Went out to Mad Platter on a Sunday night with four other people. We were the only table there and, despite our better instincts we decided to stay. The only reason I am giving this place two stars rather than one is because the server was friendly and efficient. The food was way overpriced, poorly prepared, not fresh, under seasoned and heavy. The menu seemed to be stuck in the eighties. I got the "catch of the day", which was the best thing on the table, despite it tasting more like it was caught last week. In the description of the dish it was supposed to come with roasted, local vegetables and a Moroccan curry rice. It came out with cold spinach and mushrooms. The rice was cold, bland and gummy. The real head scratcher were the warm, mushy strawberries that were under the rice. What the.....? Two of my companions got the vegetable risotto. Both came out ice cold. The waiter graciously returned them to the kitchen for a warm up and offered us free dessert in compensation. Despite this, the risotto remained overcooked and similar in texture to cement. Again, the vegetables were not fresh. Two other people got shrimp and grits. The shrimp was cooked fine, although not seasoned. The grits were cold and so drowned in cream sauce that they were inedible. By the end of the meal, we were all disinclined to get dessert. We were told that we would be compensated somehow, but that didn't happen. Obviously, I will not be returning to this place.
(2)
Rachel A.
I've been to Mad Platter several times. The food is good, but the service is disappointing. There are too many great restaurants in Nashville with excellent service to waste a night out at this place. Last time I was there, the waitress described the daily special incorrectly - what she described as two soft shell crabs on a vegetable medley was actually linguini with crab on top. I (politely!) asked to switch out the dish because I didn't want a pasta dish, and I thought that she and the wait staff were rude in response. The waitress never apologized for describing the dish incorrectly. My husband's food got cold while we waited, and they charged us for the more expensive entree. I understand getting the daily special wrong, but was let down by the service in response to the mistake. And as a side note, the wine comes Ina very small glasses and is not worth the price per glass - if you do go to mad platter, get a bottle!
(1)
Alexis S.
Rudest staff I've ever encountered the manager was rude and refused to accommodate our party then accused our group of leaving without paying. This is the worst experience I've ever had as an out of town guest not to mention they limited their menu without saying anything. I Will NEVER Go Back AND Ensure ALL 5000 FB follwers, 400 twitter follwers, and all of YELP. The Mad Platter is the Mad fool!!!!
(1)
Ilsa K.
My husband and I dined there a few weeks ago and were disappointed. We ordered salmon and it wasn't the best quality. We are use to eating salmon from whole foods, which is exceptional. This was very thin and just not good. Also, I was surprised the portions of rice and vegetables were the size of a table spoon. There just isn't that much overhead in those two dishes. It was rather insulting. It is a cute place, it you can't eat atmosphere.
(3)
Bridget S.
A nice evening out for date night with the hubby. Great service, atmosphere quaint and food delicious. The shrimp and grits were oh so creamy with a bit of spicy sausage, peppers and cherry tomatoes. The pork belly appetizer....YUMMIE. Hubby enjoyed the scallops. Nice sized portions.
(4)
Erin H.
Had a couple of hours in between meetings, so stopped in for lunch with my client contact. So glad we came here. She had the chicken salad, which came with a good helping of delicious looking fruit and banana bread. She graciously offered me a slice of the banana bread, which is among the best I've ever had. I love reubens so had to get the "best reuben in Nashville." It may not be the absolute best, but it is pretty darn good! I also tried a cup of the andouille sausage and chickpea soup, which was amazing. I would have been happy with a bowl of that! The restaurant itself is charming and our hostess/server was very friendly and attentive. Overall, it was a really good experience.
(4)
Barb L.
We stumbled upon Mad Platter on our first night in Nashville and are we are so glad we did. The experience was wonderful from the moment we stepped in the door. The patio was gorgeous and intimate. We both started with soup; mine was an amazing carrot and ginger soup topped with toasted coconut. My husband had a beef Burgundy that he though was some of the best soup he had ever had. Meals were shrimp and grits for my husband - again he love this - it was his first time having shrimp and grits. I had a special appetizer made up of small portions of heirloom tomato salad, potato salad, cucumber salad and other wonderful treats. For dessert we shared a decadent triple chocolate ganache cake. WOW! Sam was a wonderful and attentive server and made the evening truly special for us. If you have a chance, you have to try the Mad Platter!
(5)
Brooke L.
Jesus Christ! Did I just read FRIED BISCUITS WITH CHIPOTLE CHORIZO GRAVY?! Yes. Yes, I did. I want you to know THAT happened and it was amazing. In fact, it was better than YOU are imaging right this second. So Mad Platter is cool, I went for brunch and I didn't leave disappointed. I loved their fresh take on classic dishes and I went with a Crab Benedict which was basically an symphony in my mouth. The service was a bit slow, but what else do ya got to do on a Sunday morning? Oh yeah I also tried their Blood Orange Mimosa. I'd stick wit ht he regular!
(4)
Peter P.
Started with the Mad Platter appetizer which had several things on it but none were exciting or exceptional in any way, really. Tried the beer cheese soup, which was ok and their wedge salad, which I though was done pretty well. For dinner, I got the lamb dish and I liked it, but not else on the menu really jumped out at me so not sure if I'll go back or not.
(3)
Sasser M.
We visited this location a few days ago, not for a special occasion thankfully but as a casual get-out of the house for dinner. On the whole, we'd rather not spend hard earned cash here again. It feels like throwing it away. The $9 crab cake while tasty is very tiny and you only get one of them. I've eaten comparable crab cake small plates that come with 2 large crab cakes of a similar structure and quantity of crab at other Nashville locations for a comparable price. The black-eye pea hummus was novel, it's something I'd eat again. Other people at the table felt it was bland. I feel the chili oil was a nice touch. The chorizo shrimp had an unusual flavor that nobody enjoyed, for $12 dollars it was tiny and unappealing. I love shrimp and only ate half of one shrimp. I ordered the corn-crusted trout. Sadly the bland corn meal just lay there on top while the bottom of the fish had a limp oily skin on it. As to the rest of the plate which included "crispy" potatoes that were not crispy, bland crawfish tails, green pears, onions and mixed peppers. It was all covered in an oily sheen which when added to the oily skin made the whole thing an oily mess. I couldn't eat but perhaps a third of the plate, it was disgusting.
(2)
Lisa T.
Such an amazing meal. We were visiting from out of town and got to try out Mad Platter's and so glad we did. It was the best meal we had during our stay in Nashville. My husband and I shared the 5 course dinner and added an extra appetizer on the side. It was plenty of food and absolutely delicious. Every course was spot on. I highly recommend the spinach bacon salad with the fried egg on top. It was outstanding with the perfect blend of salty and sweet. Also the pork chop was awesome. My husband picked up the bone and ate every last bit of meat. The sides that came with it were perfect as well. And the dessert...the Elvis Presley one - sooo good. Delicate, sweet, but not too rich. YUM! Plus the staff there are so friendly! The visit here was really a highlight of our trip!!!
(5)
Nancy B.
We ate there for breakfast. Got a spanish omelet and potatoes, spiced tea, and topped it off with a dessert!! Bananas foster. We shared the meal, but it was delicious!! Service was fantastic!!! Food was amazing, atmosphere was really nice , good music, fresh flowers, overall a great dining experience. It was our first time there... and we WILL be back .
(5)
Jessy Y.
This is the kind of restaurant that I've heard good things about for years but would have never gone had I not had a soon-to-expire Groupon. I'm glad I went. If you're going at regular dinner hours, definitely make reservations. I did it online (there's just something stress-free about not having to talk on the phone), and on Friday morning the only reservations left were either 6 or earlier, or 8:30 or later. When we got there, I realized it was probably because the place is so small. It's in an old house, and it actually reminds me of a library. Lots of old wood, bookshelves and a couple paintings featuring our own Yazoo. The bad thing about visiting their website beforehand was making the mistake of looking at the menu and getting excited about items that they weren't serving that night. I understand that they are all about local and fresh, but every appetizer and entree we had picked out wasn't on the evening's menu. Alas. Instead, we ordered some sort of crab cake appetizer with a fried green tomato relish that was rich and delicious. The number-one way to please my carb-loving boyfriend is to serve bread, and they came through on that one, so we were being real classy, putting the tomato relish on the bread. Maybe not how it was meant to be served, but it worked. He ordered the Maple Leaf Farms duck - I only mention the farm name because we just featured them in one of the magazines I edit, and it's unusual to recognize a non-Tennessee brand (they're in Indiana) in a local restaurant. I'm not a fan of duck - I tried it, but just don't like the texture - but the boy loved it. It came with what they called chorizo but wasn't ground like Mexican sausage is usually served - it was cured, like bacon, so obviously that was delicious. I ordered the pork tenderloin - not my usual choice, but I am newly returned to the hardcore carnivore side of the menu, particularly at sustainable-focused restaurants like the Mad Platter, and I really do love the sweet meat genre of entrees. The pork came with sweet potatoes and some sort of greens mixed with tomatoes... all bursting with flavor. Unfortunately, I had filled up on bread and crab cakes, but my leftovers tasted just as amazing heated up in some Corningware in the oven. So, I'd say this place is perfect for date night... not a place I'll be visiting often, but perfect for special occasions.
(4)
Naomasa H.
Came here for a private event in the summer. Great atmosphere and ambiance. Friendly staff. The lamb was well made and delicious. Grabbed a tasty Reuben Sandwich during Oktoberfest. Looking forward to trying more of their menu!
(4)
Steve J.
A cool spot with an eclectic menu. The service is great, and the food delicious. A decent wine list, and some funky artwork (for sale) on the walls. You feel the pride of ownership with everyone that helps you.
(4)
Brandon G.
Mad Platter needs to step up their game to hang in Germantown. Silo, Monell's, City House, Rolf&Daughters, are all operating on a higher level. Got the mad platter appetizer sampler, every item was meh. Followed with caesar salad, tasted like your typical caesar. For entree went with the Jaegersnitzel, which if you're wondering is some kind of mix of dry pork on mashed potatoes that taste like mashed potatoes, the cabbage was actually somewhat inspired but overall nothing stands out about this place.
(2)
David O.
After an unfortunate change of plans the better half and I ended up here for dinner. Service was a tad on the slow side, but they had just opened 30 minutes prior to our arrival and nobody else was eating so I had time to visit with my best gal. The prices are high for what you get, but the lamb I had was delicious and left me wanting more. This is certainly a place to take a date for a romantic dinner and not some place I would recommend stopping in just for a meal unless you have fat stacks in your wallet. Parking was not an issue for our visit, but like the rest of Germantown, it's all on the street, so you might have to hunt for a bit. Overall I would return, but only for a date night.
(3)
Sandy T.
Best tasting comfort food w a twist!
(4)
Valerie M.
Just when I was beginning to lose faith in the Nashville restaurant scene, we decided to try Mad Platter. Both my husband and I are native Nashvillians, so what took us so long? It offered just the right amount of romantic ambience (without being too dark to see my food), yummy, thoughtful food (without being too frou-frou), and, as much as I don't like having to cross the river and drive to East Nashville for a decent meal, it was close enough that I didn't feel like I was entering the belly of the beast. Their 5-course menu choice is an awesome way to do dinner. Add $20 to the cost of your entree and you get soup, salad, appetizer, entree & dessert. All of our food was very tasty and our service was good. We explained that we had TPAC tickets and they did a great job pacing our meal. Two cons: lack of music (would have taken the night from delightful to enchanting) and the size of the restaurant (I counted appx. 18 tables with a seating capacity of maybe 60ish). The size didn't affect my enjoyment of my meal, but it definitely necessitates making a reservation ahead of time.
(4)
Kristin Marie S.
I'm torn about the Mad Platter. We went for my 30th birthday with our Groupon we purchased 6 months ago. When we got there we were seated at the dreaded "vent" table. Hot air was literally blowing up my a**. I'm not sure why they even have a table there. I asked to be moved. And we're off....to a slower sluggish start. We decided to go with the 5 course meal option since hey, we had the Groupon and it was my birthday. The soup, curried pumpkin, was the absolute highlight of the meal. I could have slurped a whole vat of that stuff. The steak gnocchi appetizer, again, wonderful. The cheese plate was a typical cheese plate, satisfying and a nice break between courses. Then came the salad, totally acceptable use of fruit and veggies. Things are going relatively smoothly, relatively because the giant glow Santa was kind of creepy and oddly placed, on top of the bar. Then comes the main course. The pork was over-cooked, the pasta, eh. I know pasta isn't always exciting but it was a bit too salty and blah. I saw people eating the steak and that looked pretty awesome, which made me even more sad about my pasta. I should have known though, I came in wanting the artichoke risotto I saw online but the menu changed, as it should, and decided to stick to my veggielution. Finally dessert. The tiramisu was great, the bananas foster, not so foster. It was ice cream, brown sugar and bananas. Where was the rum and the flames?? Either way it still was a good dessert but you should be forewarned. I'm not sure I would go back but I also don't regret going.
(3)
Brian C.
I had tried the Mad Platter several years ago, before I made Nashville my home. I was underwhelmed. A friend had given me dinner for two as a gift; so, I was given the opportunity to try Mad Platter again. I'm so grateful (Kate) for that gift card! Everything about this experience was virtually perfect. I've always loved the atmosphere and location. It truly feels local. It's rich, robust and almost story book. It feels like a movie set in there, layered with tons of character. The service is first class. We were treated with style, grace and attention. Nothing new there, but this time the food was amazing. We both had the beef. My spouse and I aren't big on little ditty food on the plate, but in this case, we ate everything on the plate. All the nameless garnishes were even excellent. Dessert was amazing. They KNOW how to do bananas foster correctly. The creme brulee was a bit citrusy for my spouse's taste but I liked it! Mad Platter now joins the ranks of Margot, as one of my favorite fine dining spots in Nashville.
(5)
Steven D.
Amazing menu! Go for the 5 course dinner - soup, salad, appetizer, entree and desert! It's the cost of your entree + $20 and it's worth it! I had chilled ginger peach soup, spinach salad with watermelon feta and toasted almonds in a blood orange vinegarette, I moved my appetizer to follow my entree of mixed grill - beef tenderloin in tomato jam and lamb chops with pomegranate reduction served with mashed and fresh green beans. I followed that with my appetizer of a cheese course and took desert home of chocolate Elvis! Eat here!!!!
(5)
Eliza R.
Yelp needs to allow half-star ratings! Mad Platter was not quite a 4, but definitely deserves more than a 3. 3.5 it is, then. At the last minute, my other half and I decided we wanted to go out for something fancy on Valentine's Day, and we ended up at the Mad Platter around 9pm. Compared to some of the other fine dining establishments in Nashville (like Germantown Cafe or Margot), the food is not quite as mind-blowing; nothing made me exclaim "Oh my goodness, wow! This is so amazing!" However, the food was still solidly good and deserves the 4 stars. Because it was Valentine's Day, the lights were dimmed and the tables were adored with tea lights and roses. There was a special menu for the holiday and we each got 3 courses for $55, which was a little pricey for us and maybe not *quite* worth it. Anyhow, I got a cup of tomato fennel soup which was decent, although a bit on the salty side. The spinach and strawberry salad that followed, however, was really wonderful and fresh and I loved the edible orchid that accompanied it. Sadly, there were not very many veggie-friendly dishes on the menu, save for a stuffed eggplant. I had already eaten eggplant for lunch (darn, I should have looked at the menu beforehand!), so I opted for some pan-seared sea scallops with a butternut puree and veggies. Now, these were admittedly amazing and were what convinced me finally that the food was worth the price! My date had the cheese and fruit plate as an appetizer and the fillet of beef for her main entree - she said it was the best steak she's ever had in her life.
(3)
Paul M.
This place is as good as it gets for comfort food romantic atmosphere and actually being able to hear the person you're dining with. Menu never disappoints when every other place is trying to charge high dollars for tiny plates filled with mediocre pasta, skirt steak, yawn chicken, or bottom feeding flash frozen turd fish. Love the mad platter. Chocolate Elvis not to be missed.
(5)
Zeb M.
I'm sorry, but I cannot give Mad Platter four stars. I went here for Valentine's and it was a great meal, but I definitely would not be paying that much money again for what I ordered. (Especially when I consider better finer dining restaurants in town for a little less). I don't NORMALLY spend upwards to $100 on a meal for two, so when I do I want it be memorable, and sadly Mad Platter was just not that.
(3)
Lindz B.
The food is so much fancier than the place looks, it's truly a southern gourmet treat. Be prepared to spend a little if you try a few things and get a bottle of wine like we did.
(4)
Krystal L.
This is one if the best restaurants in Nashville. The waiting staff is excellent and very friendly. Love the ambience, almost feels like you have stepped outside of Nashville. One of my favorite dishes is the rack of lamb. DELICIOUS, might just be one of the best spots for lamb.Make sure that you save room for dessert, the Elvis chocolate cake is so so good.
(5)
Jemina B.
I'd heard good things about Mad Platter for years, and decided to pay it a visit to see what the cleverly named restaurant was all about. Reservations weren't a problem, since I did them right from Yelp (shameless plug!), and we were seated right away. The ambience is small, cozy, and quite homey. Our server was laid back and answered our questions regarding the menu with ease. My dinner date and I both opted for the filet with the option to expand the meal to five courses for $20 over the entree price. Uh, best idea ever! We got the tater tots as an appetizer, which was served with an aioli sauce that made me swoon. Black bean and chicken soup was hearty and delicious, followed by pear, cheese, and pecan salad. Oh, bread comes as well, so you're pretty much stuffed before the entree. The entree: filet mignon. Ever heard of it? I ordered mine medium rare and I was tempted to eat the entire thing in one bite, it was so damn good. SO. GOOD. But the Piece de Resistance? Dessert. Chocolate Elvis is the name of the triple layered tart that makes my heart melt just thinking about it. Seriously, if you're a chocolate fan, it's worth it to go just for this dessert. Sinful. Rich. Delightful. Mad Platter - you and I aren't through. I'll be back like a moth to a flame for your decidedly amazing foods.
Went here a few days ago with my girlfriend, was such a nice experience. Very relaxed environment, causal bit of a romantic ambiance as well. And the food, man the food. I had the pork chop and she had the salmon, they were both delicious. She had to keep me from picking up the bone to gnaw off the last few bits of goodness, til I saw another guy doing it so I couldn't stop myself. We both rarely clean our plates, but we did this time. Went on a Thursday night so it was not crowded at all, had really good service, and good selection of wines. Overall we were really impressed, were planning on when to go back as we were driving home.
(5)
Ted A.
Friendly Slow service. Terrific food
(3)
Ladonna M.
Me and a friend went there for dinner about 6:30 pm on a Saturday night. I had the duck breast and she had the fresh fish of the day. Both were excellent and the portions were just about right with appetizers to start. We were both tempted but didn't think we would have room for the 5 course dinner. I wish I had kept room for the desserts that I saw served at other tables. The server was very nice but some times took a little longer to get back to us as more tables filled up. A bit pricey but I still recommend this. Enjoyed the seasonal and local items on the menu too.
(4)
Ryan D.
Well the Mad Platter didn't disappoint. These guys delivered great service, food and atmosphere with a very unique menu. A business friend of mine and I stopped in here after the shuttle driver at the Double Tree told us it was a must have. He was dead right. The interior is dim, eclectic, homey and comfortable. The wonderful Germantown area is the perfect place for a restaurant like the Mad Platter to call home. I started with a cold Yazoo, fresh bred and some potato soup. The soup was fantastic and seemed to have numerous layers for such a simple starter. I kept tasting the different spices and notes even after the bowl was gone. The menu is very diverse and boats local ingredients and seasonal veggies. I ordered the duck because in my experience on this planet anyone who is worth a damn in the culinary world should be able to cook duck well. It's actually rather difficult to cook well and very easy to pair poorly. They nailed it! I haven't ever had duck that good, and I really mean that. This place is a must see on your Nashville culinary tour. You will not be disappointed.
