The Good: The best good I could mention; the food! The food was exceptional. As you may see from my reviews, I dine out a lot. I had the Ahi Tuna and it was literally the best I ever had. The texture and freshness and seasoning were exceptional. I also had a perfectly made martini. Appetizers were great also and my wife thought her meal was exceptional too. The Bad: seating is limited and many seats are on long cushioned benched that span multiple tables, placing you in very close proximity to other guests. Also priced on the high end (two bucks for two with just a drink a piece) but worth it in my book. I don't mind paying a premium when the food justifies it; and it does here! The Rest: Parking is valet.
(5)
Laura F.
Food okay, not worth price. Was expecting a lot more. For a one course meal, this should've been exceptional. Valet service below average. ..when asked where my car was, told'out back'in a dismissive tone. I wont be be back
(2)
Lauren B.
It's hard to give a four solely for atmosphere, but the food was good so I'll be nice. We were in Nashville for work and were going to the Hozier concert. Needed a quick bite to eat that wasn't too far from the venue and this place had a free shuttle if you ate there (score!). But the shuttle back sadly wouldn't work out (dang.) Anywho, we get there and I was the youngest person in the room by about 40 years. Granted, it was 6 PM. But the environment was just not appealing. While we thought it was pretty casual in our sundresses and sandals, these older folks were dressed up to go to the opera. (Literally that's one of the events the shuttle went to, which we didn't notice dropped off at multiple venues.) Was this just a random time that this happened? I don't know. The food however was awesome. We got the crab cakes, a bottle of wine, caesar salad and the scallops. The scallops came with the lobster mac and cheese. Oh lawdy. It was good. Me and a friend shared an entree and each got our own side salad. It was the perfect amount. Portions are large and rich. So, maybe go if you want to try the food. But not if you wanna turn up before a concert. (Which we weren't looking for but this was definitely the complete opposite.) TL:DR Good food, lots of older folks, not great people watching, large portions, lobster mac and cheese.
(4)
Doug W.
I started in the bar. Then I heard one of the servers waiting on a stable and thought, "Damn, these guys know their shit." and moved to a table. My server David did not disappoint. Having ridden in from Indy on my motorcycle in 95F weather, I wanted a beer and cold water. I had both in no time. Seriously...no time elapsed. Ok, maybe a few seconds. David recommended the Pork Tenderloin and despite many tantalizing options, I followed David. I also started with the Lemon Artichoke soup. Holy Jebus! That shit is good! And the pork and asparagus on mushroom risotto with sweet plum reduction was kick ass. Perfectly prepared. Just fantastic I wish I'd had room for the butterscotch habinero bread pudding, but my dessert was cocktails to come. Highly recommend this place.
(5)
Jack N.
This place is deceiving from the outside but don't judge it by the looks alone. Once inside, it's a quaint place inside. Midtown has a decent wine list to satisfy most tastes. We opted to sample the appetizers. Be sure to order the shrimp and grits, as it was excellent. The menu is diverse so most of the group tried different selections. We finished with two deserts; tiramisu and Habanero Bread Pudding. Both were outstanding.
(4)
Unyime E.
Visited on a whim since it was across the street from the hotel. Took a seat at the bar, ordered a glass of champagne, and decided to get a bowl of the lemon artichoke soup that everyone on yelp was fawning over. I'll tell you what, I don't even like artichokes , but I absolutely loved this soup. You definitely get a strong taste of the lemon, but it's perfectly countered with the cream of mushroom base. The artichoke bits in the soup blended well, nicely cooked with a soft chew. An outstanding soup. I had the mixed organic greens salad as my main dish, with the $10 charge to add chicken. It was okay, but didn't impress as much as the soup. I'll definitely come back again for a cup of the soup, but I'll avoid the salads next time around.
(3)
Sarah S.
What a fabulous lunch! The atmosphere is upscale, ok for jeans at lunch but probably not at dinner. This place was packed so we grabbed a spot at the bar. Gina? Waited on us, she is very friendly, knowledgable, and efficient. I had the salmon based on her recommendation. It was fantastic! The salmon was a large portion, perfectly cooked and deliciously seasoned. The mushroom risotto was creamy, al dente cooked.... good all around comfort food. My coworker got the lobster Mac n cheese which was wonderful creamy goodness. My experience here was unexpectedly top notch. This restaurant definitely deserves all the excellent reviews!
(5)
J.L. L.
My boyfriend and I did not make reservations for dinner, but when we showed up at 5pm--on Valentine's Day--the hostess made a spot for us. We ordered from the Valentine's menu and everything was delicious. The waiter was friendly and efficient. I have been here several times but it was my boyfriend's first time and now he wants to come back. The lobster bisque was so creamy! I could detail everything I've had here, but I won't. No matter what I've ordered, I've never been disappointed.
(5)
Mallory N.
3 words: lemon artichoke soup. No, wait, 4 more: lobster mac and cheese Do yourself a favor and order them! The soup was unlike anything I've ever tasted, and my husband and I are determined to make our own version of it at home (which will likely prove impossible). I was hesitant to order the lobster mac as I'm usually not crazy about rich foods, but I gave this one a try. HOLY MACARONI! The perfect amount of cheesy creaminess (not too much) and generous chunks of sweet lobster. Service was fantastic as well. We were celebrating our one year wedding anniversary and brought the top tier of our cake, and the staff were happy to serve it to us. They also included a free dessert- we were pretty full by that time but took them up on the key lime pie and it was to die for. This little spot has so much charm. We would have driven by it if it weren't for a personal recommendation from a friend. It's pretty small and has a very authentic, cozy atmosphere. I'm just very, very sad that this place is all the way in Nashville. I'm going to see if I can arrange for shipments of their lobster mac to San Francisco :)
(5)
Roger Y.
I have had wonderful service and good food each time in my visits here the past 2 years. Dark decor and dim lighting make this small space cozy but not stuffy. Good choices of wines by the glass. Food consistently well prepared. This week is Nashville Restaurant Week. They have a special 3 course menu including shrimp and grits as one of the appetizer choices. The bacon and tomato made this dish stand out. Within easy walking distance from the north end of the Vanderbilt campus and the hotels near West End and 19th. Valet parking is free.
(5)
Lindsey M.
Had dinner with my father here a few weeks ago for the first time. The food was excellent and the service was exceptional. Our waiter was very friendly, helpful, attentive to detail, and personable. Would highly recommend this restaurant for a relaxed dinner.
(5)
Queen B.
Whether it's lunch or dinner, this long established place is solid. They have a big following for a reason.. The food is ALWAYS good, always abundant, always fresh, good variety. One of the best places in town for consistently excellent quality food. Went to lunch today and the place was packed... PACKED. Waitstaff is alert, attentive and your glass of water is always filled, no matter how busy they are. Friend and I had lunch today and we both agreed, this is one of our very favorite places. The blackened salmon burger was delicious and cooked exactly like I asked for. Friend had so much meatloaf, she had to get a to go box for the rest of it. The also have the best lemon artichoke soup that no other restaurant serves. Good food, good ambience, well stocked bar, good service. I hope this place remains a 5 star restaurant.
(5)
Bruce D.
Great dinner! Perfect place to have a nice quiet dinner for the business traveler. Gina the bartender (been there 14 years) was welcoming and nice and made great menu suggestions. Very good food with huge portions. Do yourself a favor and have dinner with Gina one night!
(5)
Tim G.
This is one of my go to lunch places if I have a lunch meeting. The Caesar salad is the best in town. It has pine nuts and sundries tomatoes. It's absolutely to die for. Shah it off with the biscuits too.
(5)
Lawrence C.
dined 12/7/13 The star attraction of this restaurant is their offering free round-trip transportation to the Ryman Auditorium (and perhaps other downtown venues). If you are oriented to having a starter, main and dessert, then it makes sense to get the "tasting menu" @ $37. Certain offerings are not part of this menu, such as the lobster mac 'n' cheese side dish, @ $10. Wines averaged $12/glass. The six of us all agreed the portions, and quality were average, and we also felt the pricing was a tad high. Beware, they imposed an automatic 20% gratuity/tipping charge (also a tad high) though we were only 6 people!!
(2)
Bob G.
As part of a milestone birthday evening for my mother-in-law, I trusted Randy and his team at Midtown to earn me some 'son in law' points - with dinner for her and a group of her friends. And - the Midtown folks delivered!! Everything was fantastic: the food was to die for, service was world-class, and the ambiance was the perfect setting for them - lively, but still able to enjoy great conversation with friends. (They even brought out a starter Shrimp-and-grit for the special occasion - which really added an air of the 'royal treatment' for her special day.) With all the great places in Nashville to dine - and the list is growing daily - Midtown remains my #1 Choice! Well done.
(5)
Shannon A.
Was referred to Midtown Cafe from our hotel, and the person I was travelling with had been there before. It was a short, but cold, walk from the Hilton Garden Inn. When we first arrived, the front door host was on the phone and almost ventured into a conversation that seemed to go on a bit longer than I would have liked, but she saw our frustration and hung up, and apologized about the delay. Fair enough. We were seated in the dimly lit dining room, at a corner table. Our server came over quickly and suggested a few bottles of wine. We settled on a Cabernet after the one we really wanted was out of stock. We were served a basket of tiny little biscuits that had a very small sweet taste to it...melt in your mouth biscuits- tasty but dangerous! The menu had many offerings but were slim on vegetarian options. Our server made suggestions of what they could whip up for me which was nice. I ended up with the linguine with a marinara sauce and julienne style veggies. It was tasty and a ton of food. Luckily the hotel had a fridge so I took the rest back with me. I enjoyed Midtown and would definitly make it a stop for dinner next time I am in Nashville!
