here the food is great! Atmosphere great...easy to talk if you are doing business because there is no echo! We only had to wait 10 minutes for our table...the place was packed! The girls at the front check in were so nice :) They had a nice selection of wine and once again the food was AMAZING! GO HERE!!!
One of the best meals I've had in my life! Everything we ordered was top notch. The butter tasting sounds weird but was great. The octopus and shrimp bruschetta was perfect for 3 people. My favorite of the evening was far and away my entre, the Cobia. I loved every flavor in this dish. Salty, sweet, crunchy, soft. It really had it all. I recommend it highly!
(5)
Marci Z.
First time at Etch for our anniversary dinner. I've never posted a rating for anything before, but the food at Etch is worth it. We had the butter tasting, the squash soup, the grouper (seafood special), pork chop, and the peach and brown butter cake. We would definitely recommend all of these items, and we will definitely be back!
(5)
Sarah H.
AMAZING!! Flavors are like a party in your mouth! Every bite of everything tastes different. I've been here twice in the past 2 months while visiting for work and the service is great, can not say enough good things about the food! Will definitely become a regular spot while working/playing in NashVegas!
(5)
Taylor S.
We had a wonderful dinner at Etch! Food was all delicious!! The manager, Will, runs a great restaurant and took care of us! We will definitely be back next time we are in Nashville!
(5)
M L.
My rating is solely based on the food. Dishes are creative, flavorful, and great looking. It is clear that all ingredients used are if the highest quality. Deb Paquette is talented and creative and Nashville is lucky to have her. The downside to Etch is that you feel like you are sitting in a banquet room at a hotel. It just really lacks the ambiance you want. If I were from out of town and went there I would t realize it, however as a local I can say the atmosphere is just boring. To top it off we had the strangest server possible, vampire ish. So weird
(4)
Jacob T.
Thai chicken was awesome, had bitter lemon cocktail equally delicious. Cool vibe, lots of good looking people. Could use a larger offering on their menu.
(4)
Bridget S.
Wow! Etch blew me away. Chef Deb Pauquette has created wonderful, melt in your mouth food. Our dinner experience last night was perfect. Downtown was busy with the CMA festival,yet ETCH was quiet and and provided a great dining experience. The shrimp & filo appetizer was spicy sweet. My husband had the scallops which were fresh and oh so tasty.( A trio of grilled, confit and tempura mushrooms, smoked shallot vinaigrette, bacon, greens, butternut garlic essence, beet sriracha). I had the filet with horseradish celery creamed potatoes, red wine gravy, asparagus whisps, smoked duck butter.....oh my wonderful. The filet was one of the best that I've had in Nashville. The gravy was rich and full of bold flavors.I am now anxious to return. This is a must try when in or if living in Nashville. Oh..the service impeccable and not pretentious.
(5)
Lana L.
Came in town for work and decided to check Etch out because of all of the great reviews. Had the cauliflower and lamb tartar to start. Great! Could have left it at that because the portions were so generous. And wish I would have because then it went downhill... We got the Rutabaga La Plancha and Lamb Porterhouse. Must have chosen the wrong items off the menu. The lamb was really difficult to cut through because it was so raw. I like my meat rare but I also don't like to saw through it. The service was great and when the waiter came to the table and asked how everything was I lied and said it was really good but then asked him, "What is this again?" Once again I should have stopped with the "it was really good" because he told me that the chef put a little fritos in the carrot masa sauce that was on the side of the rutabaga. Interesting, huh? So I tried the sauce again and couldn't seem to get the flavor off my tongue for the rest of the night. I wouldn't say the food was bad but if the dishes were made on TV they definitely would be "Chopped" for having too many flavors going on. I'm glad my company was footing the bill otherwise I may have sent my meal back to the kitchen. Although not hungry we still got desert so we could "cleanse" the pallet. We chose the peanut butter chocolate ice cream, thank god there weren't too many flavors going on with that one.
(2)
David B.
I'm giving Etch a 6! If there was one. This was the best dining experience I've had in pretty much any city I've been to. The professional knowledge, service, timing of courses, presentation of dish, and holy hell the taste. Please INVEST in a reservation. This is a life changing experience.
(5)
Bob R.
This place will not disappoint I've eaten here several times and each time is better and better than the last. Both times I've eaten at the front bar, and have been served by Paul--the quintessential bartender! Upon arrival I was greeted with an inviting "Welcome Back!" and it had been almost a year since my last visit. Not only was I welcomed back, but he even remembered my name... Impressive! The ambiance at the front bar is a modern, friendly, and comforting space. Get the Roasted Cauliflower... the flavors are unbelievable. I got the filet and it was cooked perfectly with horseradish mashed potatoes, shaved asparagus, a pea-truffle puree sauce and duck butter--exquisite. Whether you're going for a drink, or dinner, or both, this place will not disappoint and do yourself a favor and ask for Paul - he's the guy up front with a big smile, and he'll take care of you.
(5)
Craig L.
It has been a while since I've had my taste buds sent off on such an exhilarating journey. We visited Nashville for a week of auditory pleasure and got even more when we dined at Etch. We started with the Roasted Cauliflower based on all the reviews. It was excellent, especially with the pea pesto source. I had the Pork Loin that I demolished is short order, not because I have a large stomach but because after the first bite there was no stopping. My wife enjoyed the Grilled Scallop entree which she reported as an unexpectedly tasty composition based intriguing combination of ingredients including mushrooms, bacon, beets and squash. We accompanied it with a bottle of 2010 Zinfandel and topped it all off with Vanilla Cake and Olive Oil ice cream. It was a delightful experience.
(5)
NJ G.
Was in town for work, this place was on a list of recommended eats given to me by my hotel and ranked well on Yelp! This was by far one of the best meals I had while in Nashville. I almost would have eaten the same dish for all my meals if I weren't trying to the the tourist thing and try a bunch of places. I had the tuna salad. It was delicious. I did feel a bit out of place with all the suits at the other tables but the ambiance is pretty relaxed. The restaurant has what looks like two separate, semi-private dining area, perfect for a business lunch or personal event. My meal was well priced and very tasty. I would recommend this place no problem.
(4)
Ryan B.
By far one of the best dining experiences, period. Tall Paul, the bartender, is outstanding. His attention to detail is superior, just as is their food.
I booked with Open Table (where I have it noted that my wife has a gluten allergy) and that was the first thing they mentioned when we arrived. The server helped my wife navigate the menu and choose something that was gluten free. They did have several options. We ordered a non-alcoholic drinks that were not on the menu. Lemon-Lime Bitters... It's sprite + lime juice + some bitters. They prepared it perfectly with no fuss and only charged us for a soda... Great job! We shared the Cauliflower appetizer and were blown away by it. It was so good! As many others have said, do try it. We then shared an Etch salad... they split one between two plates and it was more than enough for both of us also. The greens were fresh, the flavors were all over the pallet and it was simply a fantastic salad. For mains, my wife had the Venison and I had the filet. My filet was cooked perfectly (medium rare)... there was a lot of it too... it was no small filet. My wife loved the venison and wished there had been more of it; her only complaint was that she wanted more. She did find the sides a little sweet... the grits that came with the venison were sweet and it also had cranberries as well... maybe too much sweetness combined. We did not have desert as we already had reservations for the Melting Pot. However, the server did bring desert menu's too us. At the point of bringing the desert menu's they seemed to lax a little on helping with gluten-free options. It seemed that most of the deserts likely had gluten and the server offered no assistance in selecting a gluten free option. Hey, we loved it though and will go back. The complimentary valet was great too. Keep up the good work Etch; we'll see you again soon.
(4)
Michael P.
This was an odd experience for me. Arrival: Really nice inside, well done restaurant. Pleasant hostess got me a seat at the Chef's Bar. Greeted by a server immediately. He did a great job start to finish. I ordered brisket upon his suggestion. It was good. Not great by any stretch, but good. Here is why the experience was odd. It was basically deconstructed enchiladas. Corn cakes, guac, sour cream etc. It was described as such, but I guess my anticipation got ahead of me. From the menu: "corn cake, smoked brisket, chihuahua cheese, onion, peruvian butternut slaw, roja and poblano sauces, celery leaf avocado smash, lime crema, queso blanco" For 18 bucks I should be Wowed. I wasn't. I would rather go to a true Mexican restaurant, get enchiladas that are as good or better, chips and salsa and go from there. If I go back I am ordering a sandwich. They looked more like what I wanted, but I took server's recommendation. Not his fault. I should have paid closer attention.
This is one of the most memorable meals I have had for a while. Starting with the roasted cauliflower ... a sometimes dull and overcooked vegetable...here successfully made the star. Cobia...flaky perfectly cooked fish with spices and tastes that brings you to Morocco.....sweet and spicy well balanced. Incredible. Dessert was the Pretzel,chocolate, caramel bar.....I was just speechless. Delicious!!! Service was friendly and attentive.
(5)
Lindsay W.
I would give them 4.5 stars but the food alone pushed them to 5. When we arrived the 2 girls at the hostess stand were all over the place. Not in the good efficient all over the place. They were a bit unorganized and made myself and my party a little wary about what we were walking into. One girl was on the phone and kept rolling her eyes as she was talking. Not very professional. They seated the party before us but then made a mistake and moved them to another table. Those poor guys were just left standing in the middle of the dining room. We were watching this going 'uh oh...' Luckily, we got seated and weren't left standing in the dining room or made to move. Our server, James, was fantastic. He made great recommendations for us. We started with the short ribs. Oh my goodness! They had pulled all that tender meat and then fried it. Looked like dark croutons on the plate but tasted amazing. My mom ate all the vegetable kimchi and didn't share with the group but according to her it was delicious. My stepfather ordered the Cobia per James recommendation- said it was their signature dish. I have never seen that man be so quiet once he started eating! He said that based on that dish alone he would come back despite the unorganized mess that was the hostess stand (btw we watched them set and then reset a couple tables by us, and leave a second couple standing in the dining room- we joked that we should make a drinking game of it). I had the pork. What I loved about this dish was how all the flavors married together perfectly. It had a southwestern edge with the manchego, chorizo, and mushroom sauce. All of us had cleaned our plates and still had room for dessert. My dessert was a chocolate hazelnut crunch. It was perfection. I wanted to take the whole cake home and eat on it all night long. Overall the food was as close to perfect as can be. Everything was cooked beautifully and the presentation alone was swoon-worthy. I hope to go back just to try more of the menu and (fingers crossed) the hostesses will have their act together.
(5)
Ken S.
We have had wonderful food here in Nashville. Last night the Catbird Seat may be the best meal ever, up with the French Laundry. Merchants is wonderful for bot lunch and dinner. The Capital Grill is outstanding. Etch is to be avoided at all costs. The calamari and shrimp bruschetta had no calamari. The entries we sweet to cover the stale food. Simply the worst meal in several years. The service was good! The cook is clueless. Gordon Ramsey would shut the place down.
(1)
David M.
The cold beet & berry soup was very good, while the fried catfish was just average. Service was very good.
(4)
Patrick B.
What a great find this ended to be - We were sat at the communal counter - 3 of us and right away The GM honed in on my idea of a rose and had a bottle to taste with in minutes - Our server Amy was amazing -- Ashley -- I really went at it with in a good way Both Girls were fabulous -- The special treat Chef Deb came by to say hello and check on us - Our food was amazing - The new best twist on egg salad sandwich ( see menu) I wanted the duck pastrami sandwich - That's when Ashley crushed my dreams -- " we are of out that today " - and joked all meal First time to Nashville and this was one of our highlight meals.
(4)
Jessica B.
The food here was delicious, fresh and even though it was a super busy day the service was fast and professional.
(4)
Robby S.
For an elegant, finer dining experience... this is my go-to! The dishes were as beautiful as they were delicious. Who knew roasted cauliflower could be THAT incredible?! From the beet and berry salad to the perfectly cooked filet, I was nothing but impressed. Very professional and kind service from both our server and the manager who came by to check on us. If you're anywhere near this restaurant, make plans to have one of the best dinners in town there!
(5)
Gary C.
Very busy so had to eat at the bar. Very comfortable and Paul was great. Pork belly app tasted fantastic but was extra fatty and small (the only reason I didn't give 5 stars). The filet steak was absolute perfection. I will be back to this place.
(4)
Amanda B.
Maybe I ordered the wrong dish or maybe the kitchen was short handed, but after waiting over one hour for the entree, my venison arrived cold, room temperature at best. I'm no expert on venison, but I think it's traditionally a hot plate. I politely asked the waiter to heat up my dish, and he obliged by promptly returning with an entirely new venison dish. To my dismay, the replacement venison was still cold. I'm left to believe some menu items are pre-made and left waiting in the wings where they cool to room temperature before being served. Overall, it was a dissatisfying experience. I can't justify paying 30 dollars for two ounces of cold meat. Update: I'm happy to report the restaurant rectified the situation by crediting the meal.
(5)
Caitlin C.
Probably one of the best service experiences I may ever have. If you've felt under appreciated lately, head on over to Etch. Kenneth (I hope that's right) was a fantastic server, he made my birthday fabulous with his patience and finesse! Also the fabulous bartender up front was very impressive, dealing with all the folks waiting for the tables but still wanting to squeeze in a pre-meal cocktail. If you are staying in downtown Nashville and you're looking for something that's not a twist on southern (like every other restaurant in town), check out Etch. Although the menu isn't seasonal and does not make much mention of local sourcing, the food was excellent and very unique. My particular favorites included the bruschetta with shrimp, octopus, capers and bacon, as well as the beet salad, which had a spicy kick and tart berries. I also really really enjoyed the olive oil cake dessert. In some cases the ingredients all seem sort of whacky, or the idea of putting them together seems whacky, but it just works! The place itself is simple and clean. Although yes it does resemble a hotel lobby it's not off putting. We were seated by the window with a view of the Country Music Hall of Fame and I quite enjoyed the atmosphere, it was refreshing not to be surrounded by barn wood and mason jars. If you're looking for a great fine dining experience in downtown, I would check out Etch!
(5)
Sarah S.
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM. MMMMMMMMMMMMMM. MMMMMMMMMM. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Now I can begin: I went to Etch with a party of 6 others and it was simply glorious. We waiting at a table near the bar while our party was arriving and were quickly greeted and served drinks. As soon as our entire party was there, we were seated. The decor was open and airy, yet elegant. Our server was quite friendly and very well educated on the dishes. He explained each of the appetizers and entrees to us. While this may have been overkill for a party of 2, a party of 7 will have a wide variety of tastes, so I found it to be much appreciated. One thing to note is that the menu changes every 5 months or so; there may be a review about a dish you'd like to try that won't be there, so check the menu online ahead if you want to know what to expect. For the appetizer course, we agreed we'd love to taste them all, so our party ordered one of each and shared. Every single one shined in its own way, but all were completely mouth wateringly delicious. That Duck Butter was incredible! The Shrimp and Filo was savory and sweet and mmmmmmm those Short Ribs!!! All the dishes had flavors that were well thought out and played together in a super delish way. The Soup. Oh Blessed Blessed Soup. It was a chilled butternut squash soup (the rest of the details leave me as it was not on the menu) but sweet mother that soup was amazing. The men near me polished off their bowls. I found it to be slightly sweet (in a great way, but it was rich) so I gave it a good go, but couldn't eat it all. Meanwhile: Our server continued being amazing. The entrees ordered were the Pork Tenderloin, Lamb Chops, Cobia, Scallops, and the Filet. My order was the filet and good freaking food gods it was delicious. I'm a "steak ruiner" in that I really prefer medium well (I'm trying to get to medium...I am!). This can be challenging while cooking steak, I know. And while my steak was actually completely well done, it was still juicy and had a wonderful taste. It was served with a red wine sauce (hints of chardonnay and bacon...omg), horseradish and celery creamed potatoes, asparagus whips and topped with smoked duck butter. And it made my mouth water with every singe bite. (jealous yet? good. go eat this!) I was far too full for dessert, but several of our party indulged and I had a delicious cup of coffee and let my food settle. The dessert reviews were great so if you have saved room, go for it! Love love love Etch. Fully enjoyed every bite.
(5)
Ali M.
One of the best meals ever -- comparable to a NYC 5 star restaurant. We sat at the bar for lunch and Paul was outstanding. Very helpful in making us non-alcoholic drinks, and then recommending some fine choices. The cauliflower appetizer was excellent and was an explosion of flavors. The brisket was fantastic and melded extremely well with the corn bread and the multitude of sauces accompanying it. The Thai chicken and quinoa was satisfying as well (ask for extra spicy) and you could taste distinct ingredients in every bite. Definitely don't miss and I'd recommend sitting at the bar with Paul.
(5)
Liz S.
Decided to give Etch another try, as my food was phenomenal the first time and my roommate still hadn't dined here and wanted to go. As fate would have it, I had the same server as I did when I went with my boyfriend the first time. I'm pretty convinced, however, that either OpenTable or the restaurant itself had some sort of note taking system that "set us up," if you will. I'm also pretty certain that my server knew exactly who I was and that I was the one who wrote the previous review. Our server redeemed himself greatly and my dining experience was improved by a tenfold. I instantly knew he had improved when he asked my roommate and I right after we sat down if we would like to hear about the specials before or after our drinks and how we wanted to pace the evening. He was also extremely knowledgeable about all of the dishes we ordered and was happy to answer any questions we had. He was always present when needed, but not pushy or trying to rush us. When it came to our food choices, my roommate and I decided to order a few items and share, mostly so we could try many of the amazing flavors Etch has to offer. We started with the cauliflower and the soup of the day, which was some sort of a pumpkin bisque with a perfectly cooked seared scallop. The cauliflower was outstanding (the one thing I told my roommate we HAD to get), and the soup had an enjoyable sweet flavor without being too much. The two of us split the lamb entree, and the meat was so tender and cooked to a perfect medium rare. Another standout accompaniment to the dish was a filo pastry filled with cheese, spinach, and cooked in duck fat. Outstanding. We finished up with the coffee panna cotta, and it was the perfect balance of flavors, textures, and sweetness. I expected the food to be top notch, but the improvement in hospitality that our server made is what really blew me away. It meant so much that Etch had taken the initiative to address the previous issue and that this particular server had personally improved on so many levels. Because of this experience, I can guarantee you I will be back many times in the future, and will probably even ask for this server again! :)
(5)
Quin T.
Absolutely fantastic!!! I sat at the Chef's table & it was really cool to see the staff in action. Mark was my waiter and he was extremely knowledgeable and very professional. For starters I chose the roasted cauliflower & they accommodated me by giving me a single portion because I was dining solo. For my main course I originally chose the Cobia, but it was too citrusy for me, so I opted for the scallops. I requested no bacon & I heard several people call out no bacon, however, when I received my meal, bacon was on it. Not to worry, the staff apologized profusely & I received the perfect plate. I felt like a pain in the ass, but the staff made me feel wonderful & for that I am grateful! The scallops were some of the most amazing scallops I have ever had & I travel all over the world, so that's saying a lot! I was way past stuff & still kept going!!
(5)
erin z.
Amazing.
(5)
Alex G.
Among the very best, if not THE best meal I've had in Nashville yet. Went with a party of 6 and had the chance to try most of the menu: the Lamb, the Pork, the Cobia, Short Ribs, and Duck. Also had the Mussels (was actually replaced w/Shrimp), Cauliflower, Butter tasting, and Octopus. Each dish was delicious. Also, I should note that the service was fantastic throughout the meal. Everyone was knowledgeable and helpful and our waiter was happy to run back to the kitchen to address any questions we had that he couldn't answer himself. Big shout out to Deb and 2 big thumbs up for Etch. Also has a very solid happy hour.
(5)
Kira S.
Easily the best restaurant in Nashville right now. The food is consistently well-executed, well-presented, and incredibly creative. We've dined here twice already and have yet to be disappointed in anything. Even foods that are not my favorite (short ribs, cauliflower) are so creatively utilized in dishes that they have changed my mind. Don't skip the butter tasting. Duck butter, smoked butter, goat butter...truly delicious and different. The short ribs are incredible - designed to look like a sushi roll with a panko coating. The one part that doesn't quite live up to the expectations the rest of the meal sets is dessert. The desserts we tried just weren't at the same caliber as the other parts of the menu, so don't feel bad if you skip out on it at the end. Service the second visit was better and more involved than the first visit. We had waited a little while for our entrees when our server informed us that the kitchen was not pleased with how my short ribs had turned out, so they were remaking it and would be a bit longer. Communication was helpful. Definitely get to Etch!
(5)
Sugar X.
This is a date spot, absolute elegance. The staff is humble yet effective. The open air space lite by warm ambient light is romantic. The food selection tastes gourmet yet recognizable. I had the ginger grits, and short ribs both flavorful and thoughtfully plated. The riesling was served at a perfect temp.. Overall ritzy, world class service, make sure to dress up;)
(5)
Kathleen W.
My entire experience and everything I ate at Etch was perfect. There is just not much more to say. Every bite was memorable. Service was fantastic. Well done.
(5)
Karyn C.
Nice, fresh greens. The barley in the chorizo soup - so good. Plus, chef Deb checked to see if I was enjoying the food!
(4)
Chrissy L.
Everything is interesting, creative and delicious. Out of our meal, the duck confit with the foie gras butter app and the short ribs served to look like sushi rolls as a main were the best. But I get the feeling you cant go wrong here. Some of the best food I've had in Nashville.
(5)
Jim C.
I can't complain here. Our waiter team was excellent and friendly. The manager is top notch and really cares that his diners are having a wonderful experience. The decor is elegant, chic and very fun. The restaurant has a wonderful vibe with a combination of young and old who are out to have outstanding cuisine. My duck/foie gras was sheer perfection. My only issue is that this restaurant works so hard at being artistic and innovative, that some dishes lack that warm and comfy taste that comes with simplicity. My filet was of the highest quality but I wouldn't say that I absolutely loved it. Still, I admire what the chef/owner/manager/staff are doing to create a magnificent restaurant.
(4)
Chris S.
The food is beyond solid as is the service. This is one of those places where you might order something that you end up not particularly liking, but still recognize that's it's good and other people probably love it. I did find the off menu squash bisque great as well as the roasted cauliflower. Filet and pork loin were both prepared perfectly.
(4)
Glenn F.
I have been to Etch twice; once for dinner and once for lunch. I am convinced that Chef Deb Paquette has out done herself from Zola. The menu was obviously created with much thought and experience. The flavors are magnificent. On each occasion, I have ordered the cauliflower appetizer. The truffle oil and pea pest are exquisite. The short rib entree was delicious, but the waygu beef hot dog was so surprisingly scrumptious. Ambiance, location and prices make this place #1 on my lunch preferences. Keep it up Deb Paquette. You rock!
(5)
David L.
What a delightful find for out of towners. We found Etch on Yelp! and we couldn't have been more pleased. We started off with the Etch salad and the Ratatouille Crudo - both delicious. Then we had the Pork Tenderloin - with porcini dusted with manchego, caramelized onion, potato, chorizo, spanish mountain mushroom sauce, and truffle oil to top it off was out of this world. The Lamb Chops, with merguez sausage brik, cauliflower feta cream, tomato chermoula, and more were truly the best lamb chops I have ever eaten and I have eaten a lot of lamb chops.
We had a tremendous experience at Etch while visiting Nashville. We started with the cauliflower and the favors were amazing. My husband had the lamb and I had the venison. Cooked to perfection. Ginger grits were a highlight for me. I wish I had thought of that myself! I would highly recommend this restaurant to everyone!
(5)
Andrea D.
We were in town for the night and were told this was a great place. It did not disappoint. Roasted cauliflower was stupendous and the scallops and filet was divine. My husband loved it even more than I did and he is a tough cookie. Would recommend this restaurant for sure. Great dining experience we will return the next time we are in town
Good food but didn't have the best experience overall. I would put this in with silo and cafe fundamental as great restaurants that aren't the best in the city. Need to try it again soon though. might have to update my review after reading others.
(4)
G C.
After such a terrible experience at Etch last night on 5/29/14, I thought it was time to write my first yelp restaurant review, ever. We arrived at Etch and wanted to sit at the bar, as the two other girls I was with were all ("fine dining") bartenders. They told us we would have to wait, although, there were plenty of seats at the Chef's bar- luckily, I discovered this and asked if we could sit there. After being seated, the server came up to us and we wanted to order a bottle of wine. We were very detailed on what sort of wine we wanted, with hope for some guidance, we received almost nothing. Knowing nothing about wine, he recommended the house merlot/cabernet blend and fortunately we were able to taste it. After leaving for ten minutes, he then decided to come back and ID us (we get it, ABC is cracking down, but ID us as we order, please?). The merlot/cab was not the greatest so we got a bottle of syrah and it was good. Before even ordering the bottle of wine, which took about 30 minutes to received, we immediately ordered the brussel sprouts so we could put something in our bellies, as we were starving. We were able to order our food about 30 minutes after that and told him how starving we were- we happened to sit right in front of the bread and noticed servers were providing their tables with bread so we had to ask for bread (not sure why he didn't want to provide it to begin with?). Our appetizers came out, but over an hour later, still no brussel sprouts. Instead of apologizing or even taking the brussel sprouts off the check- considering, it was pointless for them at this point as we had some form of food, he just gave us a dumbfounded look and said he was not sure why our brussel sprouts weren't out . They even forgot to make my salad, but that was an easy, fast fix, as it is a salad- good thing it wasn't my entree? The beets and berries salad was very tasty, but then again, it's just greens and cheese with fruit and veggies. The other two got the tuna and shrimp and the cauliflower- I didn't care much for the tuna, but the cauliflower was okay. I couldn't decide on what entree to order, so went for two appetizers. The duck confit was mildly over cooked, and I'm not sure why anyone would want to overload that dish with sweetened orange peels to make such a dish even richer, but it was unpleasant and untouched. The octopus and shrimp bruschetta had potential but it was packed with so much rich and salty foods it was far too overwhelming and heavy. My poor sister was visiting from Sonoma, CA, and this, sadly, being our only dinner outing on her visit, had the pork tender loin and it was, by far, the worst tenderloin I have ever had. It reminded me of a mix between a mediocre mexican with a sweetened curried indian dish- nothing matched well with this dish at all. It's actually grossing me out thinking of the taste. The charcuterie salad was pretty good, however. At this point we want to leave as fast as we can, the server was so inconsiderate. Kissing every body's asses but ours. Finally, he provided us with the check and we immediately threw a card down, as we really just wanted to leave and go somewhere else to get the taste out of our mouths. He swiped the card and realized he left the bottle of wine off the check. Came back, weakly apologized added another 30-40 minutes to provide us with the "proper" check. I had to go outside, as I was so annoyed with this awful server- maybe it was his first day of ever serving? Lucky for him, we still tip 20% no matter what. But when the girls came out to showed me the check I noticed he charged us MORE for the bottle of wine than what it was listed on the wine list. Some form of manager happened to be outside so I informed him of the improper charge and the terrible service and he offered to give us a gift certificate. I kindly rejected his offer, as I will never step foot in that building again. Although, this was one of the worst "fine dining" experiences I have ever had... out of many... there was a lady running food and she was great, her presence was enjoyable. Super professional. If only she could've taken care of us, then this review probably would have never happened.
(1)
Kurt R.
Etch lives up to all of the 5 star ratings! The service was impeccable, the food excellent. Our server - Kristen - was knowledgeable about everything on the menu, from how it was prepared down to the ingredients in each dish. We will definitely return to Etch.
(5)
Susie C.
Amazing! No other way to say it. We were visiting from NY and found this place on yelp. We ordered then cauliflower appetizer because of the reviews and it was unbelievable. Believe me, this will make anyone a cauliflower convert. And the meal just got better from there. Five stars, two thumbs up, worth every penny.
(5)
Meitra A.
Wow! I am very particular about awarding any restaurant 5 stars, but Etch definitely earned that rating. The food was creative in the combinations of flavors - pork belly and smoked tofu? Incredible! The service was fantastic, although it was clear they were extra attentive in hopes of drawing back the local crowd. Great place to dine before the symphony. We will definitely be back.
(5)
Dustin B.
Excellent service and food to match. I loved the atmosphere and the staff was very helpful. Had some very interesting and modern takes on classic dishes which were a welcome surprise and change! I will most definitely go back :)
(5)
J L.
Went for dinner for 3 people. Business dinner so we orderd a bit of everything. Appetizers were great (roasted cauliflower, pork belly, and octopus/shrimp bruschetta were all great). I ordered the short ribs which were delicious, and I liked the accompaniment noodles (Asian flavored). My two colleagues ordered the lamp chop, they both thoroughly enjoyed. Two desserts (Mocha and Panna Cotta) were good. Bottle of Amarone wine was very good. Only complaint is service- our server was very friendly and knowledgable and professional, but for some reason it took a long time between ordering drinks/wine to ordering food (first ordered appetizers, then took a very long time to come back and take our entree orders). The meal took a very long time due to long gaps between our server coming back to our table. Decor and space are good for business lunch/dinners or more special/formal occasions. But the bar (small bar at entrance, and long food bar facing the open kitchen) seemed like good places to grab a drink and bite for a more casual feel. Would be great place to eat before an evening at the Symphony or night out.
(4)
Louis J.
Fabulous meal! My wife and I enjoyed a great evening at Etch. Our table location was great and out server was attentive and knowledgeable. The drinks were delicious and if anything went down too easily. The beet salad was terrific as was the butter tasting. My wife had the short ribs and I had the cauliflower. Bothe were generous portions and delicious. A wonderful evening; we'll be back!
(5)
Richard N.
Awesome flavors. Atmosphere was good. only downside with trendy restaurants is that it gets a little loud. We sat at the bar. I thought the service was fine. The smoked pea puree is absolutely amazing. Everything was spot on including their cocktails.
(5)
Chris S.
We ate at Etch three days ago for lunch, and it's still on my mind. I had the pork loin roll up and my wife had the chicken. We also had the roasted cauliflower. Outstanding in all respects. I think I am now a truffle oil junkie.
(5)
Lisa J.
Great delicious food. This is worth the money and reservations! The trout was the best I have ever had... so may flavors coming together for amazingness in your mouth. Drinks were good and service was great. Definitely a place to come back to for special nights!
(5)
Nadia h.
Great Food! We loved the short rips, cauliflower, duck confit...our waiter not that great but the food and cocktails made up for it!
(5)
Be G.
We happened to go here because The Southern was full - and we're glad we did. Service was attentive without being overbearing, and the flavors were outstanding. We ate at the kitchen bar, which was great for a: watching food, and b: scoring a comp'ed appetizer that had been prepared by mistake. We didn't have time to linger, but we will be back in the future.
(4)
Carolyn R.
Second visit to this restaurant, and truly disappointing. I bought out of town business colleagues, thinking a nice meal and a walk downtown to see the sights. The service tonight was wretched. Glacial comes to mind. A full hour between appetizers and dinner. The food was poor as well. The roasted cauliflower was excellent, as was the seared tuna salad, but the spaghetti squash was a greasy, salty mess. The scallops had a deep fried congealed mass of something unidentifiable. No one at the table finished their entree except the one who ordered the venison. By the time we finally got out of there, it was way too late to explore downtown. There seems to be a heavy reliance on dots of spooge on the plate to provide flavor. At these prices, I expect an excellent tasting meal, and good service with a bit of style. Style we got....service and taste, not so much.
(2)
Billy C.
Great food and everyone was extremely helpful, friendly and attentive.
(5)
Kyle F.
Outstanding presentation. Very professional staff. Beautiful restaurant. Complimentary valet parking. The menu is a bit limited, but it is made up for by the breadth of dishes on the menu. Extensive wine selection. High recommend to those looking for a nice dinner downtown.
(5)
L J.
I was a little skeptical when I saw the menu selections and since this is such a new restaurant but it was a great experience - we basically just sampled a ton of stuff on the menu and my mistake was that by the time the entree arrived, I could barely eat another thing! What I liked most was that the wait staff is EXTREMELY friendly, so it takes away any "stuffy" attitude that you can sometimes get with these type of restaurants. Not to mention the food was superb. Would go back in a heartbeat.
(5)
August T.
Classy! Was sad that Zola closed years ago, but am now delighted with Etch and its location! Food, of course, by Ms. Paquette met - no, actually exceeded - expectations. Ample portions for the price and, of course, delicious. Don't miss this gem.
(5)
Lisa H.
Amazing dining experience! I went here with a few coworkers while we were in town for a work meeting. We raved about every dish we had! We started with the mussels app and the butter tasting. The truffle butter was the best, but they were all yummy. We then had the cobia, pork tenderloin, and cauliflower entrees. We each enjoyed our own meals and tasted each others as well. The flavors and spices were so vibrant! For sides, we tried the okra and ginger grits. I was fearful of the okra, but it tasted great! The ginger grits were sweet, but not too sweet. We were stuffed after our meals but couldn't resist trying the chocolate chai panna cotta. The amazingness (is that a word?) continued! Every part of this meal was perfect! My only downside was that service was a bit slow, yet I felt well taken care of. I highly recommend this restaurant and am looking forward to eating here again when I return to Nashville.
(5)
CC S.
I really wanted to like Etch, but it does have some kinks to work out. Our server was very knowledgable and not overbearing. Others in the restaurant were nice and friendly. The food was the downfall. We ordered the Beets & Berries salad, Etch salad, Short Ribs, and Filet. The salads were great. The entrees need some work. The short ribs by themselves were great. The side of asian salad that came with it didn't fit well with the rest of the dish and was heavily dressed. The noodles looked like they were in a soup due to the dressing of the stir fry salad. It was almost inedible due to the heavy hand. I ordered the Filet medium and when it arrived it was well-done. I didn't have time to send it back since I had a show to get to after dinner. It was so-so. For the price, I wasn't very pleased. The mushroom/bread side it came with was good, but very heavy and there was a lot of it. It seemed to fit with the filet at first, but after a few bites it started to be off-putting. Maybe I'll give Etch a few months and try it again.
(3)
Cory A.
So after much anticipation, I and three other companions enjoyed an incredible dining experience at Etch! Greeted warmly by the Hostess, who's name I can not remember, remembered me from my visit during mock service. She is on her game. My party was immediately seated and we all quickly had our designs on the bar menu. Intrigued by the pre-prohabition style cocktails we collectively chose the French Seventy Five, a beautifully well composed mix of Bourbon, Champagne and citrus. Don't let the crisp, light and fragrant taste fool you, as a couple of these could glue your "hiney" to the chair. We decided to share three appies...The Pork Belly with smoked tofu bathed in a smooth and rich chinese braise that turned out to the perfect "sop" for pastry chef Megan's rosemary rolls that accompanied the exsquisite butter tasting of truffle, plugra,goat and duck butters. Ahhhh, the Octopus & Shrimp Bruschetta! The creamy taste and firm texture of the SousVide octopus with manchego and roasted tomato "Viola"! I expressed to our attentative and knowledgable server, Brent, "Pacing myself at this point is futile, but I am gonna power thru, so bring it on!" and he did! We all chose something different so as to share as much of the experience as possible. So here we go...The Japanese Short Ribs & Korean noodles in a shrimp/carrot aioli. "Holy Moly!" Porcini crusted Pork Tender Loin in a spanish mountian mushroom sauce with a polish of truffle oil brought this dish to the perfect shine! This next one, apparently new to the menu, had the ultimate visual star power...Sea Scallops on a bed of white truffle smashed potato with a regal giant prawn standing stately in the center like a gastronomic Bird of Paradise! Oh Mama!!! I relinquished my selection to the suggestion of GM Richard Peterson. I was not dissapointed! He surprised me with the Moulard Duck Breast in a perfect blend of Moraccan spices & carrot pear sauce with a cinnamon crumble giving the dish a warm holiday feel...Yum!!! Just before the dessert, Chef Deb Paquette came to our table to check on our visit. All I could say to her was "congratulations"! So comes the "Finale". The table shared the SemiFreddo Goat Cheese Mousse with an intense raspberry gelee blushed with a hibiscus sauce. My need for coffee was sated with the last dish....A gorgeous Mocha Chocolate Caramel Fudge Mousse.....The perfect cup of Chocolate Caramel Macchiato! KUDOS to the entire team! I can not recall a dining experience Like the one I had at Etch that embodied the entire essence of incredible food, wonderful companions and an environment that whispers to me "Come Back"! You must GO!!! Maybe I will see you there, because I am heeding the call!
(5)
Gina H.
I will be brief, but you have to go. Etch is excellent from the front door to the amazingly talented kitchen. Excellent wine and beer list, well thought out and not so large you get lost in the selections. Friendly, non robot like servers with a real interest in you experience and knowledge to guide you through the experience. Comfortable streamlined room that has a " not so stuffy" feel. Great energy, great space, great people and excellent food. If you want to go to a restaurant and feel at ease and know the quality is there, this is the place.
(5)
TJ S.
truly an unbelievable meal.
(5)
Lauren F.
We loved lunch at etch! The server was helpful with recommendations, and we got to try a lot of things for a very reasonable price. We loved the roasted cauliflower app, and the cobia with mango salsa and donut bread was such an interesting combination, and wonderful! You have to get the chai panna cotta. It was amazing, and I don't usually like panna cotta. Can't wait to go back for dinner!!
(5)
Holly B.
really inventive menu and wonderful service. loved the truffle butter and also really enjoyed the duck breast. it definitely seems very up and coming and I would definitely go back!
(5)
Vanessa H.
My review is short and sweet. I think I am too old for trendy restaurants. I will say that the butter course was unique and tasty, and that the cauliflower appetizer, and especially the spreads that came with it, were inspiring. My husband had the short ribs and although he said they were good (not great) he noted that the side that came with them was odd. I tried both and I have to agree. I had the scallops and prawn and it was off somehow. Overspiced and too dusky in flavor whereas the thickly sliced veggies underlying the dish were clunky and flavorless. However, the bar was fun, although a little tight space-wise, and the bartender, the server and all personnel I came in contact with were courteous and went the extra mile. Will I return, no. I live and work in the greater Nashville area, and although I enjoy going south of Broadway, I tend to eat in the West End area or Cool Springs if I am headed out for the evening. I did, however, have a beer at Jackalope on 8th before meeting my husband on the train from Lebanon--now THAT was a fun time!
(3)
Cathy U.
I was such a huge fan of the restaurant Zola's and was anxiously awaiting for this restaurant to open. It did not disappoint, Wonderful food, and wonderful location. Nashville is lucky to have such a world class chef as Debra Paquette. The entree portions are very creative and as usual very appealing to the eye. Everything would have been perfect except for our waiter, who had the worst attitude for a restaurant of this calibre. Yes, I do expect good service and attentive service when paying these prices for food. Part of dining out is not just the food, but the experience as a whole. The place is beautiful, the food delicious, why should the evening be ruined by a most pompous waiter who isn't that good to begin with. We had to ask for bread, never got it and had to ask twice for coffee at the end of the meal. Any questions asked about the menu were met with an unwillingness or at least an incredibly rude attitude. Really, I have had much better service at Chile's. Please address this issue of the rude waiters if you expect to have repeat customers.
(3)
Mousa H.
Since starting my reviews on Yelp at the suggestion of and to take an interest in something my girlfriend does I've been upset. My rating distribution is horrible. She keeps taking me to great places and obviously I'm giving mostly high marks. Well, she struck again. Except this may have been more than just a "great" place. This may have been the best overall dining experience I've ever had. I was less than impressed with the hostessing, but I'm not going to take away a star because the hostess wasn't overly friendly. From there on the experience did nothing but improve. I wish I could remember the young lady's name who was our server. Her timing was perfect, her table presence was on point and her suggestions were fantastic. I had the lamb dish (Lizzy had another, since she'll also write a review no need to mention it here). From the taste, to the presentation to the overall quality of the food I was just blown away... The peach crumble was incredible... tasted fresh and light and was not one of those desserts that makes you feel like you just gained a million pounds after eating it, though I'm sure we probably did... But like anything there has to be that one thing about a place that put it over the top... well for us it was Deb Paquette... the head chef of Etch... My GF has a tradition where when she goes to a place she loves she asks the chef to sign a menu for her, sometimes framing them but always saving them... despite it being late, and Deb being at the tail end of an exhausting Friday night she came out table side with the signed menu and spent a good 20 minutes with us regaling of tales from TV appearances she's had... educating us on the subtle and not so subtle differences of various southern accents and being an overall gracious hostess... Etch was a 5 star without a doubt before this, but the fact that she took the time to do this simply blew me away... We had many great meals in Nashville in our short visit, but this was by far and away the reason I will remember this trip for a life time...
Nice date spot!!! Upscale and quiet!!! Prices were decent cheaper than I expected!!! Bartender is amazing!!! Upscale to a T
(5)
Allison D.
Had lunch here today thanks to Yelp and so glad we did. We are traveling and looked like poorly groomed tourists when we walked through the doors but received impeccable service despite our slightly rough appearance. We arrived around 11:15 before the lunch crowd. Never would have found it but for Yelp, but obviously all the locals know about it because it got pretty crowded by Noon. Our waiter remained very attentive and was unfazed when a younger member of our party innocently knocked over a water glass. The service was very very good, but the food was phenomenal. There were lots of great items on the menu that would have made a vegetarian very happy, but also a lot for meat lovers. We had the cauliflower and agree it was wonderful. Also the tempura mushrooms were delicious. The pork ramen was amazing. The mozzarella sandwich fantastic. Even the kid in our group was very happy with a burger they were happy to make plain to his liking. We live in a city with world class restaurants, and this one can stand up to any I've been to. Highly recommend for foodies and anyone who likes great ingredients, inventive combinations, and excellent execution.
(5)
Vanuchi E.
Nothing short of excellent! The kitchen is run by this little lady who is super cool and on top of every detail. We had the best seat in the house at the chef bar and delightfully watched her magic! She made sure of every detail... even bused our plates because she noticed we were finished with our amazing duck confit app! Everything was spot on, creative flavors, imaginative combos, perfect temp on the lamb rack, Cobia was perfect with the ginger grits. Topping it all off, the sevice was impeccable! So yummy all around, we had so much fun! One of the best meals I've had in a while. I'll be back on my next trip to Nashville.
(5)
Bob S.
Great meal! I will update - made this for my top 5 list
(5)
Sam T.
As a newer restaurant and it being Saturday night, our reservation was for 930 which initially concerned me because I worried things might be shutting down or some of the menu options might be 86'd by that point. However, it was hopping when I arrived and the restaurant was in full swing. The late reservation gave us a chance to have drinks elsewhere and walk around broadway like tourists. As you walk in, you notice the bar is right at the entrance and next to the hostess station which I thought was a little weird. It's very small and seating is next to impossible there. However, it is convenient if you are waiting for a table and want to grab a drink. We were fortunate enough to sit at the kitchen bar, which is always my favorite. You get to see all the action and enjoy all the wonderful food coming out of there. The colors and presentations of the food is exquisite! They take such time and effort to make everything look so wonderful! And the portions are huge! You truly get your money's worth. We tried the short ribs, etch salad, gingery grits, and sweet potato soup. Aside from the soup which was really too sweet, even for sweet potatoes, the food was excellent. We really enjoyed it. The service was good. Prompt and polite enough, nothing out of the ordinary. The have valet parking or a pay lot next door which was lucky since parking was a nightmare at that time.
(4)
Robert W.
Really elegant restaurant! They treated use royally even though we were in t shirts, shorts and scandals for the CMA Fest (Most others were in suits etc.) Excellent wait staff, my food was wonderful! Try it!!! We had the lunch menu, dinner menu is a little pricy, but probably worth it based on my experience. Coffee was excellent.
(5)
Joe M.
stopped in for a drink. I was impressed with the Bar staff. They know what their doing. If your downtown you should stop in. We did not eat hear, but I am going to on my next trip to Nashville.
(4)
Amber A.
Awesome restaurant! Asian inspired and delicious. I had the scallops and we all shared the short rib roll appetizers. Both were amazing. Wine list was great and service was perfect.
(5)
Leslie C.
Excellent food and busy vibe. They could have been more creative with the atmosphere, but it was well-done nonetheless. We enjoyed the chef's bar. Hope to visit again soon!
(5)
MyongHi S.
Amaaaaaazing lamp chops! Server was friendly and knowledgeable and allowed me to order the lamp chops with the side items from the filet entree. Overall a great dining experience with prompt and friendly service from the hostess, server (Justin), and the server's assistant as well. The previous reviews did not lie! I'm definitely glad I made this stop on my first trip to Nashville.
(4)
David G.
Fantastic. Unadulterated fun in my mouth. I never knew cauliflower could be so sexy... and tasty. Let's face it, Etch is a wonderful delight and a unique departure from Deb Paquette's previous (and enjoyable) adventure that was Zola. Etch is located downtown, and parking is a breeze. There are metered spots along 3rd, there is a large parking lot managed by one of the parking companies right down on the corner, there is a large parking garage (that closes at 11) on the other corner, AND there is free valet service. Seriously, unless you are driving your 18-wheeler with cargo in-tow, you be able to find a parking space. Oh? Your car is U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier? Well, then you are out of luck. The rest of we normal folk can find a park. The space/decor at Etch is open, airy, and I'm guessing pretty classic cool. I'm not terribly "cool" so I can only judge. If I wanted to be one of the cool kids, I'd want to be Etch. Plus, I like that I can see the kitchen from the main dining room. The menu is vegan friendly, vegetarian friendly, gluten free friendly, and carnivore friendly. In other words, all of your friends should be able to find something that they want to eat here. Recommendations: * The cauliflower appetizer is to die for. I'm serious. I was forced to slay a few people with my butter knife over the dish. It comes with truffled pea pesto, salted almonds, and some kind of cheese sauce (goat, I think?). Anyhow, please excuse the bodies... but don't touch my cauliflower. * Lamb Chops. Hey, I'm a carnivore. I might have slain over my cauliflower but I also enjoy carnivorous delights (that sounds dirty... I've digressed). They were cooked perfectly and paired with my appetizer were more than enough for this gentleman to consumer for an evening. * Wine. The list of wine is short but robust - if that makes sense. Went with a red recommendation from the sommelier - an Argentinian (the wine, not the sommelier). It's close enough that if you parked yourself (or you get your keys from the valet) that you can walk downtown after your meal and enjoy some honky-tonking. Or, hop in your car and take a short trip up to The Gulch or Belmont/Vandy or 12 South. Love Etch. Love the location. Love the food. If I were Billy Bob from Varsity Blues, I'd be screaming "TEN! I give it a TEN!" and asking it to marry me.
(5)
Debby B.
I was visiting Nashville for the first time last week with my cousin and we decided to try Etch for dinner on our first night. The meals we had were simply the most deliciously prepared entrees we have ever tasted! My cousin had the lamb chops and I ordered the pork roast. The combinations of ingredients used to prepare these dishes are beyond compare. We had a wonderful server, Amy who took our picture with her phone, when I discovered I left my phone in the car. She then sent me a text with the picture. My cousin will be traveling to Nashville for her chemotherapy drug trial on a regular basis and I know when it is my time to take her again, we will be dining at Etch! It is a wonderful experience to dine there, I simply give it the highest recommendation!
(5)
Lisa S.
I went back for lunch yesterday, and although I've still got to make it to dinner I just hate leaving such a bad review. Yes, I had a bad experience, but this place is really top notch and the food is incredible. Service at lunch was impeccable, food was amazing and reasonably priced, AND I just saw that the manager sent me a message after my initial review apologizing for the experience and offering to make it up to us. Why did YELP not send me a notification of the message or something!? I wouldn't have taken anything from them, but it would have been nice to respond to such a genuine concern for what happened!! This place deserves every bit of the four stars. Great food, great service, great location, great everything. I would bet it'll be five stars when I get a chance to give dinner another try.
(4)
Lindsey B.
My favorite chef in Nashville. The food is always creative and delicious. You won't be disappointed!
(5)
Holly S.
I ate here once, and it was good; but I will never go back due to the rudeness of the staff when I brought a guest here from out of town. We had just left Wine On the River, so we had wine glasses with us (empty) from the event. We were seated at the bar because we didn't have reservations - which was fine. However, when the waitress came, she picked up one of the wine glasses, made an exaggeratedly horrified face and huffed, "Uhh. WHAT. Is this?!" We left in disgust and dined elsewhere. There are too many good restaurants in Nashville to put up with this nonsense.
(2)
Mike J.
Simply put, Etch is the best restaurant we've tried in Nashville. We've eaten here twice, once in a large group - so we've sampled most of the entrees and a few of the specials. I am particular to the cobia, but I haven't tried anything that wasn't 5 stars. I've recommended this place to several others, and all have thanked me -
(5)
Jaime B.
Go hungry bc you need to order the cauliflower app... Hazelnut/blue cheese/apple salad... Fish... And peach sorbet with brown butter cake dessert. All of them, worth it!
(4)
Ted P.
By far one of my top 3 favs in nashville, Cauliflower that you will crave daily and entrees that simply can't be matched!!! The owner/chef Deb is amazing!!! so kind, creative and accommodating. Do not miss this restaurant on your visit!!!
(5)
Matt N.
I'd like to start this review off apologizing that this particular one hasn't come sooner, as it concerns one of my absolute favorite 'new' restaurants in town: Etch. Since my first experience at lunch several months ago (and many, many subsequent visits after for both lunch and dinner), I have been unable to stop thinking about this fabulous restaurant nor stop talking about it to anyone who is willing to listen. I must admit, not too many years ago a place like Etch would have intimidated the hell out of me. Most menu items being out of my "comfort zone", I would have considered it to be a bit much. Thankfully, with access to the ever-booming local restaurant scene in Nashville since I moved to the 'big city', I have been a bit more adventurous with food, and my goodness, am I glad I did! Etch has some of the most inventive, unique, and flavorful meals I've ever had. Truly an experience for your taste buds, every single menu item I've ordered has absolutely blown me away. My suggestion-- go with a small group, order several apps, soups, salads, and an entree or two, and SHARE. You will not want to miss out on any of Chef Paquette's amazing creations. Here are some of my personal faves: Butter Tasting. Ok, everyone loves butter, but Etch gives it a fun twist. Rolls served with truffle, smoked plugra, duck, and goat butters. Divine. Roasted Cauliflower. With truffled pea pesto, salted almonds, and feta crema. To describe this glorious creation, I believe my friend says it best (and classiest): "I would literally bathe in the truffled pea pesto." Interesting take, yes, but it really is that wonderful. Duck Confit. Words truly cannot begin to describe how fab this is.The balsamic blackberries and the citrus from the orange peel with the duck... Unbelievable. Short Ribs. Perfection. Such a delicious and fun twist on the traditional short rib. Pork Tenderloin. Again, such a unique take on a traditional menu item. Monchego. Carmelized Onions. Mushroom sauce. Oh, and it contains truffle.. Enough said. Brisket Papusa (lunch). Corn cake, smoked brisket, cheese, onion, slaw, a wonderful tomato sauce, avocado, lime crema, queso blanco. Every single bite of this lunch-only entree was phenomenal. Hands down the best lunch I've ever had. Recently, a colleague of mine told me my theory that one always has room for dessert no matter how full is actually a scientific fact. Not sure how accurate that is, but, I'll go with it it. That said, you MUST order dessert at Etch! I have had the Meyer Lemon Frozen Mousse (lemon curd, goat milk caramel, lemon crumble, brown butter pizzelle, cirtus segments) and Chocolate Hazelnut Crunch, both incredible. So....Now that I am pretty much out of positive adjectives, I'm going to wrap this up by simply saying if you haven't yet made it to Etch, you are missing out on the best of the best in Nashville.
(5)
Rahel K.
My fellow yelpers, I cannot tell a lie. I told you I would return to Etch and update my review. Here it is..... Grabbed two seats at the bar. Ordered the happy hour wine ($5 - nice). Ordered octopus bruschetta appetizer..........A.....................MAZE.....Â...........ZING. The chopped fennel added a pleasant fresh crunch. Ordered the Copia entree - I have never tasted all those flavors together before. A halibut-type meaty white fish that is pan seared with a dressing of olives, fruit, capers, salty & sweet & savory & buttery and......it was an explosion of every taste bud. Oh - and then hide a beignet in that mountain of goodness just to soak up the juices. I loved it. Service was great. We had a great meal. Highly recommended.
(4)
Marcia M.
Oh, yes. Oh, hell yes. Oh, (beep) yes. (sometimes even I need to be censored) As someone who never had the luxury of enjoying a meal at brilliant chef Deb Paquette's previous venture, Zola... I had scraped together enough hear-say to know that Etch is a complete departure from the previous menu and aesthetic. I was finally able to enjoy a Paquette experience for lunch the other day and was very impressed. I should also start off by saying that parking WAS NOT an issue as I know that many locals get worked up about how/where/who to park but I pulled right up front and slipped a few quarters into the meter. You may also utilize the complimentary valet service too. Easy breezy, right? Next, I strutted my ravenous self into Etch's gorgeous modern space that boasts natural sunlight from the abundant windows throughout. Throw in lofty high ceilings, clean design, and a classic white tablecloth and you feel as if you've been whisked away to NYC. Many spots try to reenact the quiet sophistication that Etch so nicely pulls off. The space felt comfy and inviting yet chic' in the same breath. Rumblings of an "Etchy Hour" (happy hour) along with a Downtown Resident loyalty were program were in the air along with the capability for the space to be used as a venue for special events and dinner parties. A smaller private dining area (10-20ish guests) is nestled near the entrance too. Ready to get the scoop on the food? The extremely veg-friendly menu was much appreciated for this vegan and the doting and experienced server was great at suggesting some tweaks for my lifestyle. I opted to start off with an appetizer of Roasted Cauliflower ($8) to share and enjoyed the healthy yet filling dish. This normally comes paired with truffled pea pesto, salted almonds, and feta crema dipping sauces but he made some adjustments for me. For my main course, I chose the innovative Zucchini Slaw Roll ($9) that was a DELICIOUS concoction of arugula, fennel, red onion, roasted carrot, shiitake confit, avocado, and horseradish mayo (I altered to not include the mayo) paired with house-made potato chips. As a bit of a splurge, I tried the peach sorbet ($3 per scoop) and didn't feel the least bit guilty as i ate every last bite. Everything that I ordered was thoughtfully prepared, presented, and beyond tasty. I normally refrain from giving 5 stars on a first visit but I just can't help myself... Etch will definitely become one of my regular spots. My next visit will be to try out the dinner menu and to pony up to the bar to try their cocktail menu. This would be a fabulous spot to take a date... hint hint.
(5)
Ted T.
Lively place near all of the downtown action. Art Deco. Fabulous food. Flavorful and lots of fun textures. I had the cobia. Very good. My wife had the filet infused w duck butter. The roasted cauliflower appetizer was very good too. I'd go back.
(5)
Carolyn M.
Yum. Really really yum. We had the cauliflower app - this is really the time to not skip your veggies. The pesto pea mousse thingy is kind of amazing. I had the much-loved short ribs and (surprise!) frigging loved them. Hubby had the pork dish, which was also fanfreakingtastic. Two Jackalope pale ales a piece and total bill of $87? Yes please! (That's pre-tip and our server was a lamb, so it did get pricier when you add his comp in).
(5)
Samuel M.
Fantastic food. Very overpriced, you are paying for the "atmosphere". Absolutely pathetic portion sizes, the appetizers were larger than my entree. Just go across the street to Southern Steak and Oyster.
(2)
Chris S.
The tuna bowl and the Fall Salad with Chicken are great. Solid lunch options all over the menu. Generally pretty easy to get in and out of too. Highly recommend the sweet potato and tomato soup.
(4)
Samantha B.
Trusting the people of Yelp, we chose Etch as our first dinner in Nashville this past weekend. When we walked in, I was surprised by the set up of the space...very different than most restaurants in Philly, and more formal. The bread to start was great, but after that everything went downhill. I had to send my drink back (which I rarely do), and the second one wasn't much better. We shared multiple things and were in search of a slightly lighter meal. We started with the octopus and shrimp bruschetta and the cauliflower. While the cauliflower dish could have been promising, it was under-roasted and there was WAY too much of it. Cauliflower overload. Again, the bruschetta could have been promising, but we found it odd that it was served room temp. On to the next with hope of better dishes...the Katafi pastry. all of these flavors sounded great to us, but it was SO heavy! And the plate was loaded with a huge amount of gross looking (and not so great tasting) sauce. At this point we were a bit upset, but ordered the pork belly appetizer so we didn't leave hungry. Finally, the pork belly was delicious. However, it was served on a plate with tahini and blueberries?? Still confused about that one. To top it off, I felt like the server was trying to rush us out of the restaurant. Overall, I'd say Etch got a 2.5 in my book. Would not recommend for a relaxing and delicious date night.
(3)
J H.
I'm just going to observe that yes, it's true. This was a culinary experience not simply a meal. Twelve of us. In the private dining sanctuary just to the right after entering the restaurant. We could see into the restaurant and not feel cut off, but it was our own space and the business, political, sports, and social conversations were enhanced by the venue, the food, and the service. I'm not going to force my menu choices on anyone else. Feel confident to range anywhere on the menu.
(5)
Richard J.
Wow, that was completely amazing. The venison is rubbed with a spice that provides a gentle kick, and it's portioned just right. The taste reminded me of some of the best Indian/Pakistani meat dishes I've had, toned down a step or two in spice, with a better cut a meat that just melts in your mouth. Also on the plate is another worthy star: the ginger grits, supported by the tastes of pear butter and sweet potato guava. For dessert I ordered the chocolate hazelnut crunch, which was the perfect blend of sweet, salty, and - as the name implies - crunch. All in all, a fantastic dining experience, with attentive and helpful service.
(5)
michael d.
Cool modern ambiance. Small bar, good drinks. Lamb crudo excellent. Menu not terribly inventive but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Good food, good presentation and excellent service are the keys to a good night out and that we had.
(4)
Ursula M.
Fantastic food. Im not a dessert person but the citrus parfait was a revelation. The only (minor) quibble is that the portions ate a wee bit large.
(5)
Natalie C.
Great restaurant and great food. Love the cauliflower appetizer and I love the scallop entree. Always good service and great food!
(4)
Edib L.
Food was delicious. Service was sub-par. Plates were cleared when one of us was still eating, which was a grevious faux pas. Our waiter was smarmy and rude once he learned that we weren't ordering cocktails. Service, especially at a place like Etch, should be consistent and excellent, no matter what you order.
I ate here for dinner during a recent trip. Every dish we had was fantastic from the concept to the execution. The cauliflower seems to be the fan favorite for good reason. The pork was moist and tender, and the venison was incredibly flavorful and soft. The sauces are definitely the highlight of the dishes at this restaurant. It is also centrally located near all the major broadway attractions.
(5)
Jesse B.
Etch is one of my favorite restaurants in Nashville, and I've been to many of the competitors. 1. The food is excellent. I've heard some critiques that there is 'too much going on' which may be true. If you're worried about this, perhaps look elsewhere. But I love the varying flavors and contrasting things going on. 2. Ambiance is very trendy. Great place for a date, event, or to impress.
(5)
robert l.
Okay, so I'm a terrible foodie - I admit it. Etch really scratches that itch, for sure. Now, I live in Northern California where the trend is "the simplest preparation lets the ingredients speak for themselves" - Etch ain't that. In fact, the only thing that keeps me from giving this place five stars is that there were SO MANY THINGS HAPPENING ON THE PLATE THAT I GOT DIZZY!!! That said, I had a great meal here. Let me 'splain. First course: pork belly with kimchi (and a whole bunch of other stuff). Now, we all know how easy it is to screw up pork belly: cooked too long, it gets greasy and tough; too short and it's even worse. This was absolutely perfectly cooked: soft, unctuous and thoroughly delicious. The kimchi, which I wouldn't have thought would work, was perfect (and, itself, delicious). Now comes the confusing part: the dish was served with two schmears of tahini and that was, in turn, accompanied by blackberries and raspberries (mind you, this is February in Nashville so you KNOW those berries aren't farm-fresh!). The tahini was simply confusing and out of place; the berries might have been nice if they were fresh and flavorful (they were neither) but as it was they were simply a jarring note to an otherwise delicious and perfectly executed dish. Main course: venison, served on a bed of ginger-inflected grits that was, in turn, served on a bed of sweet potatoes; the meat came with a dollop of cranberry conserve and was accompanied by a few daubs of banana/walnut emulsion and a scoop of pear butter. Are you feeling me now? The dish was really good - everything sang with a clear voice - but it was like sitting in a choir: the music was wonderful but deafening. The profusion of flavors forces you to eat slowly, which is a good thing, but when you do the dish suffers from temperature degradation, which is a bad thing. The grits, for example, started out hot and phenomenal; by the time I was halfway done they were lukewarm and had lost some of that "wow" factor. The service? Outstanding! The wait staff was universally terrific, the wine steward knowledgeable and incredibly spot-on and the restaurant has the best sous chef/expediter in the business (a critical component in executing the chef's vision - he's the best I've seen). Would I go back? Absolutely. I couldn't eat there every day - I'd go crazy - but for "anti-comfort" food that will engage you on every level, this is your place.
(4)
Christina V.
Wow! That is the first word that comes to mind when I think about my experience at Etch last weekend. From top to bottom the amazing food, the great service and the knowledgeable staff have made me a huge, raving fan. Ever since Etch opened I've wanted to go and finally got the chance to go with my husband. I had hyped it up so much in my mind that I was afraid it wouldn't live up to my expectations. I'm so thrilled it did! The hubby and I aren't big drinkers, but we did try the Jack and Cocchi, which was delish and very reasonably priced at $9. We started with the butter tasting - so good! We asked for more bread because there was no way we were going to let them take all that delicious compound butter away from us. Then it was on to apps. Everyone I know has raved about the roasted cauliflower and OMG, it was incredible! I could have made a meal just out of that generous plate of beautifully roasted cauliflower, which I'm seriously considering doing for an upcoming lunch. My husband had the duck confit, which was also so good and he absolutely devoured. Next were the main courses. I chose the venison because it sounded so unique, which it was. I loved the Moroccan spices and the ginger grits were to die for. I have never tasted anything quite like it, which is exactly what I love. New flavors! My husband had the pork tender loin, which was beautifully prepared and so delicious. He said he loved that it was like comfort food, but just way more elevated and interesting. After all that food, we couldn't bring ourselves to indulge in dessert, but maybe next time as we will definitely be back to try more of the fabulous menu. Congrats to Deb Paquette and the Etch staff! This is definitely a stand-out in Nashville.
(5)
Chris R.
Get the butter tasting...everything was great! We are new to Nashville and this is probably the best restaurant we've tried so far.
(5)
P R.
Loved this place! Close to our hotel so we were able to walk which was a real plus. Great waiter, great service and great food. Superb presentation of everything we ate. Try the roasted cauliflower as well as the beets and berry salad for appetizers. Venison and fish entrees were great although I didn't love the spices on the fish but perhaps that's just me. Amazing deconstructed chocolate dessert. YUM! Deb is great at layering on the flavours and deserves kudos for her fine establishment. Make sure to visit this little gem when you're in Nashville!
(4)
Palak S.
Roasted cauliflower is overrated and a blunt mixture of tastes. However, some of the other dishes were excellent, including beet salad (beets were perfection) and the vegetarian pastry dish was outstanding and creative. As a vegetarian, I would happily visit again! Lastly, service is outstanding and friendly. Only thing I would recommend is to get rid of the tv at the bar.
(4)
Kathy C.
I don't usually do this, and by this I mean submit reviews for much of anything no matter how much I love, hate or ride the fence. I loved this place. The meal I had was divine, our service was impeccable and I can not wait to go back and take my husband!! Dinner before Kings of Leon with three girlfriends, and we shared the butter tasting and roasted cauliflower. Both were outstanding. The butters were awesome, because...well, who doesn't love butter? We had no idea there could be so many flavors on a plate of roasted cauliflower! Even the cauliflower haters at the table tried and loved this app. I had the filet--which was perfectly cooked and beautifully presented. We skipped soup/salad, since we were going to the concert and didn't want to be totally stuffed. However, we shared two bottles of wine suggested by our waiter that sent us running to the liquor store the next day to find more...and we shared the coconut meringues, which were very good. As we gushed about everything we ate on our way to the concert venue, we all agreed it was a really special dining experience.
(5)
Musatye R.
Recommended to me by the fabulous Ms. M. on Yelp! Food was delicious, the patrons at the bar, local - same building local - or a "night on the town"ers were the best part for me. Engaging conversation. Laughter. Sports, cars, performing arts, and anything else we could toss in the conversational salad, we did. The bartender, Paul, was a riot. If good food, pleasant ambiance and laughter is your thing, this is your spot.
(5)
Matt B.
I'll make this short and sweet. Overpriced menu, rude & pompous wait staff, and to boot, my car was towed for being in their valet spot. Next time before you screw me, let me put on lipstick first.
(1)
Leslie J.
The best in Nashville...hands down. I've liked every single thing I've ever ordered at Etch. My only complaint is that the dining area does not have great ambiance. It just seems a little stuffy/formal. I love the bar, however, and, their happy hour is awesome! Despite being downtown, they have valet, and the restaurant is a straight shot down Demonbreun. So don't let the downtown location scare you away. Can't wait to go back, again!!
(5)
Matthew L.
This was the best restaurant we visited in Nashville and we went to a lot of places. Far more superior than some of the nearby restaurants.
(5)
Dee Dee S.
Love the place, roasted cauliflower is a must! Cocktails are great and server was fantastic. I had the scollops and they were a little under cooked for my taste and may daughters fish was a little over cooked but all in all we had a great experience-I will be back!
(4)
Marissa C.
We had a fabulous experience last weekend at Etch. Since we currently live in NYC, when we travel we are always looking for a unique menu that we may not find here. Etch had both an innovative menu and wonderful service. What I first noticed were that the prices were almost identical to a NYC menu, yet the portions were double the size, giving you much more for your money. We started with the ratatouille salad and the shrimp and octopus bruschetta which were both phenomenal in taste and presentation. For entrees my husband had the venison and I had the scallops. The scallops were on top of a salad which included bacon and tempura fried mushrooms. We also had the cauliflower appetizer as a side which was huge. We had absolutely no room at all for dessert which was disappointing as I'm sure we could have found a few things to choose from. In addition to the food, one thing we found interesting was the very large open kitchen. It was not noisy or distracting at all, nor did our clothes smell upon leaving. I would highly recommend going to Etch for a great dining experience in Nashville!!
(5)
Tracey J.
Started with a great happy hour: $5 glasses of good wine and amazing roasted cauliflower (and I don't usually like cauliflower). Next we went to dinner and out of 8 people, there was not one negative comment. The service was great and the food was even better. I had the corvina special and I practically licked my plate. Next time I'm in Nashville, I will eat there at least twice!
(5)
Dev D.
Etch was a first rate first date experience for my girlfriend and I. It was very important to me how we were treated. We both took note of this. Due to work and travel I didn't have time to iron dress clothes for the evening so I dressed down and was admittedly, and embarrassingly, a little wrinkled. I felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb that just didn't belong but I didn't receive any glaring looks from the staff and our waiter didn't speak to me like I was a scab that just crawled in off the street. I knew what I wanted ahead of time because I called ahead to find out the best vegan and vegetarian options. The roasted cauliflower and the rutabaga la plancha was fantastic. My girlfriend mentioned that she was really pleased that our server made eye contact with me when he was speaking with me instead of supposedly talking to me but focusing his eyes on the pretty girl next to me. According to her, waiters uncomfortable dividing their attention was a typical experience for her on a date. I told him as much and I hope my tip reflected the satisfaction of our experience. Etch will make you feel like the king and queen of the hour have arrived. . .and the food is amazing!
(5)
Randy E.
Deb Paquette was my favorite Nashville chef when she was at Zola's. She does not disappoint at Etch--in fact she takes her artistry to a whole new level. Highly recommended!
(5)
Desiree K.
Amazing, just simply amazing. Everything we had was amazing. Beets and berries salad was everything I had hoped for, followed by the scallops which are normally served 3 ways but to accommodate my gluten allergy were served 2 ways, and melted in my mouth. My husband had the lamb chops, which he claimed fell off the bone. Finished it off with the mocha cremeaux (minus phyllo) which was amazing as well. My mocktail was perfection. The service was outstanding and overall we could not have had a better experience. Will definitely be going back with visitors and/or clients. Great place if you're aiming to impress.
(5)
Jagan P.
Really solid. The sous vide steak was excellent -- a must try.
(5)
Jennette F.
Service was great. Loved the cauliflower appetizer. My scallop dish good but the bacon in the salad was a little too much and made it greasy. My husband lived his lamb dish. It had an Indian flavor to it. Dessert was yummy too. Chocolate cake with carmel and hazelnuts.
(4)
carolyn h.
I love a restaurant that is creative with food and uses good quality fresh ingredients. Etch is one of the best restaurants in Nashville, it is not the most expensive but it is one of the best dining experiences that my husband and I have had recently. The cauliflower is wonderful, as well as the tenderloin my husband had and the tuna atop my so unusual salad. The chef has so many more creations that we want to try soon!
(4)
Jack K.
Our waitress described the food as "Eclectic World Palate", which is a good description for this very unique restaurant. Do not expect traditional restaurant items at Etch. Plates are small, have a distinctive asian flair, and food coming from the kitchen is somewhat slow. All of our dishes were perfectly prepared and artfully presented. The Roasted Cauliflower appetizer was great; the Butter Tasting is just that - butter with bread. The Duck, highly recommended by the waiter, was very good, but less tender than we expected. Scallops and Prawn is just that - 2 scallops and one shrimp, but very well prepared and beautifully presented. Overall, very unique and artful food.
(4)
Brandon G.
We randomly wandered into this place because we were attending an event downtown, and I ended up getting one of the best steaks I've ever had. It was delicious and cooked perfectly. They are doing some good, unique things.
(5)
Aileen F.
OMG! By far one of the best meals I've ever had. Enjoyed the Fall salad with currants, blueberries, pineapple, black beans and sweet potato. For dessert I had the chocolate caramel ice cream made from goats milk. Would come again next time I'm in town!!
(5)
Vanessa T.
My husband and I had one of the best meals EVER at Etch. We dined on a Saturday night and showed up without a reservation but we're greeted at the bar by Paul, who ended up being our server as we were able to snag a table in the bar area. From our expertly crafted cocktails, to our off-the-hook appetizer (the roasted cauliflower is their specialty and it's obvious why), to the beautifully prepared beets & berries salad, our AMAZING entrees and perfect deserts... we were just floored. Paul's recommendations were spot on (we're foodies but when you find yourself reading a menu where you could probably order and enjoy anything on it, it's good to get solid recommendations from an insider). Even though the place was packed, Paul treated us like we were the only guests he had. We definitely appreciated his attentive service and his outgoing and fun personality. All of that combined with his food and wine knowledge made for an excellent experience. And the food! It honestly couldn't have been better! So much went into each dish, so many layers of well developed flavors and textures. Truly one of the best dining experiences we've ever had. We highly recommend this restaurant!!
(5)
Lucy M.
I went to Etch for lunch this past Monday with my mom and was completely BLOWN away. 1. The location is AMAZING. It's downtown in the heart of all the action. My mom and I sat at the window, and we could see the Country Music Hall of Fame out of the window. 2. The menu is extremely unique. I had a white bean patty melt that was the best thing that I've ever eaten...no exaggeration. The homemade chips that accompanied the patty melt were delicious too. My mom and I also shared the soup of the day which was some type of mushroom soup ( can't remember the exact name). Nonetheless, the food, atmosphere, and location will make you want to go back to Etch for sure.
(5)
Mark C.
Second time was the charm! Food is excellent and service this time was great! However they need to change up or expand the menu otherwise boredom will slip in. Otherwise must stop in here
(5)
Susan D.
One of my favorite restaurants in Nashville. The staff there is super nice and I love the open kitchen bar where you can sit and watch the kitchen staff prep the meals. I had the Ratatouille Crudo Chicken Salad and it was big and filling and tasted so fresh and unique. I loved every bite of it and desired to follow up with some delicious desserts but fought off the temptation. I can't wait to go back the next time I'm dining in Downtown.
(5)
Reshawn L.
This is a lovely restaurant with an interesting menu. My colleague and I enjoy trying new restaurants when we travel and enjoyed our lunch at Etch. The service and food were both good. He enjoyed an open face burger with what he calls fancy mustard. It looked fantastic. I had the brisket pupusa. It was good but would have been better with less sauce and more seasoning. The absolute best part of the meal was the warm pound cake with crisp edges topped with pear sorbet!! OMG Delicious!!! My teammate had the pumpkin ginger custard which he loved! While Etch was a great place for lunch the wait for dinner was at least 30 min. With Farm House just steps away we chose not to wait for dinner. Instead we returned the next day for lunch. I loved the brightness of the place during the day. The decor made me want to lunch with girlfriends. If you can't make it for lunch definitely make a dinner reservation. Etch for lunch and Farm House for dinner made for a great downtown Nashville dining experience!
(3)
Lynda J.
Deb scores another win ! Etch is even better than Zola. The food is amazing. Its balanced and all dishes are though through. The flavor is full and perfectly cooked every.single.time. Spend your money with Deb Pacquette.
(5)
Food Critic S.
Best scallops ever!! Service was great and food had amazing flavors!! Loved sitting at the Chefs table!!
(5)
Kelly T.
Visited Etch this weekend for the first time. I have to say the food was good but nothing that would make it a must-go-again-soon. We started with the cauliflower after reading the reviews. The truffled pea pesto made the dish. I had the filet and my wife had the lamb. The filet was a really nice cut and was cooked as requested and the lamb was also. The mushroom pain pardu was a first for me and it was great but filling. I ended up leaving half of it on the plate, reluctantly. We also had the brussel spouts and they were very good as well. The service was good and wasn't slow as mentioned in other reviews. Overall, we liked it, our food was good and prepared right but we both thought the menu seems "limited". Hopefully this will be an ever evolving menu. If it stays absolutely the same I doubt we would be back soon. Nashville is brimming with a variety of dining possibilites these days.
(4)
Ozzie T.
Well...nice place, more servers & wait staff than people at 7pm=prime dinner time, which added to the buzz, but not the overall experience. The fruit fly that kept buzzing near my microbrew kept us from committing to entrees which lead to another question. Why so many managers in suits and out of place decor items + the stripped down minimalist lift look? The food was good, just kinda didn't live up to the hype. Very friendly staff though and Overall...very mixed feelings compared to other restaurants shooting for the higher end that have met my belly who landed flat:/
(3)
Jamie F.
I've been on a vacation and business travel junket for a month that has, to date, taken me to Greece, Rome, Sanibel Island, and Palm Beach. I have to say that this restaurant in Nashville has been the most dynamic and tastefully balanced of them all. I recommend the duck confit and lamb. They were simply exceptional.
(5)
Mitchell G.
Outstanding meal -- pricey but definitely worth it. We had the Cobia, Scallops, and the veggie tort (can't remember its name). They were all awesome! The service was great, as well. What's not to love!
(5)
George C.
Just WOW from start to finish. We just landed from our home in Miami and never thought we'd find a place like this in Nashville- but we did and all I can say is- it has kicked the A$$ of most places in the USA I've ever been to. We got: cauliflower app, pork loin, lamb chops and the vegetarian dish and all were the best of those dishes we each had ever had. Must come back!!! Thing I'll miss the most about Nashville- etch and we had one bad A$$ waiter- Darren P!
(5)
B T.
Great food! Great Service. I hope they use Humphreys Street Coffee Co. in the future....best coffee in Nashville and they roast right around the corner from Etch.
(5)
V T.
Pretty decent restaurant. Roasted cauliflower is highlight of appetizers. Had the lamb for the main and it was cooked perfectly. Good wine selection and overall ambiance. Might come back if in town again although there are so many other food options to try nearby.
(4)
Alyssa H.
The Roasted Cauliflower was our favorite. We also tried the shrimp & octopus bruschetta, Etch salad, the duck confit, and the pork tenderloin. The service and atmosphere were great. We loved it. Thank you for a wonderful dinner!
(5)
E. D.
Great food and a wonderful experience... I've been making roasted cauliflower at home ever since having it there (though mine isn't within a ten foot radius of what they offer.) Delicious and worth a try!
(5)
Michelle M.
Yum, Yum, and YUM!!!!! Good food, beautiful decor, very kind and helpful staff willing to explain everything in great detail. I can't wait to return.
(5)
Meridith B.
Really enjoyable evening at Etch. We had the octopus bruschetta, the beet and goat cheese salad, my boyfriend had the lamb dish and I had the filet. Everything was delicious. And our server was really excellent, he knew a lot about the dishes and wine list and he was very into the whole experience. I'll be back.
(5)
Jane D.
Excellent dining experience! My filet was cooked perfectly and delicious! Great service, informed and friendly. The dessert was eh, the peach upside down cake wasn't great. Great wine list. Lovely ambience.
(5)
Renee D.
I Ioved Etch from the minute I stepped in. The trio of butters, the lamb, the wine, was all fabulous. We were there for 3 hours and never felt rushed.
(5)
Cindy D.
This chef is truly a master of her craft. Her vision and passion for how foods pair together is truly a gift. Her staff is very knowledgeable and welcoming. I cannot recommend this restaurant enough and coming from me, that says a lot. Prices are reasonable and the food is incredible. I would love to do an internship under Chef Deb! Bellissima!
(5)
Sam D.
Not nearly as good as it wants to be. The portions were too large. The food was arranged poorly on the plate. The bread with the butter tasting was not fresh. Our meals looked nothing like the photos posted. The food needs refining. However, everything tasted fine and the decor was nice.
(3)
David M.
On the first bite of every course...speechless. What an amazing culinary journey! This is a MUST visit treat if you are in downtown Nashville.
(4)
Billy W.
We started my wife's birthday evening here last week. It was absolutely amazing. We had two small plates, duck and seafood, and had a few cocktails. The service was top notch and food was mouthwatering. We will definitely be back.
(5)
Cass L.
The service and food were both superb. The atmosphere was also very nice. I don't think you will find better 'fancy' food in Nashville, especially in the price range. The appetizers and entrees were all exceptionally flavorful, there wasn't one dish that wasn't a joy in my mouth (pork and venison entrees, pork belly and charcuterie apps). I doubt there is a dish that disappoints. Flavor mash-ups that all worked together. Complements to the chef!
(5)
Jasper T.
This was a last minute decision to finally try Etch. It was a for a birthday celebration and we had tickets to go see Kathy Griffin and thankfully Etch is just right across the street. When we went in we were informed that they were full till 8 however we could sit in the bar. That was perfect. We were still severed just like we were sitting in the dinning room and was the food ever amazing. We started off with the calliflower and it was to die for. Then we moved on to lamb chops and my partner had a filet. The food was simply stunning. We really can't wait to go Back.
(5)
Amanda B.
This was a wonderful place we stumbled upon, everyone was so great. The flavors are interesting, we each had the filet and were very pleased.
(5)
Bailey W.
So much yes. So much yum. I am so ridiculously picky about my filet and this one is to DIE for. I ordered the butter sampler app as a novelty and absolutely loved it. Butter made from duck fat? Um, yeah. Surprisingly pleased with the beets and berries salad and the rolls are delicious. Oh yeah, and the FILET. IS AMAZING. I have also enjoyed the pork tenderloin on occasion. The bartenders are friendly and attentive as well as knowledgable about their wines and the manager Richard is lovely and hospitable. The valets also seem like they only operate at a constant sprint, nice work. Thank you etch, for amazing repeat performances! See you soon.
(5)
Doug G.
I've had dinner here twice. I can say that the Filet with Mushroom Pain Perdu is quite possibly the best meal I've ever had. Deborah is an artist. This experience is a must for all who eat red meat. The Filet is top notch but the Mushroom Pain Perdu is what sets this meal apart. The texture and flavor is something I had never experienced. It's almost indescribable. The hairs on the back of my neck are standing up just thinking about that incredible warm, soft and flavorful combination of bread, mushroom, red wine... dear lord, it is amazing.
(5)
Teresa B.
As wonderful as you'd expect if you loved Zola! Fantastic menu, wonderful wine selection and classy, hip atmosphere. This is a great "special occassion" spot! Just plan lots of special occassions!
(5)
Tony H.
Love the sleek look of the place, and the very attentive staff. They're not stuffy, and are very articulate about the menu, etc. After two visits, I must say the menu shows great creativity and it delivers! You want healthy...done, vegetarian...done, beef sous vie'd in duck fat...done, great lunch salads...done. Good spot for a social or business lunch, can't wait to try dinner!
(4)
Bryan E.
We really enjoyed this restaurant. Great cocktails, I had the smoky old fashion and my wife had a tequila cilantro smash. Both amazing. We had a table looking out onto the street with a great view. The cauliflower app was delicious- highly recommend it and we don't even like cauliflower! The version and pork chop were both cooked perfectly and the flavor superb! Get a reservation ahead of time, smooth sailing from there!
(5)
Brandon K.
I was contacted by the Etch management regarding my previous review and they exhibited very fantastic service recovery. They clearly care about their guests and want a positive dining experience. I look forward to trying Etch again.
(4)
Sarah D.
dinner at Etch was sublime.. my favorite favorite thing here was dessert.... the olive oil ice-cream was seriously from another planet!
(5)
Jeff K.
This was probably the best start to finish meal I have ever eaten. We went for their Valentines 4 course tasting menu and it was really fantastic. I started with the champagne leek soup with truffle oil and a fried oyster which was very nice. The roasted cauliflower salad with smoked pea and truffle pesto with hazelnuts was crazy good. My wife had the duck confit salad which was very good-- not as good as the cauliflower in my opinion. Filet was cooked to perfection with a mushroom duxelle and wine reduction sauce with a potato beignet (pretty good). The desert was a chocolate ganache something with salted caramel sauce which was unbelievable. My wife had a citrus desert which was also tremendous. I was stuffed afterwards and the bill was expensive but it was a great meal. I am excited to come back. We do not drink so I can't speak to the wine pairings or mixed drinks.
(5)
Lauren W.
I have been here twice and both times a by underwhelmed. Cauliflower appetizer is wonderful and a must have! Other than that the main plates are fine. I have had the pork tenderloin and the spaghetti squash, neither of which was exceptional. On the upside I did see Ronnie Dunn and Reba here!
(4)
James R.
Enjoyed the restaurant and environment immensely. Went there last night. Person who seated us was extremely friendly and welcoming. Immediately, we had water poured, and drink request taken. We ordered the cauliflower to start which was excellent followed by additional meals which were very good as well. A little more expensive but well worth it. Though I'm continuing to try new restaurants in the area, this has been the best so far.
(5)
Dan L.
We scouted this place a month before going (passing through Nashville on a road trip). We knew it would be a highlight of the trip, and it was. Recommend ordering a succession of whatever you want from the menu (apps and entrees) and tell your server you want to eat family style. They will bring everything out gradually so you can focus on each dish, tasting-style. We received excellent treatment and service, and the head chef, Deb Paquette, even came out to say hello and obliged us food-fanatics with a photograph. EAT HERE - it is different, fresh, of the finest quality, and worth every penny. Get one of their signature cocktails, too.
(5)
David C.
Had yet another business lunch for 3 on 4/3/13. The buyer was a vendor from the DC area who was a foodie. Perfect yet again....entrees this time were the special of the day (gnocchi) for me and my co-worker and the egg sandwich for my vendor. This is my solid go-to lunch restaurant...be there again next Friday. :)
(5)
Ray C.
Had a great experience at Etch. I was with collegues from my business, and I was the guy who they look to to pick the good restaurants when we're at conventions all over the U.S. Etch did me proud. Every dish was spectacular. I won't go into detail, but the cauliflour side was excellent, the lamb and scallop dishes excellent, and the dessert awesome also. All around great meal, with lots of great flavors on every plate. If I every come back to Nashville, I'll be sitting at one of their tables again!
(5)
Liz D.
My husband and I came here for a celebratory dinner after hearing all the great things about Etch. We never had a chance to go to Zola before it closed, so I was excited to try this place out. It's a nice place- well situated in town, inviting atmosphere. But the food left much to be desired. I didn't realize there was so much Asian fusion on the menu- the thing about Asian fusion is that it's never quite as good as straight up Asian cuisine. We had the hoisin pork for appetizer, and while the pork was tender, hoisin is just an overwhelming flavor that takes over everything. Not well balanced. Then we had the fried short ribs, which was good itself, but the stir fry vegetables were like, straight from the frozen food section. Too much and unseasoned. The duck breast was okay, but not too much flavor on those. Pairing with the ginger grits was a save. Then we had dessert, the passion fruit mousse, which was okay- not stellar. I don't know, this place just didn't match up to the high standards that were placed on it. Maybe we just ordered the wrong things, but we ordered five items off the menu and only sort of liked portions of them. For how much we paid, I expected a better dinner experience.
Based on all the reviews, I had extraordinarily high expectations for this place and I am happy to say that our meal not only met but exceeded these! If this isn't the best restaurant in Nashville, it's in the top 3 for sure. It seems that their specialty is taking classic dishes and reinventing them. We started with the butter tasting and the cauliflower app. It's hard to believe that anyone could get so excited about a cauliflower dish but the way they season the cauliflower coupled with the sauces is just amazing and so flavorful! Highly recommend that! I had the pork tenderloin and it was seasoned impeccably - had a little bit of a kick to it. My husband had the lamb chop - it was tender and delicious! He totally cleaned his plate. Have to note that their wine selection was also pretty great and our server was very friendly and very knowledgeable. The atmosphere in this restaurant was more casual than I was expecting. My husband and I dressed up, thinking the prices dictated a more formal environment but we saw everything from sport jackets to shorts here so it's really a come as you are type of place. We will definitely return and would do so every weekend if we could afford it!
(5)
Dawn T.
Etch totally lived up to the glowing reviews I read online. We had an event at Bridgestone Arena, and were celebrating our wedding anniversary, so I wanted a nice restaurant within walking distance. I was anticipating a high bill, but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised it was not outrageous by any means. We had a bottle of wine, 2 very generous entrees, and split a dessert at the end for just under $100, not too shabby! I ordered the pork tenderloin, and my husband got the venison (interesting fact; the venison is farm-raised in New Zealand). Sadly, I do not possess the culinary vocabulary to accurately illustrate the glory of this meal. It was insanely good. I have never had so much going on on one plate in my life, and it all fused perfectly together. The venison was even wackier, with ginger grits and dollops of banana puree! I really wasn't sure after reading the descriptions on the menu whether I was going to like it as much as I did, but I will not hesitate to recommend this place to friends looking for a very special dining experience in downtown Nashville.
(5)
Anna S.
AMAZING! So many great flavors in everything we ate. I can't imagine that doesn't apply to all of their dishes. Great atmosphere and close to all the post-dinner Nashville fun.