(5)
Tina S.
I thought this restaurant was excellent! Loved the food, atmosphere & service. For $20 more per entree you get a 5 course meal. So much food and totally worth it. My husband and I had Mac N Cheese appetizer, Beef Filet and the incredible dessert Chocolate Elvis. All of these were recommended on yelp and definitely did not disappoint. You can't go wrong here. Also, they had an extensive wine collection for wine lovers. The restaurant staff were excellent with perfect timing. I love Germantown and like these eclectic locations in Nashville. If you are looking for casual but gourmet dining, these place is a must!
(5)
April M.
It was a hot and sticky night when a friend and I decided to have small plates at Mad Platter Restaurant in Historic Germantown Nashville. The staff was so pleasant and helpful and seemed like they were really glad we were there. Well, let me tell you, not so glad as we were! I so wish I'd taken pictures of our plates. Like I said it was hot outside and had been...really unpleasant for several days, so we opted for cool appetizers....each a crab cake served with cucumber chow chow and lime jalapeño remoulade, and we shared an order of BLT Bruscetta ....Oh, my gosh! How much better could it have been?! Not a bit until Cory tempted us with peach shortbread. About as good as anything I've ever eaten. We should have had one each.....and the peaches aren't even really in yet. I heartily recommend The Mad Platter ..and don't forget, they serve brunch. It's great to live in a city of so many really good restaurants with chefs who know fresh food and how to prepare it, better yet that this one is right around the corner!
(4)
Elizabeth A.
I recently went to Mad Platter and have to say, it's at the top of my Nashville Favorites list. I love the location, sweet street in Germantown, I love the atmosphere, quiet, dark and warm, and the food is fresh, local and deliciously prepared. My boyfriend ordered the steak which was cooked exactly as he ordered and I ordered the duck, which is an unusual choice for me, but delicious and cooked to perfection. I look forward to returning soon, as they change their menu options often, according to season. I definitely recommend Mad Platter, although on the more expensive side, it adds a unique flavor to Nashville's-somewhat-bland restaurant scene.
(4)
Rachel S.
I agree that the Mad Platter is VERY expensive, and maybe not quite spectacular enough to be priced at what it is. Still, it's a lovely place in Germantown, a very un-Nashville neighborhood. It's casual enough for lunch and perfect for a date. I loved the ambiance. It was small, rustic, with one wall acting as a semi-library. An old fashioned stove remains in the dining hall. It's dark, extremely romantic. You can supply your own bottle of wine, and there is a $15 corkage fee. We indulged in the 5-course prixe fixe, a savings of... well, a lot. You get to have one of everything - a soup, appetizer, salad, entree, and dessert. Holy moly. Everything was very well done and tasted excellent. The sweet corn chowder was a little spicy thanks to the bitty red peppers floating in it. The gumbo was smoky and thick, one of the more unusual things we ate that night. Salads were salads, with a few special ingredients to gourmet-ify them. The beet salad included flavorful goat cheese and pine nuts. We had the fried green tomato, which was topped with a mayonnaise-y frisee of greens. I realize mayonnaise-y isn't exactly the most positive of connotations, but that really does described it. In any case, it was great. We also had the tuna carpaccio, a hammered thin raw tuna filet that took up the entire plate. It was topped with an Asian-soy flavoring and avocado. Nice. Entrees: We had the crusted rack of lamb and the salmon. The lamb was rare, very well done and three 360 degrees characteristic of the dish made each bite complete. What do I mean? Well, if you scooped up everything on the plate in one fork-full - the crust, the lamb, the rissoto, etc. - that was the way to really get the full experience. The salmon was another very well cooked piece of fish I've in Nashville (everybody tells me not to eat fish in a landlocked state, but I have experienced some wonderfully prepared fish here), and was served on top of stewed spinach, honeydew and cucumber. I don't like honeydew, but when served in a hot compote-like thing it was really nice. The salmon was glazed with rum and mango. And finally for dessert, we had creme brulee and bananas foster. The bananas foster was exceptional. How could it not be, really? Butter, brown sugar, bananas, and ice cream. Sounds like a winner. The creme brulee was surprisingly thick, and enhanced with lemon zest. The crust was maybe a little under crispy, possibly due to the inclusion of lemon in the dish?? In any case, I would absolutely go back to the Mad Platter for another meal, but it would have to be a special occasion meal. Its name implies to me that the food should be more adventurous, abnormal. It's not quite strange enough for me. Yes it's pricey and your dollar could go a little further elsewhere. Still, I enjoyed being and eating there so much that there is no doubt I will return.
(4)
Kel Vin W.
This is now my favorite restaurant in Nashville! We started with the andouille sausage gumbo and chicken with mushroom soup, both were very good, I especially liked the the roux of the gumbo was darker. We also had the crabcakes which were as good or better than Legal Seafood's crabcakes. We ordered the filet mignon and the rack of lamb for entrees. And both were cooked to perfection. I've never had lamb that is so tender it almost "melts" in your mouth! Lastly, we ordered a tiramisu to share. I often order tiramisu wherever I go, and Mad Platter's Tiramisu is the absolute best in Nashville, and just about the best I've ever had!
(5)
Jamie A.
I'm a big fan of Mad Platter. When I worked in MetroCenter, this was a once-a-week stop for a fantastic lunch. The lunch menu changes seasonally, but one of the all time best dishes I enjoyed was a pecan crusted chicken with a creamy strawberry sauce. I'm also a big fan of the creamy dill dressing. I've only had one dinner experience, but it was fantastic. We ended up doing the multi-course deal for one and an entree for the other. No way we could finish two appetizers/salads/desserts in addition to our mains. The chili-mac (beef tips and gnocchi) appetizer was absolutely decadent. We also had a wild mushroom bisque that was subtle and not too mushroomy (I know, a mushroom hater shouldn't order mushroom bisque...). I had a steak and my boyfriend had the lamb. Both were cooked beautifully! We finished off dinner with creme brule and coffee. An fitting finish to a great date night.
(5)
Mallory S.
Had been wanting to try the Mad Platter for years and finally did last night for a friend's birthday dinner. When I made the reservation they asked if we were celebrating and then printed a special message for my friend on our menus. The setting is endearingly quaint and the service is excellent. The menu is excellent and has a nice range. Definitely go for the 5 course dinner---well worth the $20 added to the price of the entree!!!! The highlights of our meal were the chili mac appetizer, the wild mushroom ravioli appetizer, the filet with gorgonzola butter, the maple leaf duck, the bananas foster, and the chocolate elvis. Will definitely be back in the future! Great prices for a delicious meal!
(5)
David G.
Mad Platter, you drive me to the brink of insanity like the Mad Hatter... or, even better, like Charlie Sheen. Seriously, there is somewhere trapped inside you a deeply lovable man who obviously cares about his children but on the outside there is a complete lunatic who is "bi-winning". Our server for the evening was impeccable, and was able to describe the dishes for the evening in a meaningful way and was knowledgeable of the wine - to the point that he described our Malbec as "one of his favorites" as he "just loved how it had an almost leather smell and deep robust flavor like a good dark chocolate". Either the man knows his job or he's an alcoholic. The food was just OK. I ordered the lamb which he said they were known for. It was cooked correctly (unlike #1 wife's filet mignon) and was very succulent but it did not knock me out of my chair and was not better than any other lamb I had ever had. The cous cous that came with it was just alright, and I did not really enjoy the raisins within it. I did love the banana curry sauce on the side, however. The decor was quaint and small - I can see why they fill up quickly. All and all, I'd go back if people invited me or I had worn out my taste buds at some of the places I frequent more often. But, I wouldn't make a special trip out here.
Went to the Mad Platter again the other day to check out their claim to the best Reuben in Nashville. Let me tell you, I LOVE Reuben's. Might be my favorite sandwich. But, I was a little disappointed with the sandwich I ate being dubbed as best in Nashville. It was not awful, but it was not the best in Nashville, certainly not the best I have ever have. Number one fail is that it needs to be served with chips or fries, not breakfast potatoes. If you're on a diet, you're not eating a Reuben so pile on the extra calories! Enough with the sandwich, I think you all get my point. It was good, but not the best. But, the service the other day was horrendous. Meaning it took us two hours to eat lunch. I think they might have forgot to put our order in. It was clear that our waiter was staling, when he came over and asked us if we needed any ketchup for our fries, which had not even come out yet and were not even fries. Poor service, ok Reuben.
(2)
Christopher M.
If the rating above was for the food only, the Mad Platter would easily score a 4/5 stars ... but it's not. Just like Special Teams in Football, atmosphere and waitstaff aren't as important as the food being served from the kitchen, but a good dining experience is expected at a place like the Mad Platter. Our reservation was 8pm on a Friday night. We walked in the front door and stood there for what seemed like 5 minutes waiting for someone to greet us. We were seated at a table directly over an air vent. I am a dude - I don't get cold. But having cold air blown directly onto you isn't pleasant. When I mentioned this to the waitress, she looked at me like I was an idiot, then about 10 minutes later decided to cover it up with a book while giving me a "you're annoying" glare. The pasta app was great, so was the caprese. I had the beef, which was tasty. But a boring waitress kinda ruined it for me. I won't be rushing to go back to the Mad Platter anytime soon. Which is a shame because I like to support local restaurants.
(3)
michael d.
Don't see the quality here. Food very ordinary, over priced (1 crab cake $9 boring presentation, really?) wine list hohum Old house has some odor problems. No reason to return
(2)
Caren C.
Ahhh...I had a date here once, with the man of my dreams. The food was great (I had the duck), the service was excellent. I let the waiter recommend the wine and he did a great job. We had dessert and pretty much closed the place down. I'd highly recommend it. It was charming and quiet and easy to get lost in one's company. Perfect for a date.
(4)
Doug H.
I use Yelp a lot but don't often have time to write reviews. But, I just had to write about the Mad Platter. What an awesome place! The service at the Mad Platter was excellent and they really won us over. First of all, the food is unique, adventurous, fun and exciting. My kids don't always embrace this. However, the folks at Mad Platter embraced us. They went out of their way to create simple, hand crafted menu choices for our children. For beleaguered parents desperate for a night out on the town, this was a God Send. We never expected what happened next. My daughter was being especially difficult. A natural phenomenon which normally would not phase us, but in the middle of the meal, she became sick all over the table. Dennis, our server sprang into action. He packed meals, whisked away the soiled table setting and generally made the best out of a bad situation. A true Southern gentleman, Dennis saved the day! My wife and daughter left to go home and rest while my son and I stayed and savored the various delicacies of the Mad Platter. Dennis turned a ruined evening into a bearable one. And the food was awesome. Thank you Mad Platter! Thank you Dennis! We are just visiting Nashville. But if we ever get the chance to return, we are coming back to the Mad Platter.
Excellent dinner! Great service. Intimate setting.
(5)
Sara Y.
Popped by here for lunch as the fresh clean local, sustainable aspect of the restaurant was a draw and it was a short drive from the Maxwell House hotel where we were staying. Lunch items ranged about $8-14. The server was able to tell me confidently what could be served gluten free (most entrees and salads). I have to say the sauces were the shining stars of the meal-the chicken with mushrooms and rice had a slightly sweet wine sauce and the side salad's basil dressing was just the right amount of herb and oil. My only wish was that the very thinly sliced chicken was left a bit more juicy it was pretty dry-but it wasn't so much that I felt the need to send it back.
(3)
Jeff G.
I have been trying to find the best american cuisine in Nashville for several months now and I was hoping I would find it at the Mad Platter. The building is quaint ad we were informed it was once a meat packing facility by our waiter. The place was empty when we arrived (on a Wednesday night at around 7:30) so there was no real ambiance to speak of. The waiters were very attentive and knowledgeable about the menu which changes daily to reflect the fresh local ingredients. I selected the 5 course meal which is an additional charge of $20 on top of the main course and I could not have been happier. I started with the Shrimp and Andouille gumbo which was slightly different than the traditional dish. It was an amazing and tasty take on a Cajun classic. That was followed by a macaroni and cheese made with gnocchi and beef that could have been my favorite take on mac and cheese to date. The third course was a delicious Caprese salad made with local tomatoes. My main course was the duck served on a bed of Arugula. I enjoyed the duck but to be honest it was probably the weakest of the main courses I tasted over the course of the evening (my friend had the rack of lamb which was simply amazing). The final course was the Elvis Chocolate Torte. This is a must get if you enjoy chocolate. It was the perfect end to the meal. To date, The Mad Hatter has been the best dining experience in Nashville Tennessee. If you are looking for an amazing deal on a delectable dinner keep this place in mind.
(4)
mumin k.
I would consider Mad Platter to be an average Nashville restaurant. Nothing special about it. I went there with a friend for lunch and we both had Mad Platter Pasta for lunch and I must say that my pasta was average at best. The artichokes in the pasta were canned artichokes and left that sour taste which I hate. So effectively I paid $12 dollars for a pasta which had canned artichokes and only God knows about the other ingredients. I think I can do WAAAYYYY better pasta at home which would cost me a fraction of what I paid at Mad Platter. After all, my philosophy is that I am paying to dine out for things that I can not do at home. Why pay so much money if you can do it cheaper at home? I will probably give Mad Platter another try and have something other than pasta before I make a definite decision about the place, but for now it remains an average place.
(3)
Michael S.
Recommended for a nice night out! Great atmosphere and food!
This is a great restaurant in historic Germantown. The food is a little fancy for me, but everything tastes great. Appetizers such as mushroom ravioli with pecan and cranberry relish and a lamb chop/sea scallop combo with endive are really putting The Mad Platter on the map! The veal with polenta is a house favorite and sure to please. But, there was no way I could resist the duck breast with brussel sprouts and rutabaga! Delish! The ambiance is just what I was looking for. Very quaint and low key. I loved the fact that they have fresh flowers on every table. Every girl loves flowers. Their wine list is superb and my table really enjoyed the pinot grigio we ordered. On another note, this area of town isn't the best at night, so make sure you park in a well lit area. Don't let that stop you though . . . it's well worth it!
(4)
Jeff S.
I am told that this part of Nashville, just north of downtown, is an up-and-coming area in which people are coming in and renovating many of the structures. This little restaurant on the corner is a real charmer with a nice menu. I had a business lunch here yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed it. The iced tea is laced with orange and cinammon - just enough to give it a nice, unique flavor. I started with chicken and anduille sausage soup and had a pasta dish topped with artichokes, chorizo, sundried tomatoes, grilled chicken in olive oil - absolutely delicious. The entree also came with a small salad. The salad ingredients were fresh and the balsamic vinagrette dressing was very good. The service was attentive without being pesky and the staff overall was quite friendly. This is a nice place, off the beaten path, and definitely worth a visit.
(4)
JD M.
I would consider Mad Platter to be one of the better restaurants in Nashville. The best thing about it is the ambiance: very charming, easy to converse, and very comfortable and quaint. I even like its location in Germantown, which contributes to its charm. The food was quite good, but a tad overpriced. I got the trout salad, which was $7 and was just okay. I also got the beef tenderloin medium-rare, which was $27 and very good. But, based on the portion size and that it wasn't accompanied with anything, I think it should be priced closer to the low $20's. We also got the banana foster and a chocolate cake of some sort for dessert, which I thought was okay but my dinner companions loved. Service was friendly but rushed near the end, even though there were many empty tables and many other diners still eating. There was no refilling of water glasses or coffee cups. My biggest criticism is that the menu isn't as inventive or adventurous as it could be. But, all in all, a nice, little restaurant with good food that you can go to for a romantic evening or a place to take out-of-town friends and family.
(4)
Betsy K.
Loved this restaurant. My boyfriend and I went there recently for my birthday dinner. The food was delicious. Boyfriend had the 5 course meal, which seemed a very good value. We shared the: shrimp and crab bisque, the pear and goat cheese salad and the chocolate Elvis. I had the duck with cranberry and orange. The whole thing was delicious. Nothing to complain about the food. I also liked the decor and the general ambiance. It was decorated for Christmas in a quaint sort of way. The waiter was very attentive. It is pretty pricey, but worth it if you want a good, upscale meal. It was perfect for a birthday date.
(5)
Mell F.
I wanted to LOVE The Mad Platter, but after my initial visit I just kinda like it. Sort of akin to dating; I'll invite her out again although I'm not sure it will lead to anything special based on our first date. But one never knows... I almost waited too late to use a Groupon that expires on 12/7. I called last night (Wed) for a reservation and was told they were TOTALLY booked through the weekend. Not a single 2 top available. So I went online to Open Table to verify. The only thing I could find was last night at 9:00 pm. We are usually in our PJs at that time of night on a weekday, but necessity dictated a pattern interrupt. We arrived 20 minutes early and were seated immediately. The staff were nice and proficient, if slightly slow, but it was late so no biggie. We had the Gnocchi with beef tips appetizer and enjoyed it as much, if not more, as anything else we had. It was creamy and filling. She got the linguine with olives, chorizo, etc. Neither of us were impressed; particularly for $18. Olives overwhelmed the dish and she didn't eat half of it. I had the 8oz NY Strip ($25). It was cut into slices and seemed like maybe 5-6 oz. The flavor was ok, but I've had much, much better. The best thing on the plate were the mushrooms, if that tells you anything. (I did notice when the same dish was brought to the table next to us it appeared to contain more steak, so maybe I just got the runt of the litter. But there really shouldn't be a runt of the litter in an upscale place like this.) The damage for 1 glass of wine, 1 app, and 2 entrees was $65 before tip. We'll just have to see how the second date goes...
(3)
Jason V.
Rarely do I arrive home and instantly want to write a review for a restaurant. This place deserves to be reviewed while the whole meal is still sitting awesome in my belly. A coworker and I looked at the other reviews to solidify our interest we were impressed so we went. Found out when we got there that the menu changes daily so everyone else's reviews were obsolete but one suggestion we could not overlook. The 5 course option where you take the entree price and add $20.00. Do it you won't be disappointed. We started off with the French Onion soup, while I wasn't overly impressed it was tasty, the broth was closer to a gravy than a broth but it had a nice balance sweetness from the onions & pepper. Then I enjoyed an appetizer of wild mushroom raviolis accented with a balsamic reduction, Parmesan cheese and truffle oil. This was awesome. I'm a sucker for truffles and truffle oil. My coworker had the cheese plate of which I sampled and the one cheese that really stood out for me among the rest was the "Cahill's Irish Porter Cheddar" Fantastic! Next I had what I dub the "inverted omelet" It was a fried egg and bacon salad on baby spinach with tomatoes and a maple onion vinaigrette. The egg was cooked to perfection with just enough uncooked yolk so that when broke it ran out just a little. The sweet and tangy vinaigrette was excellent and this was my favorite dish of the five courses one, of which was lamb. (which I love and will get to but seriously the salad was that good.). Then the rack of lamb came out. Two beautiful cuts cooked to medium rare perfection. On a pile of red bliss potatoes, artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, full garlic cloves & toasted almonds all bordered by a sauce that can only be described by saying this. "It was the perfect mix of lemon, aioli & spicy mustard you can fathom." This paired with the lamb and the other aforementioned veggies was completely out of this world.(but still not better than the salad) Last was desert. A vanilla and orange flavored Crème Brule. While it tasted great my one real critique of it was that the sugar was not torched thoroughly/properly. It lacked that satisfying crackle that I'm so fond of and had more give to it than expected. It merely separated and not that oh so gratifying crack like ice that forms over a puddle that has dried out beneath it. Then you go step on it and ahhhh "victory over the elements". If you love Crème Brule like I do then no simile is needed but I wanted to use words to paint you a picture of just how important this one step is to me. Taking everything into consideration this place is a solid 5 stars and you'd be remiss to not go. So go eat, drink and be merry.