I stopped in for restaurant week and the dining room was booked but I snagged 2 seats at the full service, yet small, bar. Along with their dinner offerings they had a $20 bottle of house wine--yes please:) We had the salad and shrimp and grits to start... We should have both got the shrimp and grits! Lucky enough it was a large enough serving to share. For entrees we had the mahi mahi and the pork loin & risotto. Holy moly I want to eat that pork and risotto more times than one ever should. A spicy rub and tangy sauce was such a flavor explosion. The cheesy risotto was the perfect accompaniment. Loved this little gem of nashville history.
(5)
Joy C.
It was our anniversary and Open Table recommended this spot for intimate dining. It had good reviews so why not! Traveled to Nashville and spent the weekend in Brentwood. OK back to the food! I ordered the shrimps and grits...AH-maz-ing!!! My husband had salmon, freaking awesome as well! Our waitress was everything! A very good experience!
(5)
Maggie M.
Have been going here for years -love everything about it. One of Randy's fabulous local restaurants. A great local spot. Everyone raves about the lemon artichoke soup, which is delicious and so are the shrimp and grits, and the Martini's are perfect. Service is always good and with a smile.
(5)
Dan J.
Back after many years hoping to relive the glory days of this restaurant. The valet forced himself to park your car. There was parking right up front. The service is good and the signature lemon artichoke soup is still the way remembered it. I had the red fish with just a touch of dressing. Otherwise a bland choice both in taste and presentation. The asparagus is as plain as it can get. Glad they are now catering to the theater crowd with free pick up. Because I won't be back for another few years.
(1)
Tim A.
Restaurant Week is always an exciting time to try new restaurants, but there's always one oldy that I can't pass up season after season: the $12 lunch special at Midtown. I've been here four times now, and there has been a little bit of inconsistency between visits. Don't be alarmed, this inconsistency hasn't been between bad and good, but rather between good and great. Last time I went, the lemon artichoke soup was spectacular (as always), but the shrimp n' grits was a bit too mellow and the consistency of the grits was just slighty off. Today, though, something compelled me to the give the shrimp n' grits another chance...and I am so glad I did. They added some heat to it, and the grits had that perfect creaminess that makes good grits so dangerous. To boot, the service is top-notch (I love when places top off my water glass even when it's already 3/4 full) and the interior space is full of really interesting modern art pieces. This is one of the first restaurants I tried in Nashville, and it remains close to my heart today. A great dining option in the Midtown area.
(4)
Sheena T.
Midtown is a great dinner spot when you are looking for a nice meal! I have been here multiple times and my most recent experience was on a double date. They had a price fixed menu that looked pretty amazing, so I decided to go for it! My meal was a caprese salad, seafood pasta with a cream sauce, and the tiramisu. The caprese salad was ok, nothing really great and I was especially jealous after I had bites of what everyone else had ordered. The lemon artichoke soup and the spinach chipotle hummus were so delicious I was kicking myself. (Our friend no longer lives in Nashville and hadn't been to Midtown Cafe in years and he ordered the soup because he remembered how good it is). The hummus was some of the best I've ever had, and I eat a lot of hummus people. They served it with warm pitas (not stale like some places) and we also had a complementary order of small biscuits on the side. YUM. For main courses, I had a seafood pasta in a cream sauce (I splurged for this dinner!) and I almost licked the bowl it was so good and was sad it was gone. The others had the scallops with the lobster mac and cheese that were also incredible. But dinner wasn't over. The table had the key lime pie and tiramisu. (As if I needed more calories!) But it was so worth it. It was a great meal that made me remember why I come back again and again!
(4)
John S.
Came here today for lunch with 2 coworkers for Restaurant Week! I'd heard about this place but never got around to actually going, so I took this chance to go. We made a reservation (it's VERY busy this week even at lunch, so make sure you do the same) and arrived a bit late but still had our table. The server was pretty helpful and explained the dishes we asked about like the soup I ended up getting. For the first course, I got the soup of the day, which was a delicious Manhattan Chowder. This soup had fish in it, which tasted very fresh, along with other vegetables like onions and tomato which added flavor despite the fresh fish being the predominant flavor. Very tasty. For the entree, I picked the beef tenderloin with mashed potatoes. The beef was more of a moist mixture, since it had mushrooms, onion(?), and a bit of bacon - although there was a pretty good flavor to it, it wasn't very strong. Meanwhile, the mashed potatoes were delicious! Just the right texture, the right amount of salt, and there must have been a bit of garlic or something else in there. Loved them. I also tried the shrimp and grits one of my coworkers got, and I almost wish I'd gotten that! The mashed potatoes on my dish were definitely better than the grits alone (I personally dislike grits in almost all cases), but as a whole the shrimp and grits dish seemed to taste better. I'd come back here for a nice dinner. Very classy and great food.
(4)
Andrew W.
Great place to go for dinner when going to a concert - they provide free transportation with dinner!! Taker the whole parking thing out of the equation!!!
(4)
Jennifer M.
We made reservations here on a whim going by others reviews on yelp. The service was great and the atmosphere is cozy. Food was cooked well and tasted good but just wasn't anything fantastic. I had the filet and it was tender and cooked perfect. The only thing I couldn't get enough of was the smoked Gouda cheese grits! They were really really yummy.
(3)
David L.
This place has been a periodic spot for me to eat - lunch and dinner - over the last five years or so...we had dinner there again last night, so I thought it deserved a review. Let me also say: I love the "linkage" of the Open Table reservation system with Yelp. It was so easy to get my reservation established, along with a special flower arrangement for my wife to be waiting at our table upon arrival (anniversary). Nice features! First things first: Ambiance. For a restaurant as small as MTC is, I've always appreciated the relatively low noise level. This has always been one of my pet peeves in dining: I like to be able to have a conversation at my table without straining to hear! I don't know how they do it, but the place was packed and, yet, I was pleased with the noise level. Second: The Menu. This has always been the challenge for me...there are SO many good items to choose from! This night, I chose the Ribeye, with lobster mac and cheese and gouda cheese grits (pic attached). Yeah, I know: cheese overload! (It was one of those nights!) My wife chose the rainbow trout, with asparagus and roasted potatoes (pic attached). Both had excellent flavors (great sauce!) and the sides were tasty compliments. (I was slightly disappointed with the Ribeye, though - it could have been a bit more more tender.) I also paired an excellent Pinot Noir with the meal. Very pleasing. Third: The Service. This is my other pet peeve. I like to have good service that anticipates my needs and ensures I'm never wanting for anything, yet is not imposing. You know - don't leave me stranded without water, but don't interrupt every 10 minutes to top off my drink. We had the perfect balance of service and attention this night. Fourth: The Value Proposition. This is where it gets a little tough. Our bill was over $100 for the two of us. No appetizers, one salad, two entrees and two glasses of wine - and no dessert. I know it is difficult nowadays to have a really good meal with some amenities for under this price, but I like to be WOW'd when I pay this much. It did not quite get there this time. (Thus, four, not five, stars.) Nonetheless, we really enjoyed the meal and the experience. And, most important, we'll go back again.
(4)
Jerry L.
A little dark and shopworn, but the food is a lot better than what I would have expect...foie gras to start, duck breast for an entree and it was all very good. Dessert, no great, but I'll be for the shrimp & grits, which are report to be the best in the state!
(4)
Sara W.
We went for a bachelorette dinner. Our server Savannah was awesome! She even split our checks perfectly so we could pay separately. A friend and I spilt the shrimp and grits and also the scallops. It was Amazing! The lemon artichoke soup was also great!
(5)
Ishmael L.
Let me start by saying, if you are looking for food reviews, please read the other reviews here. I did not get a chance to sample the food: the customer service was that horrid.This restaurant may have the finest food in all of Nashville, but I will never know since I'll never return. We and some friends had a reservation for 8PM on a Friday night. Being restaurant week, we expected it to be busy, hence the reservation. Our friends arrived shortly before 8PM, we arrived at 8:03 PM and while I parked the car, I guess I expected to be seated when I entered the door. Unfortunately, we had not been seated. So, we "sat" awkwardly on the 4 stools adjacent to the bar. The whole restaurant is a bit cramped ("cozy" if you prefer that adjective). We decided on a cocktail in preparation for our meal. We all sat patiently while servers brushed past us serving other customers, including a large party in the center of the room that clearly had been there for some time (and, insisted on independent bills). Some time had passed, and I happened to look at my watch. I was 8:30, and I recall thinking: "should I get another glass of wine, or wait for dinner?" You see, I was forced to have this internal dialogue since NO-ONE had come up to us to inform us of how long we might be waiting. I finished my wine at 8:40 and thought to myself: "Surely, they'll be seating us now." When 8:50 rolled around, I had had enough, but was I still pleasant. At about this time, our friends became anxious as they saw that several tables had cleared up, including the large party. They moved to the Hostess' area to remind her that we still had not been seated, and had been waiting over an hour. Now, I am not sure when they had arrived or when their reservation was, but the Hostess immediately seated a couple at a 4-seat table. Meanwhile, we continued waiting for a table. At this point, I determined that this establishment did not value its customers, and did not deserve our patronage. At what point do you afford yourself some self-respect and draw a line? While I was not privy to the conversation between our friends and the Hostess/Seater/Waitress, no information was relayed to us (by wait staff or our friends) about what our wait time looked like. I decided that 1 hour was plenty enough time to either 1) seat your patrons, or 2) advise them of the situation and offer some sort of compensation/consolation. Some sort of appraisement within 45 minutes would have been the bare minimum I would expect, especially considering that we came with reservations. When the clock struck nine, I decided it was time to leave, even though they were readying a table for us. As one might expect, this presented a problem for my significant other, who was looking forward to a meal out with her friends. So, I'm the bad guy whether I a) leave the place due to terrible customer service, or b) suffer through dinner in a clearly agitated state. I chose option #1. At least in that instance, I'd retain a modicum of dignity. As one might expect, this led to a parking lot discussion with my significant other. We both agreed that the establishment did not deserve our patronage, but that I should inform our friends of our decision. I also took it upon myself to point out our frustration to the staff. Upon reentering the building, I encountered who I presumed to be the Hostess/Seater/whathaveyou based on the "crazy" fact that she had been seating people all night and had a pile of menus in her hands. Here is a general synopsis of the conversation with the Sorority-Girl Seater/Waitress/Server/etc. Me: "Thank you for ruining what might have been an enjoyable evening." Sorrority Girl: "I personally ruined your evening? Excuse me? (rolling eyes). Me: "Do you not organize the reservations?" Sorority-Girl: "Umm, I just happened to be here." Me: "Well, we waited for an hour to be seated and we came with a reservation." Sorority Girl: "Well, your friends were here at 8:00, you were not." (rolls eyes in head one last time). Me: "Would that have made a difference?" Sorority Girl: No response, rolls eyes in head. At this point, I should remind the reader that we arrived 2-3 minutes after the reservation, and that our friend had arrived 5-10 minutes before the reservation. I'm not sure I've ever encountered a restaurant that will void your reservation because only 3 out of 4 of your party have arrived at the moment of the reservation. Not that it would have made a difference, as the entire place was packed and the large party had already been there for 2 hours (as noted by the Ass. Manager later on). I had reached the boiling point with the arrogance, condescension, and rudeness. We had sat quietly without comment for an entire hour waiting for our reservation. We had received no concern or consolation about our situation from any of the staff members, or any indication that we would. At this point, we were just a table of suckers who had waited an hour.