(5)
Jen G.
Trendy with potential. Does not have the flow of an experienced restaurant. Some of the food was fantastic but did not meet all expectations in service, timing, and consistency between dishes. I would try it again, but would hope to see those problems solved (primarily Service for fine dining).
(5)
Benjamin R.
Very cool vibe and creative dishes. The main courses themselves were very interesting, good, but maybe just shy of as delicious as you'd expect given the creativity and presentation. The Japanese fried pork ribs were really good as a starter.
(4)
Oliver G.
Get over it Nashville. The past ain't past. The problems I had with Zola are loud and clear at Etch: the inability to self-edit. Every dish has about 50 ingredients, none of which provide any particular direction. That's going to be exciting for a lot of people (just look at all the 5-star reviews), and I'm sure the place will be popular with some. The space is great as was the service, the wine prices are as expected for a downtown lease. More is less.
(2)
Linz L.
The food was very good. The bruschetta is a must have, also the ratatouille salad was amazing. This place is good, but it is not the place to go and have a filet and potatoes. You absolutely must go out on a limb and get something more adventurous. That being said, I believe that this is a place for the food connoisseur that does not mind paying a higher price. Great service, food, and drinks, but priced a little too high ($11 dollars for a drink at the bar, and then the service charge added at the table- costing about an average of $14 a drink at the table). I do not mind paying extra for good food and service, but on the drinks- I really do not see the reason.
(4)
Meridith S.
Super classy place, great city views of the new Opera House. Wonderful Menu~ This place allows you a sneak peak to the kitchen as meals are prepared. Their Martinis are very good, the waitstaff very polite and attentive, and the roasted Cauliflower- yum! I had a filet that was nicely prepared. I cannot wait to be able to come back!
(5)
Queen B.
Again last night, friend and I had dinner. This time we opted to sit against the window and watch the people go by.. Craven waited on us and like a damn good waiter, he knew his menu.... inside and out. When asked a question, NOT once did he say to us, "I'm not sure..." Both friend and I thoroughly enjoyed our meals, the service, the ambience.. If I could change one thing.. I think I would put more "oomph" into some of the sauces. They were a little bland. For instance, the edamane sauce that came with the short rib appetizer. Short ribs are bland to begin with as is a lot of meat. I would have punched the sauce up more with more pizazz so that one of them shouted.. The vegetable slaw that came with the shrimp and filo appetizer was phenomenal.. Very good flavors melded together. The venison was a winner with the cranberry relish and ginger grits.. The venison was cooked medium rare and oh so tender.. My friend had the duck confit foi gras and he could only make noises and nod his head saying it was "better than sex." I fully understand. That is when a dish is "orgasmic." Not a table was to be had by 7pm.. Every table was occupied. The food is fantastic, the service is exquisite and Paul the bartender is right up there with the best martinis in town! I'm going to reiterate that this is probably the finest restaurant in town when it comes to service and food quality. I just wish she would put a little more "oomph" in some of her aioli and sauces......
(4)
Gi J.
Everything was excellent as other reviews have stated. The ambience, understated/modern decor and feel of the restaurant was great. The service was amazing and I thoroughly enjoyed the cauliflower appetizer as well as some sort of seafood/flatbread appetizer which was also pretty decent. They both came with the red pepper puree that I was a big fan of. I was also surprised at how much I liked the pea(hummus?) Sauce/emulsion. My brother was disappointed that his swordfish, which he was told would be seared, lacked any semblance of a crunch/sear. I was very satisfied with my lamb, although I wasn't expecting such a sweet dish. While I am, through and through, a savory person, I enjoyed the mix of the sweet elements, ranging from the Apple pie/tart with cheese to the apricot(?) On the plate. My father didn't complain about his vegetarian entree but both him and I, who shared portions of our meal, were in for a rude awakening. Perhaps we both contacted a stomach bug from elsewhere individually, but I find that highly unlikely considering that we had driven up to Nashville that day, checked into a hotel, and walked around briefly after our meal. Sharing a hotel room and having one toilet was a huge pain as both if us struggled to keep our meals down. When we tried to pinpoint what could have happened, we noted that my brother did not touch either of our meals and was completely fine. My father commented after we left that the veggies, despite being cooked, seemed like they weren't very fresh to him. I loved the experienced and maybe it was an off day, but I'm hesitant to give the place another try or to give this place the full rating it would have received normally. Tl;dr loved it but got food poisoning with my dad. Made for great bonding over the toilet
(3)
Vince E.
This is one of a few musts if you're a foodie who either lives in or is visiting Nashville. Although reservations are recommended, I walked in and sat at the Chefs bar. I loved that. You get to watch the kitchen. Very cool. The service was good, not great. They were very busy and I'm sure that contributed to a little decline in service but it was still good. I ordered the Lamb. It was amazing.
(4)
Dan H.
Mediocre meal overall. The food was thoughtfully prepared and it's a great atmosphere but the taste leaves a lot to be desired. Butter sampler was overly smokey and the venison has a feta fetish that overpowers the entire dish.
(3)
Sarah Beth B.
We are not Nashville locals, so I am extra pleased with us for finding Etch during a recent trip to TN. Y'all, the food here is CRAZY and I mean that in the best way possible. We started off with the cauliflower app, because who just puts a pile of cauliflower and dip on a fancy restaurant menu? Well, everyone should do it. It was weirdly incredible. The sauces! The smokiness! The texture of the cauliflower! SO. GOOD. we ate literally every single piece of cauliflower, and there were just two of us. That's a lot of caulitflower, but worth it. For our mains, we had the cobia (which google tells me is also known as the prodigal son fish. get on that, menu writer!) and the venison. these were NUTS. the venison, which came with cranberries and ginger grits and some kind of banana sauce we didn't care for, was insane. The bright flavors in the grits and cranberries was so, so good with the gamey meat. The fish was... how do i describe the fish? It was INSANE. There were oranges, and cranberries, and capers, and almonds, and a sauce, and the fish was spicy, and it was all served on top of a beignet, which is important to remember is just a fancy word for DONUT. it was a fish DONUT, and I loved it. Please order the cobia. you won't regret it. even if you hate capers, as I do, you just don't have to eat them. I'm sorry I'm using so much detail but this place demands it. We also got drinks! they were good. we're not huge drinkers so I will leave it at that. Our waitress was a little too chatty, but we had a lot of questions, so we may have brought that upon ourselves. Other than that, and the capers, this was a basically perfect meal. I loved it. I want to eat it again. But you know, it's not for the faint of heart. Be brave and enjoy the bold flavors.
(5)
Brittany B.
The food, atmosphere, and service here are outstanding! Be sure to check out their nightly specials and ask your server for suggestions because they are passionate about the food and will give you great recommendation. For an extra treat, sit at the kitchen bar where you can watch the magic happen - it's almost like being at a chef's table.
(5)
Eileen D.
I had REALLY high expectations for this place, and unfortunately I left feeling pretty disappointed. First off, the ambiance is seriously lacking - it feels like someone plopped a restaurant into a hotel lobby. Second, the food was good but there was a little too much going on. I'd recommend the cauliflower, which had really good flavor. I'd skip the butter tasting, as none of them were particularly remarkable. The scallops were great and they were super great about splitting it between two plates - and it was an impressive portion. But there was a LOT going on on the plate, and not everything tasted that great with everything else. So we were kind of left not sure how to eat it in the way the chef had intended, which was odd. The waitress had a pretty bad poker face and seemed outwardly disappointed that we were only splitting a few appetizers and an entree and just getting beer as opposed to something a little more pricey. I also felt pretty rushed - they had us out of there in a little more than an hour when I was hoping for a more leisurely meal. There's a lot to be said for pacing, especially when we ordered so many different things.
(3)
Erin T.
Only down side was husbands drink wasn't amazing (Stormy Cocktail - kinda tasteless). Other than that, it was exceptional! Venison and Lamb Loin were phenomenal!! Kenneth was our waiter and his speed, knowledge, and attentiveness took our experience over the top. If you are a foodie and like a burst of complimentary flavors in your food, this is your place! Etch will host a party in your mouth.
(5)
Dianne M.
Was travelling in Nashville and visited this restaurant, in walking distance to major downtown hotels. Nice atmosphere and excellent wait staff. I ordered a dish and immediately did not care for it. Management insisted to replace with another choice at no cost, which I did. The waitress, very professional, answered all our questions with a smile and never made me feel as if we were inconveniencing her. The venison and pork tenderloin were delish as was the roasted cauliflower. Peach crumble tart also good. Love this place because it's not noisy. My partner and I could talk without shouting at each other. And surprisingly their liquor manager knows the difference between whiskey and whisky. While not an extensive selection of single malts Scotch, there was decent representation from all key areas and described correctly. Example Islay was separate from Islands. Highly recommend this for any special dining experience. Wish we had this restaurant in my home town.
(5)
Tom K.
Went here for lunch on a Wednesday for the first time and ordered the Kale and Turkey salad. Unfortunately they were out of turkey so they substituted chicken and it was still excellent. Will return to try it with turkey someday. Service, ambience and noise level was great too.
(4)
Beth F.
The food is worth all the accolades, but the restaurant itself, while elegant, is not pretentious at all. There was a relaxed atmosphere with attentive service. We had the butter tasting and the roasted Cauliflower for appetizers. The Cauliflower comes with a sweet pea pesto and creme as well as almonds. The butter tasting must be tried as well. I had the filet. We shared a side of chickpeas and they were the superstar of a star filled show. They are tossed in cream along with bacon, cherries, and arugula. I was enchanted by how good they were. I could have eaten them alone for a meal. It was so tender and the loaded potato the was served with it was more interesting than a normal baked potato. I had two drinks:the Bees Knees from the menu, then I ordered a vodka martini. Both were delicious. My dinner companion ordered the halibut special. She loved it. This place is great for special occasions and business meals. I'll definitely return.
(5)
John W.
We visited Nashville this past weekend with friends for my birthday, we visited Etch approximately 6 months ago and couldn't wait to return. The 2nd visit did not disappoint, Etch will be a regular destination when we visit in the future. The wine and cocktails were perfect starters to an adventurous dining experience. Our appetizers were the ever popular roasted cauliflower and we also had a shrimp and squid dish that was superb. I had the beets and berries salad, loved the contrasting flavors. I so enjoyed the Cobia that I ordered it again, love the contrasting flavors. Also in our party, the pork tenderloin, lamb chops, a beef filet, and a new superb white fish, Corvina was served. Each dish was perfect with no doggy bags needed For dessert, I was presented with a cheesecake tart, we also had the warm pound cake and the pretzel bar (favorite). The entire dining experience was as anticipated. I loved the energy and enthusiasm of our server, Kenneth. He truly had a great time as did we.
(5)
Molly M.
Easy valet and great downtown location just a couple blocks off Broadway. Friendly hostess and wonderfully welcoming and warm waiter, I unfortunately cannot remember his name. He recommended a moderately priced bottle of a Grenache blend that we really enjoyed. We tried the famous cauliflower, and we loved it! Unexpected, delicious flavors and artful presentation. Same for all the entrees, our party of four all were very pleased. Only pulled one star because my very favorite spots tend to be a bit earthier, a bit more rustic. This place is very business appropriate, with an elegant, mature ambiance, but could probably be romantic if it suited your style. There is a very cool little glass walled room that a large business party had reserved, probably about 10 seats. Could imagine a birthday dinner or the like in there.
(4)
Alison B.
Delish. yummy drinks and great food. Service excellent. The cobia entree was great. And the Brussels sprouts are to die for. Cool atmosphere too.
(5)
meghan c.
Hands down the best food I've ever eaten in my life. We didn't know what to expect because the rest of Nashville seems so casual and "pub" like (which we've also enjoyed!) Our server was fantastic- a brunette from Dallas- she had great timing, great recommendations and great energy Good beer selection- my husband is into craft beer and found a few local ones he hadn't had yet Cauliflower- as good as the other reviews implied. Alone would've been great but the dips really made it great Butter tasting- well it was butter and there's not much better in life than that! We loved the truffle butter especially. The ginger cashew was the only one we were skeptical of Filet- hubby has the steak rare, and was cooked to perfection. Beer salad with goat cheese- it was about the best salad ever. The goat cheese was with creme fresco and tasted like ice cream
(5)
Mary C.
This place was delicious! We had the roasted cauliflower appetizer as recommended, it was as good as all the other reviews say. My husband had what he called "a really good old fashioned" and he has very high standards for old fashioneds. I had a great little cocktail called "The Rosemary", this was really yummy- I love rosemary. For the entrees my husband had the "From the Sea" special which was swordfish with some delicious lite quinoa fitter things that I tasted. I had the "Rutabaga La Plancha"- this is the only vegetarian item on the menu- and it did not disappoint! I would order this again and again! Also the dinning room is very nicely designed. Our waitress was very good at her job and was Johnny-on-the-spot about everything. Also she was super friendly. Yes this is a fancier/pricier place but if you're going to have one expensive meal in Nashville I would make it Etch. The portions were actually really large for a fancy restaurant! We both arrived starving and it was hard to finish our entrees, we were stuffed. I really wanted to try their dessert but I was too full.
(5)
PJ S.
No shrimp cocktail, no chicken parm. I hate this place. #scarcasticyelpreviews #dubchub #testatakesnashville
(5)
Mike N.
Best restaurant I have been to so far in Nashville. I am used to eating at restaurants in Philadelphia and New York, and Etch is comparable to these scenes. I got the roasted cauliflower which came with truffled pea pesto, salted almonds and feta dip as an appetizer, and it was superb. As a salad, I ordered the beets & berries which was an interesting blend of fruits, nuts and cheese. The highlight was the venison which was served with cocoa chili, grilled sweet potato, goat cheese and other flavors. The service was attentive and knowledgeable. I will definitely be returning.
(5)
Tonna H.
This restaurant is easily in contention for best restaurant in Nashville. Menu, food quality, presentation and professional wait staff rival offerings in larger cities. (Once had a Myers Lemon Pie slice that was so good I could have eaten the whole pie and still begged for more!) Never pass on the opportunity to dine at this establishment.
(5)
W L.
You know food is good when you SMILE. It's great when you DANCE. But to EXPERIENCE the two and also feel the LOVE of put into every individual morsel that is placed on a plate is truly rare and something to be cherished. Delightful is not a word to describe the passion placed in the creations here.
(5)
Ed P.
This place is just awesome. They have valet parking which makes going downtown much easier. The food and service was top notch. Tried the butter tasting and is was perfect. Could have made a meal out of that. I had the pork loin and I have never had pork loin that tender. It melted in my mouth and was perfect. The entrees have layers of flavors and textures. They look like a work of art on a plate. The only negative comment I would make is the atmosphere is open and very busy. If you are looking for a quiet dinner, this may not be your place. If you are looking for great food, it is a must visit.
(5)
Alex A.
Hands down, one of the best restaurant experiences I've ever had. Swanky, sexy atmosphere, with a clean, industrial feel. Knowledgeable (and I mean knowledgeable), friendly staff. They really know the food, and which wines pair best. Inventive dishes with really unique flavor profiles. The Roasted Cauliflower is a religious experience. (And I always thought I HATED cauliflower.) Must try -- Pork Belly and Butter Tasting appetizers! Can't WAIT to go back!
(5)
Dene L.
Very good, fresh food. I'm always happy to find restaurants that aren't relying solely on Sysco. Wish Belmont Blvd had some non-sysco options. The salads were wonderful. The atmosphere is a bit like you are in a conference room, but the food is fresh and colorful and healthy.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Upscale Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Dene L.
Very good, fresh food. I'm always happy to find restaurants that aren't relying solely on Sysco. Wish Belmont Blvd had some non-sysco options. The salads were wonderful. The atmosphere is a bit like you are in a conference room, but the food is fresh and colorful and healthy.
(4)Alex A.
Hands down, one of the best restaurant experiences I've ever had. Swanky, sexy atmosphere, with a clean, industrial feel. Knowledgeable (and I mean knowledgeable), friendly staff. They really know the food, and which wines pair best. Inventive dishes with really unique flavor profiles. The Roasted Cauliflower is a religious experience. (And I always thought I HATED cauliflower.) Must try -- Pork Belly and Butter Tasting appetizers! Can't WAIT to go back!
(5)Mousa H.
Since starting my reviews on Yelp at the suggestion of and to take an interest in something my girlfriend does I've been upset. My rating distribution is horrible. She keeps taking me to great places and obviously I'm giving mostly high marks. Well, she struck again. Except this may have been more than just a "great" place. This may have been the best overall dining experience I've ever had. I was less than impressed with the hostessing, but I'm not going to take away a star because the hostess wasn't overly friendly. From there on the experience did nothing but improve. I wish I could remember the young lady's name who was our server. Her timing was perfect, her table presence was on point and her suggestions were fantastic. I had the lamb dish (Lizzy had another, since she'll also write a review no need to mention it here). From the taste, to the presentation to the overall quality of the food I was just blown away... The peach crumble was incredible... tasted fresh and light and was not one of those desserts that makes you feel like you just gained a million pounds after eating it, though I'm sure we probably did... But like anything there has to be that one thing about a place that put it over the top... well for us it was Deb Paquette... the head chef of Etch... My GF has a tradition where when she goes to a place she loves she asks the chef to sign a menu for her, sometimes framing them but always saving them... despite it being late, and Deb being at the tail end of an exhausting Friday night she came out table side with the signed menu and spent a good 20 minutes with us regaling of tales from TV appearances she's had... educating us on the subtle and not so subtle differences of various southern accents and being an overall gracious hostess... Etch was a 5 star without a doubt before this, but the fact that she took the time to do this simply blew me away... We had many great meals in Nashville in our short visit, but this was by far and away the reason I will remember this trip for a life time...
(5)Jim H.
My first visit was on a Wednesday night about 6 PM. It was busy but even without reservations we were able to quickly be seated at a table for two. The waitress was very courteous and checked with the chef a few times on menu items to make sure they could be ordered vegan. I ordered the roasted cauliflower as an appetizer, which I thought was very good considering I normally don't like cauliflower. I also had the cauliflower black pepper soup, which was OK. But by this point, I think I had reached my fill of cauliflower. :-). (New to eating vegan, and haven't quite adjusted yet. Ha!) For the entrée, I ordered the Rutabaga La Plancha w/o cheese. That is tempura marinated onion, black mole sauce, pumpkin seed, poblano tomatillo crema, carrot masa sauce, caper cauliflower avocado smash (description copied from menu). . I didn't care for this and really just picked at parts of it. The presentation was fantastic though. So, the staff was very pleasant, the chef was accommodating and the food was prepared well. And while I did not care for what I ordered as vegan fare, my dinner guest thought her food was OK. This place is more upscale than casual and the prices reflect that. I really want to give a higher rating because I think the other menu items would be very good, but I have to rate just on what I have eaten. Give it a shot...unless you want to eat vegan.
(3)Chris R.
Nice date spot!!! Upscale and quiet!!! Prices were decent cheaper than I expected!!! Bartender is amazing!!! Upscale to a T
(5)Steve A.
The food at Etch is astonishing. Seriously. This was one of the best meals of my life. Every flavor component of every dish was surprising, complex, and worth savoring. Some dishes--such as the cauliflower appetizer--had different flavor combinations at different ends of the dish. There wasn't a single element of anything we tried that didn't contribute to the whole. An interesting wine list and knowledgeable servers complement this amazing food. And the ambiance is upscale, trendy, yet not too loud to have an intimate conversation. This restaurant would be a major weekly temptation if I lived in Nashville. Truly memorable.
(5)Jenna H.
After seeing this place listed as the best restaurant in Nashville on TripAdvisor (right behind a pizza place and coffee shop), we made reservations the day of (Friday night) through Open Table while traveling. Other reviews said sometimes you need to book 1-2 weeks in advance, but we were lucky! The atmosphere for dinner is posh, dark, clean, and modern looking. We enjoyed the high-end feel, and my fiancé wore a polo, jeans, and tennis shoes, so it wasn't pretentious. The wait staff was kind and knowledgeable about the food and wine list in great detail and offered amazing recommendations for both! The food was superb: - Pork belly appetizer was so tender it could easily be cut with a fork and melted in your mouth! - The filet mignon was tender (even at medium well) and had amazing, juicy flavors. I'm a steak snob after living in Dallas for years, so I was impressed with this steak! - The fried brussel sprouts side is the way to go if you love brussel sprouts at all! They taste succulent, but without a bunch of fried breading. All sides are meant to be shared with 1-2 other people. The two of us shared one side. We enjoyed the wine recommended to us and appreciated the fact that our waitress suggested a good-priced wine, not the expensive ones. Cabernet bottle prices start at $60-70 a bottle and run much higher! For one appetizer, two meals, one side, and a bottle of wine, we spent $180 before tip. The average dinner plate runs $30, which is a great price for what you get and being so high rated...filets are easily $50 at other steak houses! I highly recommend to anyone staying close to downtown Nashville. It's also a street over from Music Row and all of the action!
(5)Tracy S.
We started with butter tastings.. yes BUTTER tastings! prosciutto truffle, smoked parmesan black pepper, ginger cashew and malt vinegar options. My favorite was the ginger cashew, it was sweet and salty. As a non-steak, big meat person, there was really only one option to enjoy and it was the Rutabaga La Plancha, which was a mix of veggies, potatoes, carrots, and more all combined to make a magnificent vegetarian option at a fine dining establishment. we ordered two desserts, one was a chocolate bread pudding and the other was a chocolate banana, peanut butter concoction that was eaten very quickly. the menu is smaller than I would like but everything was delicious and a great place to enjoy a nice dinner in Nashville!
(4)Lee L.
NASHVILLE, TN: I just finished my third EXQUISITE meal at Etch! It's a little tough to spot from the street as the entry faces the parking lot next to the Encore building. Recommend taking Uber to the spot because parking is crazy. Modern, steel, clean, black linens and subdued darker tones everywhere. The waitstaff is formal, handsome and well trained. Ties and blouses. Open kitchen, Edison bulbs, and a view of the parking lot. FOOD - I was tipped off to the Cauliflower appetizer, which is on both the lunch and dinner menu, but the Brussels sprouts are only on the dinner menu. APPS Cauliflower Appetizer ($9/5 stars)- Awesome, their best selling and most known appetizer and it is deceptively simple: roasted, salted cauliflower with truffle oil and delicious add ons-Awesome! Butter Tasting Appetizer ($7/4 stars): Four different infused butters with a few slices of baguette. The truffle butter was mind blowing and the other three were pretty good. It was a fun appetizer for the group. SALADS Berries and Beets (4 stars): Delicious salad with a frozen goat cheese mousse (?!?). Candied pecans, awesome. Charcuterie Salad (5 stars): This salad was the envy of the table and the highlight of the evening. It is a work of art on the plate, with cauliflower, meats and a number of taste profiles in the abundant sauce and ingredients. Sweet and a little spicy. Order this; portion is enough to share as well. ENTREES Cobia (5 stars) - This dish was rocking: citrus, tart, sweet, Turkish spice (like curry) all competing and balancing. It is an adventurous dish, so if you need a milder taste profile get something else, otherwise order with gusto. Prepared flawlessly. Filet (4 stars) - This is a well prepared, well executed filet. Tasty and delicious, no surprises. Octopus and Shrimp (3.5 stars) This was my least favorite of the evening, the baguette it was on was charred too much. Charcuterie Plate (4 stars): This was good, but not amazing, meats, cheeses, and pickled vegetables/fruits. Cauliflower Croquettes ($12/5 stars)-Wow! This was delicious: over easy eggs, fried cauliflower cheese onion croquettes and hollandaise, some flavorful lamb bacon, red peppers, amazing! I was already full when this was served and I ate the whole plate. Dessert Chocolate Caramel Mousse Slice (5 stars): This was epic, like rich chocolate ganache, salted caramel and praline. Just decadent. Dark Chocolate Bread Pudding (4.5 stars): Wonderful caramel laced rich and moist and warm bread pudding with consistency of a soufflé. Cannot wait to return!
(5)Laura P.
Absolutely wonderful....though the review is really just on appetizers as we didn't make it to entrees. I started with a Moroccan Sangria, which was delicious. My friend pretty much just drank his way through a good portion of the whiskey list. And it's a fairly impressive and diverse list. Ordered: - Butter Tasting - very cool and a nice choice of app. The pineapple and mushrooms were the 2 favorites and we gobbled those up with the nice bread. The "everything bagel" was a bit meh, and the herb lardo was more like a very mildly flavored crisco. - Ciopino - Very nice with a lovely sauce that was a bit like a romesco. - Octopus and Shrimp Bruschetta - Also very nice, but with a tiny amount of shrimp....like there were only two VERY small pieces. - Venison Carpaccio - Damn, but this was delicious. But the favorite was.... - Pork Belly - So nice we ordered it twice! And that meant we were too full to carry on with an entree or dessert. :( Our server, Justin, was great and very helpful. This is a great restaurant and I'll be delighted to go back next time I'm in Nashville.
(5)A B L.
I felt very adventurous eating here- many curious food combinations! Our waiter, Travis, was excellent. The Food was colorful! Also try the roasted cauliflower- I was surprised I loved it!! Travis also gave us great venue recommendations to listen to real singer/songwriters near Broadway (the listening room).
(5)Gerry T.
I was visiting Nashville for the first time and I had heard about the recent influx of people to this city as well as the creativity going on in the culinary scene there so when people recommended Etch as a must go, I went. I thought the menu was uninspired and boring. I don't mean to sound like a douchie-foodie wanna be, but I have eaten in many great restaurants and this is not one of them. The service was efficient but nothing out of the ordinary. The drinks were good. We were a party of 3 so we sampled many dishes. The best part of the meal was the the drinks. Again, not bad but certainly not deserving of all the great reviews on yelp. Sorry everyone.
(3)Amol U.
The next time you've got a special occasion or a business power-lunch, Etch is a solid choice. Compared to most places in Nashville, Etch has a distinctly cosmopolitan look. Think upscale lounge or dinner club, which is a much different vibe than most of the hipster-casual or Southern-kitchen styled places in Nashville. It's different, and very pleasant. The dining area also allows you to see the kitchen at work, which is a pretty cool touch. The food here, again, is unique. It's hard to put into a particular category, but suffice it to say that you'll encounter some new tastes and combinations you wouldn't have expected ... And it totally, totally works. For example, you won't want to miss the roasted cauliflower appetizer, which comes with an array of delicious tomato and pistachio dipping sauces. Likewise, you might raise an eyebrow at fried catfish with a berry(?) glaze, but it's fantastic. On a final note, the service at Etch lives up to the food and ambience. Complimentary valet removes the hassle of finding parking downtown, and if you're on a tight schedule for lunch or before an event, the service is quick and responsive. Etch is definitely a stretch of my budget, but one that's well worth it. Definitely looking forward to visiting here again!
(5)Christina W.
I was very pleasantly surprised at how beautiful the restaurant was, I was expecting something a little more casual (based off conversation I had with friends) - so I'm glad I dressd up. :) There is free valet in the front, which almost seems like your best (and only?) option to park. Our waitress was very friendly and informative. We had 3 appetizers, the butter tasting, the cauliflower and the pork belly. The butter tasting was fun - we had our favorites and it was interesting to see the different flavors infused into the butters. Pork belly was AMAZING. I overheard that the set up changes on it at times, but the current set is so great. Fantastic complimenting flavors. Highlight of the evening for me. Even though I'm a server and most (i.e. - all I've ever talked to) hate Yelp (that's a different conversation, ha) - I use it frequently. So I took the advice of so many reviews and ordered the cauliflower considering it a MUST. Unfortunately, it's not a must. It wasn't bad, by any means. But I would not order it again. It was plain and underwhelming. I would divert to other wonderful things in the menu. We also had the venison (rare), which was wonderful. My father had the current vegetable plate which is a trio of mushrooms and other vegetables. He raved. We shared. It was pretty wonderful. He rated it a 10. I said 7.9 ;) All in all, twas a good visit.
(4)Dan Z.
The Good: service; The butter (its an appetizer); the atmospheres. The Bad: nothing; it was an enjoyable evening. The Rest: overall a great stop. Met my expectations for a Nashville restaurant in this class. Service was exceptional, food was very good, as expected. Not an extensive menu but adequate. Four stars and recommend and will be back. Couldn't give the fifth star because the wow wasn't there, but don't be dissuaded, it was excellent.
(4)Kristen S.
Came here while in town for the CMA Fest and my friends 30th birthday. The cauliflower appetizer is to die for (and I don't even like cauliflower!). I got the filet which was a whole new take on a normal dish. I thought the atmosphere was wonderful, the service was impeccable and the food tasty. My only complaint is the wine prices, I thought some were a little steep for the brand of wine they had.
(4)James B.
Ok so I don't want to sound arrogant or anything but this place was good, but I think it's Nashville good. Look, it's good but when compared to the likes of some places in Chicago, and NYC, it's just good. We got the Cauliflower, and a soup to start. The cauliflower was good but it was because the seasoning. It's baked with truffle oil then has some dipping sauces. It was good for sure. Entrees were the Confit fish and venison. The venison came out similar to a fillet. Perfectly cooked, small portion. There was a sweet potato, Brie cream, and some sauces. There was too much Brie and it over powered the coca seasoned venison. Back off the Brie cream a bit and it's a great pairing. The confit fish was a mahi mahi served over a vignette (doughnut) with apricots and a vinegarette drizzle. The flavors were awesome but it was weird because the fish is so flavorless. It's almost like the fish was there to provide texture for the other pieces of the dish, instead of being a main portion. The flavors worked and it was balanced but I just think the fish could be better utilized. Overall the staff is knowledgable on wine, pairings, and their menu. Good ambiance. Good for Nashville, but didn't blow me away.
(4)Joy M.
Our waitress was great! She was very passionate and explained the menu and have us a quick background on the chef's cooking style. We sat near the kitchen to see the dishes that would come out. Everything looked amazing and the waitresses would stop as they passed us explaining what dish they were holding. The food was excellent. Definitely loved the salmon dish which I believe was the fish of the day. The Rosemary bread that they served us with was a good initial touch to start our pallets. We ordered an old fashion (typically picky about how this is made as some places can make it too sweet). The drinks were made perfectly with a smokey finish and perfect blend. The bourbon pecan ice cream was delicious. It had a blend of pecans and cookie crumble. Overall a great experience and well worth the cost. What we ordered: -catfish app -cauliflower app -old fashion -szerac -fish of the day(salmon) -bourbon pecan ice cream -another fish dish I can't remember but had a beignet
(5)Loralyn D.
After hearing all of the hype about Etch, I was excited to give it a try. The cauliflower appetizer was recommended by the waiter and was delicious. The reason I'm only giving 3 stars is because of two things. First, although each dish we had was delicious, between the appetizer, salad, main entrees, and sides there was so much sauce on everything that I was overwhelmed. I like sauces, but not as the main taste of every plate. Maybe we somehow ordered too many things with sauces. I don't know. Second, the atmosphere walking in was really nice, but we were asked by the hostess and server if it was our first time to the restaurant and after saying it was, I felt like we were not as important. The staff was nice and we weren't treated poorly, I just didn't feel like a valued customer like at other restaurants in this price range. None the less, it's a nice restaurant and served great food but I would choose other restaurants in the Nashville area for the price..
(3)Jon M.
We're visiting from Phoenix (a city whose culinary culture has exploded in recent years). Further, I've lived in NY, LA and San Francisco and am well-traveled -- so without intending to sound braggy, I do consider myself pretty well versed on fine dining. Bottom line: I'd put Etch against anything these cities have to offer. I cannot recommend this place enough. Top 1% of all the meals I've ever had. Go. Details: It's modern, and clean-lined. The decor feels fresh and the ginormous open kitchen (which takes up 50% of the floor plan) sets the tone straight away. If that wasn't enough, the staff to patron ratio was 1:2 during a packed Thursday night. This is virtually unheard of in the service industry. The menu is diverse but focused. No multi-page turner here but you honestly won't care. The choices are varied and creative. Which brings me to some food specifics. Get the roasted cauliflower appetizer. You don't like cauliflower? Get it anyway. It's spectacular. The cauliflower itself is roasted and finished with a slight char. It's drizzled with truffle oil to give it a savory and fragrant perfection. Flanked on each side is a blanched-almond pea purée and a roasted tomato goat cheese purée. Both of these would be utterly spectacular on their own much less as basically a garnish to a starter. And that's really the summation of Etch in my mind. No corners skipped. No expense spared. Attention paid to the tiniest detail. We also had the pork belly appetizer. Excellent. My daughter had the fish of the day. Cooked and seasoned to perfection. My girlfriend had the venison. Rich and delicious. I had the lamb and once again the sides were just overwhelmingly good. Greek olive tapenade, a filo dough "clutch" stuffed with roasted feta. Grilled ocra. And the service (our server Ed in particular) was thoughtful, knowledgeable and attentive but not overly so. There is a sommelier on staff for wine suggestions. We didn't leverage him but nice to know that was an option.
(5)Joshua G.
Dear Etch, Your wonderful food, friendly service, and great atmosphere once again made my day. I've sat at the chef's bar each time and it has always been a great experience. I continue to thoroughly enjoy your fresh and interesting menu. The oldie but goodies are always awesome as well. Thanks for continuing to be a fantastic restaurant. You made my 1.5 hour drive through tourist traffic well worth it.
(5)Jane H.
This was the best meal we've had In years. The blending of delicious flavors was beyond good. We had the roasted cauliflower for an appetizer and the sauces were scrumptious. Service was impeccable and every course better than the one before it!
(5)Cindy S.
Possibly one of the best restaurants in Nashville. Friend and I had quite a tasting. Started with watermelon bubbles. My friend had the butter tasting and roasted cauliflower for myself. Wow! Mine was great - the truffled pea pesto was the best. My friend's butter experience was nice but only liked the pineapple rum chili in the end. I tasted it and I have to agree. It could've have used a little heat. Outside of that, the grilled lamb loin, crispy potato salad and desserts were decadent!!! I'm not a huge fan of lamb but I have to say my tastebuds were very happy!!! With the potato salad, it was all about the texture. Great job there. She had the peach crumble tart and I had the bourbon pecan ice cream. For me, my experience was a homerun!!!
(5)Linda B.
A definite must! Shrimp/octopus bruschetta was amazing. If you can't decide, try it for sure. Nice portion as well. Lamb- tangy and flavorful, with a twist on what you would expect. Venison- ate every last bite. Tender and not gamey. Loved the sides it was paired with. Too full for dessert, but it looked scrumptious. Atmosphere- nice, dim lighting and more upscale than the Broadway restaurants. Service- I wish I knew our servers name, he was knowledgable on every level and was a pleasure. Definitely made our experience. If you are looking for a nice dinner, food a little bit outside of the box, you have to check it out!
(5)Debby S.
We LOVE this place! Food, service, ambiance..they got it all. Our first time in Nashville. The first night we arrived in Nashville 8:30pm so we were hungry. Etch had a 20 min wait and we didn't have reservations. We went next door to The Farm House where there was no wait and we know why! Terrible at The Farm. (see my review of Farm) I mentioned it here because we are not the type to complain about the price if the quality of the food is excellent. We made it a point to come back to this vicinity for Etch and we are so glad we did. Etch is first class. Our waitress was so nice and helpful. The food is high end. My venison was cooked perfectly. The marriage of flavors beautifully matched. The presentation artful. We didn't want to dig into the food right away so we could let the presentation of colors and arrangement of items feed our eyes before our stomach.
(5)Umber A.
This place has to be the best restaurant I have ever been to. Each bite was a foodgasm. I'm a carnivore however somehow the waiter convinced me to try out their vegetarian options. I ended up getting the roasted cauliflower for app. The combo of goat cheese/ red sauce/ pea sauce was perfection. For my entree I got the rutabaga La Plancha. Very flavorful. I literally scraped the plate clean. Can't wait to go back. And the waiter was friendly and helpful! Service was excellent !
(5)Nikita L.
Went to Nashville for business and picked this place since it's got good reviews on yelp. I'm glad yelp didn't disappoint. We had the butter tasting, roasted cauliflower, and the main course was the most recommended fish dish. The two appetizers were great! I especially liked the truffle butter. But the main course was just ok. It's got interesting flavors but just not my fav. Service was good too. Defitrly worth visiting .
(4)Martà M.
I have made it back over to Etch for a few dinners since my last review, and certainly have not been disappointed. So much, in fact, that I have increased my star rating from four to five! I agree with Ryan O., the butter tasting remains one of my favorites! And the roasted cauliflower is superb! When in season, the grilled okra is still a MUST HAVE. While I won't eat the "meats" of the octopus and shrimp bruschetta, all the other pieces of the dish are great too! The Vegetable of the Day has always been a favorite side of mine; incorporating things like carrots, zucchini, and snap peas, sautéed in walnut oil (olive oil for me). On two of these visits, I've opted for the scallops. (Yes, they're just that good.) Served on a bed of greens, the portion is quite generous...something simply not seen often with fine dining these days. Wine pairings are abundant, and the staff seems to actually ENJOY their jobs. I'm anxious to try Chef Deb's new establishment since she has done such an excellent job with this one.
(5)Faith D.
My husband and I visited Nashville and met up with a long-time friend. Etch made for a perfect venue. The interior is spacious and tables were not on top of each other. Super fancy. Great place to dine, especially if you want to impress and have a non-rushed conversation with friends. Save your pennies, because it will take many of them and possibly a Benjamin or two depending on how good of a food and wine experience you have. We ordered the infamous beets and berries to start, followed by roasted cauliflower, and the entrees were Cobia and Grilled Lamb Loin. Just writing those makes my mouth water again. If I am ever in Nashville again, I will return gladly. If you are there, make a reservation and treat yourself to a great dining experience.
(5)Jane S.
Thank you Etch for helping me make my mother's birthday a special one! Unfortunately, I was not able to dine at the restaurant with my parents but the staff at Etch truly were amazing. I called a week ahead to make reservations for my parents. They were in Nashville for a vacation and it happened to fall on my mom's bday. I gave them my credit card so my parents wouldnt have to see a bill. I also ordered dessert ahead of time knowing my parents wouldnt order one. They did everything I hoped they would do. My mom can be difficult sometimes but they took back her original order because she didn't like the sea bass. Then they switched her order and got her pork chops. They were all very accomodating and I appreciate that so much! My parents LOVED the roasted cauliflower! I wish I couldv'e tasted it :) All in all, I am very grateful for the staff here making my mom's bday special even though I couldn't be there in person!!
(5)Liz C.
Trendy atmosphere so know that from the get go. Highly trained wait staff and amazing food. You're paying for atmosphere, service and food here and it's all well worth it. Delicious handcrafted cocktails for a variety of palettes. You MUST try the cauliflower appetizer. We hesitated and almost didn't order it, what a mistake that would have been! Wine was reasonably priced and food was amazing. Copia, venison, pork tenderloin and fillet were all amazing. Chocolate torte for dessert did not disappoint either. Would definitely visit again!
(5)Charles S.
Deb Paquette's Etch is one of my favorite restaurants in Nashville. Food, drink, service, and atmosphere (minus the current construction across the street) are fabulous. It's easily among the top 5 restaurants in Music City right now. I've only been twice thus far, and while I'm sure they're capable of having an off night, I've not seen anything but perfection. My first experience was for a milestone birthday. The server, whose name I've unfortunately forgotten, was the essence of professionalism. He paced our meal perfectly, even though we had two appetizer courses, a salad course, entrees, desserts, and digestifs. The service was absolutely the best experience I've had in downtown Nashville. As far as the food is concerned, I must start by saying some flavor or texture combinations may seem odd on paper -- Paquette is nothing if not inventive, and her menus seem to enjoy putting diners outside of their comfort zones in all the best ways. I may not get any points for originality here, but I'll echo others and say both the cauliflower and butter tastings were amazing. I liked the charcuterie salad, but I would have preferred it as a charcuterie board, to be honest. The shellfish special I had was perfectly prepared, and the wine pairing our server suggested was nothing I would have ever ordered myself, but couldn't have been better suited for the dish. My wife's venison was good in my opinion, but it was definitely on the sweeter side, so be prepared. The wine I selected for her helped, but she wouldn't order the venison again. I'm not sure I would either -- I enjoyed tasting her dish, but likely also would have tired of the sweetness if it had been my entree. If you're doing a downtown event, particularly if it's at the Schermerhorn (across the street), Etch is the perfect place for dinner or dessert and drinks, before or after your show. Reservations are a necessity, and I encourage you to get them as early as possible -- at least 2-3 days in advance for Sun-Thurs nights, and at least 5 for Fridays and weekends. Bigger events should be booked at least 2 weeks in advance. The bar does start to empty out a bit later, so if you're getting out of an earlier show, you might chance across a couple of empty seats, but don't count on it.
(5)Sam Z.
One of my favorite restaurants in Nashville! The service, the ambiance, the presentation, the portions are all impeccable. The cauliflower appetizer is simply incredible. A trip to Nashville is not complete without a visit to this amazing restaurant.
(5)Tommie S.
In April 2014, my job sent me to Nashville for a conference, and I of course, immediately turned to Yelp. This was a great place for dinner. Locals know that it's a nice place to visit as the hotel shuttle driver teased me about being able to afford the place. Either way, I'm glad I scraped the funds together as it was well worth it. I had steak and changed my sides based on Yelpers, and the chef was more than accommodating. I don't usually order any sort of steak (no particular reason other than mind are the best), but I'm glad I tried this steak as it absolutely melted in my mouth. The suggested dessert was also great. The cocktail wasn't the strongest, but I had enough to make them taste good. As a lone diner, I sat at the bar BUT not the drinking bar. Do yourself a favor and sit at the chef's bar. It's a great view. If you're familiar with Houston dining, it's just as great as the chef's table at Artisans. The ambiance was a bit loud for a weekday late dinner, but not too bothersome. The restrooms were also lovely. The hostesses were also quite helpful with contacting my hotel when I was ready to be picked up without having to wait. This place really is tops.
(5)Chris K.
FINALLY - a fine dining restaurant that has just the right ambiance! We walked into this hip restaurant, and immediately felt at ease. Classy, yet relaxed, decor; Miles Davis playing in the background, waiters and waitresses VERY accommodating and friendly - all fine dining restaurants should take note...waiters and waitresses that SMILE add immensely to a positive dining experience. Great job, staff! Now the food - EXCEPTIONAL...really interesting dishes - roasted cauliflower IS THE BOMB. Do not miss this appetizer if you are visiting for the first time. I know cauliflower isn't the most sexy vegetable these days, but this dish is proof that it's making an amazing come-back! The savory and sweet purees pair beautifully to your spectrum of taste buds; the almonds heighten the naturally "nutty" taste of the delightfully browned / roasted cauliflower. We also had the catfish and coconut chicken curry. Catfish was wonderfully crispy, with just the right amount of acid in the salad, sweetness in the strawberry preserve, tartness in the lime crema. The only reason I did not give 5 stars was because the coconut chicken curry with quinoa was unfortunately overcooked. Some chicken pieces were dry, while others were barely over cooked. The sauce was not as sweet and savory as I expected, but I also come from a Thai background, and it likely was not meant replicate Thai cuisine, but be an American twist on an asian dish. Overall - I will CERTAINLY be back - wonderful service, great food, great environment. Well done Etch - keep up the positive vibe!
(4)Anthony S.
Etch is easily one of the best dining experiences I have ever had in Nashville. I can rave about my meal for pages, but I'm going to try to restrain myself. The service was expert and warm. The environment is nicely laid out, if just a little neutral for its own good. That's likely the hardest I can knock Etch, because nothing hit our table that didn't feel special. If their atmosphere feels a little dated in its detail, I'll over look it. We started simple with their butter tasting. Four butters that were as different as whipped dairy could be. We ordered the Etch salad which took me by surprise. I don't typically go for blue cheese and apple in a salad- I'd eat theirs all day. My lamb was succulent and tender, expertly spiced with amazing accompanying flavors. My wife ordered the filet, which I thought would be as boring and safe as you'd expect from a grilled filet---wrong! It melted in the mouth and was so flavorful I would have thought it was drugged. Finally, our torte dessert was packed with moussey, spicy flavor. I found the crunch of the bottom layer a little hard to cut into, but my wife is in love with this dessert and declared it her favorite part of the meal (which is saying a lot). Finally, I have to mention that Etch's team of mixologists could have given me the best cocktails I have ever had in Nashville. I tried two of their signature concoctions; one based in gin with tarragon and the other a spicy take on the Manhattan. Both were amazing. Their bartender made the best Vespar Martini I've had in this city and when I asked for it, neither the server nor bartender batted an eye. From start to finish, I found everything was to love with so little to complain about. Etch had raised the bar for me with dining choices in this city and I can't wait to go back.
(5)Louis C.
Service, food, and drinks were all fantastic. My entire family loved their meal and we were all impressed with the service. Not mention, it was the best old fashioned I've ever had.
(5)Amy D.
We checked out Etch during happy hour and were pleased with the quality wine, beers, bites and service. We considered dining in the bustling dining room but upon walking in noticed a single cozy booth in the bar area that had our name on it. I started off with their $5 happy hour red (a nice Gamay) and Jesse ordered a Nashville beer from Black Abbey which was $4 during happy hour. We ordered all 4 food items on happy hour: roasted cauliflower, tempura catfish, pork belly and octopus & shrimp bruschetta. Our food came out quickly, each dish plated nicely and at the correct temperature. I assumed the happy hour portions would be smaller but we were happy with generous feast in front of us. Roasted Cauliflower - believe it or not my second favorite of the dishes! The truffled cauliflower was plated with truffled pea pesto topped with salted almonds on one side of the plate and feta crema on the other. The lovely sauces complimented the dish nicely. Pork Belly - this was our favorite dish and possibly the best pork belly I have tasted. It was rich, tender and a melt in your mouth caramelized meat. It was served with kenji kimchi "fries", tahini tofu sauce and ginger. Tempera Catfish - a crisply filet served on top of a tasty slice of compressed watermelon, plump aleppo chili blueberries and a balsamic syrup. It was decent but a tad too sweet for my taste. Octopus & Shrimp Bruschetta - a slice of toasted bread with a generous portion of shrimp, sous vide octopus in duck fat topped with arugula, fennel, capers and the plate was dressed with a roasted tomato sauce. This dish was OK but I am now realizing I am not a huge fan of duck fat. The plate is gorgeous and worth a try. The standouts to me were the wonderful house made sauces, the to die for pork belly and their cauliflower would make anyone eat their veggies. Service was excellent and a manager kindly checked in on us during our visit. Also for 2 beers, 1 wine and 4 appetizers our bill was a mere $45. Happy hour is Monday-Friday 4pm-6:30pm & Saturday 4-5:30pm.
(5)Tarantula B.
Made reservations, no wait time upon arrival. 1st timers, was with two others and we passed many open tables and were seated at the back of the restaurant,but with a window view. Nice clean eclectic restaurant, our server was nice and very helpful. Nice wine selection. The Ciopino appetizer was very good and can be shared with others. The from the sea creation for us was Halibut, we were told they ran out of the other fish and only two Halibut plates were left. Another guest tried the Cobia and truly enjoyed it. We and others around us wanted to end the evening with the Peach tort but were advised they were all out - no dessert review. Overall enjoyed the experience the food was good and would return. Curious on where we will be seated next time.
(4)Ev J.
We stopped in without a reservation and were told it would be an hour wait. Somehow we got lucky and got to sit at the chefs bar. Our server Ramesh was awesome. He was very informative and friendly and took very good care of us. We were not sure what we exactly wanted and he was very accommodating. Deb was also very sweet and interesting and explained to us everything that we ordered. We had the bruschetta and the Cauli flower pesto... and we also indulged in some dessert. The service was great and we had an amazing time. I definitely recommend this to anybody stopping by in the area!
(4)Ryan D.
Big space, fit for tables for two as well as large groups. Friendly, attentive service - we didn't even notice our entrees were running a bit behind, but our server did, and offered up free dessert. Appetizers were strong - it's odd to really, really enjoy a salad but the blend of bitter radicchio, champagne vinaigrette and fruit was perfect. My wife enjoyed her venison but we agreed that the lamb was beyond excellent. Precisely cooked, wonderful cuts. In aggregate, the accompanying filo dough puffs, mint, tapenade, and apricot bits made this middle eastern-ish dish entirely delicious.
(4)Gi J.
Everything was excellent as other reviews have stated. The ambience, understated/modern decor and feel of the restaurant was great. The service was amazing and I thoroughly enjoyed the cauliflower appetizer as well as some sort of seafood/flatbread appetizer which was also pretty decent. They both came with the red pepper puree that I was a big fan of. I was also surprised at how much I liked the pea(hummus?) Sauce/emulsion. My brother was disappointed that his swordfish, which he was told would be seared, lacked any semblance of a crunch/sear. I was very satisfied with my lamb, although I wasn't expecting such a sweet dish. While I am, through and through, a savory person, I enjoyed the mix of the sweet elements, ranging from the Apple pie/tart with cheese to the apricot(?) On the plate. My father didn't complain about his vegetarian entree but both him and I, who shared portions of our meal, were in for a rude awakening. Perhaps we both contacted a stomach bug from elsewhere individually, but I find that highly unlikely considering that we had driven up to Nashville that day, checked into a hotel, and walked around briefly after our meal. Sharing a hotel room and having one toilet was a huge pain as both if us struggled to keep our meals down. When we tried to pinpoint what could have happened, we noted that my brother did not touch either of our meals and was completely fine. My father commented after we left that the veggies, despite being cooked, seemed like they weren't very fresh to him. I loved the experienced and maybe it was an off day, but I'm hesitant to give the place another try or to give this place the full rating it would have received normally. Tl;dr loved it but got food poisoning with my dad. Made for great bonding over the toilet
(3)Vince E.
This is one of a few musts if you're a foodie who either lives in or is visiting Nashville. Although reservations are recommended, I walked in and sat at the Chefs bar. I loved that. You get to watch the kitchen. Very cool. The service was good, not great. They were very busy and I'm sure that contributed to a little decline in service but it was still good. I ordered the Lamb. It was amazing.
(4)Dan H.
Mediocre meal overall. The food was thoughtfully prepared and it's a great atmosphere but the taste leaves a lot to be desired. Butter sampler was overly smokey and the venison has a feta fetish that overpowers the entire dish.
(3)Erin T.
Only down side was husbands drink wasn't amazing (Stormy Cocktail - kinda tasteless). Other than that, it was exceptional! Venison and Lamb Loin were phenomenal!! Kenneth was our waiter and his speed, knowledge, and attentiveness took our experience over the top. If you are a foodie and like a burst of complimentary flavors in your food, this is your place! Etch will host a party in your mouth.
(5)Mike N.
Best restaurant I have been to so far in Nashville. I am used to eating at restaurants in Philadelphia and New York, and Etch is comparable to these scenes. I got the roasted cauliflower which came with truffled pea pesto, salted almonds and feta dip as an appetizer, and it was superb. As a salad, I ordered the beets & berries which was an interesting blend of fruits, nuts and cheese. The highlight was the venison which was served with cocoa chili, grilled sweet potato, goat cheese and other flavors. The service was attentive and knowledgeable. I will definitely be returning.
(5)Sarah Beth B.
We are not Nashville locals, so I am extra pleased with us for finding Etch during a recent trip to TN. Y'all, the food here is CRAZY and I mean that in the best way possible. We started off with the cauliflower app, because who just puts a pile of cauliflower and dip on a fancy restaurant menu? Well, everyone should do it. It was weirdly incredible. The sauces! The smokiness! The texture of the cauliflower! SO. GOOD. we ate literally every single piece of cauliflower, and there were just two of us. That's a lot of caulitflower, but worth it. For our mains, we had the cobia (which google tells me is also known as the prodigal son fish. get on that, menu writer!) and the venison. these were NUTS. the venison, which came with cranberries and ginger grits and some kind of banana sauce we didn't care for, was insane. The bright flavors in the grits and cranberries was so, so good with the gamey meat. The fish was... how do i describe the fish? It was INSANE. There were oranges, and cranberries, and capers, and almonds, and a sauce, and the fish was spicy, and it was all served on top of a beignet, which is important to remember is just a fancy word for DONUT. it was a fish DONUT, and I loved it. Please order the cobia. you won't regret it. even if you hate capers, as I do, you just don't have to eat them. I'm sorry I'm using so much detail but this place demands it. We also got drinks! they were good. we're not huge drinkers so I will leave it at that. Our waitress was a little too chatty, but we had a lot of questions, so we may have brought that upon ourselves. Other than that, and the capers, this was a basically perfect meal. I loved it. I want to eat it again. But you know, it's not for the faint of heart. Be brave and enjoy the bold flavors.
(5)Brittany B.
The food, atmosphere, and service here are outstanding! Be sure to check out their nightly specials and ask your server for suggestions because they are passionate about the food and will give you great recommendation. For an extra treat, sit at the kitchen bar where you can watch the magic happen - it's almost like being at a chef's table.
(5)Eileen D.
I had REALLY high expectations for this place, and unfortunately I left feeling pretty disappointed. First off, the ambiance is seriously lacking - it feels like someone plopped a restaurant into a hotel lobby. Second, the food was good but there was a little too much going on. I'd recommend the cauliflower, which had really good flavor. I'd skip the butter tasting, as none of them were particularly remarkable. The scallops were great and they were super great about splitting it between two plates - and it was an impressive portion. But there was a LOT going on on the plate, and not everything tasted that great with everything else. So we were kind of left not sure how to eat it in the way the chef had intended, which was odd. The waitress had a pretty bad poker face and seemed outwardly disappointed that we were only splitting a few appetizers and an entree and just getting beer as opposed to something a little more pricey. I also felt pretty rushed - they had us out of there in a little more than an hour when I was hoping for a more leisurely meal. There's a lot to be said for pacing, especially when we ordered so many different things.
(3)Dianne M.
Was travelling in Nashville and visited this restaurant, in walking distance to major downtown hotels. Nice atmosphere and excellent wait staff. I ordered a dish and immediately did not care for it. Management insisted to replace with another choice at no cost, which I did. The waitress, very professional, answered all our questions with a smile and never made me feel as if we were inconveniencing her. The venison and pork tenderloin were delish as was the roasted cauliflower. Peach crumble tart also good. Love this place because it's not noisy. My partner and I could talk without shouting at each other. And surprisingly their liquor manager knows the difference between whiskey and whisky. While not an extensive selection of single malts Scotch, there was decent representation from all key areas and described correctly. Example Islay was separate from Islands. Highly recommend this for any special dining experience. Wish we had this restaurant in my home town.
(5)Tom K.
Went here for lunch on a Wednesday for the first time and ordered the Kale and Turkey salad. Unfortunately they were out of turkey so they substituted chicken and it was still excellent. Will return to try it with turkey someday. Service, ambience and noise level was great too.
(4)Beth F.
The food is worth all the accolades, but the restaurant itself, while elegant, is not pretentious at all. There was a relaxed atmosphere with attentive service. We had the butter tasting and the roasted Cauliflower for appetizers. The Cauliflower comes with a sweet pea pesto and creme as well as almonds. The butter tasting must be tried as well. I had the filet. We shared a side of chickpeas and they were the superstar of a star filled show. They are tossed in cream along with bacon, cherries, and arugula. I was enchanted by how good they were. I could have eaten them alone for a meal. It was so tender and the loaded potato the was served with it was more interesting than a normal baked potato. I had two drinks:the Bees Knees from the menu, then I ordered a vodka martini. Both were delicious. My dinner companion ordered the halibut special. She loved it. This place is great for special occasions and business meals. I'll definitely return.
(5)John W.
We visited Nashville this past weekend with friends for my birthday, we visited Etch approximately 6 months ago and couldn't wait to return. The 2nd visit did not disappoint, Etch will be a regular destination when we visit in the future. The wine and cocktails were perfect starters to an adventurous dining experience. Our appetizers were the ever popular roasted cauliflower and we also had a shrimp and squid dish that was superb. I had the beets and berries salad, loved the contrasting flavors. I so enjoyed the Cobia that I ordered it again, love the contrasting flavors. Also in our party, the pork tenderloin, lamb chops, a beef filet, and a new superb white fish, Corvina was served. Each dish was perfect with no doggy bags needed For dessert, I was presented with a cheesecake tart, we also had the warm pound cake and the pretzel bar (favorite). The entire dining experience was as anticipated. I loved the energy and enthusiasm of our server, Kenneth. He truly had a great time as did we.
(5)Molly M.
Easy valet and great downtown location just a couple blocks off Broadway. Friendly hostess and wonderfully welcoming and warm waiter, I unfortunately cannot remember his name. He recommended a moderately priced bottle of a Grenache blend that we really enjoyed. We tried the famous cauliflower, and we loved it! Unexpected, delicious flavors and artful presentation. Same for all the entrees, our party of four all were very pleased. Only pulled one star because my very favorite spots tend to be a bit earthier, a bit more rustic. This place is very business appropriate, with an elegant, mature ambiance, but could probably be romantic if it suited your style. There is a very cool little glass walled room that a large business party had reserved, probably about 10 seats. Could imagine a birthday dinner or the like in there.
(4)Alison B.
Delish. yummy drinks and great food. Service excellent. The cobia entree was great. And the Brussels sprouts are to die for. Cool atmosphere too.
(5)meghan c.
Hands down the best food I've ever eaten in my life. We didn't know what to expect because the rest of Nashville seems so casual and "pub" like (which we've also enjoyed!) Our server was fantastic- a brunette from Dallas- she had great timing, great recommendations and great energy Good beer selection- my husband is into craft beer and found a few local ones he hadn't had yet Cauliflower- as good as the other reviews implied. Alone would've been great but the dips really made it great Butter tasting- well it was butter and there's not much better in life than that! We loved the truffle butter especially. The ginger cashew was the only one we were skeptical of Filet- hubby has the steak rare, and was cooked to perfection. Beer salad with goat cheese- it was about the best salad ever. The goat cheese was with creme fresco and tasted like ice cream
(5)Mary C.
This place was delicious! We had the roasted cauliflower appetizer as recommended, it was as good as all the other reviews say. My husband had what he called "a really good old fashioned" and he has very high standards for old fashioneds. I had a great little cocktail called "The Rosemary", this was really yummy- I love rosemary. For the entrees my husband had the "From the Sea" special which was swordfish with some delicious lite quinoa fitter things that I tasted. I had the "Rutabaga La Plancha"- this is the only vegetarian item on the menu- and it did not disappoint! I would order this again and again! Also the dinning room is very nicely designed. Our waitress was very good at her job and was Johnny-on-the-spot about everything. Also she was super friendly. Yes this is a fancier/pricier place but if you're going to have one expensive meal in Nashville I would make it Etch. The portions were actually really large for a fancy restaurant! We both arrived starving and it was hard to finish our entrees, we were stuffed. I really wanted to try their dessert but I was too full.
(5)PJ S.
No shrimp cocktail, no chicken parm. I hate this place. #scarcasticyelpreviews #dubchub #testatakesnashville
(5)Kate S.
Nothing inherently wrong here. Everything was good, but nothing was great. Ordered a couple of cocktails that were so forgettable, I can't even remember what I ordered. For appetizers, we did the lamb tartare and the shrimp and octopus bruschetta. I found the portion sizes to be pretty generous for an appetizer, almost too much. The lamb tartare was a little gamey, but it's lamb, and that's to be expected. The shrimp and octopus bruschetta was more like an open faced sandwich, not the little bite-sized crostinis I was expecting. After eating all the seafood and greens off top, you were left with a huge piece of french bread. The octopus and shrimp mixture was a little salty. For the main course, we did the cobia and the Duck Ratatouille Crudo. The Cobia was perfectly cooked, and the combination of flavors was really unique. But unlike other reviewers, we felt that the bignet just was self-indulgent and didn't add to the dish. It was like, "Oh, here's a donut. Just because we can". It was too sweet. The duck was maybe a tad bit dry, and wasn't much of it. It was almost hiding under a very large salad in the middle of the plate. This must have been the "crudo" portion of the dish - lots of thinly sliced, raw root vegetables. It was just OK. For dessert, we did the chocolate pretzel bar. It was probably the best part of the meal, but not anything I'd go out of my way for. This review may be a little harsh, but we had one night in Nashville and we really expected better things. I wouldn't return.
(3)Jenny A.
Just ok. Given all of the reviews, I was really expecting a lot more from this place. My bf and I ordered the venison and pork (entrees) and roasted cauliflower, and bruschetta (appetizers). The venison was solid. The pork was doused with so many different sauces and sides that it really took away from the meal. This was also true for the bruschetta. Less is more sometimes.
(3)Claudia A.
Wow! So I'm at Nashville with my fiancée for a voice conference and one of the SLPs told us this is a must! So we drove here from the Opry Gaylord (not good but that's another story) and when we arrived here they said they couldn't take us because it was completely booked. Soooo that made me want to eat here even more. We walked around looking for a place to eat and we came back here because there was no other place like this. Luckily we found 2 empty chairs at the bar and Paul (bartender/ server) helped us (he was amazing, didn't try to upsale us at all). We had appetizers because they are huge! Both the shrimp and Octupus bruschetta and the cauliflower was delicious! Come here and you won't want to go anywhere else.
(5)Jessica M.
Food was awesome and came in huge portions, staff was really welcoming and helpful, and my food allergy requests were seriously cared for above and beyond. They bake gluten free rolls from scratch and gave me grilled zucchini in place of focaccia for the octopus bruschetta appetizer. It was great.
(5)Lin B.
Food/dining out doesn't get any better than this, seriously. Deb Paquette is a FOOD ARTIST. A chef whose ingredient palate is so diverse, so unique, so exciting, she deserves recognition as one of the top chefs in the country, if not the world. She is a culinary genius. You absolutely must eat here if you are in Nashville and consider yourself a fortunate 'foodie' if you do! Etch takes savoring food to a totally different level. The entire restaurant (so attractive and comfortable as well) runs like a well-designed machine. No detail is overlooked. The service and attentiveness of the staff (all staff) is impeccable. Now for the food details! Our goat cheese tart with greens and the beets and berries salad kicked off what was an unbelievable combination of flavors and textures. Next up Cobia (a flaky white fish) a dish that was fusion of Persia, The New South, and Cuba. Absolutely amazing combination of spices and ingredients. The Fish of the day was outstanding as well. We topped off our meal with the frozen lemon merengue that was another 'surprise', as in "how in the world do they create this???!". What an awesome meal. Thank you, Deb and Etch 'family' food professionals!
(5)Matt W.
A tale of two meals...... Fantastic service, excellent cocktails (I had a smokey old fashioned) and appetizer (roasted cauliflower). When it came to main entree, that's where the roads diverged. I got the venison which was fantastic. Light but rich, flavorful and well complimented by sides. My beautiful bride (7th anniversary) got the rutabaga which sounded awesome. And it was... Except for the rutabaga. Undercooked and too course, it set the tone for the rest of the plate. Sounded so promising but was really a miss. Had they cooked/steamed the veggie just a little more, I think it would have been a completely different experience. Great restaurant, I'll chalk it up to a poor choice of meal.
(3)Cest L.
My husband and I had an early dinner at Etch. We decided to do a few appetizers along with cocktails since we had plans for later that evening. Loved the decor, very modern but with warm touches. Service was incredible and for that alone it was 5 stars. Good wine and beer selection. As for the food it was good with some moments of greatness. We had the butter tasting, octopus and shrimp bruschetta, pork belly, and charcuterie salad. Pork belly was the best followed closely by the salad. The house made cured meats on the salad were really good. If they offered a charcuterie platter we would definitely order that! Octopus was really tender but the other items on the bruschetta were simply ok and overwhelmed the seafood aspect. Butter tasting was ok, some mixtures were better than others. Overall an Ok experience but nothing spectacular.
(3)Sarah D.
Etch is an amazing establishment. Chef Deb Pacquette is a genius and each flavor is so artfully added into each dish. Read the rest of my review on my blog: forkfuloflife.com/2014/0…
(5)Chelsea F.
SO AMAZING! Our servers brooke and amy were so great and made us feel right at home. It was great watching the chefs cook and the entire atmosphere was beautiful. I can't wait to come back!!!!
(5)Sheena T.
After my exceptional happy hour experience, I was antsy to make my way back to Etch to sample their dinner. I was not disappointed. We took a chance and didn't make reservations for Tuesday night and showed up around 8:30... the place was full. On a freezing cold Tuesday night. So, get a reservation people!! Luckily we were able to snag a table pretty quickly and started looking over the menu. Deb's soup of the night was a Turkish spiced tomato and pear concoction with a fried fritatta on top. It was SO good. I loved that it was full of flavor and spicy. For entrees I had the pork tenderloin with mushrooms and potatoes with the pesto pea puree on top. The meat was so perfect and juicy, I was in heaven! My BF had the cobia fish with raisins, capers and a beignet. Also, spectacular! We had the brussel sprouts with butter as a side item, and they were just perfect. Not sure you can make those veggies taste any better! We were so stuffed we couldn't move but looked at the dessert menu anyway. It looked exceptional, but we passed with much chagrin. Etch makes me happy and if you are a foodie, you need to treat yourself to Etch!
(5)Chef G.
I am coming back. Service excellent. Waiter new about all menu items in detail. I had the filet of beef. Tender, Cooked perfectly to a med rare. A must in Nashville
(5)Cher Y.
6 STARS!! WOWOW! Nashville is so lucky to have Etch join the dining scene! A friend recommended this place to me, and Etch has lived up to every bit of expectation just as described! Location: it is downtown Nashville but they offer complimentary valet parking. Woohoo! Ambience: modern and trendy with music playing in the back drop. Plenty of seating but word has gotten around so make sure to call in for reservations in advance. Also a nice place to spot some big names in the Music City business scene. Service: outstanding! friendly and professional, ranging from the valet folks to the hostess to the wait staff! Food: a nice variety of dishes that can please both meat eaters and vegetarians alike. the presentation, portion sizes, quality and flavors are superb, and well worth every penny charged. From appetizers to entrees to their desserts, it was an experience worth repeating verbally to your friends and family alike. I look forward to all my meals here (so far have been here 4 times - left impressed each time!)
(5)Chris J.
Service, location, food, prices...all good. Convenient location for the trade show crowd staying downtown. If you get there early enough,.... You can have a conversation without having to raise your voice, and also a terror choice of foods. For us, we had the cauliflower and it's associated flowers. Good stuff.
(5)Bridget G.
I was lucky enough to stumble upon Etch on my first day after moving to Nashville. Happy Hour is a really good deal here. We got the Cauliflower which is a MUST. The flavors were perfection between the Cauliflower and sauces provided. The Butter Tasting was good, but as others stated it is a lot of butter. The Beet and Berry salad was the best salad I have ever had in my life! It's Umami. We finished with the Bread Pudding which was perfectly sweet and rich. Good to share. And Paul, the bartender, was awesome! He clearly loves his job and his passion is evident. I will definitely make this a frequently visited spot!
(5)Petie D.
Ok, so when you look at the menu your first reaction might be - oh man, I'm not sure I like this, HOWEVER, trust me, wake up your adventurous side and pick a meal any meal. You might be surprised how delicious all of it is! The service is top notch as well. Very interesting menu, all of it delicious - you won't be disappointed. Did I mention valet parking? Awesomeness.
(5)Liz B.
One of the most interesting and delicious meals I've ever had. Despite a few missteps (dessert), this place is still worthy of a five-star review. We had a reservation but arrived a bit early, so quickly grabbed a drink at the bar. DELICIOUS Manhattan and mocktail, which was tailored to my mom's specific tastes. It was kismet that we were seated at the bar, I'm convinced, as the two people on either side of us ordered something I never would have thought to try, but with their moans of ecstasy, decided to try for our entree - duck served on a lemon pound cake??? Oh my dear god was it amazing - the gaminess of the duck combined with the sweet richness of the pound cake was heaven in my mouth. As was the cauliflower, which has been praised all over this website with good reason. Roasted in truffle oil with several incredible dipping sauces - pureed peas and whipped feta - and marcona almonds. Such unique combinations that just blew my mind. For my entree I had the cobia. It was perfectly cooked and on top of a beignet - again, never would have thought to pair a spiced fish fillet with a pastry, but it was incredible! Finally, on the side we had the ginger grits which to this day I can't stop thinking about. I was able to track down a recipe and can't wait to try them out on my own. Etch is one of the best restaurants I've ever been to. If you ever find yourself in Nashville, I highly recommend an evening here.
(5)Kel W.
I absolutely love this place. Great service, presentation, and taste. I highly recommend Etch kelwilliams.com
(5)TJ N.
Etch has fantastic food and one of the best old fashioned's I have ever had. The dining room is nice but if you are there with a small group make sure to sit at the bar stools along the kitchen...that's the way to do this place.
(5)Gergana K.
The food was exceptional - as delicious as it gets. We shared the bruschetta appetizer. Our entrées were the fish special (scallops with pumpkin and bulgur ) and lamb. All food was beautifully presented and all the ingredients were fresh. Nothing was too salty or not salty enough for either of us and we usually have different preferences. The flavors were well balanced and complemented the food really well. We were really full, but we decided not to miss on dessert, since all the rest was so delicious. We ordered the coffee panna cotta. I had a glass of Tokaji (as good as the best one I tried in Hungary) and my fiancé had the Nonino Amaro. Both of us were happy! The prices were very reasonable, too. Service could have been a bit more timely, but I admit that we reached there close to 10pm on a Saturday night, which is quite late for most restaurants in Nashville. We took advantage of the complimentary valet parking and, since the valet was leaving before we were done, we asked if we can leave the car where he had parked it for a few hours, since we were planning to stop by Honky Tonk Row for a drink or two. He was nice enough to move the car to a parking spot for us, although he was heading out. Overall, if I ever go back to Nashville, I'll make sure to visit Etch again. I live in NYC and I go to all kinds of restaurants. However, I've only been to a few other places that have made me enjoy the food as much as I did here. I don't remember the last time I wrote a long review either.
(5)Yongquan L.
We went this place on Wednesday night. I was amazed about the appetizers here at first, but later I found that nearly every dish includes a kind of green vegetable. Some of the dishes were really good: cauliflower, lamb. But some are not: etch salad is not my type of salad and the soup of the day is also not good. The reason I give 3 star is because we are notified about the charge of soup and salad. Usually I think maybe the entree comes with side or soup. But here does not and the server did not mention this point. I don't know if I'm not right about the entree.
(3)Michelle S.
Amazing, Amazing, Amazing, Amazing! There are no other words for me to describe this place. The atmosphere was trendy, fun and upbeat. The service was off the charts. I was dining solo, so I decided to reserve a seat at the chef's bar and the waitstaff really made me feel welcome. The food, off the charts. I had pumpkin bisque w/ scallops, cobia, and ginger grits. I truly had a meal like I have never experienced before. Actually, it was more than a meal, it was an experience! I highly, highly recommend eating at Etch!!!! As a bonus . . . it's just a block from the Nash-Vegas strip!
(5)Kelly W.
Don't get me wrong... Etch has amazing food. Some of the best I've eaten in Nashville and I'm a CA foodie through and through. But, I have a hard time paying $30-40 an entree with a view of the parking lot. Could they not have found a better space?!
(3)Harleen P.
Amazing food.. Must try cauliflower, octopus and shrimp bruschetta, fish special and venison!
(5)Mark S.
Went last night. Thought they did a great job. Had a later reservation and arrived a little earlier than expected but they accommodated us. When we first sat down the server came and started talking about the restaurant and himself and asking questions about how we picked the restaurant. We were concerned that was going to be the trend for the evening but we sent him for cocktails and after that we got another server. Cocktails were great, recommend the old fashioned. Started with really great appetizers. The lamb tartar and the roasted cauliflower were the real stars of the night. For entree I had the grouper special which I thought was good, probably too many sauces. The venison was very good although I only had a bite. Finished it off with some simple ice cream and an orange dish that was very good. Service was solid all night. Atmosphere was nice too. Cost about $100 each. That's pretty good including wine. Will probably go back but won't make it top of my must eat places in Nashville.
(4)Aileen K.
We came here for our 31st anniversary. Food and service were excellent. Cauliflower app was great. Lamb and pork loin were fabulous. Salads and desserts wee excellent. Nothing low fat though. Brooke our server was superb. Another Deb Paquett victory.
(5)Andrea J.
Amazing!! This was an experience. The roasted cauliflower was delicious and the octopus app to die for. I had the lamb porterhouse and i have to say one of the best lamb dishes i have had, EVER! For dessert I had the chocolate pretzel bar soooo goood! The service was wonderful, the staff was helpful and very friendly. You just can't go wrong here. Worth every penny if I am ever in Nashville again this will be a spot to revisit. I hope that everyone gets a chance to eat here. Thank you Etch.
(5)Vito T.
This is an awesome upscale eating experience. The food here is amazing and the whole experience is wonderful. You can tell that the Chef takes real pride in what he prepares.
(5)Kelly R.
Roasted cauliflower, butter tasting, all excellent....both times I have been the food has been perfect, along with fantastic service. Ordered dessert on the last visit in November...OH MY!!!!! Amazing!!!!
(5)Michelle B.
Definitely will eat here again. Everything I had tonight from the wine, appetizer, salad, main dish, and dessert was top notch. OMG! Total goodness. Have the Roasted Cauliflower appetizer, the Beet Salad and for dessert, the Orange Creamsicle. You will not be disappointed. The main dish, I had the Cobia which was excellent. A little bit of savory with some sweet. Total comfort food. The Hubby had the Special which was a Halibut dish. Very, very good. Really, atmosphere and food was excellent. Not too noisy, but very nice. I cannot say enough good about this place. We were celebrating our anniversary, but we will definitely be back just because... Take a chance because it is well worth the money!
(4)Courtney O.
Came here Saturday night for a nice dinner date with my boyfriend. We had reservations for the chef's bar - highly recommend if you like watching the chef's at work. My boyfriend is a foodie and loves being in the kitchen so he really enjoyed the chef's bar. Mark was our server and he was wonderful. Attentive, helpful, professional and courteous, overall absolutely wonderful and contributed to us having a great evening and experience. We started off with two wonderfully made old fashions, had the lamb tartare and the roasted cauliflower as appetizers, moved on to the grilled lamb and the venison as entrees and finally the vanilla pound cake and chocolate pretzel bar for desert. Yes - we ate a lot :) Everything was delicious but we felt like the emphasis was more on the sauces and flavor combinations that accompanied each dish rather than on the main dish itself. Apps: they are known for their cauliflower dish - we liked the roasted red pepper and feta combination but the truffle pesto was a little too smoky for my liking. The lamb tartare was great, especially with the Harissa sauce. The fried eggplant that accompanied the dish had no flavor - I love eggplant and was a bit disappointed at this. Entrees: I loved the grilled lamb. The flavor combinations that are paired with it are wonderful and it's something I would definitely get again if we go back. I didn't feel like the meat was seasoned though. My boyfriend had the venison and although it was good he wasn't blown away by it and said he would try something else if we came back. Dessert: The vanilla pound cake was not what I would calls a pound cake. Again, good flavor combinations but not what I was expecting. The chocolate pretzel bar was AMAZING and the caramel sauce that goes on the side is just to die for. We drizzled it all over - couldn't get enough. Overall a great experience at Etch. A restaurant that we would definitely recommend and come back for another meal - just might choose different dishes. Overall we enjoyed our experience at Etch.
(4)Ken S.
We have had wonderful food here in Nashville. Last night the Catbird Seat may be the best meal ever, up with the French Laundry. Merchants is wonderful for bot lunch and dinner. The Capital Grill is outstanding. Etch is to be avoided at all costs. The calamari and shrimp bruschetta had no calamari. The entries we sweet to cover the stale food. Simply the worst meal in several years. The service was good! The cook is clueless. Gordon Ramsey would shut the place down.
(1)David M.
The cold beet & berry soup was very good, while the fried catfish was just average. Service was very good.
(4)Patrick B.
What a great find this ended to be - We were sat at the communal counter - 3 of us and right away The GM honed in on my idea of a rose and had a bottle to taste with in minutes - Our server Amy was amazing -- Ashley -- I really went at it with in a good way Both Girls were fabulous -- The special treat Chef Deb came by to say hello and check on us - Our food was amazing - The new best twist on egg salad sandwich ( see menu) I wanted the duck pastrami sandwich - That's when Ashley crushed my dreams -- " we are of out that today " - and joked all meal First time to Nashville and this was one of our highlight meals.
(4)Lauren G.
This place really exceeded my expectations so for that I give it a 4.5, but put five cause I felt it more leaned towards that. I had heard about it and I guess had never heard anyone just go on and on about it cause everyone at the time was so wrapped up in The Southern and Husk, so I didn't rush over there until recently. However, upon walking in I was pleasantly surprised at the wonderful ambiance, low light, tables didn't seem too close together and had a very romantic feel.. However, the big star of the review is THE FOOD; I think my best meal so far since I've been back in Nashville (about a year now) There are a few places of course I have yet to try, but as of right now this is my favorite. I guess I was a little spoiled with my experience as my friend had the private dinning room set for 16 for her birthday so the services was obviously amazing, so for that I am biased. The server was extremely on top of it and my glass was always full of champagne :) The great thing about a big group is getting to try a lot of different apps and sides which really gave me a great feel for their food. Let me say this, every single time I took a bite of anything, my taste buds were in heaven!!!! The way they combine flavors is remarkable. I think I said "oh my God" probably a hundred times. Things you have to get, I know it sounds strange to some of you, but, get.the.califlower!! It is now probably my favorite app ever! We actually ordered three for the table I think and I could have eaten that all night! The other apps that in no way disappointed were the Pork Belly (just thinking of this makes my mouth water) and the Butter Tasting. The butter tasting sounds just ordinary but trust it is not!! Lets just say one of your options is...truffle butter. Need I say more? For my main dish I got the venison. I wanted something you don't normally get at a standard restaurant and honestly it is rare to see venison on the menu. Well, let me tell you, as someone who has family members who hunt and know how to cook venison...Etch's venison was superb!! They did their own version which I loved. The venison had a wonderful moroccan spice to it accompanied with sweet potato guava, ginger grits, pear butter and cranberry sumac relish. When you put all those flavors together into each bite, fireworks go off, and your taste buds are sent into orbit!! It was cooked just right, more on the rare sound, the presentation was gorgeous and yes, I ate allllll of it!! Just an amazing experience, not only for my taste buds but for the overall dining experience as well. Can't wait to go back...cause now I'm hungry.
(5)Kim G.
You have to try the roasted cauliflower, the pea puree is the star! Then go on to the beet salad, fresh and very tasty! The pork tenderloin was good, great flavors, but the venison was fabulous! Know going into it that the potato puree and grits are very sweet but it is a perfect pairing for the MR venison! The service was fantastic to boot! Loved this place!
(5)Mariel J.
I went to Etch with friends during a weekend trip to Nashville, seeing good reviews and expecting a decent dinner. I was blown away - this is honestly one of the best dinners, all around, I've had in a long time. The restaurant was excellent! The service was really good, and even the water tasted great! (That's the only time I've noticed the taste of water being better than normal. One friend in our group agreed with me, though no one else seemed to notice that the water was different.) The food was all really creative (and expertly prepared). My husband and I shared octopus and shrimp bruschetta (with manchego, arugula, fennel, roasted tomato, capers, garlic oil, bacon) and roasted cauliflower served with truffled pea pesto, salted almonds, feta crema to start. For my main course, I had moroccan spiced venison with sweet potato guava, ginger grits, pear butter, cranberry sumac relish. The venison was so good - cooked the perfect amount and a little bit spicy. Ginger grits may be a new favorite food of mine, too. Jeff ordered the katafi pastry, which was shredded phyllo stuffed with spaghetti squash with sage, fontina cheese and golden raisins, served with poblano gravy, charred eggplant puree, black olive barley tapenade. Seriously, this restaurant was amazing. I was already pretty full after the starters, but couldn't help but finish my main course once I had tasted it. Dessert seemed out of the question, but with everything else being so good, we had to at least try it - (obviously it was very good). And good coffee to end the meal. Just go here.
(5)Mark W.
Etch Saturday night before symphony Overall, a good experience but not great. First off, the service was fantastic, Chrissy did a perfect job. The menu was fairly limited, only a few salads and entrees. I had the pork chop, it was ok but salty. My wife had the fish special, 5 Spice scallops, they were good but only 3 scallops for $33. Drinks were well poured, atmosphere was a bit noisy. Maybe go back some day, still a lot of options to try in the area.
(4)Spencer S.
I've been to Etch twice now. The plates are stimulating and finely cooked. The meat has been prepared perfectly, and the sides keep each bite interesting. The chef adds eccentric levels and flavors to each plate, so play it safe if you're not adventurous, but I suggest trying out something beyond your comfort zone if you visit the restaurant. Don't forget to order the roasted cauli for an app. The service has been excellent both times I have visited.
(4)Todd G.
In Nashville for a conference, tried several recommendated restaurants in the SoBro area near the Symphony and Music city center. Etch was one of the best and I would definitely recommended. Being from NYC and Philadelphia I have been to many equally good if not better places but definitely a quality experience. The famous roasted cauliflower was excellent as was the homemade ice cream for dessert. The entrees we found good but not great. The farm to table place next door is just as good and a little more unusual.
(4)Yvette P.
The cobra was outstanding. But what I expected from the description. The place is beautiful. Great atmosphere and wine selection. We eat at the bar but the place was packed. Overall, a great place and would recommend eating here.
(4)Eve K.
Convenient location downtown and interesting twist on the variety of the menu flavors, but something was a bit off to me and didn't live up to the 4.5 average yelp rating. Atmosphere: 3, Service: 3, Food: 3.3 Cost to worth it rating: 3 Return worthiness: no Highlights: - Duck confit on bread: fantastic. And I love duck confit - Pork belly: enormous and delicious - Crazy salad: a really big charcuterie board - Cobia fish: a fish I've never had before came turkish spiced (paprika-ish) and I enjoyed it. Lowlights: - Weird vibe: kind of businessy and tables too close together - Cocktails: didn't like mine and a few friends didn't like theirs either - Pork tenderloin: huge amount of chorizo on it was very odd - Beignet in fish: got soggy It was a decent meal, but because the food might be trying too hard to be complex and the feel of the place didn't click with me, I probably wouldn't return.
(3)Vincent B.
I'm surprised by all the good reviews: I thought Etch was a nice concept and sounded good on the menu but was slightly off execution and taste wise.
(2)Jim M.
Oh, how I adore Etch. On my list of the 5 best restaurants in Nashville. The food has constantly and consistently been amazing. My only (small) gripe is pricing, but for a date spot or once a month splurge, it's perfectly reasonable and well worth the decor, service, and food quality.
(5)Nic N.
Nashville's Etch is truly a jewel. My girlfriend and I were visiting from Chicago and this place absolutely blew us away. Their scallop dish was one of the best we've had...ever. The service is excellent, the atmosphere is laid back, and the food is truly unique in the best way. Give it a go, you won't be disappointed!
(5)Salman S.
Great food, everything on the menu rocks specially the Lamb Chops
(4)Kristin J.
This place was amazing. I had read about the roasted cauliflower, pork belly and octopus apps. We came in with no res, and were psyched that it was not only Happy Hour, but we could order the whole menu. Paul was the the bomb, showed us how to get the perfect bite from each dish. Each one was better than the last! We cannot wait to come back!! The duo of Paul and Malia in the bar are worth just coming here for a quick bite and a drink in your way to the Listening Room or honky tonk!
(5)Christina V.
Wow! That is the first word that comes to mind when I think about my experience at Etch last weekend. From top to bottom the amazing food, the great service and the knowledgeable staff have made me a huge, raving fan. Ever since Etch opened I've wanted to go and finally got the chance to go with my husband. I had hyped it up so much in my mind that I was afraid it wouldn't live up to my expectations. I'm so thrilled it did! The hubby and I aren't big drinkers, but we did try the Jack and Cocchi, which was delish and very reasonably priced at $9. We started with the butter tasting - so good! We asked for more bread because there was no way we were going to let them take all that delicious compound butter away from us. Then it was on to apps. Everyone I know has raved about the roasted cauliflower and OMG, it was incredible! I could have made a meal just out of that generous plate of beautifully roasted cauliflower, which I'm seriously considering doing for an upcoming lunch. My husband had the duck confit, which was also so good and he absolutely devoured. Next were the main courses. I chose the venison because it sounded so unique, which it was. I loved the Moroccan spices and the ginger grits were to die for. I have never tasted anything quite like it, which is exactly what I love. New flavors! My husband had the pork tender loin, which was beautifully prepared and so delicious. He said he loved that it was like comfort food, but just way more elevated and interesting. After all that food, we couldn't bring ourselves to indulge in dessert, but maybe next time as we will definitely be back to try more of the fabulous menu. Congrats to Deb Paquette and the Etch staff! This is definitely a stand-out in Nashville.
(5)Chris R.
Get the butter tasting...everything was great! We are new to Nashville and this is probably the best restaurant we've tried so far.
(5)P R.
Loved this place! Close to our hotel so we were able to walk which was a real plus. Great waiter, great service and great food. Superb presentation of everything we ate. Try the roasted cauliflower as well as the beets and berry salad for appetizers. Venison and fish entrees were great although I didn't love the spices on the fish but perhaps that's just me. Amazing deconstructed chocolate dessert. YUM! Deb is great at layering on the flavours and deserves kudos for her fine establishment. Make sure to visit this little gem when you're in Nashville!
(4)Palak S.
Roasted cauliflower is overrated and a blunt mixture of tastes. However, some of the other dishes were excellent, including beet salad (beets were perfection) and the vegetarian pastry dish was outstanding and creative. As a vegetarian, I would happily visit again! Lastly, service is outstanding and friendly. Only thing I would recommend is to get rid of the tv at the bar.
(4)Sonya V.
Oh my. Please move to my hometown! All of these tastes are my favorites. The cauliflower is absolutely outstanding. Octopus and shrimp bruschetta is delightful - the capers make it all happen. The venison was over-seasoned and overcooked. It was edible but a disappointment. There is a lot of the menu I would like to explore and the originality caught my attention immediately. One bad dish is not the end of the world, especially after such a lovely time. I shall return!
(3)Erika C.
I like how Etch has Happy Hour. If more quality restaurants had Happy Hour, I would go out more, because most of the time the issue is I just don't want that much food. But an expertly prepared appetizer for $8, or two if I'm sharing, this makes sense to me. Plus, next time I'm really hungry, or I need to entertain people with normal appetites, I'll go back to Etch because I've already been wooed by this awesome Happy Hour. Oh, there is free valet. Do not make the mistake I did and pay for parking.
(5)Vicki K.