(5)
Aaron D.
The Mad Platter's website says that the owners have been saying "Welcome!" for 19 years. When I ducked in mid-afternoon during a Germantown stroll to see if I could peruse a menu, I received a hostile look and a "We're closed!" yell from a person sitting inside. I knew the place was closed. I was just hoping to look at the menu (since there was none posted in the window) and see if the place merited a return trip. It didn't. The folks who work here may or may not be mad, but they sure were inhospitable.
(1)
Susan A.
Food was delicious. Excellent service and reasonable prices.
(5)
Simon K.
Overall, it's a good restaurant but your buck could go further elsewhere. Gourmet prices with mediocre dishes. Here's my thing... if it's gonna be a higher price lunch then don't skimp out on the quality. The Mad Platter seems to be in this limbo of being a "casual eatery" and a fine dining restaurant. The menu seems a little hoity-toity with the descriptions of their dishes. Of course there is nothing wrong with that if you're paying for a fine dining experience. But you're not getting fine dining at the Mad Platter. I tasted four dishes: the Curried Chicken Quesadilla, Daily special Chicken Salad Sandwich, Crab cakes, and the Pasta Mad Platter. The quick version: they were all okay, except the Curried Chicken Quesadilla. Reasonable price for the ingredients, but not worth the money in flavor. Where is your money going? They've spent a lot of money on aesthetics and they've done a good job on it. This is definitely a relaxing place to eat and read a newspaper or something. The quality of ingredients are okay, however it gives off the impression that they assemble their menu from things pre-prepared from a Trader Joes or a Whole Foods Market. At least that's what the "Pasta Mad Platter" tasted like. The mixed veggies on top of spaghetti noodles seemed like they were defrosted and sauteed from a Trader Joes freezer. The Curried Chicken Quesadilla was pretty nasty. It seems like a good concept on paper but in actuality it ended up being Indian-spiced nacho cheese in between two toasted tortillas. The daily specials should be the highlight of a restaurant, but their Chicken Salad Sandwich ended up being dull. It was bland and unexciting. Either make it savory and put some spices in it like a curry or make it fruity with some crunch like adding grapes and walnuts. Instead, it could've passed for something in the deli section at Kroger. Finally, the Crabcakes. Two rules about crab at a restaurant: it has to be real, and it has to be lumped. Anyone can take canned crabmeat and mix it with some flour and call it a crabcake. When crab is left in it's lump form you know it's real and the texture comes out. (Honestly, I don't know what I was thinking ordering a crabcake in Tennessee anyway) It would be better described as a "crab-burger" than a crabcake. The Mad Platter looks better than it tastes, giving off a relaxing environment and delivering food that you can buy at a Whole Foods grocery store.
(3)
Erin H.
I've been dining at The Mad Platter for several years now and it is a wonderful place to take my clients. I feel compelled to write a review after the 5 star service I received at lunch the other day. I was waited on a dapper gentleman with glasses who has waited on me several times before. My client and I were very impressed with his service and knowledgeable suggestions for our lunch. The food was fantastic and atmosphere was quite cozy but a little kitschy. I had the chicken salad which I always get and it was amazing! I would love to see the Brown Butler served every day however I know this is quite the indulgence. All in all this is the best place in Nashville with local, sustainable food with a wonderful wait staff. I would always suggest this restaurant as this is truly my favorite!
(5)
Theresa B.
Yummy..I had the Crab Cake Salad...to die for...soooo delish...It's quaint, quiet and good...I've only been for lunch..but thinking about stopping in after work for a glass of wine...gonna check out the ambiance when the lights are down...I'll let you know how it goes...hehehe
(4)
Jonathan S.
My first visit to Nashville, and the mad Platter was a great way to end my trip. My buddy and his girlfriend could not stop talking about this place, and now I can see why. I have been to some of the best known restaurants in Los Angeles, and this place is as good as any of them. The atmosphere is really cool. Located within an older building in a historic part of town, Mad Platter blends modern with the traditional. I had the five course meal, and I would recommend ordering that. It gives you a chance to sample some cool stuff which you may not ordinarily order. One of the cool things that they brought out for us to try were some mini "salmon-melt" sandwiches, with a side of some type of bisque. Awesome. The place is relatively small, so that wait staff is extremely attentive and the service was really good. One of the chef's actually came out and talked with us for awhile. This place is a little expensive, but is a great bargain considering the quality of the food and the experience. The best way that I could describe the Mad Platter, is take the trendy LA restuarant.....mix in some some cool food ideas, a little bit of southern charm, and a staff that strives to make each diner feel at home.....NOW subtract the super high prices and pretentious staff; and you have a great place to eat. Look forward to going there again next time I am in the "Ville"!!!
(5)
Christine T.
We went to the Mad Platter on a recent trip to Nashville from our hometown of Chicago. We loved the homey, casual feel of this restaurant. (We felt totally comfortable wearing jeans to dinner.) We also loved that we got fantastic food for 3/4 the price of what we would pay for the exact same quality of food in Chicago. My only comment is that I wish there was a bar area in this restaurant. I LOVED the cheese plate (especially the homemade goats cheese) but there isn't a bar to sit and get a cheese plate and some wine. If they had this, I think I would be going there every night of my trip. A note for out of towners: We felt it was totally walkable to go from our Doubletree downtown hotel to the Mad Platter. However, that walk isn't something that I would do late at night. Your route options seemed to be either a road with large parking lots on each side (which are empty at night) or you can walk through a park. Neither option seemed like they would be ideal after dark. I would either drive (there seemed to be ample, free street parking) or take a cab or hotel shuttle. The only thing with a cab is that I think you'd need to make arrangements for your pick up since we didn't see any cabs near the restaurant.
(5)
Robert K.
Located in Germantown, The Mad Platter is one of the better lunch spots I have been to in the last couple of months. The first thing I remember most about the experience was the service. It was really good and the waitress was very attentive to our group and came by our table every time she walked by. Pretty good, considering we were with a group of ten! The second thing I remember most about The Mad Platter was the sandwich I had. It was a really good chicken salad sandwich with...get this...banana bread! What a wonderful pairing, I love banana bread and I was pleasantly surprised to have it with my creamy chicken salad sandwich. Overall, it is a pretty good lunch spot.
(4)
David S.
Mad Platter is a comfortable, cozy place to go for lunch. I had driven past it all the time when co-workers were dragging me to Monell's down the street. Finally, a friend and I went in for lunch, and I wasn't disappointed. Service was fine. There weren't many people in the restaurant. You can get nice salads or sandwiches as well as larger entrees for lunch. My friend got some pasta that she really enjoyed. Mad Platter has been around Germantown for a while. It's nice to see all of the other development going on down there; it is such a cute area of town. I would imagine Mad Platter would be a nice date place for dinner. It may be fancier at night, but it was casual during the day.
(4)
Roshan V.
Best meal in Nashville....Wifey gave that special sigh!!!. The server was very knowledgeable and helpful. Decided for the 5 course meal, with soup, appetizer, salad and desert slit between us. Soup was heavenly (Seafood) but less in quantity particularly if you split it, followed by a good hummus and flat-bread appetizer, followed by the decent ceasar salad. I ordered the rack of Lamb, which was not cooked as week as I am used to but was very juicy, tender and overall extremely satisfying. Wifey said that it was her best rack of lamb ever. Wifey ordered the vegetable risotto , which was good. They have a very good wine list and I went for the Spanish Malbec (glass) which excellent with the lamb. We wanted the tiramisu but since it was out of stock, had to go for the Chocolate Elvis, which was underwhelming initially but the taste catches on and then you are hooked. Overall a great restaurant experience.
(5)
Grace F.
what a great little neighborhood joint to meet up with the brother and sister in law who came to meet us in nashville! at their selection, the 4 of us wound up here, and unbeknownst to 3 of us, this was our post engagement celebratory dinner! free champagne went around to toast our new engagement and the food was really really great. service was super hospitable...unfortunately with so much celebratory toasts, what was ordered slips my mind...crabcakes, hush puppies? fish entree...delish. thanks mad platter for helping us ring in the beginning of our lifetime together!
(4)
Stephanie B.
Absoultely delicious. Found it on yelp when i was there for the marathon event... a bit out of the way but worth the trip for a delicious lunch. Nashvilles best ruenen is amazing.
(5)
Anne Y.
My husband and I were in nashville for our 1 year anniversary last month and we had our anniversary dinner here. In short, it was excellent! The menu was creative and fresh. The space was cozy. Service was superb. You must try the Chocolate Elvis dessert - it's the best!! It is only a few minutes drive from downtown, and parking is no problem. We will defnitely go back!!!!!
(5)
Emily Y.
This is the most consistently good food in Nashville. Probably the best price/quantity/quality in the city. Go for the set menu 5 courses. The chef will also work with you on the menu if you call ahead in advance. (It's a constantly changing menu) You can split the 5 course meal and order an extra entree with is plenty for two. (Guest review written by Tom)
(4)
Rusty P.
This is a big statement, but I am going to make it "The most memorable overall culinary experience I have had in a long time." Where to begin, to resonate what many other yelpers have said this establishment doesn't remind you that your're in Nashville. Tucked in a quiet neighborhood, the place is trendy without trying to be so. The wait staff was informative, polite, and quick without being rushed. The bread was put in the oven for us as we arrived, and after our drinks came warm fresh bread accompanied our soups that were layered with an amazing orchestra of flavor. Upon the recommendation of our waiter, both my friend and I had the duck. I very rarely order this fowl when dining out as no one has quite mastered cooking this hard to make platter, but I soon was wondering if the chef could teach my (yes I am writing this) mother how to make it. It was a little pricey, but you definitely get, and then some, what you pay for.
(5)
Liz D.
This is a lovely, intimate place in East Nashville with okay food. I've had both catering and dine-in experiences with Mad Platter. The lunch catering included wraps or sandwiches with chips and a cookie, which was pricey for standard boxed meals that were nothing special. The dine-in experience was better. The service was excellent. We had the five-course meal, which was a great deal given the prices on the menu. The chili mac with gnocci, beef tips and three cheese sauce is very rich. The soup, a pesto bisque, was amazing- my favorite part of the meal, no doubt. The salad was standard. Our main courses were the sweet and sour duck and the beef filet. The duck was fine, but the vegetables and rice tasted like oversauced stir-fry from the frozen foods section. The beef filet was better, very flavorful and juicy. The chocolate elvis we had for dessert was very rich on the chocolate, but tasty. Overall, okay food, nice atmosphere, great service.
(3)
Janet S.
Like others I'm torn, lunch very mediocre, did dinner for the first time in 10 years last week. Walked in Friday night, 8.30pm, got a table right away, Table 17, by the bookshelves, perfect. Christmas decor lovely, noise level low, tables half full, what could be better, just a lovely Christmas atmosphere. Lightening fast service, I wanted Duck and I got Duck, cooked perfectly, it's side of risotto not so perfect. Nashville struggles with risotto and I am not sure why. Tiramisu for dessert - still had ice crystals in it but tasty. My husband had curried pumpkin soup, delicious, and a salad, nothing challenging but good. A lemon drop and a couple of glasses of Snapdragon and we were sorted. Just one of those rare occasions when the place matched the mood and the Duck lived up to my expectation. With the hustle and bustle of all the new fancy/trendy places that have sprung up in the last few years it was nice to get some peace and quiet with dinner and zero attitude.
In a recent article in my local San Francisco paper, our restaurant reviewer commented that most people, when they don't like a place, don't like the way they were treated. We traveled to TN two weeks ago. We had walked about two miles to get to The Mad Platter from our downtown hotel and were kinda tired. By that time we had put a lot of pressure on The Mad Platter to be worth the trek. It was the little touches that made us smile...the chrysanthemums on the table...the subtle lighting...the fact that Daniel, our server had to be the nicest guy ever.
(4)
victoria l.
I was visiting my daughter who recently moved to Nashville. We decided to get a late evening dessert so searched and found the Mad Platter open on Sundays. We loved the place! The server was informative and very helpful. The menu was interesting enough we ordered appetizers and dessert.. All was fantastic in taste and price! We had a lovely wine recommended by our server and though seemed pricey, it was a very generous portion so actually was more reasonable. My daughter plans to take her boyfriend there for a romantic dinner soon.. and we will be returning to try more of the menu next time we visit!
(5)
Mariela C.
Mad Platter is another good restaurant that adds to the already wonderfully charming Germantown. Rather than the usual stale restaurant ambiance, Mad Platter actually feels more like you are in someone's living room, and that with your meal you could just pick up a book off their shelf or stare blankly at the paintings on the wall. As far as the food goes my favorite is the spicy chicken quesadilla of their starter menu, or the Mad Platter Caesar salad. If anything it's a good cozy place to go grab a quick bite.
(4)
John G.
Just came back from lunch at the Mad Platter. Overall I'd say it was good, but slow. Service seemed to be jumbled. The food was good. I had the chicken quesosilla app, and the chicken sandwich with sauteed red onions and bbq sauce. Very affordable, very good, just slow service, which at lunch time is not ideal.
(4)
Nerissa I.
Went here last Sunday for a birthday and I can easily say that it was well worth it. The ambiance was lovely. The candles lit the room perfectly, the tables were nice and spacious. The artwork perfect. Kinda reminded me of the restaurants in the more artsy places of nyc (ie: williamsburg, one of the villages). Only con was the music which reminded me entirely of elevator music. Didn't go with anything at all. But the food... from the appetizer of Mushroom ravioli to the Lamb and Salmon entrees that were ordered to the Pear/Cinnamon dessert, it was enjoyed to the very last bite. The flavors were dead on - flavorful without being overwhelming, cooked perfectly and absolutely enjoyable.. The lamb with roasted veggies was just the right amount. The salmon, fresh and seasoned just perfectly. It was definitely worth every penny. Only thing that I regret is not living closer to the place. If I did, I would definitely frequent it again and again.
(4)
kimbe m.
This is probably the least predictable restaurant in Nashville, and not in a good way. We went there last weekend after a long absence in the hopes that things were better. I have to say, the service was fantastic, and because of the Christmas decorations, the whole place was a bit brighter. Staff are friendly and helpful, and it's a stunning atmosphere to eat in. I ordered duck because I love duck - the waitress warned me that the chef tended to cook it "until pink". I stressed that I like poultry cooked through, but it arrived red at the center. She kindly took it back for me, and it re-appeared, now pink in the center. No way was it cooked through. I don't know who told a few Nashville chefs - the chef at Miel does the same thing - that they're cool if THEY decide YOUR food preferences - but I really resent it when I'm paying good money and ask for something specific, then get the chef's preference instead. I also don't know who decided that pork and poultry should be served rare, but that seems to be happening a lot here. I'm sorry; I don't care where the poultry comes from, or how carefully it's raised - I still like it cooked! I wish places like Mad Platter, Miel, City House (who serve rare sausage) would hire chefs who could also cook a "normal" meal. I've had gourmet dining all over the world, spend a lot of time in Italy, and have to say, dinners like these make me long for your basic pork chop and baked potato. Sorry, Mad Platter. Wish it had gone better.
(2)
Lauren F.
one of the best restaurants in nashville! all of the entrees sounded enticing to me, which is rare occurrence! i got the artic char with capers,brown butter sauce, and braised cauliflower... it was rich without being heavy! my friend went for the 5 course tasting menu which is a great deal ( add $20 to any entree and get soup (always good! we had chicken and veggie), salad, appetizer (we got cheese plate with cranberry goat cheese with roasted beets, blue cheese with olives, brie and apples, raisin and black pepper quenelle, yummm), salad roasted beet!!), entree, and dessert. it is a beautiful, quaint atmosphere adorned with local art and a very warm place to eat. i cant wait to come back and try what they have with he changing seasons.
(5)
Natalie D.
Solid 4. The restaurant has a charming decor, plentiful parking in lovely Germantown. Host welcomed us upon arrival and walked us out when our meal was over, he was great! We ordered: cheese plate appetizer- good. Shrimp and Grits- delicious! Braised short rib- delicious! Filet- fantastic and perfectly cooked! We skipped dessert because we were too full. Food was 5 stars. Why the 4 star you ask? Our waitress was just ok (3.5 stars), she wasn't rude but she also didn't elevate our dining experience. Food seemed to take a while to come out, however we had good company and no where to go, so it was ok. Germantown cafe is still my neighborhood favorite but we will definitely be back to the Mad Platter!
(4)
Alyssa C.
I had a great experience here for lunch yesterday 7/17! After 6 hours of flying, we went to Enterprise for a RentaCar and the gentlemen working there highly suggested we go! Started with sharing a crab cake (great flavor, as a new englander I have never tasted one with a little southern touch!) great rolls and fresh butter. Then I got catch of the day! Salmon, Jasmin Rice & Summer squash (so delicious) and for dessert raspberry sorbet! The decor and atmosphere was so homey and I loved all your old fashioned books! Thanks for the great first meal of my trip to Nashville
(5)
Ruiqiu K.
Finally ventured out to Germantown. Specifically to this place, but it was good to finally try somewhere else in this city. Had the chicken salad, which came on banana bread, which I thought was an odd combination. I've had better banana bread and this was somewhat stale. But I thought the chicken salad was very well seasoned. Fruit consisted of grapes, one which rolled onto the floor somewhere. Not a place I'd specifically come back for, but if I'm in the area and friends wanted to go in, I'd still try something else on their menu.
(3)
Susan P.
The reviews for Mad Platter are mixed and my impression after eating there is mixed, too. We really like the Germantown area. The service was slightly better than average. We were there on a very busy Nashville weekend during Vandernilt commencement with 8:30 reservations and there were only about 3-4 parties in the restaurant which felt a bit creepy. We started off with flatbread (really nice but too much cheese for my diet) and a bottle of wine. We ordered a wedge salad , the fish special (dry), duck (very nice), the polenta veggie entree (like ratatouille ), crab cakes (ok--kind of mayonnaise-y), and another entree and ravioli appetizer . Portions were plentiful. We tried to order Elvis chocolate (they were out), then the waiter suggested tiramisu (it wasn't available after all). So we ended our evening . I think there is just too many excellent food choices in Nashville for a place like this to survive. I would recommend finding another spot. Not a bad choice, but there are so many better options in this price range and lower that unless you really need a quiet and low key spot, I would search further.
(3)
Angie Q.
Mad Platter was an impulse stop for brunch and we were very happy to discover this little gem. It was quiet and the service was delightful (Leanna). We started with the wild mushroom ravioli, which was good-nothing spectacular, but good. My husband ordered the bananas foster waffle, which we both enjoyed. It was sweet without being TOO sweet. I had the shrimp and grits. It was insanely good. I loved the gouda and sherry cream reduction. We finished with the trio of brulees. They were all good, but the blood orange soared over the others in flavor. The coffee was excellent and the cocktails were lovely. I enjoyed the spiked spiced tea and the husband had a bloody mary, which he said was excellent. I am docking a star simply because the bathroom really needs a good scrubbing and updating, It wasn't horrible by any means, but it is definitely not up to the standards of the price/class of the restaurant.
(4)
Candra G.
Definitely not impressed. Service was great, but that's about it. I should have known something was up when the placed wasn't packed out on a Friday night in Germantown. We started our meal with a cup of mushroom soup. Gag - it had a weird after taste and lukewarm at best. So, I unfortunately had to send it back (which I hate to do). For my main course, I had the shrimp and grits. While not the best I've ever had, they were decent. My beau had the lamp chop.....which lacked any seasoning whatsoever. Needless to say, we tried it - but most likely won't return because there are too many good restaurants in that neighborhood to choose from.