(1)
Chelsea J.
Nashville Restaurant Week might not be the best time to judge a restaurant since they are so busy, but at the same time they should be featuring their best items right? Came here for lunch and actually had to make a reservation (restaurant week I guess). The parking was nightmarish so I opted for valet which was complimentary so that was nice. Our server was great! Attentive, chatty and everything else I could want in a server. I had the shrimp and grits and it was good, not fabulous, but definitely not bad. The shrimp could have been fresher but I guess thats what you get in a landlocked state. My friend had the Vol Au Vent which looked divine, comfort food anyone? As my first time here it was a bit nicer than I expected. It sits along 19th in the same vicinity as Chuy's and Hattie B's so I figured it was going to be casual. Not the case, Midtown Cafe was white tablecloth status and could be a good choice for a business lunch or the like, but definitely not a place to pop in for a quick casual lunch. Food was a 3.5, but service was definitely a 5. I probably wouldn't go back for lunch but it could be on my list of places to try for a nicer dinner.
(4)
Lindsay H.
I feel guilty about the number of times I have come here and never written a review, because this place is one of my absolute favorites in Nashville! The menu is a perfect blend of southern and eclectic, and there are some dishes that I don't know where to even start when describing how delicious they are! For example- their spinach salad...SO GOOD. I never thought I would be hung up on a salad but this one does it for me. Also, as many of the reviewers have written, the lobster mac is out of this world. I've had quite a few mac n' cheeses in my life and this one tops the list. Is it the noodles? The lobster? That decadent cheese sauce? I don't know but it all comes together and leaves me wanting more (while simultaneously feeling myself gaining weight). Lastly, the Vol Au Vent. This is what I think heaven will be like. If you are a chicken pot pie fan, try the Vol au Vent. So bad, but so, so good.
(5)
Rex G.
The Midtown Cafe is worth the trip from downtown. Excellent food, great service, good wine list. The server was excellent.
(4)
Melinda T.
The shrimp and grits are amazing!! The seasoning is enhanced with bacon and Gouda cheese - yummy - everything's better with bacon!! Wish I lived here, I would bring family and friends!!!
(5)
Terri H.
Valet park! I drove all the way around this restaurant and couldn't find anywhere to park. All the parking spots had orange cones in them. I then realized there was a valet stand in front of the restaurant and that would be my only option. The waiter brought two biscuits out first. One was regular and one had cranberry and a bit of cinnamon. He was very friendly and my water glass was never empty. Chicken Croquettes were the most tempting lunch option out of several amazing sounding entrees. They were topped with a sweet pea cream sauce and served with rice pilaf and vegetable confetti. Everything was so good I didn't leave a single bite.
(5)
Nathan L.
Great food and great service. Exceeded expectations. The lobster mac and cheese was the best I've had.
(5)
Anna J.
We came here for restaurant week dinner.... the food wasn't a standout, but wasn't bad either. Not much to elaborate, they were pretty crowded on a Thurs night, so we had to sit at the bar. I had the ribeye and it was cooked pretty well, however, had no seasoning to it, was pretty bland. I had to put a lot of salt on it to eat, the sauteed veggies and mash potatoes was good though. My boyfriend had the duck breast... this was not that great. The breast was a bit chewy and the rice tasted like the 1 minute uncle Ben's microwavable rice...ha! Now, desert was great, but then again, how can you go wrong with fruity sorbet and molten chocolate cake! Overall, good experience, but for the price you pay here, I expect food that should be much better executed.
(3)
Phillip F.
Great food. I had the shrimp and grits, wife had the veal 3 way and we both had the artichoke lemon soup. All were very good. Service was good and the decor was nice, intimate, but not too small. I especially liked the art on the walls. Only possible negative was I thought some of the wine prices were a little high compared to same wines at other comparable restaraunts.
(4)
Travis H.
Really really good food and a really really cool atmosphere. I got a simple sandwich and it was above and beyond what I expected. The little breads were great at the start and the local artwork hanging around this small place felt like I was in a mini art gallery. I thought the wait staff was really on top of things as well. Would definitely go back next time I'm in town.
(4)
Diana S.
Old school pretty much sums up this restaurant. It must survive on businessmen who want a substantial lunch and possibly a glass or two of wine. The servers are very attentive and accommodating - I'm sure that helps build return business. The atmosphere is nice enough at night - modern interior and intimate with low lights - but if you go for lunch it would be like eating a cave. You aren't going to find much innovation on the menu, and they stick with what worked for them when they opened 25-odd years ago, e.g. lemon artichoke soup, crab cakes, steak, pork chops and some chicken. Used to go here on and off, but haven't been in about 12 years until meeting a big group Friday night. The crab cakes were not as good as I remembered, probably because I have had many versions that were much better since. Ditto for the lemon artichoke soup (which is a house specialty) which tasted of canned 'chokes. Even the Key lime pie was mediocre, and geez, guys - that is really easy to make. The filling wasn't very tart and the crust actually tasted a bit stale and was slightly mushy, when it should be buttery and crisp. WIth the many fantastic restaurants in Nashville that are producing truly delicious food, both of the innovative and down-home varieties, it will probably be another 10 years before I decide to go back to Midtown.
(3)
Kimberly L.
I was in Nashville for a training and I was taken here for dinner. Being from California, I had never had grits. So I decided to get the shrimp and grits. This dish was really good. I also had the local beer yazoo dos perros, which was also good.
(5)
Pat S.
My companion and I had dinner here prior to the Saturday night Opry at the Ryman. We had reservations at a more "trendy" Nashville restaurant, but after looking at the menu we decided Midtown Cafe was more in keeping with our mood. We walked over from a nearby hotel, but parking does look at bit cramped - there was a valet. We arrived before the dinner crowd and the restaurant was almost empty, but filled up quickly. The server was attentive and well-versed in the menu offerings. Her descriptions of the entrees we ordered were spot on. There is a good wine list - we opted for a moderately-priced Pinot Grigio that neither of us had sampled before, and again, the server's description was spot-on. My companion had the minestrone soup and was rich, hot and satisfying on a chilly fall night. My salad was fresh, crisp, light and tasty. Our entrees were equally delicious - the seared dayboat scallops and lobster mac and cheese hit the spot with my companion while the grilled Tennessee trout with roasted new potatoes and creamed spinach was perfectly prepared. Quantities were sufficient, with enough for each of us to be satisfied with enough for us to sample the other's entree. The price was reasonable for the level of service and quality of the food and we were finished in time for the quick Uber ride downtown without being rushed. Highly recommended, unless I am in town and trying to get a reservation there, in which case, y'all go somewhere else so I can get a table!
(4)
Jim G.
Had a fabulous dinner here last night. My Ahi Tune was out of this world. I happen to have had a similar dish at a favorite restaurant of mine in Florida recently, and there is no comparison. The size was generous. The tuna superb. The dressing that garnished the plate was superb. The setting is intimate and very friendly. Our waiter was a gem. I explained early on that I had fasting restrictions which prevented me from consuming meat or dairy, and he offered excellent recommendations for every course, including desert. I can't wait to return when I am on longer fasting to try some of the other excellent sounding options on the menu!
(5)
Rich R.
An excellent meal, no reservations! Mid-Town Cafe is one of those places that defines my visit to a city. I will remember Nashville positively as a result! With no reservations (didn't know what a hot place this was) we managed to score a table right away during Julia Child tribute week in the middle of the dinner rush. The restaurant was completely packed, the cramped maze of chairs an tables feels like an "institution". Knowledgeable staff, a great chef, you will not be disappointed!
(5)
BethAnn S.
I get it. Its the power lunch. But is it awful I don't want to be powerful if it means I have to sit on my neighbors lap in this crazy packed restaurant where they are so interested in moving folks thru the doors that there is nowhere to breath or stand if you aren't sitting? And if you are sitting, you could be paying $50 for lunch for two only to be unsure what the person across the table is talking about because its so loud? The food is really, really good. I'm not talking 5 diamond, but better than Hillsboro fare and if you want to see someone 'of importance', you will surely be in luck. I got a scallop salad, which was amazing, but we came when everyone and their mother did - 11:30 am - and our server was inattentive at best and having a spell of ADD at worst. I'd vote for a cheaper alternative or an off prime time booking to get your money's worth here.