For my first time in Nashville, I researched restaurants and chose Etch based on all the great reviews, and I was not disappointed. I sat at the Chef's bar and was in awe of the chef's expediting skills...she inspected each plate before it was sent out, and the entire kitchen moved in sync. Now normally, an appetizer of cauliflower would not catch my eye, but based on the reviews, I had to order it.....and it was fantastic. The essence of truffle was just enough without being overpowering...and the pea pesto was fantastic. I also had the butter tasting...had to, as butter is the worlds most perfect food.....an interesting array of flavors.....and I was by myself, I did not order an entree, as the cauliflower and butter/bread was filling me up, but I did have the beets and berries salad....a standout salad...and the frozen goat cheese cream was heavenly. Etch is a must for anybody visiting Nashville...and for natives, it should be a re regular stop.
(5)Bobbie F.
As a single gal that travels regularly for work and with 10+ years of experience in the restaurant industry, let's just say that when I dine out, my expectations are rather high - But not because I expect expensive places to be better than cheap places. All establishments (across a variety of cuisines and price ranges) are going to have their strong and weak points. First of all, thank you to the hostess stand. I can name 20 different restaurants off the top of my head that could use a lesson in hospitality from you fine people. Thank you for saying "Hi there - How are you?" Instead of the usual "Just one?" Thank you for taking my coat (and not just taking it, but actually helping me out of it) and recommending a great place to sit for the meal and actually asking "is this seat ok for you ma'am?" before letting me sit down first, and then handing me the menu. The first few stages of a diners' experience are absolutely critical and the well-trained, competent and polite host and hostess shoved me into giddy and excited mode for the rest of the night. To the kitchen & chef: thank you for keeping your line organized and clean for those of us that have the pleasure of sitting at the chefs table. This is the best view in the restaurant, no matter which direction you turn. But a neat and tidy line is imperative (whether or not you take the risk of exposing your kitchen to the public eye). Well done. I also appreciate the light tone you used when communicating with one another through service (and with an exposed kitchen, this is hard to do). There's nothing worse than hearing the staff scream at one another when trying to enjoy your meal. Also, your dishes are creative, tasty, and in excellent portions. I'm all about adventure and something new. Thank you for taking care to create beautiful presentations that have color, texture and personality. Waitstaff: You flow well with one another and you communicate. You pay attention to the tiny details and you read your guests well. Thank you for being attentive but not over- bearing, precise but stuck up, helpful but not controlling. A very special thank you to Ramesh & Erica who demonstrated all of this. Management: I was checked on by one of you at least 3 times throughout my meal. That's unheard of. Every table was down and you still took the time to actually look at me in the eye when speaking and ask (genuinely) how everything was. I loved the shrimp and octopus bruschetta and the lamb entree was amazing. The wine list (by the glass) could use a bit more variety. However, the wines that were available were deliberately selected and very good. Etch was one of the best overall restaurant experiences I've ever had. Can I put you on speed dial so that you can set an example for the rest of the spots out there? Guess I may just have to move here. Yeah - you guys rock!
(5)Richard F.
Almost gave this place a pass because the menu seemed kind of limited; so glad we decided to give it a try! We went on a Wednesday night which normally should have been on the slow side, but the boy band One Direction was at the stadiium so the joint was jumping! The two bar tenders were kind of stressed but the drinks were great and it all went fine. Got seated fairly quickly but the food came out slow; almost an hour for our entrees! Still, everything was so tasty that we were not going to make a fuss but the manager brought out our dessert and informed us they were going to comp our entrees, (and my wife had the filet!). Needless to say we were very pleased; great food in a super atmosphere and really nice people as well... can't beat that!
(4)Jane E.
We started with some cocktails and decided to enjoy our meal at the bar. The sangrias are made to order and the Bees Knees is the bees knees. We ordered the pork belly and roasted cauliflower. Who knew roasted cauliflower could be so devine. It was an experience in itself. The butter tasting was unique and well worth ordering. Our favorite was the truffle prosciutto. As far as entrees go we ordered the filet and fish special. The Filet did not disappoint but the fish special knocked it out of the park. Top notch service at the bar.
(5)Pamela M.
Etch is one of my top ten favorite restaurants in The South! Everything was delicious and meticulously prepared from start to finish. The taste and presentation is outstanding! Finally, a Nashville restaurant where the food matches the ambiance! I see it happen too often in Nashville where restaurants have beautiful atmosphere, but unfortunately, unmatched service and food. The dining experience at Etch shines in the aforementioned areas and does not disappoint. The butter quartet tasting that reviewers have been raving about is nothing short of fantastic. The thought that went into creating the flavor profiles of this lovely butter sampler is amazing! It is worth every mile of running to melt away the duck and smoked Plugra butter calories and fat afterwards! I would highly recommend the roasted cauliflower with truffled pea pesto and salted almonds. This dish brought me to food heaven. The artistry behind the scallop dish with the mushrooms, smoked shallot vinaigrette, bacon, greens, butternut garlic essence, and beet sriracha was perfectly executed. Way to be on the cutting Etch of the culinary scene, Chef Deb! I will surely return the next time I am in Nashville!
(5)Jessica K.
We came in from Boston for a conference and hosted a client appreciation dinner in their back room. It was absolutely excellent! Our hosts Amy and Brooke took care of everything impeccably and the food was to die for! Everyone was skeptical of the butter tasting but it turned out to be one of the hits of the night! Excellent food and excellent service! Not sure how we will compete next year!
(5)M R.
I sound like such a flip flipper but I'm in love again. Octopus bruschetta - perfect. The grilled lamb was amazing too. I still hope they bring the duck confit app back!
(5)Johnna M.
I've been reluctant to review Etch because my experience here was just so awesome, I'm not sure I can do it justice. I came here by myself after a long few days of meetings that topped off a particularly stressful few days. Treat yo self 2013 was definitely needed and Etch provided the perfect treat. I sat at the chef's table which was a fantastic option for a solo diner. I enjoyed watching the hustle and bustle of the kitchen. My server was extremely knowledgeable, friendly and above all, passionate about food. At both his and every yelper's recommendation, I reluctantly ordered the cauliflower appetizer. "How can you make cauliflower interesting" It's very nature is boring." I thought. Do not fall for this assumption-you will miss something great. The truffled pea pesto is the perfect accompaniment - it was rich and surprising. The whipped feta also complimented the cauliflower. The cocktail list was interesting but pricey. I ordered one which was fantastic and then stuck to wine. My server was very good about describing wine and making sure I understood what I was drinking. For my main meal I had the lamb chop, which came with an assortment of accompaniments including eggplant and sausage. It had an almost Middle Eastern flavor (seems to be a theme) to it I was not expecting, but that certainly wasn't a bad thing-again it was unexpected but it worked fine. I ended with a stout ice cream, again at the recommendation of the server, which was a special, I think. Very heavy to end an already heavy meal, but fantastic and properly portioned. I think they make it with actual beer, and the taste is rich yet phenomenal. Etch seemed to me to be a really special place dedicated to providing both fantastic food and experience. It is rare to find a place that can surprise and delight so much-I can't tell you what to expect here, except to expect it will be delicious.
(5)Kay O.
First time to Nashville, popped in on a Wednesday to check it out. We were greeted by the most charming pair of bartenders, Paul and Leah. We laughed, we cried, we drank and we ate. Perfectly muddled cocktails and killer food recommendations. YUM.
(5)Swati B.
Fine dining in Nashville. I almost forgot where I was. The prices are reasonable....I really enjoyed the butter tasting..who wouldnt.. yes you read that right..BUTTER TASTING. The roasted cauliflower appetizer was out of this world. The pesto dish was also very good... The main course dish was ok, it was good but nothing amazing. The wine list is good, and really reasonably priced (Maybe because I am from Chicago to me it just seemed reasonable) Our server was awesome, attentive and really informative. definitely recommend this place.
(4)Tim T.
To start, we had an excellent server. He could articulate the culinary experience we were about to enjoy every well. He described each dish with intimate detail. Our excitement was heightened and then elevated even further when we tasted our meals. The highlight of the evening was the Cobia. I do not recall experiencing so many favors in one dish as I did with this. Fish, citrus, nuts, olives all on a beignet. The waiter said it best, "what could be better then great food than putting it on a donut. Next time I'm at the Omni in Nashville, we will dine here.
(5)Kathy C.
I don't usually do this, and by this I mean submit reviews for much of anything no matter how much I love, hate or ride the fence. I loved this place. The meal I had was divine, our service was impeccable and I can not wait to go back and take my husband!! Dinner before Kings of Leon with three girlfriends, and we shared the butter tasting and roasted cauliflower. Both were outstanding. The butters were awesome, because...well, who doesn't love butter? We had no idea there could be so many flavors on a plate of roasted cauliflower! Even the cauliflower haters at the table tried and loved this app. I had the filet--which was perfectly cooked and beautifully presented. We skipped soup/salad, since we were going to the concert and didn't want to be totally stuffed. However, we shared two bottles of wine suggested by our waiter that sent us running to the liquor store the next day to find more...and we shared the coconut meringues, which were very good. As we gushed about everything we ate on our way to the concert venue, we all agreed it was a really special dining experience.
(5)Musatye R.
Recommended to me by the fabulous Ms. M. on Yelp! Food was delicious, the patrons at the bar, local - same building local - or a "night on the town"ers were the best part for me. Engaging conversation. Laughter. Sports, cars, performing arts, and anything else we could toss in the conversational salad, we did. The bartender, Paul, was a riot. If good food, pleasant ambiance and laughter is your thing, this is your spot.
(5)Matt B.
I'll make this short and sweet. Overpriced menu, rude & pompous wait staff, and to boot, my car was towed for being in their valet spot. Next time before you screw me, let me put on lipstick first.
(1)Leslie J.
The best in Nashville...hands down. I've liked every single thing I've ever ordered at Etch. My only complaint is that the dining area does not have great ambiance. It just seems a little stuffy/formal. I love the bar, however, and, their happy hour is awesome! Despite being downtown, they have valet, and the restaurant is a straight shot down Demonbreun. So don't let the downtown location scare you away. Can't wait to go back, again!!
(5)Matthew L.
This was the best restaurant we visited in Nashville and we went to a lot of places. Far more superior than some of the nearby restaurants.
(5)Dee Dee S.
Love the place, roasted cauliflower is a must! Cocktails are great and server was fantastic. I had the scollops and they were a little under cooked for my taste and may daughters fish was a little over cooked but all in all we had a great experience-I will be back!
(4)Jennette F.
Service was great. Loved the cauliflower appetizer. My scallop dish good but the bacon in the salad was a little too much and made it greasy. My husband lived his lamb dish. It had an Indian flavor to it. Dessert was yummy too. Chocolate cake with carmel and hazelnuts.
(4)Marissa C.
We had a fabulous experience last weekend at Etch. Since we currently live in NYC, when we travel we are always looking for a unique menu that we may not find here. Etch had both an innovative menu and wonderful service. What I first noticed were that the prices were almost identical to a NYC menu, yet the portions were double the size, giving you much more for your money. We started with the ratatouille salad and the shrimp and octopus bruschetta which were both phenomenal in taste and presentation. For entrees my husband had the venison and I had the scallops. The scallops were on top of a salad which included bacon and tempura fried mushrooms. We also had the cauliflower appetizer as a side which was huge. We had absolutely no room at all for dessert which was disappointing as I'm sure we could have found a few things to choose from. In addition to the food, one thing we found interesting was the very large open kitchen. It was not noisy or distracting at all, nor did our clothes smell upon leaving. I would highly recommend going to Etch for a great dining experience in Nashville!!
(5)Tracey J.
Started with a great happy hour: $5 glasses of good wine and amazing roasted cauliflower (and I don't usually like cauliflower). Next we went to dinner and out of 8 people, there was not one negative comment. The service was great and the food was even better. I had the corvina special and I practically licked my plate. Next time I'm in Nashville, I will eat there at least twice!
(5)Dev D.
Etch was a first rate first date experience for my girlfriend and I. It was very important to me how we were treated. We both took note of this. Due to work and travel I didn't have time to iron dress clothes for the evening so I dressed down and was admittedly, and embarrassingly, a little wrinkled. I felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb that just didn't belong but I didn't receive any glaring looks from the staff and our waiter didn't speak to me like I was a scab that just crawled in off the street. I knew what I wanted ahead of time because I called ahead to find out the best vegan and vegetarian options. The roasted cauliflower and the rutabaga la plancha was fantastic. My girlfriend mentioned that she was really pleased that our server made eye contact with me when he was speaking with me instead of supposedly talking to me but focusing his eyes on the pretty girl next to me. According to her, waiters uncomfortable dividing their attention was a typical experience for her on a date. I told him as much and I hope my tip reflected the satisfaction of our experience. Etch will make you feel like the king and queen of the hour have arrived. . .and the food is amazing!
(5)Randy E.
Deb Paquette was my favorite Nashville chef when she was at Zola's. She does not disappoint at Etch--in fact she takes her artistry to a whole new level. Highly recommended!
(5)Desiree K.
Amazing, just simply amazing. Everything we had was amazing. Beets and berries salad was everything I had hoped for, followed by the scallops which are normally served 3 ways but to accommodate my gluten allergy were served 2 ways, and melted in my mouth. My husband had the lamb chops, which he claimed fell off the bone. Finished it off with the mocha cremeaux (minus phyllo) which was amazing as well. My mocktail was perfection. The service was outstanding and overall we could not have had a better experience. Will definitely be going back with visitors and/or clients. Great place if you're aiming to impress.
(5)carolyn h.
I love a restaurant that is creative with food and uses good quality fresh ingredients. Etch is one of the best restaurants in Nashville, it is not the most expensive but it is one of the best dining experiences that my husband and I have had recently. The cauliflower is wonderful, as well as the tenderloin my husband had and the tuna atop my so unusual salad. The chef has so many more creations that we want to try soon!
(4)Jack K.
Our waitress described the food as "Eclectic World Palate", which is a good description for this very unique restaurant. Do not expect traditional restaurant items at Etch. Plates are small, have a distinctive asian flair, and food coming from the kitchen is somewhat slow. All of our dishes were perfectly prepared and artfully presented. The Roasted Cauliflower appetizer was great; the Butter Tasting is just that - butter with bread. The Duck, highly recommended by the waiter, was very good, but less tender than we expected. Scallops and Prawn is just that - 2 scallops and one shrimp, but very well prepared and beautifully presented. Overall, very unique and artful food.
(4)Brandon G.
We randomly wandered into this place because we were attending an event downtown, and I ended up getting one of the best steaks I've ever had. It was delicious and cooked perfectly. They are doing some good, unique things.
(5)Aileen F.
OMG! By far one of the best meals I've ever had. Enjoyed the Fall salad with currants, blueberries, pineapple, black beans and sweet potato. For dessert I had the chocolate caramel ice cream made from goats milk. Would come again next time I'm in town!!
(5)Vanessa T.
My husband and I had one of the best meals EVER at Etch. We dined on a Saturday night and showed up without a reservation but we're greeted at the bar by Paul, who ended up being our server as we were able to snag a table in the bar area. From our expertly crafted cocktails, to our off-the-hook appetizer (the roasted cauliflower is their specialty and it's obvious why), to the beautifully prepared beets & berries salad, our AMAZING entrees and perfect deserts... we were just floored. Paul's recommendations were spot on (we're foodies but when you find yourself reading a menu where you could probably order and enjoy anything on it, it's good to get solid recommendations from an insider). Even though the place was packed, Paul treated us like we were the only guests he had. We definitely appreciated his attentive service and his outgoing and fun personality. All of that combined with his food and wine knowledge made for an excellent experience. And the food! It honestly couldn't have been better! So much went into each dish, so many layers of well developed flavors and textures. Truly one of the best dining experiences we've ever had. We highly recommend this restaurant!!
(5)Lucy M.
I went to Etch for lunch this past Monday with my mom and was completely BLOWN away. 1. The location is AMAZING. It's downtown in the heart of all the action. My mom and I sat at the window, and we could see the Country Music Hall of Fame out of the window. 2. The menu is extremely unique. I had a white bean patty melt that was the best thing that I've ever eaten...no exaggeration. The homemade chips that accompanied the patty melt were delicious too. My mom and I also shared the soup of the day which was some type of mushroom soup ( can't remember the exact name). Nonetheless, the food, atmosphere, and location will make you want to go back to Etch for sure.
(5)Mark C.
Second time was the charm! Food is excellent and service this time was great! However they need to change up or expand the menu otherwise boredom will slip in. Otherwise must stop in here
(5)Susan D.
One of my favorite restaurants in Nashville. The staff there is super nice and I love the open kitchen bar where you can sit and watch the kitchen staff prep the meals. I had the Ratatouille Crudo Chicken Salad and it was big and filling and tasted so fresh and unique. I loved every bite of it and desired to follow up with some delicious desserts but fought off the temptation. I can't wait to go back the next time I'm dining in Downtown.
(5)Reshawn L.
This is a lovely restaurant with an interesting menu. My colleague and I enjoy trying new restaurants when we travel and enjoyed our lunch at Etch. The service and food were both good. He enjoyed an open face burger with what he calls fancy mustard. It looked fantastic. I had the brisket pupusa. It was good but would have been better with less sauce and more seasoning. The absolute best part of the meal was the warm pound cake with crisp edges topped with pear sorbet!! OMG Delicious!!! My teammate had the pumpkin ginger custard which he loved! While Etch was a great place for lunch the wait for dinner was at least 30 min. With Farm House just steps away we chose not to wait for dinner. Instead we returned the next day for lunch. I loved the brightness of the place during the day. The decor made me want to lunch with girlfriends. If you can't make it for lunch definitely make a dinner reservation. Etch for lunch and Farm House for dinner made for a great downtown Nashville dining experience!
(3)Lynda J.
Deb scores another win ! Etch is even better than Zola. The food is amazing. Its balanced and all dishes are though through. The flavor is full and perfectly cooked every.single.time. Spend your money with Deb Pacquette.
(5)Food Critic S.
Best scallops ever!! Service was great and food had amazing flavors!! Loved sitting at the Chefs table!!
(5)Kelly T.
Visited Etch this weekend for the first time. I have to say the food was good but nothing that would make it a must-go-again-soon. We started with the cauliflower after reading the reviews. The truffled pea pesto made the dish. I had the filet and my wife had the lamb. The filet was a really nice cut and was cooked as requested and the lamb was also. The mushroom pain pardu was a first for me and it was great but filling. I ended up leaving half of it on the plate, reluctantly. We also had the brussel spouts and they were very good as well. The service was good and wasn't slow as mentioned in other reviews. Overall, we liked it, our food was good and prepared right but we both thought the menu seems "limited". Hopefully this will be an ever evolving menu. If it stays absolutely the same I doubt we would be back soon. Nashville is brimming with a variety of dining possibilites these days.
(4)Ozzie T.
Well...nice place, more servers & wait staff than people at 7pm=prime dinner time, which added to the buzz, but not the overall experience. The fruit fly that kept buzzing near my microbrew kept us from committing to entrees which lead to another question. Why so many managers in suits and out of place decor items + the stripped down minimalist lift look? The food was good, just kinda didn't live up to the hype. Very friendly staff though and Overall...very mixed feelings compared to other restaurants shooting for the higher end that have met my belly who landed flat:/
(3)Jamie F.
I've been on a vacation and business travel junket for a month that has, to date, taken me to Greece, Rome, Sanibel Island, and Palm Beach. I have to say that this restaurant in Nashville has been the most dynamic and tastefully balanced of them all. I recommend the duck confit and lamb. They were simply exceptional.
(5)Mitchell G.
Outstanding meal -- pricey but definitely worth it. We had the Cobia, Scallops, and the veggie tort (can't remember its name). They were all awesome! The service was great, as well. What's not to love!
(5)George C.
Just WOW from start to finish. We just landed from our home in Miami and never thought we'd find a place like this in Nashville- but we did and all I can say is- it has kicked the A$$ of most places in the USA I've ever been to. We got: cauliflower app, pork loin, lamb chops and the vegetarian dish and all were the best of those dishes we each had ever had. Must come back!!! Thing I'll miss the most about Nashville- etch and we had one bad A$$ waiter- Darren P!
(5)B T.
Great food! Great Service. I hope they use Humphreys Street Coffee Co. in the future....best coffee in Nashville and they roast right around the corner from Etch.
(5)V T.
Pretty decent restaurant. Roasted cauliflower is highlight of appetizers. Had the lamb for the main and it was cooked perfectly. Good wine selection and overall ambiance. Might come back if in town again although there are so many other food options to try nearby.
(4)Alyssa H.
The Roasted Cauliflower was our favorite. We also tried the shrimp & octopus bruschetta, Etch salad, the duck confit, and the pork tenderloin. The service and atmosphere were great. We loved it. Thank you for a wonderful dinner!
(5)E. D.
Great food and a wonderful experience... I've been making roasted cauliflower at home ever since having it there (though mine isn't within a ten foot radius of what they offer.) Delicious and worth a try!
(5)Michelle M.
Yum, Yum, and YUM!!!!! Good food, beautiful decor, very kind and helpful staff willing to explain everything in great detail. I can't wait to return.
(5)Meridith B.
Really enjoyable evening at Etch. We had the octopus bruschetta, the beet and goat cheese salad, my boyfriend had the lamb dish and I had the filet. Everything was delicious. And our server was really excellent, he knew a lot about the dishes and wine list and he was very into the whole experience. I'll be back.
(5)Jane D.
Excellent dining experience! My filet was cooked perfectly and delicious! Great service, informed and friendly. The dessert was eh, the peach upside down cake wasn't great. Great wine list. Lovely ambience.
(5)Renee D.
I Ioved Etch from the minute I stepped in. The trio of butters, the lamb, the wine, was all fabulous. We were there for 3 hours and never felt rushed.
(5)Cindy D.
This chef is truly a master of her craft. Her vision and passion for how foods pair together is truly a gift. Her staff is very knowledgeable and welcoming. I cannot recommend this restaurant enough and coming from me, that says a lot. Prices are reasonable and the food is incredible. I would love to do an internship under Chef Deb! Bellissima!
(5)Sam D.
Not nearly as good as it wants to be. The portions were too large. The food was arranged poorly on the plate. The bread with the butter tasting was not fresh. Our meals looked nothing like the photos posted. The food needs refining. However, everything tasted fine and the decor was nice.
(3)David M.
On the first bite of every course...speechless. What an amazing culinary journey! This is a MUST visit treat if you are in downtown Nashville.
(4)Billy W.
We started my wife's birthday evening here last week. It was absolutely amazing. We had two small plates, duck and seafood, and had a few cocktails. The service was top notch and food was mouthwatering. We will definitely be back.
(5)Cass L.
The service and food were both superb. The atmosphere was also very nice. I don't think you will find better 'fancy' food in Nashville, especially in the price range. The appetizers and entrees were all exceptionally flavorful, there wasn't one dish that wasn't a joy in my mouth (pork and venison entrees, pork belly and charcuterie apps). I doubt there is a dish that disappoints. Flavor mash-ups that all worked together. Complements to the chef!
(5)Jasper T.
This was a last minute decision to finally try Etch. It was a for a birthday celebration and we had tickets to go see Kathy Griffin and thankfully Etch is just right across the street. When we went in we were informed that they were full till 8 however we could sit in the bar. That was perfect. We were still severed just like we were sitting in the dinning room and was the food ever amazing. We started off with the calliflower and it was to die for. Then we moved on to lamb chops and my partner had a filet. The food was simply stunning. We really can't wait to go Back.
(5)Amanda B.
This was a wonderful place we stumbled upon, everyone was so great. The flavors are interesting, we each had the filet and were very pleased.
(5)Bailey W.
So much yes. So much yum. I am so ridiculously picky about my filet and this one is to DIE for. I ordered the butter sampler app as a novelty and absolutely loved it. Butter made from duck fat? Um, yeah. Surprisingly pleased with the beets and berries salad and the rolls are delicious. Oh yeah, and the FILET. IS AMAZING. I have also enjoyed the pork tenderloin on occasion. The bartenders are friendly and attentive as well as knowledgable about their wines and the manager Richard is lovely and hospitable. The valets also seem like they only operate at a constant sprint, nice work. Thank you etch, for amazing repeat performances! See you soon.
(5)Doug G.
I've had dinner here twice. I can say that the Filet with Mushroom Pain Perdu is quite possibly the best meal I've ever had. Deborah is an artist. This experience is a must for all who eat red meat. The Filet is top notch but the Mushroom Pain Perdu is what sets this meal apart. The texture and flavor is something I had never experienced. It's almost indescribable. The hairs on the back of my neck are standing up just thinking about that incredible warm, soft and flavorful combination of bread, mushroom, red wine... dear lord, it is amazing.
(5)Teresa B.
As wonderful as you'd expect if you loved Zola! Fantastic menu, wonderful wine selection and classy, hip atmosphere. This is a great "special occassion" spot! Just plan lots of special occassions!
(5)Tony H.
Love the sleek look of the place, and the very attentive staff. They're not stuffy, and are very articulate about the menu, etc. After two visits, I must say the menu shows great creativity and it delivers! You want healthy...done, vegetarian...done, beef sous vie'd in duck fat...done, great lunch salads...done. Good spot for a social or business lunch, can't wait to try dinner!
(4)Bryan E.
We really enjoyed this restaurant. Great cocktails, I had the smoky old fashion and my wife had a tequila cilantro smash. Both amazing. We had a table looking out onto the street with a great view. The cauliflower app was delicious- highly recommend it and we don't even like cauliflower! The version and pork chop were both cooked perfectly and the flavor superb! Get a reservation ahead of time, smooth sailing from there!
(5)Brandon K.
I was contacted by the Etch management regarding my previous review and they exhibited very fantastic service recovery. They clearly care about their guests and want a positive dining experience. I look forward to trying Etch again.
(4)Sarah D.
dinner at Etch was sublime.. my favorite favorite thing here was dessert.... the olive oil ice-cream was seriously from another planet!
(5)Jeff K.
This was probably the best start to finish meal I have ever eaten. We went for their Valentines 4 course tasting menu and it was really fantastic. I started with the champagne leek soup with truffle oil and a fried oyster which was very nice. The roasted cauliflower salad with smoked pea and truffle pesto with hazelnuts was crazy good. My wife had the duck confit salad which was very good-- not as good as the cauliflower in my opinion. Filet was cooked to perfection with a mushroom duxelle and wine reduction sauce with a potato beignet (pretty good). The desert was a chocolate ganache something with salted caramel sauce which was unbelievable. My wife had a citrus desert which was also tremendous. I was stuffed afterwards and the bill was expensive but it was a great meal. I am excited to come back. We do not drink so I can't speak to the wine pairings or mixed drinks.
(5)Lauren W.
I have been here twice and both times a by underwhelmed. Cauliflower appetizer is wonderful and a must have! Other than that the main plates are fine. I have had the pork tenderloin and the spaghetti squash, neither of which was exceptional. On the upside I did see Ronnie Dunn and Reba here!
(4)James R.
Enjoyed the restaurant and environment immensely. Went there last night. Person who seated us was extremely friendly and welcoming. Immediately, we had water poured, and drink request taken. We ordered the cauliflower to start which was excellent followed by additional meals which were very good as well. A little more expensive but well worth it. Though I'm continuing to try new restaurants in the area, this has been the best so far.
(5)Dan L.
We scouted this place a month before going (passing through Nashville on a road trip). We knew it would be a highlight of the trip, and it was. Recommend ordering a succession of whatever you want from the menu (apps and entrees) and tell your server you want to eat family style. They will bring everything out gradually so you can focus on each dish, tasting-style. We received excellent treatment and service, and the head chef, Deb Paquette, even came out to say hello and obliged us food-fanatics with a photograph. EAT HERE - it is different, fresh, of the finest quality, and worth every penny. Get one of their signature cocktails, too.
(5)David C.
Had yet another business lunch for 3 on 4/3/13. The buyer was a vendor from the DC area who was a foodie. Perfect yet again....entrees this time were the special of the day (gnocchi) for me and my co-worker and the egg sandwich for my vendor. This is my solid go-to lunch restaurant...be there again next Friday. :)
(5)Ray C.
Had a great experience at Etch. I was with collegues from my business, and I was the guy who they look to to pick the good restaurants when we're at conventions all over the U.S. Etch did me proud. Every dish was spectacular. I won't go into detail, but the cauliflour side was excellent, the lamb and scallop dishes excellent, and the dessert awesome also. All around great meal, with lots of great flavors on every plate. If I every come back to Nashville, I'll be sitting at one of their tables again!
(5)Liz D.
My husband and I came here for a celebratory dinner after hearing all the great things about Etch. We never had a chance to go to Zola before it closed, so I was excited to try this place out. It's a nice place- well situated in town, inviting atmosphere. But the food left much to be desired. I didn't realize there was so much Asian fusion on the menu- the thing about Asian fusion is that it's never quite as good as straight up Asian cuisine. We had the hoisin pork for appetizer, and while the pork was tender, hoisin is just an overwhelming flavor that takes over everything. Not well balanced. Then we had the fried short ribs, which was good itself, but the stir fry vegetables were like, straight from the frozen food section. Too much and unseasoned. The duck breast was okay, but not too much flavor on those. Pairing with the ginger grits was a save. Then we had dessert, the passion fruit mousse, which was okay- not stellar. I don't know, this place just didn't match up to the high standards that were placed on it. Maybe we just ordered the wrong things, but we ordered five items off the menu and only sort of liked portions of them. For how much we paid, I expected a better dinner experience.
(2)Tina P.
A good friends recent experience confirmed mine. Sadly. Go for atmosphere drinks, appetizers and desserts. Only. Here is my friends experience: We went to Etch. I had roasted cauliflower, which was great, and the beet and berry salad, also great. I had to send my entrée back because it was not edible. It was Cobia with oranges and a butter sauce. The fish did not taste fresh, and the flavors did NOT work! Husband has a VERY broad-minded palate, and he thought it was bad too. I didn't love the way they responded. Not rude, but not sympathetic, and they didn't ask what was wrong about it. Maybe they knew it was a bad dish. But it was recommended by the waitress! The wine was excellent, and the dessert was superb. Service was average. Husband had some specifications about his meal, and they did make those accommodations without any fuss, which was great. We had a nice time...nice table, pretty place. But they need some work on their entrees! Thank you so much for the recommendation. I knew going in it was a gamble because of your experience, but it sounded like the one most suited to our needs.
(3)Erin R.
Based on all the reviews, I had extraordinarily high expectations for this place and I am happy to say that our meal not only met but exceeded these! If this isn't the best restaurant in Nashville, it's in the top 3 for sure. It seems that their specialty is taking classic dishes and reinventing them. We started with the butter tasting and the cauliflower app. It's hard to believe that anyone could get so excited about a cauliflower dish but the way they season the cauliflower coupled with the sauces is just amazing and so flavorful! Highly recommend that! I had the pork tenderloin and it was seasoned impeccably - had a little bit of a kick to it. My husband had the lamb chop - it was tender and delicious! He totally cleaned his plate. Have to note that their wine selection was also pretty great and our server was very friendly and very knowledgeable. The atmosphere in this restaurant was more casual than I was expecting. My husband and I dressed up, thinking the prices dictated a more formal environment but we saw everything from sport jackets to shorts here so it's really a come as you are type of place. We will definitely return and would do so every weekend if we could afford it!
(5)Dawn T.
Etch totally lived up to the glowing reviews I read online. We had an event at Bridgestone Arena, and were celebrating our wedding anniversary, so I wanted a nice restaurant within walking distance. I was anticipating a high bill, but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised it was not outrageous by any means. We had a bottle of wine, 2 very generous entrees, and split a dessert at the end for just under $100, not too shabby! I ordered the pork tenderloin, and my husband got the venison (interesting fact; the venison is farm-raised in New Zealand). Sadly, I do not possess the culinary vocabulary to accurately illustrate the glory of this meal. It was insanely good. I have never had so much going on on one plate in my life, and it all fused perfectly together. The venison was even wackier, with ginger grits and dollops of banana puree! I really wasn't sure after reading the descriptions on the menu whether I was going to like it as much as I did, but I will not hesitate to recommend this place to friends looking for a very special dining experience in downtown Nashville.
(5)Anna S.
AMAZING! So many great flavors in everything we ate. I can't imagine that doesn't apply to all of their dishes. Great atmosphere and close to all the post-dinner Nashville fun.
(5)Jen G.
Trendy with potential. Does not have the flow of an experienced restaurant. Some of the food was fantastic but did not meet all expectations in service, timing, and consistency between dishes. I would try it again, but would hope to see those problems solved (primarily Service for fine dining).
(5)Benjamin R.
Very cool vibe and creative dishes. The main courses themselves were very interesting, good, but maybe just shy of as delicious as you'd expect given the creativity and presentation. The Japanese fried pork ribs were really good as a starter.
(4)Oliver G.
Get over it Nashville. The past ain't past. The problems I had with Zola are loud and clear at Etch: the inability to self-edit. Every dish has about 50 ingredients, none of which provide any particular direction. That's going to be exciting for a lot of people (just look at all the 5-star reviews), and I'm sure the place will be popular with some. The space is great as was the service, the wine prices are as expected for a downtown lease. More is less.
(2)Linz L.
The food was very good. The bruschetta is a must have, also the ratatouille salad was amazing. This place is good, but it is not the place to go and have a filet and potatoes. You absolutely must go out on a limb and get something more adventurous. That being said, I believe that this is a place for the food connoisseur that does not mind paying a higher price. Great service, food, and drinks, but priced a little too high ($11 dollars for a drink at the bar, and then the service charge added at the table- costing about an average of $14 a drink at the table). I do not mind paying extra for good food and service, but on the drinks- I really do not see the reason.
(4)Meridith S.
Super classy place, great city views of the new Opera House. Wonderful Menu~ This place allows you a sneak peak to the kitchen as meals are prepared. Their Martinis are very good, the waitstaff very polite and attentive, and the roasted Cauliflower- yum! I had a filet that was nicely prepared. I cannot wait to be able to come back!
(5)Queen B.
Again last night, friend and I had dinner. This time we opted to sit against the window and watch the people go by.. Craven waited on us and like a damn good waiter, he knew his menu.... inside and out. When asked a question, NOT once did he say to us, "I'm not sure..." Both friend and I thoroughly enjoyed our meals, the service, the ambience.. If I could change one thing.. I think I would put more "oomph" into some of the sauces. They were a little bland. For instance, the edamane sauce that came with the short rib appetizer. Short ribs are bland to begin with as is a lot of meat. I would have punched the sauce up more with more pizazz so that one of them shouted.. The vegetable slaw that came with the shrimp and filo appetizer was phenomenal.. Very good flavors melded together. The venison was a winner with the cranberry relish and ginger grits.. The venison was cooked medium rare and oh so tender.. My friend had the duck confit foi gras and he could only make noises and nod his head saying it was "better than sex." I fully understand. That is when a dish is "orgasmic." Not a table was to be had by 7pm.. Every table was occupied. The food is fantastic, the service is exquisite and Paul the bartender is right up there with the best martinis in town! I'm going to reiterate that this is probably the finest restaurant in town when it comes to service and food quality. I just wish she would put a little more "oomph" in some of her aioli and sauces......
(4)Sonia L.
I wasn't quite sure what to expect... I read both fantastic reviews and mediocre ones. WELL. Etch is now one of my favorite restaurants!! Boyfriend liked it so much, he suggested we go again! I thought he was kidding... but we ended up at their happy hour the very next day. We had: 1) Roasted cauliflower (PLEASE GET THIS) 2) Octopus and shrimp bruschetta (Get this as well!) 3) Pork belly 4) Tortilla crusted catfish 5) The red, white, and sparkling wines at happy hour 6) Two cocktails (I'm too lazy to remember) 7) Grilled lamb 8) Cobia (So soft and flaky) This is a lot of food. Granted, we had two of the appetizers the next day, but still. I'm okay hating myself for eating so much if the food in my belly is from Etch. Even the wine blew me away. Shout-out to our waiter Kenneth for being fantastic!! BUT NO TIME FOR DESSERT. Stupid concert reservations... I don't think you could eat anything that isn't absolutely delicious here, especially the waitstaff's recommendations. I wish I lived in Nashville just to come to Etch all the time.
(5)Marian L.
Etch was a fun and tasty dining experience for my husband and me. We chose to sit at the chef/kitchen bar. I love to do this when possible because you get such a bird's eye view of everything going on in the kitchen. At Etch, it all worked like a well oiled machine. Our server was fantastic, she had the perfect blend of professionalism and friendliness. All of the food was excellent. The big standout for me was the charcuterie salad. It had 3 different meats- salami, bresaola and a venison pate. The Dijon/golden beet schmear was so good and I don't generally like beets! There were also smoked lima beans, pickled onions, and vinaigrette dressed greens. It could have easily served as my entree, it was that substantial. I had the lamb chops and my husband had the venison and both were so well prepared. Both were perfectly cooked and had a soft, buttery texture. Neither was the least bit gamy. The one thing you'll either love or hate about Etch is that they have a lot of flavors on the plate and both of these entrees are no exception. My lamb had a feta filo pocket, a sauce, a relish, a tapenade, a veggie, and a fruit. I personally loved all the flavors and how they melded so well together into a perfect bite. My husband had a smoked apple purée with his venison that was to die for. We finished with the chocolate and peanut torte which was tasty. I really liked the passion fruit sauce as it added a tart note to all that creamy sweetness. We had a great experience and would definitely return.
(5)Lauren R.
Had an overall amazing experience at this restaurant. First, we asked our waiter if he recommended either the butter tasting or the bread tasting special. He told us to get the bread tasting special and it was delicious! There were three types of breads with unique toppings and we finished the entire thing. Next, we got the pork belly and kim chi appetizer which was a beautiful plate and also really great, but I did prefer the bread tasting. For entrees I had the halibut and my boyfriend had the venison and we both finished our plates. The service was great. The waiter was very knowledgeable and attentive to our needs. We would definitely come to etch the next time we are in Nashville.
(5)Beth D.
Fantastic food and ambiance. Had Artessa Chardonay. Not commonly found where I'm from and was amazing. The octopus bruschetta was incredible Charcuterie salad was awesome and filet was done perfectly. Paul was our bartender/waiter. Excellent service and entertainment Wished we could've stayed longer to enjoy the setting but CMA fest was calling. Will definitely be back. Hope to see Paul!!! A great experience all the way around ! Cheers
(5)Umesh W.
This is a great find, thanks to Yelp. We settled for this and it was a great move. The food was exceptional. They had great plates, from apps to the main course. I had the pork belly appetizer and the venison. Both plates were perfect. My drink, The Don was very nice, almost like a mint julep. The ambiance and the service was very good as well. Definitely a place to try.
(5)Erin L.
Great food and great service. We had the Shrimp Bruschetta, Roasted Cauliflower, Butter Tasting and Mulligatawny Soup (a special) as apps and they were all delicious. I had the seared scallops (seafood of the day) and it was good, but I didn't love the purees included. My husband has the grilled filet and liked it a lot. The service was friendly, informative without being overly solicitous. Would definitely go back if I am in Nashville again.
(4)Jennifer S.
Amazing amazing amazing!!! The food pairs really well and the combination of tastes are ones that you wouldn't originally think would go together. It's also a great price for the amount of preparation that goes into each dish. One of the best places I have eaten before.
(5)Allie W.
One of my favorites in Nashville. I've ordered the cauliflower every time I've been and you just can't go without ordering it! I don't even like cauliflower and I LOVE etch's cauliflower. The butter tasting is also fun for the group. For entrees I've tried the steak, veal, cobia, and a special of scallops. All were superb but the cobia is absolutely amazing. An astounding mix of flavors that I would love to have again and again! You can't go wrong with a dessert either. They seem to change periodically but my favorite was a peanut butter chocolate cake that was rich and delicate and just delicious!
(5)Christina V.
I was in town for business and didn't have a reservation. Was easily able to find a seat in the bar area which was perfect for a solo female diner. My server, Leah, was excellent with her recommendations of food, cocktails and wine. I started with a chilled carrot and beet soup that was decadent. I then had the special fish entree - ivory salmon. It was excellent!
(5)Sonia C.
Etch was memorable. The name fits. We arrived early, a good habit that I am picking up (I'm not living up to my name) and the hostess sat us immediately. I was not too pleased with the table, it was next to the window, but it was only two of us, so I really couldn't complain. The decor was simple yet chic. Very zen. Our waiter showed up immediately and introduced himself, and gave us time to look through the wine list. We never felt rushed or forgotten. We settled on a simple Spanish Syrah ( their wine prices are reasonable). After the presentation of the wine, the waiter went through the menu with us and answered all of our questions. To me that is a plus when the wait staff knows the menu. The two appetizers were outstanding! The roasted cauliflower drizzled with truffle oil was amazing and it came with with crema that was blended with feta cheese that was indescribable. The pork belly was seasoned and cooked to perfection. The Etch salad was good, but I could have gone for more cauliflower. Now the entree, I had the fillet, med. rare, sitting on top of puree of potatoes, and dressed with peeled asparagus. The fillet was so good, ate all of my steak and left the sides there. Needed room for dessert. After much thought, we finally narrowed it down to the rhubarb and pecan tart. One word - delicious. Great food, great service and great ambience.
(5)Cait C.
We had the cauliflower, beet salad, venison, colbia fish, and lemon tart for dessert. All of the dishes had a lot of interesting combinations and creativity, but sadly there's nothing that I would go back for a second time. I'm giving four stars for creativity and complex flavors. The dishes are contemporary and certainly spark conversation.
(4)Jeremy J.
Amazing food and Amazing service. Our waiter James walked us through the entire experience and shared with us what some of the signature items are as well as what his favorites were. He was spot on with his suggestions. I would highly recommend the Roasted Cauliflower. You would think how can someone do Cauliflower any different but it was the sauces that made the app so great. Then the entree, again a signature Cobia. Light flaky white fish but it was very flavorful and each bite was different on the plate. Great job. Next time I am in Nashville, I will be coming back for sure.
(5)Luke C.
All I can say is wow! The food here is amazing. Definitely a spot for a "foodie". Great menu with a good variety of dishes, awesome fusion of flavors and textures. Dressy attire, upscale atmosphere, nice place for a fancy date.
(5)Andrew M.
Very good fine dining at etch. Great location and ambiance. We had a very nice time. I would recommend them any time.
(5)Gabi M.
As the name implies, my dinner at Etch from a few weeks ago will be "etched" in my memory for a really long time... it was fabulous! I was the oddball out being the only non-vegetarian / vegan in the group, so there were many more selections that appealed to me than to my colleagues -- hello -- can you say the entire menu is amazing? Despite our different food preferences, our party of three agreed on more than a few things: 1 - Deb Paquette is one of the most talented chefs ever! 2 - Etch provides an incredible dining experience with top notch service inside a lovely modern venue. 3 - That cauliflower appetizer (even though we ordered it with everything on the side) is perfection. 4 - Ratatouille Crudo - mine as it comes and theirs without the cheese - also incredible... I especially loved this mix of healthy and fresh zucchini, fennel, carrots, champignons, basil micro greens, garlic olive oil, eggplant salt, red bell tomato essence, parmesan. (Seriously, I could make a meal on this alone!) In addition to the above, I had a glass of wine and the scallop entree. My veggie mates had the Katafi Pastry entree, slightly tweaked for their preferences. We all were extremely content with our selections. Unfortunately, with all of the aforementioned food, we had no room left for dessert. Such a shame because the entire dessert menu sounded insane in a good way. I only hope for a return visit one day to experience Etch yet again... Thank you Marcia M for suggesting we eat here and for making the reservation. For anyone that may be reading this review, if you can get a reservation, go for it. I guarantee you will etch some fond memories of your meal there as well. Enjoy!
(5)Carl D.
Delicious! Roasted Cauliflower appetizer was amazing! Split the fillet, medium rare, and it came out to perfection. Wasn't excited after reading the dessert menu, but got the truffle and added ice cream and was super pleased. Service was very professional and offered a lot of options to help us make selections. If ur in downtown Nashville, I definitely recommend Etch!
(5)David D.
Fantastic restaurant with very clean, healthy food in a modern, yet warm space. Salads are outstanding and very inventive without being overbearing. I found the service pleasant and since I sat at the chef's counter I was able to watch the meticulous attention to detail in prep, cooking, and especially presentation. They are more than happy to stray off the beaten path should you have any special requests and as a final tip try the coffee. It's great.
(5)Joi B.
Exquisite. To the casual observer, Etch is not at all a vegan restaurant. The menu boasts such meaterific dishes as pork tenderloin, venison and steak filet rubbed with smoked duck butter, yet there are vegetarian options, all involving cheese and/or butter. All it took was a simple (not-so-simple, really, but she made it seem simple) request to our waitress to "veganize" the salads and vegetarian entree some dishes and voila, we received some of the best vegan food I've ever had! So before I get into the food, I need to give major props for the service. I appreciate that although dinner reservations are hard to come by at Etch, they do make every guest feel like they matter and service is impressive: friendly, polite and approachable. Sometimes trendy places like this one make you feel like you're lucky to be there, you know? Now that that's out of the way. The food: All three of us couldn't pass up that Ratatouille Crudo, so we each ordered our own. And we each devoured it! If you want this salad vegan, just get them to leave off the parm. A delectable tower of raw zucchini, carrots, micro greens, fennel and mushrooms marinated in greatness. It's the perfect light app to get you ready for what is sure to be an outstanding entree to follow. The Katafi pastry. INSANE. I keep looking at my photo and I am not lying when I say that my mouth actually waters with the sight and memory of this fantastic entree. They made this to order for us, leaving out the Fontina cheese. Although I admittedly do think a fine cheese can only make a dish more delicious, I can't imagine that it's necessary here. I believe the vegetarian dish changes according to season, so I'm not sure if the vegetables are going to be the same for you, but last week's dish included a pile of kale, a whole grain and a charred tomato. On top of this lovely arrangement is a bird's nest of phyllo. And there's three different bits of purees (olive? carrot? beet? Some combination thereof that tasted incredible) that compliment everything beautifully. I want some more immediately... only, I won't be back to Nashville for a month. Bravo, Etch. You win the best meal I've had all month award!
(5)Megan K.
AMAZING lunch experience! I lived here for a couple years before I had ended up finding my way to Etch. I'm so happy I did--the meal was one of the best I've had in this city. The roasted cauliflower and tempura mushrooms were fabulous starters... unreal flavors. I went with the Brisket Papusa for my entree and it was insanely delicious--tender and flavorful, so many flavors and incredibly filling. The chocolate pretzel bar was one of the best desserts I've ever had. Can't recommend this place enough... the atmosphere is edgy and modern--we valeted--it's right across from the Music City Center, so I'd count on valeting, especially if you go on a busy night. Have fun! :)
(5)Mike B.
One of the better restaurants I've eaten at. Every single dish from appetizer to entree was unique and delicious. Pay special attention to the different sauces that are drizzled around and be sure it incorporate into your bites. I look forward to heading back soon.
(5)Stacy P.
I rarely give out 5 stars reviews, but Etch is seriously deserving of it. From the decor to the service and the food, Etch delivered. The decor is very modern. Upon entering you will find the host stand and a full bar with seating around it and separate smaller tables as well. The main dining area is an open concept design and you have full view into the kitchen. There are an additional two separate rooms that are used for larger groups. Space is not wasted in the dining room design. The smaller, two seaters line the windows, while the four tops fill the remainder of the room. There is enough space that separates you from your fellow diners as to not feel cramped. There is also seating at the kitchen counter for those who wish to have a show while they eat. Etch doesn't boast as separate gluten free menu, but don't let that detour you if you need to eat GF. All but one of the entries, the Katafi Pastry, can be modified to accommodate for this. The salads as well as some of the appetizers can be modified as well. The dining adventures started with the roasted cauliflower. If you had to chose one item on the menu, hands down, this is the best item. The truffled pea pesto sauce topped with salted almonds is hands down what made the dish. The smokiness of the almonds was balanced well with the pesto. The feta crema dip was nice, but didn't compare to the pesto. If truth be told, two servings of the pesto would work instead of having the feta crema on the plate. For the main entree I opted for the cobia which was modified to sit on top of sweet potato slices instead of the beignet to accommodate the dish to be GF. The dish, when you dissected all of the individual ingrediants (cobia, turkish spiced, brown buttered oranges, capers, olives, raisins, feta, almonds, and sweet potatoes), didn't seem like they would work as a whole, but the combination provided an interesting and extremely balanced. The acidity from the citrus was soothed by the feta and sweet potatoes. The meal was extremely satisfying. Etch will definitely be on my list to return to if I find myself in the area again.
(5)Sha P.
Interesting menu. Was in Nashville for our anniversary and this place was recommended to us by a friend. We were not disappointed. Our server was amazing. The roasted cauliflowers were amazing and highlight of our meal.i ordered the cobia and my husband got the steak. Both were very well prepared and flavorful. Servers are professional and accommodating. Very nice decor.
(4)Emily F.
not the best place to go if you're on a budget, but the food is absolutely amazing. The best is the fried cauliflower...yum
(4)Kevin R.
Top notch place! The service was spot on and the meals we had were interesting and unique. I don't like fish in general, burnt wife got their specialty fish and it was really good! Quality place for a special night out. No regrets.
(5)Julie D.
What a wonderful restaurant in Nashville! We had made a reservation well in advance, and it's a good thing we did. When we arrived, there were people waiting for a table. We were seated right away and had a small table for two by a window. Our server was wonderful, very professional and able to answer all our questions concerning the menu. Beverage choices were great. We started with the Etch salad, fennel, green apple, arugula, radicchio, blue cheese, crushed hazelnuts, all my favorites topped with a champagne vinaigrette. Could not have been any better than this. We also shared a butternut squash soup. So good. The bf ordered the Venison. It was spicy with cocoa chili and served with grilled sweet potato and okra. He loved it. For my meal, I got a petit filet. It was perfectly cooked and served with baked potato bread pudding and a little zucchini slaw. For dessert, we shared a Warm Vanilla Pound Cake. This was another great dining experience in Nashville.
(5)Lawrence C.
Dined 12/5/13 & 12/10/13 Both times we sat at the "chef's table", which is really a long counter fronting the prep work stations with the actual cooking going on behind them. Fun to dine and watch the action. Easy to see the professionalism on display. On one occasion, the executive chef stopped to chat with us. The owners are working all the areas, and they too stopped to check on us frequently. The food is of course well prepared, and beautifully presented. We enjoyed the 'etch' salad, shrimp & tuna appetizer, and Brussels as a side dish so much we ordered each of them again on our return visit. Comprehensive offerings of wines by the glass, averaging @ $13/glass. Dessert star was the chocolate crunch.
(4)Casey M.
My first time at etch did not disappoint. We started with the truffled cauliflower. It came with a pesto pea mousse type of sauce that was amazing. Also we got the butter tasting. Then for entrees I ordered the filet which was on top of a sourdough baked potato bread pudding! and ate every bite. The other entrees at the table were the cobia and venison which were both excellent. We were too full for dessert but I will def be going back
(5)Kashmir A.
What a fantastic experience from start to finish! Let me just start out by saying that I travel with about 10-14 people a few times a year. We always like to have well rounded trips that start off with a nice dinner the night we arrive at our destination. Planning dinners for 14 people isn't always easy! Often you're offered limited menus or ridiculous check minimums. This was not the case with ETCH. I contacted Ali who is in charge of private dining and events. She was prompt in calling me after she received my email. She described the private dining area and let us know the minimum check amount ($750) which was very reasonable. We booked everything via email and we're all set for dinner. The night of the event we arrived we were brought right to our table, which was separated from the restaurant by glass walls. We had to option of closing the curtains, which we didn't. Our server was EXCELLENT! Ramesh was attentive and handled our large party with the help of another server. We probably has everything on the menu! Excellent craft cocktails and that BUTTER TASTING! I died... My boyfriend surprised me during dinner and proposed! They were right there with glasses of champagne. Splitting the check wasn't a problem, Ramesh handled it with ease. Our overall experience was fantastic. I love the ambiance, food, service and cocktails. I highly recommend ETCH when you're in Nashville!
(5)K L.
Loved eating here. Started with the butter tasting which was good but a lot went unfinished as we were only two. Better if more share. Roasted cauliflower starter had feta crema with tomato coulis and smoked pea purée as side dips. Unique and fresh for both. Friend had pork chop which tasted great and melted like butter in the mouth. Cobia entree blended s bunch of flavors together. Fish perfectly cooked, moist and tender. Almost felt like there was a bit too much going on with the dish but ate it all up! Service professional and attentive to start but he got busy with a big party so kinda left us hanging a bit longer than I like after we had finished eating. Overall, a fine experience and worth coming back to.
(5)Brian J.
We were looking for steak, wandered in here. Almost left after looking at the menu and seeing...one beef entree; pickled onions on the salad and grilled Lima beans - I wanted the 28 ounce Porterhouse with two pounds of mashed potatoes. But....the food was really good! The staff was really happy to be serving us, very attentive to our needs. Even though it wasn't quite what we were initially looking for I am glad that we went there; the food was nicely presented, there were some interesting sauces and the overall quality and taste were excellent. Try it, I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
(4)Amy M.
Overall a nice meal, though I think they are trying too hard. This was my first meal in Nashville. I had read so many great reviews that I decided to make reservations for my weekend trip (met up with my college friend who was in Nashville for a conference). We ordered the much talked about cauliflower appetizer ($10). It was cauliflower. I love cauliflower. I eat a lot of cauliflower these days (weight loss super food)! It came with a couple sauces, a "truffled, pea-pesto" with marcona almonds, a roasted pepper sauce and a cauliflower-feta sauce..the truffled pea pesto was tasty though it didn't taste truffled and was nothing like pesto. I ordered the halibut special ($36) and my friend ordered the venison ($29). They were accommodating and substituted the "truffled potato cream" for the "truffled zucchini noodles" (again, I love the flavor of truffles and there wasn't even a hint of truffles noted). The wild mushrooms and the warm kale salad was quite tasty. Generous serving of halibut!! My friend's dish has a lot going on...lots of flavor. Overall an okay meal. Do I NEED to go back? No, not so much. I prefer amazing flavors that are a little less pretentious.
(3)Elizabeth G.
I just got back with my friend and we had the most wonderful dinner. It was beyond our expectations. We shared the Shrimp and Octopus Bruschetta for an appetizer. The Berries and Beets salad was delicious. For our entrees we chose the lamb and filet which were out of this world. Then to top everything off with dessert, we had the Vanilla Meringue and Peanut and Chocolate Torte. The cocktails and wine were delicious. Everything was just perfect and Brooke and Amy gave perfect service! Etch is such a treasure of Nashville. It does not disappoint!
(5)Lauren H.
Holy cauliflower! This place is just fantastic, from the food to the service an absolute 5 Star experience. I highly recommend their cauliflower starter, the chickpea side, the broccoli side and beet salad. The flavors are all very interesting in a great way, and the waiter wasn't scared to lead our pallets which made for a great dining experience. Seriously try this place if you're in town- easily the best food we have had so far!
(5)Kristina L.
Color me sad. Harsh words for a four star review, but read on to see why. Service was completely on point as always. Never did I or my party feel rushed or uninformed. Water glasses were quietly and inconspicuously refilled. As is the norm at Etch, it was a seamless effort from start to finish. Our cocktails (the Pineapple, Basil, Sour Smash and the Lime and Cilantro Smash) were both delightful. What's not to love about Courvoisier Cognac muddled with pineapple, basil and house-made sour? Or the lovely tequila muddled with cilantro, lime, and spicy agave syrup? Refreshing yet you can taste the alcohol in them... Truly wonderful bevvies.... The appetizers were things we had ordered before: the roasted cauliflower (with that scrumptious truffled pea puree), the shrimp and octopus bruschetta, and the pork belly with kimchee, tahini tofu sauce and ginger caramel. I am a total belly 'ho admittedly and this was good but just not as good as it has been prior trips. That being said, the appetizer round was the best part of our meals bar none. For entrées my companions had the filet (which she loved) and my other friend had the pork chop. I had the duck confit ratatouille. The one of us that had the filet is visiting our fair city and had never been here before so she had no comparison. The two of us that had been numerous times before were disappointed. We both felt these dishes were not of the same caliber that we had experienced before at Etch. I am looking at you venison dish and pork tenderloin.... Other entrée choices didn't appeal to me in the way the menu has previously. My hope is that the menu will change again for the upcoming cooler months and that the warm, fuzzy feelings I have had about the food in the past return with a vengeance. Please do not misunderstand; the food was good but just not as wonderfully fabulous as it has been the numerous other times we've been. Etch had been the benchmark for me of what other Nashville restaurants should aspire to be when they grow up. Now it was just good - not over the top as it had been previously. And that makes me sad. I'll be back again when the (fingers crossed) menu changes.
(4)Jenna J.
We were seated quickly in the bar area, however had terrible service. We watched several tables around us get waited on while we were ignored. We ordered an appetizer that never came. We received it after asking and after being served our entrees. The food was good, but didn't seem to live up to the hype. Overall was disappointed because we had heard such great things.
(3)Kevin J.
Excellent dining experience. Seven of us had a late dinner at Etch. The service and food were both top notch. Our waiter explained every dish and was very good in assisting us with the wines. The cauliflower appetizer was a standout. The accompanying sauces were great. Everyone was pleased with their mains. I had the cobia and it was excellent. Would definitely return.
(4)Toni R.
Had a truly stellar lunch. I would think dinner would be even better!!! Fine service and lively decor accompany wonderful food, beautifully presented!
(4)Holly F.
This is definitely a case of you getting what you paid for, meaning it is a bit pricey. But if you are looking for a creative restaurant where each plate has 15 delicious and perfected flavors then this is the place for you. There is nothing simple about any dish but in the most delightful way. I will certainly be returning my next trip to Nashville. Heavenly. (My only complaint was the lemon tart dessert, not up to par with the rest of the meal but couldn't' drag down the five star rating.)
(5)Linda A.
It's been about a month since our visit and I'm just getting around to reviewing. I hope time hasn't knocked some of the shine off my review because we loved our experience at Etch. Hubby and I were celebrating our anniversary...finally! Etch is not an easy reservation to score when you're limited to weekends as we typically are. However, the stars aligned and we found ourselves both in town on a Monday night and decided to just take the easier reservation and have a Monday date! Wow...the service has to be mentioned first. Our server was just about perfect. I love it when a server can help you make choices and this young lady (alas, her name escapes me already) even helped me change my mind about my entree choice and I'm so glad she did! I had the Cobia, a fish I'd never tried before. So mild and delicious itself but the accompanying capers and olives made the flavor bright and just wonderful. My hub ordered the venison. Venison is our main protein source at home but this was such a treat. Next time, I'm getting that one for myself because I want my very own portion! We ordered the butter tasting and enjoyed it although I didn't swoon as much as some of the other reviewers. I have to make special mention about Chef Deb's willingness to adapt my husband's entree for his garlic allergy as well as our server's extra attention to steering him the right way with his entree choice with regards to the same. Always a plus with us! All in all this was a very special experience and just right for an anniversary. Look forward to returning!
(5)Barry J.
From amazing hospitality to great food, this place, close to another great foodie spot has me denominating the shadow of the Country Music Hall of Fame as Foodie heaven. This place delivered from the moment I arrived with two college kids (foodies in training)--one hour before our reservation. They swept us into the restaurant early and the feast began. First, butter tasting, and lamb tartare. The butter tasting was a fun start and the lamb, a solid tartare. Timings perfect and Kim kept that exactly on target all evening. She was simply delightful and skilled at great service. Next we split two salads and that was plenty for three. The charcuterie salad had some great tastes and the beets and berries was stellar. The goat cheese semifreddo put us over the moon with the contrasting flavors. We saw some cranberries throughout the evening and that was thoughtful and fun. There was a Harissa based plate sauce. Everything good. Two of us had the signature Cobia. I know that violated foodie protocol but my daughter had her good friend along and I didn't know him well enough to include him on the family custom of everyone gets different items and shares. Next time he is "in". The Cobia is a new fish to me and I loved the dish. It was perfectly cooked. The oranges and berries in the dish complemented the fish nicely. The toasted almonds were perfect for the dish. I did become a bit Harissa-fatigued as I ate the rest of the portion...that does not hold me back from recommending the dish, however. We also had the venison. Also perfectly cooked to medium rare restaurant specks. Also Harissa-influenced. I had one lovely bite of this. Onto dessert. We again shared two. The Meyer lemon dessert was not exactly what we expected. It is a great choice for those wanting a more savory or neutral dessert. While a solid dessert, we thought it could use a bit more lemon flavor. Next the chocolate bread pudding. A triumph! We lingered at the table for a few minutes chatting. I am as close to five stars as I can be without going there. I admit I have become a tough grader. No hesitation in recommending this one!
(4)Dolci K.
Etch is one of the newer restaurants in Downtown Nashville, TN near the Music City Convention Center. Upon entering, the high ceilings and bare concrete supporting pillars give the entire room a air of upscale urban dining, and the succulent plants on the center of every table give off a modern vibe. The table settings are modern, but the utensils are strikingly whimsical and simple. Upon sitting down, we were some of the first dinner guests of the night, and our waiters were slightly over excited to have us place an order. The menu is not overly extensive, but if you have never been there, you will want a minute to browse. After settling in, I ordered a NOLA cocktail which was phenomenal with notes of a Sazerac with additional hints of anise and licorice plus a lovely fizz. The garnish was beautiful and seemingly intricate in my glass. As an appetizer, I started with the Roasted Cauliflower which did not disappoint. Typically, I am always a bit apprehensive to order a vegetable as an appetizer because many are not big enough to share, over priced, and are not up to par with the rest of the meal. However, the Roasted Cauliflower was delightful, roasted to a perfection with a slight crunch instead of overly soggy, lightly drizzled with truffle oil, but not doused, and served with a feta cream and roasted red pepper puree on one side and a pea pesto with salted almonds on the other. It was sizable, and enough to share with a table, which is what every appetizer should be. All the flavors, while bold and of a wide variety, melted together seamlessly. In addition to the Roasted Cauliflower, we were brought fresh rolls rising with steam as the smell of rosemary piqued my intrigue. The butter served with it was at a perfect whipped texture and a flawless spreadable temperature. I had the gluten free version of the rolls, which to my taste were slightly tough, but overall, very pleasing. Moving on to the main course, my guest ordered scallops which were served with tempura mushrooms, and served on a bed of mixed greens with beet sriracha and butternut garlic essence. Honestly, the scallops were one of the more disappointing menu items of the night. The mushrooms were fantastical, but the scallops themselves were not cooked quite right and left much to be desired. A scallop should be hot and crisp on the outsides, and while the coloring was nice, there was no crisp bite at all as if the pan had not gotten hot enough. The in-between meat was too soft on the outer edges as well. As for the sauces, though elegantly plated, were only so-so. The beet puree was pretty, and tasted of beets, but the sriracha flavors were lost entirely. On the other hand, the butternut squash tasted slightly sweet with a mild hint of garlic, but really failed to add value to the dish at all. As a side, we ordered brussels sprouts which are a favorite dish of mine. Unfortunately, the brussels sprouts served here are soft, soggy, and too cabbage-y rather than having a more oven roasted flavor. They could have been ok, but were also mixed with caramelized onions which made the entire dish too cohesively offensive in texture without any contrast at all. Lastly, I ordered the Cobia, a tender white fish from the Gulf of Mexico. The spice on the fish was just right, a slight crunch, just enough spice, and a little salt. The top portion of fish was cooked to perfection, although the bottom one was a bit too dry. There was just enough mixture of sweet and savory in the garnish of browned buttered oranges and golden raisins with the olives, almonds, and capers. Out of everything, this was my favorite. Dessert was a Strawberry Cheesecake Sunday (Sans the graham cracker crumble garnish). The ice cream itself was made with goat cheese cheesecake and served with fresh strawberries and strawberry jam. The goat cheese ice-cream was the most interesting part about the dessert, but was substandard comparatively to the rest of the menu (although it was the only gluten free offering for dessert at the time). All in all, Etch was a great experience especially because of their knowledgeable and attentive servers. The chef, Deb Paquette is talented and has an gift for combining many different flavors to make beautiful, tasteful dishes. I look forward to going back another season to experience her combinations of other ingredients as well. read more detailed reviews at: LA DOLCI VITA ladolcivita.com/fooddrin…
(3)Debbie P.
I took my mother to this restaurant for lunch on her birthday. It was the perfect place. Tuesday at lunch was not too crowded, the menu was deliciously varied and the service was attentive and friendly. The servers were so gracious to my mother, and made her feel special. They even put a candle on her dessert! This is an upscale restaurant near the heart of downtown and caters to business luncheons during the day and fine dining in the evening. I recommend it to anyone looking for a good dining experience.
(4)justine h.
The spaghetti squash dish is EVERYTHING! And im a total meat eater. It's the kind of dish you have dreams about.
(5)Stephanie C.
This is the most stellar, out of the world, perfectly prepared food I have ever had. We have been several times and every single dish is amazing! The management is beyond aware as they visit the table often, are always checking to see if there's anything they can do, and beyond generous to take care of anything not 100%. This is a place you must go!
(5)Steve E.
Just to emphasize....the food is magic. Flavors on top of flavors, and they all work. We took a couple new to Etch---their fave in Nashville so far. And it is certainly on our list. Outstanding in every aspect.
(5)Jared S.
Absolutely delicious, exquisitely-prepared food. Everything about Etch is top-notch, from the drinks, to the food, to the waitstaff. I am constantly impressed by how wonderful this restaurant is. Plenty of other people have left suggestions on what to try, so I won't go into details. Especially since I don't believe you could possibly be disappointed with anything you order. If you want a special night out, Etch is a great choice. I would recommend you get a reservation, and if you like the frantic pace of a kitchen, try sitting at the chef's bar. You might even get a chance to chat with Deb for a few minutes. That is, if there's a lull that allows her to slow down her militaristic attention to detail.
(5)Frank P.
We sat at the bar because the restaurant was too full (with reason, this place rocks). Paul was an amazing bartender. We had the cauliflower appetizer (I usually hate cauliflower, but it was AMAZING) and shrimp/oyster bruschetta (again amazing!). We were pretty stuffed after just those two appetizers so we didn't get the the lamb porterhouse because we had heard it was amazing as well but decided against it since we were so full. Highly recommended!
(5)Gregg S.
Etch came highly recommended by several people and did not disappoint! We were carefully steered through the menu and were very impressed with our selections. The cauliflower appetizer even impressed this guy who usually goes for something like raw oysters or calamari. The Etch and Beet salads were delectable and the lamb did not even hint at needing a "to go" box! Desert mostly stayed in front of my lady, but I did steal a small bite to see what all the "mmmmms" where about...yum! Kenneth, our server, gave us just the right amount of attention and had more knowledge of a menu than I ever thought possible. Whomever leads this team, from valet drop-off to valet pickup, really knows what they are doing. Well done folks!
(5)K C.
Started with cocktails at the bar which were very good. Ordered appetizers, the Cobia, Venison, and some sides to share. We also shared a couple of desserts. The flavors of everything was excellent. The use of spices and the sauces were done right. If I lived anywhere near this restaurant I be a regular. Service was great, they provided some good wine recommendations, and the atmosphere was very cool.
(5)Chet L.
This is one of those places that always seems to know what they're doing. After some business downtown, Yelp's fantabulous app directed me here for lunch. Free validated parking was the first sign of class. After being greeted by the hostess, and wonderful dining area is presented with a huge chef's bar where you can sit and watch the magic happen in the kitchen. Or just grab a beer and some soup and enjoy the view. For lunch I had a tasty black bean spicy soup - I hate black beans. This soup I would bathe in.....delicious. I also ordered the Brisket Pupusa: corn cake, smoked brisket, chihuahua cheese, onion, peruvian butternut carrot slaw, roja and poblano sauces, celery leaf avocado smash, lime crema, queso blanco......THIS WAS PHENOMENAL. Floor manager, kitchen manager, expo, servers, all asking if they can get you anything and of things are okay. Great place - cant wait to go for dinner. This place knows how to do food - just another sign Nashville is becoming a food mecca. Way to go Etch !!
(5)Rachel H.
YUM!!! I went to Etch last weekend and have nothing but good things to say! The Roasted Cauliflower is hands down the best cauliflower I've ever had. I wish I knew how to make it because it was absolutely delicious and you can eat it without feeling any guilt :) We also ordered the Octopus and Shrimp Bruschetta. This was also very good but if I had to pick between the bruschetta and the cauliflower, the cauliflower would win every time. For my entrée I ordered the Cobia per the recommendation of our server. It was fantastic! I love seafood to begin with, but this was so flavorful and interesting, I'd absolutely recommend it to anyone in the mood for something a little bit lighter. The sauce was sooo good and I think the raisons gave it a little bit of extra texture that isn't commonly found in fish dishes. My friend ordered the lamb which he loved but I forgot to try because I was so enamored with my own dish. I don't live in Nashville, but if/when I'm back I'll definitely make a point to get back to Etch.
(5)Zoe Z.
Sitting at the bar facing the open kitchen and watching the staff prepare everybody's food adds to the fun of dining at Etch! Overall, this place lives up to the reputation hailed by so many diners. The entrees are fine but somehow bring in southern style which is not my personal favourite---a little too much of the fried, roasted, seared... The special summer cold soup is stunning, refreshing and pleasantly sizzling to the tasting buds. Fruit from the earth and the sea strike a harmony in just one bowl!
(4)Frank J.
Don't eat the entrees, appetizers are very good though. Soup had great texture and flavor. Cauliflower was cooked very nicely with lots of great dipping sauces. Scallop entree: scallops were only cooked on one side--lack of texture. All scallops were split open when served. Served over way too much lettuce with some sort of fried mushroom stuck on the bottom and hidden. Strange dish. Filet was a big ball of mush. No crispness to the meat. Tough to swallow. Again with a bunch of lettuce and asparagus thrown on top of the piece of meat. Would not order again. Service was very good. Atmosphere was nice and it was great getting to sit at the bar and watch the chefs in the kitchen work.
(3)Kevin B.
Food and service were fantastic even during a tornado watch and hailstorm!
(5)Todd B.
I just had one of the best dining experiences of my life at R'evolution in New Orleans, and I didn't think it could get much better. Then I came to Etch tonight in the South's other culinary capital, Nashville. It was a sublime experience. I was dreading going downtown to Etch due to the parking issues, but the parking lot across from the restaurant was reasonable, or the valet option is very convenient as well. Parking was a cinch, so I already was in a good mood. Then I was greeted warmly, and the bar was immediately in front of me, inviting me over for a drink. Fortunately, the table was ready immediately, so we sat down in a beautiful airy space with high ceilings, nice lighting and a contemporary design. Parts of the dining room face the open kitchen. The wine list is short but has nice selections, and several cocktails appeared interesting for my next visit. Our server was knowledgeable, sweet, attentive and came to our table just at the right time. She did not interrupt conversations. The food was prepared well and delivered in a timely way. We began with the shrimp bruschetta and the roasted cauliflower. Both were amazing, but I'll have to side with the cauliflower as the best simply because I was so surprised -- I don't like cauliflower because I find it bland. This was not bland in the least. The cauliflower is roasted and then drizzled in truffle oil, and served with green pea truffle and goat cheese dips. My friend chose the Short Rib entree, and again I was so surprised to find that I liked it. I'm not much of a short rib fan in most cases, but this short rib was served in a sushi-like fashion, with a crispy outer edge and succulent meat inside. It was accompanied by an equally delicious salad of greens, shrimp and clear noodles. I chose the Cobia because it spoke Mediterranean to me -- but don't be fooled! There is a beignet up under that grouper fish and mango salsa, and it was -- well, words fail me. I'm not feelig one bit guilty that I violated my low carb diet to have a beignet with fish. The dessert menu looked fabulous--especially the pumpkin semifreddo -- but I abstained because I already had a beignet. I'll definitely be back, and I'm telling everyone I know in Nashville and beyond to experience this extraordinary restaurant. This is going to be on a lot of national lists for 2013.
(5)Rick H.
Fresh and expertly crafted plates. Reco: octopus & shrimp bruschetta, ratatouille crudo salad sub the duck...excellent flavor!
(5)Juliet L.
Really yummy food, lots of vegetarian options. Good ambiance and drinks, too. Had a great time. The cauliflower appetizer is delicious. We also tried the butter sampling, which was fun.
(5)Janet S.
Checked in for Happy Hour on Friday around 4.30pm. Got the small booth in the corner, I think there were about 3 other bar tables and seats at the bar. Octopus and Shrimp Bruschetta manchego, arugula, fennel, roasted tomato, capers, garlic oil, bacon $8, was large, definitely filling for 1 person. Two Model T cocktails $6 each Ford's Gin, Fever Tree Tonic, Chrysanthemum Honey Liquor, Grapefruit. It just tasted like a gin and tonic to us but a very good one and it certainly hit the spot before the sun went down. Service was excellent, food excellent much better than I expected, all in all a top notch place to be proud of and great for snooty out of town diners.
(4)Victoria S.
Awesome food! Get the shrimp and octopus bruschetta! Surprisingly the filet was awesome too!! I was told the chocolate pretzel bar I was voted best dessert is Nashville so I had to try it!!! Sooo good! Friendly bartenders too! I would highly recommend.
(4)Jeff W.
My wife and I went here a few days ago for lunch and it was awesome! The wait staff couldn't be any nicer and I rather enjoyed the simple but elegant ambiance of the room. We started off by having the Octopus and Shrimp Bruschetta for an appetizer, I would definitely recommend this to anyone. There were large chunks of octopus and shrimp all over the bruchetta which made every bite a good one. The sauce that comes on the side really give it a good kick too. For an entree I got the lobster hoagie and my wife got the roost beef sandwich. Both were great, the lobster hoagie came stuff with lobster salad, lamb bacon, avocado, and korean red chili cucumbers. It was a perfect size that filled me up without over doing it. The roost beef sandwich was huge and I loved the parmesan horseradish sauce and roasted asparagus they had on it. The horseradish sauce was the best horseradish sauce I have ever had! Both sandwiches came with homemade chips that were great, I wish I could buy a bag of them to go. I would recommend this place for lunch to anyone I know!
(5)Brennan W.
I've been combing over the two and a half hours I spent at Etch, and I can't seem to find a single reason why this place would deserve less than 5 stars. Simply put, this was one of - if not the - best meal I've had in Nashville. The drinks were quite fantastic, and the wine list was extensive. The Butter Tasting pops up in so many reviews for a reason - it's a wonderfully enjoyable and unusual experience. The entrees were cooked to perfection and presented with care, with so many unconventional flavors combining in ways you'd never expect. Add a nice atmosphere, combined with a knowledgeable, courteous, helpful, and all-around excellent staff, and you've got a must-visit in the Nashville fine dining scene.
(5)Vanessa L.
Just really, really well done. Balanced flavors, warm, knowledgeable service, exciting options, beautiful room... The list goes on. This is a slam dunk. Well done!
(5)Anna J.
WOW, I AM so glad Chef Deb from Zola is back, and with a bang! Etch met all my expectations. I can honestly say that this place is better than Catbird seat! For starters, I shared the duck confit, it is the best duck confit I've ever had. The flavors and presentation was just divine! It just melted in my mouth. I am a huge meat eater, however, this particular night, I was captivated by the Cauliflower La Plancha, their vegetarian dish. The table next to us had it and it made me want it more so than the port tenderloin I was originally going to get. Boy, I definitely made the right decision! Although I bet the pork tenderloin would be great as well. The dish was giant! It literally was half of the cauliflower rod, and lots of mushrooms, kale, onions, etc... the sauces were scrumptious! The BEST veggie dish ever! My boyfriend had the short ribs... they were just as great! So unique as well, who thinks of deep frying short ribs?! But the crunch complimented the fork tender ribs perfectly. The side of stir fry was delicious as well. For desert we shared the panna cotta. This was my least favorite part of the meal, but I think it just was a little heavy on the spice... ginger...cinnamon? not sure, but the sorbet on top was great! I am already planning my next trip here!
(5)Kim P.
From food to drinks to service, everything was great! You know it's good when you wish you didn't have to share an appetizer dish and ask the waitress to bring some bread so you can clean up the delicious sauce left on the plate. Oh, I didn't even want to share my dinner even though I was pretty full by the time it came out. I was excited to have it for leftovers the next day (scallops). I was surprised that there were more than 4 large scallops! That doesn't happen often at an upper scale restaurant. Somehow I made it to dessert too. I would definitely come back here.
(5)Reed K.
Rattatouie salad with chicken for lunch was just outstanding. Have eaten here twice before and neither time was I blown away by the creativity and favor of the food but that changed with this simple but delicious salad. Very well done. Service has been good each time I've been the Etch. Cool spot.
(4)Alexis R.
Absolutely outstanding. Hands-on owner/chef. Everything was top notch and I rarely ever say that.
(5)Leah G.
I had a delicious roast beef and asparagus sandwich last week... Everyone else at my table ordered a small salad covered in what looked like sprouts. Needless to say, they were all eyeballing my plate. Service was OK, but a little slow especially considering the mostly empty tables around us. I would recommend for anyone looking to try something a bit different.
(4)Julia A.
Blown away by the expertise of the staff here. Our waiter explained all the combinations and ingredients down to the last detail. I've never had dishes that had so many seemingly dissimilar ingredients. However, all the tastes worked so well together. Whoever prepared the menu definitely knew how to make lively dishes. This restaurant is predominately meat, which makes it easy to find sauces and vegetables that complement the main courses. Highly recommend for any occasion, but do try to dress up.
(5)Terry V.
I have been here for both lunch and dinner and it's ON POINT. The service is just excellent and the food is even better! I am so happy that I was able to taste Chef Deb Paquette's amazing creations. I missed out when they closed Zola so I wanted to eat there as soon as I heard that she was head chef!!! The valet was great and helps so much when you are a time constraint and don't have time to park. I'd much rather spend my time in the restaurant eating than trying to find parking! When you walk in, the hostess is very friendly and will gladly check your coat for you. Loved that touch. Everyone is friendly and I think the service is just excellent! They want you to have the best experience and they mean it. My lunch selection: Cobia! It had a nice caribbean spiced, mango pineapple salsa on the side with the fish on top of a fried donut bread accompanied with trinidad tamarind hot sauce (not hot), and tangerine butter. I love spicy food but I did not think it was spicy at all so don't get thrown off by the hot sauce. I actually that it had a nice tart touch because of the salsa. Then, I HAD to get a little dessert. The pumpkin semifreddo is FABULOUS. It is a pecan meringue cake with pecan crumble, pumpkin puree, and orange gastrique. Then you get two torched vanilla and spice marshmallows!! This is a great place for a power lunch, lunch date, lunch gathering, etc. I love how versatile it is. You feel chic when you are there and don't really want to leave. Anyone else agree with me? On another occasion, I went for dinner with a great group of friends. I had their duck confit for an appetizer and I LOVED it. The duck confit has fig foie gras butter, jalapeno, orange peel, bread, balsamic blackberries, and mustard seed. It had so many flavors and the duck was fantastic! Then, I had the pork tender loin. It was good but not the best I have ever had. It had porcini dusted with manchego, caramelized onion, potato, chorizo, spanish mountain mushroom sauce, and truffle oil. I would like to order the lamb shank or filet next time. Tip: Order the CHARRED BRUSSEL SPROUTS! I have never been a fan of brussel sprouts but they are done RIGHT here. They have such an amazing flavor and I seriously could have eaten the entire serving but I had to share! :) The only other ingredient was smaltz butter. Fantastic surprise! If I had any guests coming into town, I would definitely put this on the list of places we would HAVE to go and I hope you do too!
(5)Ismar K.
This place aight. It's new, so service is on point. Not too expensive. Pushed the cauliflower on us and it was good. Beet salad was Phreshhhh.
(4)Tony P.
Top 5 best lifetime food and service experience. While the wizard remained behind the curtain somewhere, the kitchen efficiently produces consistently excellent plates of delicious food. A small custom design flavor factory. Amazing flavor combinations. Suggestion: You have to have the "Don" cocktail - a Manhattan - with the duck confit. Mind blown! Many amazing dimensions to this food beverage spiral elevation of one's taste buds. French toast foie gras boo yah! Duckulence! The service at the front counter was a theatre of affectation, a steady stream of dedicated food delivery system food bees buzzing about the hive. And I enjoyed conversing with the truly dedicated staff who effortlessly made my meal more enjoyable with every brief witty and insightful visit. The woman beside me was having what looked to be her 24th birthday party. Its that kind of place. You'll remember it forever. Music City Food. There was a delicious rhubarb with gelato amazing crumbly primordially satisfying ooze at the end as well. Stellar!
(5)Kim U.
My favorite Nashville restaurant is Margot, but Etch gives it a good run for the money. Whenever we're headed to a concert at the Schermerhorn, this is our go-to restaurant choice. Not inexpensive, but delicious and worth every penny. Make sure you get the cauliflower appetizer and the butter tasting. Pros: *Fantastic and innovative food options *Great wine list *Really on-the-ball waitstaff who pay attention *Location Cons: *Not that many vegetarian options (but what is available is amazing) *Can be hard to get a reservation - book early if you know you want to come here Kid-friendly scale: Nope. No. Absolutely not. Don't even think about it. Vegetarian-friendly scale: Get the cauliflower appetizer for your entree. You will not regret it. They're also very good about modifying when possible to turn a dish into a vegetarian option - like the butter tasting which sometimes contains lards. Let your waiter know and they'll work with you. I'd love to see some more variety in their vegetarian options, or if they offered some daily vegetarian specials. Protip: on our last visit, the waiter or front staff mentioned that if we were coming to the Schermerhorn, we should just valet park at Etch and leave our car there for our concert. We haven't tried this yet, but it could be really convenient depending on cost.
(5)Kim S.
Fantastic experience! Started off the night with drinks in the bar and Paul and Malia made it a real treat! Extremely warm and friendly and poured to perfection these two had the night off to a great start. These guys know what they are doing- absolutely amazing service. Dinner was fantastic- some do not miss are the octopus and shrimp bruschetta and the lamb tartare- unbelievable. Finish with the seasonal fruit dessert- easily missed by the menu description and you will have an evening not to be forgotten!
(5)Kenny Y.
Great but Expensive
(4)Timothy H.
I enjoyed my first experience at Etch tonight. The roasted cauliflower appetizer was outstanding and is a great dish to share (you get plenty of it). I also had the soup of the day (a delicious bisque) and the lamb chop for my entree. The chorizo brik that came with the chop gave the dish a nice hint of spice, and the eggplant added some heartiness and additional texture. The lamb was a perfect medium rare. Etch had 6 beers on tap, all reasonably priced, mostly sticking to local brews. They had a good mix in those six, with selections ranging from wheat to ipa to porter. I always appreciate when restaurants with great food keep a solid rotation of brews on tap, so kudos to etch. The service was great, very attentive and kept drinks filled. There was also complimentary valet parking, which is quite helpful in that part of town. If I had to give a negative I would say some might have found the staff to be too attentive (they literally explained each ingredient of the dish when ordering and once the dish came out! Might be a little much for some people, but I appreciated it). Overall, a terrific experience and worth checking out.
(5)David R.
Hands down, one of the best restaurants in town. The flavors are assertive, bold and balanced. I'd write more but feel that that's wasting your time. Go. Explore. Be delighted.
(5)Lisa N.
I live in the area. I now have been to Etch but I do not feel the need to go back. Here is why: I chose Etch after hearing praise from many friends and colleagues and because we often dined at Zola in the past. I even went down a list of "best" restaurants in Nashville and cross-referenced reviews because I wanted the night to be memorable for my husband's birthday. I made reservations online, and we showed up at our designated time. The two hostesses did not actually greet us with a "Hello, welcome to Etch..." kind of greeting, but just started searching the computer for our names and having a lengthy discussion in front of us about who of the staff could "take us." To me this is not professional and made me panic for a couple of minutes as I worried they did not actually have my reservation. When one of the hostesses took us into the dining room, there were many two-tops available, but we were seated 5 feet away from a table of loud Midwestern tourists. Our tiny table was next to large windows, but since the afternoon sun was setting, shades were drawn, which felt even more claustrophobic. Certainly it was better than having the sun in our eyes, and the servers did raise the shades as soon as the sun went behind Bridgestone, but the room is not a romantic, special atmosphere. As for the food, which is why we were there, there were definitely some high points, although there was always an exception that kept each dish from reaching the "amazing" level. The oft-lauded roasted cauliflower appetizer is unique and tasty. My ratatouille crudo was just OK - rather bland. My husband loved the scallops, and my filet was delicious and well cooked, although VERY salty. The red wine gravy had a bitter aftertaste, and the beef was almost overwhelmed with about two cups of asparagus "whisps," making the duck butter moot. We split a dessert, a chocolate pretzel bar recommended as a favorite by our server. It was excellent and the only item all night that I ate with abandon. Overall, we had a nice evening out that should have been much more special. I had noted in my online reservation that it was my husband's birthday, and while I don't expect singing, clapping servers or a free meal, I mentioned it because IMHO truly great restaurants know that, for many, spending $150 on a meal is a big deal, and a few kind words from an attentive employee can make the occasion memorable. No one ever mentioned it. Maybe they don't pay much attention to the Open Table reservations, but that is the problem. If you take reservations, you KNOW who is coming. Figure out "who goes where" ahead of time, not while they are standing in front of you. Greet people like you're happy they chose your place, not as if they are interrupting you. So I guess I am writing this review more for the staff because the generic service made what was supposed to be a special occasion just ... ordinary.
(3)Dennis W.
Simply wonderful food. The cobia is one of their signature dishes and it was prepared perfectly with various spices and accompaniments that brings out everything that this fish is and can be. The 7oz filet was superb and prepared exactly to order. They etch salad and the beet and berry salads were farm fresh and the cauliflower is a one of a kind must have. Can't say enough about Etch!
(5)A B.
My boyfriend and I were in Nashville for the weekend and wanted to try a restaurant we had not experienced yet. This place is one I would recommend to any of my friends, and will definitely go back! All of the ingredients are very unique but so tasty! We started with the Octopus and Shrimp Bruschetta, which was incredible! Definitely not your typical tomatoes and garlic on bread. We split the Etch Salad, which was a perfect portion for us both, and it was so good! He had the venison and I had the grilled lamb as our entrees. Both were excellent and delicious! I believe the menu changes frequently, which is something I appreciate! Justin was an excellent server and was very knowledgeable about different ingredients. We will definitely return here!
(5)Ed K.
Return trip...even better. (If you can deal w/ downtown)
(4)Sloane S.