(2)
Christopher G.
Little gem I'm Germantown. My top five in Nashville easily especially for family or those wanting a long multi course comfort food dining experience guaranteed to leave you happy and content.
(5)
Benji G.
We are in Tennessee for the first time. We wanted a good place for lunch and tried to go down the street to Mullen's but the wait was over an hour. The front of the house guy suggested a couple places including Mad Platter. This being Father's Day the menu options were a little limited. But they were fine and my family of four was able to choose something that sounded good to them. The service was a bit slow but they were obviously busy for Father's Day. Once the food arrived I was a bit surprised by the portions for the price. Fruit is three small pieces? It tasted good but would've been a much better value for a dollar or two less than they were charging. It was easily one of the most expensive meals we had on our 10 day trip in TN and because of the prices was just not worth it. If it was cheaper I'd go back. Otherwise, when we're in town we'll opt for somewhere else.
(3)
Tim S.
Nice homey decor, prompt seating, service got a bit overwhelmed by the lunch rush after that. We ordered a variety of dishes, all of which seemed pretty decent but all seemed to be influenced by committee rather than a decisive chef. My carrot orange ginger soup had a fantastic mix of flavors and a great gingery bite but seemed too lightly based and insubstantial. The Rueben ("best in Nashville!") had excellent corned beef but was light on sauerkraut presence and I'd be happier if the bread could decide what the hell it was (answer: rye only please). Don't get me wrong, I liked it and will be back but thus far my expectations were a bit higher than what was delivered.
(3)
Saam T.
We came through on a food tasting tour. Service was good. We tasted the reuben. I love Reubens and have had my fair share. It was AMAZING. I was full before we ate, but I was the "gonna eat that?" guy to everyone that was eating their reuben slowly. Get it! The ambience is rustic and casual. Seems like a cool spot.
(4)
scott h.
Love this place. A hidden gem of Nashville. Great value and one of the best date night restaurants in town. Charming environment, nothing but good things to say.
(5)
Victoria W.
Loved this place! We got there about 10 minutes early for our 7:45 reservation and the table was ready. Our server was new, but he was so sweet and made sure our glasses were never empty. I ordered the pan-seared duck and it was amazing. My fiance ordered the lamb and enjoyed it. We will definitely be returning soon! We loved the location, there was plenty of free street parking. Casual dress code with a more elegant dining style is my favorite kind of restaurant.
(4)
Cee L.
This place is great for vegetarians/vegans. They always have nice appetizers (portabella ravioli is awesome) and a nice entree (risotto!). My partner loves the caesar salad and the crabcakes. Add to that a nice patio for outdoor seating and a cozy indoor space and this place is great. Great for romantic dates.
(5)
Shaye B.
*If half stars were possible, this would be 2.5* This place from the outside looks like a little gem off the beaten path in Nashville - but in the end it wasn't anything that special. I went with a group of 9 for a 5:30 reservation - when the restaurant opened. It was freezing outside and we got there a little early and were shivering in front of the restaurant. They kindly let us in about 10 minutes early, which worked out well because when they finaly did open we had already ordered drinks - which takes a while when you are dealing with 9 girls! *I would like to preface that the place seems nice, but not 5-star nice where a ketel one martini should cost $14.. I live in Atlanta and my drinks are not that expensive, even at high end restaurants* Then it came to ordering the food. We were prepping for a night of going out and drinking so many of us opted to order a starter salad and app for dinner - typical girls. The waitress was nice to ask who wanted what first. Then she brought out bread, and their bread was really good - and she kindly refilled it because obviously if I am going to be doing some heavy drinking later and eating a salad for dinner, I need to eat some bread. So then the first course came out and many of us were eating their fall salad. This was an excellent salad. Cubed roasted butternut squach, candied pecans, over mixed greens and a nice dressing. I believe there were some cranberries in the salad as well. The next course that came out was a huge fail for me - I had ordered mussels and they came out cold. Another girl at the table had ordered mussels for her first course - so the kitchen clearly decided to be lazy in an otherwise empty restaurant and cook my mussels at the same time. I promptly sent my mussels out and the waitress didn't seemed surprised and didn't apologize either. So that was a little disappointing. I received warm mussels less than 5 min later, so they probably didn't make me new mussels but rather just warmed mine up. Most people seemed content with their second courses. When the second round of drinks came out that was a bit of a disaster. They messed up a lot of the martini orders. I get that 9 martini orders can be a little difficult - but most of us asked for no vermouth which is a pretty simple alteration.. Another thing that was very off putting was the that the waitress and another lady taking care of us (probably the assistant manager) clearly did not like each other and they bad mouthed each other at our table. Whenever there was a mistake they blamed the other. They clearly did not communicate with each other because some things came out in double. I had never really experienced a dining experience with fighting staff before and it was uncomfortable - I did not go out to dinner to relive high school drama. So, all in all I was a bit surprised when I saw the final bill that my two martinis were outrageously expensive for Nashville - if I was in a bigger city, fine...if I had ordered grey goose martinis, maybe. But as I said $14 for a ketel one martini is more than I have ever paid. Then, my mussels were not comped and they should have been. A starter salad, bad mussels and 2 martinis should not cost me $50.. This was my first time in Nashville and at least for visitors, I wouldn't recommend this place because it is off the beaten path of other areas and there were plenty of other options out there.
(2)
Sheena T.
Mad Platter is a longtime favorite restaurant of mine. I made it back for the full dinner experience this weekend and wanted to write a current review. We had a party of 6 people, and they were very nice and accommodated the extra two people we brought along. I was bummed that they were out of the one cocktail I wanted, and then I tried to order wine, they were out of BOTH options that I asked for. Eessh... That wasn't great since it was 7:30 on a Friday night... come on guys! They no longer offer the price fix menu that they used to, they now change the menu daily and you need to visit their Facebook page to get a recent menu. Different. Kind of wish that they would post it on their website. Our table ordered appetizers, entrees, and dessert. The shrimp bisque was good but TINY, and the best dish was definitely the mushroom ravioli. It was out of this world. For entrees, the shining star was the duck, but I heard good things about the steak options and the shrimp and grits. I didn't love my lamb, but I think that is more because I don't like the shank part of the lamb. Will order differently next time. Our order of the chocolate creme brule was outstanding and I loved it! We made the mistake of ordering the chocolate Elvis as well and it was a very large piece of chocolate layered cake that was very rich. We should have stuck with the creme brule only, but hey, it was a Friday night so we splurged. Overall, a decent meal but not everything is a shining star dish and they need to stock up on their wine and cocktails!
If I could give this place 6 stars I would. Got the shrimp flatbread and went mmmmmmm with every bite!! Charming little restaurant in Germantown and wonderful service. How am I a native and just discovering this place!!??? Can't wait to go back! Well done chef!!!!!
(5)
Tammy R.
This was an interesting place. We visited from out of town. The location seemed a bit sketchy at first as the surrounding neighborhood wasn't so appealing. We went on a Sunday night and there was only one other party the entire time we were there. The food was good but the shrimp & grits were very heavy in a cream sauce. The chocolate "house" dessert wasn't at all what i thought it would be. I wouldn't order it again. Wasn't exactly the flour-less cake i was expecting. Cocktails were good. photos to follow.
(3)
Lisa W.
My husband and I ate dinner here a few days ago. It was absolutely phenomenal. We didn't have a reservation, and the lady that sat us assured it was no problem and that she was glad we were there. Her name was Robin and she actually ended up waiting on our table. The food was outstanding. My husband had the Duck w/ ravioli, and I had a collaboration of many meals. LOL. I have multiple food allergies, and Robin made sure that I was getting exactly what I wanted by explaining my different options and communicating thoroughly with the kitchen. She showed great concern for my annoying food reactions. She could not have been sweeter. I am usually so embarrassed to order food at restaurants, but she actually made me laugh about how silly that is. Our entire experience was amazing. We will certainly be back.
(5)
JD C.
Fun menu, great location, great waiter staff, interesting restaurant all the way around. We visited on a lunch date, but would love to see it in the evening for a dinner.
(4)
Alice H.
We went for lunch today, not my first time, but I hadn't been there in a while since I used to work down the street. It was holy unremarkable, which is a shame because it is quite pricey for lunch. I give it two stars because the service was spot-on and I like the decor. However, it was far too loud and was a terrible place for a business lunch. I can't speak to the other's food, but mine was very disappointing. It began with a bowl of rolls delivered to the table. They were hot, but not particularly tasty and the butter served with them had a freezer-burned taste. I had the wild mushroom ravioli. It was absolutely bizarre. I love mushrooms, but this was covered in so many sauces (yes, two), that I couldn't taste the filling. Maybe I've watched too many episodes of Kitchen Nightmare, but the pasta didn't taste fresh or homemade. I think that Butoni wild mushroom agnoletti in the grocery store would have been better. Disappointing, too, because Lazarolli's is right across the street and I'm sure they would have provided wonderful ravioli. Worst were the sauces. It was floating in a really thin tomato sauce that then had dollops of pesto on top. Both were salty, but then there were the most bizarre spices coming through (for example, dill and cilantro!). A light cream sauce would have been lovely and would have complemented the mushrooms beautifully! It was really, frankly, awful. But to make it weirder, it was served with mushy brussel sprouts that had been cooked with peppers and onions on the side. Maybe that's where that dill came from in the pesto sauce? They had a large sign up that boasted locally-sourced product, such as Noble Springs, but I didn't see any sign that there was goat cheese on the menu! Maybe I didn't read it closely. There are great places nearby that are good values. I wouldn't go back. (I've also had a bad experience with their catering, but that's another story for another day).
(2)
Correy S.
This place seems to want to be better, more tasty and more fancy than it actually is. Our appetizers took 45 minutes to get to the table and then our entree came 15 mins after, forcing is to scarf down the appetizers. Good quality didn't seem that great. Good temperature was really bad. My "medium" cooked steak came to the table barely room temp, on top of a bed of room temperature mashed potatoes and cold asparagus (really cold).
(2)
Jennifer M.
I visited Mad Platter for the first time last night. I made a reservation for two at 8:15, but surprise!!!! I showed up with three people. This posed no problem for the host, who got us right in at a table for four. Our waitress was really good--efficient, helpful, friendly, and rather funny. Between us, we had the cheese plate, filet, salmon, and three different desserts. Everything was really good. I would remark that the portion sizes are a wee bit smaller than might be standard for a Nashvillian's appetite, but we walked away totally satisfied. We also enjoyed a great bottle of sparkling wine and a few craft beers. The atmosphere is cute, and the restaurant is pretty small, which may pose a problem if you are trying to eat at prime time. All in all, yep, I'm a fan!
(4)
Nikolai P.
Cute, quaint, relaxing environment. The service was very friendly and attentive. Food was delicious. Will definitely be coming back!!
(5)
Lisa B.
This is a funky place with good service. I found the food bland. The mushroom bisque needed something and had too many mushrooms to be a true bisque. Salad was almost flavorless. Crab cake is tiny and full of fillers. Not what I expect at those prices. Maybe it was on off night.
(3)
Phoenix R.
A couple of coworkers and myself decided to try Madplatter's for lunch. I had the grilled chicken sandwich and was disappointed. The chutney sauce was nonexistent, overpowered by mayo sauciness, but then again the waitress said the chef did it on the fly - not a valid reason anyway. My friend had the Reuben, and it had very littel kraut on it which is fine by me, but no Russian sauce on the Reuben. My other friend ordered a ceasar salad - composed mostly of romaine hearts - not much green at all! Sounds like we got the short end of the lunch stick especially for the prices. Too bad. I was hoping to have a better gastronomical experience. Perhaps the non sandwich dishes would fare better.
(2)
Debbie W.
I love the Mad Platter! I have eaten there numerous times with my husband and friends. The food is always good. We have gotten fish dinners, appetizers and desserts. The fish tasted very fresh and yummy. The appetizer with gnocchi and beef is very delish and the Elvis and the Tiramusi are both melt in your mouth good. Another great thing is the wait staff. We have had Robin and Britanny. They are both so friendly. To top it off the atmosphere is great. It is cozy, quiet and nostalgic with good music. You can actually carry on a conversation without talking loud. I recommend it for a date night, business meeting, girls night out and special celebrations
(5)
Adam S.
Because it was recommended by a few friends, my wife and I ventured to The Mad Platter for our anniversary dinner. We're so glad we did! We started with the cheese plate and it was great. I'm not up on the fancy cheeses, but there were 3 or 4 different kinds and they were all great. Oh, and the sauces were awesome. A fruit one and a mustard-based one. For the main course, we both enjoyed the shrimp and grits. Wow. Just wow. Everything about this was phenomenal. The added sausage and peppers were a nice touch. We finished with the Chocolate Elvis - a chocolate cake with 3 different kinds of chocolate. Very rich and very delicious. Great for sharing. Overall, the rustic environment and "mood lighting" added to the overall great experience. We actually started planning our trip back to the Mad Platter on our way home!
(5)
Nicole P.
I was surprised it wasn't busier on a Friday night, but thankful for it. I had the shrimp and grits, and was so happy with my choice! However, service was slow and my boyfriend wasn't too impressed with his strip steak (being the master of grilling that he is). He ordered it medium rare and it came almost medium well, but it still had good flavor. We really enjoyed the mac and cheese appetizer, as well as the crab cake (literally one crab cake), and again I can't praise the shrimp and grits enough, although I originally wanted the pork chop (which they were out of) to try their vanilla whipped sweet potatoes. Can't say I would go back regularly, but overall we had a good time.
(3)
Aileen K.
My sisters and I had a great dinner at the Mad Platter this past weekend. It was our first dinner out in Nashville during our weekend trip and our waitress, Mary Rose, was phenomenal! She was very knowledgeable on the menu (the food and drinks were delicious) and her fun and professional attitude made our dining experience a great one! She also gave us great recommendations for places to eat and things to do while in town as well as introducing us to the LYFT service. Thanks, Mary Rose!
(4)
Cait C.
We had a decent meal here on a week night and were just about the only ones in the restaurant. We all enjoyed our meals. I wouldn't say its particularly memorable, but you won't be disappointed. Enjoyed the vegetable risotto the most. would have liked to see more homemade deserts like pies.
(4)
Alex C.
This little restaurant is on the corner of a residential neighborhood. It's a white table cloth restaurant, but has a nice casual feel to it. The foods good and the service is excellent. I ordered the rack of lamb and my friend the pork chop. The porkchop was delicious, though my lamb was also good. Portions are just right to leave some room for dessert. There is also a full bar and they're not stingy on their portions.
Have been meaning to visit this spot for some time on visits to Nashvegas. Managed to get there for brunch and it was a homerun. Restaurant is in an older but well-maintained building in Germantown neighborhood. The dining room is on the small side, but with sufficient space between tables so as not to feel penned in. The decor is simple, charming and pleasant. Service was outstanding, despite visiting during a busy period (and given what appeared to have been an unexpected shortage of staff). Our party of 5 all reported that their selections were excellent. Reservation recommended during peak hours. Outdoor garden / patio area available in nice weather.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Romantic Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Bernadette W.
Went out to Mad Platter on a Sunday night with four other people. We were the only table there and, despite our better instincts we decided to stay. The only reason I am giving this place two stars rather than one is because the server was friendly and efficient. The food was way overpriced, poorly prepared, not fresh, under seasoned and heavy. The menu seemed to be stuck in the eighties. I got the "catch of the day", which was the best thing on the table, despite it tasting more like it was caught last week. In the description of the dish it was supposed to come with roasted, local vegetables and a Moroccan curry rice. It came out with cold spinach and mushrooms. The rice was cold, bland and gummy. The real head scratcher were the warm, mushy strawberries that were under the rice. What the.....? Two of my companions got the vegetable risotto. Both came out ice cold. The waiter graciously returned them to the kitchen for a warm up and offered us free dessert in compensation. Despite this, the risotto remained overcooked and similar in texture to cement. Again, the vegetables were not fresh. Two other people got shrimp and grits. The shrimp was cooked fine, although not seasoned. The grits were cold and so drowned in cream sauce that they were inedible. By the end of the meal, we were all disinclined to get dessert. We were told that we would be compensated somehow, but that didn't happen. Obviously, I will not be returning to this place.
(2)Rachel A.
I've been to Mad Platter several times. The food is good, but the service is disappointing. There are too many great restaurants in Nashville with excellent service to waste a night out at this place. Last time I was there, the waitress described the daily special incorrectly - what she described as two soft shell crabs on a vegetable medley was actually linguini with crab on top. I (politely!) asked to switch out the dish because I didn't want a pasta dish, and I thought that she and the wait staff were rude in response. The waitress never apologized for describing the dish incorrectly. My husband's food got cold while we waited, and they charged us for the more expensive entree. I understand getting the daily special wrong, but was let down by the service in response to the mistake. And as a side note, the wine comes Ina very small glasses and is not worth the price per glass - if you do go to mad platter, get a bottle!
(1)Alexis S.
Rudest staff I've ever encountered the manager was rude and refused to accommodate our party then accused our group of leaving without paying. This is the worst experience I've ever had as an out of town guest not to mention they limited their menu without saying anything. I Will NEVER Go Back AND Ensure ALL 5000 FB follwers, 400 twitter follwers, and all of YELP. The Mad Platter is the Mad fool!!!!
(1)Ilsa K.
My husband and I dined there a few weeks ago and were disappointed. We ordered salmon and it wasn't the best quality. We are use to eating salmon from whole foods, which is exceptional. This was very thin and just not good. Also, I was surprised the portions of rice and vegetables were the size of a table spoon. There just isn't that much overhead in those two dishes. It was rather insulting. It is a cute place, it you can't eat atmosphere.
(3)Bridget S.
A nice evening out for date night with the hubby. Great service, atmosphere quaint and food delicious. The shrimp and grits were oh so creamy with a bit of spicy sausage, peppers and cherry tomatoes. The pork belly appetizer....YUMMIE. Hubby enjoyed the scallops. Nice sized portions.
(4)Erin H.
Had a couple of hours in between meetings, so stopped in for lunch with my client contact. So glad we came here. She had the chicken salad, which came with a good helping of delicious looking fruit and banana bread. She graciously offered me a slice of the banana bread, which is among the best I've ever had. I love reubens so had to get the "best reuben in Nashville." It may not be the absolute best, but it is pretty darn good! I also tried a cup of the andouille sausage and chickpea soup, which was amazing. I would have been happy with a bowl of that! The restaurant itself is charming and our hostess/server was very friendly and attentive. Overall, it was a really good experience.
(4)Barb L.
We stumbled upon Mad Platter on our first night in Nashville and are we are so glad we did. The experience was wonderful from the moment we stepped in the door. The patio was gorgeous and intimate. We both started with soup; mine was an amazing carrot and ginger soup topped with toasted coconut. My husband had a beef Burgundy that he though was some of the best soup he had ever had. Meals were shrimp and grits for my husband - again he love this - it was his first time having shrimp and grits. I had a special appetizer made up of small portions of heirloom tomato salad, potato salad, cucumber salad and other wonderful treats. For dessert we shared a decadent triple chocolate ganache cake. WOW! Sam was a wonderful and attentive server and made the evening truly special for us. If you have a chance, you have to try the Mad Platter!
(5)Brooke L.
Jesus Christ! Did I just read FRIED BISCUITS WITH CHIPOTLE CHORIZO GRAVY?! Yes. Yes, I did. I want you to know THAT happened and it was amazing. In fact, it was better than YOU are imaging right this second. So Mad Platter is cool, I went for brunch and I didn't leave disappointed. I loved their fresh take on classic dishes and I went with a Crab Benedict which was basically an symphony in my mouth. The service was a bit slow, but what else do ya got to do on a Sunday morning? Oh yeah I also tried their Blood Orange Mimosa. I'd stick wit ht he regular!