(3)
Jennifer S.
I see great reviews but I have been there 4 times now. The food is just okay. It is over priced, service is mediocre and I actually got food poisoning from the shrimp and grits one time. Nashville has a fabulous dining scene. You can find better for more affordable.
(2)
Janet M.
We had an excellent meal an experience at Midtown Cafe. Open table screwed up our reservation by bumping us down an hour & half and the hostess was very good about helping us get on the reservation list for our desired time. Then we showed up a little early and were seated within 10 minutes. Overall, the service was impeccable. None of the snooty attitude you find at downtown restaurants like Merchants. Our waiter was very friendly and personable and professional. Now for the food. Let me just start by saying their shrimp & grits is outta this world. Seriously! I have never had any that have come close to this good. Not by a long shot. The grits have Gouda in them and there is a white wine sauce that covers it all. Impeccable! For dinner, I had the veal Oscar and my husband had the veal trio. He said the florentine was the best. I was very happy with mine, but the vegetable risotto was epic! I would not say the portions are small. I got three small veal filets, 3 or 4 thick asparagus and a nice portion of risotto. I ate it all, but was satisfied. I'm also a pregnant woman in my second trimester - I can eat! My only suggestion would be to add a touch more crab. There wasn't enough to accompany every bite. We skipped dessert, because we were full. However, all of their desserts are homemade and probably worth saving room for.
(5)
Tom B.
Simply superb, an outstanding meal with top notch service. I highly recommend both the lemon artichoke soup and the scallops with lobster brie mac and cheese with lobster sauce. The best meal I've had in a long time.
(5)
Tina S.
Midtown is always a good idea. On a weekend,you must have reservations though. It is not really a place you can just walk in on the weekends. The restaurant is small and the food is excellent. I had the Tuna Tartar with seaweed as a starter and it was wonderful. They bring real miniature homemade biscuits to the table as the bread. For dinner I had the salmon with mushroom risotto. So flavorful and tasty. The restaurant has a nice wine selection. The crowd tends to be older, over 40ish. Most people are dressed very nicely. They have no parking really so you will need to use the valet service in front of the restaurant. With one cocktail,I'd say you are looking at $50 per person. Totally worth it. The portions are very reasonable and a good size, not too much and not too little. (Not like some of the newer restaurants that seem to think giving you hardly any food for a $60 meal is okay!). anyhow, definitely, Midtown is great food, good intimate atmosphere. Can't go wrong here.
(5)
Jason B.
My wife and I were in Nashville as part of our honeymoon this weekend, and we wanted to eat somewhere nice before leaving. She doesn't eat red meat, so eating down south isn't always easy. We tried Watermark because the menu looked accommodating, but that was absolutely not the case. Once we walked back to our hotel, we looked up this place. Both of us are so happy we ended up there. First off, our waiter, Doug, was awesome! He was very patient with my wife, and had the chef change up a dish to her liking. She got the tuna steak and I had the hanger steak; both of which were outstanding. The atmosphere was calm, and not pretentious at all. I mean, don't be an idiot and wear a t-shirt, as it isn't that kind of place. Doug, if you read this, thank you a million times over and thanks for the tip about 5 points. See you next year!
(5)
Anna L.
This place is OK. Its a little deceiving. A group of us were looking for a place for lunch. It says its a cafe, but when you get in there its really a fancier place for business lunches. No matter I guess.. we all ate there. The portions were big, the food was good and the waitress we had was very nice and ccomodating.
(3)
Christopher P.
Another very pleasant experience at Midtown. Professional service and nice menu surprises such as seared foie gras appetizer, beautifully prepared. Restaurant week chefs menu offered very nice wine pairings as well. Small intimate atmosphere can get loud, but that's due to an enthusiastic crowd, not the acoustics of the room. Always a good bet for a well done meal.
(4)
Tammy R.
Food was excellent. Valet parking is a bit of a pain as they rope off their parking lot so you're forced to valet. shrimp and grits were some of the best I've ever had. sea scallops were excellent as well. nice atmosphere. great for an intimate dinner. photos to follow
Midtown is our go to place when we have guests in town. The Ahi Tuna Tartar is the best I've had. The lemon artichoke soup is delicious as is the Shrimp and grits. Great wine list and fabulous service!
(5)
Jason K.
I have only had the Shrimp and Grits. it is so good... Great place to take a date. very cosy and intimate. great staff. First time I went I arrive late 20 minutes before close and they never even tried to rush me even though I was willing to take the food to go, they sat me down and treated me very well. Great place all around.
(5)
Charity A.
Kind of "predictable" fine dining menu. The tuna carpaccio was delicious. I order the salad and it had way too much dressing on it. Horrible wine selection. I asked for a dry red. They brought me two tastes, both were very sweet and fruit-forward. I asked the server to consult with the bartender and they suggested two more sweet, bold plummy wines. Bleh. I decided on one, but it was mediocre. Can a girl get a good wine or what?
(2)
Caroline H.
Mid-Town cafe is teeny! There were about 10 tables and a bar. Yet, it's not super busy. On a Friday night at 8, there were only about 4 active tables during our entire stay! I tried the hummus appetizer and it was yummy, but nothing special. For dinner I had the shrimp and grits entree. While the other reviewers commented on how weird it was to have tomatoes in there, I'll disagree because I loved it! No, I've never had tomatoes in shrimp and grits before, but I thought the spiciness and the added tomatoes were a nice touch to make it original. All of the other ladies at my table really enjoyed their meals as well, with the exception being one who ordered a mediocre house salad. Our waiter was friendly and helpful, although his menu "favorites" happened to match the favorites of the waitress attending to the table next to ours, but you can't fault him for pushing what the kitchen wants to push. He was good about refilling waters and bringing out drinks. I liked how the restaurant had all these sets of 4 paintings, seemingly done by the same artist. I sat facing a set of 4 paintings of pipes. Tobacco pipes not drainage pipes. The whole vibe did sort of seem stuck in the '90s, but I actually liked this place a lot.
(4)
Chef Mary S.
We had the most delightful dinner at Midtown! Excellent service and the food was outstanding. First I love the ambiance of the dimly lit dining room. It reminded me of the way restaurants were years ago, and still today in Chicago! Great wines offered by the glass! Loved the month long menu dedicated to Julia Child. Amazing how many restaurants can screw up a Caesar Salad...but they can. Ordered half portion salad requesting light dressing, well tossed and it was perfect. The Julia Child Sole Meunière melted in my mouth and the smoked gouda grits and creamed spinach were the perfect sides, I chose for this entree. They had no problem with me substituting! My friend had lobster mac and cheese, and it was the best she has ever had. The mussels were perfectly prepared as well. We were so stuffed we declined dessert but may stop in for just dessert and one of their special coffees next time.
(5)
Barnabas P.
The shrimp and grits lived up to its reputation. The service was good. A really nice restaurant experience.
(4)
Paul B.
I had a nice plate of veal saltimbocca served over mashed potatoes. It was garnished with deep fried spinach (interestingly good). The Demi-glace was perfect. I wish there would a little bit more sage presence but I realize everyone's pallet is different. The homemade Caesar dressing was excellent. Very nice wine selection by either glass or bottle. Very small but a nice ambiance. $100 for two with only 2 glasses of wine and no dessert. (the reason for only 4 stars)
(4)
Gi O.
Nashville is turning out to be a dining homerun! Another great restaurant. Shrimp & grits were outstanding. The appetizer size is big enough, at least for me. While I did not try any of the martinis, they have a pretty extensive menu. Fantastic service. Bon appetite!
(5)
Jade D.
Just okay. Not bad but not worth its prices. I can't believe 5-star reviews. Dont get me wrong, it definitely has some standouts: YES I would have licked the plate clean of the the appetizer portion of the shrimp and grits we got, but found everything else to be fair. My colleague was delivered a not-so-fresh glass of wine, which the waitress promptly replaced--though her comment "for the prices we charge, it better be perfect", was odd for a server to be remarking to her customers. And she was right, after eating my tuna dish, it seemed overpriced at $35.95 ... (more expensive than all dishes at Etch which I dined the next evening and which was more modern and inventive). The accompanying asian vegetables were just okay--seemed middle of the road preparation. As for ambiance, the place could use a refresh, the building itself is small, cute/quaint but the decor felt tired. I wouldnt go back really....and was glad I had in advance vetoed a colleague who wanted to take clients here the next night.
(3)
S S.
Great food and great service. A little pricey but still a nice restaurant. Worth a try; specifically before an event downtown. They have a shuttle service to preclude parking issues downtown.
(4)
Sydney M.
So finally am writing a review after eating there for the 4th time (I know I'm a lucky girl). First of all, favorite restaurant in Nashville. Food is amazing! The foie gras appetizer is so delicious, and the chef is always tweaking the menu to keep things interesting. Lemon artichoke soup. Get it. Ask questions later. But also ask about the soup of the day. Those are always good too. They also do this "flight" thing with their dinner specials. So you pay a set amount and choose a 2 or 3 or 4 course meal. You save a lot of money that way. And they'll even pair your wine by dish if you want that. But I've noticed that the wine flight pairings are more often white wine. Heads up. The veal, steak, chicken, duck, and salads are all great. OH MY GOSH the food is amazing. Just go. I can't really think of any dessert that I've been blown away by. Which is odd, because Sunset Grille has really strange, exotic desserts. Oh yeah. It's delicious. A little pricy but definitely worth every penny. Talking about it is making me hungry. Just go.
(5)
Lisette F.
Came in for lunch. The food was really terrific. Had salmon BLT. One bite and I already knew I would miss that sandwich! My husband had a chicken salad with side of grits. All delicious! They had a lunch menu in honor of Julia Child and her signature dishes. What a neat idea! Service and ambience was wonderful. We were only in town a couple days but were wondering how we could squeeze another trip back!