I'd been hearing about the legendary Etch for months and finally landed a reservation on a snowy Monday evening. My friend and I went early, wanting to take advantage of the fantastic happy hour offerings. (discounted apps, 4 dollar drafts, 5 dollar select wines, and 6 dollar select cocktails). Unfortunately, when we were seated and I asked for a happy hour menu, the hostess informed me that in order to enjoy happy hour, we had to sit at the bar. This isn't listed anywhere on the website or menu, so my friend and I began our experience a in a state of slight disappointment. She ordered the Model T and I ordered the Jack and Cocchi. The cocktails were good, but not stellar. Not worth $9. Verrrry strong, though. She ordered the Pork Tenderloin, and I ordered the Cobia. Oh. My. God. If I am every lucky enough to taste something so heavenly ever again, I will be the luckiest lady twice. It was a remarkably prepared fish, situated atop a large beignet and surrounded with an orange glaze, almonds, cranberries, and a mild feta. Foodgasm. I was so enthralled with my own dish, I didn't even look at my friend's pork tenderloin, but we both cleared our plates, not leaving a single morsel. We talked about the meal for days, and will (hopefully) return before we graduate in May. So, in summary: Happy Hour is in the bar. Strong cocktails, Make a reservation far in advance. You absolutely cannot go wrong with anything on the menu.
(4)Aaron F.
Excellent food selections that offer creative options you may not see elsewhere. The roast cauliflower in truffle oil was very nice. Wonderful atmosphere, convenient parking (complimentary valet with validated ticket), wines are a bit pricey but good selection. If you're looking for a nice upscale dinner, highly recommend Etch!
(4)Jill N.
Trendy place with great food and atmosphere. We ate at the kitchen/chef bar which was fun and interactive and a little less formal than sitting at a table. We skipped appetizers as it was late and just ordered the grilled 7oz filet. WOW. Absolutely delicious. Especially be zucchini slaw. I wish the entree came with more. I would definitely recommend to others and would go back again.
(5)Rachel S.
Excellent. Excellent, excellent, excellent!! Everything we had was wonderfully prepared, tasted so good, and presented beautifully. Etch is everything you want in a very fancy, quite contemporary restaurant. I was at Etch for a very celebratory birthday dinner, so a sampling of EVERYTHING was welcome. I don't drink much these days, but I did spring for the Hemingway cocktail, which I loved. The first food recommendation from our waiter was the butter tasting, which is worth its weight in fat. It was awesome to try the duck butter, goat butter, truffle butter, and smoked plugra butter (I'm still not too sure what plugra is, but it was awesome - I thought it tasted faintly like a smoked fish). Then came the roasted cauliflower appetizer, which lived up to its hype. The cauliflower itself was AWESOME, and the pea pesto and other accents it came with were awesome too. For an entreé, I had the duck. I love duck, but what sold me was that it came with ginger grits. It was a fabulousl tasting and well concocted meal, however I have to say the winning main dish at the table was the short ribs. I almost ordered this, as I was really in the mood for tender red meat and korean noodles. This would be what I opt for next time. That shrimp aioli? Woah... I've said my favorite restaurant in Nashville is the Midtown Café - really nice food in a classy setting (an old house), and the employees are excited about the food. It's not overly ambitious or trendy; It's like a slice of old-Nashville. I feel Etch is on the other end of the spectrum - creativity, modern, American but with pan-cultural undertones. Once again, our waiter was a die-hard foodie and very excited about Etch's offerings. Etch is an envelope pusher, and is definitely several cuts above most other Nashville "trendy" restaurants when it comes to the food!! Definitely on its way to becoming one of Nashville's favorites, if not your own.
(5)Stefano Z.
Amazing restaurant with excellent food and nice (if not terribly fast) service. The food combinations are quite novel and interesting, and pretty tasty. The price was not terribly high.
(4)Jessica H.
Ate at Etch last night with my friends as we visited Nashville making a reservation on open table. My review is mixed. When we first entered the restaurant, the smell was so bad that we almost left immediately. I am not sure if there was a sewer leak or what but it was completely unpleasant. The hostesses were not very welcoming and seemed very new to the concept of greeting clients. The food was excellent. Service with James was very good. I would recommend the roasted cauliflower with the smoked pea pesto and the Cobia. I enjoyed the chef's layering of flavors and textures which is familiar to us from out West. If a restaurant review was Only about the food then they would receive a 5. One more thing about the front end service... When we were leaving, we asked the valet if he could arrange a cab and rather than arranging for us, he told us the number. Not Cool! As the cab company wanted the exact location with zip code and cross streets. That was not the southern hospitality that we had been experiencing all over the rest of Nashville. The good news that it should be easy to fix the problems with the valet, rude hostesses, and the disgusting stench upon entry. At least they have a great chef and James to wait on you.
(3)Andria J.
Great experience! Entrees and apps were delightful. Brussel sprouts were not good at all. Service was great! A little loud but great experience!
(4)Kristin L.
I knew Etch was scheduled to open sometime this fall, but wasn't sure when, but the stars aligned last evening when I happened to be downtown on their opening night with no dinner plans. The restaurant is located in a previously unoccupied corner of the Encore building; it's a fantastic alternative to all the more casual eateries on Broadway if you're looking for a nice dinner or fancy cocktails after work. No doubt, it will be packed to the brim once the Music City Center and Omni open their doors in 2013. Going to any restaurant on opening night is always a huge risk, but you would never have known Etch had just opened its doors--it seemed as if they'd been perfecting their techniques, service and menus for years. And that's probably because their leader, Deb Paquette (formerly of Zola fame), has been one of Nashville's biggest culinary treasures for decades. The meal started with fresh-baked rosemary rolls, of which each of my party ate two (and would have gobbled down more had we not been afraid of being too full once the main course arrived). I ordered the cauliflower steak not because I'm a vegetarian but because the description intrigued me so. It was an explosion for the senses--the confluence of the textures, the tastes and fresh ingredients (including pea pesto, miso blue cheese gravy, kale, fennel and caramelized onions)--and I will be dreaming about that meal for months to come. I also had the ginger grits, which were delightful and unlike any Southern dish I've ever tasted. My sister ordered the filet, which was accompanied by a decadent mushroom bread pudding (pardu), smoked red wine gravy, asparagus whisps and rosemary duck butter. I'm not sure which dish I liked better! Needless to say, I helped her clean her plate. I always feel a restaurant in the best judge by how it prepares chicken given that's typically the one choice that is glossed over by the chef, so when my cousin ordered the chicken I was eager to try it. Mounds of fresh greens and other ingredients (sage vinaigrette, fennel, farro, tomato, parmesan, prosciutto) were piled atop the pan-fried bird, like a combination of a pizza and a salad. And don't even make me try to explain the dessert. Pastry chef superstar Megan Williams--who was previously at Urban Grub and Capitol Grille--rose to the occasion to create a menu that featured such items as goat cheese almond semifreddo with almond meringue, hibiscus sauce, raspberry gelee and honey; milk chocolate chai panna cotta with dark chocolate sauce, pear sorbet, toasted hazelnuts and hazelnut tuile; and the goat milk vanilla and milk chocolate caradmom pistachio ice cream. We sampled a bit of everything: The ice cream with the salty cookie crumble was by far my favorite, though you can't go wrong with *any* of her desserts! The cocktail menu is nothing to stop at either. We went with these server's recommendation of the Maker's Mark whiskey cocktail. Let's just say it's good enough that I had a second and would have had a third had I not been driving. Having moved here from San Francisco a year ago, I feel like I am a good judge of culinary panache. And the fact that this city continues to surprise me--in an excellent way--is all only a solidifying factor in our decision to relocate permanently. When I went to City House earlier this week for Sunday Supper, I thought dinner in Nashville couldn't be any better. And then I tried Etch. All future meals no doubt will be judged based on my experience there--and you better believe I will be back very soon!
(5)Mark L.
I'm still a little speechless after last night's dinner here. It was amazingly good. Kenneth was an outstanding server. He sized us up and matched our mood perfectly: coming when needed, offering perfect advice, friendly, but a complete professional. We tried as much as 3 people could comfortably eat from the menu. The cauliflower app is great, what a healthy, but rich treat. The beet salad was beautiful and delicious. I had the scallops for my entree and was overwhelmed. The fried mushrooms complimented the greens and the scallops so well, I can't believe I haven't had this combination before. So good! We split grits and brussels sprouts for our sides. I am a sprout fiend and loved the caramelized onions mixed with them. Amazing! We knew we had to save room for dessert, so we tried to pace ourselves. They all were wonderful. I'm gushing about Etch, but all 3 of us were stunned after we finished. Was it the best meal we've ever had? Damn close, if not. I'm in Nashville on business, but will scheme and plot to come back and eat here again. It was just great.
(5)Sejal M.
We had great service and the atmosphere is fantastic. The food was pretty good. I wouldn't say it was spectacular but nonetheless, we did enjoy our meal.
(4)Will H.
Four of us visited Etch last night, and we were absolutely blown away. The atmosphere, the food, and the service were all spectacular. Other reviewers have already talked about the modern decor. The space is very open without being cold or overwhelming. The place was pretty full, but (avoiding a pet peeve of mine) the noise level in the room did not interfere with our conversations. A seat at the bar would give you a fabulous view of the open kitchen; I settled for facing the kitchen and trying to catch glimpses from afar of the magic being created. The food and the service were both brilliant. Our waitress struck that wonderful balance of attentive, but not intrusive; she answered our questions about the menu with informative charm. We tried several cocktails, all tasty; I'd recommend the Hemingway for a sour rum treat or the Whiskey Smash for Maker's sweetened after the manner of a mojito. We started with the butter tasting -- that's four different butters with delectable breads and rolls, and for under five bucks you're a fool if you skip it. The octopus and shrimp bruschetta appetizer was fantastic and contained the best octopus I've ever eaten; our waitress said it had something to do with sous vide, but I was too busy inhaling it to listen closely. The entrees were stunningly presented and delicious. My partner had scallops prepared expertly; my steak was scrumptious. Desserts were heavenly, but we hardly had room; we didn't finish a panna cotta, but we inhaled the "mocha" (actually a chocolate cake with caramel mousse and coffee pot de creme). Etch is already the sort of place that I would take a visitor from NYC or SF to prove that we have quality restaurants in Nashville. It is a cut above other places I already love here. You really should go.
(5)Jed K.
Found it underwhelming. The cauliflower was good. The venison dry and uninspiring. Tithe atmosphere was ok. Lots of better places in Nashville for my task ,rolf and daughters, city house and husk come to mind. Could be better
(3)Tom K.
It's okay, but not worthy of the hype. The food is acceptable and the service is good, but this is not by any means a major dining experience. With that said, Etch should be in your lunch rotation if you work downtown.
(3)Ryan H.
After reading Marcia's review I had to get my wife and I there. Saturday night and after a few drinks and some great music we wandered over to Etch. My wife is part vegetarian so the Cauliflower app seemed perfect. We got there and the hostess told us that the restaurant was 'fully committed" for the rest of the evening. I think she was telling us no tables available. Never heard it that was but made perfect sense. But luckily enough the bar area was available if anyone got up and, just like the rest of the weekend for us, we were in the dime zone and someone got up. And no one else was waiting. Thank you Elvis! We sat at a great high table with view of the restaurant, outside, and the entire bar area. "Tall Paul" was our bartender/waiter and I can only tell you that he, in addition to the food, made our evening. As Tom Cruise said, he competed us. Well not exactly like that. But I hope you get the jist of what I am saying. He first suggested the perfect beer for our taste after my wife changed my mind on the bottle of Prosecco. She was right in that we did not need that much. Just food. We had the Tuna Shrimp appetizer which was delicious but 3rd in line of creativity and taste. The Cauliflower App is what we came for and we were not disappointed. Wow. I think that more than half the folks that we saw got this and I doubt anyone was disappointed. Lot of baked Cauliflower with 2 sauces to dip them in. Mix all three and it was Nirvana! I know what you are thinking. He said 3 appetizers. Surely that last one was tops. Well, because of the utter disregard for health and the cleverness of the last app along with how damn good it was we ordered the 4 Butter Tasting. They brought out fresh soft yummy roles and some other baguette type bread with 4 big globs of butter. It was much better presented than my explanation. It included a Duck Confit, Peanut butter and honey, Smoked, and Truffle set of butters. Not sure if they would do it but next time I think I would ask to skip all of them for the Truffle flavor. It was stupendous. Not to take away from the others as they were all fantastic but the truffle created a new reason for living. Hands down my favorite thing I ate in Nashville. Maybe it was a little bit of the alcohol speaking but I really think I enjoyed it that much. "Tall Paul" was our favorite server on our 48 hour trip by far and the food was equally as good so Etch is now my favorite can't miss spot in Nashville. If I ever go back, it will be amongst our stops. Thanks for the great service and the delectable food! As good or better than what we are used to in Charleston! And I thought that Nashville was a music and BBQ town. Etch brings it up to a Foodie haven as well!
(5)Emily K.
Service was slow. But they have the best ice in their drinks. The steak was amazing! The martini's really good also.
(3)Marc B.
Really did not expect that quality and innovation. Would recommend this place for a solid meal.
(4)Allison H.
Food-wise, I would give Etch five stars. I had to lower my rating due to the glacial pacing between the appetizer and entree. I mean, how can you not start off a restaurant with at least 3-4 stars if it has a freakin' BUTTER TASTING? Which was delicious, by the way, and I wanted to put it on everything (I might've smeared extra truffle butter on my steak). My table also really loved the octopus and shrimp bruschetta. Really interesting flavors that just worked together perfectly. I was so excited that this place was living up to what I had read about it, but then.. I guess the kitchen was in the weeds big time, because we must've waited well over half an hour for our entrees. The manager walked by us and I think he noticed our unhappy faces, and he came over and asked if all was well. We said we'd been waiting a while, and he rushed into the kitchen, realized we were right, and immediately comped them. I was not even going to ask for anything so drastic, but it was appreciated. It wasn't our server's fault at all, I don't remember her name but she was great and gave excellent wine recommendations. If I lived in Nashville I would absolutely go back and give it another shot. I was a little concerned that the entrees would be rushed and not up to par, as that can happen in that sort of situation, but I'm pleased to say they were all lovely. I liked the ginger grits side; not something I would've thought of, but the flavor was awesome. Almost forgot - we were a bit early for our reservation and had a drink at the bar beforehand. Really pleasant and nice bartender. I would've been happy to hang out there all night.
(3)Benita M.
I had my 30th birthday dinner at Etch over Labor Day weekend. Everyone in my group of six loved everything we ordered. Word of warning: servings are huge! I was stuffed after our table shared a butter tasting (a must order!) and two orders of the cauliflower ( amazing) and I ordered one of their soups of the day, a to-die-for summery gazpacho with watermelon. My soup came in a seemingly never-ending bowl. By this point, I could have called it a night. But my entree was on its way. I'm a vegetarian and I ordered the nest with vegetables and cheese and a delicious sauce. It was a very large portion and I only ate about a third of it. It was very good but nothing too exciting. I preferred the appetizers and soup so next time I would likely make a meal out of those instead. My server was wonderful and I felt bad as she thought I didn't like it but since we were going out that night and taking cabs, I had to decline her offer of boxing it up. Despite how stuffed I was, I decided I had to order dessert considering it was my birthday. I ordered a dark chocolate, hazelnut torte, which exceeded expectations.
(4)Sam N.
You know when you find yourself saying "that meal was good, but not quite as good as Etch" at every nice restaurant you go to, you found something special. Etch was one of the best meals I've ever had - not just in Nashville. Everything about it was fantastic: the food, the service, and the atmosphere. We sat at the bar, which was right outside of the kitchen so you could watch everyone work. I was a little nervous it would be distracting but it actually was quite interesting, and it meant that service was extremely prompt! Our food was great as well, and even the butter sampler appetizer we got was memorable and delicious. We love dining out, and do so often (probably too often), and the fact that we keep thinking about this place should speak volumes. If you are in Nashville and like nicer restaurants, go here. It's not even a question.
(5)Ryan O.
Etch is certainly one of the top 5 restaurants in the city. Chef Deb Paquette is among the Nashville elite and Etch reflects every bit of that. If you don't want take my word for it just consult any of the recent accolades like best restaurant by Nashville Lifestyles or the number one spot on Eater Nashville's June 2013 heatmap. As if the food were not enough here, the presentation and plating really push this place over the edge. I would say in that category it IS the best in Nashville. The dishes are so beautiful it's like eating artwork. I could go on and on about some of the dishes here but the menu rotates often so it's probably pointless. If I had to classify it I would call it world cuisine but Deb's agenda here is to serve dishes that would be very hard to make at home. In that regard I think she really hits the mark as you'll see things on the menu here that you just won't find even a remote semblance anywhere else in town. One staple that seems to remain on the menu though that I really love is the butter tasting. Specifically, and this is not a joke, the duck butter. With its abundant thyme flavor and infusion of duck (fat?) combined with the rosemary bread, it's a combination that always tastes reminiscent of Thanksgiving to me. That's a nostalgic feeling and it's pretty damn awesome. A final note about the food, the desserts here are really, really incredible. The pastry chef here is truly outstanding and you should not skip dessert here under any circumstances. As far as spirits go, the bourbon and whiskey list is rather paltry but they do have a few great drinks on the cocktail menu. I particularly like The Don which essentially a black manhattan but I also seem to recall seeing classics like a Boulevardier and Negroni on there as well. They even use real luxardo style cherries which is an added bonus. The only real negative I can come up with is that the price point is a bit on the high side but it almost pains me to say that since I think what you get is worth every bit of the cost. The lunch menu is very economical though and I would encourage you to check it out as the price to value ratio there is excellent.
(5)The Peggy H.
At lunchPaul the bartender provided the best customer service we experienced in Nashville! Not only was the food delicious but his friendly cadence and invite back with suggested meal was plenty to convince us to come back tonight for the Venison.
(5)Kathryn M.
We went to Etch today for lunch, the food was delicious (we ordered the fish tacos and beef brisket), but it took 45 minutes for us to get our food after we ordered. The service was good, but it took forever to get our drinks and food. Go for good food but only if you're okay with waiting.
(3)Max N.
If you're visiting Nashville and enjoy fine dining, you legitimately should not leave without visiting Etch. Something I very much appreciate about Etch, first and foremost, is that it isn't a "twist on southern food" like most other restaurants in the area. With a spectacular chef, an almost to good to be true wait staff and assumingly top notch management, I can guarantee a fantastic experience. I have heard some people mention that it "looks like a hotel lobby," and though I can see some similarities that does not at all take away from it's elegance and ambiance. Absolutely comparable to a five star restaurant in New York or Los Angeles.
(5)Sarah W.
Let me tell you a secret. I would eat the cauliflower at Etch every.damn.day . if I could. It's that amazing. No. But for real. It is incredible. Let me say that again. The cauliflower is utterly divine. Etch is a wonderful addition to the downtown area. It is one of the places I will venture downtown for and it is definitely where I like to go after a concert a the Schermerhorn or a show at TPAC ...or just anytime, really. Service is always flawless, from the valet to the hostess to the servers to the bar staff. Never have I ever been received with anything less than a lovely smile, a soft welcome and an "enjoy". The butter tasting is ridiculous. And I am not that crazy about butter. The offerings are wonderfully flavored. The cauliflower is a reason to go all on its own! Smoke pesto pea puree and almonds and creamy cheese on the side, not withstanding, the flavor of the roasted cauli all by itself is just delectable. Back in the days when I ate meat, the fish, duck and steak were superb. Extremely well seasoned and cooked with perfectly complimenting side dishes. The salads are wonderful and creative. The drinks are delicious and the staff knowledgeable about what they have to offer. I have visited in jeans, dressed to the nines and just about everything in between. I always feel comfortable and not out of place. The only downside? No martini glass. What is that about? Nutshell: GO. NOW. Wait, call me first and I will join you. :)
(5)M R.
We traveled to Nashville for our anniversary and the Labor Day holiday weekend, and dined at Etch for the third time. It NEVER disappoints. Like Johanna's review says, words can barely do the experience justice. Our serverLane was terrific and everyone else we encountered was friendly and you can tell this place attracts people who are passionate about food, as we are. Rule Number One at Etch: Order the cauliflower appetizer. I know, I know, CAULIFLOWER?? Trust me, even if you're just meh on cauliflower in general, this app will simultaneously change and blow your mind. Put a bit of cauliflower on your fork, then take your knife and add a Marcona almond, and a little of the accompanying smoked truffle English pea puree and feta crema. I recommend you chew slowly and close your eyes to keep the tears of joy from escaping as you savor the perfect bite. The charcuterie salad is an outstanding second course. Featuring a superb combination of flavors, including smoked lima beans and pickled onion (yum!), it's topped with a few crispy fried oyster mushrooms, and the whole thing is delightful. (Also, it's huge so I recommend splitting it between at least two people.) For dinner we split the scallop entree. Welcome to the world's most perfectly cooked, tender, sweet, large sea scallops (U12 is my guess). They're served with a trio of mushrooms (grilled, confit and tempura). The rest of the setup includes smoked shallot vinaigrette, bacon, greens, and once again two perfect, velvety sauces to play with (butternut garlic essence & beet sriracha). Chef Deb Paquette is a master of combining not only the right whole ingredients but also the perfect preparations for each one. Her use of spice, smoking, and pickling creates a culinary experience you won't soon forget. One more thing... Deb's culinary vision would never be brought to life if not for skilled execution, so big fat delicious kudos to the entire culinary team at Etch! If you're like us, once you visit Etch you'll yearn to come back again and again.
(5)Lindsay B.
Incredible atmosphere, love that the kitchen is so open that you can see the chefs at work. Food was delicious- we had the pork and duck dishes and thoroughly enjoyed both. We started with the butter tasting which was unique and also tasty. I also tried the Hemingway cocktail and it was delicious. I felt like the only downfall of the night was the service- our waiter was just fair at best, not very attentive. I'd definitely recommend people check out this new place! P.S. The valets at this place were fantastic- great Nashville advice and they literally ran to get the cars :)
(4)Leigh D.
Went back recently and didn't have as great of an experience. The portions felt very large and over salted/seasons. After eating there, I felt pretty gross. Sad update. -------------- A perfect dining experience. From the moment we walked in the staff was incredible attentive and helpful. The hostess was able to get us a table as soon as we were ready and, in the meantime, the waitress in the bar area recommended terrific drinks to kick things off. Our waitress was very knowledgable about the menu and the Chef. Chef Deb Paquette is an absolute magician! Everything was perfect. Unique, unexpected flavors that were perfect combinations. Here's what I had: (HIGHLY recommend everything) Butter Tasting: truffle butter, smoked plugra butter, goat butter, duck butter Special Soup: Corn and ____ puree with watermelon chutney Venison: moroccan spiced, sweet potato guava, ginger grits, pear butter, cranberry sumac relish Cannot wait to go back.
(3)Joe N.
Great food and great service. Roasted cauliflower and etch salad were my favorites. Sit at the counter and watch the kitchen process.
(5)L. M.
Impeccable service and every dish we ordered was delicious. We did the butter tasting and had the duck confit, cauliflower, spaghetti squash, and scallops. Everything was delicious!
(5)Catherine F.
Fantastic food and service. Happy hour is fun, but sit in the main dining room for dinner. The scallops are perfectly done and Amy is a great waitress. Wine menu is well cultivated and the desserts are melt in your mouth good, especially the caramel pretzel and lemon tart. Expensive, but excellent. Treat yourself for a special occasion.
(4)Gina M.
I was visiting Nashville with some girlfriends for a bachelorette party and read great reviews for this restaurant. So glad we ate here! The food was amazing and the service was perfect. You must get two things: the butter tasting and the roasted cauliflower. I will be dreaming of that cauliflower and I'm not even a huge fan typically! Duck app was a bit too sweet for us and the pork belly was good, just not great. For dinner most of us had the scallops, which were perfectly cooked and delicious. It just sat on the hugest bed of lettuce, which was overkill in my opinion. The bride had the filet and it was perfectly cooked and pretty delicious. Overall, a really really good meal. But please get the cauliflower. I will be craving it!!!
(4)Starr P.
The service and food is excellent!!!! Love love the roasted cauliflower appetizer!!!! My filet melted like butter in my mouth!!! Great time for my birthday!
(5)restaurant r.
LOVE LOVE LOVE!! Go here the food is great! Atmosphere great...easy to talk if you are doing business because there is no echo! We only had to wait 10 minutes for our table...the place was packed! The girls at the front check in were so nice :) They had a nice selection of wine and once again the food was AMAZING! GO HERE!!!
(5)Sarah K.
Can't go wrong with the duck confit! I had the katafi pastry for my entreé. One of the best vegetarian dishes I've ever tasted. So many flavors. Awesome service and friendly staff.
(4)Lauren M.
One of the best meals I've had in my life! Everything we ordered was top notch. The butter tasting sounds weird but was great. The octopus and shrimp bruschetta was perfect for 3 people. My favorite of the evening was far and away my entre, the Cobia. I loved every flavor in this dish. Salty, sweet, crunchy, soft. It really had it all. I recommend it highly!
(5)Marci Z.
First time at Etch for our anniversary dinner. I've never posted a rating for anything before, but the food at Etch is worth it. We had the butter tasting, the squash soup, the grouper (seafood special), pork chop, and the peach and brown butter cake. We would definitely recommend all of these items, and we will definitely be back!
(5)Sarah H.
AMAZING!! Flavors are like a party in your mouth! Every bite of everything tastes different. I've been here twice in the past 2 months while visiting for work and the service is great, can not say enough good things about the food! Will definitely become a regular spot while working/playing in NashVegas!
(5)Taylor S.
We had a wonderful dinner at Etch! Food was all delicious!! The manager, Will, runs a great restaurant and took care of us! We will definitely be back next time we are in Nashville!
(5)M L.
My rating is solely based on the food. Dishes are creative, flavorful, and great looking. It is clear that all ingredients used are if the highest quality. Deb Paquette is talented and creative and Nashville is lucky to have her. The downside to Etch is that you feel like you are sitting in a banquet room at a hotel. It just really lacks the ambiance you want. If I were from out of town and went there I would t realize it, however as a local I can say the atmosphere is just boring. To top it off we had the strangest server possible, vampire ish. So weird
(4)Jacob T.
Thai chicken was awesome, had bitter lemon cocktail equally delicious. Cool vibe, lots of good looking people. Could use a larger offering on their menu.
(4)Bridget S.
Wow! Etch blew me away. Chef Deb Pauquette has created wonderful, melt in your mouth food. Our dinner experience last night was perfect. Downtown was busy with the CMA festival,yet ETCH was quiet and and provided a great dining experience. The shrimp & filo appetizer was spicy sweet. My husband had the scallops which were fresh and oh so tasty.( A trio of grilled, confit and tempura mushrooms, smoked shallot vinaigrette, bacon, greens, butternut garlic essence, beet sriracha). I had the filet with horseradish celery creamed potatoes, red wine gravy, asparagus whisps, smoked duck butter.....oh my wonderful. The filet was one of the best that I've had in Nashville. The gravy was rich and full of bold flavors.I am now anxious to return. This is a must try when in or if living in Nashville. Oh..the service impeccable and not pretentious.
(5)Lana L.
Came in town for work and decided to check Etch out because of all of the great reviews. Had the cauliflower and lamb tartar to start. Great! Could have left it at that because the portions were so generous. And wish I would have because then it went downhill... We got the Rutabaga La Plancha and Lamb Porterhouse. Must have chosen the wrong items off the menu. The lamb was really difficult to cut through because it was so raw. I like my meat rare but I also don't like to saw through it. The service was great and when the waiter came to the table and asked how everything was I lied and said it was really good but then asked him, "What is this again?" Once again I should have stopped with the "it was really good" because he told me that the chef put a little fritos in the carrot masa sauce that was on the side of the rutabaga. Interesting, huh? So I tried the sauce again and couldn't seem to get the flavor off my tongue for the rest of the night. I wouldn't say the food was bad but if the dishes were made on TV they definitely would be "Chopped" for having too many flavors going on. I'm glad my company was footing the bill otherwise I may have sent my meal back to the kitchen. Although not hungry we still got desert so we could "cleanse" the pallet. We chose the peanut butter chocolate ice cream, thank god there weren't too many flavors going on with that one.
(2)David B.
I'm giving Etch a 6! If there was one. This was the best dining experience I've had in pretty much any city I've been to. The professional knowledge, service, timing of courses, presentation of dish, and holy hell the taste. Please INVEST in a reservation. This is a life changing experience.
(5)Bob R.
This place will not disappoint I've eaten here several times and each time is better and better than the last. Both times I've eaten at the front bar, and have been served by Paul--the quintessential bartender! Upon arrival I was greeted with an inviting "Welcome Back!" and it had been almost a year since my last visit. Not only was I welcomed back, but he even remembered my name... Impressive! The ambiance at the front bar is a modern, friendly, and comforting space. Get the Roasted Cauliflower... the flavors are unbelievable. I got the filet and it was cooked perfectly with horseradish mashed potatoes, shaved asparagus, a pea-truffle puree sauce and duck butter--exquisite. Whether you're going for a drink, or dinner, or both, this place will not disappoint and do yourself a favor and ask for Paul - he's the guy up front with a big smile, and he'll take care of you.
(5)Stephanie W.
Etch. Where do I begin?! We came here and automatically were drawn to the Butter Tasting appetizer. This was creamy bliss. We also ate the Catfish Tempura which was not your typical Tempura. It was a rich fried and juicy piece of fish. For our main dish. Rutabaga La Plancha and the Halibut special. Everything looked and tasted like a work of art. For dessert the Pretzel with Hazelnut Mousse and chocolate ganache dripped with caramel sauce. This was the most genius dessert ever. It was better than anything I have seen on a dessert shirt on The Food Network. I feel lucky that I have gotten to experience such fine dining and would love to return next time I am in Nashville.
(5)Jennifer R.
Food is great, but the atmosphere is a bit pretentious. I'll probably go again just for the Cauliflower.
(4)Anne C.
I was so impressed. The staff was outstanding. Many people checked on us, smiled or welcomed us whether they served our table or not. The food was incredible. They had a special borshch soup that was the best soup I've ever had. When I sent my compliments to the chef, she made sure they went to the sous chef that prepared it. I'm sad I'm just visiting and can't visit this restaurant more often!
(5)Laura G.
LOVE LOVE LOVE! They had me at butter tasting to be honest. Ligh, whipped butter - prosciutto truffle, smoked parmesan black pepper, ginger cashew, malt vinegar, all delicious but the truffle and parmesan were my favorites. We shared the Cobie - georgeous fish with turkish spice - so much going on and it all made perfect sense. We also shared the filet - smoked brown sauce, truffled pea butter, baby potatoes - this was one of the best filets I've had in recent memory - DELICIOUS. Great wine list - we went with the sommelier recommended syrah from Spain. I will NEVER go to Nashville without making this restaurant a priority on my MUST EAT list. Also - we sat at the bar overlooking the kitchen which was great - I liked sitting there - you can see all the dishes comming out.
(5)Cassie S.
Had a fantastic experience here with a group of 11 on a Friday night. The service was impeccable. The food (at least what I ate) was incredible. The butter tasting - do it. Also, the roasted cauliflower. Might sound strange, but so good! For an entree, I had the fish and it was delightful, I also tasted the lamb tenderloin, which was very good. Desserts and drinks were also wonderful. The only thing that keeps it from being a 5 star review is that I can't afford to go back on my own! But if someone else is paying...
(4)Taylor B.
At the end of the day, the most important aspect of a meal out is indeed the food, and Etch delivers, both in terms of taste and presentation. The kitchen works with diners to accommodate dietary restrictions, although the menu definitely seems written with carnivores in mind. The kitchen takes time to get the details of the presentation just right - the bright colors arranged meticulously on a plate bordered on artwork - and everything tasted amazing. Unfortunately, however, the atmosphere leaves a lot to be desired. While the restaurant is housed in an otherwise posh downtown building, once inside we felt as though we were in a banquet room with tables haphazardly covered in tablecloths and no attention otherwise paid to the décor. Etch's saving grace in this regard is its open, rather expansive kitchen, which guests can view from most tables while dining.
(4)Katie G.
If I'm going to pay for a nice meal it better not be over dressed so I can't taste my meat. I had the lamb and there were so many different flavors & swimming in sauce. I now understand is more of a southern thing. We had the clarified butter app which was great, but the cauliflower dish was so so. We may have had too high of expectations, especially just coming from CA wine country where I'm from. I expect greatness when I'm paying $30+ bucks for a meal. It wasn't snobby though which was nice, and there was a mix of people dressed up and not. It was a bit loud, but I loved being able to watch them in the kitchen. Scale of 1-10 (10 being awesome!) Ambiance: 7 (more LA chic) Noise: 4 (loud) Food: 5 Drinks: 5 (would have liked a better wine selection) Dessert: 6 (better than our meal) Appetizers: 6 (better than our meal) Staff: 6 (our waitress didn't have the specials or menu memorized) Price: 4 (over priced) This is coming from 2 people that make our own nut milks, have a crop share, & try to eat decently healthy despite my nagging sweet tooth for chocolate. We don't eat processed junk or fast food, so our palates like great food. The hype of the restaurant may have made us more critical and it less enjoyable.
(3)Lei B.
Our first option for dinner, Rolf & Daughters, was completely booked so we found this gem with the trusty Yelp app of course. Parking was kinda crazy downtown but they have complimentary valet with validation. Butter Tasting (truffle butter, smoked plugra butter, ginger peanut brittle butter, duck butter) - surprisingly my favorites were the peanut brittle and duck butter, guess I really did like the sweet and savory combo. Roasted Cauliflower (truffled pea pesto, salted almonds, feta crema) - loved the roasted cauliflower and the sauces were a great pairing. The salted almonds were crazy addicting. Octopus and Shrimp Bruschetta (manchego, arugula, fennel, roasted tomato, capers, garlic oil, bacon) - good chunks of octopus and shrimp but was very hard to eat as bruschetta. Scallops (trio of grilled, confit and tempura mushrooms, smoked shallot vinaigrette, bacon, greens, butternut garlic essence, beet sriracha) - my sister and I shared this dish and it was great that they already split the plate for us. We sat at the bar overlooking the open kitchen, was great to see the action. Service was ok but the good food made up for it.
(4)Craig M.
Stopped in here on a road trip from Indy to alabama. We tried multiple restaurants for happy hour appetizers to get a taste of the town. This was by far the best happy hour app I have ever had. We are planning another trip to Nashville soon and plan to eat a full meal here. I would highly recommend this place to anyone traveling through Nashville. Can't wait to be back to try it again.
(5)Jackie D.
Amazing dinner on my last night in Nashville. I was ready for New American cuisine after a few heavy southern meals. Must order the roasted cauliflower + chocolate + peanut butter torte! I also ordered the catfish appetizer but didn't enjoy it as much as it was a bit too breaded and fried and not enough fish.
(5)Stephanie W.
Excellent. My mind is still blown over what the chef is capable of. Beautiful, gorgeous and beyond tasty food. Cauliflower appetizer was fantastic! 20 thumbs up if I had 20 thumbs.
(5)Doug L.
Great service. She wasn't afraid to give her opinions but wasn't overbearing Started with a flatbread special she suggested. The flavors exploded in my mouth. Very good Had the vegetarian plate, rutabega. Lots of other veggies and the flavor combination was great Nice atmosphere Can't go wrong here!
(4)Alicia U.
Walked in on a Wednesday night with no reservations. Luckily a few seats at the bar were open. Bartenders were really nice and knowledgeable about the food. 8 local craft beers are on tap and more are in bottles. Tempura Catfish - A crunchy tempura battered shell surrounds a tender, lightly seasoned catfish filet. The heat of the fish is contrasted with the cool compressed watermelon block. Blueberries, fennel and balsamic add to the dish. Very refreshing appetizer to start with. Roasted Cauliflower - The cauliflower combined with the truffled pea pesto, mild feta crema and roasted red pepper puree makes this dish a super star. Drooling just thinking about it! Octopus & Shrimp Bruschetta - the octopus is sous-vided for 12 hours to make it super tender. Mixed with arugula, capers and other yummy things on soft, toasted focaccia. Chef Paquette is amazing! Great dishes with interesting flavor combinations and very artistic presentations. I would definitely make this a regular stop when visiting Nashville.
(5)Maggie M.
Great tasting grilled cauliflower as an appetizer. Drinks are very good. Perfect ambience, though can get a little noisy. Our waitress was excellent and knowledgeable of the menu with on point recommendations. Overall pretty tasty food. This would have been the perfect dining experience if not for the poor and lack luster attitude of the hostesses, but a great place for downtown Nashville.
(4)Dee O.
I started this month just a little differently than I usually do. Or at least I tried to. Like all other prior months, I logged on to my credit card account to pay my bill. Appalled by how much I had spent eating out in May, I decided I was going to significantly cut back on eating out in June. And I was very determined to stick to my resolution , until I ate at Etch. Most easily the best dining experience I had during my 5 day stint in Nashville. We went on Wednesday night, after attempting to walk in for dinner at the Catbird Seat restaurant. Haha. That was actually quite a hilarious experience but I digress. After realizing we needed to find a place that didn't require reservations six months in advance, Yelp came to the rescue and to Etch we went. I called on my way from the Catbird Seat restaurant and was able to get immediate reservations (imagine that). Alas, it was the evening of the CMA and many downtown roads were closed. Being a novice to downtown Nashville, It took 20 extra minutes to figure my way around and find parking. Our hostess was gracious even though we were late for our reservation and got us seated quickly. We shared the cauliflower appetizer and it was as good as it has been described. They had a special apple soup special that was just delightful. It went well with the complimentary bread served. We both had the vegetarian spaghetti squash dish. Which was mind blowing good. It was obvious that the chef intentionally thought about how to make his (her) vegetarian patrons happy. It wasn't the typical afterthought salad or pasta that is usually offered by many upscale restaurants. It was innovative, thoughtful and exceptionally good. My only regret was that I had indulged in the cauliflower and the soup and couldn't finish my entree. That dish deserves a standing ovation, for taste, creativity and presentation. Most certainly will be getting an encore in the near future. Very well done, Etch. We finished the night by sharing one scoop of their sorbet. It was a nice ending to a perfect meal. Our waitress was awesome. Simply said. She was friendly, knew the menu inside out, provided the right amount of attention and knew when to let us be. The manager also stopped by twice to ensure we were content. For such an amazing experience, the check didn't completely break the bank either. However as I handed my credit card to our waitress to pay the check, I realized I would never be able to stick to my resolution when restaurants like Etch exist. I am thankful for places like this that provide exceptional remarkable unforgettable meals. And as long as they are cooking, I will be eating. Will absolutely most definitely be back!
(5)Pam S.
My husband and I ate here our last night in Nashville and so glad we did. Loved the atmosphere of the restaurant, the service, and the food! Our waiter, Tom, was outstanding. We were going to share the cauliflower and a salad before our entrees, but he warned us that we might be too full to enjoy our dinners. Love it when a server is honest, instead of pushing you to order everything on the menu! We make roasted cauliflower at home, but I could never re-create those amazing sauces she puts with it. My husband had the lamb and I ordered the halibut which was one of the specials. Both were so good. For dessert (no idea how we had room) we shared the ginger cake - great ending to a great meal!!
(5)James A.
Amazing place. Great ambiance. The service was flawless. The menu is peppered with many normal items...but the chef transforms the ingredients into some mind-blowing combinations. Apps: Our party ordered the Butter Tasting, Pork Belly, Roasted Cauliflower, and Octopus and Shrimp Bruschetta. The butter was delicious, light, and a fun app to pass around the table. There were 4 different flavors on the plate served with bread. The pork belly was yummy, but I wouldn't order it again. The shrimp and octopus was different, and tasty, but I only ordered that because I had never had octopus. The "go-to" is the cauliflower. Crazy that they can make cauliflower with a truffled pea pesto taste so darn good. That is the app to order. Entrees: I had the Grilled Lamb Loin. Delicious. The flavors were perfect. I've never had something so flavorful and delicious. I would spread the lemon black olive tapenade on a piece of the lamb, and the flavors complimented each other so well. The okra and pearl onions were a perfect combination. The filo was a nice touch and brought this greek dish to another level. I would definitely order this again and again. My wife had the Filet. Hers was tender and amazing, although she only allowed me to have one bite. She also ordered the side of broccoli...and she talks more about the broccoli than the filet. But, everything was delicious. Dessert: The Warm Vanilla pound cake and Coffee Panna Cotta. Both were a deliciously perfect end to our experience at Etch. The portion sizes are perfect. This isn't a place where you go to have a meal. You pay extra for the experience. Starting with the drinks (Smoked Old Fashioned) and the service. I think the menu is fairly priced, and reasonably priced. I left the place stuffed...but not like normal restaurant stuffed. I leave the Olive Garden feeling heavy and depressed. :) Everything Etch made was so light and wonderful. I don't think I've ever eaten something with this flavor combination. The flavors are what stood out to me. I remember when we all had gotten our food and started eating...there was a silence over the table. I remember just staring at my plate as I was eating. Not only was it presented like a work of art, but the flavors almost put you in a trance. It's like tasting something for the first time.
(5)Jared M.
Use valet and tip as it will save you from paying the parking yourself...10 for 1 hour and 15 for 2. The cauliflower and the butter tasting are well worth the cost. The scallops were FANTASTIC. Go eat them, they need you :) This is a must-go for newbies to the area or visiting tourists going nearby to a show/event.
(4)Rhonda B.
Came here for lunch. It was a little stuffy. I liked my food but my bf hated his. Might be better and more fun for dinner but I wouldn't recommend it for a weekday lunch unless it's a biz meeting. Our waiter was very friendly.
(3)Heather H.
I thought Etch was exceptional. The kind and accommodating bar staff made me a perfect smoked old-fashioned and my waitress made excellent dinner and appetizer suggestions. The roasted cauliflower was wildly flavorful, the octopus and shrimp bruschetta was bright and fresh tasting, and my filet was tender and perfectly cooked. Finally, the dark chocolate bread pudding was sweet and slightly salty. I would definitely return.
(5)Lisa W.
Had a delicious lunch here with great service. The tempura oyster mushrooms, soup special (pumpkin), and goat cheese vanilla ice cream were particular standouts although everything tasted great and was high quality. A classy choice for any meal.
(4)Jen D.
Ate here a few weeks ago during Music Fest. I could not have been happier with the meal. Literally - not a single bad thing to say. Amazing service - we were in a huge rush, but our server - who had only been there 3 days managed to get us in/out on the schedule we needed. He took such good care of us. We raved about him on our way out to the hostesses. Such an asset to this place. Riduclously good food - one of the better meals I've had all year. - Bread w/butter flight - Wow. They're pros at making awesome awesomer - Cauliflower - mmmmmmmmmm - Entrees - everyone loved their food. We mostly had seafood and pork. My fish was the best I've had in a very long time. Great flavors, perfectly prepared. Oh - and amazing cocktails too. If you have only 2 nights in Nashville, hit up Etch!!
(5)Cheryl F.
this place! Enjoyed it so much last time I was in town I ventured there alone this time. The lamb tartar was excellent - request extra Harissa paste because you'll want it! Love the chef's counter seating, made it less awkward to dine alone.
(5)Linda T.
Came here for the NYE dinner menu and really enjoyed our night! The restaurant was beautiful inside and servers were polite and knowledgeable. Every dish was beautifully presented and tasted fresh and delicious. Would come back here again to try items food of their regular menu.
(4)Justin S.
My wife and I ate here two nights ago and had a fabulous meal. Kim, our waitress, was great and our food was absolutely outstanding. One of the best meals we've had. We tried 4 of the appetizers - all of which were beautifully presented and had very interesting and unique flavors. The entrée was excellent as well, but the apps were particularly strong. I will definitely return.
(5)Erica R.
Chic, trendy and totally worth a visit. A bit different from the other restaurants I tried in the area. If you're into that scene, this is your place. I want to say the chef is artistic and his meals represent a little work of art. The combination of flavors win!
(4)Sonya M.
I really really liked the food!!! I was in town for a conference and walked into Etch, since it was only a short 2 block walk from the new convention center. The place was packed; they had not anticipated such a huge crowd from the conference. As soon as I walked in the [mildly unpleasant] hostess told me there was no room in the main dining room and the bar tender is not serving food at the bar since he is so busy!!! I have to admit that was a huge turn off, but as I turned around I saw an empty seat at the bar and the gentleman behind the bar told me that he will be able to seat me if I was not in a rush (7-8 minutes). I gladly waited! The service was good, and even though they were busy, I got my food relatively quickly. I tried the tuna bowl and it was very enjoyable. I was glad that I go to give this place a try while in Nashville!
(4)Samuel E.
Amazing food, some of the best I've ever had in my life. Greatest service ever. From drinks and appetizers to entree's, everything was a high note. I would suggest wearing a jacket though, the temperature inside on my watch was 66 degrees.
(5)TNmedicine29 R.
Everytime I come here- I love it more and more! I am a Nashville local, and this very well may be my favorite restaurant in town. Whether you are running in for a drink and maybe an appetizer, or doing a full dinner, or lunch.... phenomenal! I soo appreciate the delicious fish/ vegetarian dishes served up with such incredible flavors. For appetizers, hands down love the cauliflower (and it supports charity!). The dips for the cauliflower-- um YUM! For entrees, I love the cobia; it is bold and rich not what you would expect from a mild fish. I would be happy eating this everytime I visit... but with so much other great plates to try out. This past time we were heading to a show and popped in and sat at the bar. I had the Trio de Setas. I am not usually a huge mushroom fan, but I saw this dish come out of the kitchen and couldn't not try it. Man oh man it did not disappoint. I was almost licking my plate. The infusion of different flavors and textures-- your mouth is in aww trying to absorb all that heavenliness. I also love the brussel sprouts... I mean I love brussel sprouts anytime, but Etch so lightly coats them and fries them it gives a good wow factor. I have heard great things about the Pork tenderloin as well, but I don't eat red meat so I can't give much to that. Really if you haven't tried Etch.... stop reading and go!
(5)Crizzly A.
My girlfriend and I went here for her birthday. I honestly didn't know what to expect when going in because it is such a classy restaurant. It ended up being a very comfortable and relaxed setting. the hostess and waiter worth so friendly ans sat us quickly. My girlfriend is a vegan and had some decent options here. I recommend that venison dish, it's amazing!!
(5)Rich K.
Really nice, Sophisticated but not pretentious- and 5 stars go equally for the service (thanks Lea you were great) and food together experience but also the reception and management were extremely professional. My only criticism would be that at times you were overwhelmed with the plate. So many different tastes- very creative but it worked. My venison was perfectly cooked over a bed of many things, including sweet potatoes. The sweet potatoes were warm, but hot would have been better. Other than that superb experience
(5)BethAnn S.
I need to get out more. And when I say I need to get out more, I mean, "I need to go out to Etch more" because YUM!! I took my lab folks here for lunch as a special treat and was super impressed by the fresh creative mixings, professionalism and price. I got the roasted cauliflower appetizer to show off that I was healthy (also because I was afraid of the octopus option), but damn if it wasn't amazing! It was served with pea pesto, which was delicious, sweet and made me wish I ate more vegetables. My table mates enjoyed the feta dipping sauce more than I did (not a huge feta fan) but the bites of honey, almonds and balsamic (?) around the plate made for a fun eating adventure aboard perfectly roasted cauliflower that tasted more like garlic popcorn than grandmas cauliflower. (Side note: I was so inspired by this dish, I tried to make it over the weekend. Lets just say I won't be opening a restaurant soon). I had the Roast Beef sandwich on toasted sourdough bread, that came with Parmesan horseradish sauce (on the side.... lets be honest, horseradish is tricky business), roasted asparagus and tempura onion. One of the more stunning things about this place evidenced as my sandwich arrived was how flipping big the portions are. I mean, like Cheesecake Factory big. We way over ordered as a table. The winner for lunch was a non-foodie buddy who got the corn cake with smoked brisket, Chihuahua cheese, onion, Peruvian carrot slaw, roja and poblano sauces, celery leaf avocado smash, lime crema and queso blanco. She ordered it because she had no idea what any of it was and all it was delicious. I saw the giant lunch plates coming and was worried about hers because its sort of a plating disaster.... not attractive at all but the flavors blended well while maintaining their individual integrity. The lime crema was amazing and she declared it 'like a really good burrito type thing'. ?? We also managed to crush a couple desserts (I know I said it was huge portions, but we threw in a bottle of wine and our eyes grew bigger than our stomachs). So.... quick final things - Super bargain! $130 for the three of us with three courses each and a bottle of wine for lunch. Beat that Midtown Cafe! Meh...hostess was sort of a snot playing with her personal phone while we stood there. Valet parking is a nightmare. They are set up so the valet spends 80% of his time running across the street because everyone takes a right on Broadway to get there. Also, great space. So pretty....you'll definitely impress your out of town buddies with this foodie hit!
(5)Samantha M.
I got the fresh fish daily special it was ok but I expected more from my meal based on all the positive reviews lackluster was best way to describe it. We started w butter sampling which was interesting ( not enough bread) the best part was the octopus shrimp bruschetta.
(3)EasilyAmuse D.
I'm a bit late in posting this since the friend and I ate here February 4th. We were in town for a conference and I had made reservations prior to our trip based upon Yelpers reviews. They didn't let us down! We had a drink at the bar and the bartender was very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. At the bartenders recommendation we had the Roasted Cauliflower with truffled pea pesto, salted almonds, and feta dip as an appetizer. Oh my...it was delicious! I had no idea cauliflower could taste so good. For dinner we shared the Rutabaga La Plancha and the seafood dish of the day. I don't remember the name of the seafood dish (it had mussels), but suffice it to say we barely spoke during the meal except to ohh, ahh, and share bites. Each bite had a different flavor. I'm pretty sure this is the first time I've eaten rutabaga and the bar has been set high. We also shared the carrots as a side dish. They tasted fine and were arranged beautifully, but was a bit much considering the app and sharing 2 dishes. Our server was professional, but the bartender was super friendly. He stopped to chat with us and ask how his recommendations worked out. If I lived closer, I would eat at Etch more often. It was the best meal I've ever had. I would give it 6 stars if I could!
(5)PJ T.
This is hands down one of the best restaurants I've ever eaten at and truly enjoyed everything I ordered. For an appetizer we had the roasted cauliflower and it was phenomenal. They roast this in the oven and the drizzle truffle oil over it before they serve it to you. They serve it with two different types of dips. One is a creamy feta with a roasted red garnish and garnished with chives. The second is a truffled pea pesto and it is garnished with salted almonds. Both were incredible and the waiter told me since they opened about a year ago they've served over 17,000 of the roasted cauliflower app. I could eat this every week and not get sick of it. Definitely order this for an app. I also ordered the etch salad and it was great. You had orange garnish for the citrus, just the right amount of green apple for a little sour taste, and a champagne vinaigrette to top it off. For dinner I ordered the steak which is vacuumed sealed and broiled for an hour with a burnside butter to really infuse the meat with flavor. Then grilled and I ordered it medium rare which it was cooked perfectly. It is then served on top of a sourdough baked potato bread pudding which was awesome. My dad ordered the cobia fish which usually when I order fish at a restaurant it can be over cooked and dry. This came out perfect and tasted great. It had a Turkish spice which wasn't spicy but gave it a little almost tiny hint of cinnamon but not over powering at all. It doesn't sound great on fish at least for me but it tasted great because it was accompanied with a brown buttered oranges, olives, raisins, almonds, feta, and capers. Each bite tasted a little different but every bite I tried tasted great. Definitely recommend this place and would've given it 6 stars if I could.
(5)Corey W.
This place is pricing but it is worth every penny. I was a bit shocked when we could not get a reservation until 9:15 calling over a week ahead of time. After eating their food it is no surprises why. Food and service are both 5 stars each by themselves. Pork belly appetizer, charcuterie salad, followed by sear venison with ginger grits. Every plate was more amazing than the last. My wife ordered the scallops... wow. Not only did it come with some amazing side sauces, they saw fit to plate not 3, not 4 but 5 large scallops. All the great service notes where hit as well. Server who knows the menu inside and out, prompt, and professional. When I was questionable on what cocktail to order they assured me that if I didn't like it they'd take it back and get me something else. All and all definately a highclass place with highclass food.
(5)Alex G.
Quite stylish and nice place. Another happy hour though. It is pricey, but decor, food, and service are good all around. Liked duck confit, but shrimp and octopus bruschetta had more bacon than anything else. Trying to be objective, but don't get this fascination with bacon in way too many dishes. It just slightly affected my score. Still would recommend this place.
(4)Chris B.
I am not particularly into corporate or hotel restaurants. This is definitely one of those and is full of "tourists". There is nothing wrong with the food it is well prepared and meats were cooked to requested temp (medium rare) however the menu isn't as original as people say and there are better places to both experience dinner and those places make better food.
(4)Julie S.
Absolutely delicious!!!! My husband and I both had the venison, and the flavor of all the parts of the dish were just phenomenal!!! They complimented each other so much!!! All flavor sensations were covered, thus it felt like we had dinner and desert at the same time! Being a personal trainer, I am extremely health conscious--and I thoroughly enjoyed what Etch offered! Oh- and the Roasted Cauliflower is TO DIE FOR!!! We ordered two...
(5)Taylor S.
The food was pretty good and the service was great. We enjoyed the different butters and the cauliflower for our appetizers. The entrees were ok. The pork chop was decent but the copia was a bit too sweet for my liking. I'd go back to try some other things but overall I'd give them 3.5/5 stars.
(4)Tran T.
This review is for lunch only. Parking: Complimentary valet parking or Central parking across from the restaurant. Drink: Asked for a sweetened tea but they only had un-sweetened one (I had a bad experience with this) so I just went with water. Lunch: I had the Octopus and Shrimp Bruschetta ($10) and Catfish ($13). The combination of seafood and bacon made the bruschetta so salty, it was hard for me to even finish half of the dish. The waitress also agreed that it was too salty. I wouldn't order this again. Thanks to the sweetness from the pomegranate sauce from the Catfish dish, I was able to taste the fish after all that saltiness from the bruschetta. Catfish was fresh and cooked to perfection. The portions were very big for the price, great for sharing. Service: I asked for a quiet table, and got more than what I wished for. The waitress wasn't attentive and disappeared after brought out my entree. Someone else had to bring me the check instead. Hopefully the service will be better next time, as I do want to come back here for dinner. 2013/#66
(3)Robert K.
First time at Etch. We are a family visiting Nashville for first time. Good service, great food. I would recommend. I had made reservations weeks in advance and was not disappointed. My kids are 19 &21 and had a great time. I will be back when returning to Nashville. Found Etch from top restaurant list 2014 in Nashville magazine on line. I'm glad it did!
(4)Liz K.
The food at Etch is amazing. I loved the roasted cauliflower. The service was also great; we were very impressed with all of the staff and loved meeting the head chef. We are just visiting Nashville and already have plans to come back here!
(5)Lauren W.
*** this is one of my top places in Nashville**** Etch is located in one of the new downtown condo buildings that just seem to keep popping up. Because downtown parking can be crazy I was very happy that they offered complimentary valet parking which made things very easy . The decor is simple and clean. I was a big fan of their large eat-in bar. I love restaurants that have a food bar overlooking the kitchen (City House). I'm hoping one day I can sit at the kitchen and watch my food being made. But this party of 3 had a table by the window overlooking the Country Music Hall of Fame. Not too shabby. Of course I'm having cocktails. I stuck with my go-to drink: the Old Fashioned. Etch made a good one. I especially like the addition of sweet dried cherries to the mix. Gave it a different flavor than the soaked kind. My Mom was feeling adventurous and opted for the Brandy Crusta which contained Courvoisier VS, Maraschino, Cointreau, Lemon Juice, and a Sugar Rim. I thought her drink was pretty good. The sugar rim added a much needed sweetness to the tart lemon juice. I know what you are thinking: WHY ARE YOU SHOWING ME A PLATE OF BREAD AND BUTTER?! Well, let me explain. Etch offers a butter tasting. NO JOKE. You get four types of specialty butter and some bread. The best part is that the type of butter is hidden under the cup so you are supposed to guess which one you were eating. I love food games! The butters displayed were truffle butter, smoked plugra butter, goat butter, and duck butter. My family's favorite (far and away) was the truffle butter. I was sticking my finger in that little dish trying to scrape out any remaining fat solids. This is a must order at Etch. The second appetizer we ordered to share was the chilled mussels, which was a lot more than just mussels. There was a layer of pork loin that sat on the bottom with Moroccan spiced mussels and calamari on top. And for a bonus they sprinkled chunks of feta on top. It had a good kick, but I wouldn't go as far as to call it spicy. It was good, but very hard to split among 3 people. This is a 2 or less appetizer. For my entree I ordered the duck. I'm a pretty boring dinner companion because if duck is on the menu, I normally order it. The duck was Moroccan spiced and served perfectly cooked. I like my duck breast cooked more like a steak with some red in the middle. Good job Etch chefs! It was served with ginger grits, cranberries and carrot puree. I have never had anything like those ginger grits before. Even my Mom who isn't the biggest fan of grits had to admit that these were damn tasty. I was a member of the clean plate club. My jaw dropped when my parents entree arrived (yes, they both ordered the same thing). They ordered the short ribs and this is what arrived. HOW BEAUTIFUL. We had no idea from the menu description that they would be getting a very sushi-version of short ribs. Those sushi bites are short ribs that are braised and then rolled in panko and fried. They had the best texture! The green is not wasabi, but pea puree. The large bowl contained glass noodles, carrots, mushrooms, sugar snap peas and tons of shrimp topped with fresh cilantro. I usually think that my choice of entree was the best option, but clearly my parents won this round. Seeing that it was my birthday celebration I had to have some sweets after all! The panna cotta itself was a chocolate/chai mixture that was topped with pear sorbet and a lace cookie. The whole bottom of the bowl was covered with dark chocolate sauce and toasted hazelnuts. This was heaven- so good that I even shared a bit with my parents. I loved everything about Etch. I know it's kind of a pansy review when you don't really have anything to critique, but I didn't. My parents both loved Etch and they kept talking about it the next few days. I know that this will be a place they want to visit on their next trip back. For my sake, I hope it is!
(5)Ricardo P.
Who reviewed this previously???? I will say that the atmosphere was very nice. A modern motif with an open air kitchen and high ceilings. Maybe we ordered the wrong dishes? No, we ordered the same dishes everyone raved about. Let me say that the best part of the meal was the rosemary bread rolls they gave us to start out with. All downhill from there! The roasted cauliflower tastes like paper towels. Absolutely lacked any flavor. The purée that accompanied was also devoid of flavor. At other places, the cauliflower would at least be marinated in something. The octopus and shrimp bruschetta had more leaves than seafood. It was also drowned in vinegar. I had an upset stomach right away. My girlfriend had the cobia that was sautéed in battery acid. I had a grouper that, once again, had the taste of wet paper towels. To top it off, I ordered the vanilla pound cake to take the wretched taste of dinner out of mouth. To my surprise, vanilla pound cake was extremely tart. I am not sure why this place has rave reviews. If this is the best that Nashville has to offer in fine cuisine, I will stick to the hot chicken and grits. Very dissatisfying experience.
(2)Jolie W.
Great appetizers--went for wine and quick bite. Loved the seafood bruschetta and California apps. So, so good!!! Happy hour is 1/2 priced apps!
(4)Ginger J.
Oh my is all I can say! The staff is wonderful and really attentive. The food? Some of the best I have ever had! If I could have licked my plate I would have! Great treat!
(5)James P.
What a great place! We sampled the Shrimp & Octopus Brochette (Great) - Tempura Catfish (Great) - Cobia (Good) - Filet (Great) - and a side of Brussel Sprouts (Great) - A keeper, if I lived here, I would come here often!
(5)John H.
The space is lovely, and I think most business travelers and conference attendees would feel comfortable here. I recommend you sit at the bar, as I did for a recent lunch, at which you can watch food prep in the open kitchen, and engage in a little friendly conversation with your bartender/server. Mine shared stories about his visit to St. Louis, as well as provided good info about the menu. My meal: *Jackalope Thunder Ann APA, local, a good match for mild to medium spice, with which my fine bartender served a plate of complimentary house chips, the potato sliced lengthwise. *Brisket Pupusa (I learned a "pupusa" is a thick corn tortilla filled with stuff, in this case smoked brisket, chihuahua cheese, onion, Peruvian butternut slaw, roja and poblano sauces, celery leaf avocado smash, lime crema, queso blanco). It was smoky, sweet, and spicy, with a south-of-the-border taste going on. *Charred Brussel Sprouts as a side, in butter with some onion, very good and sliced, which I prefer to having them served whole. *Jackalope Thunder Ann APA (my kind of dessert). My main source of entertainment was watching food preparation. I especially enjoyed a fine show of artful vegetable cutting with a straight peeler. My lunch was measured by the processing of exactly 3 bunches of celery and 7 bunches of asparagus, after which it was, sadly, time to depart.
(5)mary j.
This place is fantastic. Excellent quality food and service and this says a lot coming from someone who is accustomed to fine dining in Chicago. The staff, mangers and owners went above and beyond. Needless to say, we left with very full bellies. The roasted cauliflower appetizer with smoked pea purée (very smokey) was out of this world. The same pea purée was mounted atop the substantial helping of pork tenderloin. Also, the Cobia was excellent! If you like seafood, order the Cobia because I can guarantee you'll never see anything else like this anywhere else. We also enjoyed beet salads with goat cheese and candied nuts atop mixed greens and berries. Delicious dressing on this one and I would recommend it. And for the desert - the meringues were out of this world!!!!! Light and airy with ice cream and all sorts of yummy goodness on the plate. This was a perfect light desert. Yum!
(5)Ashley W.
One word... AWESOME. My mom and I stopped in for lunch right as it opened so it wasn't busy at all. Our waiter was super nice and let us know that if we had any menu questions he could help us. My mom couldn't decide on one so he helped her out and she decided on the Wild Rice Salad and added Shrimp. The portion was huge and came on a granite slate which was different and cool. I ordered the Thai Chicken and Quinoa. It was a great dish, but a little salty for my taste though the sweet potatoes did help a lot. Cashews came in the dish, but I substituted those for the candied peanuts that I saw on another dish. A great lunch in a great atmosphere! Really loved the open kitchen concept and it wasn't a noisy kitchen either. Another thing... Don't you hate going in to a restaurant where they have god awful music playing in the background and it's overly loud? Well you definitely won't find that here! We found the music to be calm and at a great sound level even though we were the only ones in the restaurant. Definite recommend! If I had to say one bad thing, it would be that they didn't make sweet tea (in the South?!) but the waiter did offer me unsweetened tea and that he could give me sweetener, but it is just not the same,
(5)Christopher M.
This place is phenomenal. My partner and I were in town while making a cross country move. We were staying downtown and wanted to celebrate his birthday. We were lucky to get in without a problem on a Thursday night. I did make a reserve that afternoon, without too much trouble. We started with the roasted cauliflower appetizer, which was terrific, as were the cocktails. They had some very interesting favors. The whole meal was exceptional. Our server, Ed was attentive without being disruptive. The ambiance is very sleek and contemporary. The acoustics are nicely balanced so that even with a very full dining room and the open kitchen concept, it didn't feel too loud or distracting. I'm vegetarian and was particularly pleased with their offerings. They didn't have a huge selection of vegetarian items to choose from, but the ones they offered were very interesting, with complex layers of favors. Not the usual roasted portabello mushroom! My partner had lamb, on the rare side and he said that it was cooked to perfection. He was also impressed with the wine list. We'll definitely be back if we visit Nashville again.
(5)Blair S.
I went to Etch on night with a symphony, a rock concert, a hockey game, and one of the first warm clear nights of the spring all converging on Downtown Nahsville at once. This was one of those nights where complimentary valet is very nice (dinner guest only, I'm told) and reservations are a must. The waiter was quick to follow the hostess who seated us, shared specials and drink recommendations, then watched from out of sight as we decided what we wanted without nagging or leaving us hungry. Throughout the meal, his timing was just right. We soon started with duck confit and an seared tuna salad. The confit was just the right size for two, was wonderfully tender, and seasoned perfectly. The tuna salad was large and a perfect mix a flavors and textures. The lamb chop entree was one of the best I've had in ages. Perfectly cooked and again with a great mix of flavors. The quality of the meat was top notch, as was the price. The scallops were perfectly executed too. For dessert we shared a meyer lemon frozen mousse. It was light, tangy, and not overly sweetened. It perfectly capped off a great meal. The prices are higher than most restaurants, but if you need a romantic date night, to celebrate a special occasion, or to entertain someone on the expense account, Etch should a top choice. You won't think twice about the price after you finish your meal.
(5)Joshua P.
Very nice atmosphere and a very good menu. Not a great menu... The biggest problem here was the side ingredients always seemed to overpower what was supposed to be the star of the dish (pork for example). Dessert and appetizers were amazing!
(4)Craig L.
It has been a while since I've had my taste buds sent off on such an exhilarating journey. We visited Nashville for a week of auditory pleasure and got even more when we dined at Etch. We started with the Roasted Cauliflower based on all the reviews. It was excellent, especially with the pea pesto source. I had the Pork Loin that I demolished is short order, not because I have a large stomach but because after the first bite there was no stopping. My wife enjoyed the Grilled Scallop entree which she reported as an unexpectedly tasty composition based intriguing combination of ingredients including mushrooms, bacon, beets and squash. We accompanied it with a bottle of 2010 Zinfandel and topped it all off with Vanilla Cake and Olive Oil ice cream. It was a delightful experience.
(5)NJ G.
Was in town for work, this place was on a list of recommended eats given to me by my hotel and ranked well on Yelp! This was by far one of the best meals I had while in Nashville. I almost would have eaten the same dish for all my meals if I weren't trying to the the tourist thing and try a bunch of places. I had the tuna salad. It was delicious. I did feel a bit out of place with all the suits at the other tables but the ambiance is pretty relaxed. The restaurant has what looks like two separate, semi-private dining area, perfect for a business lunch or personal event. My meal was well priced and very tasty. I would recommend this place no problem.
(4)Ryan B.
By far one of the best dining experiences, period. Tall Paul, the bartender, is outstanding. His attention to detail is superior, just as is their food.
(5)Clay G.
The smoked pea purée with the roasted cauliflower is worth a trip all on its on. Some of the reviewers on here are hilarious. Too many ingredients? No direction? Then another complains of the dish being overpowered by one ingredient. Our meal was excellent albeit a little pricey. There is a lot going on but the flavors all seem to go extremely well together. Deb is a great chef, period.
(5)Julia W.
Was in Nashville, TN for a business trip. This was probably the best meal I had the whole time I was here. Cauliflower indeed is amazing. I had the fish for dinner which was very fresh and flavorful. My friend had the pork tenderloin - it was to die for. If I am ever in this town again, I'd go to Etch.
(5)Katie I.
Was not expecting a good meal at all since we've had such disappointing dining experiences lately. However, my husband and I were both pleasantly surprised at how good it was. We sat at the chef's bar and split the etch salad- very delicious. I had the scallops which were wonderful and beautifully presented. My husband had the filet which was fabulous. Awesome cut of meat and so tender. We were both surprised at how delicious it was. We were too full for dessert. I will say the menu had a Moroccan flair- lots of citrus, raisins and the like. I'm usually not a citrus-y person, but what we chose for dinner were both hits. Will return!
(4)Jason M.
I booked with Open Table (where I have it noted that my wife has a gluten allergy) and that was the first thing they mentioned when we arrived. The server helped my wife navigate the menu and choose something that was gluten free. They did have several options. We ordered a non-alcoholic drinks that were not on the menu. Lemon-Lime Bitters... It's sprite + lime juice + some bitters. They prepared it perfectly with no fuss and only charged us for a soda... Great job! We shared the Cauliflower appetizer and were blown away by it. It was so good! As many others have said, do try it. We then shared an Etch salad... they split one between two plates and it was more than enough for both of us also. The greens were fresh, the flavors were all over the pallet and it was simply a fantastic salad. For mains, my wife had the Venison and I had the filet. My filet was cooked perfectly (medium rare)... there was a lot of it too... it was no small filet. My wife loved the venison and wished there had been more of it; her only complaint was that she wanted more. She did find the sides a little sweet... the grits that came with the venison were sweet and it also had cranberries as well... maybe too much sweetness combined. We did not have desert as we already had reservations for the Melting Pot. However, the server did bring desert menu's too us. At the point of bringing the desert menu's they seemed to lax a little on helping with gluten-free options. It seemed that most of the deserts likely had gluten and the server offered no assistance in selecting a gluten free option. Hey, we loved it though and will go back. The complimentary valet was great too. Keep up the good work Etch; we'll see you again soon.
(4)Michael P.
This was an odd experience for me. Arrival: Really nice inside, well done restaurant. Pleasant hostess got me a seat at the Chef's Bar. Greeted by a server immediately. He did a great job start to finish. I ordered brisket upon his suggestion. It was good. Not great by any stretch, but good. Here is why the experience was odd. It was basically deconstructed enchiladas. Corn cakes, guac, sour cream etc. It was described as such, but I guess my anticipation got ahead of me. From the menu: "corn cake, smoked brisket, chihuahua cheese, onion, peruvian butternut slaw, roja and poblano sauces, celery leaf avocado smash, lime crema, queso blanco" For 18 bucks I should be Wowed. I wasn't. I would rather go to a true Mexican restaurant, get enchiladas that are as good or better, chips and salsa and go from there. If I go back I am ordering a sandwich. They looked more like what I wanted, but I took server's recommendation. Not his fault. I should have paid closer attention.
(3)Emily W.
Absolutely amazing. Per other people's reccomendations, I ordered the roasted cauliflower. The truffle pea pesto that comes with this is so delicious. Because of this dish I have now had roasted cauliflower last night for dinner and today for lunch. Sounds so simple, but so good! Everything was amazing, the mint chocolate ice cream made with was incredible. Great atmosphere, definitely make a reservation, this place fills up. Our server Lane was so knowledgeable and I was so impressed by the fact that the servers get to try the dishes, that lets me know the restaurant really cares about making sure their customers have great reccommendations. Best restaurant in Nashville!
(5)Scott C.
So glad this restaurant is in Nashville. When we arrived, we used the very convenient valet service which is nice for downtown Nashville. Siting down at our seat we were immediately greeted by the house sommelier who helped us pick out a wonderful wine to compliment our meal. On to the food... We started with the butter tasting, octopus bruschetta, and the amazing roasted cauliflower with smoked pea purée. For our entrees we got the prawn and scallops and the beef short rib. The prawn and scallop was perfectly cooked but my only complaint of the meal was the salad on top of the dish. It seemed like it took away from the beauty of the meat and was just too much food. Now I say that after we had 3 appetizers so I am not knocking the execution of the dish. It would be perfect if you got 1 thing for the app and just an entree. The beef short rib was to die for. Would absolutely get it again. Once again a little too much for the entree after the apps but still great execution on presentation and overall flavor and balance. We will return very soon.
(4)Karen J.
This is one of the most memorable meals I have had for a while. Starting with the roasted cauliflower ... a sometimes dull and overcooked vegetable...here successfully made the star. Cobia...flaky perfectly cooked fish with spices and tastes that brings you to Morocco.....sweet and spicy well balanced. Incredible. Dessert was the Pretzel,chocolate, caramel bar.....I was just speechless. Delicious!!! Service was friendly and attentive.
(5)Lindsay W.
I would give them 4.5 stars but the food alone pushed them to 5. When we arrived the 2 girls at the hostess stand were all over the place. Not in the good efficient all over the place. They were a bit unorganized and made myself and my party a little wary about what we were walking into. One girl was on the phone and kept rolling her eyes as she was talking. Not very professional. They seated the party before us but then made a mistake and moved them to another table. Those poor guys were just left standing in the middle of the dining room. We were watching this going 'uh oh...' Luckily, we got seated and weren't left standing in the dining room or made to move. Our server, James, was fantastic. He made great recommendations for us. We started with the short ribs. Oh my goodness! They had pulled all that tender meat and then fried it. Looked like dark croutons on the plate but tasted amazing. My mom ate all the vegetable kimchi and didn't share with the group but according to her it was delicious. My stepfather ordered the Cobia per James recommendation- said it was their signature dish. I have never seen that man be so quiet once he started eating! He said that based on that dish alone he would come back despite the unorganized mess that was the hostess stand (btw we watched them set and then reset a couple tables by us, and leave a second couple standing in the dining room- we joked that we should make a drinking game of it). I had the pork. What I loved about this dish was how all the flavors married together perfectly. It had a southwestern edge with the manchego, chorizo, and mushroom sauce. All of us had cleaned our plates and still had room for dessert. My dessert was a chocolate hazelnut crunch. It was perfection. I wanted to take the whole cake home and eat on it all night long. Overall the food was as close to perfect as can be. Everything was cooked beautifully and the presentation alone was swoon-worthy. I hope to go back just to try more of the menu and (fingers crossed) the hostesses will have their act together.
(5)Jade D.
Delicious, delightful and definitely worth a visit!!!! I liked it so much I gave it 5 stars but it does only deserve a 4.5 because ((at this point/in my opinion) the 2 desserts we ordered looked and sounded better than they tasted). HOWEVER, shame on me for starting off on the negative when the food (besides dessert), service, ambiance and design of this place are SUPERB. Menu items were interesting and well executed and left each member of our table of 7 pleased. I chose for colleagues/clients and everyone was complimenting me on the pick. The cobia was the standout ((although my beignet it was seated on (how fun!) was a bit overcooked)) but I would have still ordered the dish and I ate most of the beignet. HA. Had to stop myself from devouring it all. Really delicious white, meaty fish in a unique, tasty preparation. Larger portions than I expected--I could have shared my dish. Other stand out was the octopus and shrimp bruschetta which I ordered for the table, however wished I ordered it all to my gweedy lil self ; p Love the seats at the "food bar" where you can watch the chefs in the open kitchen. If I went back for date night, I would def sit there. Too bad I am out of town or I would be back with my fincer!! .... def def dine at Etch, you will be glad you did!! XoX
(5)Andrew V.
We would give 6 stars if possible--- the food and service were incredible. Scallops, shrimp & octopus bruschetta, lamb chops (rare), and ratatouille salad were all fantastic to the last bite. Been to tons of nice restaurants in the world and have very high praise for Etch.
(5)Nicki R.
Beautiful restaurant. Beautiful food. And what's more, everything tasted as good as it looked! Started with the Butter Tasting. Definitely a must for your first time but not sure I would have to have it every time. Next, the Duck Confit. I enjoy going to the park and feeding the ducks so I have a little bit of a hard time eating duck. (It's my own issue, I know) all that to be said, our waited suggested it, so we got it. I still think about it. It was hands down my favorite course of the evening. Next, the Etch Salad. Delicious mix of greens, tart apple, nuts and a zesty champagne vinaigrette. For our main course, I got the trio of scallops and my husband got the filet. Both delicious and both highly recommended. And then dessert. I mean, who has room for dessert after all that? Um, we did. And it was amazing. Warm Banana & Chocolate Cake, peanut buttercream, chocolate sauce, peanut brittle, banana citrus sorbet. Boom.
(5)Peter C.
Great meal, great wine
(5)Dede H.
Really good dinner while visiting Nashville! Our server was very friendly, quite knowledgeable about the menu. We had the tasting of 4 kinds of butter--European, duck, truffle, and our favorite, goat butter They were out of the two entrees I wanted, the cobia and scallops. Ordered vegetable plate which was really good, colorful and artistic. Would have preferred my original choices.My husband enjoyed his filet.They were out of the pumpkin dessert, so we had a nutella tarte--yummy with a very nice presentation. The atmosphere is minimalist, could use a few warm touches. Has a private dining area. The parking attendant was especially nice--pulled our car up for us as we prepared to leave.
(4)Courtney E.
This restaurant and chef were absolutely amazing. We ordered the butter tasting, lamb, venison, and a couple other dishes. The combinations of taste and texture were unique but spot on. Our waiter gave great recommendations and explained which parts of the dish were meant to complement each other. The ambiance of the restaurant is great too. Whether a date night or a group dinner, this place won't disappoint! We will definitely be back in the near future, and I'm hoping to try out the lunch menu sometime.
(5)Pepper P.
Loved Etch. Decor, elegant and clean, you can watch the chefs create their beautiful plates right from their tidy, bright, friendly bar, The service is quite good, the only downside was the (i think) manager that hit me with the fake smile and asked (told) me to move down because apparently I had sat myself at a spot where you had to have reservations.. I don't mind being asked to get up or even to wait if I have perhaps made a misstep, but the faker tooth condescending smile and obvious irritation? Yep, my neighbors totally noticed too. The rest of the staff was perfect and twice what I had expected. Wine list, excellent. Beet salad, delightful. Lamb shank, awesome. Pork chop.....yep, fantastically cooked to tender perfection. My neighbor's panacotta looked divine and they said it was. My only huge regret was that I could not possibly have another bite. Next time, Etch I promise. Bravo! Keep up the fantastic service and food. a little tweak with front of the house service and you'll be all the way there!!
(4)Stacy T.
How great is Etch? AMAZING. I've been here twice, once when my in-laws were in town and another for a Christmas dinner (in the private room). Both times, the experience was incredible. If you like fish, the Cobia is the way to go. It's served on a beignet and the Turkish spices they use, along with the mango, makes it a real hit! I could eat this dish over and over and never tire of it. It really is fantastic. Also, the curry cauliflower is really delicious and a great compliment to the Cobia. Others in my group have had the short ribs (father-in-law raved about them), filet, etc. Also, we did the butter tasting. It was great, but it's not really the star of the menu. Everything I've had here is great and you won't be disappointed by your experience here. 5 stars every day of the week.
(5)Allison D.
Had lunch here today thanks to Yelp and so glad we did. We are traveling and looked like poorly groomed tourists when we walked through the doors but received impeccable service despite our slightly rough appearance. We arrived around 11:15 before the lunch crowd. Never would have found it but for Yelp, but obviously all the locals know about it because it got pretty crowded by Noon. Our waiter remained very attentive and was unfazed when a younger member of our party innocently knocked over a water glass. The service was very very good, but the food was phenomenal. There were lots of great items on the menu that would have made a vegetarian very happy, but also a lot for meat lovers. We had the cauliflower and agree it was wonderful. Also the tempura mushrooms were delicious. The pork ramen was amazing. The mozzarella sandwich fantastic. Even the kid in our group was very happy with a burger they were happy to make plain to his liking. We live in a city with world class restaurants, and this one can stand up to any I've been to. Highly recommend for foodies and anyone who likes great ingredients, inventive combinations, and excellent execution.
(5)Vanuchi E.
Nothing short of excellent! The kitchen is run by this little lady who is super cool and on top of every detail. We had the best seat in the house at the chef bar and delightfully watched her magic! She made sure of every detail... even bused our plates because she noticed we were finished with our amazing duck confit app! Everything was spot on, creative flavors, imaginative combos, perfect temp on the lamb rack, Cobia was perfect with the ginger grits. Topping it all off, the sevice was impeccable! So yummy all around, we had so much fun! One of the best meals I've had in a while. I'll be back on my next trip to Nashville.
(5)Bob S.
Great meal! I will update - made this for my top 5 list
(5)Sam T.
As a newer restaurant and it being Saturday night, our reservation was for 930 which initially concerned me because I worried things might be shutting down or some of the menu options might be 86'd by that point. However, it was hopping when I arrived and the restaurant was in full swing. The late reservation gave us a chance to have drinks elsewhere and walk around broadway like tourists. As you walk in, you notice the bar is right at the entrance and next to the hostess station which I thought was a little weird. It's very small and seating is next to impossible there. However, it is convenient if you are waiting for a table and want to grab a drink. We were fortunate enough to sit at the kitchen bar, which is always my favorite. You get to see all the action and enjoy all the wonderful food coming out of there. The colors and presentations of the food is exquisite! They take such time and effort to make everything look so wonderful! And the portions are huge! You truly get your money's worth. We tried the short ribs, etch salad, gingery grits, and sweet potato soup. Aside from the soup which was really too sweet, even for sweet potatoes, the food was excellent. We really enjoyed it. The service was good. Prompt and polite enough, nothing out of the ordinary. The have valet parking or a pay lot next door which was lucky since parking was a nightmare at that time.
(4)Robert W.
Really elegant restaurant! They treated use royally even though we were in t shirts, shorts and scandals for the CMA Fest (Most others were in suits etc.) Excellent wait staff, my food was wonderful! Try it!!! We had the lunch menu, dinner menu is a little pricy, but probably worth it based on my experience. Coffee was excellent.
(5)Joe M.
stopped in for a drink. I was impressed with the Bar staff. They know what their doing. If your downtown you should stop in. We did not eat hear, but I am going to on my next trip to Nashville.
(4)Amber A.
Awesome restaurant! Asian inspired and delicious. I had the scallops and we all shared the short rib roll appetizers. Both were amazing. Wine list was great and service was perfect.
(5)Leslie C.
Excellent food and busy vibe. They could have been more creative with the atmosphere, but it was well-done nonetheless. We enjoyed the chef's bar. Hope to visit again soon!
(5)MyongHi S.
Amaaaaaazing lamp chops! Server was friendly and knowledgeable and allowed me to order the lamp chops with the side items from the filet entree. Overall a great dining experience with prompt and friendly service from the hostess, server (Justin), and the server's assistant as well. The previous reviews did not lie! I'm definitely glad I made this stop on my first trip to Nashville.
(4)David G.
Fantastic. Unadulterated fun in my mouth. I never knew cauliflower could be so sexy... and tasty. Let's face it, Etch is a wonderful delight and a unique departure from Deb Paquette's previous (and enjoyable) adventure that was Zola. Etch is located downtown, and parking is a breeze. There are metered spots along 3rd, there is a large parking lot managed by one of the parking companies right down on the corner, there is a large parking garage (that closes at 11) on the other corner, AND there is free valet service. Seriously, unless you are driving your 18-wheeler with cargo in-tow, you be able to find a parking space. Oh? Your car is U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier? Well, then you are out of luck. The rest of we normal folk can find a park. The space/decor at Etch is open, airy, and I'm guessing pretty classic cool. I'm not terribly "cool" so I can only judge. If I wanted to be one of the cool kids, I'd want to be Etch. Plus, I like that I can see the kitchen from the main dining room. The menu is vegan friendly, vegetarian friendly, gluten free friendly, and carnivore friendly. In other words, all of your friends should be able to find something that they want to eat here. Recommendations: * The cauliflower appetizer is to die for. I'm serious. I was forced to slay a few people with my butter knife over the dish. It comes with truffled pea pesto, salted almonds, and some kind of cheese sauce (goat, I think?). Anyhow, please excuse the bodies... but don't touch my cauliflower. * Lamb Chops. Hey, I'm a carnivore. I might have slain over my cauliflower but I also enjoy carnivorous delights (that sounds dirty... I've digressed). They were cooked perfectly and paired with my appetizer were more than enough for this gentleman to consumer for an evening. * Wine. The list of wine is short but robust - if that makes sense. Went with a red recommendation from the sommelier - an Argentinian (the wine, not the sommelier). It's close enough that if you parked yourself (or you get your keys from the valet) that you can walk downtown after your meal and enjoy some honky-tonking. Or, hop in your car and take a short trip up to The Gulch or Belmont/Vandy or 12 South. Love Etch. Love the location. Love the food. If I were Billy Bob from Varsity Blues, I'd be screaming "TEN! I give it a TEN!" and asking it to marry me.
(5)Debby B.
I was visiting Nashville for the first time last week with my cousin and we decided to try Etch for dinner on our first night. The meals we had were simply the most deliciously prepared entrees we have ever tasted! My cousin had the lamb chops and I ordered the pork roast. The combinations of ingredients used to prepare these dishes are beyond compare. We had a wonderful server, Amy who took our picture with her phone, when I discovered I left my phone in the car. She then sent me a text with the picture. My cousin will be traveling to Nashville for her chemotherapy drug trial on a regular basis and I know when it is my time to take her again, we will be dining at Etch! It is a wonderful experience to dine there, I simply give it the highest recommendation!
(5)Lisa S.
I went back for lunch yesterday, and although I've still got to make it to dinner I just hate leaving such a bad review. Yes, I had a bad experience, but this place is really top notch and the food is incredible. Service at lunch was impeccable, food was amazing and reasonably priced, AND I just saw that the manager sent me a message after my initial review apologizing for the experience and offering to make it up to us. Why did YELP not send me a notification of the message or something!? I wouldn't have taken anything from them, but it would have been nice to respond to such a genuine concern for what happened!! This place deserves every bit of the four stars. Great food, great service, great location, great everything. I would bet it'll be five stars when I get a chance to give dinner another try.
(4)Lindsey B.
My favorite chef in Nashville. The food is always creative and delicious. You won't be disappointed!
(5)Holly S.
I ate here once, and it was good; but I will never go back due to the rudeness of the staff when I brought a guest here from out of town. We had just left Wine On the River, so we had wine glasses with us (empty) from the event. We were seated at the bar because we didn't have reservations - which was fine. However, when the waitress came, she picked up one of the wine glasses, made an exaggeratedly horrified face and huffed, "Uhh. WHAT. Is this?!" We left in disgust and dined elsewhere. There are too many good restaurants in Nashville to put up with this nonsense.
(2)Mike J.
Simply put, Etch is the best restaurant we've tried in Nashville. We've eaten here twice, once in a large group - so we've sampled most of the entrees and a few of the specials. I am particular to the cobia, but I haven't tried anything that wasn't 5 stars. I've recommended this place to several others, and all have thanked me -
(5)Jaime B.
Go hungry bc you need to order the cauliflower app... Hazelnut/blue cheese/apple salad... Fish... And peach sorbet with brown butter cake dessert. All of them, worth it!
(4)Ted P.
By far one of my top 3 favs in nashville, Cauliflower that you will crave daily and entrees that simply can't be matched!!! The owner/chef Deb is amazing!!! so kind, creative and accommodating. Do not miss this restaurant on your visit!!!
(5)Chris S.
The tuna bowl and the Fall Salad with Chicken are great. Solid lunch options all over the menu. Generally pretty easy to get in and out of too. Highly recommend the sweet potato and tomato soup.
(4)Edib L.
Food was delicious. Service was sub-par. Plates were cleared when one of us was still eating, which was a grevious faux pas. Our waiter was smarmy and rude once he learned that we weren't ordering cocktails. Service, especially at a place like Etch, should be consistent and excellent, no matter what you order.
(2)Cabo R.
Roasted cauliflower is to die for! My entrée was Cobia with Moroccan flavors. OMG Good!!! My wife had the lamb with a lamb sausage thingy that was oh so yum. We've tried several of Nashville's new restaurants on both side of the river and Etch is the triumphant winner.