(4)Peter P.
Started with the Mad Platter appetizer which had several things on it but none were exciting or exceptional in any way, really. Tried the beer cheese soup, which was ok and their wedge salad, which I though was done pretty well. For dinner, I got the lamb dish and I liked it, but not else on the menu really jumped out at me so not sure if I'll go back or not.
(3)Sasser M.
We visited this location a few days ago, not for a special occasion thankfully but as a casual get-out of the house for dinner. On the whole, we'd rather not spend hard earned cash here again. It feels like throwing it away. The $9 crab cake while tasty is very tiny and you only get one of them. I've eaten comparable crab cake small plates that come with 2 large crab cakes of a similar structure and quantity of crab at other Nashville locations for a comparable price. The black-eye pea hummus was novel, it's something I'd eat again. Other people at the table felt it was bland. I feel the chili oil was a nice touch. The chorizo shrimp had an unusual flavor that nobody enjoyed, for $12 dollars it was tiny and unappealing. I love shrimp and only ate half of one shrimp. I ordered the corn-crusted trout. Sadly the bland corn meal just lay there on top while the bottom of the fish had a limp oily skin on it. As to the rest of the plate which included "crispy" potatoes that were not crispy, bland crawfish tails, green pears, onions and mixed peppers. It was all covered in an oily sheen which when added to the oily skin made the whole thing an oily mess. I couldn't eat but perhaps a third of the plate, it was disgusting.
(2)Lisa T.
Such an amazing meal. We were visiting from out of town and got to try out Mad Platter's and so glad we did. It was the best meal we had during our stay in Nashville. My husband and I shared the 5 course dinner and added an extra appetizer on the side. It was plenty of food and absolutely delicious. Every course was spot on. I highly recommend the spinach bacon salad with the fried egg on top. It was outstanding with the perfect blend of salty and sweet. Also the pork chop was awesome. My husband picked up the bone and ate every last bit of meat. The sides that came with it were perfect as well. And the dessert...the Elvis Presley one - sooo good. Delicate, sweet, but not too rich. YUM! Plus the staff there are so friendly! The visit here was really a highlight of our trip!!!
(5)Nancy B.
We ate there for breakfast. Got a spanish omelet and potatoes, spiced tea, and topped it off with a dessert!! Bananas foster. We shared the meal, but it was delicious!! Service was fantastic!!! Food was amazing, atmosphere was really nice , good music, fresh flowers, overall a great dining experience. It was our first time there... and we WILL be back .
(5)Jessy Y.
This is the kind of restaurant that I've heard good things about for years but would have never gone had I not had a soon-to-expire Groupon. I'm glad I went. If you're going at regular dinner hours, definitely make reservations. I did it online (there's just something stress-free about not having to talk on the phone), and on Friday morning the only reservations left were either 6 or earlier, or 8:30 or later. When we got there, I realized it was probably because the place is so small. It's in an old house, and it actually reminds me of a library. Lots of old wood, bookshelves and a couple paintings featuring our own Yazoo. The bad thing about visiting their website beforehand was making the mistake of looking at the menu and getting excited about items that they weren't serving that night. I understand that they are all about local and fresh, but every appetizer and entree we had picked out wasn't on the evening's menu. Alas. Instead, we ordered some sort of crab cake appetizer with a fried green tomato relish that was rich and delicious. The number-one way to please my carb-loving boyfriend is to serve bread, and they came through on that one, so we were being real classy, putting the tomato relish on the bread. Maybe not how it was meant to be served, but it worked. He ordered the Maple Leaf Farms duck - I only mention the farm name because we just featured them in one of the magazines I edit, and it's unusual to recognize a non-Tennessee brand (they're in Indiana) in a local restaurant. I'm not a fan of duck - I tried it, but just don't like the texture - but the boy loved it. It came with what they called chorizo but wasn't ground like Mexican sausage is usually served - it was cured, like bacon, so obviously that was delicious. I ordered the pork tenderloin - not my usual choice, but I am newly returned to the hardcore carnivore side of the menu, particularly at sustainable-focused restaurants like the Mad Platter, and I really do love the sweet meat genre of entrees. The pork came with sweet potatoes and some sort of greens mixed with tomatoes... all bursting with flavor. Unfortunately, I had filled up on bread and crab cakes, but my leftovers tasted just as amazing heated up in some Corningware in the oven. So, I'd say this place is perfect for date night... not a place I'll be visiting often, but perfect for special occasions.
(4)Naomasa H.
Came here for a private event in the summer. Great atmosphere and ambiance. Friendly staff. The lamb was well made and delicious. Grabbed a tasty Reuben Sandwich during Oktoberfest. Looking forward to trying more of their menu!
(4)Steve J.
A cool spot with an eclectic menu. The service is great, and the food delicious. A decent wine list, and some funky artwork (for sale) on the walls. You feel the pride of ownership with everyone that helps you.
(4)Brandon G.
Mad Platter needs to step up their game to hang in Germantown. Silo, Monell's, City House, Rolf&Daughters, are all operating on a higher level. Got the mad platter appetizer sampler, every item was meh. Followed with caesar salad, tasted like your typical caesar. For entree went with the Jaegersnitzel, which if you're wondering is some kind of mix of dry pork on mashed potatoes that taste like mashed potatoes, the cabbage was actually somewhat inspired but overall nothing stands out about this place.
(2)David O.
After an unfortunate change of plans the better half and I ended up here for dinner. Service was a tad on the slow side, but they had just opened 30 minutes prior to our arrival and nobody else was eating so I had time to visit with my best gal. The prices are high for what you get, but the lamb I had was delicious and left me wanting more. This is certainly a place to take a date for a romantic dinner and not some place I would recommend stopping in just for a meal unless you have fat stacks in your wallet. Parking was not an issue for our visit, but like the rest of Germantown, it's all on the street, so you might have to hunt for a bit. Overall I would return, but only for a date night.
(3)Sandy T.
Best tasting comfort food w a twist!
(4)Valerie M.
Just when I was beginning to lose faith in the Nashville restaurant scene, we decided to try Mad Platter. Both my husband and I are native Nashvillians, so what took us so long? It offered just the right amount of romantic ambience (without being too dark to see my food), yummy, thoughtful food (without being too frou-frou), and, as much as I don't like having to cross the river and drive to East Nashville for a decent meal, it was close enough that I didn't feel like I was entering the belly of the beast. Their 5-course menu choice is an awesome way to do dinner. Add $20 to the cost of your entree and you get soup, salad, appetizer, entree & dessert. All of our food was very tasty and our service was good. We explained that we had TPAC tickets and they did a great job pacing our meal. Two cons: lack of music (would have taken the night from delightful to enchanting) and the size of the restaurant (I counted appx. 18 tables with a seating capacity of maybe 60ish). The size didn't affect my enjoyment of my meal, but it definitely necessitates making a reservation ahead of time.
(4)Kristin Marie S.
I'm torn about the Mad Platter. We went for my 30th birthday with our Groupon we purchased 6 months ago. When we got there we were seated at the dreaded "vent" table. Hot air was literally blowing up my a**. I'm not sure why they even have a table there. I asked to be moved. And we're off....to a slower sluggish start. We decided to go with the 5 course meal option since hey, we had the Groupon and it was my birthday. The soup, curried pumpkin, was the absolute highlight of the meal. I could have slurped a whole vat of that stuff. The steak gnocchi appetizer, again, wonderful. The cheese plate was a typical cheese plate, satisfying and a nice break between courses. Then came the salad, totally acceptable use of fruit and veggies. Things are going relatively smoothly, relatively because the giant glow Santa was kind of creepy and oddly placed, on top of the bar. Then comes the main course. The pork was over-cooked, the pasta, eh. I know pasta isn't always exciting but it was a bit too salty and blah. I saw people eating the steak and that looked pretty awesome, which made me even more sad about my pasta. I should have known though, I came in wanting the artichoke risotto I saw online but the menu changed, as it should, and decided to stick to my veggielution. Finally dessert. The tiramisu was great, the bananas foster, not so foster. It was ice cream, brown sugar and bananas. Where was the rum and the flames?? Either way it still was a good dessert but you should be forewarned. I'm not sure I would go back but I also don't regret going.
(3)Brian C.
I had tried the Mad Platter several years ago, before I made Nashville my home. I was underwhelmed. A friend had given me dinner for two as a gift; so, I was given the opportunity to try Mad Platter again. I'm so grateful (Kate) for that gift card! Everything about this experience was virtually perfect. I've always loved the atmosphere and location. It truly feels local. It's rich, robust and almost story book. It feels like a movie set in there, layered with tons of character. The service is first class. We were treated with style, grace and attention. Nothing new there, but this time the food was amazing. We both had the beef. My spouse and I aren't big on little ditty food on the plate, but in this case, we ate everything on the plate. All the nameless garnishes were even excellent. Dessert was amazing. They KNOW how to do bananas foster correctly. The creme brulee was a bit citrusy for my spouse's taste but I liked it! Mad Platter now joins the ranks of Margot, as one of my favorite fine dining spots in Nashville.
(5)Steven D.
Amazing menu! Go for the 5 course dinner - soup, salad, appetizer, entree and desert! It's the cost of your entree + $20 and it's worth it! I had chilled ginger peach soup, spinach salad with watermelon feta and toasted almonds in a blood orange vinegarette, I moved my appetizer to follow my entree of mixed grill - beef tenderloin in tomato jam and lamb chops with pomegranate reduction served with mashed and fresh green beans. I followed that with my appetizer of a cheese course and took desert home of chocolate Elvis! Eat here!!!!
(5)Eliza R.
Yelp needs to allow half-star ratings! Mad Platter was not quite a 4, but definitely deserves more than a 3. 3.5 it is, then. At the last minute, my other half and I decided we wanted to go out for something fancy on Valentine's Day, and we ended up at the Mad Platter around 9pm. Compared to some of the other fine dining establishments in Nashville (like Germantown Cafe or Margot), the food is not quite as mind-blowing; nothing made me exclaim "Oh my goodness, wow! This is so amazing!" However, the food was still solidly good and deserves the 4 stars. Because it was Valentine's Day, the lights were dimmed and the tables were adored with tea lights and roses. There was a special menu for the holiday and we each got 3 courses for $55, which was a little pricey for us and maybe not *quite* worth it. Anyhow, I got a cup of tomato fennel soup which was decent, although a bit on the salty side. The spinach and strawberry salad that followed, however, was really wonderful and fresh and I loved the edible orchid that accompanied it. Sadly, there were not very many veggie-friendly dishes on the menu, save for a stuffed eggplant. I had already eaten eggplant for lunch (darn, I should have looked at the menu beforehand!), so I opted for some pan-seared sea scallops with a butternut puree and veggies. Now, these were admittedly amazing and were what convinced me finally that the food was worth the price! My date had the cheese and fruit plate as an appetizer and the fillet of beef for her main entree - she said it was the best steak she's ever had in her life.
(3)Paul M.
This place is as good as it gets for comfort food romantic atmosphere and actually being able to hear the person you're dining with. Menu never disappoints when every other place is trying to charge high dollars for tiny plates filled with mediocre pasta, skirt steak, yawn chicken, or bottom feeding flash frozen turd fish. Love the mad platter. Chocolate Elvis not to be missed.
(5)Zeb M.
I'm sorry, but I cannot give Mad Platter four stars. I went here for Valentine's and it was a great meal, but I definitely would not be paying that much money again for what I ordered. (Especially when I consider better finer dining restaurants in town for a little less). I don't NORMALLY spend upwards to $100 on a meal for two, so when I do I want it be memorable, and sadly Mad Platter was just not that.
(3)Lindz B.
The food is so much fancier than the place looks, it's truly a southern gourmet treat. Be prepared to spend a little if you try a few things and get a bottle of wine like we did.
(4)Krystal L.
This is one if the best restaurants in Nashville. The waiting staff is excellent and very friendly. Love the ambience, almost feels like you have stepped outside of Nashville. One of my favorite dishes is the rack of lamb. DELICIOUS, might just be one of the best spots for lamb.Make sure that you save room for dessert, the Elvis chocolate cake is so so good.
(5)Jemina B.
I'd heard good things about Mad Platter for years, and decided to pay it a visit to see what the cleverly named restaurant was all about. Reservations weren't a problem, since I did them right from Yelp (shameless plug!), and we were seated right away. The ambience is small, cozy, and quite homey. Our server was laid back and answered our questions regarding the menu with ease. My dinner date and I both opted for the filet with the option to expand the meal to five courses for $20 over the entree price. Uh, best idea ever! We got the tater tots as an appetizer, which was served with an aioli sauce that made me swoon. Black bean and chicken soup was hearty and delicious, followed by pear, cheese, and pecan salad. Oh, bread comes as well, so you're pretty much stuffed before the entree. The entree: filet mignon. Ever heard of it? I ordered mine medium rare and I was tempted to eat the entire thing in one bite, it was so damn good. SO. GOOD. But the Piece de Resistance? Dessert. Chocolate Elvis is the name of the triple layered tart that makes my heart melt just thinking about it. Seriously, if you're a chocolate fan, it's worth it to go just for this dessert. Sinful. Rich. Delightful. Mad Platter - you and I aren't through. I'll be back like a moth to a flame for your decidedly amazing foods.
(4)Carme R.
Great place, awesome food clearly made with the best quality ingredients. My duck breast was slightly overcooked, but I enjoyed the flavor and it went beautifully with the boletus ravioli. My fiancé had some awesome roasted lamb. Nice wine selection, nice bread, nice coffee. The atmosphere is a bit dark--make it a romantic dinner!
(4)Brandon W.
Went here a few days ago with my girlfriend, was such a nice experience. Very relaxed environment, causal bit of a romantic ambiance as well. And the food, man the food. I had the pork chop and she had the salmon, they were both delicious. She had to keep me from picking up the bone to gnaw off the last few bits of goodness, til I saw another guy doing it so I couldn't stop myself. We both rarely clean our plates, but we did this time. Went on a Thursday night so it was not crowded at all, had really good service, and good selection of wines. Overall we were really impressed, were planning on when to go back as we were driving home.
(5)Ted A.
Friendly Slow service. Terrific food
(3)Ladonna M.
Me and a friend went there for dinner about 6:30 pm on a Saturday night. I had the duck breast and she had the fresh fish of the day. Both were excellent and the portions were just about right with appetizers to start. We were both tempted but didn't think we would have room for the 5 course dinner. I wish I had kept room for the desserts that I saw served at other tables. The server was very nice but some times took a little longer to get back to us as more tables filled up. A bit pricey but I still recommend this. Enjoyed the seasonal and local items on the menu too.
(4)Ryan D.
Well the Mad Platter didn't disappoint. These guys delivered great service, food and atmosphere with a very unique menu. A business friend of mine and I stopped in here after the shuttle driver at the Double Tree told us it was a must have. He was dead right. The interior is dim, eclectic, homey and comfortable. The wonderful Germantown area is the perfect place for a restaurant like the Mad Platter to call home. I started with a cold Yazoo, fresh bred and some potato soup. The soup was fantastic and seemed to have numerous layers for such a simple starter. I kept tasting the different spices and notes even after the bowl was gone. The menu is very diverse and boats local ingredients and seasonal veggies. I ordered the duck because in my experience on this planet anyone who is worth a damn in the culinary world should be able to cook duck well. It's actually rather difficult to cook well and very easy to pair poorly. They nailed it! I haven't ever had duck that good, and I really mean that. This place is a must see on your Nashville culinary tour. You will not be disappointed.
(5)Tina S.
I thought this restaurant was excellent! Loved the food, atmosphere & service. For $20 more per entree you get a 5 course meal. So much food and totally worth it. My husband and I had Mac N Cheese appetizer, Beef Filet and the incredible dessert Chocolate Elvis. All of these were recommended on yelp and definitely did not disappoint. You can't go wrong here. Also, they had an extensive wine collection for wine lovers. The restaurant staff were excellent with perfect timing. I love Germantown and like these eclectic locations in Nashville. If you are looking for casual but gourmet dining, these place is a must!
(5)April M.
It was a hot and sticky night when a friend and I decided to have small plates at Mad Platter Restaurant in Historic Germantown Nashville. The staff was so pleasant and helpful and seemed like they were really glad we were there. Well, let me tell you, not so glad as we were! I so wish I'd taken pictures of our plates. Like I said it was hot outside and had been...really unpleasant for several days, so we opted for cool appetizers....each a crab cake served with cucumber chow chow and lime jalapeño remoulade, and we shared an order of BLT Bruscetta ....Oh, my gosh! How much better could it have been?! Not a bit until Cory tempted us with peach shortbread. About as good as anything I've ever eaten. We should have had one each.....and the peaches aren't even really in yet. I heartily recommend The Mad Platter ..and don't forget, they serve brunch. It's great to live in a city of so many really good restaurants with chefs who know fresh food and how to prepare it, better yet that this one is right around the corner!
(4)Elizabeth A.
I recently went to Mad Platter and have to say, it's at the top of my Nashville Favorites list. I love the location, sweet street in Germantown, I love the atmosphere, quiet, dark and warm, and the food is fresh, local and deliciously prepared. My boyfriend ordered the steak which was cooked exactly as he ordered and I ordered the duck, which is an unusual choice for me, but delicious and cooked to perfection. I look forward to returning soon, as they change their menu options often, according to season. I definitely recommend Mad Platter, although on the more expensive side, it adds a unique flavor to Nashville's-somewhat-bland restaurant scene.
(4)Rachel S.
I agree that the Mad Platter is VERY expensive, and maybe not quite spectacular enough to be priced at what it is. Still, it's a lovely place in Germantown, a very un-Nashville neighborhood. It's casual enough for lunch and perfect for a date. I loved the ambiance. It was small, rustic, with one wall acting as a semi-library. An old fashioned stove remains in the dining hall. It's dark, extremely romantic. You can supply your own bottle of wine, and there is a $15 corkage fee. We indulged in the 5-course prixe fixe, a savings of... well, a lot. You get to have one of everything - a soup, appetizer, salad, entree, and dessert. Holy moly. Everything was very well done and tasted excellent. The sweet corn chowder was a little spicy thanks to the bitty red peppers floating in it. The gumbo was smoky and thick, one of the more unusual things we ate that night. Salads were salads, with a few special ingredients to gourmet-ify them. The beet salad included flavorful goat cheese and pine nuts. We had the fried green tomato, which was topped with a mayonnaise-y frisee of greens. I realize mayonnaise-y isn't exactly the most positive of connotations, but that really does described it. In any case, it was great. We also had the tuna carpaccio, a hammered thin raw tuna filet that took up the entire plate. It was topped with an Asian-soy flavoring and avocado. Nice. Entrees: We had the crusted rack of lamb and the salmon. The lamb was rare, very well done and three 360 degrees characteristic of the dish made each bite complete. What do I mean? Well, if you scooped up everything on the plate in one fork-full - the crust, the lamb, the rissoto, etc. - that was the way to really get the full experience. The salmon was another very well cooked piece of fish I've in Nashville (everybody tells me not to eat fish in a landlocked state, but I have experienced some wonderfully prepared fish here), and was served on top of stewed spinach, honeydew and cucumber. I don't like honeydew, but when served in a hot compote-like thing it was really nice. The salmon was glazed with rum and mango. And finally for dessert, we had creme brulee and bananas foster. The bananas foster was exceptional. How could it not be, really? Butter, brown sugar, bananas, and ice cream. Sounds like a winner. The creme brulee was surprisingly thick, and enhanced with lemon zest. The crust was maybe a little under crispy, possibly due to the inclusion of lemon in the dish?? In any case, I would absolutely go back to the Mad Platter for another meal, but it would have to be a special occasion meal. Its name implies to me that the food should be more adventurous, abnormal. It's not quite strange enough for me. Yes it's pricey and your dollar could go a little further elsewhere. Still, I enjoyed being and eating there so much that there is no doubt I will return.