(5)
Ashley H.
Wine selection is great. Honey biscuits were delish. Shrimp and grits were awesome! Pecan pie gelato - best thing on the menu!
(4)
Phillip S.
Try the Shrimp & Grits
(5)
Ali M.
Fabulous. Shrimp and Grits!
(5)
Jamie A.
This is my go to place for a lunch meet up with friends. I just returned from lunch with two of my lovelies and we had a great time. The tables are spacious, service is great, wine list is decent sized but the stand out is the food. Only available on the lunch menu, the chicken croquettes with green pea sauce, veggies and rice are fantastic! They always have inventive soups, but I can't resist the lemon artichoke soup. A friend ordered the meat loaf and it is a good thing we were at a larger table or I would've totally stolen a bite! It looked awesome.
(5)
Michael F.
Best meal I have had in Nashville. Salad with Asian orange soy house dressing to start. Very, very fresh ingredients. Great biscuits. Had the special...roasted duck breast. Prepared just right...rich and comforting. Service was top notch...Mike took great care of me...he was definitely focused on making it a great experience. Will go back!
(5)
Mark M.
Good service and food. Love the shuttle service for tpac and symphony! You just have to make sure you tell them with the reservation. Wait staff makes sure you eat and get shuttle and show on time.
(4)
Josh M.
I want to preface the two-star rating by saying that it wasn't unpleasant, but we won't go back extremely soon. The ambience was decent, but not great. The service was all right, but not spot-on. And the food didn't blow me away. I got the feeling that their approach is a little more comfortable. I didn't feel that energy that a newer, eager restaurant has. I respect Midtown Cafe for being one of the first restaurant of its kind in Nashville, but I feel like they should make a couple updates to keep up with the blossoming food scene in Nashville.
(2)
Sarah C.
Fab-u-lous! A pre-Valentine's dinner celebration (with a livingsocial coupon in tow) the hubs-to-be and I headed to Midtown after a slew of recommendations from our yelp friends! The dining space is intimate with candlelight and black linens and the waitstaff was fantastic to talk to! I'd go back to just hang out with them again. A prix fixe menu ($45/person) was offered for Valentine's Day weekend but many of the items were also offered on their standard menu. Starting with a mixed salad with aged goat cheese and strawberries and a smooth glass of pinot gris, I was already satisfied with the meal. OHH! Let me tell you about the mini biscuits with sweet butter! As soon as our server brought those suckers out, my low carb diet was out the window!!! The main course selections were grilled grouper and prime rib with beautiful vegetable sides, both tasty! One cool thing about Midtown besides the food and the wine selection is the fact they offer a complimentary shuttle service to TPAC and the Symphony!
(5)
Carolyn M.
Had a great date night here. Smaller and more intimate than Sunset or Cabana. The pork chop was fantastic. Attentive service.
(4)
Merritt G.
We went to dinner here Friday night with a Living Social coupon of get $40 of food for $20 in hand. The restaurant is very quaint. I loved how small it was. Our service was great. We were promptly seated for our reservation. Our server was great, too. He laughed with us all night and was always very attentive. I ordered the shrimp and grits for an appetizer. The served it with four prawns which wasn't bad for the $9.99 price tag. The dish was pretty good with a nice spicy kick, but for some reason they served it with tomatoes. Tomatoes? They didn't go with the dish at all. I tried it three times because I thought certainly the chef is using them to add to the dish. Nope. So I pushed the rest of them to the side. I had the 5oz filet with garden risotto and haricot verts for dinner. The steak was cooked perfectly (medium) but it had hardly any flavor whatsoever. Very disappointing. The actual arborio rice in the risotto was cooked perfectly, but they threw in diced fresh veggies throughout the risotto AFTER it was cooked. So they were crunchy. The veggies should have been cooked with the rice. I didn't finish the risotto. The haricot verts were cooked perfectly as well - and they tasted great, too. The service was great so if anyone ever suggested we go back I would go, but I'm in no rush. Note: Parking is valet and it's not free like many of the restaurants downtown so be sure to bring enough cash.
(3)
David G.
So, here's my definition of "casual fine dining": it means you get to go to a quaint, small restaurant space that is somewhat intimate where the service staff is well-groomed and well-dressed, the prices are upscale, but the patrons are clad in a nice pair of "going out" jeans and a trendy top - but not so casual that a T-shirt would be worn. I think that's what I stumbled upon. I also stumbled into a fantastically plated appetizer of shrimp and grits. Wow! There was a definite spicy kick to these bad boys; the first real spicy shrimp and grits I've had in Nashville. I nice blackened twist on a low country favorite. The meal consisted of 4 hefty sized blackened shrimp and a delicious sauce. My only "huh?!?" moment when dining on this appetizer was "why are there so many hunks of tomato" and large hunks of tomato too. I've never seen tomato chunks in shrimp and grits, and I was not a fan of that portion of the app. Fortunately, I could easily just move them to the side and enjoy the rest of the dish. For dinner, I ordered the chef's special for the day which was filet mignon tips of beef in an alfredo sauce over a bed of noodles with spinach and mushrooms. It was piping hot (temperature, not spice this time) and after it cooled down was a delightful meal. The beef was cooked so that it was medium to medium rare. The chianti was nice and I did not even need any fava beans... ;)
(4)
Theresa C.
We were staying across the street at the Courtyard and decided to check them out for lunch. Each of us tried a different dish. Their Blue Plate special was sold out so I had the corn and bacon chowder, which was good.
(4)
Jess Y.
4.5 stars Casual fine dining? I'm not really sure what that even means. But, I am glad that I decided not to go completely casual (in my T-shirt and jeans) and opted for a nice sweater and my nice jeans, because otherwise I would have stuck out like a sore thumb. I was actually extremely surprised by the small size of the restaurant and the tables were slightly more crowded than I would have liked. But, the atmosphere was nice, candle-lit, black, clean. It would be a great place for a date. The service here is fantastic. Within literally 30 seconds of sitting down, we were greeted by our waiter who kindly explained and pointed out some of the highlights from the menu. We never had to wait more than 20 seconds for the service we needed---seriously. It's almost like he could read our minds. And of course the food is delicious. We started with one of their famous crab cakes and the tuna tartar #1 ahi. Both were absolutely delicious. The crab cake was lightly fried and chock-ful of crab--yummy. But, also the most expensive crab cake I have ever eaten. For the main dish, I ordered the seared dayboat scallops which came with a lobster brie "mac and cheese". The portions were generous and it came out with four perfectly-cooked gigantic juicy scallops and a delicious lobster pasta. I loved the flavor of the pasta, creamy but not overpowering and they were extremely generous with the amount of lobster added. My only qualm was that they included not only lobster tail meat but also the tasteless rubbery part of the lobster. I would have expected only the fluffy, sweet, and soft lobster tail meat included in the pasta at a place like this. Other than that though, it was spectacular. My dining partner ordered the rainbow trout which was also delicious. Delicately and perfectly fried and seasoned well, but not overpoweringly. We would have done dessert too, but we were just so full from the appetizers and main dishes that we had no room to even think about dessert! Our waiter was also happy to give us some suggestions about wine pairings. They have an extensive list and both my dining partner and I were extremely satisfied with the quality and the choice of the wines that were recommended and that we selected. Overall, excellent restaurant. If I ever earn enough money to afford fine dining, I would come again.
(4)
Samantha S.
I went here with my parents whenever they were in town visiting me and every experience we have there is amazing. The servers are friendly, knowledgeable and don't hover over you or disappear at random times. It's a really small place so eat early or get a reservation. I usually order the crab cakes as an appetizer and then the pasta or one of the veals. Whenever my mom and I go back to Nashville we always go here at least twice so if you're a local take advantage of it as much as you can!
(5)
Mally B.
The food was awesome overall and our service was great, but this place really needs to improve its atmosphere. The entrees are small and expensive, and if they want to continue charging these high prices, they need to change something. Seems like its more suited for the older crowd. Midtown Tavern (around the corner) was much more lively the Friday night that we came to this restaurant, and I wish we had gone there.
(3)
Henry C. G.
First time, but will not be my last. Excellent chef's menu with wine pairings that I wouldn't ordinarily consider. Grouper, beautifully served on a bed of spinach with a side of stone ground grits. Wonderful dessert of coconut pie & a Tawny Port. Service was prompt coupled with conversation that was friendly & most accommodating. Being from New Orleans, my wife & I experience some of the best restaurants in the country on a daily basis. Mid-Town Cafe is (almost) an equal to any of our very best. Go early, sit at the quaint bar & enjoy!
(5)
Tom K.
The food and service is first rate. I especially like eating at the bar. The regular bartender is friendly and attentive. This spot is a must!
(4)
Caroline L.
Delish! I went for restaurant week and cleaned every plate. Fresh, flavorful, and well executed. The atmosphere is very cozy, too. I would highly recommend a visit here while you're in Nashville.
(5)
Barbara K.
Based on yelp reviews, I booked a reservation for 20 people at midtown, all here visiting from out of state. They went above and beyond to accommodate us together (the place is pretty intimate/small.) they even provided a shuttle to/from our hotel! We started at the bar, and had some great cocktails. Nice wine selection too. Then we were seated for dinner. Our waitress, Laurie, was fabulous. Made great suggestions for dinner, and our water glasses and drinks were never lacking. Speed of service was perfect! Food: I had the organic mixed greens salad, it was so good I didn't want it to end. Everyone at my table had a different salad, and every plate was devoured! For the main course, I had salmon ( cooked to perfection and so tasty by itself) which was accompanied by a deliciously rich risotto and some kind of sundried tomato sauce on top. Mmmmm. I wanted to finish the whole dish, it was so tasty, but I couldn't get through it! Other meals at my table were all raved about as well, including the scallops, the shrimp and grits, and crab cakes. There were thumbs up from the rest of the group too. The desserts looked awesome, but unfortunately I was not able to fit another bite! It was a wonderful evening out, and I can't say enough about the attention we received on our visit!