(4)Matt N.
I'd like to start this review off apologizing that this particular one hasn't come sooner, as it concerns one of my absolute favorite 'new' restaurants in town: Etch. Since my first experience at lunch several months ago (and many, many subsequent visits after for both lunch and dinner), I have been unable to stop thinking about this fabulous restaurant nor stop talking about it to anyone who is willing to listen. I must admit, not too many years ago a place like Etch would have intimidated the hell out of me. Most menu items being out of my "comfort zone", I would have considered it to be a bit much. Thankfully, with access to the ever-booming local restaurant scene in Nashville since I moved to the 'big city', I have been a bit more adventurous with food, and my goodness, am I glad I did! Etch has some of the most inventive, unique, and flavorful meals I've ever had. Truly an experience for your taste buds, every single menu item I've ordered has absolutely blown me away. My suggestion-- go with a small group, order several apps, soups, salads, and an entree or two, and SHARE. You will not want to miss out on any of Chef Paquette's amazing creations. Here are some of my personal faves: Butter Tasting. Ok, everyone loves butter, but Etch gives it a fun twist. Rolls served with truffle, smoked plugra, duck, and goat butters. Divine. Roasted Cauliflower. With truffled pea pesto, salted almonds, and feta crema. To describe this glorious creation, I believe my friend says it best (and classiest): "I would literally bathe in the truffled pea pesto." Interesting take, yes, but it really is that wonderful. Duck Confit. Words truly cannot begin to describe how fab this is.The balsamic blackberries and the citrus from the orange peel with the duck... Unbelievable. Short Ribs. Perfection. Such a delicious and fun twist on the traditional short rib. Pork Tenderloin. Again, such a unique take on a traditional menu item. Monchego. Carmelized Onions. Mushroom sauce. Oh, and it contains truffle.. Enough said. Brisket Papusa (lunch). Corn cake, smoked brisket, cheese, onion, slaw, a wonderful tomato sauce, avocado, lime crema, queso blanco. Every single bite of this lunch-only entree was phenomenal. Hands down the best lunch I've ever had. Recently, a colleague of mine told me my theory that one always has room for dessert no matter how full is actually a scientific fact. Not sure how accurate that is, but, I'll go with it it. That said, you MUST order dessert at Etch! I have had the Meyer Lemon Frozen Mousse (lemon curd, goat milk caramel, lemon crumble, brown butter pizzelle, cirtus segments) and Chocolate Hazelnut Crunch, both incredible. So....Now that I am pretty much out of positive adjectives, I'm going to wrap this up by simply saying if you haven't yet made it to Etch, you are missing out on the best of the best in Nashville.
(5)Rahel K.
My fellow yelpers, I cannot tell a lie. I told you I would return to Etch and update my review. Here it is..... Grabbed two seats at the bar. Ordered the happy hour wine ($5 - nice). Ordered octopus bruschetta appetizer..........A.....................MAZE.....Â...........ZING. The chopped fennel added a pleasant fresh crunch. Ordered the Copia entree - I have never tasted all those flavors together before. A halibut-type meaty white fish that is pan seared with a dressing of olives, fruit, capers, salty & sweet & savory & buttery and......it was an explosion of every taste bud. Oh - and then hide a beignet in that mountain of goodness just to soak up the juices. I loved it. Service was great. We had a great meal. Highly recommended.
(4)Jagan P.
Really solid. The sous vide steak was excellent -- a must try.
(5)Marcia M.
Oh, yes. Oh, hell yes. Oh, (beep) yes. (sometimes even I need to be censored) As someone who never had the luxury of enjoying a meal at brilliant chef Deb Paquette's previous venture, Zola... I had scraped together enough hear-say to know that Etch is a complete departure from the previous menu and aesthetic. I was finally able to enjoy a Paquette experience for lunch the other day and was very impressed. I should also start off by saying that parking WAS NOT an issue as I know that many locals get worked up about how/where/who to park but I pulled right up front and slipped a few quarters into the meter. You may also utilize the complimentary valet service too. Easy breezy, right? Next, I strutted my ravenous self into Etch's gorgeous modern space that boasts natural sunlight from the abundant windows throughout. Throw in lofty high ceilings, clean design, and a classic white tablecloth and you feel as if you've been whisked away to NYC. Many spots try to reenact the quiet sophistication that Etch so nicely pulls off. The space felt comfy and inviting yet chic' in the same breath. Rumblings of an "Etchy Hour" (happy hour) along with a Downtown Resident loyalty were program were in the air along with the capability for the space to be used as a venue for special events and dinner parties. A smaller private dining area (10-20ish guests) is nestled near the entrance too. Ready to get the scoop on the food? The extremely veg-friendly menu was much appreciated for this vegan and the doting and experienced server was great at suggesting some tweaks for my lifestyle. I opted to start off with an appetizer of Roasted Cauliflower ($8) to share and enjoyed the healthy yet filling dish. This normally comes paired with truffled pea pesto, salted almonds, and feta crema dipping sauces but he made some adjustments for me. For my main course, I chose the innovative Zucchini Slaw Roll ($9) that was a DELICIOUS concoction of arugula, fennel, red onion, roasted carrot, shiitake confit, avocado, and horseradish mayo (I altered to not include the mayo) paired with house-made potato chips. As a bit of a splurge, I tried the peach sorbet ($3 per scoop) and didn't feel the least bit guilty as i ate every last bite. Everything that I ordered was thoughtfully prepared, presented, and beyond tasty. I normally refrain from giving 5 stars on a first visit but I just can't help myself... Etch will definitely become one of my regular spots. My next visit will be to try out the dinner menu and to pony up to the bar to try their cocktail menu. This would be a fabulous spot to take a date... hint hint.
(5)Ted T.
Lively place near all of the downtown action. Art Deco. Fabulous food. Flavorful and lots of fun textures. I had the cobia. Very good. My wife had the filet infused w duck butter. The roasted cauliflower appetizer was very good too. I'd go back.
(5)Carolyn M.
Yum. Really really yum. We had the cauliflower app - this is really the time to not skip your veggies. The pesto pea mousse thingy is kind of amazing. I had the much-loved short ribs and (surprise!) frigging loved them. Hubby had the pork dish, which was also fanfreakingtastic. Two Jackalope pale ales a piece and total bill of $87? Yes please! (That's pre-tip and our server was a lamb, so it did get pricier when you add his comp in).
(5)Samuel M.
Fantastic food. Very overpriced, you are paying for the "atmosphere". Absolutely pathetic portion sizes, the appetizers were larger than my entree. Just go across the street to Southern Steak and Oyster.
(2)Samantha B.
Trusting the people of Yelp, we chose Etch as our first dinner in Nashville this past weekend. When we walked in, I was surprised by the set up of the space...very different than most restaurants in Philly, and more formal. The bread to start was great, but after that everything went downhill. I had to send my drink back (which I rarely do), and the second one wasn't much better. We shared multiple things and were in search of a slightly lighter meal. We started with the octopus and shrimp bruschetta and the cauliflower. While the cauliflower dish could have been promising, it was under-roasted and there was WAY too much of it. Cauliflower overload. Again, the bruschetta could have been promising, but we found it odd that it was served room temp. On to the next with hope of better dishes...the Katafi pastry. all of these flavors sounded great to us, but it was SO heavy! And the plate was loaded with a huge amount of gross looking (and not so great tasting) sauce. At this point we were a bit upset, but ordered the pork belly appetizer so we didn't leave hungry. Finally, the pork belly was delicious. However, it was served on a plate with tahini and blueberries?? Still confused about that one. To top it off, I felt like the server was trying to rush us out of the restaurant. Overall, I'd say Etch got a 2.5 in my book. Would not recommend for a relaxing and delicious date night.
(3)J H.
I'm just going to observe that yes, it's true. This was a culinary experience not simply a meal. Twelve of us. In the private dining sanctuary just to the right after entering the restaurant. We could see into the restaurant and not feel cut off, but it was our own space and the business, political, sports, and social conversations were enhanced by the venue, the food, and the service. I'm not going to force my menu choices on anyone else. Feel confident to range anywhere on the menu.
(5)Richard J.
Wow, that was completely amazing. The venison is rubbed with a spice that provides a gentle kick, and it's portioned just right. The taste reminded me of some of the best Indian/Pakistani meat dishes I've had, toned down a step or two in spice, with a better cut a meat that just melts in your mouth. Also on the plate is another worthy star: the ginger grits, supported by the tastes of pear butter and sweet potato guava. For dessert I ordered the chocolate hazelnut crunch, which was the perfect blend of sweet, salty, and - as the name implies - crunch. All in all, a fantastic dining experience, with attentive and helpful service.
(5)michael d.
Cool modern ambiance. Small bar, good drinks. Lamb crudo excellent. Menu not terribly inventive but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Good food, good presentation and excellent service are the keys to a good night out and that we had.
(4)Ursula M.
Fantastic food. Im not a dessert person but the citrus parfait was a revelation. The only (minor) quibble is that the portions ate a wee bit large.
(5)Natalie C.
Great restaurant and great food. Love the cauliflower appetizer and I love the scallop entree. Always good service and great food!
(4)David T.
I ate here for dinner during a recent trip. Every dish we had was fantastic from the concept to the execution. The cauliflower seems to be the fan favorite for good reason. The pork was moist and tender, and the venison was incredibly flavorful and soft. The sauces are definitely the highlight of the dishes at this restaurant. It is also centrally located near all the major broadway attractions.
(5)Jesse B.
Etch is one of my favorite restaurants in Nashville, and I've been to many of the competitors. 1. The food is excellent. I've heard some critiques that there is 'too much going on' which may be true. If you're worried about this, perhaps look elsewhere. But I love the varying flavors and contrasting things going on. 2. Ambiance is very trendy. Great place for a date, event, or to impress.
(5)robert l.
Okay, so I'm a terrible foodie - I admit it. Etch really scratches that itch, for sure. Now, I live in Northern California where the trend is "the simplest preparation lets the ingredients speak for themselves" - Etch ain't that. In fact, the only thing that keeps me from giving this place five stars is that there were SO MANY THINGS HAPPENING ON THE PLATE THAT I GOT DIZZY!!! That said, I had a great meal here. Let me 'splain. First course: pork belly with kimchi (and a whole bunch of other stuff). Now, we all know how easy it is to screw up pork belly: cooked too long, it gets greasy and tough; too short and it's even worse. This was absolutely perfectly cooked: soft, unctuous and thoroughly delicious. The kimchi, which I wouldn't have thought would work, was perfect (and, itself, delicious). Now comes the confusing part: the dish was served with two schmears of tahini and that was, in turn, accompanied by blackberries and raspberries (mind you, this is February in Nashville so you KNOW those berries aren't farm-fresh!). The tahini was simply confusing and out of place; the berries might have been nice if they were fresh and flavorful (they were neither) but as it was they were simply a jarring note to an otherwise delicious and perfectly executed dish. Main course: venison, served on a bed of ginger-inflected grits that was, in turn, served on a bed of sweet potatoes; the meat came with a dollop of cranberry conserve and was accompanied by a few daubs of banana/walnut emulsion and a scoop of pear butter. Are you feeling me now? The dish was really good - everything sang with a clear voice - but it was like sitting in a choir: the music was wonderful but deafening. The profusion of flavors forces you to eat slowly, which is a good thing, but when you do the dish suffers from temperature degradation, which is a bad thing. The grits, for example, started out hot and phenomenal; by the time I was halfway done they were lukewarm and had lost some of that "wow" factor. The service? Outstanding! The wait staff was universally terrific, the wine steward knowledgeable and incredibly spot-on and the restaurant has the best sous chef/expediter in the business (a critical component in executing the chef's vision - he's the best I've seen). Would I go back? Absolutely. I couldn't eat there every day - I'd go crazy - but for "anti-comfort" food that will engage you on every level, this is your place.
(4)W L.
Thanks to TripAdvisor, we enjoyed a great dinner with friends. The food was so good that I came back for lunch by myself the day after. The tuna bowl salad ($16) was worth the price: innovative, light, and yet flavorful. The roasted cauliflower was $9 for lunch and $10 for dinner: the serving is very fulfilling, enough for 4 people to share. The filet was very tender, the signature fish entree bursts with multiple flavors and is on the sweet side. The pork chop was cooked to perfection. Service at both times was attentive without being overbearing. Definitely worth the number 2 rating on Trip Advisor.
(5)Bill Z.
Amazing dynamic flavors, i had the lamb....every bite had a different nuanced combo of flavor. A rare but welcome change of pace....I had the pork belly and cauliflower appetizers too....both very good
(5)Stephanie C.
Etch was the best meal I had in 2013. It was my first time and we had it all- cocktails, appetizers, entrées, desserts... The whole 9 yards. The highlight of my meal was the venison. Because it was a special event I stretched my comfort zone tried something new and it turned out to be a real winner. The presentation and the taste were perfection. I was slightly underwhelmed by the atmosphere; it's pretty nonspecific trendy- urban. But it was convenient and clean and there was a valet. In the end, it's the food that matters most. I highly recommend this place.
(5)Glenn D.
Our best formal meal in Nashville. Cocktails and appetizers were especially good (including the cauliflower that everyone raves about). Service was also great. Enjoy!
(5)Bridgette C.
I would like to thank Etch, as I was in a foul mood when I first came here, by no fault of theirs (trying to go downtown to a symphony show while it was raining and the SEC tournament was at Bridgestone was not a good driving combo) and thanks to the lovely staff and service at Etch, I returned to my more pleasant form. A gorgeous space in downtown Nashville across from the Schermerhorn, Etch has gotten so much love from my friends that I was very excited to try it out. It was a great pre-show spot with a fantastic happy hour and a great bar with good bartenders. They have great appetizers based on my brief taste I am excited to try a real dinner here! While this may be my shortest review yet its only because my experience here was unfortunately brief, so tune in for an update soon.
(4)Jeremy E.
Best lunch in Nashville. Great value. Great food. This is my #1 spot for business lunches.
(5)Brian N.
I had a less than perfect meal at Etch last week, and let them know about it. In my entire life, I've never seen a chef or a manager go to such great lengths to correct the situation, and they should be applauded for it. If you're on the fence about going here, get off the fence and just GO! People who have that much passion for what they do should always be rewarded. Your meal will be fantastic; I know the chef and manager will see to that.
(5)Noelle T.
I guess I'm just not a foody like I thought I was! This stuff was just too complicated to taste good to me! I ate here for lunch today. We both took full advantage of the free valet because it is freezing. We had a lovely table by the window, great service, and a nice view of the Omni. Even though it was lunch they made an exception and brought us the butter appetizer you guys have been raving about trying but it was just too much for me. After eating the truffle butter, the French fat butter, the ginger peanut brittle butter, and the duck butter I already felt uneasy but I wanted to keep going to try to understand the love affair with Etch. Then we tried the roasted cauliflower with the pea pesto and feta crema which was fine. I like cauliflower and I've had some really good dishes here in town but I guess I expected it to blow my mind since everyone keeps talking about how great it is. I probably would have liked it better if the bar wasn't set so high in my mind. Next we shared the brisket pupusa. I love a good pupusa but it was so hard to find the little thing buried under thinly sliced brisket and multiple colored sauces. I pushed aside an onion, meat, cheese, a strange orange sauce, a red sauce, celery leaf avocado smash, lime crema, some veggies, then another white sauce and savored my one little soggy bite of pupusa - good but again all the sauces were very unappetizing to me. At this point in time I just wanted something normal but even the dessert menu seemed a little frilly. I settled on the poached apples, roasted apple puree, black currant sauce, toasted almonds, apple chips, on a twinkie...I mean vanilla cake...with a side of olive oil ice cream. Can't a girl just get a cupcake? Any way, I get why you guys like it. It's a taste exploration but I don't have that many calories in a day to explore with. If I am going to eat something I want it to provide nutrition and pleasure and perhaps a little simplicity. I will say I liked my wine and they make a mean cup of coffee. So there is that. Bottom Line: If you want an adventure in your mouth this is the place for you. If you just want a tasty and simple meal, look elsewhere.
(3)lisa j.
My favorite restaurant and I live in Chicago. You have to have the cauliflower appetizer, the beets & berries salad, the cobia entree and the chocolate pretzel bar dessert. These are all just AMAZING!!!
(5)Audrey D.
Absolutely amazing vegetarian creation- "Katafi Pastry"- spaghetti squash with sage, fontina cheese and golden raisins. poblano gravy, charred eggplant puree, black olive barley tapenade- for $19 - totally worth it. From the texture variations, to the colors to the tastes, it was RESPECT to vegetarian cusine, rather than the typical (boring) pasta dishes offered at most restaurants that are geared to meat eaters. Hubbie had the venison- he gave it a 5/5, but he actually became enamoured by my vegetarian dish, saying the dynamic range of taste was more vast than his meal. Ginger grits on the side; sweet and buttery. Bon appetit!
(5)Paula Jean K.
Nashville's No. 1 restaurant in Zagat's America's Top Restaurants 2014! We had the pleasure of dining here on a Saturday night. What a spectatcular experience! We were immediately greeted at the front door by a lovely hostess who brought us to our table. We perused the drink menu and chose 2 signature cocktails which were brought to our table promptly. Suddenly, the maitre d' comes over and apologizes to us because the table that we were seated at had been reserved for another party. Would we mind changing tables? No, Of course not. Drinks on the house! Really? That was awful nice! We ordered the Octopus and Shrimp Bruschetta, the Pork Loin and the Lamb Chop. Wow! Simply marvelous. Everything that we ate was well prepared, flavorful and beautifully presented. The lamb was so good that I really wanted to gnaw on the bone but since this was a very high class restaurant, I'm sure that, that, would have been frowned upon. The sides that accompanied out proteins were also delicious. The ambience was soothing. We felt very loved here. Etch is as good as it gets!
(5)Michael M.
I liked it. Very interesting menu with excellent service and presentation. The cauliflower was good (a little hard) but I prefer it fried. My friends had the bruchetta and loved it. I had the veggie thingy Katafi Pastry for a main course which was interesting & delicious. I'm a carnivore but took a shot and it was worth it. Plate went back to the kitchen clean. Hard to describe but a great alternate if you don't want to get weighed down on meat. The olive oil ice cream was good but was vanilla with or without the EVO....no matter what the waiter said ;-) Decent wine menu loaded with cabs; lite on Italians but we found something we liked. Impressed they had Pappy Van Winkle bourbon available.
(4)Alisha W.
The only thing I regret about my dining experience is that I was too full to try everything. I had very high expectations going into this dinner, and I was not let down. James my waiter was very knowledgeable with all of the dishes and was good about giving our space after we ordered. We started with a few cocktails and then we got the Octopus Bruschetta, it was delicious! So many good favors all mixed onto a delicious toasted bread. We them ordered a bottle of wine to go with dinner. My boyfriend had the pork tenderloin that was so good, the basic meat and potatoes done very well. I was shocked when he even ate the mushrooms! I was not very hungry so I did the tuna salad for dinner. There was plenty for dinner, I couldn't even finish it all. The dressing was light and tangy it went very well with the tuna. For dessert we had the chocolate fudge. It was very rich! The chocolate with the nuts and caramel all together made a great end to a wonderful meal. I will be back!
(5)Michael M.
A must! Sat at the chefs table and I have have to say from the moment I walked in I was greeted with excellent service. My waiter was spot on with solid knowledge of the menu wines and recommendations. I'm going back on Wednesday with friends. Go you will be pleasantly surprised!
(5)Robert U.
I was disappointed by Etch. The biggest problem was the service was unacceptably slow. Our appetizer took about 30 minutes to arrive. Our entrees arrived just before the ONE HOUR mark. Our server never mentioned anything like "your food is coming," or "sorry for the wait" or offered any sort of acknowledgement. Is this the norm here? The food was good. The cauliflower appetizer is nice. The okra side is really good, with an orange sauce and some feta cheese that complemented it. But generally, the food, while unique, was kind of bland.
(2)Victor H.
I can safely say that Etch is the best dining experience I've had in Nashville. The service is wonderful, the drinks are delicious and the atmosphere/decor is perfect for a great date night. Our server was very knowledgable and went out of her way to describe the menu. The food though, WOW, the food is what really shines. The pork dinner entree is one of the best things I've ever eaten. My wife purchased the 7oz filet and I couldn't believe or understand how tender and delicious it was... It literally melted in my mouth. Also, don't forget to leave room for dessert, the homemade ice cream is delightful, our server even brought us a candle in our dessert because we were celebrating my wife's birthday! If I could give this place six stars I would. Save up a little money and go have one of the best dining experiences Nashville has to offer.
(5)Jessica B.
The food here was delicious, fresh and even though it was a super busy day the service was fast and professional.
(4)Robby S.
For an elegant, finer dining experience... this is my go-to! The dishes were as beautiful as they were delicious. Who knew roasted cauliflower could be THAT incredible?! From the beet and berry salad to the perfectly cooked filet, I was nothing but impressed. Very professional and kind service from both our server and the manager who came by to check on us. If you're anywhere near this restaurant, make plans to have one of the best dinners in town there!
(5)Gary C.
Very busy so had to eat at the bar. Very comfortable and Paul was great. Pork belly app tasted fantastic but was extra fatty and small (the only reason I didn't give 5 stars). The filet steak was absolute perfection. I will be back to this place.
(4)Amanda B.
Maybe I ordered the wrong dish or maybe the kitchen was short handed, but after waiting over one hour for the entree, my venison arrived cold, room temperature at best. I'm no expert on venison, but I think it's traditionally a hot plate. I politely asked the waiter to heat up my dish, and he obliged by promptly returning with an entirely new venison dish. To my dismay, the replacement venison was still cold. I'm left to believe some menu items are pre-made and left waiting in the wings where they cool to room temperature before being served. Overall, it was a dissatisfying experience. I can't justify paying 30 dollars for two ounces of cold meat. Update: I'm happy to report the restaurant rectified the situation by crediting the meal.
(5)Caitlin C.
Probably one of the best service experiences I may ever have. If you've felt under appreciated lately, head on over to Etch. Kenneth (I hope that's right) was a fantastic server, he made my birthday fabulous with his patience and finesse! Also the fabulous bartender up front was very impressive, dealing with all the folks waiting for the tables but still wanting to squeeze in a pre-meal cocktail. If you are staying in downtown Nashville and you're looking for something that's not a twist on southern (like every other restaurant in town), check out Etch. Although the menu isn't seasonal and does not make much mention of local sourcing, the food was excellent and very unique. My particular favorites included the bruschetta with shrimp, octopus, capers and bacon, as well as the beet salad, which had a spicy kick and tart berries. I also really really enjoyed the olive oil cake dessert. In some cases the ingredients all seem sort of whacky, or the idea of putting them together seems whacky, but it just works! The place itself is simple and clean. Although yes it does resemble a hotel lobby it's not off putting. We were seated by the window with a view of the Country Music Hall of Fame and I quite enjoyed the atmosphere, it was refreshing not to be surrounded by barn wood and mason jars. If you're looking for a great fine dining experience in downtown, I would check out Etch!
(5)Alex G.
Among the very best, if not THE best meal I've had in Nashville yet. Went with a party of 6 and had the chance to try most of the menu: the Lamb, the Pork, the Cobia, Short Ribs, and Duck. Also had the Mussels (was actually replaced w/Shrimp), Cauliflower, Butter tasting, and Octopus. Each dish was delicious. Also, I should note that the service was fantastic throughout the meal. Everyone was knowledgeable and helpful and our waiter was happy to run back to the kitchen to address any questions we had that he couldn't answer himself. Big shout out to Deb and 2 big thumbs up for Etch. Also has a very solid happy hour.
(5)Kira S.
Easily the best restaurant in Nashville right now. The food is consistently well-executed, well-presented, and incredibly creative. We've dined here twice already and have yet to be disappointed in anything. Even foods that are not my favorite (short ribs, cauliflower) are so creatively utilized in dishes that they have changed my mind. Don't skip the butter tasting. Duck butter, smoked butter, goat butter...truly delicious and different. The short ribs are incredible - designed to look like a sushi roll with a panko coating. The one part that doesn't quite live up to the expectations the rest of the meal sets is dessert. The desserts we tried just weren't at the same caliber as the other parts of the menu, so don't feel bad if you skip out on it at the end. Service the second visit was better and more involved than the first visit. We had waited a little while for our entrees when our server informed us that the kitchen was not pleased with how my short ribs had turned out, so they were remaking it and would be a bit longer. Communication was helpful. Definitely get to Etch!
(5)Sugar X.
This is a date spot, absolute elegance. The staff is humble yet effective. The open air space lite by warm ambient light is romantic. The food selection tastes gourmet yet recognizable. I had the ginger grits, and short ribs both flavorful and thoughtfully plated. The riesling was served at a perfect temp.. Overall ritzy, world class service, make sure to dress up;)
(5)Sarah S.
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM. MMMMMMMMMMMMMM. MMMMMMMMMM. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Now I can begin: I went to Etch with a party of 6 others and it was simply glorious. We waiting at a table near the bar while our party was arriving and were quickly greeted and served drinks. As soon as our entire party was there, we were seated. The decor was open and airy, yet elegant. Our server was quite friendly and very well educated on the dishes. He explained each of the appetizers and entrees to us. While this may have been overkill for a party of 2, a party of 7 will have a wide variety of tastes, so I found it to be much appreciated. One thing to note is that the menu changes every 5 months or so; there may be a review about a dish you'd like to try that won't be there, so check the menu online ahead if you want to know what to expect. For the appetizer course, we agreed we'd love to taste them all, so our party ordered one of each and shared. Every single one shined in its own way, but all were completely mouth wateringly delicious. That Duck Butter was incredible! The Shrimp and Filo was savory and sweet and mmmmmmm those Short Ribs!!! All the dishes had flavors that were well thought out and played together in a super delish way. The Soup. Oh Blessed Blessed Soup. It was a chilled butternut squash soup (the rest of the details leave me as it was not on the menu) but sweet mother that soup was amazing. The men near me polished off their bowls. I found it to be slightly sweet (in a great way, but it was rich) so I gave it a good go, but couldn't eat it all. Meanwhile: Our server continued being amazing. The entrees ordered were the Pork Tenderloin, Lamb Chops, Cobia, Scallops, and the Filet. My order was the filet and good freaking food gods it was delicious. I'm a "steak ruiner" in that I really prefer medium well (I'm trying to get to medium...I am!). This can be challenging while cooking steak, I know. And while my steak was actually completely well done, it was still juicy and had a wonderful taste. It was served with a red wine sauce (hints of chardonnay and bacon...omg), horseradish and celery creamed potatoes, asparagus whips and topped with smoked duck butter. And it made my mouth water with every singe bite. (jealous yet? good. go eat this!) I was far too full for dessert, but several of our party indulged and I had a delicious cup of coffee and let my food settle. The dessert reviews were great so if you have saved room, go for it! Love love love Etch. Fully enjoyed every bite.
(5)Ali M.
One of the best meals ever -- comparable to a NYC 5 star restaurant. We sat at the bar for lunch and Paul was outstanding. Very helpful in making us non-alcoholic drinks, and then recommending some fine choices. The cauliflower appetizer was excellent and was an explosion of flavors. The brisket was fantastic and melded extremely well with the corn bread and the multitude of sauces accompanying it. The Thai chicken and quinoa was satisfying as well (ask for extra spicy) and you could taste distinct ingredients in every bite. Definitely don't miss and I'd recommend sitting at the bar with Paul.
(5)Liz S.
Decided to give Etch another try, as my food was phenomenal the first time and my roommate still hadn't dined here and wanted to go. As fate would have it, I had the same server as I did when I went with my boyfriend the first time. I'm pretty convinced, however, that either OpenTable or the restaurant itself had some sort of note taking system that "set us up," if you will. I'm also pretty certain that my server knew exactly who I was and that I was the one who wrote the previous review. Our server redeemed himself greatly and my dining experience was improved by a tenfold. I instantly knew he had improved when he asked my roommate and I right after we sat down if we would like to hear about the specials before or after our drinks and how we wanted to pace the evening. He was also extremely knowledgeable about all of the dishes we ordered and was happy to answer any questions we had. He was always present when needed, but not pushy or trying to rush us. When it came to our food choices, my roommate and I decided to order a few items and share, mostly so we could try many of the amazing flavors Etch has to offer. We started with the cauliflower and the soup of the day, which was some sort of a pumpkin bisque with a perfectly cooked seared scallop. The cauliflower was outstanding (the one thing I told my roommate we HAD to get), and the soup had an enjoyable sweet flavor without being too much. The two of us split the lamb entree, and the meat was so tender and cooked to a perfect medium rare. Another standout accompaniment to the dish was a filo pastry filled with cheese, spinach, and cooked in duck fat. Outstanding. We finished up with the coffee panna cotta, and it was the perfect balance of flavors, textures, and sweetness. I expected the food to be top notch, but the improvement in hospitality that our server made is what really blew me away. It meant so much that Etch had taken the initiative to address the previous issue and that this particular server had personally improved on so many levels. Because of this experience, I can guarantee you I will be back many times in the future, and will probably even ask for this server again! :)
(5)Quin T.
Absolutely fantastic!!! I sat at the Chef's table & it was really cool to see the staff in action. Mark was my waiter and he was extremely knowledgeable and very professional. For starters I chose the roasted cauliflower & they accommodated me by giving me a single portion because I was dining solo. For my main course I originally chose the Cobia, but it was too citrusy for me, so I opted for the scallops. I requested no bacon & I heard several people call out no bacon, however, when I received my meal, bacon was on it. Not to worry, the staff apologized profusely & I received the perfect plate. I felt like a pain in the ass, but the staff made me feel wonderful & for that I am grateful! The scallops were some of the most amazing scallops I have ever had & I travel all over the world, so that's saying a lot! I was way past stuff & still kept going!!
(5)erin z.
Amazing.
(5)Kathleen W.
My entire experience and everything I ate at Etch was perfect. There is just not much more to say. Every bite was memorable. Service was fantastic. Well done.
(5)Karyn C.
Nice, fresh greens. The barley in the chorizo soup - so good. Plus, chef Deb checked to see if I was enjoying the food!
(4)Chrissy L.
Everything is interesting, creative and delicious. Out of our meal, the duck confit with the foie gras butter app and the short ribs served to look like sushi rolls as a main were the best. But I get the feeling you cant go wrong here. Some of the best food I've had in Nashville.
(5)Jim C.
I can't complain here. Our waiter team was excellent and friendly. The manager is top notch and really cares that his diners are having a wonderful experience. The decor is elegant, chic and very fun. The restaurant has a wonderful vibe with a combination of young and old who are out to have outstanding cuisine. My duck/foie gras was sheer perfection. My only issue is that this restaurant works so hard at being artistic and innovative, that some dishes lack that warm and comfy taste that comes with simplicity. My filet was of the highest quality but I wouldn't say that I absolutely loved it. Still, I admire what the chef/owner/manager/staff are doing to create a magnificent restaurant.
(4)Chris S.
The food is beyond solid as is the service. This is one of those places where you might order something that you end up not particularly liking, but still recognize that's it's good and other people probably love it. I did find the off menu squash bisque great as well as the roasted cauliflower. Filet and pork loin were both prepared perfectly.
(4)Glenn F.
I have been to Etch twice; once for dinner and once for lunch. I am convinced that Chef Deb Paquette has out done herself from Zola. The menu was obviously created with much thought and experience. The flavors are magnificent. On each occasion, I have ordered the cauliflower appetizer. The truffle oil and pea pest are exquisite. The short rib entree was delicious, but the waygu beef hot dog was so surprisingly scrumptious. Ambiance, location and prices make this place #1 on my lunch preferences. Keep it up Deb Paquette. You rock!
(5)David L.
What a delightful find for out of towners. We found Etch on Yelp! and we couldn't have been more pleased. We started off with the Etch salad and the Ratatouille Crudo - both delicious. Then we had the Pork Tenderloin - with porcini dusted with manchego, caramelized onion, potato, chorizo, spanish mountain mushroom sauce, and truffle oil to top it off was out of this world. The Lamb Chops, with merguez sausage brik, cauliflower feta cream, tomato chermoula, and more were truly the best lamb chops I have ever eaten and I have eaten a lot of lamb chops.
(5)Soha L.
Cauliflower appetizer with the truffled pea purée. Please do not leave without ordering that. Butter tasting was interesting. My husband had the pork tenderloin which I can't speak to because he only gave me one bite, apparently he really enjoyed it. I had Moroccan lamb dish and it was fantastic! The vegetables were perfect and the charmoula sauce was nothing short of incredible, I would order it as a bisque. The merguez sausage in the pastries would have been great if it wasn't so incredibly salty, that was the only pitfall that night. Other great highlight is the sweet bartender that was working that night, he was so personable and knowledgeable. We enjoyed him as much as our meal.
(4)Betsy A.
I am in Nashville on business about once a month and love the culinary scene. I had the pleasure of dining at Etch--all I can say is OH MY GOD. Truly one of the best meals I have EVER eaten. The soup was some kind of blue cheese with bacon--it was so good I wanted to lick the bowl. I had the vegetarian concoction Katifi Pastry--spaghetti squash, kale and other veggies wrapped up in phylo dough and sautéed. The presentation looked like a beautiful bird's nest. I cannot even explain the flavor of this--it was an explosion of taste in my mouth. My friend had the pork tenderloin which was OMG good, too. Highly recommend this place--great atmosphere and the food is off the chain!
(5)Jessica A.
We had a tremendous experience at Etch while visiting Nashville. We started with the cauliflower and the favors were amazing. My husband had the lamb and I had the venison. Cooked to perfection. Ginger grits were a highlight for me. I wish I had thought of that myself! I would highly recommend this restaurant to everyone!
(5)Andrea D.
We were in town for the night and were told this was a great place. It did not disappoint. Roasted cauliflower was stupendous and the scallops and filet was divine. My husband loved it even more than I did and he is a tough cookie. Would recommend this restaurant for sure. Great dining experience we will return the next time we are in town
(5)WillVenture W.
So many new restaurants these days try WAY too hard to be "distinct". They usually do this by complicating the menu with hard to pronounce words that only foreign trained chefs understand, as well as filling their menus with too many dishes that just don't work - in the failed hopes of being "different", which they think will somehow make them "distinct" and "better" than their competitors. For too many restaurants these days, "different" equals "bad". It is immediately apparent that they worked harder to make the menu fancy and usually confusing rather than making the actual dishes delicious. When I read a description for Etch, I was worried that it may fall into that category. I was very wrong, because that is not the case at all. The octopus was the best I've ever had. And the cauliflower, which I normally loathe, was one of the best tasting vegetables I've ever had. All the dishes, from drinks to appetizer to entrées desert, were great! It's also a great scene... just a block from Broadway, but still off-the-beaten-path enough to not fall into the tourist trap and bachelorette party abyss that downtown can turn into. Recommend!
(4)Josh K.
Good food but didn't have the best experience overall. I would put this in with silo and cafe fundamental as great restaurants that aren't the best in the city. Need to try it again soon though. might have to update my review after reading others.
(4)G C.
After such a terrible experience at Etch last night on 5/29/14, I thought it was time to write my first yelp restaurant review, ever. We arrived at Etch and wanted to sit at the bar, as the two other girls I was with were all ("fine dining") bartenders. They told us we would have to wait, although, there were plenty of seats at the Chef's bar- luckily, I discovered this and asked if we could sit there. After being seated, the server came up to us and we wanted to order a bottle of wine. We were very detailed on what sort of wine we wanted, with hope for some guidance, we received almost nothing. Knowing nothing about wine, he recommended the house merlot/cabernet blend and fortunately we were able to taste it. After leaving for ten minutes, he then decided to come back and ID us (we get it, ABC is cracking down, but ID us as we order, please?). The merlot/cab was not the greatest so we got a bottle of syrah and it was good. Before even ordering the bottle of wine, which took about 30 minutes to received, we immediately ordered the brussel sprouts so we could put something in our bellies, as we were starving. We were able to order our food about 30 minutes after that and told him how starving we were- we happened to sit right in front of the bread and noticed servers were providing their tables with bread so we had to ask for bread (not sure why he didn't want to provide it to begin with?). Our appetizers came out, but over an hour later, still no brussel sprouts. Instead of apologizing or even taking the brussel sprouts off the check- considering, it was pointless for them at this point as we had some form of food, he just gave us a dumbfounded look and said he was not sure why our brussel sprouts weren't out . They even forgot to make my salad, but that was an easy, fast fix, as it is a salad- good thing it wasn't my entree? The beets and berries salad was very tasty, but then again, it's just greens and cheese with fruit and veggies. The other two got the tuna and shrimp and the cauliflower- I didn't care much for the tuna, but the cauliflower was okay. I couldn't decide on what entree to order, so went for two appetizers. The duck confit was mildly over cooked, and I'm not sure why anyone would want to overload that dish with sweetened orange peels to make such a dish even richer, but it was unpleasant and untouched. The octopus and shrimp bruschetta had potential but it was packed with so much rich and salty foods it was far too overwhelming and heavy. My poor sister was visiting from Sonoma, CA, and this, sadly, being our only dinner outing on her visit, had the pork tender loin and it was, by far, the worst tenderloin I have ever had. It reminded me of a mix between a mediocre mexican with a sweetened curried indian dish- nothing matched well with this dish at all. It's actually grossing me out thinking of the taste. The charcuterie salad was pretty good, however. At this point we want to leave as fast as we can, the server was so inconsiderate. Kissing every body's asses but ours. Finally, he provided us with the check and we immediately threw a card down, as we really just wanted to leave and go somewhere else to get the taste out of our mouths. He swiped the card and realized he left the bottle of wine off the check. Came back, weakly apologized added another 30-40 minutes to provide us with the "proper" check. I had to go outside, as I was so annoyed with this awful server- maybe it was his first day of ever serving? Lucky for him, we still tip 20% no matter what. But when the girls came out to showed me the check I noticed he charged us MORE for the bottle of wine than what it was listed on the wine list. Some form of manager happened to be outside so I informed him of the improper charge and the terrible service and he offered to give us a gift certificate. I kindly rejected his offer, as I will never step foot in that building again. Although, this was one of the worst "fine dining" experiences I have ever had... out of many... there was a lady running food and she was great, her presence was enjoyable. Super professional. If only she could've taken care of us, then this review probably would have never happened.
(1)Kurt R.
Etch lives up to all of the 5 star ratings! The service was impeccable, the food excellent. Our server - Kristen - was knowledgeable about everything on the menu, from how it was prepared down to the ingredients in each dish. We will definitely return to Etch.
(5)Susie C.
Amazing! No other way to say it. We were visiting from NY and found this place on yelp. We ordered then cauliflower appetizer because of the reviews and it was unbelievable. Believe me, this will make anyone a cauliflower convert. And the meal just got better from there. Five stars, two thumbs up, worth every penny.
(5)Meitra A.
Wow! I am very particular about awarding any restaurant 5 stars, but Etch definitely earned that rating. The food was creative in the combinations of flavors - pork belly and smoked tofu? Incredible! The service was fantastic, although it was clear they were extra attentive in hopes of drawing back the local crowd. Great place to dine before the symphony. We will definitely be back.
(5)Dustin B.
Excellent service and food to match. I loved the atmosphere and the staff was very helpful. Had some very interesting and modern takes on classic dishes which were a welcome surprise and change! I will most definitely go back :)
(5)J L.
Went for dinner for 3 people. Business dinner so we orderd a bit of everything. Appetizers were great (roasted cauliflower, pork belly, and octopus/shrimp bruschetta were all great). I ordered the short ribs which were delicious, and I liked the accompaniment noodles (Asian flavored). My two colleagues ordered the lamp chop, they both thoroughly enjoyed. Two desserts (Mocha and Panna Cotta) were good. Bottle of Amarone wine was very good. Only complaint is service- our server was very friendly and knowledgable and professional, but for some reason it took a long time between ordering drinks/wine to ordering food (first ordered appetizers, then took a very long time to come back and take our entree orders). The meal took a very long time due to long gaps between our server coming back to our table. Decor and space are good for business lunch/dinners or more special/formal occasions. But the bar (small bar at entrance, and long food bar facing the open kitchen) seemed like good places to grab a drink and bite for a more casual feel. Would be great place to eat before an evening at the Symphony or night out.
(4)Louis J.
Fabulous meal! My wife and I enjoyed a great evening at Etch. Our table location was great and out server was attentive and knowledgeable. The drinks were delicious and if anything went down too easily. The beet salad was terrific as was the butter tasting. My wife had the short ribs and I had the cauliflower. Bothe were generous portions and delicious. A wonderful evening; we'll be back!
(5)Richard N.
Awesome flavors. Atmosphere was good. only downside with trendy restaurants is that it gets a little loud. We sat at the bar. I thought the service was fine. The smoked pea puree is absolutely amazing. Everything was spot on including their cocktails.
(5)Chris S.
We ate at Etch three days ago for lunch, and it's still on my mind. I had the pork loin roll up and my wife had the chicken. We also had the roasted cauliflower. Outstanding in all respects. I think I am now a truffle oil junkie.
(5)Lisa J.
Great delicious food. This is worth the money and reservations! The trout was the best I have ever had... so may flavors coming together for amazingness in your mouth. Drinks were good and service was great. Definitely a place to come back to for special nights!
(5)Nadia h.
Great Food! We loved the short rips, cauliflower, duck confit...our waiter not that great but the food and cocktails made up for it!
(5)Be G.
We happened to go here because The Southern was full - and we're glad we did. Service was attentive without being overbearing, and the flavors were outstanding. We ate at the kitchen bar, which was great for a: watching food, and b: scoring a comp'ed appetizer that had been prepared by mistake. We didn't have time to linger, but we will be back in the future.
(4)Carolyn R.
Second visit to this restaurant, and truly disappointing. I bought out of town business colleagues, thinking a nice meal and a walk downtown to see the sights. The service tonight was wretched. Glacial comes to mind. A full hour between appetizers and dinner. The food was poor as well. The roasted cauliflower was excellent, as was the seared tuna salad, but the spaghetti squash was a greasy, salty mess. The scallops had a deep fried congealed mass of something unidentifiable. No one at the table finished their entree except the one who ordered the venison. By the time we finally got out of there, it was way too late to explore downtown. There seems to be a heavy reliance on dots of spooge on the plate to provide flavor. At these prices, I expect an excellent tasting meal, and good service with a bit of style. Style we got....service and taste, not so much.
(2)Billy C.
Great food and everyone was extremely helpful, friendly and attentive.
(5)Kyle F.
Outstanding presentation. Very professional staff. Beautiful restaurant. Complimentary valet parking. The menu is a bit limited, but it is made up for by the breadth of dishes on the menu. Extensive wine selection. High recommend to those looking for a nice dinner downtown.
(5)L J.
I was a little skeptical when I saw the menu selections and since this is such a new restaurant but it was a great experience - we basically just sampled a ton of stuff on the menu and my mistake was that by the time the entree arrived, I could barely eat another thing! What I liked most was that the wait staff is EXTREMELY friendly, so it takes away any "stuffy" attitude that you can sometimes get with these type of restaurants. Not to mention the food was superb. Would go back in a heartbeat.
(5)August T.
Classy! Was sad that Zola closed years ago, but am now delighted with Etch and its location! Food, of course, by Ms. Paquette met - no, actually exceeded - expectations. Ample portions for the price and, of course, delicious. Don't miss this gem.
(5)Lisa H.
Amazing dining experience! I went here with a few coworkers while we were in town for a work meeting. We raved about every dish we had! We started with the mussels app and the butter tasting. The truffle butter was the best, but they were all yummy. We then had the cobia, pork tenderloin, and cauliflower entrees. We each enjoyed our own meals and tasted each others as well. The flavors and spices were so vibrant! For sides, we tried the okra and ginger grits. I was fearful of the okra, but it tasted great! The ginger grits were sweet, but not too sweet. We were stuffed after our meals but couldn't resist trying the chocolate chai panna cotta. The amazingness (is that a word?) continued! Every part of this meal was perfect! My only downside was that service was a bit slow, yet I felt well taken care of. I highly recommend this restaurant and am looking forward to eating here again when I return to Nashville.
(5)CC S.
I really wanted to like Etch, but it does have some kinks to work out. Our server was very knowledgable and not overbearing. Others in the restaurant were nice and friendly. The food was the downfall. We ordered the Beets & Berries salad, Etch salad, Short Ribs, and Filet. The salads were great. The entrees need some work. The short ribs by themselves were great. The side of asian salad that came with it didn't fit well with the rest of the dish and was heavily dressed. The noodles looked like they were in a soup due to the dressing of the stir fry salad. It was almost inedible due to the heavy hand. I ordered the Filet medium and when it arrived it was well-done. I didn't have time to send it back since I had a show to get to after dinner. It was so-so. For the price, I wasn't very pleased. The mushroom/bread side it came with was good, but very heavy and there was a lot of it. It seemed to fit with the filet at first, but after a few bites it started to be off-putting. Maybe I'll give Etch a few months and try it again.
(3)Lauren F.
We loved lunch at etch! The server was helpful with recommendations, and we got to try a lot of things for a very reasonable price. We loved the roasted cauliflower app, and the cobia with mango salsa and donut bread was such an interesting combination, and wonderful! You have to get the chai panna cotta. It was amazing, and I don't usually like panna cotta. Can't wait to go back for dinner!!
(5)Holly B.
really inventive menu and wonderful service. loved the truffle butter and also really enjoyed the duck breast. it definitely seems very up and coming and I would definitely go back!
(5)Cory A.
So after much anticipation, I and three other companions enjoyed an incredible dining experience at Etch! Greeted warmly by the Hostess, who's name I can not remember, remembered me from my visit during mock service. She is on her game. My party was immediately seated and we all quickly had our designs on the bar menu. Intrigued by the pre-prohabition style cocktails we collectively chose the French Seventy Five, a beautifully well composed mix of Bourbon, Champagne and citrus. Don't let the crisp, light and fragrant taste fool you, as a couple of these could glue your "hiney" to the chair. We decided to share three appies...The Pork Belly with smoked tofu bathed in a smooth and rich chinese braise that turned out to the perfect "sop" for pastry chef Megan's rosemary rolls that accompanied the exsquisite butter tasting of truffle, plugra,goat and duck butters. Ahhhh, the Octopus & Shrimp Bruschetta! The creamy taste and firm texture of the SousVide octopus with manchego and roasted tomato "Viola"! I expressed to our attentative and knowledgable server, Brent, "Pacing myself at this point is futile, but I am gonna power thru, so bring it on!" and he did! We all chose something different so as to share as much of the experience as possible. So here we go...The Japanese Short Ribs & Korean noodles in a shrimp/carrot aioli. "Holy Moly!" Porcini crusted Pork Tender Loin in a spanish mountian mushroom sauce with a polish of truffle oil brought this dish to the perfect shine! This next one, apparently new to the menu, had the ultimate visual star power...Sea Scallops on a bed of white truffle smashed potato with a regal giant prawn standing stately in the center like a gastronomic Bird of Paradise! Oh Mama!!! I relinquished my selection to the suggestion of GM Richard Peterson. I was not dissapointed! He surprised me with the Moulard Duck Breast in a perfect blend of Moraccan spices & carrot pear sauce with a cinnamon crumble giving the dish a warm holiday feel...Yum!!! Just before the dessert, Chef Deb Paquette came to our table to check on our visit. All I could say to her was "congratulations"! So comes the "Finale". The table shared the SemiFreddo Goat Cheese Mousse with an intense raspberry gelee blushed with a hibiscus sauce. My need for coffee was sated with the last dish....A gorgeous Mocha Chocolate Caramel Fudge Mousse.....The perfect cup of Chocolate Caramel Macchiato! KUDOS to the entire team! I can not recall a dining experience Like the one I had at Etch that embodied the entire essence of incredible food, wonderful companions and an environment that whispers to me "Come Back"! You must GO!!! Maybe I will see you there, because I am heeding the call!
(5)Gina H.
I will be brief, but you have to go. Etch is excellent from the front door to the amazingly talented kitchen. Excellent wine and beer list, well thought out and not so large you get lost in the selections. Friendly, non robot like servers with a real interest in you experience and knowledge to guide you through the experience. Comfortable streamlined room that has a " not so stuffy" feel. Great energy, great space, great people and excellent food. If you want to go to a restaurant and feel at ease and know the quality is there, this is the place.
(5)TJ S.
truly an unbelievable meal.
(5)Vanessa H.
My review is short and sweet. I think I am too old for trendy restaurants. I will say that the butter course was unique and tasty, and that the cauliflower appetizer, and especially the spreads that came with it, were inspiring. My husband had the short ribs and although he said they were good (not great) he noted that the side that came with them was odd. I tried both and I have to agree. I had the scallops and prawn and it was off somehow. Overspiced and too dusky in flavor whereas the thickly sliced veggies underlying the dish were clunky and flavorless. However, the bar was fun, although a little tight space-wise, and the bartender, the server and all personnel I came in contact with were courteous and went the extra mile. Will I return, no. I live and work in the greater Nashville area, and although I enjoy going south of Broadway, I tend to eat in the West End area or Cool Springs if I am headed out for the evening. I did, however, have a beer at Jackalope on 8th before meeting my husband on the train from Lebanon--now THAT was a fun time!
(3)Cathy U.
I was such a huge fan of the restaurant Zola's and was anxiously awaiting for this restaurant to open. It did not disappoint, Wonderful food, and wonderful location. Nashville is lucky to have such a world class chef as Debra Paquette. The entree portions are very creative and as usual very appealing to the eye. Everything would have been perfect except for our waiter, who had the worst attitude for a restaurant of this calibre. Yes, I do expect good service and attentive service when paying these prices for food. Part of dining out is not just the food, but the experience as a whole. The place is beautiful, the food delicious, why should the evening be ruined by a most pompous waiter who isn't that good to begin with. We had to ask for bread, never got it and had to ask twice for coffee at the end of the meal. Any questions asked about the menu were met with an unwillingness or at least an incredibly rude attitude. Really, I have had much better service at Chile's. Please address this issue of the rude waiters if you expect to have repeat customers.
(3)Tonna H.
This restaurant is easily in contention for best restaurant in Nashville. Menu, food quality, presentation and professional wait staff rival offerings in larger cities. (Once had a Myers Lemon Pie slice that was so good I could have eaten the whole pie and still begged for more!) Never pass on the opportunity to dine at this establishment.
(5)W L.
You know food is good when you SMILE. It's great when you DANCE. But to EXPERIENCE the two and also feel the LOVE of put into every individual morsel that is placed on a plate is truly rare and something to be cherished. Delightful is not a word to describe the passion placed in the creations here.
(5)Ed P.
This place is just awesome. They have valet parking which makes going downtown much easier. The food and service was top notch. Tried the butter tasting and is was perfect. Could have made a meal out of that. I had the pork loin and I have never had pork loin that tender. It melted in my mouth and was perfect. The entrees have layers of flavors and textures. They look like a work of art on a plate. The only negative comment I would make is the atmosphere is open and very busy. If you are looking for a quiet dinner, this may not be your place. If you are looking for great food, it is a must visit.
(5)Julia W.
Was in Nashville, TN for a business trip. This was probably the best meal I had the whole time I was here. Cauliflower indeed is amazing. I had the fish for dinner which was very fresh and flavorful. My friend had the pork tenderloin - it was to die for. If I am ever in this town again, I'd go to Etch.
(5)Katie I.
Was not expecting a good meal at all since we've had such disappointing dining experiences lately. However, my husband and I were both pleasantly surprised at how good it was. We sat at the chef's bar and split the etch salad- very delicious. I had the scallops which were wonderful and beautifully presented. My husband had the filet which was fabulous. Awesome cut of meat and so tender. We were both surprised at how delicious it was. We were too full for dessert. I will say the menu had a Moroccan flair- lots of citrus, raisins and the like. I'm usually not a citrus-y person, but what we chose for dinner were both hits. Will return!
(4)Emily W.
Absolutely amazing. Per other people's reccomendations, I ordered the roasted cauliflower. The truffle pea pesto that comes with this is so delicious. Because of this dish I have now had roasted cauliflower last night for dinner and today for lunch. Sounds so simple, but so good! Everything was amazing, the mint chocolate ice cream made with was incredible. Great atmosphere, definitely make a reservation, this place fills up. Our server Lane was so knowledgeable and I was so impressed by the fact that the servers get to try the dishes, that lets me know the restaurant really cares about making sure their customers have great reccommendations. Best restaurant in Nashville!
(5)Jade D.
Delicious, delightful and definitely worth a visit!!!! I liked it so much I gave it 5 stars but it does only deserve a 4.5 because ((at this point/in my opinion) the 2 desserts we ordered looked and sounded better than they tasted). HOWEVER, shame on me for starting off on the negative when the food (besides dessert), service, ambiance and design of this place are SUPERB. Menu items were interesting and well executed and left each member of our table of 7 pleased. I chose for colleagues/clients and everyone was complimenting me on the pick. The cobia was the standout ((although my beignet it was seated on (how fun!) was a bit overcooked)) but I would have still ordered the dish and I ate most of the beignet. HA. Had to stop myself from devouring it all. Really delicious white, meaty fish in a unique, tasty preparation. Larger portions than I expected--I could have shared my dish. Other stand out was the octopus and shrimp bruschetta which I ordered for the table, however wished I ordered it all to my gweedy lil self ; p Love the seats at the "food bar" where you can watch the chefs in the open kitchen. If I went back for date night, I would def sit there. Too bad I am out of town or I would be back with my fincer!! .... def def dine at Etch, you will be glad you did!! XoX
(5)Andrew V.
We would give 6 stars if possible--- the food and service were incredible. Scallops, shrimp & octopus bruschetta, lamb chops (rare), and ratatouille salad were all fantastic to the last bite. Been to tons of nice restaurants in the world and have very high praise for Etch.
(5)Nicki R.
Beautiful restaurant. Beautiful food. And what's more, everything tasted as good as it looked! Started with the Butter Tasting. Definitely a must for your first time but not sure I would have to have it every time. Next, the Duck Confit. I enjoy going to the park and feeding the ducks so I have a little bit of a hard time eating duck. (It's my own issue, I know) all that to be said, our waited suggested it, so we got it. I still think about it. It was hands down my favorite course of the evening. Next, the Etch Salad. Delicious mix of greens, tart apple, nuts and a zesty champagne vinaigrette. For our main course, I got the trio of scallops and my husband got the filet. Both delicious and both highly recommended. And then dessert. I mean, who has room for dessert after all that? Um, we did. And it was amazing. Warm Banana & Chocolate Cake, peanut buttercream, chocolate sauce, peanut brittle, banana citrus sorbet. Boom.
(5)Peter C.
Great meal, great wine
(5)Dede H.
Really good dinner while visiting Nashville! Our server was very friendly, quite knowledgeable about the menu. We had the tasting of 4 kinds of butter--European, duck, truffle, and our favorite, goat butter They were out of the two entrees I wanted, the cobia and scallops. Ordered vegetable plate which was really good, colorful and artistic. Would have preferred my original choices.My husband enjoyed his filet.They were out of the pumpkin dessert, so we had a nutella tarte--yummy with a very nice presentation. The atmosphere is minimalist, could use a few warm touches. Has a private dining area. The parking attendant was especially nice--pulled our car up for us as we prepared to leave.
(4)Courtney E.
This restaurant and chef were absolutely amazing. We ordered the butter tasting, lamb, venison, and a couple other dishes. The combinations of taste and texture were unique but spot on. Our waiter gave great recommendations and explained which parts of the dish were meant to complement each other. The ambiance of the restaurant is great too. Whether a date night or a group dinner, this place won't disappoint! We will definitely be back in the near future, and I'm hoping to try out the lunch menu sometime.
(5)Pepper P.
Loved Etch. Decor, elegant and clean, you can watch the chefs create their beautiful plates right from their tidy, bright, friendly bar, The service is quite good, the only downside was the (i think) manager that hit me with the fake smile and asked (told) me to move down because apparently I had sat myself at a spot where you had to have reservations.. I don't mind being asked to get up or even to wait if I have perhaps made a misstep, but the faker tooth condescending smile and obvious irritation? Yep, my neighbors totally noticed too. The rest of the staff was perfect and twice what I had expected. Wine list, excellent. Beet salad, delightful. Lamb shank, awesome. Pork chop.....yep, fantastically cooked to tender perfection. My neighbor's panacotta looked divine and they said it was. My only huge regret was that I could not possibly have another bite. Next time, Etch I promise. Bravo! Keep up the fantastic service and food. a little tweak with front of the house service and you'll be all the way there!!
(4)Stacy T.
How great is Etch? AMAZING. I've been here twice, once when my in-laws were in town and another for a Christmas dinner (in the private room). Both times, the experience was incredible. If you like fish, the Cobia is the way to go. It's served on a beignet and the Turkish spices they use, along with the mango, makes it a real hit! I could eat this dish over and over and never tire of it. It really is fantastic. Also, the curry cauliflower is really delicious and a great compliment to the Cobia. Others in my group have had the short ribs (father-in-law raved about them), filet, etc. Also, we did the butter tasting. It was great, but it's not really the star of the menu. Everything I've had here is great and you won't be disappointed by your experience here. 5 stars every day of the week.
(5)Ryan D.
Big space, fit for tables for two as well as large groups. Friendly, attentive service - we didn't even notice our entrees were running a bit behind, but our server did, and offered up free dessert. Appetizers were strong - it's odd to really, really enjoy a salad but the blend of bitter radicchio, champagne vinaigrette and fruit was perfect. My wife enjoyed her venison but we agreed that the lamb was beyond excellent. Precisely cooked, wonderful cuts. In aggregate, the accompanying filo dough puffs, mint, tapenade, and apricot bits made this middle eastern-ish dish entirely delicious.
(4)Kate S.
Nothing inherently wrong here. Everything was good, but nothing was great. Ordered a couple of cocktails that were so forgettable, I can't even remember what I ordered. For appetizers, we did the lamb tartare and the shrimp and octopus bruschetta. I found the portion sizes to be pretty generous for an appetizer, almost too much. The lamb tartare was a little gamey, but it's lamb, and that's to be expected. The shrimp and octopus bruschetta was more like an open faced sandwich, not the little bite-sized crostinis I was expecting. After eating all the seafood and greens off top, you were left with a huge piece of french bread. The octopus and shrimp mixture was a little salty. For the main course, we did the cobia and the Duck Ratatouille Crudo. The Cobia was perfectly cooked, and the combination of flavors was really unique. But unlike other reviewers, we felt that the bignet just was self-indulgent and didn't add to the dish. It was like, "Oh, here's a donut. Just because we can". It was too sweet. The duck was maybe a tad bit dry, and wasn't much of it. It was almost hiding under a very large salad in the middle of the plate. This must have been the "crudo" portion of the dish - lots of thinly sliced, raw root vegetables. It was just OK. For dessert, we did the chocolate pretzel bar. It was probably the best part of the meal, but not anything I'd go out of my way for. This review may be a little harsh, but we had one night in Nashville and we really expected better things. I wouldn't return.
(3)Jenny A.
Just ok. Given all of the reviews, I was really expecting a lot more from this place. My bf and I ordered the venison and pork (entrees) and roasted cauliflower, and bruschetta (appetizers). The venison was solid. The pork was doused with so many different sauces and sides that it really took away from the meal. This was also true for the bruschetta. Less is more sometimes.
(3)Claudia A.
Wow! So I'm at Nashville with my fiancée for a voice conference and one of the SLPs told us this is a must! So we drove here from the Opry Gaylord (not good but that's another story) and when we arrived here they said they couldn't take us because it was completely booked. Soooo that made me want to eat here even more. We walked around looking for a place to eat and we came back here because there was no other place like this. Luckily we found 2 empty chairs at the bar and Paul (bartender/ server) helped us (he was amazing, didn't try to upsale us at all). We had appetizers because they are huge! Both the shrimp and Octupus bruschetta and the cauliflower was delicious! Come here and you won't want to go anywhere else.
(5)Jessica M.
Food was awesome and came in huge portions, staff was really welcoming and helpful, and my food allergy requests were seriously cared for above and beyond. They bake gluten free rolls from scratch and gave me grilled zucchini in place of focaccia for the octopus bruschetta appetizer. It was great.
(5)Lin B.
Food/dining out doesn't get any better than this, seriously. Deb Paquette is a FOOD ARTIST. A chef whose ingredient palate is so diverse, so unique, so exciting, she deserves recognition as one of the top chefs in the country, if not the world. She is a culinary genius. You absolutely must eat here if you are in Nashville and consider yourself a fortunate 'foodie' if you do! Etch takes savoring food to a totally different level. The entire restaurant (so attractive and comfortable as well) runs like a well-designed machine. No detail is overlooked. The service and attentiveness of the staff (all staff) is impeccable. Now for the food details! Our goat cheese tart with greens and the beets and berries salad kicked off what was an unbelievable combination of flavors and textures. Next up Cobia (a flaky white fish) a dish that was fusion of Persia, The New South, and Cuba. Absolutely amazing combination of spices and ingredients. The Fish of the day was outstanding as well. We topped off our meal with the frozen lemon merengue that was another 'surprise', as in "how in the world do they create this???!". What an awesome meal. Thank you, Deb and Etch 'family' food professionals!
(5)Matt W.
A tale of two meals...... Fantastic service, excellent cocktails (I had a smokey old fashioned) and appetizer (roasted cauliflower). When it came to main entree, that's where the roads diverged. I got the venison which was fantastic. Light but rich, flavorful and well complimented by sides. My beautiful bride (7th anniversary) got the rutabaga which sounded awesome. And it was... Except for the rutabaga. Undercooked and too course, it set the tone for the rest of the plate. Sounded so promising but was really a miss. Had they cooked/steamed the veggie just a little more, I think it would have been a completely different experience. Great restaurant, I'll chalk it up to a poor choice of meal.
(3)Cest L.
My husband and I had an early dinner at Etch. We decided to do a few appetizers along with cocktails since we had plans for later that evening. Loved the decor, very modern but with warm touches. Service was incredible and for that alone it was 5 stars. Good wine and beer selection. As for the food it was good with some moments of greatness. We had the butter tasting, octopus and shrimp bruschetta, pork belly, and charcuterie salad. Pork belly was the best followed closely by the salad. The house made cured meats on the salad were really good. If they offered a charcuterie platter we would definitely order that! Octopus was really tender but the other items on the bruschetta were simply ok and overwhelmed the seafood aspect. Butter tasting was ok, some mixtures were better than others. Overall an Ok experience but nothing spectacular.
(3)Sarah D.
Etch is an amazing establishment. Chef Deb Pacquette is a genius and each flavor is so artfully added into each dish. Read the rest of my review on my blog: forkfuloflife.com/2014/0…
(5)Chelsea F.
SO AMAZING! Our servers brooke and amy were so great and made us feel right at home. It was great watching the chefs cook and the entire atmosphere was beautiful. I can't wait to come back!!!!
(5)Sheena T.
After my exceptional happy hour experience, I was antsy to make my way back to Etch to sample their dinner. I was not disappointed. We took a chance and didn't make reservations for Tuesday night and showed up around 8:30... the place was full. On a freezing cold Tuesday night. So, get a reservation people!! Luckily we were able to snag a table pretty quickly and started looking over the menu. Deb's soup of the night was a Turkish spiced tomato and pear concoction with a fried fritatta on top. It was SO good. I loved that it was full of flavor and spicy. For entrees I had the pork tenderloin with mushrooms and potatoes with the pesto pea puree on top. The meat was so perfect and juicy, I was in heaven! My BF had the cobia fish with raisins, capers and a beignet. Also, spectacular! We had the brussel sprouts with butter as a side item, and they were just perfect. Not sure you can make those veggies taste any better! We were so stuffed we couldn't move but looked at the dessert menu anyway. It looked exceptional, but we passed with much chagrin. Etch makes me happy and if you are a foodie, you need to treat yourself to Etch!
(5)Chef G.
I am coming back. Service excellent. Waiter new about all menu items in detail. I had the filet of beef. Tender, Cooked perfectly to a med rare. A must in Nashville
(5)Cher Y.
6 STARS!! WOWOW! Nashville is so lucky to have Etch join the dining scene! A friend recommended this place to me, and Etch has lived up to every bit of expectation just as described! Location: it is downtown Nashville but they offer complimentary valet parking. Woohoo! Ambience: modern and trendy with music playing in the back drop. Plenty of seating but word has gotten around so make sure to call in for reservations in advance. Also a nice place to spot some big names in the Music City business scene. Service: outstanding! friendly and professional, ranging from the valet folks to the hostess to the wait staff! Food: a nice variety of dishes that can please both meat eaters and vegetarians alike. the presentation, portion sizes, quality and flavors are superb, and well worth every penny charged. From appetizers to entrees to their desserts, it was an experience worth repeating verbally to your friends and family alike. I look forward to all my meals here (so far have been here 4 times - left impressed each time!)
(5)Chris J.
Service, location, food, prices...all good. Convenient location for the trade show crowd staying downtown. If you get there early enough,.... You can have a conversation without having to raise your voice, and also a terror choice of foods. For us, we had the cauliflower and it's associated flowers. Good stuff.
(5)Bridget G.
I was lucky enough to stumble upon Etch on my first day after moving to Nashville. Happy Hour is a really good deal here. We got the Cauliflower which is a MUST. The flavors were perfection between the Cauliflower and sauces provided. The Butter Tasting was good, but as others stated it is a lot of butter. The Beet and Berry salad was the best salad I have ever had in my life! It's Umami. We finished with the Bread Pudding which was perfectly sweet and rich. Good to share. And Paul, the bartender, was awesome! He clearly loves his job and his passion is evident. I will definitely make this a frequently visited spot!
(5)Petie D.
Ok, so when you look at the menu your first reaction might be - oh man, I'm not sure I like this, HOWEVER, trust me, wake up your adventurous side and pick a meal any meal. You might be surprised how delicious all of it is! The service is top notch as well. Very interesting menu, all of it delicious - you won't be disappointed. Did I mention valet parking? Awesomeness.
(5)Liz B.
One of the most interesting and delicious meals I've ever had. Despite a few missteps (dessert), this place is still worthy of a five-star review. We had a reservation but arrived a bit early, so quickly grabbed a drink at the bar. DELICIOUS Manhattan and mocktail, which was tailored to my mom's specific tastes. It was kismet that we were seated at the bar, I'm convinced, as the two people on either side of us ordered something I never would have thought to try, but with their moans of ecstasy, decided to try for our entree - duck served on a lemon pound cake??? Oh my dear god was it amazing - the gaminess of the duck combined with the sweet richness of the pound cake was heaven in my mouth. As was the cauliflower, which has been praised all over this website with good reason. Roasted in truffle oil with several incredible dipping sauces - pureed peas and whipped feta - and marcona almonds. Such unique combinations that just blew my mind. For my entree I had the cobia. It was perfectly cooked and on top of a beignet - again, never would have thought to pair a spiced fish fillet with a pastry, but it was incredible! Finally, on the side we had the ginger grits which to this day I can't stop thinking about. I was able to track down a recipe and can't wait to try them out on my own. Etch is one of the best restaurants I've ever been to. If you ever find yourself in Nashville, I highly recommend an evening here.
(5)Kel W.
I absolutely love this place. Great service, presentation, and taste. I highly recommend Etch kelwilliams.com
(5)TJ N.
Etch has fantastic food and one of the best old fashioned's I have ever had. The dining room is nice but if you are there with a small group make sure to sit at the bar stools along the kitchen...that's the way to do this place.
(5)Gergana K.
The food was exceptional - as delicious as it gets. We shared the bruschetta appetizer. Our entrées were the fish special (scallops with pumpkin and bulgur ) and lamb. All food was beautifully presented and all the ingredients were fresh. Nothing was too salty or not salty enough for either of us and we usually have different preferences. The flavors were well balanced and complemented the food really well. We were really full, but we decided not to miss on dessert, since all the rest was so delicious. We ordered the coffee panna cotta. I had a glass of Tokaji (as good as the best one I tried in Hungary) and my fiancé had the Nonino Amaro. Both of us were happy! The prices were very reasonable, too. Service could have been a bit more timely, but I admit that we reached there close to 10pm on a Saturday night, which is quite late for most restaurants in Nashville. We took advantage of the complimentary valet parking and, since the valet was leaving before we were done, we asked if we can leave the car where he had parked it for a few hours, since we were planning to stop by Honky Tonk Row for a drink or two. He was nice enough to move the car to a parking spot for us, although he was heading out. Overall, if I ever go back to Nashville, I'll make sure to visit Etch again. I live in NYC and I go to all kinds of restaurants. However, I've only been to a few other places that have made me enjoy the food as much as I did here. I don't remember the last time I wrote a long review either.
(5)Yongquan L.
We went this place on Wednesday night. I was amazed about the appetizers here at first, but later I found that nearly every dish includes a kind of green vegetable. Some of the dishes were really good: cauliflower, lamb. But some are not: etch salad is not my type of salad and the soup of the day is also not good. The reason I give 3 star is because we are notified about the charge of soup and salad. Usually I think maybe the entree comes with side or soup. But here does not and the server did not mention this point. I don't know if I'm not right about the entree.
(3)Michelle S.
Amazing, Amazing, Amazing, Amazing! There are no other words for me to describe this place. The atmosphere was trendy, fun and upbeat. The service was off the charts. I was dining solo, so I decided to reserve a seat at the chef's bar and the waitstaff really made me feel welcome. The food, off the charts. I had pumpkin bisque w/ scallops, cobia, and ginger grits. I truly had a meal like I have never experienced before. Actually, it was more than a meal, it was an experience! I highly, highly recommend eating at Etch!!!! As a bonus . . . it's just a block from the Nash-Vegas strip!
(5)Kelly W.
Don't get me wrong... Etch has amazing food. Some of the best I've eaten in Nashville and I'm a CA foodie through and through. But, I have a hard time paying $30-40 an entree with a view of the parking lot. Could they not have found a better space?!
(3)Harleen P.
Amazing food.. Must try cauliflower, octopus and shrimp bruschetta, fish special and venison!
(5)Mark S.
Went last night. Thought they did a great job. Had a later reservation and arrived a little earlier than expected but they accommodated us. When we first sat down the server came and started talking about the restaurant and himself and asking questions about how we picked the restaurant. We were concerned that was going to be the trend for the evening but we sent him for cocktails and after that we got another server. Cocktails were great, recommend the old fashioned. Started with really great appetizers. The lamb tartar and the roasted cauliflower were the real stars of the night. For entree I had the grouper special which I thought was good, probably too many sauces. The venison was very good although I only had a bite. Finished it off with some simple ice cream and an orange dish that was very good. Service was solid all night. Atmosphere was nice too. Cost about $100 each. That's pretty good including wine. Will probably go back but won't make it top of my must eat places in Nashville.
(4)Aileen K.
We came here for our 31st anniversary. Food and service were excellent. Cauliflower app was great. Lamb and pork loin were fabulous. Salads and desserts wee excellent. Nothing low fat though. Brooke our server was superb. Another Deb Paquett victory.
(5)Andrea J.
Amazing!! This was an experience. The roasted cauliflower was delicious and the octopus app to die for. I had the lamb porterhouse and i have to say one of the best lamb dishes i have had, EVER! For dessert I had the chocolate pretzel bar soooo goood! The service was wonderful, the staff was helpful and very friendly. You just can't go wrong here. Worth every penny if I am ever in Nashville again this will be a spot to revisit. I hope that everyone gets a chance to eat here. Thank you Etch.
(5)Vito T.
This is an awesome upscale eating experience. The food here is amazing and the whole experience is wonderful. You can tell that the Chef takes real pride in what he prepares.
(5)Kelly R.
Roasted cauliflower, butter tasting, all excellent....both times I have been the food has been perfect, along with fantastic service. Ordered dessert on the last visit in November...OH MY!!!!! Amazing!!!!
(5)Michelle B.
Definitely will eat here again. Everything I had tonight from the wine, appetizer, salad, main dish, and dessert was top notch. OMG! Total goodness. Have the Roasted Cauliflower appetizer, the Beet Salad and for dessert, the Orange Creamsicle. You will not be disappointed. The main dish, I had the Cobia which was excellent. A little bit of savory with some sweet. Total comfort food. The Hubby had the Special which was a Halibut dish. Very, very good. Really, atmosphere and food was excellent. Not too noisy, but very nice. I cannot say enough good about this place. We were celebrating our anniversary, but we will definitely be back just because... Take a chance because it is well worth the money!
(4)Courtney O.
Came here Saturday night for a nice dinner date with my boyfriend. We had reservations for the chef's bar - highly recommend if you like watching the chef's at work. My boyfriend is a foodie and loves being in the kitchen so he really enjoyed the chef's bar. Mark was our server and he was wonderful. Attentive, helpful, professional and courteous, overall absolutely wonderful and contributed to us having a great evening and experience. We started off with two wonderfully made old fashions, had the lamb tartare and the roasted cauliflower as appetizers, moved on to the grilled lamb and the venison as entrees and finally the vanilla pound cake and chocolate pretzel bar for desert. Yes - we ate a lot :) Everything was delicious but we felt like the emphasis was more on the sauces and flavor combinations that accompanied each dish rather than on the main dish itself. Apps: they are known for their cauliflower dish - we liked the roasted red pepper and feta combination but the truffle pesto was a little too smoky for my liking. The lamb tartare was great, especially with the Harissa sauce. The fried eggplant that accompanied the dish had no flavor - I love eggplant and was a bit disappointed at this. Entrees: I loved the grilled lamb. The flavor combinations that are paired with it are wonderful and it's something I would definitely get again if we go back. I didn't feel like the meat was seasoned though. My boyfriend had the venison and although it was good he wasn't blown away by it and said he would try something else if we came back. Dessert: The vanilla pound cake was not what I would calls a pound cake. Again, good flavor combinations but not what I was expecting. The chocolate pretzel bar was AMAZING and the caramel sauce that goes on the side is just to die for. We drizzled it all over - couldn't get enough. Overall a great experience at Etch. A restaurant that we would definitely recommend and come back for another meal - just might choose different dishes. Overall we enjoyed our experience at Etch.
(4)Lauren G.
This place really exceeded my expectations so for that I give it a 4.5, but put five cause I felt it more leaned towards that. I had heard about it and I guess had never heard anyone just go on and on about it cause everyone at the time was so wrapped up in The Southern and Husk, so I didn't rush over there until recently. However, upon walking in I was pleasantly surprised at the wonderful ambiance, low light, tables didn't seem too close together and had a very romantic feel.. However, the big star of the review is THE FOOD; I think my best meal so far since I've been back in Nashville (about a year now) There are a few places of course I have yet to try, but as of right now this is my favorite. I guess I was a little spoiled with my experience as my friend had the private dinning room set for 16 for her birthday so the services was obviously amazing, so for that I am biased. The server was extremely on top of it and my glass was always full of champagne :) The great thing about a big group is getting to try a lot of different apps and sides which really gave me a great feel for their food. Let me say this, every single time I took a bite of anything, my taste buds were in heaven!!!! The way they combine flavors is remarkable. I think I said "oh my God" probably a hundred times. Things you have to get, I know it sounds strange to some of you, but, get.the.califlower!! It is now probably my favorite app ever! We actually ordered three for the table I think and I could have eaten that all night! The other apps that in no way disappointed were the Pork Belly (just thinking of this makes my mouth water) and the Butter Tasting. The butter tasting sounds just ordinary but trust it is not!! Lets just say one of your options is...truffle butter. Need I say more? For my main dish I got the venison. I wanted something you don't normally get at a standard restaurant and honestly it is rare to see venison on the menu. Well, let me tell you, as someone who has family members who hunt and know how to cook venison...Etch's venison was superb!! They did their own version which I loved. The venison had a wonderful moroccan spice to it accompanied with sweet potato guava, ginger grits, pear butter and cranberry sumac relish. When you put all those flavors together into each bite, fireworks go off, and your taste buds are sent into orbit!! It was cooked just right, more on the rare sound, the presentation was gorgeous and yes, I ate allllll of it!! Just an amazing experience, not only for my taste buds but for the overall dining experience as well. Can't wait to go back...cause now I'm hungry.
(5)Mariel J.
I went to Etch with friends during a weekend trip to Nashville, seeing good reviews and expecting a decent dinner. I was blown away - this is honestly one of the best dinners, all around, I've had in a long time. The restaurant was excellent! The service was really good, and even the water tasted great! (That's the only time I've noticed the taste of water being better than normal. One friend in our group agreed with me, though no one else seemed to notice that the water was different.) The food was all really creative (and expertly prepared). My husband and I shared octopus and shrimp bruschetta (with manchego, arugula, fennel, roasted tomato, capers, garlic oil, bacon) and roasted cauliflower served with truffled pea pesto, salted almonds, feta crema to start. For my main course, I had moroccan spiced venison with sweet potato guava, ginger grits, pear butter, cranberry sumac relish. The venison was so good - cooked the perfect amount and a little bit spicy. Ginger grits may be a new favorite food of mine, too. Jeff ordered the katafi pastry, which was shredded phyllo stuffed with spaghetti squash with sage, fontina cheese and golden raisins, served with poblano gravy, charred eggplant puree, black olive barley tapenade. Seriously, this restaurant was amazing. I was already pretty full after the starters, but couldn't help but finish my main course once I had tasted it. Dessert seemed out of the question, but with everything else being so good, we had to at least try it - (obviously it was very good). And good coffee to end the meal. Just go here.
(5)Mark W.
Etch Saturday night before symphony Overall, a good experience but not great. First off, the service was fantastic, Chrissy did a perfect job. The menu was fairly limited, only a few salads and entrees. I had the pork chop, it was ok but salty. My wife had the fish special, 5 Spice scallops, they were good but only 3 scallops for $33. Drinks were well poured, atmosphere was a bit noisy. Maybe go back some day, still a lot of options to try in the area.
(4)Spencer S.
I've been to Etch twice now. The plates are stimulating and finely cooked. The meat has been prepared perfectly, and the sides keep each bite interesting. The chef adds eccentric levels and flavors to each plate, so play it safe if you're not adventurous, but I suggest trying out something beyond your comfort zone if you visit the restaurant. Don't forget to order the roasted cauli for an app. The service has been excellent both times I have visited.
(4)Todd G.
In Nashville for a conference, tried several recommendated restaurants in the SoBro area near the Symphony and Music city center. Etch was one of the best and I would definitely recommended. Being from NYC and Philadelphia I have been to many equally good if not better places but definitely a quality experience. The famous roasted cauliflower was excellent as was the homemade ice cream for dessert. The entrees we found good but not great. The farm to table place next door is just as good and a little more unusual.
(4)Yvette P.
The cobra was outstanding. But what I expected from the description. The place is beautiful. Great atmosphere and wine selection. We eat at the bar but the place was packed. Overall, a great place and would recommend eating here.
(4)Eve K.
Convenient location downtown and interesting twist on the variety of the menu flavors, but something was a bit off to me and didn't live up to the 4.5 average yelp rating. Atmosphere: 3, Service: 3, Food: 3.3 Cost to worth it rating: 3 Return worthiness: no Highlights: - Duck confit on bread: fantastic. And I love duck confit - Pork belly: enormous and delicious - Crazy salad: a really big charcuterie board - Cobia fish: a fish I've never had before came turkish spiced (paprika-ish) and I enjoyed it. Lowlights: - Weird vibe: kind of businessy and tables too close together - Cocktails: didn't like mine and a few friends didn't like theirs either - Pork tenderloin: huge amount of chorizo on it was very odd - Beignet in fish: got soggy It was a decent meal, but because the food might be trying too hard to be complex and the feel of the place didn't click with me, I probably wouldn't return.
(3)Vincent B.
I'm surprised by all the good reviews: I thought Etch was a nice concept and sounded good on the menu but was slightly off execution and taste wise.
(2)Jim M.
Oh, how I adore Etch. On my list of the 5 best restaurants in Nashville. The food has constantly and consistently been amazing. My only (small) gripe is pricing, but for a date spot or once a month splurge, it's perfectly reasonable and well worth the decor, service, and food quality.
(5)Nic N.
Nashville's Etch is truly a jewel. My girlfriend and I were visiting from Chicago and this place absolutely blew us away. Their scallop dish was one of the best we've had...ever. The service is excellent, the atmosphere is laid back, and the food is truly unique in the best way. Give it a go, you won't be disappointed!
(5)Salman S.
Great food, everything on the menu rocks specially the Lamb Chops
(4)Kristin J.
This place was amazing. I had read about the roasted cauliflower, pork belly and octopus apps. We came in with no res, and were psyched that it was not only Happy Hour, but we could order the whole menu. Paul was the the bomb, showed us how to get the perfect bite from each dish. Each one was better than the last! We cannot wait to come back!! The duo of Paul and Malia in the bar are worth just coming here for a quick bite and a drink in your way to the Listening Room or honky tonk!
(5)Sonya V.
Oh my. Please move to my hometown! All of these tastes are my favorites. The cauliflower is absolutely outstanding. Octopus and shrimp bruschetta is delightful - the capers make it all happen. The venison was over-seasoned and overcooked. It was edible but a disappointment. There is a lot of the menu I would like to explore and the originality caught my attention immediately. One bad dish is not the end of the world, especially after such a lovely time. I shall return!
(3)Erika C.
I like how Etch has Happy Hour. If more quality restaurants had Happy Hour, I would go out more, because most of the time the issue is I just don't want that much food. But an expertly prepared appetizer for $8, or two if I'm sharing, this makes sense to me. Plus, next time I'm really hungry, or I need to entertain people with normal appetites, I'll go back to Etch because I've already been wooed by this awesome Happy Hour. Oh, there is free valet. Do not make the mistake I did and pay for parking.
(5)Vicki K.
For my first time in Nashville, I researched restaurants and chose Etch based on all the great reviews, and I was not disappointed. I sat at the Chef's bar and was in awe of the chef's expediting skills...she inspected each plate before it was sent out, and the entire kitchen moved in sync. Now normally, an appetizer of cauliflower would not catch my eye, but based on the reviews, I had to order it.....and it was fantastic. The essence of truffle was just enough without being overpowering...and the pea pesto was fantastic. I also had the butter tasting...had to, as butter is the worlds most perfect food.....an interesting array of flavors.....and I was by myself, I did not order an entree, as the cauliflower and butter/bread was filling me up, but I did have the beets and berries salad....a standout salad...and the frozen goat cheese cream was heavenly. Etch is a must for anybody visiting Nashville...and for natives, it should be a re regular stop.
(5)Bobbie F.
As a single gal that travels regularly for work and with 10+ years of experience in the restaurant industry, let's just say that when I dine out, my expectations are rather high - But not because I expect expensive places to be better than cheap places. All establishments (across a variety of cuisines and price ranges) are going to have their strong and weak points. First of all, thank you to the hostess stand. I can name 20 different restaurants off the top of my head that could use a lesson in hospitality from you fine people. Thank you for saying "Hi there - How are you?" Instead of the usual "Just one?" Thank you for taking my coat (and not just taking it, but actually helping me out of it) and recommending a great place to sit for the meal and actually asking "is this seat ok for you ma'am?" before letting me sit down first, and then handing me the menu. The first few stages of a diners' experience are absolutely critical and the well-trained, competent and polite host and hostess shoved me into giddy and excited mode for the rest of the night. To the kitchen & chef: thank you for keeping your line organized and clean for those of us that have the pleasure of sitting at the chefs table. This is the best view in the restaurant, no matter which direction you turn. But a neat and tidy line is imperative (whether or not you take the risk of exposing your kitchen to the public eye). Well done. I also appreciate the light tone you used when communicating with one another through service (and with an exposed kitchen, this is hard to do). There's nothing worse than hearing the staff scream at one another when trying to enjoy your meal. Also, your dishes are creative, tasty, and in excellent portions. I'm all about adventure and something new. Thank you for taking care to create beautiful presentations that have color, texture and personality. Waitstaff: You flow well with one another and you communicate. You pay attention to the tiny details and you read your guests well. Thank you for being attentive but not over- bearing, precise but stuck up, helpful but not controlling. A very special thank you to Ramesh & Erica who demonstrated all of this. Management: I was checked on by one of you at least 3 times throughout my meal. That's unheard of. Every table was down and you still took the time to actually look at me in the eye when speaking and ask (genuinely) how everything was. I loved the shrimp and octopus bruschetta and the lamb entree was amazing. The wine list (by the glass) could use a bit more variety. However, the wines that were available were deliberately selected and very good. Etch was one of the best overall restaurant experiences I've ever had. Can I put you on speed dial so that you can set an example for the rest of the spots out there? Guess I may just have to move here. Yeah - you guys rock!
(5)Richard F.
Almost gave this place a pass because the menu seemed kind of limited; so glad we decided to give it a try! We went on a Wednesday night which normally should have been on the slow side, but the boy band One Direction was at the stadiium so the joint was jumping! The two bar tenders were kind of stressed but the drinks were great and it all went fine. Got seated fairly quickly but the food came out slow; almost an hour for our entrees! Still, everything was so tasty that we were not going to make a fuss but the manager brought out our dessert and informed us they were going to comp our entrees, (and my wife had the filet!). Needless to say we were very pleased; great food in a super atmosphere and really nice people as well... can't beat that!
(4)Jane E.
We started with some cocktails and decided to enjoy our meal at the bar. The sangrias are made to order and the Bees Knees is the bees knees. We ordered the pork belly and roasted cauliflower. Who knew roasted cauliflower could be so devine. It was an experience in itself. The butter tasting was unique and well worth ordering. Our favorite was the truffle prosciutto. As far as entrees go we ordered the filet and fish special. The Filet did not disappoint but the fish special knocked it out of the park. Top notch service at the bar.
(5)Pamela M.
Etch is one of my top ten favorite restaurants in The South! Everything was delicious and meticulously prepared from start to finish. The taste and presentation is outstanding! Finally, a Nashville restaurant where the food matches the ambiance! I see it happen too often in Nashville where restaurants have beautiful atmosphere, but unfortunately, unmatched service and food. The dining experience at Etch shines in the aforementioned areas and does not disappoint. The butter quartet tasting that reviewers have been raving about is nothing short of fantastic. The thought that went into creating the flavor profiles of this lovely butter sampler is amazing! It is worth every mile of running to melt away the duck and smoked Plugra butter calories and fat afterwards! I would highly recommend the roasted cauliflower with truffled pea pesto and salted almonds. This dish brought me to food heaven. The artistry behind the scallop dish with the mushrooms, smoked shallot vinaigrette, bacon, greens, butternut garlic essence, and beet sriracha was perfectly executed. Way to be on the cutting Etch of the culinary scene, Chef Deb! I will surely return the next time I am in Nashville!
(5)Jessica K.