(4)Kel Vin W.
This is now my favorite restaurant in Nashville! We started with the andouille sausage gumbo and chicken with mushroom soup, both were very good, I especially liked the the roux of the gumbo was darker. We also had the crabcakes which were as good or better than Legal Seafood's crabcakes. We ordered the filet mignon and the rack of lamb for entrees. And both were cooked to perfection. I've never had lamb that is so tender it almost "melts" in your mouth! Lastly, we ordered a tiramisu to share. I often order tiramisu wherever I go, and Mad Platter's Tiramisu is the absolute best in Nashville, and just about the best I've ever had!
(5)Jamie A.
I'm a big fan of Mad Platter. When I worked in MetroCenter, this was a once-a-week stop for a fantastic lunch. The lunch menu changes seasonally, but one of the all time best dishes I enjoyed was a pecan crusted chicken with a creamy strawberry sauce. I'm also a big fan of the creamy dill dressing. I've only had one dinner experience, but it was fantastic. We ended up doing the multi-course deal for one and an entree for the other. No way we could finish two appetizers/salads/desserts in addition to our mains. The chili-mac (beef tips and gnocchi) appetizer was absolutely decadent. We also had a wild mushroom bisque that was subtle and not too mushroomy (I know, a mushroom hater shouldn't order mushroom bisque...). I had a steak and my boyfriend had the lamb. Both were cooked beautifully! We finished off dinner with creme brule and coffee. An fitting finish to a great date night.
(5)Mallory S.
Had been wanting to try the Mad Platter for years and finally did last night for a friend's birthday dinner. When I made the reservation they asked if we were celebrating and then printed a special message for my friend on our menus. The setting is endearingly quaint and the service is excellent. The menu is excellent and has a nice range. Definitely go for the 5 course dinner---well worth the $20 added to the price of the entree!!!! The highlights of our meal were the chili mac appetizer, the wild mushroom ravioli appetizer, the filet with gorgonzola butter, the maple leaf duck, the bananas foster, and the chocolate elvis. Will definitely be back in the future! Great prices for a delicious meal!
(5)David G.
Mad Platter, you drive me to the brink of insanity like the Mad Hatter... or, even better, like Charlie Sheen. Seriously, there is somewhere trapped inside you a deeply lovable man who obviously cares about his children but on the outside there is a complete lunatic who is "bi-winning". Our server for the evening was impeccable, and was able to describe the dishes for the evening in a meaningful way and was knowledgeable of the wine - to the point that he described our Malbec as "one of his favorites" as he "just loved how it had an almost leather smell and deep robust flavor like a good dark chocolate". Either the man knows his job or he's an alcoholic. The food was just OK. I ordered the lamb which he said they were known for. It was cooked correctly (unlike #1 wife's filet mignon) and was very succulent but it did not knock me out of my chair and was not better than any other lamb I had ever had. The cous cous that came with it was just alright, and I did not really enjoy the raisins within it. I did love the banana curry sauce on the side, however. The decor was quaint and small - I can see why they fill up quickly. All and all, I'd go back if people invited me or I had worn out my taste buds at some of the places I frequent more often. But, I wouldn't make a special trip out here.
(3)Janet T.
My boyfriend and I made our first trip to the Mad Platter for his birthday two weeks ago; I had purchased their Groupon when it appeared a while back, and I wanted to save it for a special occasion. I can't imagine a better place to have spent the evening! Not only was it one of the best meals I've ever eaten, but the service was phenomenal and they added some special touches to make it a memorable birthday. I called ahead to make a reservation for late on a Thursday evening - while the restaurant was far from crowded (we ended up being the last to leave), I wanted to give them fair warning that I was bringing a Groupon and let them know it was Ryan's birthday. I didn't expect the consideration that they took - not only did they print "Happy Birthday Ryan!" menus, they also made a point to greet him with birthday wishes, and had a special table set up for us. The Mad Platter has an excellent menu option that allows you to add $20 to any entree to make it a five-course meal, with the addition of a soup, appetizer, salad and dessert. That's what Ryan chose, and though I didn't think I could handle that myself and ordered only a salad and entree, our waiter was gracious enough to bring out extra cutlery and dishes with each course so I could share everything that Ryan had ordered. Everything we had was BEYOND delicious - the lemon artichoke soup (garnished with toasted tobacco leaves!), the fried green tomatoes, his smoked trout salad (with lemon pound cake croutons!), my caprese salad (the best I've ever had), his artichoke linguine, my sliced filet in a bacon emulsion and the crème brulée that brought the meal to the perfect close. They even decorated the edge of the plate the crème brulée was presented on with "Happy Birthday Ryan" in chocolate sauce, with a single burning birthday candle melted to the plate. The menu is constantly revolving with the freshest seasonal ingredients, so even individual dishes change slightly day to day with new additions (we sent our waiter running in to ask the chef questions about several things that appeared on our plates - like fairy tale eggplant!). The meal was absolutely a pricey one (the $50 Groupon fortunately took the edge off), but it was probably the best I've ever eaten in Nashville. I would recommend the restaurant to ANYONE looking for a great location for a special occasion or date, and certainly to anyone who wants to treat their special birthday boy or girl.
(5)Justin R.
Went to the Mad Platter again the other day to check out their claim to the best Reuben in Nashville. Let me tell you, I LOVE Reuben's. Might be my favorite sandwich. But, I was a little disappointed with the sandwich I ate being dubbed as best in Nashville. It was not awful, but it was not the best in Nashville, certainly not the best I have ever have. Number one fail is that it needs to be served with chips or fries, not breakfast potatoes. If you're on a diet, you're not eating a Reuben so pile on the extra calories! Enough with the sandwich, I think you all get my point. It was good, but not the best. But, the service the other day was horrendous. Meaning it took us two hours to eat lunch. I think they might have forgot to put our order in. It was clear that our waiter was staling, when he came over and asked us if we needed any ketchup for our fries, which had not even come out yet and were not even fries. Poor service, ok Reuben.
(2)Christopher M.
If the rating above was for the food only, the Mad Platter would easily score a 4/5 stars ... but it's not. Just like Special Teams in Football, atmosphere and waitstaff aren't as important as the food being served from the kitchen, but a good dining experience is expected at a place like the Mad Platter. Our reservation was 8pm on a Friday night. We walked in the front door and stood there for what seemed like 5 minutes waiting for someone to greet us. We were seated at a table directly over an air vent. I am a dude - I don't get cold. But having cold air blown directly onto you isn't pleasant. When I mentioned this to the waitress, she looked at me like I was an idiot, then about 10 minutes later decided to cover it up with a book while giving me a "you're annoying" glare. The pasta app was great, so was the caprese. I had the beef, which was tasty. But a boring waitress kinda ruined it for me. I won't be rushing to go back to the Mad Platter anytime soon. Which is a shame because I like to support local restaurants.
(3)michael d.
Don't see the quality here. Food very ordinary, over priced (1 crab cake $9 boring presentation, really?) wine list hohum Old house has some odor problems. No reason to return
(2)Caren C.
Ahhh...I had a date here once, with the man of my dreams. The food was great (I had the duck), the service was excellent. I let the waiter recommend the wine and he did a great job. We had dessert and pretty much closed the place down. I'd highly recommend it. It was charming and quiet and easy to get lost in one's company. Perfect for a date.
(4)Doug H.
I use Yelp a lot but don't often have time to write reviews. But, I just had to write about the Mad Platter. What an awesome place! The service at the Mad Platter was excellent and they really won us over. First of all, the food is unique, adventurous, fun and exciting. My kids don't always embrace this. However, the folks at Mad Platter embraced us. They went out of their way to create simple, hand crafted menu choices for our children. For beleaguered parents desperate for a night out on the town, this was a God Send. We never expected what happened next. My daughter was being especially difficult. A natural phenomenon which normally would not phase us, but in the middle of the meal, she became sick all over the table. Dennis, our server sprang into action. He packed meals, whisked away the soiled table setting and generally made the best out of a bad situation. A true Southern gentleman, Dennis saved the day! My wife and daughter left to go home and rest while my son and I stayed and savored the various delicacies of the Mad Platter. Dennis turned a ruined evening into a bearable one. And the food was awesome. Thank you Mad Platter! Thank you Dennis! We are just visiting Nashville. But if we ever get the chance to return, we are coming back to the Mad Platter.
(5)Valeria G.
Well hello, lover. This is what I will be saying when I return to the Mad Platter, which I hope can be sooner rather than later. It was phenomenal by every standard, and was even better than our first visit approximately a year ago. The Mad Platter is located in the quaint, revitalized Germantown District. The restaurant itself has apparently been around for over 20 years (as a girl practically raised in a family-owned, 21 year old restaurant herself, I can personally attest to how much effort and deliciousness it takes to stay relevant for that long). The restaurant is in a pleasant building that has seen its fair share of adventures, and has a homey ambience with its slightly creaky hardwood floors, wall-length bookcases, and local artwork posted on the walls--and despite its age, the place is well-kept. I made a last minute reservation here, and given that the dining room is small (but not crowded), I would consider calling ahead of time, as all I could garner was a 5:30 PM reservation, which is when they open for dinner service. No worries. Everything was spectacular. Their wine list was extensive, though the options by the glass were comparatively rather limited. Our server was very helpful, upbeat, and knowledgeable. We started with 2 glasses of wine and the Cola-Braised Pork Belly appetizer. I may have died and gone to heaven. I had always wanted to try Pork Belly after seeing it as a dish on Top Chef on multiple occasions, but never really saw it as an offering anywhere. We chose the right place to have it! It was incredible that such a little piece of meat could have such hearty, rich flavor. The textural combination of crispy outside and lush fatty inside was to die for. And the touch of sauce and the sweet pickled relish were just icing on the cake. We received our entrees shortly thereafter-- my fiancé got the special--their take on Chicken and Dumplings. The chicken was a free-range, organic half chicken from nearby Lebanon, TN--crispy leg and braised breast. It came with a savory polenta dumpling, and a light gravy, carrots, and black-eyed peas . The chicken was very flavorful, not at all dry, and the dish really was a sophisticated take on the Southern classic. Mmm... I had their signature lamb rack, cooked perfectly medium rare, dijon herb encrusted, with roasted grapes, figs, pearl onions, almonds, and a touch of what I think was a parsley-dijon cream sauce. (Insert inappropriate noises here). Perfection. We skipped on dessert because we had plans later that night and were trying to avoid an all-out food coma, but I would love to try what they have to offer. The only downsides? The appetizer took a little longer than expected to come out, as if they weren't quite ready for us yet, but our server was very attentive with warm bread and water service, so we did not notice it too much. At first glance, there is one server that doesn't really seem to match the demeanor and professionalism that the rest have, but actually, upon observing her serving style, I saw she actually did a great job catering to her tables. From my experiences, I personally would never think twice about giving this place a well-deserved 5 stars. Hello lover indeed.
(5)Shervondalonn B.
Excellent dinner! Great service. Intimate setting.
(5)Sara Y.
Popped by here for lunch as the fresh clean local, sustainable aspect of the restaurant was a draw and it was a short drive from the Maxwell House hotel where we were staying. Lunch items ranged about $8-14. The server was able to tell me confidently what could be served gluten free (most entrees and salads). I have to say the sauces were the shining stars of the meal-the chicken with mushrooms and rice had a slightly sweet wine sauce and the side salad's basil dressing was just the right amount of herb and oil. My only wish was that the very thinly sliced chicken was left a bit more juicy it was pretty dry-but it wasn't so much that I felt the need to send it back.
(3)Jeff G.
I have been trying to find the best american cuisine in Nashville for several months now and I was hoping I would find it at the Mad Platter. The building is quaint ad we were informed it was once a meat packing facility by our waiter. The place was empty when we arrived (on a Wednesday night at around 7:30) so there was no real ambiance to speak of. The waiters were very attentive and knowledgeable about the menu which changes daily to reflect the fresh local ingredients. I selected the 5 course meal which is an additional charge of $20 on top of the main course and I could not have been happier. I started with the Shrimp and Andouille gumbo which was slightly different than the traditional dish. It was an amazing and tasty take on a Cajun classic. That was followed by a macaroni and cheese made with gnocchi and beef that could have been my favorite take on mac and cheese to date. The third course was a delicious Caprese salad made with local tomatoes. My main course was the duck served on a bed of Arugula. I enjoyed the duck but to be honest it was probably the weakest of the main courses I tasted over the course of the evening (my friend had the rack of lamb which was simply amazing). The final course was the Elvis Chocolate Torte. This is a must get if you enjoy chocolate. It was the perfect end to the meal. To date, The Mad Hatter has been the best dining experience in Nashville Tennessee. If you are looking for an amazing deal on a delectable dinner keep this place in mind.
(4)mumin k.
I would consider Mad Platter to be an average Nashville restaurant. Nothing special about it. I went there with a friend for lunch and we both had Mad Platter Pasta for lunch and I must say that my pasta was average at best. The artichokes in the pasta were canned artichokes and left that sour taste which I hate. So effectively I paid $12 dollars for a pasta which had canned artichokes and only God knows about the other ingredients. I think I can do WAAAYYYY better pasta at home which would cost me a fraction of what I paid at Mad Platter. After all, my philosophy is that I am paying to dine out for things that I can not do at home. Why pay so much money if you can do it cheaper at home? I will probably give Mad Platter another try and have something other than pasta before I make a definite decision about the place, but for now it remains an average place.
(3)Michael S.
Recommended for a nice night out! Great atmosphere and food!
(4)Cierra W.
This is the first restaurant I went to that I felt discriminated against. And to be honest I can't say it was the restaurant itself, perhaps it was just the hostess. But this was the first time I've ever felt disgusted and filled with anger and emotion. To make along story short, (I can't rate the food, only initial experience): me and my fiancé went here around 7pm Fri, no reservations we just love experiencing new restaurants. We both came from work ( so our attire was bus. casual)..walk in, no greeting. 3 mins later another cpl walks in after and the hostess (who was literally at the front table) makes herself available, greets them. Asks us if we have reservations, we reply no..she asks the next cpl, they say yes, she seats them without asking us to wait or any other sentence for that matter. Another 2 mins later she comes back and states to us that they are full and suggests a "soul food" rest. down the street (which we'v tried b4) and a scene magazine for alt restaurants. Huh?! It wasn't packed (approx 6 4tops and seating along wall open)...she didn't give us a time for wait just kinda shoved is out the door...I try to over look stuff like this, but I was so filled w hurt, angry and humiliated. I have no intentions of ever going back. I hear they have really good food, and I'm sorry I'll miss out ;-(...have two plates for me and hope ur experience is better than mine.
(1)Katherine M.
This is a great restaurant in historic Germantown. The food is a little fancy for me, but everything tastes great. Appetizers such as mushroom ravioli with pecan and cranberry relish and a lamb chop/sea scallop combo with endive are really putting The Mad Platter on the map! The veal with polenta is a house favorite and sure to please. But, there was no way I could resist the duck breast with brussel sprouts and rutabaga! Delish! The ambiance is just what I was looking for. Very quaint and low key. I loved the fact that they have fresh flowers on every table. Every girl loves flowers. Their wine list is superb and my table really enjoyed the pinot grigio we ordered. On another note, this area of town isn't the best at night, so make sure you park in a well lit area. Don't let that stop you though . . . it's well worth it!
(4)Jeff S.
I am told that this part of Nashville, just north of downtown, is an up-and-coming area in which people are coming in and renovating many of the structures. This little restaurant on the corner is a real charmer with a nice menu. I had a business lunch here yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed it. The iced tea is laced with orange and cinammon - just enough to give it a nice, unique flavor. I started with chicken and anduille sausage soup and had a pasta dish topped with artichokes, chorizo, sundried tomatoes, grilled chicken in olive oil - absolutely delicious. The entree also came with a small salad. The salad ingredients were fresh and the balsamic vinagrette dressing was very good. The service was attentive without being pesky and the staff overall was quite friendly. This is a nice place, off the beaten path, and definitely worth a visit.
(4)JD M.
I would consider Mad Platter to be one of the better restaurants in Nashville. The best thing about it is the ambiance: very charming, easy to converse, and very comfortable and quaint. I even like its location in Germantown, which contributes to its charm. The food was quite good, but a tad overpriced. I got the trout salad, which was $7 and was just okay. I also got the beef tenderloin medium-rare, which was $27 and very good. But, based on the portion size and that it wasn't accompanied with anything, I think it should be priced closer to the low $20's. We also got the banana foster and a chocolate cake of some sort for dessert, which I thought was okay but my dinner companions loved. Service was friendly but rushed near the end, even though there were many empty tables and many other diners still eating. There was no refilling of water glasses or coffee cups. My biggest criticism is that the menu isn't as inventive or adventurous as it could be. But, all in all, a nice, little restaurant with good food that you can go to for a romantic evening or a place to take out-of-town friends and family.
(4)Betsy K.
Loved this restaurant. My boyfriend and I went there recently for my birthday dinner. The food was delicious. Boyfriend had the 5 course meal, which seemed a very good value. We shared the: shrimp and crab bisque, the pear and goat cheese salad and the chocolate Elvis. I had the duck with cranberry and orange. The whole thing was delicious. Nothing to complain about the food. I also liked the decor and the general ambiance. It was decorated for Christmas in a quaint sort of way. The waiter was very attentive. It is pretty pricey, but worth it if you want a good, upscale meal. It was perfect for a birthday date.
(5)Mell F.
I wanted to LOVE The Mad Platter, but after my initial visit I just kinda like it. Sort of akin to dating; I'll invite her out again although I'm not sure it will lead to anything special based on our first date. But one never knows... I almost waited too late to use a Groupon that expires on 12/7. I called last night (Wed) for a reservation and was told they were TOTALLY booked through the weekend. Not a single 2 top available. So I went online to Open Table to verify. The only thing I could find was last night at 9:00 pm. We are usually in our PJs at that time of night on a weekday, but necessity dictated a pattern interrupt. We arrived 20 minutes early and were seated immediately. The staff were nice and proficient, if slightly slow, but it was late so no biggie. We had the Gnocchi with beef tips appetizer and enjoyed it as much, if not more, as anything else we had. It was creamy and filling. She got the linguine with olives, chorizo, etc. Neither of us were impressed; particularly for $18. Olives overwhelmed the dish and she didn't eat half of it. I had the 8oz NY Strip ($25). It was cut into slices and seemed like maybe 5-6 oz. The flavor was ok, but I've had much, much better. The best thing on the plate were the mushrooms, if that tells you anything. (I did notice when the same dish was brought to the table next to us it appeared to contain more steak, so maybe I just got the runt of the litter. But there really shouldn't be a runt of the litter in an upscale place like this.) The damage for 1 glass of wine, 1 app, and 2 entrees was $65 before tip. We'll just have to see how the second date goes...
(3)Jason V.