(5)
Charles N.
This was th highlight of our trip to Nashville. Everything on the menu wsa unreal! Free Shuttle from our hotel downtown to this restaurant, friendly waitstaff, and food that was SOOOO tasty. Big 5 stars here! Northerners/out of towners like us--be sure to order the shrimp and grits!
(5)
John F.
I have been going to Nashville for 15 years now pretty frequently for business. The Midtown is my 'go to place' when I want a nice dinner alone or entertaining clients. Have dined here about 25 times over the years and find the food always tasty and fresh, wine list not overwhelming but always with interesting choices and service very good. I almost did not write this review because it is small and don't want it to get too popular but it's too good to keep to myself...
(4)
Colby P.
My boyfriend and I chose to dine at Midtown Cafe after flipping through a hotel book advertising different Nashville establishments. Our experience was EXCEPTIONAL! Tim was our server. He was very helpful, but also not bothersome or overly attentive. He gave us the time and space to really enjoy the food, and did we ever! While everything was amazing, the Beef Carpaccio, Black & Blue Tuna and Gouda Cheese Grits really stood out. The presentation, flavor compliments, and quality of product were absolute perfection. As a newcomer to town, I will definitely be returning and spreading the word about this wonderful establishment!
(5)
mumin k.
This update is based on my last visit only. I want to start by making it clear that I was a big fun of Midtown cafe and think that it is one of the best restaurants in Nashville. However, my last visit and experience at Midtown were not anywhere close to my previous experiences. I went for a dinner late friday evening with a friend and my wife. I ordered the Veal 3 Way dish which is supposed to be tasting portions of the three veal dishes on the menu here. I think this would be a great choice if prepared properly but unfortunately my dish was cold and the veal pieces did not taste right and were cold. The risotto and the mashed potatoes that were part of the dish were also pretty cold. I am not sure but I think the veal pieces were prepared earlier in the night and just heated before being served. It almost felt as if my dish was prepared an hour or two before my arrival and was held up in the kitchen and served when I ordered it later in the night. My wife had the ribeye steak and she was not happy with it but i think she asked for it. I don't understand why anybody would order stake at midtown anyway. I think you go to midtown for something different other than the ribeye. If you want to have ribeye, you just go to a good stakehouse. The only good thing about our dinner was the desert. The desert was very very good. Also, the service as usual was pretty good. I will continue to go to Midtown as I want to believe and hope that our bad experience was a one time event. One explanation I had for our unpleasant experience was the fact that we went there pretty late and I think we were the last table that ordered main dishes.
(2)
Amy C.
They have the best shrimp & grits in TOWN and the service was excellent!!!
(5)
Dan d.
We stumbled into this place on a non-theatre night (they apparently cater to the local theatre crowd), so the place was empty. We sat at the bar and had an appetizer while waiting on the rest of our group - the foie gras on truffle bread with applesauce and raspberry was a delightful surprise. Dinner was uniformly excellent: well prepared, promptly served, and delicious. Service was very good throughout. My only quibble was that the prices were rather steep - $225 for 3 dinners with wine! Visa, Mastercard, or American Express ?
(4)
Robert R.
The lemon artichoke soup was superb. Green tomato BLT was excellent. A first rate lunch.
(4)
Bob W.
Visited early on a busy Sat night. Couldn't get seated at a regular table, but did have plenty of space at the full service bar. We had the Beef Bourguignon and Seared Sea Scallops with Lobster Mac & Cheese. Both were served piping hot and were outstanding! Awesome tasting and large portions! Service was impeccable. Can't go wrong with the Midtown Cafe!
(5)
Adam L.
It has been a very long time since I'd last been to Midtown...at least a year. Admittedly, it is overlooked on the list of lunch meeting spots. That and my recollection of the food was that it was hit or miss. Today, I ordered the grilled steak salad. The steak was cooked a perfect medium rare and the dressing was fantastic. The salad itself (lettuce, mushrooms, onions and tomatoes...I passed on cucumbers) was presented beautifully and tasted great. Good service too.
(4)
David C.
Great great great. Food, portions, price, service...all of it top-notch. Stumbled in almost by accident, looking for a place in walking distance from my hotel. I'll definitely be back.
(4)
Philip G.
This is a small restaurant with wonderful food. The lemon artichoke soup is always better than I remembered. I have had the shrimp and grits and the chicken croquettes, and both were excellent. The prices are reasonable.
(4)
Leigh S.
So good, they actually have a deal running today $15 dollars for $30 worth of food...went here for Valentine's Day...so good! If you wanna catch the deal you can do so at sharingspree.com/Deals/n…
(4)
John F.
We go out of our way and stay at the Courtyard across the street just so we can enjoy the food and service in this great place. Both of us had their trout which we loved. Broad wind list and good advice from our server. We'll return.
(5)
Marianne B.
We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner at Mid-Town Cafe. The service was excellent and the food was delicious. I ordered pasta with fresh vegetables and my partner ordered lamb chops. We were both very pleased with our choices.
(5)
Diana B.
"Back in the day" (say when the restaurant was decorated) this place was the "go to" for power lunches and interesting food choices. A group of four of us went this past Saturday evening for a birthday. Since we were staying at The Hutton Hotel for the night, it was convenient and I remembered having a few nice meals there in the 90's. While it has retained its "cozy" status, the food and service were appallingly bad. The menu is uninspired and does not offer many healthy choices. Started with the shrimp appetizer which was 4 tiny shrimp coated in what tasted like sawdust chips and went downhill from there.... My pork tenderloin was tasteless and overcooked to jerky texture. The risotto was swimming in butter and puddled at the top. The salmon tasted extremely fishy. The server was arrogant and sarcastic with all of us. We were not surprised to see the place not even half-full on a Saturday night as this place has not kept up and there are so many other amazing restaurants in Nashville to choose from now for good dining experiences!
(1)
Patrick A.
Please give this place a shot! Just around the corner from a couple of main roads - so just a little hard to find (but worth it). I have eaten there more than 20 times and am always satisfied, Small comfortable location with great food and great service. I usually have the scallops with lobster mac n' cheese, seared AHI, or veal three ways.
(5)
Jenny K.
Fantastic food, every course. Restaurant is small, so I recommend making reservations, but the waiters were great and the atmosphere is great. Restaurant seems like a dress kind of place, but there were people there in jeans and t shirts, so there was quite a range. Food info: I had the salmon dip for appetizer-I could seriously have had that for the meal, unbelievably awesome flavor. House salad was unique and excellent. Rainbow Trout-AMAZING! came with a corn/bell pepper/tomato topping and dressing, absolutely stunning flavor that was complex and delicious. Finished with a peach bourbon gelato that was fantastic as well. My husband and I got one appetizer, 2 salads, 2 entrees, one dessert and water for a total of $82 before tip. Well worth it.
(5)
Kyle F.
Excellent restaurant. I highly reccomend any of the seafood. The service is fantastic, and they may have the beat wine selection in Nashville. Other dishes are also great, even if you need to adjust to something off the menu for dietary reasons. This is not my favorite restaurant but it is a wonderful place for good traditional American food and a nice place to visit with someone special. If you are at all interested in a diverse menu and good wine in an extremely intimate setting I would say Midtown is certainly a great choice.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Intimate Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Dan Z.
The Good: The best good I could mention; the food! The food was exceptional. As you may see from my reviews, I dine out a lot. I had the Ahi Tuna and it was literally the best I ever had. The texture and freshness and seasoning were exceptional. I also had a perfectly made martini. Appetizers were great also and my wife thought her meal was exceptional too. The Bad: seating is limited and many seats are on long cushioned benched that span multiple tables, placing you in very close proximity to other guests. Also priced on the high end (two bucks for two with just a drink a piece) but worth it in my book. I don't mind paying a premium when the food justifies it; and it does here! The Rest: Parking is valet.
(5)Laura F.
Food okay, not worth price. Was expecting a lot more. For a one course meal, this should've been exceptional. Valet service below average. ..when asked where my car was, told'out back'in a dismissive tone. I wont be be back
(2)Lauren B.
It's hard to give a four solely for atmosphere, but the food was good so I'll be nice. We were in Nashville for work and were going to the Hozier concert. Needed a quick bite to eat that wasn't too far from the venue and this place had a free shuttle if you ate there (score!). But the shuttle back sadly wouldn't work out (dang.) Anywho, we get there and I was the youngest person in the room by about 40 years. Granted, it was 6 PM. But the environment was just not appealing. While we thought it was pretty casual in our sundresses and sandals, these older folks were dressed up to go to the opera. (Literally that's one of the events the shuttle went to, which we didn't notice dropped off at multiple venues.) Was this just a random time that this happened? I don't know. The food however was awesome. We got the crab cakes, a bottle of wine, caesar salad and the scallops. The scallops came with the lobster mac and cheese. Oh lawdy. It was good. Me and a friend shared an entree and each got our own side salad. It was the perfect amount. Portions are large and rich. So, maybe go if you want to try the food. But not if you wanna turn up before a concert. (Which we weren't looking for but this was definitely the complete opposite.) TL:DR Good food, lots of older folks, not great people watching, large portions, lobster mac and cheese.
(4)Doug W.