We came in from Boston for a conference and hosted a client appreciation dinner in their back room. It was absolutely excellent! Our hosts Amy and Brooke took care of everything impeccably and the food was to die for! Everyone was skeptical of the butter tasting but it turned out to be one of the hits of the night! Excellent food and excellent service! Not sure how we will compete next year!
(5)M R.
I sound like such a flip flipper but I'm in love again. Octopus bruschetta - perfect. The grilled lamb was amazing too. I still hope they bring the duck confit app back!
(5)Johnna M.
I've been reluctant to review Etch because my experience here was just so awesome, I'm not sure I can do it justice. I came here by myself after a long few days of meetings that topped off a particularly stressful few days. Treat yo self 2013 was definitely needed and Etch provided the perfect treat. I sat at the chef's table which was a fantastic option for a solo diner. I enjoyed watching the hustle and bustle of the kitchen. My server was extremely knowledgeable, friendly and above all, passionate about food. At both his and every yelper's recommendation, I reluctantly ordered the cauliflower appetizer. "How can you make cauliflower interesting" It's very nature is boring." I thought. Do not fall for this assumption-you will miss something great. The truffled pea pesto is the perfect accompaniment - it was rich and surprising. The whipped feta also complimented the cauliflower. The cocktail list was interesting but pricey. I ordered one which was fantastic and then stuck to wine. My server was very good about describing wine and making sure I understood what I was drinking. For my main meal I had the lamb chop, which came with an assortment of accompaniments including eggplant and sausage. It had an almost Middle Eastern flavor (seems to be a theme) to it I was not expecting, but that certainly wasn't a bad thing-again it was unexpected but it worked fine. I ended with a stout ice cream, again at the recommendation of the server, which was a special, I think. Very heavy to end an already heavy meal, but fantastic and properly portioned. I think they make it with actual beer, and the taste is rich yet phenomenal. Etch seemed to me to be a really special place dedicated to providing both fantastic food and experience. It is rare to find a place that can surprise and delight so much-I can't tell you what to expect here, except to expect it will be delicious.
(5)Kay O.
First time to Nashville, popped in on a Wednesday to check it out. We were greeted by the most charming pair of bartenders, Paul and Leah. We laughed, we cried, we drank and we ate. Perfectly muddled cocktails and killer food recommendations. YUM.
(5)Swati B.
Fine dining in Nashville. I almost forgot where I was. The prices are reasonable....I really enjoyed the butter tasting..who wouldnt.. yes you read that right..BUTTER TASTING. The roasted cauliflower appetizer was out of this world. The pesto dish was also very good... The main course dish was ok, it was good but nothing amazing. The wine list is good, and really reasonably priced (Maybe because I am from Chicago to me it just seemed reasonable) Our server was awesome, attentive and really informative. definitely recommend this place.
(4)Tim T.
To start, we had an excellent server. He could articulate the culinary experience we were about to enjoy every well. He described each dish with intimate detail. Our excitement was heightened and then elevated even further when we tasted our meals. The highlight of the evening was the Cobia. I do not recall experiencing so many favors in one dish as I did with this. Fish, citrus, nuts, olives all on a beignet. The waiter said it best, "what could be better then great food than putting it on a donut. Next time I'm at the Omni in Nashville, we will dine here.
(5)Kim G.
You have to try the roasted cauliflower, the pea puree is the star! Then go on to the beet salad, fresh and very tasty! The pork tenderloin was good, great flavors, but the venison was fabulous! Know going into it that the potato puree and grits are very sweet but it is a perfect pairing for the MR venison! The service was fantastic to boot! Loved this place!
(5)Stephanie W.
Etch. Where do I begin?! We came here and automatically were drawn to the Butter Tasting appetizer. This was creamy bliss. We also ate the Catfish Tempura which was not your typical Tempura. It was a rich fried and juicy piece of fish. For our main dish. Rutabaga La Plancha and the Halibut special. Everything looked and tasted like a work of art. For dessert the Pretzel with Hazelnut Mousse and chocolate ganache dripped with caramel sauce. This was the most genius dessert ever. It was better than anything I have seen on a dessert shirt on The Food Network. I feel lucky that I have gotten to experience such fine dining and would love to return next time I am in Nashville.
(5)Jennifer R.
Food is great, but the atmosphere is a bit pretentious. I'll probably go again just for the Cauliflower.
(4)Anne C.
I was so impressed. The staff was outstanding. Many people checked on us, smiled or welcomed us whether they served our table or not. The food was incredible. They had a special borshch soup that was the best soup I've ever had. When I sent my compliments to the chef, she made sure they went to the sous chef that prepared it. I'm sad I'm just visiting and can't visit this restaurant more often!
(5)Laura G.
LOVE LOVE LOVE! They had me at butter tasting to be honest. Ligh, whipped butter - prosciutto truffle, smoked parmesan black pepper, ginger cashew, malt vinegar, all delicious but the truffle and parmesan were my favorites. We shared the Cobie - georgeous fish with turkish spice - so much going on and it all made perfect sense. We also shared the filet - smoked brown sauce, truffled pea butter, baby potatoes - this was one of the best filets I've had in recent memory - DELICIOUS. Great wine list - we went with the sommelier recommended syrah from Spain. I will NEVER go to Nashville without making this restaurant a priority on my MUST EAT list. Also - we sat at the bar overlooking the kitchen which was great - I liked sitting there - you can see all the dishes comming out.
(5)Cassie S.
Had a fantastic experience here with a group of 11 on a Friday night. The service was impeccable. The food (at least what I ate) was incredible. The butter tasting - do it. Also, the roasted cauliflower. Might sound strange, but so good! For an entree, I had the fish and it was delightful, I also tasted the lamb tenderloin, which was very good. Desserts and drinks were also wonderful. The only thing that keeps it from being a 5 star review is that I can't afford to go back on my own! But if someone else is paying...
(4)Taylor B.
At the end of the day, the most important aspect of a meal out is indeed the food, and Etch delivers, both in terms of taste and presentation. The kitchen works with diners to accommodate dietary restrictions, although the menu definitely seems written with carnivores in mind. The kitchen takes time to get the details of the presentation just right - the bright colors arranged meticulously on a plate bordered on artwork - and everything tasted amazing. Unfortunately, however, the atmosphere leaves a lot to be desired. While the restaurant is housed in an otherwise posh downtown building, once inside we felt as though we were in a banquet room with tables haphazardly covered in tablecloths and no attention otherwise paid to the décor. Etch's saving grace in this regard is its open, rather expansive kitchen, which guests can view from most tables while dining.
(4)Katie G.
If I'm going to pay for a nice meal it better not be over dressed so I can't taste my meat. I had the lamb and there were so many different flavors & swimming in sauce. I now understand is more of a southern thing. We had the clarified butter app which was great, but the cauliflower dish was so so. We may have had too high of expectations, especially just coming from CA wine country where I'm from. I expect greatness when I'm paying $30+ bucks for a meal. It wasn't snobby though which was nice, and there was a mix of people dressed up and not. It was a bit loud, but I loved being able to watch them in the kitchen. Scale of 1-10 (10 being awesome!) Ambiance: 7 (more LA chic) Noise: 4 (loud) Food: 5 Drinks: 5 (would have liked a better wine selection) Dessert: 6 (better than our meal) Appetizers: 6 (better than our meal) Staff: 6 (our waitress didn't have the specials or menu memorized) Price: 4 (over priced) This is coming from 2 people that make our own nut milks, have a crop share, & try to eat decently healthy despite my nagging sweet tooth for chocolate. We don't eat processed junk or fast food, so our palates like great food. The hype of the restaurant may have made us more critical and it less enjoyable.
(3)Lei B.
Our first option for dinner, Rolf & Daughters, was completely booked so we found this gem with the trusty Yelp app of course. Parking was kinda crazy downtown but they have complimentary valet with validation. Butter Tasting (truffle butter, smoked plugra butter, ginger peanut brittle butter, duck butter) - surprisingly my favorites were the peanut brittle and duck butter, guess I really did like the sweet and savory combo. Roasted Cauliflower (truffled pea pesto, salted almonds, feta crema) - loved the roasted cauliflower and the sauces were a great pairing. The salted almonds were crazy addicting. Octopus and Shrimp Bruschetta (manchego, arugula, fennel, roasted tomato, capers, garlic oil, bacon) - good chunks of octopus and shrimp but was very hard to eat as bruschetta. Scallops (trio of grilled, confit and tempura mushrooms, smoked shallot vinaigrette, bacon, greens, butternut garlic essence, beet sriracha) - my sister and I shared this dish and it was great that they already split the plate for us. We sat at the bar overlooking the open kitchen, was great to see the action. Service was ok but the good food made up for it.
(4)Craig M.
Stopped in here on a road trip from Indy to alabama. We tried multiple restaurants for happy hour appetizers to get a taste of the town. This was by far the best happy hour app I have ever had. We are planning another trip to Nashville soon and plan to eat a full meal here. I would highly recommend this place to anyone traveling through Nashville. Can't wait to be back to try it again.
(5)Jackie D.
Amazing dinner on my last night in Nashville. I was ready for New American cuisine after a few heavy southern meals. Must order the roasted cauliflower + chocolate + peanut butter torte! I also ordered the catfish appetizer but didn't enjoy it as much as it was a bit too breaded and fried and not enough fish.
(5)Stephanie W.
Excellent. My mind is still blown over what the chef is capable of. Beautiful, gorgeous and beyond tasty food. Cauliflower appetizer was fantastic! 20 thumbs up if I had 20 thumbs.
(5)Doug L.
Great service. She wasn't afraid to give her opinions but wasn't overbearing Started with a flatbread special she suggested. The flavors exploded in my mouth. Very good Had the vegetarian plate, rutabega. Lots of other veggies and the flavor combination was great Nice atmosphere Can't go wrong here!
(4)Alicia U.
Walked in on a Wednesday night with no reservations. Luckily a few seats at the bar were open. Bartenders were really nice and knowledgeable about the food. 8 local craft beers are on tap and more are in bottles. Tempura Catfish - A crunchy tempura battered shell surrounds a tender, lightly seasoned catfish filet. The heat of the fish is contrasted with the cool compressed watermelon block. Blueberries, fennel and balsamic add to the dish. Very refreshing appetizer to start with. Roasted Cauliflower - The cauliflower combined with the truffled pea pesto, mild feta crema and roasted red pepper puree makes this dish a super star. Drooling just thinking about it! Octopus & Shrimp Bruschetta - the octopus is sous-vided for 12 hours to make it super tender. Mixed with arugula, capers and other yummy things on soft, toasted focaccia. Chef Paquette is amazing! Great dishes with interesting flavor combinations and very artistic presentations. I would definitely make this a regular stop when visiting Nashville.
(5)Dolci K.
Etch is one of the newer restaurants in Downtown Nashville, TN near the Music City Convention Center. Upon entering, the high ceilings and bare concrete supporting pillars give the entire room a air of upscale urban dining, and the succulent plants on the center of every table give off a modern vibe. The table settings are modern, but the utensils are strikingly whimsical and simple. Upon sitting down, we were some of the first dinner guests of the night, and our waiters were slightly over excited to have us place an order. The menu is not overly extensive, but if you have never been there, you will want a minute to browse. After settling in, I ordered a NOLA cocktail which was phenomenal with notes of a Sazerac with additional hints of anise and licorice plus a lovely fizz. The garnish was beautiful and seemingly intricate in my glass. As an appetizer, I started with the Roasted Cauliflower which did not disappoint. Typically, I am always a bit apprehensive to order a vegetable as an appetizer because many are not big enough to share, over priced, and are not up to par with the rest of the meal. However, the Roasted Cauliflower was delightful, roasted to a perfection with a slight crunch instead of overly soggy, lightly drizzled with truffle oil, but not doused, and served with a feta cream and roasted red pepper puree on one side and a pea pesto with salted almonds on the other. It was sizable, and enough to share with a table, which is what every appetizer should be. All the flavors, while bold and of a wide variety, melted together seamlessly. In addition to the Roasted Cauliflower, we were brought fresh rolls rising with steam as the smell of rosemary piqued my intrigue. The butter served with it was at a perfect whipped texture and a flawless spreadable temperature. I had the gluten free version of the rolls, which to my taste were slightly tough, but overall, very pleasing. Moving on to the main course, my guest ordered scallops which were served with tempura mushrooms, and served on a bed of mixed greens with beet sriracha and butternut garlic essence. Honestly, the scallops were one of the more disappointing menu items of the night. The mushrooms were fantastical, but the scallops themselves were not cooked quite right and left much to be desired. A scallop should be hot and crisp on the outsides, and while the coloring was nice, there was no crisp bite at all as if the pan had not gotten hot enough. The in-between meat was too soft on the outer edges as well. As for the sauces, though elegantly plated, were only so-so. The beet puree was pretty, and tasted of beets, but the sriracha flavors were lost entirely. On the other hand, the butternut squash tasted slightly sweet with a mild hint of garlic, but really failed to add value to the dish at all. As a side, we ordered brussels sprouts which are a favorite dish of mine. Unfortunately, the brussels sprouts served here are soft, soggy, and too cabbage-y rather than having a more oven roasted flavor. They could have been ok, but were also mixed with caramelized onions which made the entire dish too cohesively offensive in texture without any contrast at all. Lastly, I ordered the Cobia, a tender white fish from the Gulf of Mexico. The spice on the fish was just right, a slight crunch, just enough spice, and a little salt. The top portion of fish was cooked to perfection, although the bottom one was a bit too dry. There was just enough mixture of sweet and savory in the garnish of browned buttered oranges and golden raisins with the olives, almonds, and capers. Out of everything, this was my favorite. Dessert was a Strawberry Cheesecake Sunday (Sans the graham cracker crumble garnish). The ice cream itself was made with goat cheese cheesecake and served with fresh strawberries and strawberry jam. The goat cheese ice-cream was the most interesting part about the dessert, but was substandard comparatively to the rest of the menu (although it was the only gluten free offering for dessert at the time). All in all, Etch was a great experience especially because of their knowledgeable and attentive servers. The chef, Deb Paquette is talented and has an gift for combining many different flavors to make beautiful, tasteful dishes. I look forward to going back another season to experience her combinations of other ingredients as well. read more detailed reviews at: LA DOLCI VITA ladolcivita.com/fooddrin…
(3)Maggie M.
Great tasting grilled cauliflower as an appetizer. Drinks are very good. Perfect ambience, though can get a little noisy. Our waitress was excellent and knowledgeable of the menu with on point recommendations. Overall pretty tasty food. This would have been the perfect dining experience if not for the poor and lack luster attitude of the hostesses, but a great place for downtown Nashville.
(4)Dee O.
I started this month just a little differently than I usually do. Or at least I tried to. Like all other prior months, I logged on to my credit card account to pay my bill. Appalled by how much I had spent eating out in May, I decided I was going to significantly cut back on eating out in June. And I was very determined to stick to my resolution , until I ate at Etch. Most easily the best dining experience I had during my 5 day stint in Nashville. We went on Wednesday night, after attempting to walk in for dinner at the Catbird Seat restaurant. Haha. That was actually quite a hilarious experience but I digress. After realizing we needed to find a place that didn't require reservations six months in advance, Yelp came to the rescue and to Etch we went. I called on my way from the Catbird Seat restaurant and was able to get immediate reservations (imagine that). Alas, it was the evening of the CMA and many downtown roads were closed. Being a novice to downtown Nashville, It took 20 extra minutes to figure my way around and find parking. Our hostess was gracious even though we were late for our reservation and got us seated quickly. We shared the cauliflower appetizer and it was as good as it has been described. They had a special apple soup special that was just delightful. It went well with the complimentary bread served. We both had the vegetarian spaghetti squash dish. Which was mind blowing good. It was obvious that the chef intentionally thought about how to make his (her) vegetarian patrons happy. It wasn't the typical afterthought salad or pasta that is usually offered by many upscale restaurants. It was innovative, thoughtful and exceptionally good. My only regret was that I had indulged in the cauliflower and the soup and couldn't finish my entree. That dish deserves a standing ovation, for taste, creativity and presentation. Most certainly will be getting an encore in the near future. Very well done, Etch. We finished the night by sharing one scoop of their sorbet. It was a nice ending to a perfect meal. Our waitress was awesome. Simply said. She was friendly, knew the menu inside out, provided the right amount of attention and knew when to let us be. The manager also stopped by twice to ensure we were content. For such an amazing experience, the check didn't completely break the bank either. However as I handed my credit card to our waitress to pay the check, I realized I would never be able to stick to my resolution when restaurants like Etch exist. I am thankful for places like this that provide exceptional remarkable unforgettable meals. And as long as they are cooking, I will be eating. Will absolutely most definitely be back!
(5)Pam S.
My husband and I ate here our last night in Nashville and so glad we did. Loved the atmosphere of the restaurant, the service, and the food! Our waiter, Tom, was outstanding. We were going to share the cauliflower and a salad before our entrees, but he warned us that we might be too full to enjoy our dinners. Love it when a server is honest, instead of pushing you to order everything on the menu! We make roasted cauliflower at home, but I could never re-create those amazing sauces she puts with it. My husband had the lamb and I ordered the halibut which was one of the specials. Both were so good. For dessert (no idea how we had room) we shared the ginger cake - great ending to a great meal!!
(5)James A.
Amazing place. Great ambiance. The service was flawless. The menu is peppered with many normal items...but the chef transforms the ingredients into some mind-blowing combinations. Apps: Our party ordered the Butter Tasting, Pork Belly, Roasted Cauliflower, and Octopus and Shrimp Bruschetta. The butter was delicious, light, and a fun app to pass around the table. There were 4 different flavors on the plate served with bread. The pork belly was yummy, but I wouldn't order it again. The shrimp and octopus was different, and tasty, but I only ordered that because I had never had octopus. The "go-to" is the cauliflower. Crazy that they can make cauliflower with a truffled pea pesto taste so darn good. That is the app to order. Entrees: I had the Grilled Lamb Loin. Delicious. The flavors were perfect. I've never had something so flavorful and delicious. I would spread the lemon black olive tapenade on a piece of the lamb, and the flavors complimented each other so well. The okra and pearl onions were a perfect combination. The filo was a nice touch and brought this greek dish to another level. I would definitely order this again and again. My wife had the Filet. Hers was tender and amazing, although she only allowed me to have one bite. She also ordered the side of broccoli...and she talks more about the broccoli than the filet. But, everything was delicious. Dessert: The Warm Vanilla pound cake and Coffee Panna Cotta. Both were a deliciously perfect end to our experience at Etch. The portion sizes are perfect. This isn't a place where you go to have a meal. You pay extra for the experience. Starting with the drinks (Smoked Old Fashioned) and the service. I think the menu is fairly priced, and reasonably priced. I left the place stuffed...but not like normal restaurant stuffed. I leave the Olive Garden feeling heavy and depressed. :) Everything Etch made was so light and wonderful. I don't think I've ever eaten something with this flavor combination. The flavors are what stood out to me. I remember when we all had gotten our food and started eating...there was a silence over the table. I remember just staring at my plate as I was eating. Not only was it presented like a work of art, but the flavors almost put you in a trance. It's like tasting something for the first time.
(5)Jared M.
Use valet and tip as it will save you from paying the parking yourself...10 for 1 hour and 15 for 2. The cauliflower and the butter tasting are well worth the cost. The scallops were FANTASTIC. Go eat them, they need you :) This is a must-go for newbies to the area or visiting tourists going nearby to a show/event.
(4)Rhonda B.
Came here for lunch. It was a little stuffy. I liked my food but my bf hated his. Might be better and more fun for dinner but I wouldn't recommend it for a weekday lunch unless it's a biz meeting. Our waiter was very friendly.
(3)Heather H.
I thought Etch was exceptional. The kind and accommodating bar staff made me a perfect smoked old-fashioned and my waitress made excellent dinner and appetizer suggestions. The roasted cauliflower was wildly flavorful, the octopus and shrimp bruschetta was bright and fresh tasting, and my filet was tender and perfectly cooked. Finally, the dark chocolate bread pudding was sweet and slightly salty. I would definitely return.
(5)Lisa W.
Had a delicious lunch here with great service. The tempura oyster mushrooms, soup special (pumpkin), and goat cheese vanilla ice cream were particular standouts although everything tasted great and was high quality. A classy choice for any meal.
(4)Jen D.
Ate here a few weeks ago during Music Fest. I could not have been happier with the meal. Literally - not a single bad thing to say. Amazing service - we were in a huge rush, but our server - who had only been there 3 days managed to get us in/out on the schedule we needed. He took such good care of us. We raved about him on our way out to the hostesses. Such an asset to this place. Riduclously good food - one of the better meals I've had all year. - Bread w/butter flight - Wow. They're pros at making awesome awesomer - Cauliflower - mmmmmmmmmm - Entrees - everyone loved their food. We mostly had seafood and pork. My fish was the best I've had in a very long time. Great flavors, perfectly prepared. Oh - and amazing cocktails too. If you have only 2 nights in Nashville, hit up Etch!!
(5)Cheryl F.
this place! Enjoyed it so much last time I was in town I ventured there alone this time. The lamb tartar was excellent - request extra Harissa paste because you'll want it! Love the chef's counter seating, made it less awkward to dine alone.
(5)Linda T.
Came here for the NYE dinner menu and really enjoyed our night! The restaurant was beautiful inside and servers were polite and knowledgeable. Every dish was beautifully presented and tasted fresh and delicious. Would come back here again to try items food of their regular menu.
(4)Justin S.
My wife and I ate here two nights ago and had a fabulous meal. Kim, our waitress, was great and our food was absolutely outstanding. One of the best meals we've had. We tried 4 of the appetizers - all of which were beautifully presented and had very interesting and unique flavors. The entrée was excellent as well, but the apps were particularly strong. I will definitely return.
(5)Erica R.
Chic, trendy and totally worth a visit. A bit different from the other restaurants I tried in the area. If you're into that scene, this is your place. I want to say the chef is artistic and his meals represent a little work of art. The combination of flavors win!
(4)Sonya M.
I really really liked the food!!! I was in town for a conference and walked into Etch, since it was only a short 2 block walk from the new convention center. The place was packed; they had not anticipated such a huge crowd from the conference. As soon as I walked in the [mildly unpleasant] hostess told me there was no room in the main dining room and the bar tender is not serving food at the bar since he is so busy!!! I have to admit that was a huge turn off, but as I turned around I saw an empty seat at the bar and the gentleman behind the bar told me that he will be able to seat me if I was not in a rush (7-8 minutes). I gladly waited! The service was good, and even though they were busy, I got my food relatively quickly. I tried the tuna bowl and it was very enjoyable. I was glad that I go to give this place a try while in Nashville!
(4)Samuel E.
Amazing food, some of the best I've ever had in my life. Greatest service ever. From drinks and appetizers to entree's, everything was a high note. I would suggest wearing a jacket though, the temperature inside on my watch was 66 degrees.
(5)TNmedicine29 R.
Everytime I come here- I love it more and more! I am a Nashville local, and this very well may be my favorite restaurant in town. Whether you are running in for a drink and maybe an appetizer, or doing a full dinner, or lunch.... phenomenal! I soo appreciate the delicious fish/ vegetarian dishes served up with such incredible flavors. For appetizers, hands down love the cauliflower (and it supports charity!). The dips for the cauliflower-- um YUM! For entrees, I love the cobia; it is bold and rich not what you would expect from a mild fish. I would be happy eating this everytime I visit... but with so much other great plates to try out. This past time we were heading to a show and popped in and sat at the bar. I had the Trio de Setas. I am not usually a huge mushroom fan, but I saw this dish come out of the kitchen and couldn't not try it. Man oh man it did not disappoint. I was almost licking my plate. The infusion of different flavors and textures-- your mouth is in aww trying to absorb all that heavenliness. I also love the brussel sprouts... I mean I love brussel sprouts anytime, but Etch so lightly coats them and fries them it gives a good wow factor. I have heard great things about the Pork tenderloin as well, but I don't eat red meat so I can't give much to that. Really if you haven't tried Etch.... stop reading and go!
(5)Crizzly A.
My girlfriend and I went here for her birthday. I honestly didn't know what to expect when going in because it is such a classy restaurant. It ended up being a very comfortable and relaxed setting. the hostess and waiter worth so friendly ans sat us quickly. My girlfriend is a vegan and had some decent options here. I recommend that venison dish, it's amazing!!
(5)Rich K.
Really nice, Sophisticated but not pretentious- and 5 stars go equally for the service (thanks Lea you were great) and food together experience but also the reception and management were extremely professional. My only criticism would be that at times you were overwhelmed with the plate. So many different tastes- very creative but it worked. My venison was perfectly cooked over a bed of many things, including sweet potatoes. The sweet potatoes were warm, but hot would have been better. Other than that superb experience
(5)BethAnn S.
I need to get out more. And when I say I need to get out more, I mean, "I need to go out to Etch more" because YUM!! I took my lab folks here for lunch as a special treat and was super impressed by the fresh creative mixings, professionalism and price. I got the roasted cauliflower appetizer to show off that I was healthy (also because I was afraid of the octopus option), but damn if it wasn't amazing! It was served with pea pesto, which was delicious, sweet and made me wish I ate more vegetables. My table mates enjoyed the feta dipping sauce more than I did (not a huge feta fan) but the bites of honey, almonds and balsamic (?) around the plate made for a fun eating adventure aboard perfectly roasted cauliflower that tasted more like garlic popcorn than grandmas cauliflower. (Side note: I was so inspired by this dish, I tried to make it over the weekend. Lets just say I won't be opening a restaurant soon). I had the Roast Beef sandwich on toasted sourdough bread, that came with Parmesan horseradish sauce (on the side.... lets be honest, horseradish is tricky business), roasted asparagus and tempura onion. One of the more stunning things about this place evidenced as my sandwich arrived was how flipping big the portions are. I mean, like Cheesecake Factory big. We way over ordered as a table. The winner for lunch was a non-foodie buddy who got the corn cake with smoked brisket, Chihuahua cheese, onion, Peruvian carrot slaw, roja and poblano sauces, celery leaf avocado smash, lime crema and queso blanco. She ordered it because she had no idea what any of it was and all it was delicious. I saw the giant lunch plates coming and was worried about hers because its sort of a plating disaster.... not attractive at all but the flavors blended well while maintaining their individual integrity. The lime crema was amazing and she declared it 'like a really good burrito type thing'. ?? We also managed to crush a couple desserts (I know I said it was huge portions, but we threw in a bottle of wine and our eyes grew bigger than our stomachs). So.... quick final things - Super bargain! $130 for the three of us with three courses each and a bottle of wine for lunch. Beat that Midtown Cafe! Meh...hostess was sort of a snot playing with her personal phone while we stood there. Valet parking is a nightmare. They are set up so the valet spends 80% of his time running across the street because everyone takes a right on Broadway to get there. Also, great space. So pretty....you'll definitely impress your out of town buddies with this foodie hit!
(5)Samantha M.
I got the fresh fish daily special it was ok but I expected more from my meal based on all the positive reviews lackluster was best way to describe it. We started w butter sampling which was interesting ( not enough bread) the best part was the octopus shrimp bruschetta.
(3)EasilyAmuse D.
I'm a bit late in posting this since the friend and I ate here February 4th. We were in town for a conference and I had made reservations prior to our trip based upon Yelpers reviews. They didn't let us down! We had a drink at the bar and the bartender was very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. At the bartenders recommendation we had the Roasted Cauliflower with truffled pea pesto, salted almonds, and feta dip as an appetizer. Oh my...it was delicious! I had no idea cauliflower could taste so good. For dinner we shared the Rutabaga La Plancha and the seafood dish of the day. I don't remember the name of the seafood dish (it had mussels), but suffice it to say we barely spoke during the meal except to ohh, ahh, and share bites. Each bite had a different flavor. I'm pretty sure this is the first time I've eaten rutabaga and the bar has been set high. We also shared the carrots as a side dish. They tasted fine and were arranged beautifully, but was a bit much considering the app and sharing 2 dishes. Our server was professional, but the bartender was super friendly. He stopped to chat with us and ask how his recommendations worked out. If I lived closer, I would eat at Etch more often. It was the best meal I've ever had. I would give it 6 stars if I could!
(5)PJ T.
This is hands down one of the best restaurants I've ever eaten at and truly enjoyed everything I ordered. For an appetizer we had the roasted cauliflower and it was phenomenal. They roast this in the oven and the drizzle truffle oil over it before they serve it to you. They serve it with two different types of dips. One is a creamy feta with a roasted red garnish and garnished with chives. The second is a truffled pea pesto and it is garnished with salted almonds. Both were incredible and the waiter told me since they opened about a year ago they've served over 17,000 of the roasted cauliflower app. I could eat this every week and not get sick of it. Definitely order this for an app. I also ordered the etch salad and it was great. You had orange garnish for the citrus, just the right amount of green apple for a little sour taste, and a champagne vinaigrette to top it off. For dinner I ordered the steak which is vacuumed sealed and broiled for an hour with a burnside butter to really infuse the meat with flavor. Then grilled and I ordered it medium rare which it was cooked perfectly. It is then served on top of a sourdough baked potato bread pudding which was awesome. My dad ordered the cobia fish which usually when I order fish at a restaurant it can be over cooked and dry. This came out perfect and tasted great. It had a Turkish spice which wasn't spicy but gave it a little almost tiny hint of cinnamon but not over powering at all. It doesn't sound great on fish at least for me but it tasted great because it was accompanied with a brown buttered oranges, olives, raisins, almonds, feta, and capers. Each bite tasted a little different but every bite I tried tasted great. Definitely recommend this place and would've given it 6 stars if I could.
(5)Corey W.
This place is pricing but it is worth every penny. I was a bit shocked when we could not get a reservation until 9:15 calling over a week ahead of time. After eating their food it is no surprises why. Food and service are both 5 stars each by themselves. Pork belly appetizer, charcuterie salad, followed by sear venison with ginger grits. Every plate was more amazing than the last. My wife ordered the scallops... wow. Not only did it come with some amazing side sauces, they saw fit to plate not 3, not 4 but 5 large scallops. All the great service notes where hit as well. Server who knows the menu inside and out, prompt, and professional. When I was questionable on what cocktail to order they assured me that if I didn't like it they'd take it back and get me something else. All and all definately a highclass place with highclass food.
(5)Alex G.
Quite stylish and nice place. Another happy hour though. It is pricey, but decor, food, and service are good all around. Liked duck confit, but shrimp and octopus bruschetta had more bacon than anything else. Trying to be objective, but don't get this fascination with bacon in way too many dishes. It just slightly affected my score. Still would recommend this place.
(4)Chris B.
I am not particularly into corporate or hotel restaurants. This is definitely one of those and is full of "tourists". There is nothing wrong with the food it is well prepared and meats were cooked to requested temp (medium rare) however the menu isn't as original as people say and there are better places to both experience dinner and those places make better food.
(4)Julie S.
Absolutely delicious!!!! My husband and I both had the venison, and the flavor of all the parts of the dish were just phenomenal!!! They complimented each other so much!!! All flavor sensations were covered, thus it felt like we had dinner and desert at the same time! Being a personal trainer, I am extremely health conscious--and I thoroughly enjoyed what Etch offered! Oh- and the Roasted Cauliflower is TO DIE FOR!!! We ordered two...
(5)Lauren W.
*** this is one of my top places in Nashville**** Etch is located in one of the new downtown condo buildings that just seem to keep popping up. Because downtown parking can be crazy I was very happy that they offered complimentary valet parking which made things very easy . The decor is simple and clean. I was a big fan of their large eat-in bar. I love restaurants that have a food bar overlooking the kitchen (City House). I'm hoping one day I can sit at the kitchen and watch my food being made. But this party of 3 had a table by the window overlooking the Country Music Hall of Fame. Not too shabby. Of course I'm having cocktails. I stuck with my go-to drink: the Old Fashioned. Etch made a good one. I especially like the addition of sweet dried cherries to the mix. Gave it a different flavor than the soaked kind. My Mom was feeling adventurous and opted for the Brandy Crusta which contained Courvoisier VS, Maraschino, Cointreau, Lemon Juice, and a Sugar Rim. I thought her drink was pretty good. The sugar rim added a much needed sweetness to the tart lemon juice. I know what you are thinking: WHY ARE YOU SHOWING ME A PLATE OF BREAD AND BUTTER?! Well, let me explain. Etch offers a butter tasting. NO JOKE. You get four types of specialty butter and some bread. The best part is that the type of butter is hidden under the cup so you are supposed to guess which one you were eating. I love food games! The butters displayed were truffle butter, smoked plugra butter, goat butter, and duck butter. My family's favorite (far and away) was the truffle butter. I was sticking my finger in that little dish trying to scrape out any remaining fat solids. This is a must order at Etch. The second appetizer we ordered to share was the chilled mussels, which was a lot more than just mussels. There was a layer of pork loin that sat on the bottom with Moroccan spiced mussels and calamari on top. And for a bonus they sprinkled chunks of feta on top. It had a good kick, but I wouldn't go as far as to call it spicy. It was good, but very hard to split among 3 people. This is a 2 or less appetizer. For my entree I ordered the duck. I'm a pretty boring dinner companion because if duck is on the menu, I normally order it. The duck was Moroccan spiced and served perfectly cooked. I like my duck breast cooked more like a steak with some red in the middle. Good job Etch chefs! It was served with ginger grits, cranberries and carrot puree. I have never had anything like those ginger grits before. Even my Mom who isn't the biggest fan of grits had to admit that these were damn tasty. I was a member of the clean plate club. My jaw dropped when my parents entree arrived (yes, they both ordered the same thing). They ordered the short ribs and this is what arrived. HOW BEAUTIFUL. We had no idea from the menu description that they would be getting a very sushi-version of short ribs. Those sushi bites are short ribs that are braised and then rolled in panko and fried. They had the best texture! The green is not wasabi, but pea puree. The large bowl contained glass noodles, carrots, mushrooms, sugar snap peas and tons of shrimp topped with fresh cilantro. I usually think that my choice of entree was the best option, but clearly my parents won this round. Seeing that it was my birthday celebration I had to have some sweets after all! The panna cotta itself was a chocolate/chai mixture that was topped with pear sorbet and a lace cookie. The whole bottom of the bowl was covered with dark chocolate sauce and toasted hazelnuts. This was heaven- so good that I even shared a bit with my parents. I loved everything about Etch. I know it's kind of a pansy review when you don't really have anything to critique, but I didn't. My parents both loved Etch and they kept talking about it the next few days. I know that this will be a place they want to visit on their next trip back. For my sake, I hope it is!
(5)Tran T.
This review is for lunch only. Parking: Complimentary valet parking or Central parking across from the restaurant. Drink: Asked for a sweetened tea but they only had un-sweetened one (I had a bad experience with this) so I just went with water. Lunch: I had the Octopus and Shrimp Bruschetta ($10) and Catfish ($13). The combination of seafood and bacon made the bruschetta so salty, it was hard for me to even finish half of the dish. The waitress also agreed that it was too salty. I wouldn't order this again. Thanks to the sweetness from the pomegranate sauce from the Catfish dish, I was able to taste the fish after all that saltiness from the bruschetta. Catfish was fresh and cooked to perfection. The portions were very big for the price, great for sharing. Service: I asked for a quiet table, and got more than what I wished for. The waitress wasn't attentive and disappeared after brought out my entree. Someone else had to bring me the check instead. Hopefully the service will be better next time, as I do want to come back here for dinner. 2013/#66
(3)Robert K.
First time at Etch. We are a family visiting Nashville for first time. Good service, great food. I would recommend. I had made reservations weeks in advance and was not disappointed. My kids are 19 &21 and had a great time. I will be back when returning to Nashville. Found Etch from top restaurant list 2014 in Nashville magazine on line. I'm glad it did!
(4)Liz K.
The food at Etch is amazing. I loved the roasted cauliflower. The service was also great; we were very impressed with all of the staff and loved meeting the head chef. We are just visiting Nashville and already have plans to come back here!
(5)Ricardo P.
Who reviewed this previously???? I will say that the atmosphere was very nice. A modern motif with an open air kitchen and high ceilings. Maybe we ordered the wrong dishes? No, we ordered the same dishes everyone raved about. Let me say that the best part of the meal was the rosemary bread rolls they gave us to start out with. All downhill from there! The roasted cauliflower tastes like paper towels. Absolutely lacked any flavor. The purée that accompanied was also devoid of flavor. At other places, the cauliflower would at least be marinated in something. The octopus and shrimp bruschetta had more leaves than seafood. It was also drowned in vinegar. I had an upset stomach right away. My girlfriend had the cobia that was sautéed in battery acid. I had a grouper that, once again, had the taste of wet paper towels. To top it off, I ordered the vanilla pound cake to take the wretched taste of dinner out of mouth. To my surprise, vanilla pound cake was extremely tart. I am not sure why this place has rave reviews. If this is the best that Nashville has to offer in fine cuisine, I will stick to the hot chicken and grits. Very dissatisfying experience.
(2)Jolie W.
Great appetizers--went for wine and quick bite. Loved the seafood bruschetta and California apps. So, so good!!! Happy hour is 1/2 priced apps!
(4)Ginger J.
Oh my is all I can say! The staff is wonderful and really attentive. The food? Some of the best I have ever had! If I could have licked my plate I would have! Great treat!
(5)James P.
What a great place! We sampled the Shrimp & Octopus Brochette (Great) - Tempura Catfish (Great) - Cobia (Good) - Filet (Great) - and a side of Brussel Sprouts (Great) - A keeper, if I lived here, I would come here often!
(5)John H.
The space is lovely, and I think most business travelers and conference attendees would feel comfortable here. I recommend you sit at the bar, as I did for a recent lunch, at which you can watch food prep in the open kitchen, and engage in a little friendly conversation with your bartender/server. Mine shared stories about his visit to St. Louis, as well as provided good info about the menu. My meal: *Jackalope Thunder Ann APA, local, a good match for mild to medium spice, with which my fine bartender served a plate of complimentary house chips, the potato sliced lengthwise. *Brisket Pupusa (I learned a "pupusa" is a thick corn tortilla filled with stuff, in this case smoked brisket, chihuahua cheese, onion, Peruvian butternut slaw, roja and poblano sauces, celery leaf avocado smash, lime crema, queso blanco). It was smoky, sweet, and spicy, with a south-of-the-border taste going on. *Charred Brussel Sprouts as a side, in butter with some onion, very good and sliced, which I prefer to having them served whole. *Jackalope Thunder Ann APA (my kind of dessert). My main source of entertainment was watching food preparation. I especially enjoyed a fine show of artful vegetable cutting with a straight peeler. My lunch was measured by the processing of exactly 3 bunches of celery and 7 bunches of asparagus, after which it was, sadly, time to depart.
(5)mary j.
This place is fantastic. Excellent quality food and service and this says a lot coming from someone who is accustomed to fine dining in Chicago. The staff, mangers and owners went above and beyond. Needless to say, we left with very full bellies. The roasted cauliflower appetizer with smoked pea purée (very smokey) was out of this world. The same pea purée was mounted atop the substantial helping of pork tenderloin. Also, the Cobia was excellent! If you like seafood, order the Cobia because I can guarantee you'll never see anything else like this anywhere else. We also enjoyed beet salads with goat cheese and candied nuts atop mixed greens and berries. Delicious dressing on this one and I would recommend it. And for the desert - the meringues were out of this world!!!!! Light and airy with ice cream and all sorts of yummy goodness on the plate. This was a perfect light desert. Yum!
(5)Ashley W.
One word... AWESOME. My mom and I stopped in for lunch right as it opened so it wasn't busy at all. Our waiter was super nice and let us know that if we had any menu questions he could help us. My mom couldn't decide on one so he helped her out and she decided on the Wild Rice Salad and added Shrimp. The portion was huge and came on a granite slate which was different and cool. I ordered the Thai Chicken and Quinoa. It was a great dish, but a little salty for my taste though the sweet potatoes did help a lot. Cashews came in the dish, but I substituted those for the candied peanuts that I saw on another dish. A great lunch in a great atmosphere! Really loved the open kitchen concept and it wasn't a noisy kitchen either. Another thing... Don't you hate going in to a restaurant where they have god awful music playing in the background and it's overly loud? Well you definitely won't find that here! We found the music to be calm and at a great sound level even though we were the only ones in the restaurant. Definite recommend! If I had to say one bad thing, it would be that they didn't make sweet tea (in the South?!) but the waiter did offer me unsweetened tea and that he could give me sweetener, but it is just not the same,
(5)Christopher M.
This place is phenomenal. My partner and I were in town while making a cross country move. We were staying downtown and wanted to celebrate his birthday. We were lucky to get in without a problem on a Thursday night. I did make a reserve that afternoon, without too much trouble. We started with the roasted cauliflower appetizer, which was terrific, as were the cocktails. They had some very interesting favors. The whole meal was exceptional. Our server, Ed was attentive without being disruptive. The ambiance is very sleek and contemporary. The acoustics are nicely balanced so that even with a very full dining room and the open kitchen concept, it didn't feel too loud or distracting. I'm vegetarian and was particularly pleased with their offerings. They didn't have a huge selection of vegetarian items to choose from, but the ones they offered were very interesting, with complex layers of favors. Not the usual roasted portabello mushroom! My partner had lamb, on the rare side and he said that it was cooked to perfection. He was also impressed with the wine list. We'll definitely be back if we visit Nashville again.
(5)Blair S.
I went to Etch on night with a symphony, a rock concert, a hockey game, and one of the first warm clear nights of the spring all converging on Downtown Nahsville at once. This was one of those nights where complimentary valet is very nice (dinner guest only, I'm told) and reservations are a must. The waiter was quick to follow the hostess who seated us, shared specials and drink recommendations, then watched from out of sight as we decided what we wanted without nagging or leaving us hungry. Throughout the meal, his timing was just right. We soon started with duck confit and an seared tuna salad. The confit was just the right size for two, was wonderfully tender, and seasoned perfectly. The tuna salad was large and a perfect mix a flavors and textures. The lamb chop entree was one of the best I've had in ages. Perfectly cooked and again with a great mix of flavors. The quality of the meat was top notch, as was the price. The scallops were perfectly executed too. For dessert we shared a meyer lemon frozen mousse. It was light, tangy, and not overly sweetened. It perfectly capped off a great meal. The prices are higher than most restaurants, but if you need a romantic date night, to celebrate a special occasion, or to entertain someone on the expense account, Etch should a top choice. You won't think twice about the price after you finish your meal.
(5)Joshua P.
Very nice atmosphere and a very good menu. Not a great menu... The biggest problem here was the side ingredients always seemed to overpower what was supposed to be the star of the dish (pork for example). Dessert and appetizers were amazing!
(4)W L.
Thanks to TripAdvisor, we enjoyed a great dinner with friends. The food was so good that I came back for lunch by myself the day after. The tuna bowl salad ($16) was worth the price: innovative, light, and yet flavorful. The roasted cauliflower was $9 for lunch and $10 for dinner: the serving is very fulfilling, enough for 4 people to share. The filet was very tender, the signature fish entree bursts with multiple flavors and is on the sweet side. The pork chop was cooked to perfection. Service at both times was attentive without being overbearing. Definitely worth the number 2 rating on Trip Advisor.
(5)Bill Z.
Amazing dynamic flavors, i had the lamb....every bite had a different nuanced combo of flavor. A rare but welcome change of pace....I had the pork belly and cauliflower appetizers too....both very good
(5)Stephanie C.
Etch was the best meal I had in 2013. It was my first time and we had it all- cocktails, appetizers, entrées, desserts... The whole 9 yards. The highlight of my meal was the venison. Because it was a special event I stretched my comfort zone tried something new and it turned out to be a real winner. The presentation and the taste were perfection. I was slightly underwhelmed by the atmosphere; it's pretty nonspecific trendy- urban. But it was convenient and clean and there was a valet. In the end, it's the food that matters most. I highly recommend this place.
(5)Glenn D.
Our best formal meal in Nashville. Cocktails and appetizers were especially good (including the cauliflower that everyone raves about). Service was also great. Enjoy!
(5)Taylor S.
The food was pretty good and the service was great. We enjoyed the different butters and the cauliflower for our appetizers. The entrees were ok. The pork chop was decent but the copia was a bit too sweet for my liking. I'd go back to try some other things but overall I'd give them 3.5/5 stars.
(4)Bridgette C.
I would like to thank Etch, as I was in a foul mood when I first came here, by no fault of theirs (trying to go downtown to a symphony show while it was raining and the SEC tournament was at Bridgestone was not a good driving combo) and thanks to the lovely staff and service at Etch, I returned to my more pleasant form. A gorgeous space in downtown Nashville across from the Schermerhorn, Etch has gotten so much love from my friends that I was very excited to try it out. It was a great pre-show spot with a fantastic happy hour and a great bar with good bartenders. They have great appetizers based on my brief taste I am excited to try a real dinner here! While this may be my shortest review yet its only because my experience here was unfortunately brief, so tune in for an update soon.
(4)Jeremy E.
Best lunch in Nashville. Great value. Great food. This is my #1 spot for business lunches.
(5)Brian N.
I had a less than perfect meal at Etch last week, and let them know about it. In my entire life, I've never seen a chef or a manager go to such great lengths to correct the situation, and they should be applauded for it. If you're on the fence about going here, get off the fence and just GO! People who have that much passion for what they do should always be rewarded. Your meal will be fantastic; I know the chef and manager will see to that.
(5)Noelle T.
I guess I'm just not a foody like I thought I was! This stuff was just too complicated to taste good to me! I ate here for lunch today. We both took full advantage of the free valet because it is freezing. We had a lovely table by the window, great service, and a nice view of the Omni. Even though it was lunch they made an exception and brought us the butter appetizer you guys have been raving about trying but it was just too much for me. After eating the truffle butter, the French fat butter, the ginger peanut brittle butter, and the duck butter I already felt uneasy but I wanted to keep going to try to understand the love affair with Etch. Then we tried the roasted cauliflower with the pea pesto and feta crema which was fine. I like cauliflower and I've had some really good dishes here in town but I guess I expected it to blow my mind since everyone keeps talking about how great it is. I probably would have liked it better if the bar wasn't set so high in my mind. Next we shared the brisket pupusa. I love a good pupusa but it was so hard to find the little thing buried under thinly sliced brisket and multiple colored sauces. I pushed aside an onion, meat, cheese, a strange orange sauce, a red sauce, celery leaf avocado smash, lime crema, some veggies, then another white sauce and savored my one little soggy bite of pupusa - good but again all the sauces were very unappetizing to me. At this point in time I just wanted something normal but even the dessert menu seemed a little frilly. I settled on the poached apples, roasted apple puree, black currant sauce, toasted almonds, apple chips, on a twinkie...I mean vanilla cake...with a side of olive oil ice cream. Can't a girl just get a cupcake? Any way, I get why you guys like it. It's a taste exploration but I don't have that many calories in a day to explore with. If I am going to eat something I want it to provide nutrition and pleasure and perhaps a little simplicity. I will say I liked my wine and they make a mean cup of coffee. So there is that. Bottom Line: If you want an adventure in your mouth this is the place for you. If you just want a tasty and simple meal, look elsewhere.
(3)lisa j.
My favorite restaurant and I live in Chicago. You have to have the cauliflower appetizer, the beets & berries salad, the cobia entree and the chocolate pretzel bar dessert. These are all just AMAZING!!!
(5)Audrey D.
Absolutely amazing vegetarian creation- "Katafi Pastry"- spaghetti squash with sage, fontina cheese and golden raisins. poblano gravy, charred eggplant puree, black olive barley tapenade- for $19 - totally worth it. From the texture variations, to the colors to the tastes, it was RESPECT to vegetarian cusine, rather than the typical (boring) pasta dishes offered at most restaurants that are geared to meat eaters. Hubbie had the venison- he gave it a 5/5, but he actually became enamoured by my vegetarian dish, saying the dynamic range of taste was more vast than his meal. Ginger grits on the side; sweet and buttery. Bon appetit!
(5)Paula Jean K.
Nashville's No. 1 restaurant in Zagat's America's Top Restaurants 2014! We had the pleasure of dining here on a Saturday night. What a spectatcular experience! We were immediately greeted at the front door by a lovely hostess who brought us to our table. We perused the drink menu and chose 2 signature cocktails which were brought to our table promptly. Suddenly, the maitre d' comes over and apologizes to us because the table that we were seated at had been reserved for another party. Would we mind changing tables? No, Of course not. Drinks on the house! Really? That was awful nice! We ordered the Octopus and Shrimp Bruschetta, the Pork Loin and the Lamb Chop. Wow! Simply marvelous. Everything that we ate was well prepared, flavorful and beautifully presented. The lamb was so good that I really wanted to gnaw on the bone but since this was a very high class restaurant, I'm sure that, that, would have been frowned upon. The sides that accompanied out proteins were also delicious. The ambience was soothing. We felt very loved here. Etch is as good as it gets!
(5)Michael M.
I liked it. Very interesting menu with excellent service and presentation. The cauliflower was good (a little hard) but I prefer it fried. My friends had the bruchetta and loved it. I had the veggie thingy Katafi Pastry for a main course which was interesting & delicious. I'm a carnivore but took a shot and it was worth it. Plate went back to the kitchen clean. Hard to describe but a great alternate if you don't want to get weighed down on meat. The olive oil ice cream was good but was vanilla with or without the EVO....no matter what the waiter said ;-) Decent wine menu loaded with cabs; lite on Italians but we found something we liked. Impressed they had Pappy Van Winkle bourbon available.
(4)Alisha W.
The only thing I regret about my dining experience is that I was too full to try everything. I had very high expectations going into this dinner, and I was not let down. James my waiter was very knowledgeable with all of the dishes and was good about giving our space after we ordered. We started with a few cocktails and then we got the Octopus Bruschetta, it was delicious! So many good favors all mixed onto a delicious toasted bread. We them ordered a bottle of wine to go with dinner. My boyfriend had the pork tenderloin that was so good, the basic meat and potatoes done very well. I was shocked when he even ate the mushrooms! I was not very hungry so I did the tuna salad for dinner. There was plenty for dinner, I couldn't even finish it all. The dressing was light and tangy it went very well with the tuna. For dessert we had the chocolate fudge. It was very rich! The chocolate with the nuts and caramel all together made a great end to a wonderful meal. I will be back!
(5)Michael M.
A must! Sat at the chefs table and I have have to say from the moment I walked in I was greeted with excellent service. My waiter was spot on with solid knowledge of the menu wines and recommendations. I'm going back on Wednesday with friends. Go you will be pleasantly surprised!
(5)Robert U.
I was disappointed by Etch. The biggest problem was the service was unacceptably slow. Our appetizer took about 30 minutes to arrive. Our entrees arrived just before the ONE HOUR mark. Our server never mentioned anything like "your food is coming," or "sorry for the wait" or offered any sort of acknowledgement. Is this the norm here? The food was good. The cauliflower appetizer is nice. The okra side is really good, with an orange sauce and some feta cheese that complemented it. But generally, the food, while unique, was kind of bland.
(2)Victor H.
I can safely say that Etch is the best dining experience I've had in Nashville. The service is wonderful, the drinks are delicious and the atmosphere/decor is perfect for a great date night. Our server was very knowledgable and went out of her way to describe the menu. The food though, WOW, the food is what really shines. The pork dinner entree is one of the best things I've ever eaten. My wife purchased the 7oz filet and I couldn't believe or understand how tender and delicious it was... It literally melted in my mouth. Also, don't forget to leave room for dessert, the homemade ice cream is delightful, our server even brought us a candle in our dessert because we were celebrating my wife's birthday! If I could give this place six stars I would. Save up a little money and go have one of the best dining experiences Nashville has to offer.
(5)Debbie P.
I took my mother to this restaurant for lunch on her birthday. It was the perfect place. Tuesday at lunch was not too crowded, the menu was deliciously varied and the service was attentive and friendly. The servers were so gracious to my mother, and made her feel special. They even put a candle on her dessert! This is an upscale restaurant near the heart of downtown and caters to business luncheons during the day and fine dining in the evening. I recommend it to anyone looking for a good dining experience.
(4)justine h.
The spaghetti squash dish is EVERYTHING! And im a total meat eater. It's the kind of dish you have dreams about.
(5)Stephanie C.
This is the most stellar, out of the world, perfectly prepared food I have ever had. We have been several times and every single dish is amazing! The management is beyond aware as they visit the table often, are always checking to see if there's anything they can do, and beyond generous to take care of anything not 100%. This is a place you must go!
(5)Steve E.
Just to emphasize....the food is magic. Flavors on top of flavors, and they all work. We took a couple new to Etch---their fave in Nashville so far. And it is certainly on our list. Outstanding in every aspect.
(5)Jared S.
Absolutely delicious, exquisitely-prepared food. Everything about Etch is top-notch, from the drinks, to the food, to the waitstaff. I am constantly impressed by how wonderful this restaurant is. Plenty of other people have left suggestions on what to try, so I won't go into details. Especially since I don't believe you could possibly be disappointed with anything you order. If you want a special night out, Etch is a great choice. I would recommend you get a reservation, and if you like the frantic pace of a kitchen, try sitting at the chef's bar. You might even get a chance to chat with Deb for a few minutes. That is, if there's a lull that allows her to slow down her militaristic attention to detail.
(5)Frank P.
We sat at the bar because the restaurant was too full (with reason, this place rocks). Paul was an amazing bartender. We had the cauliflower appetizer (I usually hate cauliflower, but it was AMAZING) and shrimp/oyster bruschetta (again amazing!). We were pretty stuffed after just those two appetizers so we didn't get the the lamb porterhouse because we had heard it was amazing as well but decided against it since we were so full. Highly recommended!
(5)Gregg S.
Etch came highly recommended by several people and did not disappoint! We were carefully steered through the menu and were very impressed with our selections. The cauliflower appetizer even impressed this guy who usually goes for something like raw oysters or calamari. The Etch and Beet salads were delectable and the lamb did not even hint at needing a "to go" box! Desert mostly stayed in front of my lady, but I did steal a small bite to see what all the "mmmmms" where about...yum! Kenneth, our server, gave us just the right amount of attention and had more knowledge of a menu than I ever thought possible. Whomever leads this team, from valet drop-off to valet pickup, really knows what they are doing. Well done folks!
(5)K C.
Started with cocktails at the bar which were very good. Ordered appetizers, the Cobia, Venison, and some sides to share. We also shared a couple of desserts. The flavors of everything was excellent. The use of spices and the sauces were done right. If I lived anywhere near this restaurant I be a regular. Service was great, they provided some good wine recommendations, and the atmosphere was very cool.
(5)Chet L.
This is one of those places that always seems to know what they're doing. After some business downtown, Yelp's fantabulous app directed me here for lunch. Free validated parking was the first sign of class. After being greeted by the hostess, and wonderful dining area is presented with a huge chef's bar where you can sit and watch the magic happen in the kitchen. Or just grab a beer and some soup and enjoy the view. For lunch I had a tasty black bean spicy soup - I hate black beans. This soup I would bathe in.....delicious. I also ordered the Brisket Pupusa: corn cake, smoked brisket, chihuahua cheese, onion, peruvian butternut carrot slaw, roja and poblano sauces, celery leaf avocado smash, lime crema, queso blanco......THIS WAS PHENOMENAL. Floor manager, kitchen manager, expo, servers, all asking if they can get you anything and of things are okay. Great place - cant wait to go for dinner. This place knows how to do food - just another sign Nashville is becoming a food mecca. Way to go Etch !!
(5)Rachel H.
YUM!!! I went to Etch last weekend and have nothing but good things to say! The Roasted Cauliflower is hands down the best cauliflower I've ever had. I wish I knew how to make it because it was absolutely delicious and you can eat it without feeling any guilt :) We also ordered the Octopus and Shrimp Bruschetta. This was also very good but if I had to pick between the bruschetta and the cauliflower, the cauliflower would win every time. For my entrée I ordered the Cobia per the recommendation of our server. It was fantastic! I love seafood to begin with, but this was so flavorful and interesting, I'd absolutely recommend it to anyone in the mood for something a little bit lighter. The sauce was sooo good and I think the raisons gave it a little bit of extra texture that isn't commonly found in fish dishes. My friend ordered the lamb which he loved but I forgot to try because I was so enamored with my own dish. I don't live in Nashville, but if/when I'm back I'll definitely make a point to get back to Etch.
(5)Zoe Z.
Sitting at the bar facing the open kitchen and watching the staff prepare everybody's food adds to the fun of dining at Etch! Overall, this place lives up to the reputation hailed by so many diners. The entrees are fine but somehow bring in southern style which is not my personal favourite---a little too much of the fried, roasted, seared... The special summer cold soup is stunning, refreshing and pleasantly sizzling to the tasting buds. Fruit from the earth and the sea strike a harmony in just one bowl!
(4)Steve A.
The food at Etch is astonishing. Seriously. This was one of the best meals of my life. Every flavor component of every dish was surprising, complex, and worth savoring. Some dishes--such as the cauliflower appetizer--had different flavor combinations at different ends of the dish. There wasn't a single element of anything we tried that didn't contribute to the whole. An interesting wine list and knowledgeable servers complement this amazing food. And the ambiance is upscale, trendy, yet not too loud to have an intimate conversation. This restaurant would be a major weekly temptation if I lived in Nashville. Truly memorable.
(5)Jenna H.
After seeing this place listed as the best restaurant in Nashville on TripAdvisor (right behind a pizza place and coffee shop), we made reservations the day of (Friday night) through Open Table while traveling. Other reviews said sometimes you need to book 1-2 weeks in advance, but we were lucky! The atmosphere for dinner is posh, dark, clean, and modern looking. We enjoyed the high-end feel, and my fiancé wore a polo, jeans, and tennis shoes, so it wasn't pretentious. The wait staff was kind and knowledgeable about the food and wine list in great detail and offered amazing recommendations for both! The food was superb: - Pork belly appetizer was so tender it could easily be cut with a fork and melted in your mouth! - The filet mignon was tender (even at medium well) and had amazing, juicy flavors. I'm a steak snob after living in Dallas for years, so I was impressed with this steak! - The fried brussel sprouts side is the way to go if you love brussel sprouts at all! They taste succulent, but without a bunch of fried breading. All sides are meant to be shared with 1-2 other people. The two of us shared one side. We enjoyed the wine recommended to us and appreciated the fact that our waitress suggested a good-priced wine, not the expensive ones. Cabernet bottle prices start at $60-70 a bottle and run much higher! For one appetizer, two meals, one side, and a bottle of wine, we spent $180 before tip. The average dinner plate runs $30, which is a great price for what you get and being so high rated...filets are easily $50 at other steak houses! I highly recommend to anyone staying close to downtown Nashville. It's also a street over from Music Row and all of the action!
(5)Tracy S.
We started with butter tastings.. yes BUTTER tastings! prosciutto truffle, smoked parmesan black pepper, ginger cashew and malt vinegar options. My favorite was the ginger cashew, it was sweet and salty. As a non-steak, big meat person, there was really only one option to enjoy and it was the Rutabaga La Plancha, which was a mix of veggies, potatoes, carrots, and more all combined to make a magnificent vegetarian option at a fine dining establishment. we ordered two desserts, one was a chocolate bread pudding and the other was a chocolate banana, peanut butter concoction that was eaten very quickly. the menu is smaller than I would like but everything was delicious and a great place to enjoy a nice dinner in Nashville!
(4)Lee L.
NASHVILLE, TN: I just finished my third EXQUISITE meal at Etch! It's a little tough to spot from the street as the entry faces the parking lot next to the Encore building. Recommend taking Uber to the spot because parking is crazy. Modern, steel, clean, black linens and subdued darker tones everywhere. The waitstaff is formal, handsome and well trained. Ties and blouses. Open kitchen, Edison bulbs, and a view of the parking lot. FOOD - I was tipped off to the Cauliflower appetizer, which is on both the lunch and dinner menu, but the Brussels sprouts are only on the dinner menu. APPS Cauliflower Appetizer ($9/5 stars)- Awesome, their best selling and most known appetizer and it is deceptively simple: roasted, salted cauliflower with truffle oil and delicious add ons-Awesome! Butter Tasting Appetizer ($7/4 stars): Four different infused butters with a few slices of baguette. The truffle butter was mind blowing and the other three were pretty good. It was a fun appetizer for the group. SALADS Berries and Beets (4 stars): Delicious salad with a frozen goat cheese mousse (?!?). Candied pecans, awesome. Charcuterie Salad (5 stars): This salad was the envy of the table and the highlight of the evening. It is a work of art on the plate, with cauliflower, meats and a number of taste profiles in the abundant sauce and ingredients. Sweet and a little spicy. Order this; portion is enough to share as well. ENTREES Cobia (5 stars) - This dish was rocking: citrus, tart, sweet, Turkish spice (like curry) all competing and balancing. It is an adventurous dish, so if you need a milder taste profile get something else, otherwise order with gusto. Prepared flawlessly. Filet (4 stars) - This is a well prepared, well executed filet. Tasty and delicious, no surprises. Octopus and Shrimp (3.5 stars) This was my least favorite of the evening, the baguette it was on was charred too much. Charcuterie Plate (4 stars): This was good, but not amazing, meats, cheeses, and pickled vegetables/fruits. Cauliflower Croquettes ($12/5 stars)-Wow! This was delicious: over easy eggs, fried cauliflower cheese onion croquettes and hollandaise, some flavorful lamb bacon, red peppers, amazing! I was already full when this was served and I ate the whole plate. Dessert Chocolate Caramel Mousse Slice (5 stars): This was epic, like rich chocolate ganache, salted caramel and praline. Just decadent. Dark Chocolate Bread Pudding (4.5 stars): Wonderful caramel laced rich and moist and warm bread pudding with consistency of a soufflé. Cannot wait to return!
(5)Laura P.
Absolutely wonderful....though the review is really just on appetizers as we didn't make it to entrees. I started with a Moroccan Sangria, which was delicious. My friend pretty much just drank his way through a good portion of the whiskey list. And it's a fairly impressive and diverse list. Ordered: - Butter Tasting - very cool and a nice choice of app. The pineapple and mushrooms were the 2 favorites and we gobbled those up with the nice bread. The "everything bagel" was a bit meh, and the herb lardo was more like a very mildly flavored crisco. - Ciopino - Very nice with a lovely sauce that was a bit like a romesco. - Octopus and Shrimp Bruschetta - Also very nice, but with a tiny amount of shrimp....like there were only two VERY small pieces. - Venison Carpaccio - Damn, but this was delicious. But the favorite was.... - Pork Belly - So nice we ordered it twice! And that meant we were too full to carry on with an entree or dessert. :( Our server, Justin, was great and very helpful. This is a great restaurant and I'll be delighted to go back next time I'm in Nashville.
(5)A B L.
I felt very adventurous eating here- many curious food combinations! Our waiter, Travis, was excellent. The Food was colorful! Also try the roasted cauliflower- I was surprised I loved it!! Travis also gave us great venue recommendations to listen to real singer/songwriters near Broadway (the listening room).
(5)Gerry T.
I was visiting Nashville for the first time and I had heard about the recent influx of people to this city as well as the creativity going on in the culinary scene there so when people recommended Etch as a must go, I went. I thought the menu was uninspired and boring. I don't mean to sound like a douchie-foodie wanna be, but I have eaten in many great restaurants and this is not one of them. The service was efficient but nothing out of the ordinary. The drinks were good. We were a party of 3 so we sampled many dishes. The best part of the meal was the the drinks. Again, not bad but certainly not deserving of all the great reviews on yelp. Sorry everyone.
(3)Amol U.
The next time you've got a special occasion or a business power-lunch, Etch is a solid choice. Compared to most places in Nashville, Etch has a distinctly cosmopolitan look. Think upscale lounge or dinner club, which is a much different vibe than most of the hipster-casual or Southern-kitchen styled places in Nashville. It's different, and very pleasant. The dining area also allows you to see the kitchen at work, which is a pretty cool touch. The food here, again, is unique. It's hard to put into a particular category, but suffice it to say that you'll encounter some new tastes and combinations you wouldn't have expected ... And it totally, totally works. For example, you won't want to miss the roasted cauliflower appetizer, which comes with an array of delicious tomato and pistachio dipping sauces. Likewise, you might raise an eyebrow at fried catfish with a berry(?) glaze, but it's fantastic. On a final note, the service at Etch lives up to the food and ambience. Complimentary valet removes the hassle of finding parking downtown, and if you're on a tight schedule for lunch or before an event, the service is quick and responsive. Etch is definitely a stretch of my budget, but one that's well worth it. Definitely looking forward to visiting here again!
(5)Christina W.
I was very pleasantly surprised at how beautiful the restaurant was, I was expecting something a little more casual (based off conversation I had with friends) - so I'm glad I dressd up. :) There is free valet in the front, which almost seems like your best (and only?) option to park. Our waitress was very friendly and informative. We had 3 appetizers, the butter tasting, the cauliflower and the pork belly. The butter tasting was fun - we had our favorites and it was interesting to see the different flavors infused into the butters. Pork belly was AMAZING. I overheard that the set up changes on it at times, but the current set is so great. Fantastic complimenting flavors. Highlight of the evening for me. Even though I'm a server and most (i.e. - all I've ever talked to) hate Yelp (that's a different conversation, ha) - I use it frequently. So I took the advice of so many reviews and ordered the cauliflower considering it a MUST. Unfortunately, it's not a must. It wasn't bad, by any means. But I would not order it again. It was plain and underwhelming. I would divert to other wonderful things in the menu. We also had the venison (rare), which was wonderful. My father had the current vegetable plate which is a trio of mushrooms and other vegetables. He raved. We shared. It was pretty wonderful. He rated it a 10. I said 7.9 ;) All in all, twas a good visit.
(4)Dan Z.
The Good: service; The butter (its an appetizer); the atmospheres. The Bad: nothing; it was an enjoyable evening. The Rest: overall a great stop. Met my expectations for a Nashville restaurant in this class. Service was exceptional, food was very good, as expected. Not an extensive menu but adequate. Four stars and recommend and will be back. Couldn't give the fifth star because the wow wasn't there, but don't be dissuaded, it was excellent.
(4)Kristen S.
Came here while in town for the CMA Fest and my friends 30th birthday. The cauliflower appetizer is to die for (and I don't even like cauliflower!). I got the filet which was a whole new take on a normal dish. I thought the atmosphere was wonderful, the service was impeccable and the food tasty. My only complaint is the wine prices, I thought some were a little steep for the brand of wine they had.
(4)James B.
Ok so I don't want to sound arrogant or anything but this place was good, but I think it's Nashville good. Look, it's good but when compared to the likes of some places in Chicago, and NYC, it's just good. We got the Cauliflower, and a soup to start. The cauliflower was good but it was because the seasoning. It's baked with truffle oil then has some dipping sauces. It was good for sure. Entrees were the Confit fish and venison. The venison came out similar to a fillet. Perfectly cooked, small portion. There was a sweet potato, Brie cream, and some sauces. There was too much Brie and it over powered the coca seasoned venison. Back off the Brie cream a bit and it's a great pairing. The confit fish was a mahi mahi served over a vignette (doughnut) with apricots and a vinegarette drizzle. The flavors were awesome but it was weird because the fish is so flavorless. It's almost like the fish was there to provide texture for the other pieces of the dish, instead of being a main portion. The flavors worked and it was balanced but I just think the fish could be better utilized. Overall the staff is knowledgable on wine, pairings, and their menu. Good ambiance. Good for Nashville, but didn't blow me away.
(4)Joy M.
Our waitress was great! She was very passionate and explained the menu and have us a quick background on the chef's cooking style. We sat near the kitchen to see the dishes that would come out. Everything looked amazing and the waitresses would stop as they passed us explaining what dish they were holding. The food was excellent. Definitely loved the salmon dish which I believe was the fish of the day. The Rosemary bread that they served us with was a good initial touch to start our pallets. We ordered an old fashion (typically picky about how this is made as some places can make it too sweet). The drinks were made perfectly with a smokey finish and perfect blend. The bourbon pecan ice cream was delicious. It had a blend of pecans and cookie crumble. Overall a great experience and well worth the cost. What we ordered: -catfish app -cauliflower app -old fashion -szerac -fish of the day(salmon) -bourbon pecan ice cream -another fish dish I can't remember but had a beignet
(5)Loralyn D.
After hearing all of the hype about Etch, I was excited to give it a try. The cauliflower appetizer was recommended by the waiter and was delicious. The reason I'm only giving 3 stars is because of two things. First, although each dish we had was delicious, between the appetizer, salad, main entrees, and sides there was so much sauce on everything that I was overwhelmed. I like sauces, but not as the main taste of every plate. Maybe we somehow ordered too many things with sauces. I don't know. Second, the atmosphere walking in was really nice, but we were asked by the hostess and server if it was our first time to the restaurant and after saying it was, I felt like we were not as important. The staff was nice and we weren't treated poorly, I just didn't feel like a valued customer like at other restaurants in this price range. None the less, it's a nice restaurant and served great food but I would choose other restaurants in the Nashville area for the price..
(3)Jon M.
We're visiting from Phoenix (a city whose culinary culture has exploded in recent years). Further, I've lived in NY, LA and San Francisco and am well-traveled -- so without intending to sound braggy, I do consider myself pretty well versed on fine dining. Bottom line: I'd put Etch against anything these cities have to offer. I cannot recommend this place enough. Top 1% of all the meals I've ever had. Go. Details: It's modern, and clean-lined. The decor feels fresh and the ginormous open kitchen (which takes up 50% of the floor plan) sets the tone straight away. If that wasn't enough, the staff to patron ratio was 1:2 during a packed Thursday night. This is virtually unheard of in the service industry. The menu is diverse but focused. No multi-page turner here but you honestly won't care. The choices are varied and creative. Which brings me to some food specifics. Get the roasted cauliflower appetizer. You don't like cauliflower? Get it anyway. It's spectacular. The cauliflower itself is roasted and finished with a slight char. It's drizzled with truffle oil to give it a savory and fragrant perfection. Flanked on each side is a blanched-almond pea purée and a roasted tomato goat cheese purée. Both of these would be utterly spectacular on their own much less as basically a garnish to a starter. And that's really the summation of Etch in my mind. No corners skipped. No expense spared. Attention paid to the tiniest detail. We also had the pork belly appetizer. Excellent. My daughter had the fish of the day. Cooked and seasoned to perfection. My girlfriend had the venison. Rich and delicious. I had the lamb and once again the sides were just overwhelmingly good. Greek olive tapenade, a filo dough "clutch" stuffed with roasted feta. Grilled ocra. And the service (our server Ed in particular) was thoughtful, knowledgeable and attentive but not overly so. There is a sommelier on staff for wine suggestions. We didn't leverage him but nice to know that was an option.
(5)Joshua G.
Dear Etch, Your wonderful food, friendly service, and great atmosphere once again made my day. I've sat at the chef's bar each time and it has always been a great experience. I continue to thoroughly enjoy your fresh and interesting menu. The oldie but goodies are always awesome as well. Thanks for continuing to be a fantastic restaurant. You made my 1.5 hour drive through tourist traffic well worth it.
(5)Jane H.
This was the best meal we've had In years. The blending of delicious flavors was beyond good. We had the roasted cauliflower for an appetizer and the sauces were scrumptious. Service was impeccable and every course better than the one before it!
(5)Cindy S.
Possibly one of the best restaurants in Nashville. Friend and I had quite a tasting. Started with watermelon bubbles. My friend had the butter tasting and roasted cauliflower for myself. Wow! Mine was great - the truffled pea pesto was the best. My friend's butter experience was nice but only liked the pineapple rum chili in the end. I tasted it and I have to agree. It could've have used a little heat. Outside of that, the grilled lamb loin, crispy potato salad and desserts were decadent!!! I'm not a huge fan of lamb but I have to say my tastebuds were very happy!!! With the potato salad, it was all about the texture. Great job there. She had the peach crumble tart and I had the bourbon pecan ice cream. For me, my experience was a homerun!!!
(5)Linda B.
A definite must! Shrimp/octopus bruschetta was amazing. If you can't decide, try it for sure. Nice portion as well. Lamb- tangy and flavorful, with a twist on what you would expect. Venison- ate every last bite. Tender and not gamey. Loved the sides it was paired with. Too full for dessert, but it looked scrumptious. Atmosphere- nice, dim lighting and more upscale than the Broadway restaurants. Service- I wish I knew our servers name, he was knowledgable on every level and was a pleasure. Definitely made our experience. If you are looking for a nice dinner, food a little bit outside of the box, you have to check it out!
(5)Debby S.
We LOVE this place! Food, service, ambiance..they got it all. Our first time in Nashville. The first night we arrived in Nashville 8:30pm so we were hungry. Etch had a 20 min wait and we didn't have reservations. We went next door to The Farm House where there was no wait and we know why! Terrible at The Farm. (see my review of Farm) I mentioned it here because we are not the type to complain about the price if the quality of the food is excellent. We made it a point to come back to this vicinity for Etch and we are so glad we did. Etch is first class. Our waitress was so nice and helpful. The food is high end. My venison was cooked perfectly. The marriage of flavors beautifully matched. The presentation artful. We didn't want to dig into the food right away so we could let the presentation of colors and arrangement of items feed our eyes before our stomach.
(5)Martà M.
I have made it back over to Etch for a few dinners since my last review, and certainly have not been disappointed. So much, in fact, that I have increased my star rating from four to five! I agree with Ryan O., the butter tasting remains one of my favorites! And the roasted cauliflower is superb! When in season, the grilled okra is still a MUST HAVE. While I won't eat the "meats" of the octopus and shrimp bruschetta, all the other pieces of the dish are great too! The Vegetable of the Day has always been a favorite side of mine; incorporating things like carrots, zucchini, and snap peas, sautéed in walnut oil (olive oil for me). On two of these visits, I've opted for the scallops. (Yes, they're just that good.) Served on a bed of greens, the portion is quite generous...something simply not seen often with fine dining these days. Wine pairings are abundant, and the staff seems to actually ENJOY their jobs. I'm anxious to try Chef Deb's new establishment since she has done such an excellent job with this one.
(5)Faith D.
My husband and I visited Nashville and met up with a long-time friend. Etch made for a perfect venue. The interior is spacious and tables were not on top of each other. Super fancy. Great place to dine, especially if you want to impress and have a non-rushed conversation with friends. Save your pennies, because it will take many of them and possibly a Benjamin or two depending on how good of a food and wine experience you have. We ordered the infamous beets and berries to start, followed by roasted cauliflower, and the entrees were Cobia and Grilled Lamb Loin. Just writing those makes my mouth water again. If I am ever in Nashville again, I will return gladly. If you are there, make a reservation and treat yourself to a great dining experience.
(5)Jane S.
Thank you Etch for helping me make my mother's birthday a special one! Unfortunately, I was not able to dine at the restaurant with my parents but the staff at Etch truly were amazing. I called a week ahead to make reservations for my parents. They were in Nashville for a vacation and it happened to fall on my mom's bday. I gave them my credit card so my parents wouldnt have to see a bill. I also ordered dessert ahead of time knowing my parents wouldnt order one. They did everything I hoped they would do. My mom can be difficult sometimes but they took back her original order because she didn't like the sea bass. Then they switched her order and got her pork chops. They were all very accomodating and I appreciate that so much! My parents LOVED the roasted cauliflower! I wish I couldv'e tasted it :) All in all, I am very grateful for the staff here making my mom's bday special even though I couldn't be there in person!!
(5)Liz C.
Trendy atmosphere so know that from the get go. Highly trained wait staff and amazing food. You're paying for atmosphere, service and food here and it's all well worth it. Delicious handcrafted cocktails for a variety of palettes. You MUST try the cauliflower appetizer. We hesitated and almost didn't order it, what a mistake that would have been! Wine was reasonably priced and food was amazing. Copia, venison, pork tenderloin and fillet were all amazing. Chocolate torte for dessert did not disappoint either. Would definitely visit again!
(5)Charles S.
Deb Paquette's Etch is one of my favorite restaurants in Nashville. Food, drink, service, and atmosphere (minus the current construction across the street) are fabulous. It's easily among the top 5 restaurants in Music City right now. I've only been twice thus far, and while I'm sure they're capable of having an off night, I've not seen anything but perfection. My first experience was for a milestone birthday. The server, whose name I've unfortunately forgotten, was the essence of professionalism. He paced our meal perfectly, even though we had two appetizer courses, a salad course, entrees, desserts, and digestifs. The service was absolutely the best experience I've had in downtown Nashville. As far as the food is concerned, I must start by saying some flavor or texture combinations may seem odd on paper -- Paquette is nothing if not inventive, and her menus seem to enjoy putting diners outside of their comfort zones in all the best ways. I may not get any points for originality here, but I'll echo others and say both the cauliflower and butter tastings were amazing. I liked the charcuterie salad, but I would have preferred it as a charcuterie board, to be honest. The shellfish special I had was perfectly prepared, and the wine pairing our server suggested was nothing I would have ever ordered myself, but couldn't have been better suited for the dish. My wife's venison was good in my opinion, but it was definitely on the sweeter side, so be prepared. The wine I selected for her helped, but she wouldn't order the venison again. I'm not sure I would either -- I enjoyed tasting her dish, but likely also would have tired of the sweetness if it had been my entree. If you're doing a downtown event, particularly if it's at the Schermerhorn (across the street), Etch is the perfect place for dinner or dessert and drinks, before or after your show. Reservations are a necessity, and I encourage you to get them as early as possible -- at least 2-3 days in advance for Sun-Thurs nights, and at least 5 for Fridays and weekends. Bigger events should be booked at least 2 weeks in advance. The bar does start to empty out a bit later, so if you're getting out of an earlier show, you might chance across a couple of empty seats, but don't count on it.
(5)Chris K.
FINALLY - a fine dining restaurant that has just the right ambiance! We walked into this hip restaurant, and immediately felt at ease. Classy, yet relaxed, decor; Miles Davis playing in the background, waiters and waitresses VERY accommodating and friendly - all fine dining restaurants should take note...waiters and waitresses that SMILE add immensely to a positive dining experience. Great job, staff! Now the food - EXCEPTIONAL...really interesting dishes - roasted cauliflower IS THE BOMB. Do not miss this appetizer if you are visiting for the first time. I know cauliflower isn't the most sexy vegetable these days, but this dish is proof that it's making an amazing come-back! The savory and sweet purees pair beautifully to your spectrum of taste buds; the almonds heighten the naturally "nutty" taste of the delightfully browned / roasted cauliflower. We also had the catfish and coconut chicken curry. Catfish was wonderfully crispy, with just the right amount of acid in the salad, sweetness in the strawberry preserve, tartness in the lime crema. The only reason I did not give 5 stars was because the coconut chicken curry with quinoa was unfortunately overcooked. Some chicken pieces were dry, while others were barely over cooked. The sauce was not as sweet and savory as I expected, but I also come from a Thai background, and it likely was not meant replicate Thai cuisine, but be an American twist on an asian dish. Overall - I will CERTAINLY be back - wonderful service, great food, great environment. Well done Etch - keep up the positive vibe!
(4)Anthony S.
Etch is easily one of the best dining experiences I have ever had in Nashville. I can rave about my meal for pages, but I'm going to try to restrain myself. The service was expert and warm. The environment is nicely laid out, if just a little neutral for its own good. That's likely the hardest I can knock Etch, because nothing hit our table that didn't feel special. If their atmosphere feels a little dated in its detail, I'll over look it. We started simple with their butter tasting. Four butters that were as different as whipped dairy could be. We ordered the Etch salad which took me by surprise. I don't typically go for blue cheese and apple in a salad- I'd eat theirs all day. My lamb was succulent and tender, expertly spiced with amazing accompanying flavors. My wife ordered the filet, which I thought would be as boring and safe as you'd expect from a grilled filet---wrong! It melted in the mouth and was so flavorful I would have thought it was drugged. Finally, our torte dessert was packed with moussey, spicy flavor. I found the crunch of the bottom layer a little hard to cut into, but my wife is in love with this dessert and declared it her favorite part of the meal (which is saying a lot). Finally, I have to mention that Etch's team of mixologists could have given me the best cocktails I have ever had in Nashville. I tried two of their signature concoctions; one based in gin with tarragon and the other a spicy take on the Manhattan. Both were amazing. Their bartender made the best Vespar Martini I've had in this city and when I asked for it, neither the server nor bartender batted an eye. From start to finish, I found everything was to love with so little to complain about. Etch had raised the bar for me with dining choices in this city and I can't wait to go back.
(5)Louis C.
Service, food, and drinks were all fantastic. My entire family loved their meal and we were all impressed with the service. Not mention, it was the best old fashioned I've ever had.
(5)Amy D.
We checked out Etch during happy hour and were pleased with the quality wine, beers, bites and service. We considered dining in the bustling dining room but upon walking in noticed a single cozy booth in the bar area that had our name on it. I started off with their $5 happy hour red (a nice Gamay) and Jesse ordered a Nashville beer from Black Abbey which was $4 during happy hour. We ordered all 4 food items on happy hour: roasted cauliflower, tempura catfish, pork belly and octopus & shrimp bruschetta. Our food came out quickly, each dish plated nicely and at the correct temperature. I assumed the happy hour portions would be smaller but we were happy with generous feast in front of us. Roasted Cauliflower - believe it or not my second favorite of the dishes! The truffled cauliflower was plated with truffled pea pesto topped with salted almonds on one side of the plate and feta crema on the other. The lovely sauces complimented the dish nicely. Pork Belly - this was our favorite dish and possibly the best pork belly I have tasted. It was rich, tender and a melt in your mouth caramelized meat. It was served with kenji kimchi "fries", tahini tofu sauce and ginger. Tempera Catfish - a crisply filet served on top of a tasty slice of compressed watermelon, plump aleppo chili blueberries and a balsamic syrup. It was decent but a tad too sweet for my taste. Octopus & Shrimp Bruschetta - a slice of toasted bread with a generous portion of shrimp, sous vide octopus in duck fat topped with arugula, fennel, capers and the plate was dressed with a roasted tomato sauce. This dish was OK but I am now realizing I am not a huge fan of duck fat. The plate is gorgeous and worth a try. The standouts to me were the wonderful house made sauces, the to die for pork belly and their cauliflower would make anyone eat their veggies. Service was excellent and a manager kindly checked in on us during our visit. Also for 2 beers, 1 wine and 4 appetizers our bill was a mere $45. Happy hour is Monday-Friday 4pm-6:30pm & Saturday 4-5:30pm.
(5)Tarantula B.
Made reservations, no wait time upon arrival. 1st timers, was with two others and we passed many open tables and were seated at the back of the restaurant,but with a window view. Nice clean eclectic restaurant, our server was nice and very helpful. Nice wine selection. The Ciopino appetizer was very good and can be shared with others. The from the sea creation for us was Halibut, we were told they ran out of the other fish and only two Halibut plates were left. Another guest tried the Cobia and truly enjoyed it. We and others around us wanted to end the evening with the Peach tort but were advised they were all out - no dessert review. Overall enjoyed the experience the food was good and would return. Curious on where we will be seated next time.
(4)Ev J.
We stopped in without a reservation and were told it would be an hour wait. Somehow we got lucky and got to sit at the chefs bar. Our server Ramesh was awesome. He was very informative and friendly and took very good care of us. We were not sure what we exactly wanted and he was very accommodating. Deb was also very sweet and interesting and explained to us everything that we ordered. We had the bruschetta and the Cauli flower pesto... and we also indulged in some dessert. The service was great and we had an amazing time. I definitely recommend this to anybody stopping by in the area!
(4)Sam Z.
One of my favorite restaurants in Nashville! The service, the ambiance, the presentation, the portions are all impeccable. The cauliflower appetizer is simply incredible. A trip to Nashville is not complete without a visit to this amazing restaurant.
(5)Tommie S.
In April 2014, my job sent me to Nashville for a conference, and I of course, immediately turned to Yelp. This was a great place for dinner. Locals know that it's a nice place to visit as the hotel shuttle driver teased me about being able to afford the place. Either way, I'm glad I scraped the funds together as it was well worth it. I had steak and changed my sides based on Yelpers, and the chef was more than accommodating. I don't usually order any sort of steak (no particular reason other than mind are the best), but I'm glad I tried this steak as it absolutely melted in my mouth. The suggested dessert was also great. The cocktail wasn't the strongest, but I had enough to make them taste good. As a lone diner, I sat at the bar BUT not the drinking bar. Do yourself a favor and sit at the chef's bar. It's a great view. If you're familiar with Houston dining, it's just as great as the chef's table at Artisans. The ambiance was a bit loud for a weekday late dinner, but not too bothersome. The restrooms were also lovely. The hostesses were also quite helpful with contacting my hotel when I was ready to be picked up without having to wait. This place really is tops.
(5)Umber A.
This place has to be the best restaurant I have ever been to. Each bite was a foodgasm. I'm a carnivore however somehow the waiter convinced me to try out their vegetarian options. I ended up getting the roasted cauliflower for app. The combo of goat cheese/ red sauce/ pea sauce was perfection. For my entree I got the rutabaga La Plancha. Very flavorful. I literally scraped the plate clean. Can't wait to go back. And the waiter was friendly and helpful! Service was excellent !
(5)Nikita L.
Went to Nashville for business and picked this place since it's got good reviews on yelp. I'm glad yelp didn't disappoint. We had the butter tasting, roasted cauliflower, and the main course was the most recommended fish dish. The two appetizers were great! I especially liked the truffle butter. But the main course was just ok. It's got interesting flavors but just not my fav. Service was good too. Defitrly worth visiting .
(4)Sonia L.
I wasn't quite sure what to expect... I read both fantastic reviews and mediocre ones. WELL. Etch is now one of my favorite restaurants!! Boyfriend liked it so much, he suggested we go again! I thought he was kidding... but we ended up at their happy hour the very next day. We had: 1) Roasted cauliflower (PLEASE GET THIS) 2) Octopus and shrimp bruschetta (Get this as well!) 3) Pork belly 4) Tortilla crusted catfish 5) The red, white, and sparkling wines at happy hour 6) Two cocktails (I'm too lazy to remember) 7) Grilled lamb 8) Cobia (So soft and flaky) This is a lot of food. Granted, we had two of the appetizers the next day, but still. I'm okay hating myself for eating so much if the food in my belly is from Etch. Even the wine blew me away. Shout-out to our waiter Kenneth for being fantastic!! BUT NO TIME FOR DESSERT. Stupid concert reservations... I don't think you could eat anything that isn't absolutely delicious here, especially the waitstaff's recommendations. I wish I lived in Nashville just to come to Etch all the time.
(5)Marian L.