Rarely do I arrive home and instantly want to write a review for a restaurant. This place deserves to be reviewed while the whole meal is still sitting awesome in my belly. A coworker and I looked at the other reviews to solidify our interest we were impressed so we went. Found out when we got there that the menu changes daily so everyone else's reviews were obsolete but one suggestion we could not overlook. The 5 course option where you take the entree price and add $20.00. Do it you won't be disappointed. We started off with the French Onion soup, while I wasn't overly impressed it was tasty, the broth was closer to a gravy than a broth but it had a nice balance sweetness from the onions & pepper. Then I enjoyed an appetizer of wild mushroom raviolis accented with a balsamic reduction, Parmesan cheese and truffle oil. This was awesome. I'm a sucker for truffles and truffle oil. My coworker had the cheese plate of which I sampled and the one cheese that really stood out for me among the rest was the "Cahill's Irish Porter Cheddar" Fantastic! Next I had what I dub the "inverted omelet" It was a fried egg and bacon salad on baby spinach with tomatoes and a maple onion vinaigrette. The egg was cooked to perfection with just enough uncooked yolk so that when broke it ran out just a little. The sweet and tangy vinaigrette was excellent and this was my favorite dish of the five courses one, of which was lamb. (which I love and will get to but seriously the salad was that good.). Then the rack of lamb came out. Two beautiful cuts cooked to medium rare perfection. On a pile of red bliss potatoes, artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, full garlic cloves & toasted almonds all bordered by a sauce that can only be described by saying this. "It was the perfect mix of lemon, aioli & spicy mustard you can fathom." This paired with the lamb and the other aforementioned veggies was completely out of this world.(but still not better than the salad) Last was desert. A vanilla and orange flavored Crème Brule. While it tasted great my one real critique of it was that the sugar was not torched thoroughly/properly. It lacked that satisfying crackle that I'm so fond of and had more give to it than expected. It merely separated and not that oh so gratifying crack like ice that forms over a puddle that has dried out beneath it. Then you go step on it and ahhhh "victory over the elements". If you love Crème Brule like I do then no simile is needed but I wanted to use words to paint you a picture of just how important this one step is to me. Taking everything into consideration this place is a solid 5 stars and you'd be remiss to not go. So go eat, drink and be merry.
(5)Aaron D.
The Mad Platter's website says that the owners have been saying "Welcome!" for 19 years. When I ducked in mid-afternoon during a Germantown stroll to see if I could peruse a menu, I received a hostile look and a "We're closed!" yell from a person sitting inside. I knew the place was closed. I was just hoping to look at the menu (since there was none posted in the window) and see if the place merited a return trip. It didn't. The folks who work here may or may not be mad, but they sure were inhospitable.
(1)Susan A.
Food was delicious. Excellent service and reasonable prices.
(5)Simon K.
Overall, it's a good restaurant but your buck could go further elsewhere. Gourmet prices with mediocre dishes. Here's my thing... if it's gonna be a higher price lunch then don't skimp out on the quality. The Mad Platter seems to be in this limbo of being a "casual eatery" and a fine dining restaurant. The menu seems a little hoity-toity with the descriptions of their dishes. Of course there is nothing wrong with that if you're paying for a fine dining experience. But you're not getting fine dining at the Mad Platter. I tasted four dishes: the Curried Chicken Quesadilla, Daily special Chicken Salad Sandwich, Crab cakes, and the Pasta Mad Platter. The quick version: they were all okay, except the Curried Chicken Quesadilla. Reasonable price for the ingredients, but not worth the money in flavor. Where is your money going? They've spent a lot of money on aesthetics and they've done a good job on it. This is definitely a relaxing place to eat and read a newspaper or something. The quality of ingredients are okay, however it gives off the impression that they assemble their menu from things pre-prepared from a Trader Joes or a Whole Foods Market. At least that's what the "Pasta Mad Platter" tasted like. The mixed veggies on top of spaghetti noodles seemed like they were defrosted and sauteed from a Trader Joes freezer. The Curried Chicken Quesadilla was pretty nasty. It seems like a good concept on paper but in actuality it ended up being Indian-spiced nacho cheese in between two toasted tortillas. The daily specials should be the highlight of a restaurant, but their Chicken Salad Sandwich ended up being dull. It was bland and unexciting. Either make it savory and put some spices in it like a curry or make it fruity with some crunch like adding grapes and walnuts. Instead, it could've passed for something in the deli section at Kroger. Finally, the Crabcakes. Two rules about crab at a restaurant: it has to be real, and it has to be lumped. Anyone can take canned crabmeat and mix it with some flour and call it a crabcake. When crab is left in it's lump form you know it's real and the texture comes out. (Honestly, I don't know what I was thinking ordering a crabcake in Tennessee anyway) It would be better described as a "crab-burger" than a crabcake. The Mad Platter looks better than it tastes, giving off a relaxing environment and delivering food that you can buy at a Whole Foods grocery store.
(3)Erin H.
I've been dining at The Mad Platter for several years now and it is a wonderful place to take my clients. I feel compelled to write a review after the 5 star service I received at lunch the other day. I was waited on a dapper gentleman with glasses who has waited on me several times before. My client and I were very impressed with his service and knowledgeable suggestions for our lunch. The food was fantastic and atmosphere was quite cozy but a little kitschy. I had the chicken salad which I always get and it was amazing! I would love to see the Brown Butler served every day however I know this is quite the indulgence. All in all this is the best place in Nashville with local, sustainable food with a wonderful wait staff. I would always suggest this restaurant as this is truly my favorite!
(5)Theresa B.
Yummy..I had the Crab Cake Salad...to die for...soooo delish...It's quaint, quiet and good...I've only been for lunch..but thinking about stopping in after work for a glass of wine...gonna check out the ambiance when the lights are down...I'll let you know how it goes...hehehe
(4)Jonathan S.
My first visit to Nashville, and the mad Platter was a great way to end my trip. My buddy and his girlfriend could not stop talking about this place, and now I can see why. I have been to some of the best known restaurants in Los Angeles, and this place is as good as any of them. The atmosphere is really cool. Located within an older building in a historic part of town, Mad Platter blends modern with the traditional. I had the five course meal, and I would recommend ordering that. It gives you a chance to sample some cool stuff which you may not ordinarily order. One of the cool things that they brought out for us to try were some mini "salmon-melt" sandwiches, with a side of some type of bisque. Awesome. The place is relatively small, so that wait staff is extremely attentive and the service was really good. One of the chef's actually came out and talked with us for awhile. This place is a little expensive, but is a great bargain considering the quality of the food and the experience. The best way that I could describe the Mad Platter, is take the trendy LA restuarant.....mix in some some cool food ideas, a little bit of southern charm, and a staff that strives to make each diner feel at home.....NOW subtract the super high prices and pretentious staff; and you have a great place to eat. Look forward to going there again next time I am in the "Ville"!!!
(5)Christine T.
We went to the Mad Platter on a recent trip to Nashville from our hometown of Chicago. We loved the homey, casual feel of this restaurant. (We felt totally comfortable wearing jeans to dinner.) We also loved that we got fantastic food for 3/4 the price of what we would pay for the exact same quality of food in Chicago. My only comment is that I wish there was a bar area in this restaurant. I LOVED the cheese plate (especially the homemade goats cheese) but there isn't a bar to sit and get a cheese plate and some wine. If they had this, I think I would be going there every night of my trip. A note for out of towners: We felt it was totally walkable to go from our Doubletree downtown hotel to the Mad Platter. However, that walk isn't something that I would do late at night. Your route options seemed to be either a road with large parking lots on each side (which are empty at night) or you can walk through a park. Neither option seemed like they would be ideal after dark. I would either drive (there seemed to be ample, free street parking) or take a cab or hotel shuttle. The only thing with a cab is that I think you'd need to make arrangements for your pick up since we didn't see any cabs near the restaurant.
(5)Robert K.
Located in Germantown, The Mad Platter is one of the better lunch spots I have been to in the last couple of months. The first thing I remember most about the experience was the service. It was really good and the waitress was very attentive to our group and came by our table every time she walked by. Pretty good, considering we were with a group of ten! The second thing I remember most about The Mad Platter was the sandwich I had. It was a really good chicken salad sandwich with...get this...banana bread! What a wonderful pairing, I love banana bread and I was pleasantly surprised to have it with my creamy chicken salad sandwich. Overall, it is a pretty good lunch spot.
(4)David S.
Mad Platter is a comfortable, cozy place to go for lunch. I had driven past it all the time when co-workers were dragging me to Monell's down the street. Finally, a friend and I went in for lunch, and I wasn't disappointed. Service was fine. There weren't many people in the restaurant. You can get nice salads or sandwiches as well as larger entrees for lunch. My friend got some pasta that she really enjoyed. Mad Platter has been around Germantown for a while. It's nice to see all of the other development going on down there; it is such a cute area of town. I would imagine Mad Platter would be a nice date place for dinner. It may be fancier at night, but it was casual during the day.
(4)Roshan V.
Best meal in Nashville....Wifey gave that special sigh!!!. The server was very knowledgeable and helpful. Decided for the 5 course meal, with soup, appetizer, salad and desert slit between us. Soup was heavenly (Seafood) but less in quantity particularly if you split it, followed by a good hummus and flat-bread appetizer, followed by the decent ceasar salad. I ordered the rack of Lamb, which was not cooked as week as I am used to but was very juicy, tender and overall extremely satisfying. Wifey said that it was her best rack of lamb ever. Wifey ordered the vegetable risotto , which was good. They have a very good wine list and I went for the Spanish Malbec (glass) which excellent with the lamb. We wanted the tiramisu but since it was out of stock, had to go for the Chocolate Elvis, which was underwhelming initially but the taste catches on and then you are hooked. Overall a great restaurant experience.
(5)Grace F.
what a great little neighborhood joint to meet up with the brother and sister in law who came to meet us in nashville! at their selection, the 4 of us wound up here, and unbeknownst to 3 of us, this was our post engagement celebratory dinner! free champagne went around to toast our new engagement and the food was really really great. service was super hospitable...unfortunately with so much celebratory toasts, what was ordered slips my mind...crabcakes, hush puppies? fish entree...delish. thanks mad platter for helping us ring in the beginning of our lifetime together!
(4)Stephanie B.
Absoultely delicious. Found it on yelp when i was there for the marathon event... a bit out of the way but worth the trip for a delicious lunch. Nashvilles best ruenen is amazing.
(5)Anne Y.
My husband and I were in nashville for our 1 year anniversary last month and we had our anniversary dinner here. In short, it was excellent! The menu was creative and fresh. The space was cozy. Service was superb. You must try the Chocolate Elvis dessert - it's the best!! It is only a few minutes drive from downtown, and parking is no problem. We will defnitely go back!!!!!
(5)Emily Y.
This is the most consistently good food in Nashville. Probably the best price/quantity/quality in the city. Go for the set menu 5 courses. The chef will also work with you on the menu if you call ahead in advance. (It's a constantly changing menu) You can split the 5 course meal and order an extra entree with is plenty for two. (Guest review written by Tom)
(4)Rusty P.
This is a big statement, but I am going to make it "The most memorable overall culinary experience I have had in a long time." Where to begin, to resonate what many other yelpers have said this establishment doesn't remind you that your're in Nashville. Tucked in a quiet neighborhood, the place is trendy without trying to be so. The wait staff was informative, polite, and quick without being rushed. The bread was put in the oven for us as we arrived, and after our drinks came warm fresh bread accompanied our soups that were layered with an amazing orchestra of flavor. Upon the recommendation of our waiter, both my friend and I had the duck. I very rarely order this fowl when dining out as no one has quite mastered cooking this hard to make platter, but I soon was wondering if the chef could teach my (yes I am writing this) mother how to make it. It was a little pricey, but you definitely get, and then some, what you pay for.
(5)Liz D.
This is a lovely, intimate place in East Nashville with okay food. I've had both catering and dine-in experiences with Mad Platter. The lunch catering included wraps or sandwiches with chips and a cookie, which was pricey for standard boxed meals that were nothing special. The dine-in experience was better. The service was excellent. We had the five-course meal, which was a great deal given the prices on the menu. The chili mac with gnocci, beef tips and three cheese sauce is very rich. The soup, a pesto bisque, was amazing- my favorite part of the meal, no doubt. The salad was standard. Our main courses were the sweet and sour duck and the beef filet. The duck was fine, but the vegetables and rice tasted like oversauced stir-fry from the frozen foods section. The beef filet was better, very flavorful and juicy. The chocolate elvis we had for dessert was very rich on the chocolate, but tasty. Overall, okay food, nice atmosphere, great service.
(3)Janet S.
Like others I'm torn, lunch very mediocre, did dinner for the first time in 10 years last week. Walked in Friday night, 8.30pm, got a table right away, Table 17, by the bookshelves, perfect. Christmas decor lovely, noise level low, tables half full, what could be better, just a lovely Christmas atmosphere. Lightening fast service, I wanted Duck and I got Duck, cooked perfectly, it's side of risotto not so perfect. Nashville struggles with risotto and I am not sure why. Tiramisu for dessert - still had ice crystals in it but tasty. My husband had curried pumpkin soup, delicious, and a salad, nothing challenging but good. A lemon drop and a couple of glasses of Snapdragon and we were sorted. Just one of those rare occasions when the place matched the mood and the Duck lived up to my expectation. With the hustle and bustle of all the new fancy/trendy places that have sprung up in the last few years it was nice to get some peace and quiet with dinner and zero attitude.
(4)Gaelen M.
Absolutely fabulous! Had dinner on a Sunday night, so it was not crowded by any means. We did the 5 course plus sn entree which is more than enough for 2 people. The soup was sweet potato & peanut bisque- heaven! A great balance of both flavors, beautiful presentation, with a swirl of red curry oil and a dollop of creme fraiche. The app was a cheese plate, nice small portions (after all, still 3 courses to go), and a thoughtful balance of sauces or purees to accompany the cheese. For instance, a small chunk of Brie could have the pear purée, or the bits of cranberry. The bleu had slices of olive and a red pepper coulis beside it. The roasted beet salad came next, dressed w frissee salad, pine nuts and a citrus vinagrette- light and tangy. I ordered the trout for my entree and dad had the steak. I thought the fish was perfect, moist but the skin side was crispy, and it was topped w a whimsical array of small veggies. The steak was not amazing, but certainly good. Topped w blue cheese, an odd combo of mashed potatoes w broccoli buried inside. Dessert we opted for tiramisu and it was every creamy, espresso-y bit as good as I had hoped. I've dined often in other major metropolitan areas (NYC, Paris, Toronto) and feel this place is top notch! And the price is dead on. The 5 course only bumps up the entree by 20%, so in my case, the trout meal went from $19 to $24. A bargain for such a varied and well-prepared meal! Neat part of town. It was pouring out so we didn't get to explore, but it looked fun and funky.
(5)Lisa R.
In a recent article in my local San Francisco paper, our restaurant reviewer commented that most people, when they don't like a place, don't like the way they were treated. We traveled to TN two weeks ago. We had walked about two miles to get to The Mad Platter from our downtown hotel and were kinda tired. By that time we had put a lot of pressure on The Mad Platter to be worth the trek. It was the little touches that made us smile...the chrysanthemums on the table...the subtle lighting...the fact that Daniel, our server had to be the nicest guy ever.
(4)victoria l.
I was visiting my daughter who recently moved to Nashville. We decided to get a late evening dessert so searched and found the Mad Platter open on Sundays. We loved the place! The server was informative and very helpful. The menu was interesting enough we ordered appetizers and dessert.. All was fantastic in taste and price! We had a lovely wine recommended by our server and though seemed pricey, it was a very generous portion so actually was more reasonable. My daughter plans to take her boyfriend there for a romantic dinner soon.. and we will be returning to try more of the menu next time we visit!
(5)Mariela C.
Mad Platter is another good restaurant that adds to the already wonderfully charming Germantown. Rather than the usual stale restaurant ambiance, Mad Platter actually feels more like you are in someone's living room, and that with your meal you could just pick up a book off their shelf or stare blankly at the paintings on the wall. As far as the food goes my favorite is the spicy chicken quesadilla of their starter menu, or the Mad Platter Caesar salad. If anything it's a good cozy place to go grab a quick bite.
(4)John G.
Just came back from lunch at the Mad Platter. Overall I'd say it was good, but slow. Service seemed to be jumbled. The food was good. I had the chicken quesosilla app, and the chicken sandwich with sauteed red onions and bbq sauce. Very affordable, very good, just slow service, which at lunch time is not ideal.
(4)Nerissa I.
Went here last Sunday for a birthday and I can easily say that it was well worth it. The ambiance was lovely. The candles lit the room perfectly, the tables were nice and spacious. The artwork perfect. Kinda reminded me of the restaurants in the more artsy places of nyc (ie: williamsburg, one of the villages). Only con was the music which reminded me entirely of elevator music. Didn't go with anything at all. But the food... from the appetizer of Mushroom ravioli to the Lamb and Salmon entrees that were ordered to the Pear/Cinnamon dessert, it was enjoyed to the very last bite. The flavors were dead on - flavorful without being overwhelming, cooked perfectly and absolutely enjoyable.. The lamb with roasted veggies was just the right amount. The salmon, fresh and seasoned just perfectly. It was definitely worth every penny. Only thing that I regret is not living closer to the place. If I did, I would definitely frequent it again and again.
(4)kimbe m.
This is probably the least predictable restaurant in Nashville, and not in a good way. We went there last weekend after a long absence in the hopes that things were better. I have to say, the service was fantastic, and because of the Christmas decorations, the whole place was a bit brighter. Staff are friendly and helpful, and it's a stunning atmosphere to eat in. I ordered duck because I love duck - the waitress warned me that the chef tended to cook it "until pink". I stressed that I like poultry cooked through, but it arrived red at the center. She kindly took it back for me, and it re-appeared, now pink in the center. No way was it cooked through. I don't know who told a few Nashville chefs - the chef at Miel does the same thing - that they're cool if THEY decide YOUR food preferences - but I really resent it when I'm paying good money and ask for something specific, then get the chef's preference instead. I also don't know who decided that pork and poultry should be served rare, but that seems to be happening a lot here. I'm sorry; I don't care where the poultry comes from, or how carefully it's raised - I still like it cooked! I wish places like Mad Platter, Miel, City House (who serve rare sausage) would hire chefs who could also cook a "normal" meal. I've had gourmet dining all over the world, spend a lot of time in Italy, and have to say, dinners like these make me long for your basic pork chop and baked potato. Sorry, Mad Platter. Wish it had gone better.
(2)Lauren F.
one of the best restaurants in nashville! all of the entrees sounded enticing to me, which is rare occurrence! i got the artic char with capers,brown butter sauce, and braised cauliflower... it was rich without being heavy! my friend went for the 5 course tasting menu which is a great deal ( add $20 to any entree and get soup (always good! we had chicken and veggie), salad, appetizer (we got cheese plate with cranberry goat cheese with roasted beets, blue cheese with olives, brie and apples, raisin and black pepper quenelle, yummm), salad roasted beet!!), entree, and dessert. it is a beautiful, quaint atmosphere adorned with local art and a very warm place to eat. i cant wait to come back and try what they have with he changing seasons.
(5)Natalie D.
Solid 4. The restaurant has a charming decor, plentiful parking in lovely Germantown. Host welcomed us upon arrival and walked us out when our meal was over, he was great! We ordered: cheese plate appetizer- good. Shrimp and Grits- delicious! Braised short rib- delicious! Filet- fantastic and perfectly cooked! We skipped dessert because we were too full. Food was 5 stars. Why the 4 star you ask? Our waitress was just ok (3.5 stars), she wasn't rude but she also didn't elevate our dining experience. Food seemed to take a while to come out, however we had good company and no where to go, so it was ok. Germantown cafe is still my neighborhood favorite but we will definitely be back to the Mad Platter!
(4)Alyssa C.