I started in the bar. Then I heard one of the servers waiting on a stable and thought, "Damn, these guys know their shit." and moved to a table. My server David did not disappoint. Having ridden in from Indy on my motorcycle in 95F weather, I wanted a beer and cold water. I had both in no time. Seriously...no time elapsed. Ok, maybe a few seconds. David recommended the Pork Tenderloin and despite many tantalizing options, I followed David. I also started with the Lemon Artichoke soup. Holy Jebus! That shit is good! And the pork and asparagus on mushroom risotto with sweet plum reduction was kick ass. Perfectly prepared. Just fantastic I wish I'd had room for the butterscotch habinero bread pudding, but my dessert was cocktails to come. Highly recommend this place.
(5)Jack N.
This place is deceiving from the outside but don't judge it by the looks alone. Once inside, it's a quaint place inside. Midtown has a decent wine list to satisfy most tastes. We opted to sample the appetizers. Be sure to order the shrimp and grits, as it was excellent. The menu is diverse so most of the group tried different selections. We finished with two deserts; tiramisu and Habanero Bread Pudding. Both were outstanding.
(4)Unyime E.
Visited on a whim since it was across the street from the hotel. Took a seat at the bar, ordered a glass of champagne, and decided to get a bowl of the lemon artichoke soup that everyone on yelp was fawning over. I'll tell you what, I don't even like artichokes , but I absolutely loved this soup. You definitely get a strong taste of the lemon, but it's perfectly countered with the cream of mushroom base. The artichoke bits in the soup blended well, nicely cooked with a soft chew. An outstanding soup. I had the mixed organic greens salad as my main dish, with the $10 charge to add chicken. It was okay, but didn't impress as much as the soup. I'll definitely come back again for a cup of the soup, but I'll avoid the salads next time around.
(3)Sarah S.
What a fabulous lunch! The atmosphere is upscale, ok for jeans at lunch but probably not at dinner. This place was packed so we grabbed a spot at the bar. Gina? Waited on us, she is very friendly, knowledgable, and efficient. I had the salmon based on her recommendation. It was fantastic! The salmon was a large portion, perfectly cooked and deliciously seasoned. The mushroom risotto was creamy, al dente cooked.... good all around comfort food. My coworker got the lobster Mac n cheese which was wonderful creamy goodness. My experience here was unexpectedly top notch. This restaurant definitely deserves all the excellent reviews!
(5)J.L. L.
My boyfriend and I did not make reservations for dinner, but when we showed up at 5pm--on Valentine's Day--the hostess made a spot for us. We ordered from the Valentine's menu and everything was delicious. The waiter was friendly and efficient. I have been here several times but it was my boyfriend's first time and now he wants to come back. The lobster bisque was so creamy! I could detail everything I've had here, but I won't. No matter what I've ordered, I've never been disappointed.
(5)Mallory N.
3 words: lemon artichoke soup. No, wait, 4 more: lobster mac and cheese Do yourself a favor and order them! The soup was unlike anything I've ever tasted, and my husband and I are determined to make our own version of it at home (which will likely prove impossible). I was hesitant to order the lobster mac as I'm usually not crazy about rich foods, but I gave this one a try. HOLY MACARONI! The perfect amount of cheesy creaminess (not too much) and generous chunks of sweet lobster. Service was fantastic as well. We were celebrating our one year wedding anniversary and brought the top tier of our cake, and the staff were happy to serve it to us. They also included a free dessert- we were pretty full by that time but took them up on the key lime pie and it was to die for. This little spot has so much charm. We would have driven by it if it weren't for a personal recommendation from a friend. It's pretty small and has a very authentic, cozy atmosphere. I'm just very, very sad that this place is all the way in Nashville. I'm going to see if I can arrange for shipments of their lobster mac to San Francisco :)
(5)Roger Y.
I have had wonderful service and good food each time in my visits here the past 2 years. Dark decor and dim lighting make this small space cozy but not stuffy. Good choices of wines by the glass. Food consistently well prepared. This week is Nashville Restaurant Week. They have a special 3 course menu including shrimp and grits as one of the appetizer choices. The bacon and tomato made this dish stand out. Within easy walking distance from the north end of the Vanderbilt campus and the hotels near West End and 19th. Valet parking is free.
(5)Lindsey M.
Had dinner with my father here a few weeks ago for the first time. The food was excellent and the service was exceptional. Our waiter was very friendly, helpful, attentive to detail, and personable. Would highly recommend this restaurant for a relaxed dinner.
(5)Queen B.
Whether it's lunch or dinner, this long established place is solid. They have a big following for a reason.. The food is ALWAYS good, always abundant, always fresh, good variety. One of the best places in town for consistently excellent quality food. Went to lunch today and the place was packed... PACKED. Waitstaff is alert, attentive and your glass of water is always filled, no matter how busy they are. Friend and I had lunch today and we both agreed, this is one of our very favorite places. The blackened salmon burger was delicious and cooked exactly like I asked for. Friend had so much meatloaf, she had to get a to go box for the rest of it. The also have the best lemon artichoke soup that no other restaurant serves. Good food, good ambience, well stocked bar, good service. I hope this place remains a 5 star restaurant.
(5)Bruce D.
Great dinner! Perfect place to have a nice quiet dinner for the business traveler. Gina the bartender (been there 14 years) was welcoming and nice and made great menu suggestions. Very good food with huge portions. Do yourself a favor and have dinner with Gina one night!
(5)Tim G.
This is one of my go to lunch places if I have a lunch meeting. The Caesar salad is the best in town. It has pine nuts and sundries tomatoes. It's absolutely to die for. Shah it off with the biscuits too.
(5)Lawrence C.
dined 12/7/13 The star attraction of this restaurant is their offering free round-trip transportation to the Ryman Auditorium (and perhaps other downtown venues). If you are oriented to having a starter, main and dessert, then it makes sense to get the "tasting menu" @ $37. Certain offerings are not part of this menu, such as the lobster mac 'n' cheese side dish, @ $10. Wines averaged $12/glass. The six of us all agreed the portions, and quality were average, and we also felt the pricing was a tad high. Beware, they imposed an automatic 20% gratuity/tipping charge (also a tad high) though we were only 6 people!!
(2)Bob G.
As part of a milestone birthday evening for my mother-in-law, I trusted Randy and his team at Midtown to earn me some 'son in law' points - with dinner for her and a group of her friends. And - the Midtown folks delivered!! Everything was fantastic: the food was to die for, service was world-class, and the ambiance was the perfect setting for them - lively, but still able to enjoy great conversation with friends. (They even brought out a starter Shrimp-and-grit for the special occasion - which really added an air of the 'royal treatment' for her special day.) With all the great places in Nashville to dine - and the list is growing daily - Midtown remains my #1 Choice! Well done.
(5)Shannon A.
Was referred to Midtown Cafe from our hotel, and the person I was travelling with had been there before. It was a short, but cold, walk from the Hilton Garden Inn. When we first arrived, the front door host was on the phone and almost ventured into a conversation that seemed to go on a bit longer than I would have liked, but she saw our frustration and hung up, and apologized about the delay. Fair enough. We were seated in the dimly lit dining room, at a corner table. Our server came over quickly and suggested a few bottles of wine. We settled on a Cabernet after the one we really wanted was out of stock. We were served a basket of tiny little biscuits that had a very small sweet taste to it...melt in your mouth biscuits- tasty but dangerous! The menu had many offerings but were slim on vegetarian options. Our server made suggestions of what they could whip up for me which was nice. I ended up with the linguine with a marinara sauce and julienne style veggies. It was tasty and a ton of food. Luckily the hotel had a fridge so I took the rest back with me. I enjoyed Midtown and would definitly make it a stop for dinner next time I am in Nashville!
(4)Steven W.
Lemon asparagus soup was very tasty. Lobster mac and cheese was also quite good but my main entrée put all of these to shame. I ordered the pork roast and it was phenomenal. Cut-with-a-fork tender and flavorful. Had a little bit of sweet and little bit of spice. I cannot wait to come back to this place and try some other dishes. Service was also second to none. Literally couldn't get below half on my drink before the waiter had topped or off again. Excellent place to bring a date if cost is not a factor.
(5)Angela E.
I stopped in for restaurant week and the dining room was booked but I snagged 2 seats at the full service, yet small, bar. Along with their dinner offerings they had a $20 bottle of house wine--yes please:) We had the salad and shrimp and grits to start... We should have both got the shrimp and grits! Lucky enough it was a large enough serving to share. For entrees we had the mahi mahi and the pork loin & risotto. Holy moly I want to eat that pork and risotto more times than one ever should. A spicy rub and tangy sauce was such a flavor explosion. The cheesy risotto was the perfect accompaniment. Loved this little gem of nashville history.
(5)Joy C.
It was our anniversary and Open Table recommended this spot for intimate dining. It had good reviews so why not! Traveled to Nashville and spent the weekend in Brentwood. OK back to the food! I ordered the shrimps and grits...AH-maz-ing!!! My husband had salmon, freaking awesome as well! Our waitress was everything! A very good experience!
(5)Maggie M.
Have been going here for years -love everything about it. One of Randy's fabulous local restaurants. A great local spot. Everyone raves about the lemon artichoke soup, which is delicious and so are the shrimp and grits, and the Martini's are perfect. Service is always good and with a smile.
(5)Dan J.
Back after many years hoping to relive the glory days of this restaurant. The valet forced himself to park your car. There was parking right up front. The service is good and the signature lemon artichoke soup is still the way remembered it. I had the red fish with just a touch of dressing. Otherwise a bland choice both in taste and presentation. The asparagus is as plain as it can get. Glad they are now catering to the theater crowd with free pick up. Because I won't be back for another few years.
(1)Tim A.