Etch was a fun and tasty dining experience for my husband and me. We chose to sit at the chef/kitchen bar. I love to do this when possible because you get such a bird's eye view of everything going on in the kitchen. At Etch, it all worked like a well oiled machine. Our server was fantastic, she had the perfect blend of professionalism and friendliness. All of the food was excellent. The big standout for me was the charcuterie salad. It had 3 different meats- salami, bresaola and a venison pate. The Dijon/golden beet schmear was so good and I don't generally like beets! There were also smoked lima beans, pickled onions, and vinaigrette dressed greens. It could have easily served as my entree, it was that substantial. I had the lamb chops and my husband had the venison and both were so well prepared. Both were perfectly cooked and had a soft, buttery texture. Neither was the least bit gamy. The one thing you'll either love or hate about Etch is that they have a lot of flavors on the plate and both of these entrees are no exception. My lamb had a feta filo pocket, a sauce, a relish, a tapenade, a veggie, and a fruit. I personally loved all the flavors and how they melded so well together into a perfect bite. My husband had a smoked apple purée with his venison that was to die for. We finished with the chocolate and peanut torte which was tasty. I really liked the passion fruit sauce as it added a tart note to all that creamy sweetness. We had a great experience and would definitely return.
(5)Lauren R.
Had an overall amazing experience at this restaurant. First, we asked our waiter if he recommended either the butter tasting or the bread tasting special. He told us to get the bread tasting special and it was delicious! There were three types of breads with unique toppings and we finished the entire thing. Next, we got the pork belly and kim chi appetizer which was a beautiful plate and also really great, but I did prefer the bread tasting. For entrees I had the halibut and my boyfriend had the venison and we both finished our plates. The service was great. The waiter was very knowledgeable and attentive to our needs. We would definitely come to etch the next time we are in Nashville.
(5)Beth D.
Fantastic food and ambiance. Had Artessa Chardonay. Not commonly found where I'm from and was amazing. The octopus bruschetta was incredible Charcuterie salad was awesome and filet was done perfectly. Paul was our bartender/waiter. Excellent service and entertainment Wished we could've stayed longer to enjoy the setting but CMA fest was calling. Will definitely be back. Hope to see Paul!!! A great experience all the way around ! Cheers
(5)Umesh W.
This is a great find, thanks to Yelp. We settled for this and it was a great move. The food was exceptional. They had great plates, from apps to the main course. I had the pork belly appetizer and the venison. Both plates were perfect. My drink, The Don was very nice, almost like a mint julep. The ambiance and the service was very good as well. Definitely a place to try.
(5)Erin L.
Great food and great service. We had the Shrimp Bruschetta, Roasted Cauliflower, Butter Tasting and Mulligatawny Soup (a special) as apps and they were all delicious. I had the seared scallops (seafood of the day) and it was good, but I didn't love the purees included. My husband has the grilled filet and liked it a lot. The service was friendly, informative without being overly solicitous. Would definitely go back if I am in Nashville again.
(4)Jennifer S.
Amazing amazing amazing!!! The food pairs really well and the combination of tastes are ones that you wouldn't originally think would go together. It's also a great price for the amount of preparation that goes into each dish. One of the best places I have eaten before.
(5)Allie W.
One of my favorites in Nashville. I've ordered the cauliflower every time I've been and you just can't go without ordering it! I don't even like cauliflower and I LOVE etch's cauliflower. The butter tasting is also fun for the group. For entrees I've tried the steak, veal, cobia, and a special of scallops. All were superb but the cobia is absolutely amazing. An astounding mix of flavors that I would love to have again and again! You can't go wrong with a dessert either. They seem to change periodically but my favorite was a peanut butter chocolate cake that was rich and delicate and just delicious!
(5)Christina V.
I was in town for business and didn't have a reservation. Was easily able to find a seat in the bar area which was perfect for a solo female diner. My server, Leah, was excellent with her recommendations of food, cocktails and wine. I started with a chilled carrot and beet soup that was decadent. I then had the special fish entree - ivory salmon. It was excellent!
(5)Sonia C.
Etch was memorable. The name fits. We arrived early, a good habit that I am picking up (I'm not living up to my name) and the hostess sat us immediately. I was not too pleased with the table, it was next to the window, but it was only two of us, so I really couldn't complain. The decor was simple yet chic. Very zen. Our waiter showed up immediately and introduced himself, and gave us time to look through the wine list. We never felt rushed or forgotten. We settled on a simple Spanish Syrah ( their wine prices are reasonable). After the presentation of the wine, the waiter went through the menu with us and answered all of our questions. To me that is a plus when the wait staff knows the menu. The two appetizers were outstanding! The roasted cauliflower drizzled with truffle oil was amazing and it came with with crema that was blended with feta cheese that was indescribable. The pork belly was seasoned and cooked to perfection. The Etch salad was good, but I could have gone for more cauliflower. Now the entree, I had the fillet, med. rare, sitting on top of puree of potatoes, and dressed with peeled asparagus. The fillet was so good, ate all of my steak and left the sides there. Needed room for dessert. After much thought, we finally narrowed it down to the rhubarb and pecan tart. One word - delicious. Great food, great service and great ambience.
(5)Cait C.
We had the cauliflower, beet salad, venison, colbia fish, and lemon tart for dessert. All of the dishes had a lot of interesting combinations and creativity, but sadly there's nothing that I would go back for a second time. I'm giving four stars for creativity and complex flavors. The dishes are contemporary and certainly spark conversation.
(4)Jeremy J.
Amazing food and Amazing service. Our waiter James walked us through the entire experience and shared with us what some of the signature items are as well as what his favorites were. He was spot on with his suggestions. I would highly recommend the Roasted Cauliflower. You would think how can someone do Cauliflower any different but it was the sauces that made the app so great. Then the entree, again a signature Cobia. Light flaky white fish but it was very flavorful and each bite was different on the plate. Great job. Next time I am in Nashville, I will be coming back for sure.
(5)Luke C.
All I can say is wow! The food here is amazing. Definitely a spot for a "foodie". Great menu with a good variety of dishes, awesome fusion of flavors and textures. Dressy attire, upscale atmosphere, nice place for a fancy date.
(5)Andrew M.
Very good fine dining at etch. Great location and ambiance. We had a very nice time. I would recommend them any time.
(5)Gabi M.
As the name implies, my dinner at Etch from a few weeks ago will be "etched" in my memory for a really long time... it was fabulous! I was the oddball out being the only non-vegetarian / vegan in the group, so there were many more selections that appealed to me than to my colleagues -- hello -- can you say the entire menu is amazing? Despite our different food preferences, our party of three agreed on more than a few things: 1 - Deb Paquette is one of the most talented chefs ever! 2 - Etch provides an incredible dining experience with top notch service inside a lovely modern venue. 3 - That cauliflower appetizer (even though we ordered it with everything on the side) is perfection. 4 - Ratatouille Crudo - mine as it comes and theirs without the cheese - also incredible... I especially loved this mix of healthy and fresh zucchini, fennel, carrots, champignons, basil micro greens, garlic olive oil, eggplant salt, red bell tomato essence, parmesan. (Seriously, I could make a meal on this alone!) In addition to the above, I had a glass of wine and the scallop entree. My veggie mates had the Katafi Pastry entree, slightly tweaked for their preferences. We all were extremely content with our selections. Unfortunately, with all of the aforementioned food, we had no room left for dessert. Such a shame because the entire dessert menu sounded insane in a good way. I only hope for a return visit one day to experience Etch yet again... Thank you Marcia M for suggesting we eat here and for making the reservation. For anyone that may be reading this review, if you can get a reservation, go for it. I guarantee you will etch some fond memories of your meal there as well. Enjoy!
(5)Carl D.
Delicious! Roasted Cauliflower appetizer was amazing! Split the fillet, medium rare, and it came out to perfection. Wasn't excited after reading the dessert menu, but got the truffle and added ice cream and was super pleased. Service was very professional and offered a lot of options to help us make selections. If ur in downtown Nashville, I definitely recommend Etch!
(5)David D.
Fantastic restaurant with very clean, healthy food in a modern, yet warm space. Salads are outstanding and very inventive without being overbearing. I found the service pleasant and since I sat at the chef's counter I was able to watch the meticulous attention to detail in prep, cooking, and especially presentation. They are more than happy to stray off the beaten path should you have any special requests and as a final tip try the coffee. It's great.
(5)Joi B.
Exquisite. To the casual observer, Etch is not at all a vegan restaurant. The menu boasts such meaterific dishes as pork tenderloin, venison and steak filet rubbed with smoked duck butter, yet there are vegetarian options, all involving cheese and/or butter. All it took was a simple (not-so-simple, really, but she made it seem simple) request to our waitress to "veganize" the salads and vegetarian entree some dishes and voila, we received some of the best vegan food I've ever had! So before I get into the food, I need to give major props for the service. I appreciate that although dinner reservations are hard to come by at Etch, they do make every guest feel like they matter and service is impressive: friendly, polite and approachable. Sometimes trendy places like this one make you feel like you're lucky to be there, you know? Now that that's out of the way. The food: All three of us couldn't pass up that Ratatouille Crudo, so we each ordered our own. And we each devoured it! If you want this salad vegan, just get them to leave off the parm. A delectable tower of raw zucchini, carrots, micro greens, fennel and mushrooms marinated in greatness. It's the perfect light app to get you ready for what is sure to be an outstanding entree to follow. The Katafi pastry. INSANE. I keep looking at my photo and I am not lying when I say that my mouth actually waters with the sight and memory of this fantastic entree. They made this to order for us, leaving out the Fontina cheese. Although I admittedly do think a fine cheese can only make a dish more delicious, I can't imagine that it's necessary here. I believe the vegetarian dish changes according to season, so I'm not sure if the vegetables are going to be the same for you, but last week's dish included a pile of kale, a whole grain and a charred tomato. On top of this lovely arrangement is a bird's nest of phyllo. And there's three different bits of purees (olive? carrot? beet? Some combination thereof that tasted incredible) that compliment everything beautifully. I want some more immediately... only, I won't be back to Nashville for a month. Bravo, Etch. You win the best meal I've had all month award!
(5)Stacy P.
I rarely give out 5 stars reviews, but Etch is seriously deserving of it. From the decor to the service and the food, Etch delivered. The decor is very modern. Upon entering you will find the host stand and a full bar with seating around it and separate smaller tables as well. The main dining area is an open concept design and you have full view into the kitchen. There are an additional two separate rooms that are used for larger groups. Space is not wasted in the dining room design. The smaller, two seaters line the windows, while the four tops fill the remainder of the room. There is enough space that separates you from your fellow diners as to not feel cramped. There is also seating at the kitchen counter for those who wish to have a show while they eat. Etch doesn't boast as separate gluten free menu, but don't let that detour you if you need to eat GF. All but one of the entries, the Katafi Pastry, can be modified to accommodate for this. The salads as well as some of the appetizers can be modified as well. The dining adventures started with the roasted cauliflower. If you had to chose one item on the menu, hands down, this is the best item. The truffled pea pesto sauce topped with salted almonds is hands down what made the dish. The smokiness of the almonds was balanced well with the pesto. The feta crema dip was nice, but didn't compare to the pesto. If truth be told, two servings of the pesto would work instead of having the feta crema on the plate. For the main entree I opted for the cobia which was modified to sit on top of sweet potato slices instead of the beignet to accommodate the dish to be GF. The dish, when you dissected all of the individual ingrediants (cobia, turkish spiced, brown buttered oranges, capers, olives, raisins, feta, almonds, and sweet potatoes), didn't seem like they would work as a whole, but the combination provided an interesting and extremely balanced. The acidity from the citrus was soothed by the feta and sweet potatoes. The meal was extremely satisfying. Etch will definitely be on my list to return to if I find myself in the area again.
(5)Sha P.
Interesting menu. Was in Nashville for our anniversary and this place was recommended to us by a friend. We were not disappointed. Our server was amazing. The roasted cauliflowers were amazing and highlight of our meal.i ordered the cobia and my husband got the steak. Both were very well prepared and flavorful. Servers are professional and accommodating. Very nice decor.
(4)Emily F.
not the best place to go if you're on a budget, but the food is absolutely amazing. The best is the fried cauliflower...yum
(4)Kevin R.
Top notch place! The service was spot on and the meals we had were interesting and unique. I don't like fish in general, burnt wife got their specialty fish and it was really good! Quality place for a special night out. No regrets.
(5)Julie D.
What a wonderful restaurant in Nashville! We had made a reservation well in advance, and it's a good thing we did. When we arrived, there were people waiting for a table. We were seated right away and had a small table for two by a window. Our server was wonderful, very professional and able to answer all our questions concerning the menu. Beverage choices were great. We started with the Etch salad, fennel, green apple, arugula, radicchio, blue cheese, crushed hazelnuts, all my favorites topped with a champagne vinaigrette. Could not have been any better than this. We also shared a butternut squash soup. So good. The bf ordered the Venison. It was spicy with cocoa chili and served with grilled sweet potato and okra. He loved it. For my meal, I got a petit filet. It was perfectly cooked and served with baked potato bread pudding and a little zucchini slaw. For dessert, we shared a Warm Vanilla Pound Cake. This was another great dining experience in Nashville.
(5)Lawrence C.
Dined 12/5/13 & 12/10/13 Both times we sat at the "chef's table", which is really a long counter fronting the prep work stations with the actual cooking going on behind them. Fun to dine and watch the action. Easy to see the professionalism on display. On one occasion, the executive chef stopped to chat with us. The owners are working all the areas, and they too stopped to check on us frequently. The food is of course well prepared, and beautifully presented. We enjoyed the 'etch' salad, shrimp & tuna appetizer, and Brussels as a side dish so much we ordered each of them again on our return visit. Comprehensive offerings of wines by the glass, averaging @ $13/glass. Dessert star was the chocolate crunch.
(4)Casey M.
My first time at etch did not disappoint. We started with the truffled cauliflower. It came with a pesto pea mousse type of sauce that was amazing. Also we got the butter tasting. Then for entrees I ordered the filet which was on top of a sourdough baked potato bread pudding! and ate every bite. The other entrees at the table were the cobia and venison which were both excellent. We were too full for dessert but I will def be going back
(5)Kashmir A.
What a fantastic experience from start to finish! Let me just start out by saying that I travel with about 10-14 people a few times a year. We always like to have well rounded trips that start off with a nice dinner the night we arrive at our destination. Planning dinners for 14 people isn't always easy! Often you're offered limited menus or ridiculous check minimums. This was not the case with ETCH. I contacted Ali who is in charge of private dining and events. She was prompt in calling me after she received my email. She described the private dining area and let us know the minimum check amount ($750) which was very reasonable. We booked everything via email and we're all set for dinner. The night of the event we arrived we were brought right to our table, which was separated from the restaurant by glass walls. We had to option of closing the curtains, which we didn't. Our server was EXCELLENT! Ramesh was attentive and handled our large party with the help of another server. We probably has everything on the menu! Excellent craft cocktails and that BUTTER TASTING! I died... My boyfriend surprised me during dinner and proposed! They were right there with glasses of champagne. Splitting the check wasn't a problem, Ramesh handled it with ease. Our overall experience was fantastic. I love the ambiance, food, service and cocktails. I highly recommend ETCH when you're in Nashville!
(5)K L.
Loved eating here. Started with the butter tasting which was good but a lot went unfinished as we were only two. Better if more share. Roasted cauliflower starter had feta crema with tomato coulis and smoked pea purée as side dips. Unique and fresh for both. Friend had pork chop which tasted great and melted like butter in the mouth. Cobia entree blended s bunch of flavors together. Fish perfectly cooked, moist and tender. Almost felt like there was a bit too much going on with the dish but ate it all up! Service professional and attentive to start but he got busy with a big party so kinda left us hanging a bit longer than I like after we had finished eating. Overall, a fine experience and worth coming back to.
(5)Brian J.
We were looking for steak, wandered in here. Almost left after looking at the menu and seeing...one beef entree; pickled onions on the salad and grilled Lima beans - I wanted the 28 ounce Porterhouse with two pounds of mashed potatoes. But....the food was really good! The staff was really happy to be serving us, very attentive to our needs. Even though it wasn't quite what we were initially looking for I am glad that we went there; the food was nicely presented, there were some interesting sauces and the overall quality and taste were excellent. Try it, I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
(4)Amy M.
Overall a nice meal, though I think they are trying too hard. This was my first meal in Nashville. I had read so many great reviews that I decided to make reservations for my weekend trip (met up with my college friend who was in Nashville for a conference). We ordered the much talked about cauliflower appetizer ($10). It was cauliflower. I love cauliflower. I eat a lot of cauliflower these days (weight loss super food)! It came with a couple sauces, a "truffled, pea-pesto" with marcona almonds, a roasted pepper sauce and a cauliflower-feta sauce..the truffled pea pesto was tasty though it didn't taste truffled and was nothing like pesto. I ordered the halibut special ($36) and my friend ordered the venison ($29). They were accommodating and substituted the "truffled potato cream" for the "truffled zucchini noodles" (again, I love the flavor of truffles and there wasn't even a hint of truffles noted). The wild mushrooms and the warm kale salad was quite tasty. Generous serving of halibut!! My friend's dish has a lot going on...lots of flavor. Overall an okay meal. Do I NEED to go back? No, not so much. I prefer amazing flavors that are a little less pretentious.
(3)Elizabeth G.
I just got back with my friend and we had the most wonderful dinner. It was beyond our expectations. We shared the Shrimp and Octopus Bruschetta for an appetizer. The Berries and Beets salad was delicious. For our entrees we chose the lamb and filet which were out of this world. Then to top everything off with dessert, we had the Vanilla Meringue and Peanut and Chocolate Torte. The cocktails and wine were delicious. Everything was just perfect and Brooke and Amy gave perfect service! Etch is such a treasure of Nashville. It does not disappoint!
(5)Megan K.
AMAZING lunch experience! I lived here for a couple years before I had ended up finding my way to Etch. I'm so happy I did--the meal was one of the best I've had in this city. The roasted cauliflower and tempura mushrooms were fabulous starters... unreal flavors. I went with the Brisket Papusa for my entree and it was insanely delicious--tender and flavorful, so many flavors and incredibly filling. The chocolate pretzel bar was one of the best desserts I've ever had. Can't recommend this place enough... the atmosphere is edgy and modern--we valeted--it's right across from the Music City Center, so I'd count on valeting, especially if you go on a busy night. Have fun! :)
(5)Mike B.
One of the better restaurants I've eaten at. Every single dish from appetizer to entree was unique and delicious. Pay special attention to the different sauces that are drizzled around and be sure it incorporate into your bites. I look forward to heading back soon.
(5)Lauren H.
Holy cauliflower! This place is just fantastic, from the food to the service an absolute 5 Star experience. I highly recommend their cauliflower starter, the chickpea side, the broccoli side and beet salad. The flavors are all very interesting in a great way, and the waiter wasn't scared to lead our pallets which made for a great dining experience. Seriously try this place if you're in town- easily the best food we have had so far!
(5)Kristina L.
Color me sad. Harsh words for a four star review, but read on to see why. Service was completely on point as always. Never did I or my party feel rushed or uninformed. Water glasses were quietly and inconspicuously refilled. As is the norm at Etch, it was a seamless effort from start to finish. Our cocktails (the Pineapple, Basil, Sour Smash and the Lime and Cilantro Smash) were both delightful. What's not to love about Courvoisier Cognac muddled with pineapple, basil and house-made sour? Or the lovely tequila muddled with cilantro, lime, and spicy agave syrup? Refreshing yet you can taste the alcohol in them... Truly wonderful bevvies.... The appetizers were things we had ordered before: the roasted cauliflower (with that scrumptious truffled pea puree), the shrimp and octopus bruschetta, and the pork belly with kimchee, tahini tofu sauce and ginger caramel. I am a total belly 'ho admittedly and this was good but just not as good as it has been prior trips. That being said, the appetizer round was the best part of our meals bar none. For entrées my companions had the filet (which she loved) and my other friend had the pork chop. I had the duck confit ratatouille. The one of us that had the filet is visiting our fair city and had never been here before so she had no comparison. The two of us that had been numerous times before were disappointed. We both felt these dishes were not of the same caliber that we had experienced before at Etch. I am looking at you venison dish and pork tenderloin.... Other entrée choices didn't appeal to me in the way the menu has previously. My hope is that the menu will change again for the upcoming cooler months and that the warm, fuzzy feelings I have had about the food in the past return with a vengeance. Please do not misunderstand; the food was good but just not as wonderfully fabulous as it has been the numerous other times we've been. Etch had been the benchmark for me of what other Nashville restaurants should aspire to be when they grow up. Now it was just good - not over the top as it had been previously. And that makes me sad. I'll be back again when the (fingers crossed) menu changes.
(4)Jenna J.
We were seated quickly in the bar area, however had terrible service. We watched several tables around us get waited on while we were ignored. We ordered an appetizer that never came. We received it after asking and after being served our entrees. The food was good, but didn't seem to live up to the hype. Overall was disappointed because we had heard such great things.
(3)Kevin J.
Excellent dining experience. Seven of us had a late dinner at Etch. The service and food were both top notch. Our waiter explained every dish and was very good in assisting us with the wines. The cauliflower appetizer was a standout. The accompanying sauces were great. Everyone was pleased with their mains. I had the cobia and it was excellent. Would definitely return.
(4)Toni R.
Had a truly stellar lunch. I would think dinner would be even better!!! Fine service and lively decor accompany wonderful food, beautifully presented!
(4)Holly F.
This is definitely a case of you getting what you paid for, meaning it is a bit pricey. But if you are looking for a creative restaurant where each plate has 15 delicious and perfected flavors then this is the place for you. There is nothing simple about any dish but in the most delightful way. I will certainly be returning my next trip to Nashville. Heavenly. (My only complaint was the lemon tart dessert, not up to par with the rest of the meal but couldn't' drag down the five star rating.)
(5)Linda A.
It's been about a month since our visit and I'm just getting around to reviewing. I hope time hasn't knocked some of the shine off my review because we loved our experience at Etch. Hubby and I were celebrating our anniversary...finally! Etch is not an easy reservation to score when you're limited to weekends as we typically are. However, the stars aligned and we found ourselves both in town on a Monday night and decided to just take the easier reservation and have a Monday date! Wow...the service has to be mentioned first. Our server was just about perfect. I love it when a server can help you make choices and this young lady (alas, her name escapes me already) even helped me change my mind about my entree choice and I'm so glad she did! I had the Cobia, a fish I'd never tried before. So mild and delicious itself but the accompanying capers and olives made the flavor bright and just wonderful. My hub ordered the venison. Venison is our main protein source at home but this was such a treat. Next time, I'm getting that one for myself because I want my very own portion! We ordered the butter tasting and enjoyed it although I didn't swoon as much as some of the other reviewers. I have to make special mention about Chef Deb's willingness to adapt my husband's entree for his garlic allergy as well as our server's extra attention to steering him the right way with his entree choice with regards to the same. Always a plus with us! All in all this was a very special experience and just right for an anniversary. Look forward to returning!
(5)Barry J.
From amazing hospitality to great food, this place, close to another great foodie spot has me denominating the shadow of the Country Music Hall of Fame as Foodie heaven. This place delivered from the moment I arrived with two college kids (foodies in training)--one hour before our reservation. They swept us into the restaurant early and the feast began. First, butter tasting, and lamb tartare. The butter tasting was a fun start and the lamb, a solid tartare. Timings perfect and Kim kept that exactly on target all evening. She was simply delightful and skilled at great service. Next we split two salads and that was plenty for three. The charcuterie salad had some great tastes and the beets and berries was stellar. The goat cheese semifreddo put us over the moon with the contrasting flavors. We saw some cranberries throughout the evening and that was thoughtful and fun. There was a Harissa based plate sauce. Everything good. Two of us had the signature Cobia. I know that violated foodie protocol but my daughter had her good friend along and I didn't know him well enough to include him on the family custom of everyone gets different items and shares. Next time he is "in". The Cobia is a new fish to me and I loved the dish. It was perfectly cooked. The oranges and berries in the dish complemented the fish nicely. The toasted almonds were perfect for the dish. I did become a bit Harissa-fatigued as I ate the rest of the portion...that does not hold me back from recommending the dish, however. We also had the venison. Also perfectly cooked to medium rare restaurant specks. Also Harissa-influenced. I had one lovely bite of this. Onto dessert. We again shared two. The Meyer lemon dessert was not exactly what we expected. It is a great choice for those wanting a more savory or neutral dessert. While a solid dessert, we thought it could use a bit more lemon flavor. Next the chocolate bread pudding. A triumph! We lingered at the table for a few minutes chatting. I am as close to five stars as I can be without going there. I admit I have become a tough grader. No hesitation in recommending this one!
(4)Frank J.
Don't eat the entrees, appetizers are very good though. Soup had great texture and flavor. Cauliflower was cooked very nicely with lots of great dipping sauces. Scallop entree: scallops were only cooked on one side--lack of texture. All scallops were split open when served. Served over way too much lettuce with some sort of fried mushroom stuck on the bottom and hidden. Strange dish. Filet was a big ball of mush. No crispness to the meat. Tough to swallow. Again with a bunch of lettuce and asparagus thrown on top of the piece of meat. Would not order again. Service was very good. Atmosphere was nice and it was great getting to sit at the bar and watch the chefs in the kitchen work.
(3)Kevin B.
Food and service were fantastic even during a tornado watch and hailstorm!
(5)Todd B.
I just had one of the best dining experiences of my life at R'evolution in New Orleans, and I didn't think it could get much better. Then I came to Etch tonight in the South's other culinary capital, Nashville. It was a sublime experience. I was dreading going downtown to Etch due to the parking issues, but the parking lot across from the restaurant was reasonable, or the valet option is very convenient as well. Parking was a cinch, so I already was in a good mood. Then I was greeted warmly, and the bar was immediately in front of me, inviting me over for a drink. Fortunately, the table was ready immediately, so we sat down in a beautiful airy space with high ceilings, nice lighting and a contemporary design. Parts of the dining room face the open kitchen. The wine list is short but has nice selections, and several cocktails appeared interesting for my next visit. Our server was knowledgeable, sweet, attentive and came to our table just at the right time. She did not interrupt conversations. The food was prepared well and delivered in a timely way. We began with the shrimp bruschetta and the roasted cauliflower. Both were amazing, but I'll have to side with the cauliflower as the best simply because I was so surprised -- I don't like cauliflower because I find it bland. This was not bland in the least. The cauliflower is roasted and then drizzled in truffle oil, and served with green pea truffle and goat cheese dips. My friend chose the Short Rib entree, and again I was so surprised to find that I liked it. I'm not much of a short rib fan in most cases, but this short rib was served in a sushi-like fashion, with a crispy outer edge and succulent meat inside. It was accompanied by an equally delicious salad of greens, shrimp and clear noodles. I chose the Cobia because it spoke Mediterranean to me -- but don't be fooled! There is a beignet up under that grouper fish and mango salsa, and it was -- well, words fail me. I'm not feelig one bit guilty that I violated my low carb diet to have a beignet with fish. The dessert menu looked fabulous--especially the pumpkin semifreddo -- but I abstained because I already had a beignet. I'll definitely be back, and I'm telling everyone I know in Nashville and beyond to experience this extraordinary restaurant. This is going to be on a lot of national lists for 2013.
(5)Rick H.
Fresh and expertly crafted plates. Reco: octopus & shrimp bruschetta, ratatouille crudo salad sub the duck...excellent flavor!
(5)Juliet L.
Really yummy food, lots of vegetarian options. Good ambiance and drinks, too. Had a great time. The cauliflower appetizer is delicious. We also tried the butter sampling, which was fun.
(5)Janet S.
Checked in for Happy Hour on Friday around 4.30pm. Got the small booth in the corner, I think there were about 3 other bar tables and seats at the bar. Octopus and Shrimp Bruschetta manchego, arugula, fennel, roasted tomato, capers, garlic oil, bacon $8, was large, definitely filling for 1 person. Two Model T cocktails $6 each Ford's Gin, Fever Tree Tonic, Chrysanthemum Honey Liquor, Grapefruit. It just tasted like a gin and tonic to us but a very good one and it certainly hit the spot before the sun went down. Service was excellent, food excellent much better than I expected, all in all a top notch place to be proud of and great for snooty out of town diners.
(4)Victoria S.
Awesome food! Get the shrimp and octopus bruschetta! Surprisingly the filet was awesome too!! I was told the chocolate pretzel bar I was voted best dessert is Nashville so I had to try it!!! Sooo good! Friendly bartenders too! I would highly recommend.
(4)Jeff W.
My wife and I went here a few days ago for lunch and it was awesome! The wait staff couldn't be any nicer and I rather enjoyed the simple but elegant ambiance of the room. We started off by having the Octopus and Shrimp Bruschetta for an appetizer, I would definitely recommend this to anyone. There were large chunks of octopus and shrimp all over the bruchetta which made every bite a good one. The sauce that comes on the side really give it a good kick too. For an entree I got the lobster hoagie and my wife got the roost beef sandwich. Both were great, the lobster hoagie came stuff with lobster salad, lamb bacon, avocado, and korean red chili cucumbers. It was a perfect size that filled me up without over doing it. The roost beef sandwich was huge and I loved the parmesan horseradish sauce and roasted asparagus they had on it. The horseradish sauce was the best horseradish sauce I have ever had! Both sandwiches came with homemade chips that were great, I wish I could buy a bag of them to go. I would recommend this place for lunch to anyone I know!
(5)Brennan W.
I've been combing over the two and a half hours I spent at Etch, and I can't seem to find a single reason why this place would deserve less than 5 stars. Simply put, this was one of - if not the - best meal I've had in Nashville. The drinks were quite fantastic, and the wine list was extensive. The Butter Tasting pops up in so many reviews for a reason - it's a wonderfully enjoyable and unusual experience. The entrees were cooked to perfection and presented with care, with so many unconventional flavors combining in ways you'd never expect. Add a nice atmosphere, combined with a knowledgeable, courteous, helpful, and all-around excellent staff, and you've got a must-visit in the Nashville fine dining scene.
(5)Vanessa L.
Just really, really well done. Balanced flavors, warm, knowledgeable service, exciting options, beautiful room... The list goes on. This is a slam dunk. Well done!
(5)Anna J.
WOW, I AM so glad Chef Deb from Zola is back, and with a bang! Etch met all my expectations. I can honestly say that this place is better than Catbird seat! For starters, I shared the duck confit, it is the best duck confit I've ever had. The flavors and presentation was just divine! It just melted in my mouth. I am a huge meat eater, however, this particular night, I was captivated by the Cauliflower La Plancha, their vegetarian dish. The table next to us had it and it made me want it more so than the port tenderloin I was originally going to get. Boy, I definitely made the right decision! Although I bet the pork tenderloin would be great as well. The dish was giant! It literally was half of the cauliflower rod, and lots of mushrooms, kale, onions, etc... the sauces were scrumptious! The BEST veggie dish ever! My boyfriend had the short ribs... they were just as great! So unique as well, who thinks of deep frying short ribs?! But the crunch complimented the fork tender ribs perfectly. The side of stir fry was delicious as well. For desert we shared the panna cotta. This was my least favorite part of the meal, but I think it just was a little heavy on the spice... ginger...cinnamon? not sure, but the sorbet on top was great! I am already planning my next trip here!
(5)Kim P.
From food to drinks to service, everything was great! You know it's good when you wish you didn't have to share an appetizer dish and ask the waitress to bring some bread so you can clean up the delicious sauce left on the plate. Oh, I didn't even want to share my dinner even though I was pretty full by the time it came out. I was excited to have it for leftovers the next day (scallops). I was surprised that there were more than 4 large scallops! That doesn't happen often at an upper scale restaurant. Somehow I made it to dessert too. I would definitely come back here.
(5)Reed K.
Rattatouie salad with chicken for lunch was just outstanding. Have eaten here twice before and neither time was I blown away by the creativity and favor of the food but that changed with this simple but delicious salad. Very well done. Service has been good each time I've been the Etch. Cool spot.
(4)Terry V.
I have been here for both lunch and dinner and it's ON POINT. The service is just excellent and the food is even better! I am so happy that I was able to taste Chef Deb Paquette's amazing creations. I missed out when they closed Zola so I wanted to eat there as soon as I heard that she was head chef!!! The valet was great and helps so much when you are a time constraint and don't have time to park. I'd much rather spend my time in the restaurant eating than trying to find parking! When you walk in, the hostess is very friendly and will gladly check your coat for you. Loved that touch. Everyone is friendly and I think the service is just excellent! They want you to have the best experience and they mean it. My lunch selection: Cobia! It had a nice caribbean spiced, mango pineapple salsa on the side with the fish on top of a fried donut bread accompanied with trinidad tamarind hot sauce (not hot), and tangerine butter. I love spicy food but I did not think it was spicy at all so don't get thrown off by the hot sauce. I actually that it had a nice tart touch because of the salsa. Then, I HAD to get a little dessert. The pumpkin semifreddo is FABULOUS. It is a pecan meringue cake with pecan crumble, pumpkin puree, and orange gastrique. Then you get two torched vanilla and spice marshmallows!! This is a great place for a power lunch, lunch date, lunch gathering, etc. I love how versatile it is. You feel chic when you are there and don't really want to leave. Anyone else agree with me? On another occasion, I went for dinner with a great group of friends. I had their duck confit for an appetizer and I LOVED it. The duck confit has fig foie gras butter, jalapeno, orange peel, bread, balsamic blackberries, and mustard seed. It had so many flavors and the duck was fantastic! Then, I had the pork tender loin. It was good but not the best I have ever had. It had porcini dusted with manchego, caramelized onion, potato, chorizo, spanish mountain mushroom sauce, and truffle oil. I would like to order the lamb shank or filet next time. Tip: Order the CHARRED BRUSSEL SPROUTS! I have never been a fan of brussel sprouts but they are done RIGHT here. They have such an amazing flavor and I seriously could have eaten the entire serving but I had to share! :) The only other ingredient was smaltz butter. Fantastic surprise! If I had any guests coming into town, I would definitely put this on the list of places we would HAVE to go and I hope you do too!
(5)Ismar K.
This place aight. It's new, so service is on point. Not too expensive. Pushed the cauliflower on us and it was good. Beet salad was Phreshhhh.
(4)Tony P.
Top 5 best lifetime food and service experience. While the wizard remained behind the curtain somewhere, the kitchen efficiently produces consistently excellent plates of delicious food. A small custom design flavor factory. Amazing flavor combinations. Suggestion: You have to have the "Don" cocktail - a Manhattan - with the duck confit. Mind blown! Many amazing dimensions to this food beverage spiral elevation of one's taste buds. French toast foie gras boo yah! Duckulence! The service at the front counter was a theatre of affectation, a steady stream of dedicated food delivery system food bees buzzing about the hive. And I enjoyed conversing with the truly dedicated staff who effortlessly made my meal more enjoyable with every brief witty and insightful visit. The woman beside me was having what looked to be her 24th birthday party. Its that kind of place. You'll remember it forever. Music City Food. There was a delicious rhubarb with gelato amazing crumbly primordially satisfying ooze at the end as well. Stellar!
(5)Alexis R.
Absolutely outstanding. Hands-on owner/chef. Everything was top notch and I rarely ever say that.
(5)Leah G.
I had a delicious roast beef and asparagus sandwich last week... Everyone else at my table ordered a small salad covered in what looked like sprouts. Needless to say, they were all eyeballing my plate. Service was OK, but a little slow especially considering the mostly empty tables around us. I would recommend for anyone looking to try something a bit different.
(4)Julia A.
Blown away by the expertise of the staff here. Our waiter explained all the combinations and ingredients down to the last detail. I've never had dishes that had so many seemingly dissimilar ingredients. However, all the tastes worked so well together. Whoever prepared the menu definitely knew how to make lively dishes. This restaurant is predominately meat, which makes it easy to find sauces and vegetables that complement the main courses. Highly recommend for any occasion, but do try to dress up.
(5)Kim U.
My favorite Nashville restaurant is Margot, but Etch gives it a good run for the money. Whenever we're headed to a concert at the Schermerhorn, this is our go-to restaurant choice. Not inexpensive, but delicious and worth every penny. Make sure you get the cauliflower appetizer and the butter tasting. Pros: *Fantastic and innovative food options *Great wine list *Really on-the-ball waitstaff who pay attention *Location Cons: *Not that many vegetarian options (but what is available is amazing) *Can be hard to get a reservation - book early if you know you want to come here Kid-friendly scale: Nope. No. Absolutely not. Don't even think about it. Vegetarian-friendly scale: Get the cauliflower appetizer for your entree. You will not regret it. They're also very good about modifying when possible to turn a dish into a vegetarian option - like the butter tasting which sometimes contains lards. Let your waiter know and they'll work with you. I'd love to see some more variety in their vegetarian options, or if they offered some daily vegetarian specials. Protip: on our last visit, the waiter or front staff mentioned that if we were coming to the Schermerhorn, we should just valet park at Etch and leave our car there for our concert. We haven't tried this yet, but it could be really convenient depending on cost.
(5)Lisa N.
I live in the area. I now have been to Etch but I do not feel the need to go back. Here is why: I chose Etch after hearing praise from many friends and colleagues and because we often dined at Zola in the past. I even went down a list of "best" restaurants in Nashville and cross-referenced reviews because I wanted the night to be memorable for my husband's birthday. I made reservations online, and we showed up at our designated time. The two hostesses did not actually greet us with a "Hello, welcome to Etch..." kind of greeting, but just started searching the computer for our names and having a lengthy discussion in front of us about who of the staff could "take us." To me this is not professional and made me panic for a couple of minutes as I worried they did not actually have my reservation. When one of the hostesses took us into the dining room, there were many two-tops available, but we were seated 5 feet away from a table of loud Midwestern tourists. Our tiny table was next to large windows, but since the afternoon sun was setting, shades were drawn, which felt even more claustrophobic. Certainly it was better than having the sun in our eyes, and the servers did raise the shades as soon as the sun went behind Bridgestone, but the room is not a romantic, special atmosphere. As for the food, which is why we were there, there were definitely some high points, although there was always an exception that kept each dish from reaching the "amazing" level. The oft-lauded roasted cauliflower appetizer is unique and tasty. My ratatouille crudo was just OK - rather bland. My husband loved the scallops, and my filet was delicious and well cooked, although VERY salty. The red wine gravy had a bitter aftertaste, and the beef was almost overwhelmed with about two cups of asparagus "whisps," making the duck butter moot. We split a dessert, a chocolate pretzel bar recommended as a favorite by our server. It was excellent and the only item all night that I ate with abandon. Overall, we had a nice evening out that should have been much more special. I had noted in my online reservation that it was my husband's birthday, and while I don't expect singing, clapping servers or a free meal, I mentioned it because IMHO truly great restaurants know that, for many, spending $150 on a meal is a big deal, and a few kind words from an attentive employee can make the occasion memorable. No one ever mentioned it. Maybe they don't pay much attention to the Open Table reservations, but that is the problem. If you take reservations, you KNOW who is coming. Figure out "who goes where" ahead of time, not while they are standing in front of you. Greet people like you're happy they chose your place, not as if they are interrupting you. So I guess I am writing this review more for the staff because the generic service made what was supposed to be a special occasion just ... ordinary.
(3)Dennis W.
Simply wonderful food. The cobia is one of their signature dishes and it was prepared perfectly with various spices and accompaniments that brings out everything that this fish is and can be. The 7oz filet was superb and prepared exactly to order. They etch salad and the beet and berry salads were farm fresh and the cauliflower is a one of a kind must have. Can't say enough about Etch!
(5)Kim S.
Fantastic experience! Started off the night with drinks in the bar and Paul and Malia made it a real treat! Extremely warm and friendly and poured to perfection these two had the night off to a great start. These guys know what they are doing- absolutely amazing service. Dinner was fantastic- some do not miss are the octopus and shrimp bruschetta and the lamb tartare- unbelievable. Finish with the seasonal fruit dessert- easily missed by the menu description and you will have an evening not to be forgotten!
(5)Kenny Y.
Great but Expensive
(4)Timothy H.
I enjoyed my first experience at Etch tonight. The roasted cauliflower appetizer was outstanding and is a great dish to share (you get plenty of it). I also had the soup of the day (a delicious bisque) and the lamb chop for my entree. The chorizo brik that came with the chop gave the dish a nice hint of spice, and the eggplant added some heartiness and additional texture. The lamb was a perfect medium rare. Etch had 6 beers on tap, all reasonably priced, mostly sticking to local brews. They had a good mix in those six, with selections ranging from wheat to ipa to porter. I always appreciate when restaurants with great food keep a solid rotation of brews on tap, so kudos to etch. The service was great, very attentive and kept drinks filled. There was also complimentary valet parking, which is quite helpful in that part of town. If I had to give a negative I would say some might have found the staff to be too attentive (they literally explained each ingredient of the dish when ordering and once the dish came out! Might be a little much for some people, but I appreciated it). Overall, a terrific experience and worth checking out.
(5)David R.
Hands down, one of the best restaurants in town. The flavors are assertive, bold and balanced. I'd write more but feel that that's wasting your time. Go. Explore. Be delighted.
(5)A B.
My boyfriend and I were in Nashville for the weekend and wanted to try a restaurant we had not experienced yet. This place is one I would recommend to any of my friends, and will definitely go back! All of the ingredients are very unique but so tasty! We started with the Octopus and Shrimp Bruschetta, which was incredible! Definitely not your typical tomatoes and garlic on bread. We split the Etch Salad, which was a perfect portion for us both, and it was so good! He had the venison and I had the grilled lamb as our entrees. Both were excellent and delicious! I believe the menu changes frequently, which is something I appreciate! Justin was an excellent server and was very knowledgeable about different ingredients. We will definitely return here!
(5)Ed K.
Return trip...even better. (If you can deal w/ downtown)
(4)Sloane S.
I'd been hearing about the legendary Etch for months and finally landed a reservation on a snowy Monday evening. My friend and I went early, wanting to take advantage of the fantastic happy hour offerings. (discounted apps, 4 dollar drafts, 5 dollar select wines, and 6 dollar select cocktails). Unfortunately, when we were seated and I asked for a happy hour menu, the hostess informed me that in order to enjoy happy hour, we had to sit at the bar. This isn't listed anywhere on the website or menu, so my friend and I began our experience a in a state of slight disappointment. She ordered the Model T and I ordered the Jack and Cocchi. The cocktails were good, but not stellar. Not worth $9. Verrrry strong, though. She ordered the Pork Tenderloin, and I ordered the Cobia. Oh. My. God. If I am every lucky enough to taste something so heavenly ever again, I will be the luckiest lady twice. It was a remarkably prepared fish, situated atop a large beignet and surrounded with an orange glaze, almonds, cranberries, and a mild feta. Foodgasm. I was so enthralled with my own dish, I didn't even look at my friend's pork tenderloin, but we both cleared our plates, not leaving a single morsel. We talked about the meal for days, and will (hopefully) return before we graduate in May. So, in summary: Happy Hour is in the bar. Strong cocktails, Make a reservation far in advance. You absolutely cannot go wrong with anything on the menu.
(4)Aaron F.
Excellent food selections that offer creative options you may not see elsewhere. The roast cauliflower in truffle oil was very nice. Wonderful atmosphere, convenient parking (complimentary valet with validated ticket), wines are a bit pricey but good selection. If you're looking for a nice upscale dinner, highly recommend Etch!
(4)Jill N.
Trendy place with great food and atmosphere. We ate at the kitchen/chef bar which was fun and interactive and a little less formal than sitting at a table. We skipped appetizers as it was late and just ordered the grilled 7oz filet. WOW. Absolutely delicious. Especially be zucchini slaw. I wish the entree came with more. I would definitely recommend to others and would go back again.
(5)Rachel S.
Excellent. Excellent, excellent, excellent!! Everything we had was wonderfully prepared, tasted so good, and presented beautifully. Etch is everything you want in a very fancy, quite contemporary restaurant. I was at Etch for a very celebratory birthday dinner, so a sampling of EVERYTHING was welcome. I don't drink much these days, but I did spring for the Hemingway cocktail, which I loved. The first food recommendation from our waiter was the butter tasting, which is worth its weight in fat. It was awesome to try the duck butter, goat butter, truffle butter, and smoked plugra butter (I'm still not too sure what plugra is, but it was awesome - I thought it tasted faintly like a smoked fish). Then came the roasted cauliflower appetizer, which lived up to its hype. The cauliflower itself was AWESOME, and the pea pesto and other accents it came with were awesome too. For an entreé, I had the duck. I love duck, but what sold me was that it came with ginger grits. It was a fabulousl tasting and well concocted meal, however I have to say the winning main dish at the table was the short ribs. I almost ordered this, as I was really in the mood for tender red meat and korean noodles. This would be what I opt for next time. That shrimp aioli? Woah... I've said my favorite restaurant in Nashville is the Midtown Café - really nice food in a classy setting (an old house), and the employees are excited about the food. It's not overly ambitious or trendy; It's like a slice of old-Nashville. I feel Etch is on the other end of the spectrum - creativity, modern, American but with pan-cultural undertones. Once again, our waiter was a die-hard foodie and very excited about Etch's offerings. Etch is an envelope pusher, and is definitely several cuts above most other Nashville "trendy" restaurants when it comes to the food!! Definitely on its way to becoming one of Nashville's favorites, if not your own.
(5)Stefano Z.
Amazing restaurant with excellent food and nice (if not terribly fast) service. The food combinations are quite novel and interesting, and pretty tasty. The price was not terribly high.
(4)Jessica H.
Ate at Etch last night with my friends as we visited Nashville making a reservation on open table. My review is mixed. When we first entered the restaurant, the smell was so bad that we almost left immediately. I am not sure if there was a sewer leak or what but it was completely unpleasant. The hostesses were not very welcoming and seemed very new to the concept of greeting clients. The food was excellent. Service with James was very good. I would recommend the roasted cauliflower with the smoked pea pesto and the Cobia. I enjoyed the chef's layering of flavors and textures which is familiar to us from out West. If a restaurant review was Only about the food then they would receive a 5. One more thing about the front end service... When we were leaving, we asked the valet if he could arrange a cab and rather than arranging for us, he told us the number. Not Cool! As the cab company wanted the exact location with zip code and cross streets. That was not the southern hospitality that we had been experiencing all over the rest of Nashville. The good news that it should be easy to fix the problems with the valet, rude hostesses, and the disgusting stench upon entry. At least they have a great chef and James to wait on you.
(3)Andria J.
Great experience! Entrees and apps were delightful. Brussel sprouts were not good at all. Service was great! A little loud but great experience!
(4)Kristin L.
I knew Etch was scheduled to open sometime this fall, but wasn't sure when, but the stars aligned last evening when I happened to be downtown on their opening night with no dinner plans. The restaurant is located in a previously unoccupied corner of the Encore building; it's a fantastic alternative to all the more casual eateries on Broadway if you're looking for a nice dinner or fancy cocktails after work. No doubt, it will be packed to the brim once the Music City Center and Omni open their doors in 2013. Going to any restaurant on opening night is always a huge risk, but you would never have known Etch had just opened its doors--it seemed as if they'd been perfecting their techniques, service and menus for years. And that's probably because their leader, Deb Paquette (formerly of Zola fame), has been one of Nashville's biggest culinary treasures for decades. The meal started with fresh-baked rosemary rolls, of which each of my party ate two (and would have gobbled down more had we not been afraid of being too full once the main course arrived). I ordered the cauliflower steak not because I'm a vegetarian but because the description intrigued me so. It was an explosion for the senses--the confluence of the textures, the tastes and fresh ingredients (including pea pesto, miso blue cheese gravy, kale, fennel and caramelized onions)--and I will be dreaming about that meal for months to come. I also had the ginger grits, which were delightful and unlike any Southern dish I've ever tasted. My sister ordered the filet, which was accompanied by a decadent mushroom bread pudding (pardu), smoked red wine gravy, asparagus whisps and rosemary duck butter. I'm not sure which dish I liked better! Needless to say, I helped her clean her plate. I always feel a restaurant in the best judge by how it prepares chicken given that's typically the one choice that is glossed over by the chef, so when my cousin ordered the chicken I was eager to try it. Mounds of fresh greens and other ingredients (sage vinaigrette, fennel, farro, tomato, parmesan, prosciutto) were piled atop the pan-fried bird, like a combination of a pizza and a salad. And don't even make me try to explain the dessert. Pastry chef superstar Megan Williams--who was previously at Urban Grub and Capitol Grille--rose to the occasion to create a menu that featured such items as goat cheese almond semifreddo with almond meringue, hibiscus sauce, raspberry gelee and honey; milk chocolate chai panna cotta with dark chocolate sauce, pear sorbet, toasted hazelnuts and hazelnut tuile; and the goat milk vanilla and milk chocolate caradmom pistachio ice cream. We sampled a bit of everything: The ice cream with the salty cookie crumble was by far my favorite, though you can't go wrong with *any* of her desserts! The cocktail menu is nothing to stop at either. We went with these server's recommendation of the Maker's Mark whiskey cocktail. Let's just say it's good enough that I had a second and would have had a third had I not been driving. Having moved here from San Francisco a year ago, I feel like I am a good judge of culinary panache. And the fact that this city continues to surprise me--in an excellent way--is all only a solidifying factor in our decision to relocate permanently. When I went to City House earlier this week for Sunday Supper, I thought dinner in Nashville couldn't be any better. And then I tried Etch. All future meals no doubt will be judged based on my experience there--and you better believe I will be back very soon!
(5)Mark L.
I'm still a little speechless after last night's dinner here. It was amazingly good. Kenneth was an outstanding server. He sized us up and matched our mood perfectly: coming when needed, offering perfect advice, friendly, but a complete professional. We tried as much as 3 people could comfortably eat from the menu. The cauliflower app is great, what a healthy, but rich treat. The beet salad was beautiful and delicious. I had the scallops for my entree and was overwhelmed. The fried mushrooms complimented the greens and the scallops so well, I can't believe I haven't had this combination before. So good! We split grits and brussels sprouts for our sides. I am a sprout fiend and loved the caramelized onions mixed with them. Amazing! We knew we had to save room for dessert, so we tried to pace ourselves. They all were wonderful. I'm gushing about Etch, but all 3 of us were stunned after we finished. Was it the best meal we've ever had? Damn close, if not. I'm in Nashville on business, but will scheme and plot to come back and eat here again. It was just great.
(5)Sejal M.
We had great service and the atmosphere is fantastic. The food was pretty good. I wouldn't say it was spectacular but nonetheless, we did enjoy our meal.
(4)Ryan H.
After reading Marcia's review I had to get my wife and I there. Saturday night and after a few drinks and some great music we wandered over to Etch. My wife is part vegetarian so the Cauliflower app seemed perfect. We got there and the hostess told us that the restaurant was 'fully committed" for the rest of the evening. I think she was telling us no tables available. Never heard it that was but made perfect sense. But luckily enough the bar area was available if anyone got up and, just like the rest of the weekend for us, we were in the dime zone and someone got up. And no one else was waiting. Thank you Elvis! We sat at a great high table with view of the restaurant, outside, and the entire bar area. "Tall Paul" was our bartender/waiter and I can only tell you that he, in addition to the food, made our evening. As Tom Cruise said, he competed us. Well not exactly like that. But I hope you get the jist of what I am saying. He first suggested the perfect beer for our taste after my wife changed my mind on the bottle of Prosecco. She was right in that we did not need that much. Just food. We had the Tuna Shrimp appetizer which was delicious but 3rd in line of creativity and taste. The Cauliflower App is what we came for and we were not disappointed. Wow. I think that more than half the folks that we saw got this and I doubt anyone was disappointed. Lot of baked Cauliflower with 2 sauces to dip them in. Mix all three and it was Nirvana! I know what you are thinking. He said 3 appetizers. Surely that last one was tops. Well, because of the utter disregard for health and the cleverness of the last app along with how damn good it was we ordered the 4 Butter Tasting. They brought out fresh soft yummy roles and some other baguette type bread with 4 big globs of butter. It was much better presented than my explanation. It included a Duck Confit, Peanut butter and honey, Smoked, and Truffle set of butters. Not sure if they would do it but next time I think I would ask to skip all of them for the Truffle flavor. It was stupendous. Not to take away from the others as they were all fantastic but the truffle created a new reason for living. Hands down my favorite thing I ate in Nashville. Maybe it was a little bit of the alcohol speaking but I really think I enjoyed it that much. "Tall Paul" was our favorite server on our 48 hour trip by far and the food was equally as good so Etch is now my favorite can't miss spot in Nashville. If I ever go back, it will be amongst our stops. Thanks for the great service and the delectable food! As good or better than what we are used to in Charleston! And I thought that Nashville was a music and BBQ town. Etch brings it up to a Foodie haven as well!
(5)Will H.
Four of us visited Etch last night, and we were absolutely blown away. The atmosphere, the food, and the service were all spectacular. Other reviewers have already talked about the modern decor. The space is very open without being cold or overwhelming. The place was pretty full, but (avoiding a pet peeve of mine) the noise level in the room did not interfere with our conversations. A seat at the bar would give you a fabulous view of the open kitchen; I settled for facing the kitchen and trying to catch glimpses from afar of the magic being created. The food and the service were both brilliant. Our waitress struck that wonderful balance of attentive, but not intrusive; she answered our questions about the menu with informative charm. We tried several cocktails, all tasty; I'd recommend the Hemingway for a sour rum treat or the Whiskey Smash for Maker's sweetened after the manner of a mojito. We started with the butter tasting -- that's four different butters with delectable breads and rolls, and for under five bucks you're a fool if you skip it. The octopus and shrimp bruschetta appetizer was fantastic and contained the best octopus I've ever eaten; our waitress said it had something to do with sous vide, but I was too busy inhaling it to listen closely. The entrees were stunningly presented and delicious. My partner had scallops prepared expertly; my steak was scrumptious. Desserts were heavenly, but we hardly had room; we didn't finish a panna cotta, but we inhaled the "mocha" (actually a chocolate cake with caramel mousse and coffee pot de creme). Etch is already the sort of place that I would take a visitor from NYC or SF to prove that we have quality restaurants in Nashville. It is a cut above other places I already love here. You really should go.
(5)Jed K.
Found it underwhelming. The cauliflower was good. The venison dry and uninspiring. Tithe atmosphere was ok. Lots of better places in Nashville for my task ,rolf and daughters, city house and husk come to mind. Could be better
(3)Tom K.
It's okay, but not worthy of the hype. The food is acceptable and the service is good, but this is not by any means a major dining experience. With that said, Etch should be in your lunch rotation if you work downtown.
(3)Emily K.
Service was slow. But they have the best ice in their drinks. The steak was amazing! The martini's really good also.
(3)Marc B.
Really did not expect that quality and innovation. Would recommend this place for a solid meal.
(4)Allison H.
Food-wise, I would give Etch five stars. I had to lower my rating due to the glacial pacing between the appetizer and entree. I mean, how can you not start off a restaurant with at least 3-4 stars if it has a freakin' BUTTER TASTING? Which was delicious, by the way, and I wanted to put it on everything (I might've smeared extra truffle butter on my steak). My table also really loved the octopus and shrimp bruschetta. Really interesting flavors that just worked together perfectly. I was so excited that this place was living up to what I had read about it, but then.. I guess the kitchen was in the weeds big time, because we must've waited well over half an hour for our entrees. The manager walked by us and I think he noticed our unhappy faces, and he came over and asked if all was well. We said we'd been waiting a while, and he rushed into the kitchen, realized we were right, and immediately comped them. I was not even going to ask for anything so drastic, but it was appreciated. It wasn't our server's fault at all, I don't remember her name but she was great and gave excellent wine recommendations. If I lived in Nashville I would absolutely go back and give it another shot. I was a little concerned that the entrees would be rushed and not up to par, as that can happen in that sort of situation, but I'm pleased to say they were all lovely. I liked the ginger grits side; not something I would've thought of, but the flavor was awesome. Almost forgot - we were a bit early for our reservation and had a drink at the bar beforehand. Really pleasant and nice bartender. I would've been happy to hang out there all night.
(3)Benita M.
I had my 30th birthday dinner at Etch over Labor Day weekend. Everyone in my group of six loved everything we ordered. Word of warning: servings are huge! I was stuffed after our table shared a butter tasting (a must order!) and two orders of the cauliflower ( amazing) and I ordered one of their soups of the day, a to-die-for summery gazpacho with watermelon. My soup came in a seemingly never-ending bowl. By this point, I could have called it a night. But my entree was on its way. I'm a vegetarian and I ordered the nest with vegetables and cheese and a delicious sauce. It was a very large portion and I only ate about a third of it. It was very good but nothing too exciting. I preferred the appetizers and soup so next time I would likely make a meal out of those instead. My server was wonderful and I felt bad as she thought I didn't like it but since we were going out that night and taking cabs, I had to decline her offer of boxing it up. Despite how stuffed I was, I decided I had to order dessert considering it was my birthday. I ordered a dark chocolate, hazelnut torte, which exceeded expectations.
(4)Sam N.
You know when you find yourself saying "that meal was good, but not quite as good as Etch" at every nice restaurant you go to, you found something special. Etch was one of the best meals I've ever had - not just in Nashville. Everything about it was fantastic: the food, the service, and the atmosphere. We sat at the bar, which was right outside of the kitchen so you could watch everyone work. I was a little nervous it would be distracting but it actually was quite interesting, and it meant that service was extremely prompt! Our food was great as well, and even the butter sampler appetizer we got was memorable and delicious. We love dining out, and do so often (probably too often), and the fact that we keep thinking about this place should speak volumes. If you are in Nashville and like nicer restaurants, go here. It's not even a question.
(5)Ryan O.
Etch is certainly one of the top 5 restaurants in the city. Chef Deb Paquette is among the Nashville elite and Etch reflects every bit of that. If you don't want take my word for it just consult any of the recent accolades like best restaurant by Nashville Lifestyles or the number one spot on Eater Nashville's June 2013 heatmap. As if the food were not enough here, the presentation and plating really push this place over the edge. I would say in that category it IS the best in Nashville. The dishes are so beautiful it's like eating artwork. I could go on and on about some of the dishes here but the menu rotates often so it's probably pointless. If I had to classify it I would call it world cuisine but Deb's agenda here is to serve dishes that would be very hard to make at home. In that regard I think she really hits the mark as you'll see things on the menu here that you just won't find even a remote semblance anywhere else in town. One staple that seems to remain on the menu though that I really love is the butter tasting. Specifically, and this is not a joke, the duck butter. With its abundant thyme flavor and infusion of duck (fat?) combined with the rosemary bread, it's a combination that always tastes reminiscent of Thanksgiving to me. That's a nostalgic feeling and it's pretty damn awesome. A final note about the food, the desserts here are really, really incredible. The pastry chef here is truly outstanding and you should not skip dessert here under any circumstances. As far as spirits go, the bourbon and whiskey list is rather paltry but they do have a few great drinks on the cocktail menu. I particularly like The Don which essentially a black manhattan but I also seem to recall seeing classics like a Boulevardier and Negroni on there as well. They even use real luxardo style cherries which is an added bonus. The only real negative I can come up with is that the price point is a bit on the high side but it almost pains me to say that since I think what you get is worth every bit of the cost. The lunch menu is very economical though and I would encourage you to check it out as the price to value ratio there is excellent.
(5)The Peggy H.
At lunchPaul the bartender provided the best customer service we experienced in Nashville! Not only was the food delicious but his friendly cadence and invite back with suggested meal was plenty to convince us to come back tonight for the Venison.
(5)Kathryn M.
We went to Etch today for lunch, the food was delicious (we ordered the fish tacos and beef brisket), but it took 45 minutes for us to get our food after we ordered. The service was good, but it took forever to get our drinks and food. Go for good food but only if you're okay with waiting.
(3)Max N.
If you're visiting Nashville and enjoy fine dining, you legitimately should not leave without visiting Etch. Something I very much appreciate about Etch, first and foremost, is that it isn't a "twist on southern food" like most other restaurants in the area. With a spectacular chef, an almost to good to be true wait staff and assumingly top notch management, I can guarantee a fantastic experience. I have heard some people mention that it "looks like a hotel lobby," and though I can see some similarities that does not at all take away from it's elegance and ambiance. Absolutely comparable to a five star restaurant in New York or Los Angeles.
(5)Sarah W.
Let me tell you a secret. I would eat the cauliflower at Etch every.damn.day . if I could. It's that amazing. No. But for real. It is incredible. Let me say that again. The cauliflower is utterly divine. Etch is a wonderful addition to the downtown area. It is one of the places I will venture downtown for and it is definitely where I like to go after a concert a the Schermerhorn or a show at TPAC ...or just anytime, really. Service is always flawless, from the valet to the hostess to the servers to the bar staff. Never have I ever been received with anything less than a lovely smile, a soft welcome and an "enjoy". The butter tasting is ridiculous. And I am not that crazy about butter. The offerings are wonderfully flavored. The cauliflower is a reason to go all on its own! Smoke pesto pea puree and almonds and creamy cheese on the side, not withstanding, the flavor of the roasted cauli all by itself is just delectable. Back in the days when I ate meat, the fish, duck and steak were superb. Extremely well seasoned and cooked with perfectly complimenting side dishes. The salads are wonderful and creative. The drinks are delicious and the staff knowledgeable about what they have to offer. I have visited in jeans, dressed to the nines and just about everything in between. I always feel comfortable and not out of place. The only downside? No martini glass. What is that about? Nutshell: GO. NOW. Wait, call me first and I will join you. :)
(5)M R.
We traveled to Nashville for our anniversary and the Labor Day holiday weekend, and dined at Etch for the third time. It NEVER disappoints. Like Johanna's review says, words can barely do the experience justice. Our serverLane was terrific and everyone else we encountered was friendly and you can tell this place attracts people who are passionate about food, as we are. Rule Number One at Etch: Order the cauliflower appetizer. I know, I know, CAULIFLOWER?? Trust me, even if you're just meh on cauliflower in general, this app will simultaneously change and blow your mind. Put a bit of cauliflower on your fork, then take your knife and add a Marcona almond, and a little of the accompanying smoked truffle English pea puree and feta crema. I recommend you chew slowly and close your eyes to keep the tears of joy from escaping as you savor the perfect bite. The charcuterie salad is an outstanding second course. Featuring a superb combination of flavors, including smoked lima beans and pickled onion (yum!), it's topped with a few crispy fried oyster mushrooms, and the whole thing is delightful. (Also, it's huge so I recommend splitting it between at least two people.) For dinner we split the scallop entree. Welcome to the world's most perfectly cooked, tender, sweet, large sea scallops (U12 is my guess). They're served with a trio of mushrooms (grilled, confit and tempura). The rest of the setup includes smoked shallot vinaigrette, bacon, greens, and once again two perfect, velvety sauces to play with (butternut garlic essence & beet sriracha). Chef Deb Paquette is a master of combining not only the right whole ingredients but also the perfect preparations for each one. Her use of spice, smoking, and pickling creates a culinary experience you won't soon forget. One more thing... Deb's culinary vision would never be brought to life if not for skilled execution, so big fat delicious kudos to the entire culinary team at Etch! If you're like us, once you visit Etch you'll yearn to come back again and again.
(5)Lindsay B.
Incredible atmosphere, love that the kitchen is so open that you can see the chefs at work. Food was delicious- we had the pork and duck dishes and thoroughly enjoyed both. We started with the butter tasting which was unique and also tasty. I also tried the Hemingway cocktail and it was delicious. I felt like the only downfall of the night was the service- our waiter was just fair at best, not very attentive. I'd definitely recommend people check out this new place! P.S. The valets at this place were fantastic- great Nashville advice and they literally ran to get the cars :)
(4)Leigh D.
Went back recently and didn't have as great of an experience. The portions felt very large and over salted/seasons. After eating there, I felt pretty gross. Sad update. -------------- A perfect dining experience. From the moment we walked in the staff was incredible attentive and helpful. The hostess was able to get us a table as soon as we were ready and, in the meantime, the waitress in the bar area recommended terrific drinks to kick things off. Our waitress was very knowledgable about the menu and the Chef. Chef Deb Paquette is an absolute magician! Everything was perfect. Unique, unexpected flavors that were perfect combinations. Here's what I had: (HIGHLY recommend everything) Butter Tasting: truffle butter, smoked plugra butter, goat butter, duck butter Special Soup: Corn and ____ puree with watermelon chutney Venison: moroccan spiced, sweet potato guava, ginger grits, pear butter, cranberry sumac relish Cannot wait to go back.
(3)Joe N.
Great food and great service. Roasted cauliflower and etch salad were my favorites. Sit at the counter and watch the kitchen process.
(5)L. M.
Impeccable service and every dish we ordered was delicious. We did the butter tasting and had the duck confit, cauliflower, spaghetti squash, and scallops. Everything was delicious!
(5)Catherine F.
Fantastic food and service. Happy hour is fun, but sit in the main dining room for dinner. The scallops are perfectly done and Amy is a great waitress. Wine menu is well cultivated and the desserts are melt in your mouth good, especially the caramel pretzel and lemon tart. Expensive, but excellent. Treat yourself for a special occasion.
(4)Gina M.
I was visiting Nashville with some girlfriends for a bachelorette party and read great reviews for this restaurant. So glad we ate here! The food was amazing and the service was perfect. You must get two things: the butter tasting and the roasted cauliflower. I will be dreaming of that cauliflower and I'm not even a huge fan typically! Duck app was a bit too sweet for us and the pork belly was good, just not great. For dinner most of us had the scallops, which were perfectly cooked and delicious. It just sat on the hugest bed of lettuce, which was overkill in my opinion. The bride had the filet and it was perfectly cooked and pretty delicious. Overall, a really really good meal. But please get the cauliflower. I will be craving it!!!
(4)Starr P.
The service and food is excellent!!!! Love love the roasted cauliflower appetizer!!!! My filet melted like butter in my mouth!!! Great time for my birthday!
(5)restaurant r.
LOVE LOVE LOVE!! Go here the food is great! Atmosphere great...easy to talk if you are doing business because there is no echo! We only had to wait 10 minutes for our table...the place was packed! The girls at the front check in were so nice :) They had a nice selection of wine and once again the food was AMAZING! GO HERE!!!
(5)Sarah K.
Can't go wrong with the duck confit! I had the katafi pastry for my entreé. One of the best vegetarian dishes I've ever tasted. So many flavors. Awesome service and friendly staff.
(4)Lauren M.
One of the best meals I've had in my life! Everything we ordered was top notch. The butter tasting sounds weird but was great. The octopus and shrimp bruschetta was perfect for 3 people. My favorite of the evening was far and away my entre, the Cobia. I loved every flavor in this dish. Salty, sweet, crunchy, soft. It really had it all. I recommend it highly!
(5)Marci Z.
First time at Etch for our anniversary dinner. I've never posted a rating for anything before, but the food at Etch is worth it. We had the butter tasting, the squash soup, the grouper (seafood special), pork chop, and the peach and brown butter cake. We would definitely recommend all of these items, and we will definitely be back!
(5)Sarah H.
AMAZING!! Flavors are like a party in your mouth! Every bite of everything tastes different. I've been here twice in the past 2 months while visiting for work and the service is great, can not say enough good things about the food! Will definitely become a regular spot while working/playing in NashVegas!
(5)Taylor S.
We had a wonderful dinner at Etch! Food was all delicious!! The manager, Will, runs a great restaurant and took care of us! We will definitely be back next time we are in Nashville!
(5)M L.
My rating is solely based on the food. Dishes are creative, flavorful, and great looking. It is clear that all ingredients used are if the highest quality. Deb Paquette is talented and creative and Nashville is lucky to have her. The downside to Etch is that you feel like you are sitting in a banquet room at a hotel. It just really lacks the ambiance you want. If I were from out of town and went there I would t realize it, however as a local I can say the atmosphere is just boring. To top it off we had the strangest server possible, vampire ish. So weird
(4)Jacob T.
Thai chicken was awesome, had bitter lemon cocktail equally delicious. Cool vibe, lots of good looking people. Could use a larger offering on their menu.
(4)Bridget S.
Wow! Etch blew me away. Chef Deb Pauquette has created wonderful, melt in your mouth food. Our dinner experience last night was perfect. Downtown was busy with the CMA festival,yet ETCH was quiet and and provided a great dining experience. The shrimp & filo appetizer was spicy sweet. My husband had the scallops which were fresh and oh so tasty.( A trio of grilled, confit and tempura mushrooms, smoked shallot vinaigrette, bacon, greens, butternut garlic essence, beet sriracha). I had the filet with horseradish celery creamed potatoes, red wine gravy, asparagus whisps, smoked duck butter.....oh my wonderful. The filet was one of the best that I've had in Nashville. The gravy was rich and full of bold flavors.I am now anxious to return. This is a must try when in or if living in Nashville. Oh..the service impeccable and not pretentious.
(5)Lana L.
Came in town for work and decided to check Etch out because of all of the great reviews. Had the cauliflower and lamb tartar to start. Great! Could have left it at that because the portions were so generous. And wish I would have because then it went downhill... We got the Rutabaga La Plancha and Lamb Porterhouse. Must have chosen the wrong items off the menu. The lamb was really difficult to cut through because it was so raw. I like my meat rare but I also don't like to saw through it. The service was great and when the waiter came to the table and asked how everything was I lied and said it was really good but then asked him, "What is this again?" Once again I should have stopped with the "it was really good" because he told me that the chef put a little fritos in the carrot masa sauce that was on the side of the rutabaga. Interesting, huh? So I tried the sauce again and couldn't seem to get the flavor off my tongue for the rest of the night. I wouldn't say the food was bad but if the dishes were made on TV they definitely would be "Chopped" for having too many flavors going on. I'm glad my company was footing the bill otherwise I may have sent my meal back to the kitchen. Although not hungry we still got desert so we could "cleanse" the pallet. We chose the peanut butter chocolate ice cream, thank god there weren't too many flavors going on with that one.
(2)David B.
I'm giving Etch a 6! If there was one. This was the best dining experience I've had in pretty much any city I've been to. The professional knowledge, service, timing of courses, presentation of dish, and holy hell the taste. Please INVEST in a reservation. This is a life changing experience.
(5)Bob R.
This place will not disappoint I've eaten here several times and each time is better and better than the last. Both times I've eaten at the front bar, and have been served by Paul--the quintessential bartender! Upon arrival I was greeted with an inviting "Welcome Back!" and it had been almost a year since my last visit. Not only was I welcomed back, but he even remembered my name... Impressive! The ambiance at the front bar is a modern, friendly, and comforting space. Get the Roasted Cauliflower... the flavors are unbelievable. I got the filet and it was cooked perfectly with horseradish mashed potatoes, shaved asparagus, a pea-truffle puree sauce and duck butter--exquisite. Whether you're going for a drink, or dinner, or both, this place will not disappoint and do yourself a favor and ask for Paul - he's the guy up front with a big smile, and he'll take care of you.
(5)Craig L.
It has been a while since I've had my taste buds sent off on such an exhilarating journey. We visited Nashville for a week of auditory pleasure and got even more when we dined at Etch. We started with the Roasted Cauliflower based on all the reviews. It was excellent, especially with the pea pesto source. I had the Pork Loin that I demolished is short order, not because I have a large stomach but because after the first bite there was no stopping. My wife enjoyed the Grilled Scallop entree which she reported as an unexpectedly tasty composition based intriguing combination of ingredients including mushrooms, bacon, beets and squash. We accompanied it with a bottle of 2010 Zinfandel and topped it all off with Vanilla Cake and Olive Oil ice cream. It was a delightful experience.
(5)NJ G.
Was in town for work, this place was on a list of recommended eats given to me by my hotel and ranked well on Yelp! This was by far one of the best meals I had while in Nashville. I almost would have eaten the same dish for all my meals if I weren't trying to the the tourist thing and try a bunch of places. I had the tuna salad. It was delicious. I did feel a bit out of place with all the suits at the other tables but the ambiance is pretty relaxed. The restaurant has what looks like two separate, semi-private dining area, perfect for a business lunch or personal event. My meal was well priced and very tasty. I would recommend this place no problem.
(4)Ryan B.
By far one of the best dining experiences, period. Tall Paul, the bartender, is outstanding. His attention to detail is superior, just as is their food.
(5)Clay G.
The smoked pea purée with the roasted cauliflower is worth a trip all on its on. Some of the reviewers on here are hilarious. Too many ingredients? No direction? Then another complains of the dish being overpowered by one ingredient. Our meal was excellent albeit a little pricey. There is a lot going on but the flavors all seem to go extremely well together. Deb is a great chef, period.
(5)Jason M.
I booked with Open Table (where I have it noted that my wife has a gluten allergy) and that was the first thing they mentioned when we arrived. The server helped my wife navigate the menu and choose something that was gluten free. They did have several options. We ordered a non-alcoholic drinks that were not on the menu. Lemon-Lime Bitters... It's sprite + lime juice + some bitters. They prepared it perfectly with no fuss and only charged us for a soda... Great job! We shared the Cauliflower appetizer and were blown away by it. It was so good! As many others have said, do try it. We then shared an Etch salad... they split one between two plates and it was more than enough for both of us also. The greens were fresh, the flavors were all over the pallet and it was simply a fantastic salad. For mains, my wife had the Venison and I had the filet. My filet was cooked perfectly (medium rare)... there was a lot of it too... it was no small filet. My wife loved the venison and wished there had been more of it; her only complaint was that she wanted more. She did find the sides a little sweet... the grits that came with the venison were sweet and it also had cranberries as well... maybe too much sweetness combined. We did not have desert as we already had reservations for the Melting Pot. However, the server did bring desert menu's too us. At the point of bringing the desert menu's they seemed to lax a little on helping with gluten-free options. It seemed that most of the deserts likely had gluten and the server offered no assistance in selecting a gluten free option. Hey, we loved it though and will go back. The complimentary valet was great too. Keep up the good work Etch; we'll see you again soon.
(4)Michael P.
This was an odd experience for me. Arrival: Really nice inside, well done restaurant. Pleasant hostess got me a seat at the Chef's Bar. Greeted by a server immediately. He did a great job start to finish. I ordered brisket upon his suggestion. It was good. Not great by any stretch, but good. Here is why the experience was odd. It was basically deconstructed enchiladas. Corn cakes, guac, sour cream etc. It was described as such, but I guess my anticipation got ahead of me. From the menu: "corn cake, smoked brisket, chihuahua cheese, onion, peruvian butternut slaw, roja and poblano sauces, celery leaf avocado smash, lime crema, queso blanco" For 18 bucks I should be Wowed. I wasn't. I would rather go to a true Mexican restaurant, get enchiladas that are as good or better, chips and salsa and go from there. If I go back I am ordering a sandwich. They looked more like what I wanted, but I took server's recommendation. Not his fault. I should have paid closer attention.
(3)Scott C.
So glad this restaurant is in Nashville. When we arrived, we used the very convenient valet service which is nice for downtown Nashville. Siting down at our seat we were immediately greeted by the house sommelier who helped us pick out a wonderful wine to compliment our meal. On to the food... We started with the butter tasting, octopus bruschetta, and the amazing roasted cauliflower with smoked pea purée. For our entrees we got the prawn and scallops and the beef short rib. The prawn and scallop was perfectly cooked but my only complaint of the meal was the salad on top of the dish. It seemed like it took away from the beauty of the meat and was just too much food. Now I say that after we had 3 appetizers so I am not knocking the execution of the dish. It would be perfect if you got 1 thing for the app and just an entree. The beef short rib was to die for. Would absolutely get it again. Once again a little too much for the entree after the apps but still great execution on presentation and overall flavor and balance. We will return very soon.
(4)Karen J.
This is one of the most memorable meals I have had for a while. Starting with the roasted cauliflower ... a sometimes dull and overcooked vegetable...here successfully made the star. Cobia...flaky perfectly cooked fish with spices and tastes that brings you to Morocco.....sweet and spicy well balanced. Incredible. Dessert was the Pretzel,chocolate, caramel bar.....I was just speechless. Delicious!!! Service was friendly and attentive.
(5)Lindsay W.
I would give them 4.5 stars but the food alone pushed them to 5. When we arrived the 2 girls at the hostess stand were all over the place. Not in the good efficient all over the place. They were a bit unorganized and made myself and my party a little wary about what we were walking into. One girl was on the phone and kept rolling her eyes as she was talking. Not very professional. They seated the party before us but then made a mistake and moved them to another table. Those poor guys were just left standing in the middle of the dining room. We were watching this going 'uh oh...' Luckily, we got seated and weren't left standing in the dining room or made to move. Our server, James, was fantastic. He made great recommendations for us. We started with the short ribs. Oh my goodness! They had pulled all that tender meat and then fried it. Looked like dark croutons on the plate but tasted amazing. My mom ate all the vegetable kimchi and didn't share with the group but according to her it was delicious. My stepfather ordered the Cobia per James recommendation- said it was their signature dish. I have never seen that man be so quiet once he started eating! He said that based on that dish alone he would come back despite the unorganized mess that was the hostess stand (btw we watched them set and then reset a couple tables by us, and leave a second couple standing in the dining room- we joked that we should make a drinking game of it). I had the pork. What I loved about this dish was how all the flavors married together perfectly. It had a southwestern edge with the manchego, chorizo, and mushroom sauce. All of us had cleaned our plates and still had room for dessert. My dessert was a chocolate hazelnut crunch. It was perfection. I wanted to take the whole cake home and eat on it all night long. Overall the food was as close to perfect as can be. Everything was cooked beautifully and the presentation alone was swoon-worthy. I hope to go back just to try more of the menu and (fingers crossed) the hostesses will have their act together.
(5)Ken S.
We have had wonderful food here in Nashville. Last night the Catbird Seat may be the best meal ever, up with the French Laundry. Merchants is wonderful for bot lunch and dinner. The Capital Grill is outstanding. Etch is to be avoided at all costs. The calamari and shrimp bruschetta had no calamari. The entries we sweet to cover the stale food. Simply the worst meal in several years. The service was good! The cook is clueless. Gordon Ramsey would shut the place down.
(1)David M.
The cold beet & berry soup was very good, while the fried catfish was just average. Service was very good.
(4)Patrick B.
What a great find this ended to be - We were sat at the communal counter - 3 of us and right away The GM honed in on my idea of a rose and had a bottle to taste with in minutes - Our server Amy was amazing -- Ashley -- I really went at it with in a good way Both Girls were fabulous -- The special treat Chef Deb came by to say hello and check on us - Our food was amazing - The new best twist on egg salad sandwich ( see menu) I wanted the duck pastrami sandwich - That's when Ashley crushed my dreams -- " we are of out that today " - and joked all meal First time to Nashville and this was one of our highlight meals.
(4)Jessica B.
The food here was delicious, fresh and even though it was a super busy day the service was fast and professional.
(4)Robby S.
For an elegant, finer dining experience... this is my go-to! The dishes were as beautiful as they were delicious. Who knew roasted cauliflower could be THAT incredible?! From the beet and berry salad to the perfectly cooked filet, I was nothing but impressed. Very professional and kind service from both our server and the manager who came by to check on us. If you're anywhere near this restaurant, make plans to have one of the best dinners in town there!
(5)Gary C.
Very busy so had to eat at the bar. Very comfortable and Paul was great. Pork belly app tasted fantastic but was extra fatty and small (the only reason I didn't give 5 stars). The filet steak was absolute perfection. I will be back to this place.
(4)Amanda B.
Maybe I ordered the wrong dish or maybe the kitchen was short handed, but after waiting over one hour for the entree, my venison arrived cold, room temperature at best. I'm no expert on venison, but I think it's traditionally a hot plate. I politely asked the waiter to heat up my dish, and he obliged by promptly returning with an entirely new venison dish. To my dismay, the replacement venison was still cold. I'm left to believe some menu items are pre-made and left waiting in the wings where they cool to room temperature before being served. Overall, it was a dissatisfying experience. I can't justify paying 30 dollars for two ounces of cold meat. Update: I'm happy to report the restaurant rectified the situation by crediting the meal.
(5)Caitlin C.
Probably one of the best service experiences I may ever have. If you've felt under appreciated lately, head on over to Etch. Kenneth (I hope that's right) was a fantastic server, he made my birthday fabulous with his patience and finesse! Also the fabulous bartender up front was very impressive, dealing with all the folks waiting for the tables but still wanting to squeeze in a pre-meal cocktail. If you are staying in downtown Nashville and you're looking for something that's not a twist on southern (like every other restaurant in town), check out Etch. Although the menu isn't seasonal and does not make much mention of local sourcing, the food was excellent and very unique. My particular favorites included the bruschetta with shrimp, octopus, capers and bacon, as well as the beet salad, which had a spicy kick and tart berries. I also really really enjoyed the olive oil cake dessert. In some cases the ingredients all seem sort of whacky, or the idea of putting them together seems whacky, but it just works! The place itself is simple and clean. Although yes it does resemble a hotel lobby it's not off putting. We were seated by the window with a view of the Country Music Hall of Fame and I quite enjoyed the atmosphere, it was refreshing not to be surrounded by barn wood and mason jars. If you're looking for a great fine dining experience in downtown, I would check out Etch!
(5)Sarah S.
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM. MMMMMMMMMMMMMM. MMMMMMMMMM. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Now I can begin: I went to Etch with a party of 6 others and it was simply glorious. We waiting at a table near the bar while our party was arriving and were quickly greeted and served drinks. As soon as our entire party was there, we were seated. The decor was open and airy, yet elegant. Our server was quite friendly and very well educated on the dishes. He explained each of the appetizers and entrees to us. While this may have been overkill for a party of 2, a party of 7 will have a wide variety of tastes, so I found it to be much appreciated. One thing to note is that the menu changes every 5 months or so; there may be a review about a dish you'd like to try that won't be there, so check the menu online ahead if you want to know what to expect. For the appetizer course, we agreed we'd love to taste them all, so our party ordered one of each and shared. Every single one shined in its own way, but all were completely mouth wateringly delicious. That Duck Butter was incredible! The Shrimp and Filo was savory and sweet and mmmmmmm those Short Ribs!!! All the dishes had flavors that were well thought out and played together in a super delish way. The Soup. Oh Blessed Blessed Soup. It was a chilled butternut squash soup (the rest of the details leave me as it was not on the menu) but sweet mother that soup was amazing. The men near me polished off their bowls. I found it to be slightly sweet (in a great way, but it was rich) so I gave it a good go, but couldn't eat it all. Meanwhile: Our server continued being amazing. The entrees ordered were the Pork Tenderloin, Lamb Chops, Cobia, Scallops, and the Filet. My order was the filet and good freaking food gods it was delicious. I'm a "steak ruiner" in that I really prefer medium well (I'm trying to get to medium...I am!). This can be challenging while cooking steak, I know. And while my steak was actually completely well done, it was still juicy and had a wonderful taste. It was served with a red wine sauce (hints of chardonnay and bacon...omg), horseradish and celery creamed potatoes, asparagus whips and topped with smoked duck butter. And it made my mouth water with every singe bite. (jealous yet? good. go eat this!) I was far too full for dessert, but several of our party indulged and I had a delicious cup of coffee and let my food settle. The dessert reviews were great so if you have saved room, go for it! Love love love Etch. Fully enjoyed every bite.
(5)Ali M.
One of the best meals ever -- comparable to a NYC 5 star restaurant. We sat at the bar for lunch and Paul was outstanding. Very helpful in making us non-alcoholic drinks, and then recommending some fine choices. The cauliflower appetizer was excellent and was an explosion of flavors. The brisket was fantastic and melded extremely well with the corn bread and the multitude of sauces accompanying it. The Thai chicken and quinoa was satisfying as well (ask for extra spicy) and you could taste distinct ingredients in every bite. Definitely don't miss and I'd recommend sitting at the bar with Paul.
(5)Liz S.
Decided to give Etch another try, as my food was phenomenal the first time and my roommate still hadn't dined here and wanted to go. As fate would have it, I had the same server as I did when I went with my boyfriend the first time. I'm pretty convinced, however, that either OpenTable or the restaurant itself had some sort of note taking system that "set us up," if you will. I'm also pretty certain that my server knew exactly who I was and that I was the one who wrote the previous review. Our server redeemed himself greatly and my dining experience was improved by a tenfold. I instantly knew he had improved when he asked my roommate and I right after we sat down if we would like to hear about the specials before or after our drinks and how we wanted to pace the evening. He was also extremely knowledgeable about all of the dishes we ordered and was happy to answer any questions we had. He was always present when needed, but not pushy or trying to rush us. When it came to our food choices, my roommate and I decided to order a few items and share, mostly so we could try many of the amazing flavors Etch has to offer. We started with the cauliflower and the soup of the day, which was some sort of a pumpkin bisque with a perfectly cooked seared scallop. The cauliflower was outstanding (the one thing I told my roommate we HAD to get), and the soup had an enjoyable sweet flavor without being too much. The two of us split the lamb entree, and the meat was so tender and cooked to a perfect medium rare. Another standout accompaniment to the dish was a filo pastry filled with cheese, spinach, and cooked in duck fat. Outstanding. We finished up with the coffee panna cotta, and it was the perfect balance of flavors, textures, and sweetness. I expected the food to be top notch, but the improvement in hospitality that our server made is what really blew me away. It meant so much that Etch had taken the initiative to address the previous issue and that this particular server had personally improved on so many levels. Because of this experience, I can guarantee you I will be back many times in the future, and will probably even ask for this server again! :)
(5)Quin T.
Absolutely fantastic!!! I sat at the Chef's table & it was really cool to see the staff in action. Mark was my waiter and he was extremely knowledgeable and very professional. For starters I chose the roasted cauliflower & they accommodated me by giving me a single portion because I was dining solo. For my main course I originally chose the Cobia, but it was too citrusy for me, so I opted for the scallops. I requested no bacon & I heard several people call out no bacon, however, when I received my meal, bacon was on it. Not to worry, the staff apologized profusely & I received the perfect plate. I felt like a pain in the ass, but the staff made me feel wonderful & for that I am grateful! The scallops were some of the most amazing scallops I have ever had & I travel all over the world, so that's saying a lot! I was way past stuff & still kept going!!
(5)erin z.
Amazing.
(5)Alex G.
Among the very best, if not THE best meal I've had in Nashville yet. Went with a party of 6 and had the chance to try most of the menu: the Lamb, the Pork, the Cobia, Short Ribs, and Duck. Also had the Mussels (was actually replaced w/Shrimp), Cauliflower, Butter tasting, and Octopus. Each dish was delicious. Also, I should note that the service was fantastic throughout the meal. Everyone was knowledgeable and helpful and our waiter was happy to run back to the kitchen to address any questions we had that he couldn't answer himself. Big shout out to Deb and 2 big thumbs up for Etch. Also has a very solid happy hour.