I had a great experience here for lunch yesterday 7/17! After 6 hours of flying, we went to Enterprise for a RentaCar and the gentlemen working there highly suggested we go! Started with sharing a crab cake (great flavor, as a new englander I have never tasted one with a little southern touch!) great rolls and fresh butter. Then I got catch of the day! Salmon, Jasmin Rice & Summer squash (so delicious) and for dessert raspberry sorbet! The decor and atmosphere was so homey and I loved all your old fashioned books! Thanks for the great first meal of my trip to Nashville
(5)Ruiqiu K.
Finally ventured out to Germantown. Specifically to this place, but it was good to finally try somewhere else in this city. Had the chicken salad, which came on banana bread, which I thought was an odd combination. I've had better banana bread and this was somewhat stale. But I thought the chicken salad was very well seasoned. Fruit consisted of grapes, one which rolled onto the floor somewhere. Not a place I'd specifically come back for, but if I'm in the area and friends wanted to go in, I'd still try something else on their menu.
(3)Susan P.
The reviews for Mad Platter are mixed and my impression after eating there is mixed, too. We really like the Germantown area. The service was slightly better than average. We were there on a very busy Nashville weekend during Vandernilt commencement with 8:30 reservations and there were only about 3-4 parties in the restaurant which felt a bit creepy. We started off with flatbread (really nice but too much cheese for my diet) and a bottle of wine. We ordered a wedge salad , the fish special (dry), duck (very nice), the polenta veggie entree (like ratatouille ), crab cakes (ok--kind of mayonnaise-y), and another entree and ravioli appetizer . Portions were plentiful. We tried to order Elvis chocolate (they were out), then the waiter suggested tiramisu (it wasn't available after all). So we ended our evening . I think there is just too many excellent food choices in Nashville for a place like this to survive. I would recommend finding another spot. Not a bad choice, but there are so many better options in this price range and lower that unless you really need a quiet and low key spot, I would search further.
(3)Angie Q.
Mad Platter was an impulse stop for brunch and we were very happy to discover this little gem. It was quiet and the service was delightful (Leanna). We started with the wild mushroom ravioli, which was good-nothing spectacular, but good. My husband ordered the bananas foster waffle, which we both enjoyed. It was sweet without being TOO sweet. I had the shrimp and grits. It was insanely good. I loved the gouda and sherry cream reduction. We finished with the trio of brulees. They were all good, but the blood orange soared over the others in flavor. The coffee was excellent and the cocktails were lovely. I enjoyed the spiked spiced tea and the husband had a bloody mary, which he said was excellent. I am docking a star simply because the bathroom really needs a good scrubbing and updating, It wasn't horrible by any means, but it is definitely not up to the standards of the price/class of the restaurant.
(4)Candra G.
Definitely not impressed. Service was great, but that's about it. I should have known something was up when the placed wasn't packed out on a Friday night in Germantown. We started our meal with a cup of mushroom soup. Gag - it had a weird after taste and lukewarm at best. So, I unfortunately had to send it back (which I hate to do). For my main course, I had the shrimp and grits. While not the best I've ever had, they were decent. My beau had the lamp chop.....which lacked any seasoning whatsoever. Needless to say, we tried it - but most likely won't return because there are too many good restaurants in that neighborhood to choose from.
(2)Christopher G.
Little gem I'm Germantown. My top five in Nashville easily especially for family or those wanting a long multi course comfort food dining experience guaranteed to leave you happy and content.
(5)Benji G.
We are in Tennessee for the first time. We wanted a good place for lunch and tried to go down the street to Mullen's but the wait was over an hour. The front of the house guy suggested a couple places including Mad Platter. This being Father's Day the menu options were a little limited. But they were fine and my family of four was able to choose something that sounded good to them. The service was a bit slow but they were obviously busy for Father's Day. Once the food arrived I was a bit surprised by the portions for the price. Fruit is three small pieces? It tasted good but would've been a much better value for a dollar or two less than they were charging. It was easily one of the most expensive meals we had on our 10 day trip in TN and because of the prices was just not worth it. If it was cheaper I'd go back. Otherwise, when we're in town we'll opt for somewhere else.
(3)Tim S.
Nice homey decor, prompt seating, service got a bit overwhelmed by the lunch rush after that. We ordered a variety of dishes, all of which seemed pretty decent but all seemed to be influenced by committee rather than a decisive chef. My carrot orange ginger soup had a fantastic mix of flavors and a great gingery bite but seemed too lightly based and insubstantial. The Rueben ("best in Nashville!") had excellent corned beef but was light on sauerkraut presence and I'd be happier if the bread could decide what the hell it was (answer: rye only please). Don't get me wrong, I liked it and will be back but thus far my expectations were a bit higher than what was delivered.
(3)Saam T.
We came through on a food tasting tour. Service was good. We tasted the reuben. I love Reubens and have had my fair share. It was AMAZING. I was full before we ate, but I was the "gonna eat that?" guy to everyone that was eating their reuben slowly. Get it! The ambience is rustic and casual. Seems like a cool spot.
(4)scott h.
Love this place. A hidden gem of Nashville. Great value and one of the best date night restaurants in town. Charming environment, nothing but good things to say.
(5)Victoria W.
Loved this place! We got there about 10 minutes early for our 7:45 reservation and the table was ready. Our server was new, but he was so sweet and made sure our glasses were never empty. I ordered the pan-seared duck and it was amazing. My fiance ordered the lamb and enjoyed it. We will definitely be returning soon! We loved the location, there was plenty of free street parking. Casual dress code with a more elegant dining style is my favorite kind of restaurant.
(4)Cee L.
This place is great for vegetarians/vegans. They always have nice appetizers (portabella ravioli is awesome) and a nice entree (risotto!). My partner loves the caesar salad and the crabcakes. Add to that a nice patio for outdoor seating and a cozy indoor space and this place is great. Great for romantic dates.
(5)Shaye B.
*If half stars were possible, this would be 2.5* This place from the outside looks like a little gem off the beaten path in Nashville - but in the end it wasn't anything that special. I went with a group of 9 for a 5:30 reservation - when the restaurant opened. It was freezing outside and we got there a little early and were shivering in front of the restaurant. They kindly let us in about 10 minutes early, which worked out well because when they finaly did open we had already ordered drinks - which takes a while when you are dealing with 9 girls! *I would like to preface that the place seems nice, but not 5-star nice where a ketel one martini should cost $14.. I live in Atlanta and my drinks are not that expensive, even at high end restaurants* Then it came to ordering the food. We were prepping for a night of going out and drinking so many of us opted to order a starter salad and app for dinner - typical girls. The waitress was nice to ask who wanted what first. Then she brought out bread, and their bread was really good - and she kindly refilled it because obviously if I am going to be doing some heavy drinking later and eating a salad for dinner, I need to eat some bread. So then the first course came out and many of us were eating their fall salad. This was an excellent salad. Cubed roasted butternut squach, candied pecans, over mixed greens and a nice dressing. I believe there were some cranberries in the salad as well. The next course that came out was a huge fail for me - I had ordered mussels and they came out cold. Another girl at the table had ordered mussels for her first course - so the kitchen clearly decided to be lazy in an otherwise empty restaurant and cook my mussels at the same time. I promptly sent my mussels out and the waitress didn't seemed surprised and didn't apologize either. So that was a little disappointing. I received warm mussels less than 5 min later, so they probably didn't make me new mussels but rather just warmed mine up. Most people seemed content with their second courses. When the second round of drinks came out that was a bit of a disaster. They messed up a lot of the martini orders. I get that 9 martini orders can be a little difficult - but most of us asked for no vermouth which is a pretty simple alteration.. Another thing that was very off putting was the that the waitress and another lady taking care of us (probably the assistant manager) clearly did not like each other and they bad mouthed each other at our table. Whenever there was a mistake they blamed the other. They clearly did not communicate with each other because some things came out in double. I had never really experienced a dining experience with fighting staff before and it was uncomfortable - I did not go out to dinner to relive high school drama. So, all in all I was a bit surprised when I saw the final bill that my two martinis were outrageously expensive for Nashville - if I was in a bigger city, fine...if I had ordered grey goose martinis, maybe. But as I said $14 for a ketel one martini is more than I have ever paid. Then, my mussels were not comped and they should have been. A starter salad, bad mussels and 2 martinis should not cost me $50.. This was my first time in Nashville and at least for visitors, I wouldn't recommend this place because it is off the beaten path of other areas and there were plenty of other options out there.
(2)Sheena T.
Mad Platter is a longtime favorite restaurant of mine. I made it back for the full dinner experience this weekend and wanted to write a current review. We had a party of 6 people, and they were very nice and accommodated the extra two people we brought along. I was bummed that they were out of the one cocktail I wanted, and then I tried to order wine, they were out of BOTH options that I asked for. Eessh... That wasn't great since it was 7:30 on a Friday night... come on guys! They no longer offer the price fix menu that they used to, they now change the menu daily and you need to visit their Facebook page to get a recent menu. Different. Kind of wish that they would post it on their website. Our table ordered appetizers, entrees, and dessert. The shrimp bisque was good but TINY, and the best dish was definitely the mushroom ravioli. It was out of this world. For entrees, the shining star was the duck, but I heard good things about the steak options and the shrimp and grits. I didn't love my lamb, but I think that is more because I don't like the shank part of the lamb. Will order differently next time. Our order of the chocolate creme brule was outstanding and I loved it! We made the mistake of ordering the chocolate Elvis as well and it was a very large piece of chocolate layered cake that was very rich. We should have stuck with the creme brule only, but hey, it was a Friday night so we splurged. Overall, a decent meal but not everything is a shining star dish and they need to stock up on their wine and cocktails!
(4)Courtney A.
This has become our go-to "why fuss with reservations when there is bacon horsey Mac 'n cheese gnocchi (not the actual dish's name) to be had?" In layman's terms: if you like upscale dining without the fru-fru pretentiousness of some places around town, you'll dig this place. Full disclosure: we tend to order two apps and split an entree, so we've only had a couple of entrées from this restaurant, but the shrimp and grits are always solid. We've had most of their appetizers so... ORDER THE GNOCCHI!... Because, bacon. And horseradish. And Gouda. ...Where's the question? Oh, and about the Portabella rav... I secretly want to order two plates of it and make it my entreé. My only critique is that I wish they were a little more ballsy with the decor... If you're gonna go alice in wonderland, I want some weird Dali/Max Ernst stuff in there.
(4)Lindsay R.
If I could give this place 6 stars I would. Got the shrimp flatbread and went mmmmmmm with every bite!! Charming little restaurant in Germantown and wonderful service. How am I a native and just discovering this place!!??? Can't wait to go back! Well done chef!!!!!
(5)Tammy R.
This was an interesting place. We visited from out of town. The location seemed a bit sketchy at first as the surrounding neighborhood wasn't so appealing. We went on a Sunday night and there was only one other party the entire time we were there. The food was good but the shrimp & grits were very heavy in a cream sauce. The chocolate "house" dessert wasn't at all what i thought it would be. I wouldn't order it again. Wasn't exactly the flour-less cake i was expecting. Cocktails were good. photos to follow.
(3)Lisa W.
My husband and I ate dinner here a few days ago. It was absolutely phenomenal. We didn't have a reservation, and the lady that sat us assured it was no problem and that she was glad we were there. Her name was Robin and she actually ended up waiting on our table. The food was outstanding. My husband had the Duck w/ ravioli, and I had a collaboration of many meals. LOL. I have multiple food allergies, and Robin made sure that I was getting exactly what I wanted by explaining my different options and communicating thoroughly with the kitchen. She showed great concern for my annoying food reactions. She could not have been sweeter. I am usually so embarrassed to order food at restaurants, but she actually made me laugh about how silly that is. Our entire experience was amazing. We will certainly be back.
(5)JD C.
Fun menu, great location, great waiter staff, interesting restaurant all the way around. We visited on a lunch date, but would love to see it in the evening for a dinner.
(4)Alice H.
We went for lunch today, not my first time, but I hadn't been there in a while since I used to work down the street. It was holy unremarkable, which is a shame because it is quite pricey for lunch. I give it two stars because the service was spot-on and I like the decor. However, it was far too loud and was a terrible place for a business lunch. I can't speak to the other's food, but mine was very disappointing. It began with a bowl of rolls delivered to the table. They were hot, but not particularly tasty and the butter served with them had a freezer-burned taste. I had the wild mushroom ravioli. It was absolutely bizarre. I love mushrooms, but this was covered in so many sauces (yes, two), that I couldn't taste the filling. Maybe I've watched too many episodes of Kitchen Nightmare, but the pasta didn't taste fresh or homemade. I think that Butoni wild mushroom agnoletti in the grocery store would have been better. Disappointing, too, because Lazarolli's is right across the street and I'm sure they would have provided wonderful ravioli. Worst were the sauces. It was floating in a really thin tomato sauce that then had dollops of pesto on top. Both were salty, but then there were the most bizarre spices coming through (for example, dill and cilantro!). A light cream sauce would have been lovely and would have complemented the mushrooms beautifully! It was really, frankly, awful. But to make it weirder, it was served with mushy brussel sprouts that had been cooked with peppers and onions on the side. Maybe that's where that dill came from in the pesto sauce? They had a large sign up that boasted locally-sourced product, such as Noble Springs, but I didn't see any sign that there was goat cheese on the menu! Maybe I didn't read it closely. There are great places nearby that are good values. I wouldn't go back. (I've also had a bad experience with their catering, but that's another story for another day).
(2)Correy S.
This place seems to want to be better, more tasty and more fancy than it actually is. Our appetizers took 45 minutes to get to the table and then our entree came 15 mins after, forcing is to scarf down the appetizers. Good quality didn't seem that great. Good temperature was really bad. My "medium" cooked steak came to the table barely room temp, on top of a bed of room temperature mashed potatoes and cold asparagus (really cold).
(2)Jennifer M.
I visited Mad Platter for the first time last night. I made a reservation for two at 8:15, but surprise!!!! I showed up with three people. This posed no problem for the host, who got us right in at a table for four. Our waitress was really good--efficient, helpful, friendly, and rather funny. Between us, we had the cheese plate, filet, salmon, and three different desserts. Everything was really good. I would remark that the portion sizes are a wee bit smaller than might be standard for a Nashvillian's appetite, but we walked away totally satisfied. We also enjoyed a great bottle of sparkling wine and a few craft beers. The atmosphere is cute, and the restaurant is pretty small, which may pose a problem if you are trying to eat at prime time. All in all, yep, I'm a fan!
(4)Nikolai P.
Cute, quaint, relaxing environment. The service was very friendly and attentive. Food was delicious. Will definitely be coming back!!
(5)Lisa B.
This is a funky place with good service. I found the food bland. The mushroom bisque needed something and had too many mushrooms to be a true bisque. Salad was almost flavorless. Crab cake is tiny and full of fillers. Not what I expect at those prices. Maybe it was on off night.
(3)Phoenix R.
A couple of coworkers and myself decided to try Madplatter's for lunch. I had the grilled chicken sandwich and was disappointed. The chutney sauce was nonexistent, overpowered by mayo sauciness, but then again the waitress said the chef did it on the fly - not a valid reason anyway. My friend had the Reuben, and it had very littel kraut on it which is fine by me, but no Russian sauce on the Reuben. My other friend ordered a ceasar salad - composed mostly of romaine hearts - not much green at all! Sounds like we got the short end of the lunch stick especially for the prices. Too bad. I was hoping to have a better gastronomical experience. Perhaps the non sandwich dishes would fare better.
(2)Debbie W.
I love the Mad Platter! I have eaten there numerous times with my husband and friends. The food is always good. We have gotten fish dinners, appetizers and desserts. The fish tasted very fresh and yummy. The appetizer with gnocchi and beef is very delish and the Elvis and the Tiramusi are both melt in your mouth good. Another great thing is the wait staff. We have had Robin and Britanny. They are both so friendly. To top it off the atmosphere is great. It is cozy, quiet and nostalgic with good music. You can actually carry on a conversation without talking loud. I recommend it for a date night, business meeting, girls night out and special celebrations
(5)Adam S.
Because it was recommended by a few friends, my wife and I ventured to The Mad Platter for our anniversary dinner. We're so glad we did! We started with the cheese plate and it was great. I'm not up on the fancy cheeses, but there were 3 or 4 different kinds and they were all great. Oh, and the sauces were awesome. A fruit one and a mustard-based one. For the main course, we both enjoyed the shrimp and grits. Wow. Just wow. Everything about this was phenomenal. The added sausage and peppers were a nice touch. We finished with the Chocolate Elvis - a chocolate cake with 3 different kinds of chocolate. Very rich and very delicious. Great for sharing. Overall, the rustic environment and "mood lighting" added to the overall great experience. We actually started planning our trip back to the Mad Platter on our way home!
(5)Nicole P.
I was surprised it wasn't busier on a Friday night, but thankful for it. I had the shrimp and grits, and was so happy with my choice! However, service was slow and my boyfriend wasn't too impressed with his strip steak (being the master of grilling that he is). He ordered it medium rare and it came almost medium well, but it still had good flavor. We really enjoyed the mac and cheese appetizer, as well as the crab cake (literally one crab cake), and again I can't praise the shrimp and grits enough, although I originally wanted the pork chop (which they were out of) to try their vanilla whipped sweet potatoes. Can't say I would go back regularly, but overall we had a good time.
(3)Aileen K.
My sisters and I had a great dinner at the Mad Platter this past weekend. It was our first dinner out in Nashville during our weekend trip and our waitress, Mary Rose, was phenomenal! She was very knowledgeable on the menu (the food and drinks were delicious) and her fun and professional attitude made our dining experience a great one! She also gave us great recommendations for places to eat and things to do while in town as well as introducing us to the LYFT service. Thanks, Mary Rose!
(4)Cait C.
We had a decent meal here on a week night and were just about the only ones in the restaurant. We all enjoyed our meals. I wouldn't say its particularly memorable, but you won't be disappointed. Enjoyed the vegetable risotto the most. would have liked to see more homemade deserts like pies.
(4)Alex C.
This little restaurant is on the corner of a residential neighborhood. It's a white table cloth restaurant, but has a nice casual feel to it. The foods good and the service is excellent. I ordered the rack of lamb and my friend the pork chop. The porkchop was delicious, though my lamb was also good. Portions are just right to leave some room for dessert. There is also a full bar and they're not stingy on their portions.
(4)Bridgette C.
I used to go to the Mad Platter all the time and it had been forever since I'd been back. Admittedly I loved the previous chef so much that when he departed I kind of did as well. However, after attending a fundraising event there and really enjoying it, I decided to try dinner again. I remembered why I loves it so much. They do have such great food. The shrimp and mushroom bisque I had was divine, as was the Mac and cheese (made with gnocchi and bacon), their beet salad, their duck breast (served with mushroom ravioli) and their blueberry creme brûlée. They have a great selection of fun food that balances traditional and flirts with inventive. And their service cannot be beat. Our server Daniel may be the best server in all of Nashville. The space itself, an old brick home in the Germantown district, makes you feel like you're sitting in someone's living room. It's cozy and intimate without trying to hard. There's a $15 corking fee for bringing your own wine which is beyond reasonable. I highly recommend coming here with a bottle and taking your time to enjoy dinner. This isn't a dine-and-dash place. Come, sit, enjoy a good meal.
(5)David D.
Have been meaning to visit this spot for some time on visits to Nashvegas. Managed to get there for brunch and it was a homerun. Restaurant is in an older but well-maintained building in Germantown neighborhood. The dining room is on the small side, but with sufficient space between tables so as not to feel penned in. The decor is simple, charming and pleasant. Service was outstanding, despite visiting during a busy period (and given what appeared to have been an unexpected shortage of staff). Our party of 5 all reported that their selections were excellent. Reservation recommended during peak hours. Outdoor garden / patio area available in nice weather.
(4)