(5)Kira S.
Easily the best restaurant in Nashville right now. The food is consistently well-executed, well-presented, and incredibly creative. We've dined here twice already and have yet to be disappointed in anything. Even foods that are not my favorite (short ribs, cauliflower) are so creatively utilized in dishes that they have changed my mind. Don't skip the butter tasting. Duck butter, smoked butter, goat butter...truly delicious and different. The short ribs are incredible - designed to look like a sushi roll with a panko coating. The one part that doesn't quite live up to the expectations the rest of the meal sets is dessert. The desserts we tried just weren't at the same caliber as the other parts of the menu, so don't feel bad if you skip out on it at the end. Service the second visit was better and more involved than the first visit. We had waited a little while for our entrees when our server informed us that the kitchen was not pleased with how my short ribs had turned out, so they were remaking it and would be a bit longer. Communication was helpful. Definitely get to Etch!
(5)Sugar X.
This is a date spot, absolute elegance. The staff is humble yet effective. The open air space lite by warm ambient light is romantic. The food selection tastes gourmet yet recognizable. I had the ginger grits, and short ribs both flavorful and thoughtfully plated. The riesling was served at a perfect temp.. Overall ritzy, world class service, make sure to dress up;)
(5)Kathleen W.
My entire experience and everything I ate at Etch was perfect. There is just not much more to say. Every bite was memorable. Service was fantastic. Well done.
(5)Karyn C.
Nice, fresh greens. The barley in the chorizo soup - so good. Plus, chef Deb checked to see if I was enjoying the food!
(4)Chrissy L.
Everything is interesting, creative and delicious. Out of our meal, the duck confit with the foie gras butter app and the short ribs served to look like sushi rolls as a main were the best. But I get the feeling you cant go wrong here. Some of the best food I've had in Nashville.
(5)Jim C.
I can't complain here. Our waiter team was excellent and friendly. The manager is top notch and really cares that his diners are having a wonderful experience. The decor is elegant, chic and very fun. The restaurant has a wonderful vibe with a combination of young and old who are out to have outstanding cuisine. My duck/foie gras was sheer perfection. My only issue is that this restaurant works so hard at being artistic and innovative, that some dishes lack that warm and comfy taste that comes with simplicity. My filet was of the highest quality but I wouldn't say that I absolutely loved it. Still, I admire what the chef/owner/manager/staff are doing to create a magnificent restaurant.
(4)Chris S.
The food is beyond solid as is the service. This is one of those places where you might order something that you end up not particularly liking, but still recognize that's it's good and other people probably love it. I did find the off menu squash bisque great as well as the roasted cauliflower. Filet and pork loin were both prepared perfectly.
(4)Glenn F.
I have been to Etch twice; once for dinner and once for lunch. I am convinced that Chef Deb Paquette has out done herself from Zola. The menu was obviously created with much thought and experience. The flavors are magnificent. On each occasion, I have ordered the cauliflower appetizer. The truffle oil and pea pest are exquisite. The short rib entree was delicious, but the waygu beef hot dog was so surprisingly scrumptious. Ambiance, location and prices make this place #1 on my lunch preferences. Keep it up Deb Paquette. You rock!
(5)David L.
What a delightful find for out of towners. We found Etch on Yelp! and we couldn't have been more pleased. We started off with the Etch salad and the Ratatouille Crudo - both delicious. Then we had the Pork Tenderloin - with porcini dusted with manchego, caramelized onion, potato, chorizo, spanish mountain mushroom sauce, and truffle oil to top it off was out of this world. The Lamb Chops, with merguez sausage brik, cauliflower feta cream, tomato chermoula, and more were truly the best lamb chops I have ever eaten and I have eaten a lot of lamb chops.
(5)Soha L.
Cauliflower appetizer with the truffled pea purée. Please do not leave without ordering that. Butter tasting was interesting. My husband had the pork tenderloin which I can't speak to because he only gave me one bite, apparently he really enjoyed it. I had Moroccan lamb dish and it was fantastic! The vegetables were perfect and the charmoula sauce was nothing short of incredible, I would order it as a bisque. The merguez sausage in the pastries would have been great if it wasn't so incredibly salty, that was the only pitfall that night. Other great highlight is the sweet bartender that was working that night, he was so personable and knowledgeable. We enjoyed him as much as our meal.
(4)Betsy A.
I am in Nashville on business about once a month and love the culinary scene. I had the pleasure of dining at Etch--all I can say is OH MY GOD. Truly one of the best meals I have EVER eaten. The soup was some kind of blue cheese with bacon--it was so good I wanted to lick the bowl. I had the vegetarian concoction Katifi Pastry--spaghetti squash, kale and other veggies wrapped up in phylo dough and sautéed. The presentation looked like a beautiful bird's nest. I cannot even explain the flavor of this--it was an explosion of taste in my mouth. My friend had the pork tenderloin which was OMG good, too. Highly recommend this place--great atmosphere and the food is off the chain!
(5)Jessica A.
We had a tremendous experience at Etch while visiting Nashville. We started with the cauliflower and the favors were amazing. My husband had the lamb and I had the venison. Cooked to perfection. Ginger grits were a highlight for me. I wish I had thought of that myself! I would highly recommend this restaurant to everyone!
(5)Andrea D.
We were in town for the night and were told this was a great place. It did not disappoint. Roasted cauliflower was stupendous and the scallops and filet was divine. My husband loved it even more than I did and he is a tough cookie. Would recommend this restaurant for sure. Great dining experience we will return the next time we are in town
(5)WillVenture W.
So many new restaurants these days try WAY too hard to be "distinct". They usually do this by complicating the menu with hard to pronounce words that only foreign trained chefs understand, as well as filling their menus with too many dishes that just don't work - in the failed hopes of being "different", which they think will somehow make them "distinct" and "better" than their competitors. For too many restaurants these days, "different" equals "bad". It is immediately apparent that they worked harder to make the menu fancy and usually confusing rather than making the actual dishes delicious. When I read a description for Etch, I was worried that it may fall into that category. I was very wrong, because that is not the case at all. The octopus was the best I've ever had. And the cauliflower, which I normally loathe, was one of the best tasting vegetables I've ever had. All the dishes, from drinks to appetizer to entrées desert, were great! It's also a great scene... just a block from Broadway, but still off-the-beaten-path enough to not fall into the tourist trap and bachelorette party abyss that downtown can turn into. Recommend!
(4)Josh K.
Good food but didn't have the best experience overall. I would put this in with silo and cafe fundamental as great restaurants that aren't the best in the city. Need to try it again soon though. might have to update my review after reading others.
(4)G C.
After such a terrible experience at Etch last night on 5/29/14, I thought it was time to write my first yelp restaurant review, ever. We arrived at Etch and wanted to sit at the bar, as the two other girls I was with were all ("fine dining") bartenders. They told us we would have to wait, although, there were plenty of seats at the Chef's bar- luckily, I discovered this and asked if we could sit there. After being seated, the server came up to us and we wanted to order a bottle of wine. We were very detailed on what sort of wine we wanted, with hope for some guidance, we received almost nothing. Knowing nothing about wine, he recommended the house merlot/cabernet blend and fortunately we were able to taste it. After leaving for ten minutes, he then decided to come back and ID us (we get it, ABC is cracking down, but ID us as we order, please?). The merlot/cab was not the greatest so we got a bottle of syrah and it was good. Before even ordering the bottle of wine, which took about 30 minutes to received, we immediately ordered the brussel sprouts so we could put something in our bellies, as we were starving. We were able to order our food about 30 minutes after that and told him how starving we were- we happened to sit right in front of the bread and noticed servers were providing their tables with bread so we had to ask for bread (not sure why he didn't want to provide it to begin with?). Our appetizers came out, but over an hour later, still no brussel sprouts. Instead of apologizing or even taking the brussel sprouts off the check- considering, it was pointless for them at this point as we had some form of food, he just gave us a dumbfounded look and said he was not sure why our brussel sprouts weren't out . They even forgot to make my salad, but that was an easy, fast fix, as it is a salad- good thing it wasn't my entree? The beets and berries salad was very tasty, but then again, it's just greens and cheese with fruit and veggies. The other two got the tuna and shrimp and the cauliflower- I didn't care much for the tuna, but the cauliflower was okay. I couldn't decide on what entree to order, so went for two appetizers. The duck confit was mildly over cooked, and I'm not sure why anyone would want to overload that dish with sweetened orange peels to make such a dish even richer, but it was unpleasant and untouched. The octopus and shrimp bruschetta had potential but it was packed with so much rich and salty foods it was far too overwhelming and heavy. My poor sister was visiting from Sonoma, CA, and this, sadly, being our only dinner outing on her visit, had the pork tender loin and it was, by far, the worst tenderloin I have ever had. It reminded me of a mix between a mediocre mexican with a sweetened curried indian dish- nothing matched well with this dish at all. It's actually grossing me out thinking of the taste. The charcuterie salad was pretty good, however. At this point we want to leave as fast as we can, the server was so inconsiderate. Kissing every body's asses but ours. Finally, he provided us with the check and we immediately threw a card down, as we really just wanted to leave and go somewhere else to get the taste out of our mouths. He swiped the card and realized he left the bottle of wine off the check. Came back, weakly apologized added another 30-40 minutes to provide us with the "proper" check. I had to go outside, as I was so annoyed with this awful server- maybe it was his first day of ever serving? Lucky for him, we still tip 20% no matter what. But when the girls came out to showed me the check I noticed he charged us MORE for the bottle of wine than what it was listed on the wine list. Some form of manager happened to be outside so I informed him of the improper charge and the terrible service and he offered to give us a gift certificate. I kindly rejected his offer, as I will never step foot in that building again. Although, this was one of the worst "fine dining" experiences I have ever had... out of many... there was a lady running food and she was great, her presence was enjoyable. Super professional. If only she could've taken care of us, then this review probably would have never happened.
(1)Kurt R.
Etch lives up to all of the 5 star ratings! The service was impeccable, the food excellent. Our server - Kristen - was knowledgeable about everything on the menu, from how it was prepared down to the ingredients in each dish. We will definitely return to Etch.
(5)Susie C.
Amazing! No other way to say it. We were visiting from NY and found this place on yelp. We ordered then cauliflower appetizer because of the reviews and it was unbelievable. Believe me, this will make anyone a cauliflower convert. And the meal just got better from there. Five stars, two thumbs up, worth every penny.
(5)Meitra A.
Wow! I am very particular about awarding any restaurant 5 stars, but Etch definitely earned that rating. The food was creative in the combinations of flavors - pork belly and smoked tofu? Incredible! The service was fantastic, although it was clear they were extra attentive in hopes of drawing back the local crowd. Great place to dine before the symphony. We will definitely be back.
(5)Dustin B.
Excellent service and food to match. I loved the atmosphere and the staff was very helpful. Had some very interesting and modern takes on classic dishes which were a welcome surprise and change! I will most definitely go back :)
(5)J L.
Went for dinner for 3 people. Business dinner so we orderd a bit of everything. Appetizers were great (roasted cauliflower, pork belly, and octopus/shrimp bruschetta were all great). I ordered the short ribs which were delicious, and I liked the accompaniment noodles (Asian flavored). My two colleagues ordered the lamp chop, they both thoroughly enjoyed. Two desserts (Mocha and Panna Cotta) were good. Bottle of Amarone wine was very good. Only complaint is service- our server was very friendly and knowledgable and professional, but for some reason it took a long time between ordering drinks/wine to ordering food (first ordered appetizers, then took a very long time to come back and take our entree orders). The meal took a very long time due to long gaps between our server coming back to our table. Decor and space are good for business lunch/dinners or more special/formal occasions. But the bar (small bar at entrance, and long food bar facing the open kitchen) seemed like good places to grab a drink and bite for a more casual feel. Would be great place to eat before an evening at the Symphony or night out.
(4)Louis J.
Fabulous meal! My wife and I enjoyed a great evening at Etch. Our table location was great and out server was attentive and knowledgeable. The drinks were delicious and if anything went down too easily. The beet salad was terrific as was the butter tasting. My wife had the short ribs and I had the cauliflower. Bothe were generous portions and delicious. A wonderful evening; we'll be back!
(5)Richard N.
Awesome flavors. Atmosphere was good. only downside with trendy restaurants is that it gets a little loud. We sat at the bar. I thought the service was fine. The smoked pea puree is absolutely amazing. Everything was spot on including their cocktails.
(5)Chris S.
We ate at Etch three days ago for lunch, and it's still on my mind. I had the pork loin roll up and my wife had the chicken. We also had the roasted cauliflower. Outstanding in all respects. I think I am now a truffle oil junkie.
(5)Lisa J.
Great delicious food. This is worth the money and reservations! The trout was the best I have ever had... so may flavors coming together for amazingness in your mouth. Drinks were good and service was great. Definitely a place to come back to for special nights!
(5)Nadia h.
Great Food! We loved the short rips, cauliflower, duck confit...our waiter not that great but the food and cocktails made up for it!
(5)Be G.
We happened to go here because The Southern was full - and we're glad we did. Service was attentive without being overbearing, and the flavors were outstanding. We ate at the kitchen bar, which was great for a: watching food, and b: scoring a comp'ed appetizer that had been prepared by mistake. We didn't have time to linger, but we will be back in the future.
(4)Carolyn R.
Second visit to this restaurant, and truly disappointing. I bought out of town business colleagues, thinking a nice meal and a walk downtown to see the sights. The service tonight was wretched. Glacial comes to mind. A full hour between appetizers and dinner. The food was poor as well. The roasted cauliflower was excellent, as was the seared tuna salad, but the spaghetti squash was a greasy, salty mess. The scallops had a deep fried congealed mass of something unidentifiable. No one at the table finished their entree except the one who ordered the venison. By the time we finally got out of there, it was way too late to explore downtown. There seems to be a heavy reliance on dots of spooge on the plate to provide flavor. At these prices, I expect an excellent tasting meal, and good service with a bit of style. Style we got....service and taste, not so much.
(2)Billy C.
Great food and everyone was extremely helpful, friendly and attentive.
(5)Kyle F.
Outstanding presentation. Very professional staff. Beautiful restaurant. Complimentary valet parking. The menu is a bit limited, but it is made up for by the breadth of dishes on the menu. Extensive wine selection. High recommend to those looking for a nice dinner downtown.
(5)L J.
I was a little skeptical when I saw the menu selections and since this is such a new restaurant but it was a great experience - we basically just sampled a ton of stuff on the menu and my mistake was that by the time the entree arrived, I could barely eat another thing! What I liked most was that the wait staff is EXTREMELY friendly, so it takes away any "stuffy" attitude that you can sometimes get with these type of restaurants. Not to mention the food was superb. Would go back in a heartbeat.
(5)August T.
Classy! Was sad that Zola closed years ago, but am now delighted with Etch and its location! Food, of course, by Ms. Paquette met - no, actually exceeded - expectations. Ample portions for the price and, of course, delicious. Don't miss this gem.
(5)Lisa H.
Amazing dining experience! I went here with a few coworkers while we were in town for a work meeting. We raved about every dish we had! We started with the mussels app and the butter tasting. The truffle butter was the best, but they were all yummy. We then had the cobia, pork tenderloin, and cauliflower entrees. We each enjoyed our own meals and tasted each others as well. The flavors and spices were so vibrant! For sides, we tried the okra and ginger grits. I was fearful of the okra, but it tasted great! The ginger grits were sweet, but not too sweet. We were stuffed after our meals but couldn't resist trying the chocolate chai panna cotta. The amazingness (is that a word?) continued! Every part of this meal was perfect! My only downside was that service was a bit slow, yet I felt well taken care of. I highly recommend this restaurant and am looking forward to eating here again when I return to Nashville.
(5)CC S.
I really wanted to like Etch, but it does have some kinks to work out. Our server was very knowledgable and not overbearing. Others in the restaurant were nice and friendly. The food was the downfall. We ordered the Beets & Berries salad, Etch salad, Short Ribs, and Filet. The salads were great. The entrees need some work. The short ribs by themselves were great. The side of asian salad that came with it didn't fit well with the rest of the dish and was heavily dressed. The noodles looked like they were in a soup due to the dressing of the stir fry salad. It was almost inedible due to the heavy hand. I ordered the Filet medium and when it arrived it was well-done. I didn't have time to send it back since I had a show to get to after dinner. It was so-so. For the price, I wasn't very pleased. The mushroom/bread side it came with was good, but very heavy and there was a lot of it. It seemed to fit with the filet at first, but after a few bites it started to be off-putting. Maybe I'll give Etch a few months and try it again.
(3)Cory A.
So after much anticipation, I and three other companions enjoyed an incredible dining experience at Etch! Greeted warmly by the Hostess, who's name I can not remember, remembered me from my visit during mock service. She is on her game. My party was immediately seated and we all quickly had our designs on the bar menu. Intrigued by the pre-prohabition style cocktails we collectively chose the French Seventy Five, a beautifully well composed mix of Bourbon, Champagne and citrus. Don't let the crisp, light and fragrant taste fool you, as a couple of these could glue your "hiney" to the chair. We decided to share three appies...The Pork Belly with smoked tofu bathed in a smooth and rich chinese braise that turned out to the perfect "sop" for pastry chef Megan's rosemary rolls that accompanied the exsquisite butter tasting of truffle, plugra,goat and duck butters. Ahhhh, the Octopus & Shrimp Bruschetta! The creamy taste and firm texture of the SousVide octopus with manchego and roasted tomato "Viola"! I expressed to our attentative and knowledgable server, Brent, "Pacing myself at this point is futile, but I am gonna power thru, so bring it on!" and he did! We all chose something different so as to share as much of the experience as possible. So here we go...The Japanese Short Ribs & Korean noodles in a shrimp/carrot aioli. "Holy Moly!" Porcini crusted Pork Tender Loin in a spanish mountian mushroom sauce with a polish of truffle oil brought this dish to the perfect shine! This next one, apparently new to the menu, had the ultimate visual star power...Sea Scallops on a bed of white truffle smashed potato with a regal giant prawn standing stately in the center like a gastronomic Bird of Paradise! Oh Mama!!! I relinquished my selection to the suggestion of GM Richard Peterson. I was not dissapointed! He surprised me with the Moulard Duck Breast in a perfect blend of Moraccan spices & carrot pear sauce with a cinnamon crumble giving the dish a warm holiday feel...Yum!!! Just before the dessert, Chef Deb Paquette came to our table to check on our visit. All I could say to her was "congratulations"! So comes the "Finale". The table shared the SemiFreddo Goat Cheese Mousse with an intense raspberry gelee blushed with a hibiscus sauce. My need for coffee was sated with the last dish....A gorgeous Mocha Chocolate Caramel Fudge Mousse.....The perfect cup of Chocolate Caramel Macchiato! KUDOS to the entire team! I can not recall a dining experience Like the one I had at Etch that embodied the entire essence of incredible food, wonderful companions and an environment that whispers to me "Come Back"! You must GO!!! Maybe I will see you there, because I am heeding the call!
(5)Gina H.
I will be brief, but you have to go. Etch is excellent from the front door to the amazingly talented kitchen. Excellent wine and beer list, well thought out and not so large you get lost in the selections. Friendly, non robot like servers with a real interest in you experience and knowledge to guide you through the experience. Comfortable streamlined room that has a " not so stuffy" feel. Great energy, great space, great people and excellent food. If you want to go to a restaurant and feel at ease and know the quality is there, this is the place.
(5)TJ S.
truly an unbelievable meal.
(5)Lauren F.
We loved lunch at etch! The server was helpful with recommendations, and we got to try a lot of things for a very reasonable price. We loved the roasted cauliflower app, and the cobia with mango salsa and donut bread was such an interesting combination, and wonderful! You have to get the chai panna cotta. It was amazing, and I don't usually like panna cotta. Can't wait to go back for dinner!!
(5)Holly B.
really inventive menu and wonderful service. loved the truffle butter and also really enjoyed the duck breast. it definitely seems very up and coming and I would definitely go back!
(5)Vanessa H.
My review is short and sweet. I think I am too old for trendy restaurants. I will say that the butter course was unique and tasty, and that the cauliflower appetizer, and especially the spreads that came with it, were inspiring. My husband had the short ribs and although he said they were good (not great) he noted that the side that came with them was odd. I tried both and I have to agree. I had the scallops and prawn and it was off somehow. Overspiced and too dusky in flavor whereas the thickly sliced veggies underlying the dish were clunky and flavorless. However, the bar was fun, although a little tight space-wise, and the bartender, the server and all personnel I came in contact with were courteous and went the extra mile. Will I return, no. I live and work in the greater Nashville area, and although I enjoy going south of Broadway, I tend to eat in the West End area or Cool Springs if I am headed out for the evening. I did, however, have a beer at Jackalope on 8th before meeting my husband on the train from Lebanon--now THAT was a fun time!
(3)Cathy U.
I was such a huge fan of the restaurant Zola's and was anxiously awaiting for this restaurant to open. It did not disappoint, Wonderful food, and wonderful location. Nashville is lucky to have such a world class chef as Debra Paquette. The entree portions are very creative and as usual very appealing to the eye. Everything would have been perfect except for our waiter, who had the worst attitude for a restaurant of this calibre. Yes, I do expect good service and attentive service when paying these prices for food. Part of dining out is not just the food, but the experience as a whole. The place is beautiful, the food delicious, why should the evening be ruined by a most pompous waiter who isn't that good to begin with. We had to ask for bread, never got it and had to ask twice for coffee at the end of the meal. Any questions asked about the menu were met with an unwillingness or at least an incredibly rude attitude. Really, I have had much better service at Chile's. Please address this issue of the rude waiters if you expect to have repeat customers.
(3)Mousa H.
Since starting my reviews on Yelp at the suggestion of and to take an interest in something my girlfriend does I've been upset. My rating distribution is horrible. She keeps taking me to great places and obviously I'm giving mostly high marks. Well, she struck again. Except this may have been more than just a "great" place. This may have been the best overall dining experience I've ever had. I was less than impressed with the hostessing, but I'm not going to take away a star because the hostess wasn't overly friendly. From there on the experience did nothing but improve. I wish I could remember the young lady's name who was our server. Her timing was perfect, her table presence was on point and her suggestions were fantastic. I had the lamb dish (Lizzy had another, since she'll also write a review no need to mention it here). From the taste, to the presentation to the overall quality of the food I was just blown away... The peach crumble was incredible... tasted fresh and light and was not one of those desserts that makes you feel like you just gained a million pounds after eating it, though I'm sure we probably did... But like anything there has to be that one thing about a place that put it over the top... well for us it was Deb Paquette... the head chef of Etch... My GF has a tradition where when she goes to a place she loves she asks the chef to sign a menu for her, sometimes framing them but always saving them... despite it being late, and Deb being at the tail end of an exhausting Friday night she came out table side with the signed menu and spent a good 20 minutes with us regaling of tales from TV appearances she's had... educating us on the subtle and not so subtle differences of various southern accents and being an overall gracious hostess... Etch was a 5 star without a doubt before this, but the fact that she took the time to do this simply blew me away... We had many great meals in Nashville in our short visit, but this was by far and away the reason I will remember this trip for a life time...
(5)Jim H.
My first visit was on a Wednesday night about 6 PM. It was busy but even without reservations we were able to quickly be seated at a table for two. The waitress was very courteous and checked with the chef a few times on menu items to make sure they could be ordered vegan. I ordered the roasted cauliflower as an appetizer, which I thought was very good considering I normally don't like cauliflower. I also had the cauliflower black pepper soup, which was OK. But by this point, I think I had reached my fill of cauliflower. :-). (New to eating vegan, and haven't quite adjusted yet. Ha!) For the entrée, I ordered the Rutabaga La Plancha w/o cheese. That is tempura marinated onion, black mole sauce, pumpkin seed, poblano tomatillo crema, carrot masa sauce, caper cauliflower avocado smash (description copied from menu). . I didn't care for this and really just picked at parts of it. The presentation was fantastic though. So, the staff was very pleasant, the chef was accommodating and the food was prepared well. And while I did not care for what I ordered as vegan fare, my dinner guest thought her food was OK. This place is more upscale than casual and the prices reflect that. I really want to give a higher rating because I think the other menu items would be very good, but I have to rate just on what I have eaten. Give it a shot...unless you want to eat vegan.
(3)Chris R.
Nice date spot!!! Upscale and quiet!!! Prices were decent cheaper than I expected!!! Bartender is amazing!!! Upscale to a T
(5)Allison D.
Had lunch here today thanks to Yelp and so glad we did. We are traveling and looked like poorly groomed tourists when we walked through the doors but received impeccable service despite our slightly rough appearance. We arrived around 11:15 before the lunch crowd. Never would have found it but for Yelp, but obviously all the locals know about it because it got pretty crowded by Noon. Our waiter remained very attentive and was unfazed when a younger member of our party innocently knocked over a water glass. The service was very very good, but the food was phenomenal. There were lots of great items on the menu that would have made a vegetarian very happy, but also a lot for meat lovers. We had the cauliflower and agree it was wonderful. Also the tempura mushrooms were delicious. The pork ramen was amazing. The mozzarella sandwich fantastic. Even the kid in our group was very happy with a burger they were happy to make plain to his liking. We live in a city with world class restaurants, and this one can stand up to any I've been to. Highly recommend for foodies and anyone who likes great ingredients, inventive combinations, and excellent execution.
(5)Vanuchi E.
Nothing short of excellent! The kitchen is run by this little lady who is super cool and on top of every detail. We had the best seat in the house at the chef bar and delightfully watched her magic! She made sure of every detail... even bused our plates because she noticed we were finished with our amazing duck confit app! Everything was spot on, creative flavors, imaginative combos, perfect temp on the lamb rack, Cobia was perfect with the ginger grits. Topping it all off, the sevice was impeccable! So yummy all around, we had so much fun! One of the best meals I've had in a while. I'll be back on my next trip to Nashville.
(5)Bob S.
Great meal! I will update - made this for my top 5 list
(5)Sam T.
As a newer restaurant and it being Saturday night, our reservation was for 930 which initially concerned me because I worried things might be shutting down or some of the menu options might be 86'd by that point. However, it was hopping when I arrived and the restaurant was in full swing. The late reservation gave us a chance to have drinks elsewhere and walk around broadway like tourists. As you walk in, you notice the bar is right at the entrance and next to the hostess station which I thought was a little weird. It's very small and seating is next to impossible there. However, it is convenient if you are waiting for a table and want to grab a drink. We were fortunate enough to sit at the kitchen bar, which is always my favorite. You get to see all the action and enjoy all the wonderful food coming out of there. The colors and presentations of the food is exquisite! They take such time and effort to make everything look so wonderful! And the portions are huge! You truly get your money's worth. We tried the short ribs, etch salad, gingery grits, and sweet potato soup. Aside from the soup which was really too sweet, even for sweet potatoes, the food was excellent. We really enjoyed it. The service was good. Prompt and polite enough, nothing out of the ordinary. The have valet parking or a pay lot next door which was lucky since parking was a nightmare at that time.
(4)Robert W.
Really elegant restaurant! They treated use royally even though we were in t shirts, shorts and scandals for the CMA Fest (Most others were in suits etc.) Excellent wait staff, my food was wonderful! Try it!!! We had the lunch menu, dinner menu is a little pricy, but probably worth it based on my experience. Coffee was excellent.
(5)Joe M.
stopped in for a drink. I was impressed with the Bar staff. They know what their doing. If your downtown you should stop in. We did not eat hear, but I am going to on my next trip to Nashville.
(4)Amber A.
Awesome restaurant! Asian inspired and delicious. I had the scallops and we all shared the short rib roll appetizers. Both were amazing. Wine list was great and service was perfect.
(5)Leslie C.
Excellent food and busy vibe. They could have been more creative with the atmosphere, but it was well-done nonetheless. We enjoyed the chef's bar. Hope to visit again soon!
(5)MyongHi S.
Amaaaaaazing lamp chops! Server was friendly and knowledgeable and allowed me to order the lamp chops with the side items from the filet entree. Overall a great dining experience with prompt and friendly service from the hostess, server (Justin), and the server's assistant as well. The previous reviews did not lie! I'm definitely glad I made this stop on my first trip to Nashville.
(4)David G.
Fantastic. Unadulterated fun in my mouth. I never knew cauliflower could be so sexy... and tasty. Let's face it, Etch is a wonderful delight and a unique departure from Deb Paquette's previous (and enjoyable) adventure that was Zola. Etch is located downtown, and parking is a breeze. There are metered spots along 3rd, there is a large parking lot managed by one of the parking companies right down on the corner, there is a large parking garage (that closes at 11) on the other corner, AND there is free valet service. Seriously, unless you are driving your 18-wheeler with cargo in-tow, you be able to find a parking space. Oh? Your car is U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier? Well, then you are out of luck. The rest of we normal folk can find a park. The space/decor at Etch is open, airy, and I'm guessing pretty classic cool. I'm not terribly "cool" so I can only judge. If I wanted to be one of the cool kids, I'd want to be Etch. Plus, I like that I can see the kitchen from the main dining room. The menu is vegan friendly, vegetarian friendly, gluten free friendly, and carnivore friendly. In other words, all of your friends should be able to find something that they want to eat here. Recommendations: * The cauliflower appetizer is to die for. I'm serious. I was forced to slay a few people with my butter knife over the dish. It comes with truffled pea pesto, salted almonds, and some kind of cheese sauce (goat, I think?). Anyhow, please excuse the bodies... but don't touch my cauliflower. * Lamb Chops. Hey, I'm a carnivore. I might have slain over my cauliflower but I also enjoy carnivorous delights (that sounds dirty... I've digressed). They were cooked perfectly and paired with my appetizer were more than enough for this gentleman to consumer for an evening. * Wine. The list of wine is short but robust - if that makes sense. Went with a red recommendation from the sommelier - an Argentinian (the wine, not the sommelier). It's close enough that if you parked yourself (or you get your keys from the valet) that you can walk downtown after your meal and enjoy some honky-tonking. Or, hop in your car and take a short trip up to The Gulch or Belmont/Vandy or 12 South. Love Etch. Love the location. Love the food. If I were Billy Bob from Varsity Blues, I'd be screaming "TEN! I give it a TEN!" and asking it to marry me.
(5)Debby B.
I was visiting Nashville for the first time last week with my cousin and we decided to try Etch for dinner on our first night. The meals we had were simply the most deliciously prepared entrees we have ever tasted! My cousin had the lamb chops and I ordered the pork roast. The combinations of ingredients used to prepare these dishes are beyond compare. We had a wonderful server, Amy who took our picture with her phone, when I discovered I left my phone in the car. She then sent me a text with the picture. My cousin will be traveling to Nashville for her chemotherapy drug trial on a regular basis and I know when it is my time to take her again, we will be dining at Etch! It is a wonderful experience to dine there, I simply give it the highest recommendation!
(5)Lisa S.
I went back for lunch yesterday, and although I've still got to make it to dinner I just hate leaving such a bad review. Yes, I had a bad experience, but this place is really top notch and the food is incredible. Service at lunch was impeccable, food was amazing and reasonably priced, AND I just saw that the manager sent me a message after my initial review apologizing for the experience and offering to make it up to us. Why did YELP not send me a notification of the message or something!? I wouldn't have taken anything from them, but it would have been nice to respond to such a genuine concern for what happened!! This place deserves every bit of the four stars. Great food, great service, great location, great everything. I would bet it'll be five stars when I get a chance to give dinner another try.
(4)Lindsey B.
My favorite chef in Nashville. The food is always creative and delicious. You won't be disappointed!
(5)Holly S.
I ate here once, and it was good; but I will never go back due to the rudeness of the staff when I brought a guest here from out of town. We had just left Wine On the River, so we had wine glasses with us (empty) from the event. We were seated at the bar because we didn't have reservations - which was fine. However, when the waitress came, she picked up one of the wine glasses, made an exaggeratedly horrified face and huffed, "Uhh. WHAT. Is this?!" We left in disgust and dined elsewhere. There are too many good restaurants in Nashville to put up with this nonsense.
(2)Mike J.
Simply put, Etch is the best restaurant we've tried in Nashville. We've eaten here twice, once in a large group - so we've sampled most of the entrees and a few of the specials. I am particular to the cobia, but I haven't tried anything that wasn't 5 stars. I've recommended this place to several others, and all have thanked me -
(5)Jaime B.
Go hungry bc you need to order the cauliflower app... Hazelnut/blue cheese/apple salad... Fish... And peach sorbet with brown butter cake dessert. All of them, worth it!
(4)Ted P.
By far one of my top 3 favs in nashville, Cauliflower that you will crave daily and entrees that simply can't be matched!!! The owner/chef Deb is amazing!!! so kind, creative and accommodating. Do not miss this restaurant on your visit!!!
(5)Matt N.
I'd like to start this review off apologizing that this particular one hasn't come sooner, as it concerns one of my absolute favorite 'new' restaurants in town: Etch. Since my first experience at lunch several months ago (and many, many subsequent visits after for both lunch and dinner), I have been unable to stop thinking about this fabulous restaurant nor stop talking about it to anyone who is willing to listen. I must admit, not too many years ago a place like Etch would have intimidated the hell out of me. Most menu items being out of my "comfort zone", I would have considered it to be a bit much. Thankfully, with access to the ever-booming local restaurant scene in Nashville since I moved to the 'big city', I have been a bit more adventurous with food, and my goodness, am I glad I did! Etch has some of the most inventive, unique, and flavorful meals I've ever had. Truly an experience for your taste buds, every single menu item I've ordered has absolutely blown me away. My suggestion-- go with a small group, order several apps, soups, salads, and an entree or two, and SHARE. You will not want to miss out on any of Chef Paquette's amazing creations. Here are some of my personal faves: Butter Tasting. Ok, everyone loves butter, but Etch gives it a fun twist. Rolls served with truffle, smoked plugra, duck, and goat butters. Divine. Roasted Cauliflower. With truffled pea pesto, salted almonds, and feta crema. To describe this glorious creation, I believe my friend says it best (and classiest): "I would literally bathe in the truffled pea pesto." Interesting take, yes, but it really is that wonderful. Duck Confit. Words truly cannot begin to describe how fab this is.The balsamic blackberries and the citrus from the orange peel with the duck... Unbelievable. Short Ribs. Perfection. Such a delicious and fun twist on the traditional short rib. Pork Tenderloin. Again, such a unique take on a traditional menu item. Monchego. Carmelized Onions. Mushroom sauce. Oh, and it contains truffle.. Enough said. Brisket Papusa (lunch). Corn cake, smoked brisket, cheese, onion, slaw, a wonderful tomato sauce, avocado, lime crema, queso blanco. Every single bite of this lunch-only entree was phenomenal. Hands down the best lunch I've ever had. Recently, a colleague of mine told me my theory that one always has room for dessert no matter how full is actually a scientific fact. Not sure how accurate that is, but, I'll go with it it. That said, you MUST order dessert at Etch! I have had the Meyer Lemon Frozen Mousse (lemon curd, goat milk caramel, lemon crumble, brown butter pizzelle, cirtus segments) and Chocolate Hazelnut Crunch, both incredible. So....Now that I am pretty much out of positive adjectives, I'm going to wrap this up by simply saying if you haven't yet made it to Etch, you are missing out on the best of the best in Nashville.
(5)Rahel K.
My fellow yelpers, I cannot tell a lie. I told you I would return to Etch and update my review. Here it is..... Grabbed two seats at the bar. Ordered the happy hour wine ($5 - nice). Ordered octopus bruschetta appetizer..........A.....................MAZE.....Â...........ZING. The chopped fennel added a pleasant fresh crunch. Ordered the Copia entree - I have never tasted all those flavors together before. A halibut-type meaty white fish that is pan seared with a dressing of olives, fruit, capers, salty & sweet & savory & buttery and......it was an explosion of every taste bud. Oh - and then hide a beignet in that mountain of goodness just to soak up the juices. I loved it. Service was great. We had a great meal. Highly recommended.
(4)Marcia M.
Oh, yes. Oh, hell yes. Oh, (beep) yes. (sometimes even I need to be censored) As someone who never had the luxury of enjoying a meal at brilliant chef Deb Paquette's previous venture, Zola... I had scraped together enough hear-say to know that Etch is a complete departure from the previous menu and aesthetic. I was finally able to enjoy a Paquette experience for lunch the other day and was very impressed. I should also start off by saying that parking WAS NOT an issue as I know that many locals get worked up about how/where/who to park but I pulled right up front and slipped a few quarters into the meter. You may also utilize the complimentary valet service too. Easy breezy, right? Next, I strutted my ravenous self into Etch's gorgeous modern space that boasts natural sunlight from the abundant windows throughout. Throw in lofty high ceilings, clean design, and a classic white tablecloth and you feel as if you've been whisked away to NYC. Many spots try to reenact the quiet sophistication that Etch so nicely pulls off. The space felt comfy and inviting yet chic' in the same breath. Rumblings of an "Etchy Hour" (happy hour) along with a Downtown Resident loyalty were program were in the air along with the capability for the space to be used as a venue for special events and dinner parties. A smaller private dining area (10-20ish guests) is nestled near the entrance too. Ready to get the scoop on the food? The extremely veg-friendly menu was much appreciated for this vegan and the doting and experienced server was great at suggesting some tweaks for my lifestyle. I opted to start off with an appetizer of Roasted Cauliflower ($8) to share and enjoyed the healthy yet filling dish. This normally comes paired with truffled pea pesto, salted almonds, and feta crema dipping sauces but he made some adjustments for me. For my main course, I chose the innovative Zucchini Slaw Roll ($9) that was a DELICIOUS concoction of arugula, fennel, red onion, roasted carrot, shiitake confit, avocado, and horseradish mayo (I altered to not include the mayo) paired with house-made potato chips. As a bit of a splurge, I tried the peach sorbet ($3 per scoop) and didn't feel the least bit guilty as i ate every last bite. Everything that I ordered was thoughtfully prepared, presented, and beyond tasty. I normally refrain from giving 5 stars on a first visit but I just can't help myself... Etch will definitely become one of my regular spots. My next visit will be to try out the dinner menu and to pony up to the bar to try their cocktail menu. This would be a fabulous spot to take a date... hint hint.
(5)Ted T.
Lively place near all of the downtown action. Art Deco. Fabulous food. Flavorful and lots of fun textures. I had the cobia. Very good. My wife had the filet infused w duck butter. The roasted cauliflower appetizer was very good too. I'd go back.
(5)Carolyn M.
Yum. Really really yum. We had the cauliflower app - this is really the time to not skip your veggies. The pesto pea mousse thingy is kind of amazing. I had the much-loved short ribs and (surprise!) frigging loved them. Hubby had the pork dish, which was also fanfreakingtastic. Two Jackalope pale ales a piece and total bill of $87? Yes please! (That's pre-tip and our server was a lamb, so it did get pricier when you add his comp in).
(5)Samuel M.
Fantastic food. Very overpriced, you are paying for the "atmosphere". Absolutely pathetic portion sizes, the appetizers were larger than my entree. Just go across the street to Southern Steak and Oyster.
(2)Chris S.
The tuna bowl and the Fall Salad with Chicken are great. Solid lunch options all over the menu. Generally pretty easy to get in and out of too. Highly recommend the sweet potato and tomato soup.
(4)Samantha B.
Trusting the people of Yelp, we chose Etch as our first dinner in Nashville this past weekend. When we walked in, I was surprised by the set up of the space...very different than most restaurants in Philly, and more formal. The bread to start was great, but after that everything went downhill. I had to send my drink back (which I rarely do), and the second one wasn't much better. We shared multiple things and were in search of a slightly lighter meal. We started with the octopus and shrimp bruschetta and the cauliflower. While the cauliflower dish could have been promising, it was under-roasted and there was WAY too much of it. Cauliflower overload. Again, the bruschetta could have been promising, but we found it odd that it was served room temp. On to the next with hope of better dishes...the Katafi pastry. all of these flavors sounded great to us, but it was SO heavy! And the plate was loaded with a huge amount of gross looking (and not so great tasting) sauce. At this point we were a bit upset, but ordered the pork belly appetizer so we didn't leave hungry. Finally, the pork belly was delicious. However, it was served on a plate with tahini and blueberries?? Still confused about that one. To top it off, I felt like the server was trying to rush us out of the restaurant. Overall, I'd say Etch got a 2.5 in my book. Would not recommend for a relaxing and delicious date night.
(3)J H.
I'm just going to observe that yes, it's true. This was a culinary experience not simply a meal. Twelve of us. In the private dining sanctuary just to the right after entering the restaurant. We could see into the restaurant and not feel cut off, but it was our own space and the business, political, sports, and social conversations were enhanced by the venue, the food, and the service. I'm not going to force my menu choices on anyone else. Feel confident to range anywhere on the menu.
(5)Richard J.
Wow, that was completely amazing. The venison is rubbed with a spice that provides a gentle kick, and it's portioned just right. The taste reminded me of some of the best Indian/Pakistani meat dishes I've had, toned down a step or two in spice, with a better cut a meat that just melts in your mouth. Also on the plate is another worthy star: the ginger grits, supported by the tastes of pear butter and sweet potato guava. For dessert I ordered the chocolate hazelnut crunch, which was the perfect blend of sweet, salty, and - as the name implies - crunch. All in all, a fantastic dining experience, with attentive and helpful service.
(5)michael d.
Cool modern ambiance. Small bar, good drinks. Lamb crudo excellent. Menu not terribly inventive but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Good food, good presentation and excellent service are the keys to a good night out and that we had.
(4)Ursula M.
Fantastic food. Im not a dessert person but the citrus parfait was a revelation. The only (minor) quibble is that the portions ate a wee bit large.
(5)Natalie C.
Great restaurant and great food. Love the cauliflower appetizer and I love the scallop entree. Always good service and great food!
(4)Edib L.
Food was delicious. Service was sub-par. Plates were cleared when one of us was still eating, which was a grevious faux pas. Our waiter was smarmy and rude once he learned that we weren't ordering cocktails. Service, especially at a place like Etch, should be consistent and excellent, no matter what you order.
(2)Cabo R.
Roasted cauliflower is to die for! My entrée was Cobia with Moroccan flavors. OMG Good!!! My wife had the lamb with a lamb sausage thingy that was oh so yum. We've tried several of Nashville's new restaurants on both side of the river and Etch is the triumphant winner.
(4)David T.
I ate here for dinner during a recent trip. Every dish we had was fantastic from the concept to the execution. The cauliflower seems to be the fan favorite for good reason. The pork was moist and tender, and the venison was incredibly flavorful and soft. The sauces are definitely the highlight of the dishes at this restaurant. It is also centrally located near all the major broadway attractions.
(5)Jesse B.
Etch is one of my favorite restaurants in Nashville, and I've been to many of the competitors. 1. The food is excellent. I've heard some critiques that there is 'too much going on' which may be true. If you're worried about this, perhaps look elsewhere. But I love the varying flavors and contrasting things going on. 2. Ambiance is very trendy. Great place for a date, event, or to impress.
(5)robert l.
Okay, so I'm a terrible foodie - I admit it. Etch really scratches that itch, for sure. Now, I live in Northern California where the trend is "the simplest preparation lets the ingredients speak for themselves" - Etch ain't that. In fact, the only thing that keeps me from giving this place five stars is that there were SO MANY THINGS HAPPENING ON THE PLATE THAT I GOT DIZZY!!! That said, I had a great meal here. Let me 'splain. First course: pork belly with kimchi (and a whole bunch of other stuff). Now, we all know how easy it is to screw up pork belly: cooked too long, it gets greasy and tough; too short and it's even worse. This was absolutely perfectly cooked: soft, unctuous and thoroughly delicious. The kimchi, which I wouldn't have thought would work, was perfect (and, itself, delicious). Now comes the confusing part: the dish was served with two schmears of tahini and that was, in turn, accompanied by blackberries and raspberries (mind you, this is February in Nashville so you KNOW those berries aren't farm-fresh!). The tahini was simply confusing and out of place; the berries might have been nice if they were fresh and flavorful (they were neither) but as it was they were simply a jarring note to an otherwise delicious and perfectly executed dish. Main course: venison, served on a bed of ginger-inflected grits that was, in turn, served on a bed of sweet potatoes; the meat came with a dollop of cranberry conserve and was accompanied by a few daubs of banana/walnut emulsion and a scoop of pear butter. Are you feeling me now? The dish was really good - everything sang with a clear voice - but it was like sitting in a choir: the music was wonderful but deafening. The profusion of flavors forces you to eat slowly, which is a good thing, but when you do the dish suffers from temperature degradation, which is a bad thing. The grits, for example, started out hot and phenomenal; by the time I was halfway done they were lukewarm and had lost some of that "wow" factor. The service? Outstanding! The wait staff was universally terrific, the wine steward knowledgeable and incredibly spot-on and the restaurant has the best sous chef/expediter in the business (a critical component in executing the chef's vision - he's the best I've seen). Would I go back? Absolutely. I couldn't eat there every day - I'd go crazy - but for "anti-comfort" food that will engage you on every level, this is your place.
(4)Christina V.
Wow! That is the first word that comes to mind when I think about my experience at Etch last weekend. From top to bottom the amazing food, the great service and the knowledgeable staff have made me a huge, raving fan. Ever since Etch opened I've wanted to go and finally got the chance to go with my husband. I had hyped it up so much in my mind that I was afraid it wouldn't live up to my expectations. I'm so thrilled it did! The hubby and I aren't big drinkers, but we did try the Jack and Cocchi, which was delish and very reasonably priced at $9. We started with the butter tasting - so good! We asked for more bread because there was no way we were going to let them take all that delicious compound butter away from us. Then it was on to apps. Everyone I know has raved about the roasted cauliflower and OMG, it was incredible! I could have made a meal just out of that generous plate of beautifully roasted cauliflower, which I'm seriously considering doing for an upcoming lunch. My husband had the duck confit, which was also so good and he absolutely devoured. Next were the main courses. I chose the venison because it sounded so unique, which it was. I loved the Moroccan spices and the ginger grits were to die for. I have never tasted anything quite like it, which is exactly what I love. New flavors! My husband had the pork tender loin, which was beautifully prepared and so delicious. He said he loved that it was like comfort food, but just way more elevated and interesting. After all that food, we couldn't bring ourselves to indulge in dessert, but maybe next time as we will definitely be back to try more of the fabulous menu. Congrats to Deb Paquette and the Etch staff! This is definitely a stand-out in Nashville.
(5)Chris R.
Get the butter tasting...everything was great! We are new to Nashville and this is probably the best restaurant we've tried so far.
(5)P R.
Loved this place! Close to our hotel so we were able to walk which was a real plus. Great waiter, great service and great food. Superb presentation of everything we ate. Try the roasted cauliflower as well as the beets and berry salad for appetizers. Venison and fish entrees were great although I didn't love the spices on the fish but perhaps that's just me. Amazing deconstructed chocolate dessert. YUM! Deb is great at layering on the flavours and deserves kudos for her fine establishment. Make sure to visit this little gem when you're in Nashville!
(4)Palak S.
Roasted cauliflower is overrated and a blunt mixture of tastes. However, some of the other dishes were excellent, including beet salad (beets were perfection) and the vegetarian pastry dish was outstanding and creative. As a vegetarian, I would happily visit again! Lastly, service is outstanding and friendly. Only thing I would recommend is to get rid of the tv at the bar.
(4)Kathy C.
I don't usually do this, and by this I mean submit reviews for much of anything no matter how much I love, hate or ride the fence. I loved this place. The meal I had was divine, our service was impeccable and I can not wait to go back and take my husband!! Dinner before Kings of Leon with three girlfriends, and we shared the butter tasting and roasted cauliflower. Both were outstanding. The butters were awesome, because...well, who doesn't love butter? We had no idea there could be so many flavors on a plate of roasted cauliflower! Even the cauliflower haters at the table tried and loved this app. I had the filet--which was perfectly cooked and beautifully presented. We skipped soup/salad, since we were going to the concert and didn't want to be totally stuffed. However, we shared two bottles of wine suggested by our waiter that sent us running to the liquor store the next day to find more...and we shared the coconut meringues, which were very good. As we gushed about everything we ate on our way to the concert venue, we all agreed it was a really special dining experience.
(5)Musatye R.
Recommended to me by the fabulous Ms. M. on Yelp! Food was delicious, the patrons at the bar, local - same building local - or a "night on the town"ers were the best part for me. Engaging conversation. Laughter. Sports, cars, performing arts, and anything else we could toss in the conversational salad, we did. The bartender, Paul, was a riot. If good food, pleasant ambiance and laughter is your thing, this is your spot.
(5)Matt B.
I'll make this short and sweet. Overpriced menu, rude & pompous wait staff, and to boot, my car was towed for being in their valet spot. Next time before you screw me, let me put on lipstick first.
(1)Leslie J.
The best in Nashville...hands down. I've liked every single thing I've ever ordered at Etch. My only complaint is that the dining area does not have great ambiance. It just seems a little stuffy/formal. I love the bar, however, and, their happy hour is awesome! Despite being downtown, they have valet, and the restaurant is a straight shot down Demonbreun. So don't let the downtown location scare you away. Can't wait to go back, again!!
(5)Matthew L.
This was the best restaurant we visited in Nashville and we went to a lot of places. Far more superior than some of the nearby restaurants.
(5)Dee Dee S.
Love the place, roasted cauliflower is a must! Cocktails are great and server was fantastic. I had the scollops and they were a little under cooked for my taste and may daughters fish was a little over cooked but all in all we had a great experience-I will be back!
(4)Marissa C.
We had a fabulous experience last weekend at Etch. Since we currently live in NYC, when we travel we are always looking for a unique menu that we may not find here. Etch had both an innovative menu and wonderful service. What I first noticed were that the prices were almost identical to a NYC menu, yet the portions were double the size, giving you much more for your money. We started with the ratatouille salad and the shrimp and octopus bruschetta which were both phenomenal in taste and presentation. For entrees my husband had the venison and I had the scallops. The scallops were on top of a salad which included bacon and tempura fried mushrooms. We also had the cauliflower appetizer as a side which was huge. We had absolutely no room at all for dessert which was disappointing as I'm sure we could have found a few things to choose from. In addition to the food, one thing we found interesting was the very large open kitchen. It was not noisy or distracting at all, nor did our clothes smell upon leaving. I would highly recommend going to Etch for a great dining experience in Nashville!!
(5)Tracey J.
Started with a great happy hour: $5 glasses of good wine and amazing roasted cauliflower (and I don't usually like cauliflower). Next we went to dinner and out of 8 people, there was not one negative comment. The service was great and the food was even better. I had the corvina special and I practically licked my plate. Next time I'm in Nashville, I will eat there at least twice!
(5)Dev D.
Etch was a first rate first date experience for my girlfriend and I. It was very important to me how we were treated. We both took note of this. Due to work and travel I didn't have time to iron dress clothes for the evening so I dressed down and was admittedly, and embarrassingly, a little wrinkled. I felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb that just didn't belong but I didn't receive any glaring looks from the staff and our waiter didn't speak to me like I was a scab that just crawled in off the street. I knew what I wanted ahead of time because I called ahead to find out the best vegan and vegetarian options. The roasted cauliflower and the rutabaga la plancha was fantastic. My girlfriend mentioned that she was really pleased that our server made eye contact with me when he was speaking with me instead of supposedly talking to me but focusing his eyes on the pretty girl next to me. According to her, waiters uncomfortable dividing their attention was a typical experience for her on a date. I told him as much and I hope my tip reflected the satisfaction of our experience. Etch will make you feel like the king and queen of the hour have arrived. . .and the food is amazing!
(5)Randy E.
Deb Paquette was my favorite Nashville chef when she was at Zola's. She does not disappoint at Etch--in fact she takes her artistry to a whole new level. Highly recommended!
(5)Desiree K.
Amazing, just simply amazing. Everything we had was amazing. Beets and berries salad was everything I had hoped for, followed by the scallops which are normally served 3 ways but to accommodate my gluten allergy were served 2 ways, and melted in my mouth. My husband had the lamb chops, which he claimed fell off the bone. Finished it off with the mocha cremeaux (minus phyllo) which was amazing as well. My mocktail was perfection. The service was outstanding and overall we could not have had a better experience. Will definitely be going back with visitors and/or clients. Great place if you're aiming to impress.
(5)Jagan P.
Really solid. The sous vide steak was excellent -- a must try.
(5)Jennette F.
Service was great. Loved the cauliflower appetizer. My scallop dish good but the bacon in the salad was a little too much and made it greasy. My husband lived his lamb dish. It had an Indian flavor to it. Dessert was yummy too. Chocolate cake with carmel and hazelnuts.
(4)carolyn h.
I love a restaurant that is creative with food and uses good quality fresh ingredients. Etch is one of the best restaurants in Nashville, it is not the most expensive but it is one of the best dining experiences that my husband and I have had recently. The cauliflower is wonderful, as well as the tenderloin my husband had and the tuna atop my so unusual salad. The chef has so many more creations that we want to try soon!
(4)Jack K.
Our waitress described the food as "Eclectic World Palate", which is a good description for this very unique restaurant. Do not expect traditional restaurant items at Etch. Plates are small, have a distinctive asian flair, and food coming from the kitchen is somewhat slow. All of our dishes were perfectly prepared and artfully presented. The Roasted Cauliflower appetizer was great; the Butter Tasting is just that - butter with bread. The Duck, highly recommended by the waiter, was very good, but less tender than we expected. Scallops and Prawn is just that - 2 scallops and one shrimp, but very well prepared and beautifully presented. Overall, very unique and artful food.
(4)Brandon G.
We randomly wandered into this place because we were attending an event downtown, and I ended up getting one of the best steaks I've ever had. It was delicious and cooked perfectly. They are doing some good, unique things.
(5)Aileen F.
OMG! By far one of the best meals I've ever had. Enjoyed the Fall salad with currants, blueberries, pineapple, black beans and sweet potato. For dessert I had the chocolate caramel ice cream made from goats milk. Would come again next time I'm in town!!
(5)Vanessa T.
My husband and I had one of the best meals EVER at Etch. We dined on a Saturday night and showed up without a reservation but we're greeted at the bar by Paul, who ended up being our server as we were able to snag a table in the bar area. From our expertly crafted cocktails, to our off-the-hook appetizer (the roasted cauliflower is their specialty and it's obvious why), to the beautifully prepared beets & berries salad, our AMAZING entrees and perfect deserts... we were just floored. Paul's recommendations were spot on (we're foodies but when you find yourself reading a menu where you could probably order and enjoy anything on it, it's good to get solid recommendations from an insider). Even though the place was packed, Paul treated us like we were the only guests he had. We definitely appreciated his attentive service and his outgoing and fun personality. All of that combined with his food and wine knowledge made for an excellent experience. And the food! It honestly couldn't have been better! So much went into each dish, so many layers of well developed flavors and textures. Truly one of the best dining experiences we've ever had. We highly recommend this restaurant!!
(5)Lucy M.
I went to Etch for lunch this past Monday with my mom and was completely BLOWN away. 1. The location is AMAZING. It's downtown in the heart of all the action. My mom and I sat at the window, and we could see the Country Music Hall of Fame out of the window. 2. The menu is extremely unique. I had a white bean patty melt that was the best thing that I've ever eaten...no exaggeration. The homemade chips that accompanied the patty melt were delicious too. My mom and I also shared the soup of the day which was some type of mushroom soup ( can't remember the exact name). Nonetheless, the food, atmosphere, and location will make you want to go back to Etch for sure.
(5)Mark C.
Second time was the charm! Food is excellent and service this time was great! However they need to change up or expand the menu otherwise boredom will slip in. Otherwise must stop in here
(5)Susan D.
One of my favorite restaurants in Nashville. The staff there is super nice and I love the open kitchen bar where you can sit and watch the kitchen staff prep the meals. I had the Ratatouille Crudo Chicken Salad and it was big and filling and tasted so fresh and unique. I loved every bite of it and desired to follow up with some delicious desserts but fought off the temptation. I can't wait to go back the next time I'm dining in Downtown.
(5)Reshawn L.
This is a lovely restaurant with an interesting menu. My colleague and I enjoy trying new restaurants when we travel and enjoyed our lunch at Etch. The service and food were both good. He enjoyed an open face burger with what he calls fancy mustard. It looked fantastic. I had the brisket pupusa. It was good but would have been better with less sauce and more seasoning. The absolute best part of the meal was the warm pound cake with crisp edges topped with pear sorbet!! OMG Delicious!!! My teammate had the pumpkin ginger custard which he loved! While Etch was a great place for lunch the wait for dinner was at least 30 min. With Farm House just steps away we chose not to wait for dinner. Instead we returned the next day for lunch. I loved the brightness of the place during the day. The decor made me want to lunch with girlfriends. If you can't make it for lunch definitely make a dinner reservation. Etch for lunch and Farm House for dinner made for a great downtown Nashville dining experience!
(3)Lynda J.
Deb scores another win ! Etch is even better than Zola. The food is amazing. Its balanced and all dishes are though through. The flavor is full and perfectly cooked every.single.time. Spend your money with Deb Pacquette.
(5)Food Critic S.
Best scallops ever!! Service was great and food had amazing flavors!! Loved sitting at the Chefs table!!
(5)Kelly T.
Visited Etch this weekend for the first time. I have to say the food was good but nothing that would make it a must-go-again-soon. We started with the cauliflower after reading the reviews. The truffled pea pesto made the dish. I had the filet and my wife had the lamb. The filet was a really nice cut and was cooked as requested and the lamb was also. The mushroom pain pardu was a first for me and it was great but filling. I ended up leaving half of it on the plate, reluctantly. We also had the brussel spouts and they were very good as well. The service was good and wasn't slow as mentioned in other reviews. Overall, we liked it, our food was good and prepared right but we both thought the menu seems "limited". Hopefully this will be an ever evolving menu. If it stays absolutely the same I doubt we would be back soon. Nashville is brimming with a variety of dining possibilites these days.
(4)Ozzie T.
Well...nice place, more servers & wait staff than people at 7pm=prime dinner time, which added to the buzz, but not the overall experience. The fruit fly that kept buzzing near my microbrew kept us from committing to entrees which lead to another question. Why so many managers in suits and out of place decor items + the stripped down minimalist lift look? The food was good, just kinda didn't live up to the hype. Very friendly staff though and Overall...very mixed feelings compared to other restaurants shooting for the higher end that have met my belly who landed flat:/
(3)Jamie F.
I've been on a vacation and business travel junket for a month that has, to date, taken me to Greece, Rome, Sanibel Island, and Palm Beach. I have to say that this restaurant in Nashville has been the most dynamic and tastefully balanced of them all. I recommend the duck confit and lamb. They were simply exceptional.
(5)Mitchell G.
Outstanding meal -- pricey but definitely worth it. We had the Cobia, Scallops, and the veggie tort (can't remember its name). They were all awesome! The service was great, as well. What's not to love!
(5)George C.
Just WOW from start to finish. We just landed from our home in Miami and never thought we'd find a place like this in Nashville- but we did and all I can say is- it has kicked the A$$ of most places in the USA I've ever been to. We got: cauliflower app, pork loin, lamb chops and the vegetarian dish and all were the best of those dishes we each had ever had. Must come back!!! Thing I'll miss the most about Nashville- etch and we had one bad A$$ waiter- Darren P!
(5)B T.
Great food! Great Service. I hope they use Humphreys Street Coffee Co. in the future....best coffee in Nashville and they roast right around the corner from Etch.
(5)V T.
Pretty decent restaurant. Roasted cauliflower is highlight of appetizers. Had the lamb for the main and it was cooked perfectly. Good wine selection and overall ambiance. Might come back if in town again although there are so many other food options to try nearby.
(4)Alyssa H.
The Roasted Cauliflower was our favorite. We also tried the shrimp & octopus bruschetta, Etch salad, the duck confit, and the pork tenderloin. The service and atmosphere were great. We loved it. Thank you for a wonderful dinner!
(5)E. D.
Great food and a wonderful experience... I've been making roasted cauliflower at home ever since having it there (though mine isn't within a ten foot radius of what they offer.) Delicious and worth a try!
(5)Michelle M.
Yum, Yum, and YUM!!!!! Good food, beautiful decor, very kind and helpful staff willing to explain everything in great detail. I can't wait to return.
(5)Meridith B.
Really enjoyable evening at Etch. We had the octopus bruschetta, the beet and goat cheese salad, my boyfriend had the lamb dish and I had the filet. Everything was delicious. And our server was really excellent, he knew a lot about the dishes and wine list and he was very into the whole experience. I'll be back.
(5)Jane D.
Excellent dining experience! My filet was cooked perfectly and delicious! Great service, informed and friendly. The dessert was eh, the peach upside down cake wasn't great. Great wine list. Lovely ambience.
(5)Renee D.
I Ioved Etch from the minute I stepped in. The trio of butters, the lamb, the wine, was all fabulous. We were there for 3 hours and never felt rushed.
(5)Cindy D.
This chef is truly a master of her craft. Her vision and passion for how foods pair together is truly a gift. Her staff is very knowledgeable and welcoming. I cannot recommend this restaurant enough and coming from me, that says a lot. Prices are reasonable and the food is incredible. I would love to do an internship under Chef Deb! Bellissima!
(5)Sam D.
Not nearly as good as it wants to be. The portions were too large. The food was arranged poorly on the plate. The bread with the butter tasting was not fresh. Our meals looked nothing like the photos posted. The food needs refining. However, everything tasted fine and the decor was nice.
(3)David M.
On the first bite of every course...speechless. What an amazing culinary journey! This is a MUST visit treat if you are in downtown Nashville.
(4)Billy W.
We started my wife's birthday evening here last week. It was absolutely amazing. We had two small plates, duck and seafood, and had a few cocktails. The service was top notch and food was mouthwatering. We will definitely be back.
(5)Cass L.
The service and food were both superb. The atmosphere was also very nice. I don't think you will find better 'fancy' food in Nashville, especially in the price range. The appetizers and entrees were all exceptionally flavorful, there wasn't one dish that wasn't a joy in my mouth (pork and venison entrees, pork belly and charcuterie apps). I doubt there is a dish that disappoints. Flavor mash-ups that all worked together. Complements to the chef!
(5)Jasper T.
This was a last minute decision to finally try Etch. It was a for a birthday celebration and we had tickets to go see Kathy Griffin and thankfully Etch is just right across the street. When we went in we were informed that they were full till 8 however we could sit in the bar. That was perfect. We were still severed just like we were sitting in the dinning room and was the food ever amazing. We started off with the calliflower and it was to die for. Then we moved on to lamb chops and my partner had a filet. The food was simply stunning. We really can't wait to go Back.
(5)Amanda B.
This was a wonderful place we stumbled upon, everyone was so great. The flavors are interesting, we each had the filet and were very pleased.
(5)Bailey W.
So much yes. So much yum. I am so ridiculously picky about my filet and this one is to DIE for. I ordered the butter sampler app as a novelty and absolutely loved it. Butter made from duck fat? Um, yeah. Surprisingly pleased with the beets and berries salad and the rolls are delicious. Oh yeah, and the FILET. IS AMAZING. I have also enjoyed the pork tenderloin on occasion. The bartenders are friendly and attentive as well as knowledgable about their wines and the manager Richard is lovely and hospitable. The valets also seem like they only operate at a constant sprint, nice work. Thank you etch, for amazing repeat performances! See you soon.
(5)Doug G.
I've had dinner here twice. I can say that the Filet with Mushroom Pain Perdu is quite possibly the best meal I've ever had. Deborah is an artist. This experience is a must for all who eat red meat. The Filet is top notch but the Mushroom Pain Perdu is what sets this meal apart. The texture and flavor is something I had never experienced. It's almost indescribable. The hairs on the back of my neck are standing up just thinking about that incredible warm, soft and flavorful combination of bread, mushroom, red wine... dear lord, it is amazing.
(5)Teresa B.
As wonderful as you'd expect if you loved Zola! Fantastic menu, wonderful wine selection and classy, hip atmosphere. This is a great "special occassion" spot! Just plan lots of special occassions!
(5)Tony H.
Love the sleek look of the place, and the very attentive staff. They're not stuffy, and are very articulate about the menu, etc. After two visits, I must say the menu shows great creativity and it delivers! You want healthy...done, vegetarian...done, beef sous vie'd in duck fat...done, great lunch salads...done. Good spot for a social or business lunch, can't wait to try dinner!
(4)Bryan E.
We really enjoyed this restaurant. Great cocktails, I had the smoky old fashion and my wife had a tequila cilantro smash. Both amazing. We had a table looking out onto the street with a great view. The cauliflower app was delicious- highly recommend it and we don't even like cauliflower! The version and pork chop were both cooked perfectly and the flavor superb! Get a reservation ahead of time, smooth sailing from there!
(5)Brandon K.
I was contacted by the Etch management regarding my previous review and they exhibited very fantastic service recovery. They clearly care about their guests and want a positive dining experience. I look forward to trying Etch again.
(4)Sarah D.
dinner at Etch was sublime.. my favorite favorite thing here was dessert.... the olive oil ice-cream was seriously from another planet!
(5)Jeff K.
This was probably the best start to finish meal I have ever eaten. We went for their Valentines 4 course tasting menu and it was really fantastic. I started with the champagne leek soup with truffle oil and a fried oyster which was very nice. The roasted cauliflower salad with smoked pea and truffle pesto with hazelnuts was crazy good. My wife had the duck confit salad which was very good-- not as good as the cauliflower in my opinion. Filet was cooked to perfection with a mushroom duxelle and wine reduction sauce with a potato beignet (pretty good). The desert was a chocolate ganache something with salted caramel sauce which was unbelievable. My wife had a citrus desert which was also tremendous. I was stuffed afterwards and the bill was expensive but it was a great meal. I am excited to come back. We do not drink so I can't speak to the wine pairings or mixed drinks.
(5)Lauren W.
I have been here twice and both times a by underwhelmed. Cauliflower appetizer is wonderful and a must have! Other than that the main plates are fine. I have had the pork tenderloin and the spaghetti squash, neither of which was exceptional. On the upside I did see Ronnie Dunn and Reba here!
(4)James R.
Enjoyed the restaurant and environment immensely. Went there last night. Person who seated us was extremely friendly and welcoming. Immediately, we had water poured, and drink request taken. We ordered the cauliflower to start which was excellent followed by additional meals which were very good as well. A little more expensive but well worth it. Though I'm continuing to try new restaurants in the area, this has been the best so far.
(5)Dan L.
We scouted this place a month before going (passing through Nashville on a road trip). We knew it would be a highlight of the trip, and it was. Recommend ordering a succession of whatever you want from the menu (apps and entrees) and tell your server you want to eat family style. They will bring everything out gradually so you can focus on each dish, tasting-style. We received excellent treatment and service, and the head chef, Deb Paquette, even came out to say hello and obliged us food-fanatics with a photograph. EAT HERE - it is different, fresh, of the finest quality, and worth every penny. Get one of their signature cocktails, too.
(5)David C.
Had yet another business lunch for 3 on 4/3/13. The buyer was a vendor from the DC area who was a foodie. Perfect yet again....entrees this time were the special of the day (gnocchi) for me and my co-worker and the egg sandwich for my vendor. This is my solid go-to lunch restaurant...be there again next Friday. :)
(5)Ray C.
Had a great experience at Etch. I was with collegues from my business, and I was the guy who they look to to pick the good restaurants when we're at conventions all over the U.S. Etch did me proud. Every dish was spectacular. I won't go into detail, but the cauliflour side was excellent, the lamb and scallop dishes excellent, and the dessert awesome also. All around great meal, with lots of great flavors on every plate. If I every come back to Nashville, I'll be sitting at one of their tables again!
(5)Liz D.
My husband and I came here for a celebratory dinner after hearing all the great things about Etch. We never had a chance to go to Zola before it closed, so I was excited to try this place out. It's a nice place- well situated in town, inviting atmosphere. But the food left much to be desired. I didn't realize there was so much Asian fusion on the menu- the thing about Asian fusion is that it's never quite as good as straight up Asian cuisine. We had the hoisin pork for appetizer, and while the pork was tender, hoisin is just an overwhelming flavor that takes over everything. Not well balanced. Then we had the fried short ribs, which was good itself, but the stir fry vegetables were like, straight from the frozen food section. Too much and unseasoned. The duck breast was okay, but not too much flavor on those. Pairing with the ginger grits was a save. Then we had dessert, the passion fruit mousse, which was okay- not stellar. I don't know, this place just didn't match up to the high standards that were placed on it. Maybe we just ordered the wrong things, but we ordered five items off the menu and only sort of liked portions of them. For how much we paid, I expected a better dinner experience.
(2)Tina P.
A good friends recent experience confirmed mine. Sadly. Go for atmosphere drinks, appetizers and desserts. Only. Here is my friends experience: We went to Etch. I had roasted cauliflower, which was great, and the beet and berry salad, also great. I had to send my entrée back because it was not edible. It was Cobia with oranges and a butter sauce. The fish did not taste fresh, and the flavors did NOT work! Husband has a VERY broad-minded palate, and he thought it was bad too. I didn't love the way they responded. Not rude, but not sympathetic, and they didn't ask what was wrong about it. Maybe they knew it was a bad dish. But it was recommended by the waitress! The wine was excellent, and the dessert was superb. Service was average. Husband had some specifications about his meal, and they did make those accommodations without any fuss, which was great. We had a nice time...nice table, pretty place. But they need some work on their entrees! Thank you so much for the recommendation. I knew going in it was a gamble because of your experience, but it sounded like the one most suited to our needs.
(3)Erin R.
Based on all the reviews, I had extraordinarily high expectations for this place and I am happy to say that our meal not only met but exceeded these! If this isn't the best restaurant in Nashville, it's in the top 3 for sure. It seems that their specialty is taking classic dishes and reinventing them. We started with the butter tasting and the cauliflower app. It's hard to believe that anyone could get so excited about a cauliflower dish but the way they season the cauliflower coupled with the sauces is just amazing and so flavorful! Highly recommend that! I had the pork tenderloin and it was seasoned impeccably - had a little bit of a kick to it. My husband had the lamb chop - it was tender and delicious! He totally cleaned his plate. Have to note that their wine selection was also pretty great and our server was very friendly and very knowledgeable. The atmosphere in this restaurant was more casual than I was expecting. My husband and I dressed up, thinking the prices dictated a more formal environment but we saw everything from sport jackets to shorts here so it's really a come as you are type of place. We will definitely return and would do so every weekend if we could afford it!
(5)Dawn T.
Etch totally lived up to the glowing reviews I read online. We had an event at Bridgestone Arena, and were celebrating our wedding anniversary, so I wanted a nice restaurant within walking distance. I was anticipating a high bill, but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised it was not outrageous by any means. We had a bottle of wine, 2 very generous entrees, and split a dessert at the end for just under $100, not too shabby! I ordered the pork tenderloin, and my husband got the venison (interesting fact; the venison is farm-raised in New Zealand). Sadly, I do not possess the culinary vocabulary to accurately illustrate the glory of this meal. It was insanely good. I have never had so much going on on one plate in my life, and it all fused perfectly together. The venison was even wackier, with ginger grits and dollops of banana puree! I really wasn't sure after reading the descriptions on the menu whether I was going to like it as much as I did, but I will not hesitate to recommend this place to friends looking for a very special dining experience in downtown Nashville.
(5)Anna S.
AMAZING! So many great flavors in everything we ate. I can't imagine that doesn't apply to all of their dishes. Great atmosphere and close to all the post-dinner Nashville fun.
(5)Jen G.
Trendy with potential. Does not have the flow of an experienced restaurant. Some of the food was fantastic but did not meet all expectations in service, timing, and consistency between dishes. I would try it again, but would hope to see those problems solved (primarily Service for fine dining).
(5)Benjamin R.
Very cool vibe and creative dishes. The main courses themselves were very interesting, good, but maybe just shy of as delicious as you'd expect given the creativity and presentation. The Japanese fried pork ribs were really good as a starter.
(4)Oliver G.
Get over it Nashville. The past ain't past. The problems I had with Zola are loud and clear at Etch: the inability to self-edit. Every dish has about 50 ingredients, none of which provide any particular direction. That's going to be exciting for a lot of people (just look at all the 5-star reviews), and I'm sure the place will be popular with some. The space is great as was the service, the wine prices are as expected for a downtown lease. More is less.
(2)Linz L.
The food was very good. The bruschetta is a must have, also the ratatouille salad was amazing. This place is good, but it is not the place to go and have a filet and potatoes. You absolutely must go out on a limb and get something more adventurous. That being said, I believe that this is a place for the food connoisseur that does not mind paying a higher price. Great service, food, and drinks, but priced a little too high ($11 dollars for a drink at the bar, and then the service charge added at the table- costing about an average of $14 a drink at the table). I do not mind paying extra for good food and service, but on the drinks- I really do not see the reason.
(4)Meridith S.
Super classy place, great city views of the new Opera House. Wonderful Menu~ This place allows you a sneak peak to the kitchen as meals are prepared. Their Martinis are very good, the waitstaff very polite and attentive, and the roasted Cauliflower- yum! I had a filet that was nicely prepared. I cannot wait to be able to come back!
(5)Queen B.
Again last night, friend and I had dinner. This time we opted to sit against the window and watch the people go by.. Craven waited on us and like a damn good waiter, he knew his menu.... inside and out. When asked a question, NOT once did he say to us, "I'm not sure..." Both friend and I thoroughly enjoyed our meals, the service, the ambience.. If I could change one thing.. I think I would put more "oomph" into some of the sauces. They were a little bland. For instance, the edamane sauce that came with the short rib appetizer. Short ribs are bland to begin with as is a lot of meat. I would have punched the sauce up more with more pizazz so that one of them shouted.. The vegetable slaw that came with the shrimp and filo appetizer was phenomenal.. Very good flavors melded together. The venison was a winner with the cranberry relish and ginger grits.. The venison was cooked medium rare and oh so tender.. My friend had the duck confit foi gras and he could only make noises and nod his head saying it was "better than sex." I fully understand. That is when a dish is "orgasmic." Not a table was to be had by 7pm.. Every table was occupied. The food is fantastic, the service is exquisite and Paul the bartender is right up there with the best martinis in town! I'm going to reiterate that this is probably the finest restaurant in town when it comes to service and food quality. I just wish she would put a little more "oomph" in some of her aioli and sauces......
(4)Gi J.
Everything was excellent as other reviews have stated. The ambience, understated/modern decor and feel of the restaurant was great. The service was amazing and I thoroughly enjoyed the cauliflower appetizer as well as some sort of seafood/flatbread appetizer which was also pretty decent. They both came with the red pepper puree that I was a big fan of. I was also surprised at how much I liked the pea(hummus?) Sauce/emulsion. My brother was disappointed that his swordfish, which he was told would be seared, lacked any semblance of a crunch/sear. I was very satisfied with my lamb, although I wasn't expecting such a sweet dish. While I am, through and through, a savory person, I enjoyed the mix of the sweet elements, ranging from the Apple pie/tart with cheese to the apricot(?) On the plate. My father didn't complain about his vegetarian entree but both him and I, who shared portions of our meal, were in for a rude awakening. Perhaps we both contacted a stomach bug from elsewhere individually, but I find that highly unlikely considering that we had driven up to Nashville that day, checked into a hotel, and walked around briefly after our meal. Sharing a hotel room and having one toilet was a huge pain as both if us struggled to keep our meals down. When we tried to pinpoint what could have happened, we noted that my brother did not touch either of our meals and was completely fine. My father commented after we left that the veggies, despite being cooked, seemed like they weren't very fresh to him. I loved the experienced and maybe it was an off day, but I'm hesitant to give the place another try or to give this place the full rating it would have received normally. Tl;dr loved it but got food poisoning with my dad. Made for great bonding over the toilet
(3)Vince E.
This is one of a few musts if you're a foodie who either lives in or is visiting Nashville. Although reservations are recommended, I walked in and sat at the Chefs bar. I loved that. You get to watch the kitchen. Very cool. The service was good, not great. They were very busy and I'm sure that contributed to a little decline in service but it was still good. I ordered the Lamb. It was amazing.
(4)Dan H.
Mediocre meal overall. The food was thoughtfully prepared and it's a great atmosphere but the taste leaves a lot to be desired. Butter sampler was overly smokey and the venison has a feta fetish that overpowers the entire dish.
(3)Sarah Beth B.
We are not Nashville locals, so I am extra pleased with us for finding Etch during a recent trip to TN. Y'all, the food here is CRAZY and I mean that in the best way possible. We started off with the cauliflower app, because who just puts a pile of cauliflower and dip on a fancy restaurant menu? Well, everyone should do it. It was weirdly incredible. The sauces! The smokiness! The texture of the cauliflower! SO. GOOD. we ate literally every single piece of cauliflower, and there were just two of us. That's a lot of caulitflower, but worth it. For our mains, we had the cobia (which google tells me is also known as the prodigal son fish. get on that, menu writer!) and the venison. these were NUTS. the venison, which came with cranberries and ginger grits and some kind of banana sauce we didn't care for, was insane. The bright flavors in the grits and cranberries was so, so good with the gamey meat. The fish was... how do i describe the fish? It was INSANE. There were oranges, and cranberries, and capers, and almonds, and a sauce, and the fish was spicy, and it was all served on top of a beignet, which is important to remember is just a fancy word for DONUT. it was a fish DONUT, and I loved it. Please order the cobia. you won't regret it. even if you hate capers, as I do, you just don't have to eat them. I'm sorry I'm using so much detail but this place demands it. We also got drinks! they were good. we're not huge drinkers so I will leave it at that. Our waitress was a little too chatty, but we had a lot of questions, so we may have brought that upon ourselves. Other than that, and the capers, this was a basically perfect meal. I loved it. I want to eat it again. But you know, it's not for the faint of heart. Be brave and enjoy the bold flavors.
(5)Brittany B.
The food, atmosphere, and service here are outstanding! Be sure to check out their nightly specials and ask your server for suggestions because they are passionate about the food and will give you great recommendation. For an extra treat, sit at the kitchen bar where you can watch the magic happen - it's almost like being at a chef's table.
(5)Eileen D.
I had REALLY high expectations for this place, and unfortunately I left feeling pretty disappointed. First off, the ambiance is seriously lacking - it feels like someone plopped a restaurant into a hotel lobby. Second, the food was good but there was a little too much going on. I'd recommend the cauliflower, which had really good flavor. I'd skip the butter tasting, as none of them were particularly remarkable. The scallops were great and they were super great about splitting it between two plates - and it was an impressive portion. But there was a LOT going on on the plate, and not everything tasted that great with everything else. So we were kind of left not sure how to eat it in the way the chef had intended, which was odd. The waitress had a pretty bad poker face and seemed outwardly disappointed that we were only splitting a few appetizers and an entree and just getting beer as opposed to something a little more pricey. I also felt pretty rushed - they had us out of there in a little more than an hour when I was hoping for a more leisurely meal. There's a lot to be said for pacing, especially when we ordered so many different things.
(3)Erin T.
Only down side was husbands drink wasn't amazing (Stormy Cocktail - kinda tasteless). Other than that, it was exceptional! Venison and Lamb Loin were phenomenal!! Kenneth was our waiter and his speed, knowledge, and attentiveness took our experience over the top. If you are a foodie and like a burst of complimentary flavors in your food, this is your place! Etch will host a party in your mouth.
(5)Dianne M.
Was travelling in Nashville and visited this restaurant, in walking distance to major downtown hotels. Nice atmosphere and excellent wait staff. I ordered a dish and immediately did not care for it. Management insisted to replace with another choice at no cost, which I did. The waitress, very professional, answered all our questions with a smile and never made me feel as if we were inconveniencing her. The venison and pork tenderloin were delish as was the roasted cauliflower. Peach crumble tart also good. Love this place because it's not noisy. My partner and I could talk without shouting at each other. And surprisingly their liquor manager knows the difference between whiskey and whisky. While not an extensive selection of single malts Scotch, there was decent representation from all key areas and described correctly. Example Islay was separate from Islands. Highly recommend this for any special dining experience. Wish we had this restaurant in my home town.
(5)Tom K.
Went here for lunch on a Wednesday for the first time and ordered the Kale and Turkey salad. Unfortunately they were out of turkey so they substituted chicken and it was still excellent. Will return to try it with turkey someday. Service, ambience and noise level was great too.
(4)Beth F.
The food is worth all the accolades, but the restaurant itself, while elegant, is not pretentious at all. There was a relaxed atmosphere with attentive service. We had the butter tasting and the roasted Cauliflower for appetizers. The Cauliflower comes with a sweet pea pesto and creme as well as almonds. The butter tasting must be tried as well. I had the filet. We shared a side of chickpeas and they were the superstar of a star filled show. They are tossed in cream along with bacon, cherries, and arugula. I was enchanted by how good they were. I could have eaten them alone for a meal. It was so tender and the loaded potato the was served with it was more interesting than a normal baked potato. I had two drinks:the Bees Knees from the menu, then I ordered a vodka martini. Both were delicious. My dinner companion ordered the halibut special. She loved it. This place is great for special occasions and business meals. I'll definitely return.
(5)John W.
We visited Nashville this past weekend with friends for my birthday, we visited Etch approximately 6 months ago and couldn't wait to return. The 2nd visit did not disappoint, Etch will be a regular destination when we visit in the future. The wine and cocktails were perfect starters to an adventurous dining experience. Our appetizers were the ever popular roasted cauliflower and we also had a shrimp and squid dish that was superb. I had the beets and berries salad, loved the contrasting flavors. I so enjoyed the Cobia that I ordered it again, love the contrasting flavors. Also in our party, the pork tenderloin, lamb chops, a beef filet, and a new superb white fish, Corvina was served. Each dish was perfect with no doggy bags needed For dessert, I was presented with a cheesecake tart, we also had the warm pound cake and the pretzel bar (favorite). The entire dining experience was as anticipated. I loved the energy and enthusiasm of our server, Kenneth. He truly had a great time as did we.
(5)Molly M.
Easy valet and great downtown location just a couple blocks off Broadway. Friendly hostess and wonderfully welcoming and warm waiter, I unfortunately cannot remember his name. He recommended a moderately priced bottle of a Grenache blend that we really enjoyed. We tried the famous cauliflower, and we loved it! Unexpected, delicious flavors and artful presentation. Same for all the entrees, our party of four all were very pleased. Only pulled one star because my very favorite spots tend to be a bit earthier, a bit more rustic. This place is very business appropriate, with an elegant, mature ambiance, but could probably be romantic if it suited your style. There is a very cool little glass walled room that a large business party had reserved, probably about 10 seats. Could imagine a birthday dinner or the like in there.
(4)Alison B.
Delish. yummy drinks and great food. Service excellent. The cobia entree was great. And the Brussels sprouts are to die for. Cool atmosphere too.
(5)meghan c.
Hands down the best food I've ever eaten in my life. We didn't know what to expect because the rest of Nashville seems so casual and "pub" like (which we've also enjoyed!) Our server was fantastic- a brunette from Dallas- she had great timing, great recommendations and great energy Good beer selection- my husband is into craft beer and found a few local ones he hadn't had yet Cauliflower- as good as the other reviews implied. Alone would've been great but the dips really made it great Butter tasting- well it was butter and there's not much better in life than that! We loved the truffle butter especially. The ginger cashew was the only one we were skeptical of Filet- hubby has the steak rare, and was cooked to perfection. Beer salad with goat cheese- it was about the best salad ever. The goat cheese was with creme fresco and tasted like ice cream
(5)Mary C.
This place was delicious! We had the roasted cauliflower appetizer as recommended, it was as good as all the other reviews say. My husband had what he called "a really good old fashioned" and he has very high standards for old fashioneds. I had a great little cocktail called "The Rosemary", this was really yummy- I love rosemary. For the entrees my husband had the "From the Sea" special which was swordfish with some delicious lite quinoa fitter things that I tasted. I had the "Rutabaga La Plancha"- this is the only vegetarian item on the menu- and it did not disappoint! I would order this again and again! Also the dinning room is very nicely designed. Our waitress was very good at her job and was Johnny-on-the-spot about everything. Also she was super friendly. Yes this is a fancier/pricier place but if you're going to have one expensive meal in Nashville I would make it Etch. The portions were actually really large for a fancy restaurant! We both arrived starving and it was hard to finish our entrees, we were stuffed. I really wanted to try their dessert but I was too full.
(5)PJ S.
No shrimp cocktail, no chicken parm. I hate this place. #scarcasticyelpreviews #dubchub #testatakesnashville
(5)Mike N.
Best restaurant I have been to so far in Nashville. I am used to eating at restaurants in Philadelphia and New York, and Etch is comparable to these scenes. I got the roasted cauliflower which came with truffled pea pesto, salted almonds and feta dip as an appetizer, and it was superb. As a salad, I ordered the beets & berries which was an interesting blend of fruits, nuts and cheese. The highlight was the venison which was served with cocoa chili, grilled sweet potato, goat cheese and other flavors. The service was attentive and knowledgeable. I will definitely be returning.
(5)Tonna H.
This restaurant is easily in contention for best restaurant in Nashville. Menu, food quality, presentation and professional wait staff rival offerings in larger cities. (Once had a Myers Lemon Pie slice that was so good I could have eaten the whole pie and still begged for more!) Never pass on the opportunity to dine at this establishment.
(5)W L.
You know food is good when you SMILE. It's great when you DANCE. But to EXPERIENCE the two and also feel the LOVE of put into every individual morsel that is placed on a plate is truly rare and something to be cherished. Delightful is not a word to describe the passion placed in the creations here.
(5)Ed P.
This place is just awesome. They have valet parking which makes going downtown much easier. The food and service was top notch. Tried the butter tasting and is was perfect. Could have made a meal out of that. I had the pork loin and I have never had pork loin that tender. It melted in my mouth and was perfect. The entrees have layers of flavors and textures. They look like a work of art on a plate. The only negative comment I would make is the atmosphere is open and very busy. If you are looking for a quiet dinner, this may not be your place. If you are looking for great food, it is a must visit.
(5)Alex A.
Hands down, one of the best restaurant experiences I've ever had. Swanky, sexy atmosphere, with a clean, industrial feel. Knowledgeable (and I mean knowledgeable), friendly staff. They really know the food, and which wines pair best. Inventive dishes with really unique flavor profiles. The Roasted Cauliflower is a religious experience. (And I always thought I HATED cauliflower.) Must try -- Pork Belly and Butter Tasting appetizers! Can't WAIT to go back!
(5)Dene L.
Very good, fresh food. I'm always happy to find restaurants that aren't relying solely on Sysco. Wish Belmont Blvd had some non-sysco options. The salads were wonderful. The atmosphere is a bit like you are in a conference room, but the food is fresh and colorful and healthy.
(4)