Restaurant Week is always an exciting time to try new restaurants, but there's always one oldy that I can't pass up season after season: the $12 lunch special at Midtown. I've been here four times now, and there has been a little bit of inconsistency between visits. Don't be alarmed, this inconsistency hasn't been between bad and good, but rather between good and great. Last time I went, the lemon artichoke soup was spectacular (as always), but the shrimp n' grits was a bit too mellow and the consistency of the grits was just slighty off. Today, though, something compelled me to the give the shrimp n' grits another chance...and I am so glad I did. They added some heat to it, and the grits had that perfect creaminess that makes good grits so dangerous. To boot, the service is top-notch (I love when places top off my water glass even when it's already 3/4 full) and the interior space is full of really interesting modern art pieces. This is one of the first restaurants I tried in Nashville, and it remains close to my heart today. A great dining option in the Midtown area.
(4)Sheena T.
Midtown is a great dinner spot when you are looking for a nice meal! I have been here multiple times and my most recent experience was on a double date. They had a price fixed menu that looked pretty amazing, so I decided to go for it! My meal was a caprese salad, seafood pasta with a cream sauce, and the tiramisu. The caprese salad was ok, nothing really great and I was especially jealous after I had bites of what everyone else had ordered. The lemon artichoke soup and the spinach chipotle hummus were so delicious I was kicking myself. (Our friend no longer lives in Nashville and hadn't been to Midtown Cafe in years and he ordered the soup because he remembered how good it is). The hummus was some of the best I've ever had, and I eat a lot of hummus people. They served it with warm pitas (not stale like some places) and we also had a complementary order of small biscuits on the side. YUM. For main courses, I had a seafood pasta in a cream sauce (I splurged for this dinner!) and I almost licked the bowl it was so good and was sad it was gone. The others had the scallops with the lobster mac and cheese that were also incredible. But dinner wasn't over. The table had the key lime pie and tiramisu. (As if I needed more calories!) But it was so worth it. It was a great meal that made me remember why I come back again and again!
(4)John S.
Came here today for lunch with 2 coworkers for Restaurant Week! I'd heard about this place but never got around to actually going, so I took this chance to go. We made a reservation (it's VERY busy this week even at lunch, so make sure you do the same) and arrived a bit late but still had our table. The server was pretty helpful and explained the dishes we asked about like the soup I ended up getting. For the first course, I got the soup of the day, which was a delicious Manhattan Chowder. This soup had fish in it, which tasted very fresh, along with other vegetables like onions and tomato which added flavor despite the fresh fish being the predominant flavor. Very tasty. For the entree, I picked the beef tenderloin with mashed potatoes. The beef was more of a moist mixture, since it had mushrooms, onion(?), and a bit of bacon - although there was a pretty good flavor to it, it wasn't very strong. Meanwhile, the mashed potatoes were delicious! Just the right texture, the right amount of salt, and there must have been a bit of garlic or something else in there. Loved them. I also tried the shrimp and grits one of my coworkers got, and I almost wish I'd gotten that! The mashed potatoes on my dish were definitely better than the grits alone (I personally dislike grits in almost all cases), but as a whole the shrimp and grits dish seemed to taste better. I'd come back here for a nice dinner. Very classy and great food.
(4)Andrew W.
Great place to go for dinner when going to a concert - they provide free transportation with dinner!! Taker the whole parking thing out of the equation!!!
(4)Jennifer M.
We made reservations here on a whim going by others reviews on yelp. The service was great and the atmosphere is cozy. Food was cooked well and tasted good but just wasn't anything fantastic. I had the filet and it was tender and cooked perfect. The only thing I couldn't get enough of was the smoked Gouda cheese grits! They were really really yummy.
(3)David L.
This place has been a periodic spot for me to eat - lunch and dinner - over the last five years or so...we had dinner there again last night, so I thought it deserved a review. Let me also say: I love the "linkage" of the Open Table reservation system with Yelp. It was so easy to get my reservation established, along with a special flower arrangement for my wife to be waiting at our table upon arrival (anniversary). Nice features! First things first: Ambiance. For a restaurant as small as MTC is, I've always appreciated the relatively low noise level. This has always been one of my pet peeves in dining: I like to be able to have a conversation at my table without straining to hear! I don't know how they do it, but the place was packed and, yet, I was pleased with the noise level. Second: The Menu. This has always been the challenge for me...there are SO many good items to choose from! This night, I chose the Ribeye, with lobster mac and cheese and gouda cheese grits (pic attached). Yeah, I know: cheese overload! (It was one of those nights!) My wife chose the rainbow trout, with asparagus and roasted potatoes (pic attached). Both had excellent flavors (great sauce!) and the sides were tasty compliments. (I was slightly disappointed with the Ribeye, though - it could have been a bit more more tender.) I also paired an excellent Pinot Noir with the meal. Very pleasing. Third: The Service. This is my other pet peeve. I like to have good service that anticipates my needs and ensures I'm never wanting for anything, yet is not imposing. You know - don't leave me stranded without water, but don't interrupt every 10 minutes to top off my drink. We had the perfect balance of service and attention this night. Fourth: The Value Proposition. This is where it gets a little tough. Our bill was over $100 for the two of us. No appetizers, one salad, two entrees and two glasses of wine - and no dessert. I know it is difficult nowadays to have a really good meal with some amenities for under this price, but I like to be WOW'd when I pay this much. It did not quite get there this time. (Thus, four, not five, stars.) Nonetheless, we really enjoyed the meal and the experience. And, most important, we'll go back again.
(4)Jerry L.
A little dark and shopworn, but the food is a lot better than what I would have expect...foie gras to start, duck breast for an entree and it was all very good. Dessert, no great, but I'll be for the shrimp & grits, which are report to be the best in the state!
(4)Sara W.
We went for a bachelorette dinner. Our server Savannah was awesome! She even split our checks perfectly so we could pay separately. A friend and I spilt the shrimp and grits and also the scallops. It was Amazing! The lemon artichoke soup was also great!
(5)Ishmael L.
Let me start by saying, if you are looking for food reviews, please read the other reviews here. I did not get a chance to sample the food: the customer service was that horrid.This restaurant may have the finest food in all of Nashville, but I will never know since I'll never return. We and some friends had a reservation for 8PM on a Friday night. Being restaurant week, we expected it to be busy, hence the reservation. Our friends arrived shortly before 8PM, we arrived at 8:03 PM and while I parked the car, I guess I expected to be seated when I entered the door. Unfortunately, we had not been seated. So, we "sat" awkwardly on the 4 stools adjacent to the bar. The whole restaurant is a bit cramped ("cozy" if you prefer that adjective). We decided on a cocktail in preparation for our meal. We all sat patiently while servers brushed past us serving other customers, including a large party in the center of the room that clearly had been there for some time (and, insisted on independent bills). Some time had passed, and I happened to look at my watch. I was 8:30, and I recall thinking: "should I get another glass of wine, or wait for dinner?" You see, I was forced to have this internal dialogue since NO-ONE had come up to us to inform us of how long we might be waiting. I finished my wine at 8:40 and thought to myself: "Surely, they'll be seating us now." When 8:50 rolled around, I had had enough, but was I still pleasant. At about this time, our friends became anxious as they saw that several tables had cleared up, including the large party. They moved to the Hostess' area to remind her that we still had not been seated, and had been waiting over an hour. Now, I am not sure when they had arrived or when their reservation was, but the Hostess immediately seated a couple at a 4-seat table. Meanwhile, we continued waiting for a table. At this point, I determined that this establishment did not value its customers, and did not deserve our patronage. At what point do you afford yourself some self-respect and draw a line? While I was not privy to the conversation between our friends and the Hostess/Seater/Waitress, no information was relayed to us (by wait staff or our friends) about what our wait time looked like. I decided that 1 hour was plenty enough time to either 1) seat your patrons, or 2) advise them of the situation and offer some sort of compensation/consolation. Some sort of appraisement within 45 minutes would have been the bare minimum I would expect, especially considering that we came with reservations. When the clock struck nine, I decided it was time to leave, even though they were readying a table for us. As one might expect, this presented a problem for my significant other, who was looking forward to a meal out with her friends. So, I'm the bad guy whether I a) leave the place due to terrible customer service, or b) suffer through dinner in a clearly agitated state. I chose option #1. At least in that instance, I'd retain a modicum of dignity. As one might expect, this led to a parking lot discussion with my significant other. We both agreed that the establishment did not deserve our patronage, but that I should inform our friends of our decision. I also took it upon myself to point out our frustration to the staff. Upon reentering the building, I encountered who I presumed to be the Hostess/Seater/whathaveyou based on the "crazy" fact that she had been seating people all night and had a pile of menus in her hands. Here is a general synopsis of the conversation with the Sorority-Girl Seater/Waitress/Server/etc. Me: "Thank you for ruining what might have been an enjoyable evening." Sorrority Girl: "I personally ruined your evening? Excuse me? (rolling eyes). Me: "Do you not organize the reservations?" Sorority-Girl: "Umm, I just happened to be here." Me: "Well, we waited for an hour to be seated and we came with a reservation." Sorority Girl: "Well, your friends were here at 8:00, you were not." (rolls eyes in head one last time). Me: "Would that have made a difference?" Sorority Girl: No response, rolls eyes in head. At this point, I should remind the reader that we arrived 2-3 minutes after the reservation, and that our friend had arrived 5-10 minutes before the reservation. I'm not sure I've ever encountered a restaurant that will void your reservation because only 3 out of 4 of your party have arrived at the moment of the reservation. Not that it would have made a difference, as the entire place was packed and the large party had already been there for 2 hours (as noted by the Ass. Manager later on). I had reached the boiling point with the arrogance, condescension, and rudeness. We had sat quietly without comment for an entire hour waiting for our reservation. We had received no concern or consolation about our situation from any of the staff members, or any indication that we would. At this point, we were just a table of suckers who had waited an hour.
(1)Chelsea J.
Nashville Restaurant Week might not be the best time to judge a restaurant since they are so busy, but at the same time they should be featuring their best items right? Came here for lunch and actually had to make a reservation (restaurant week I guess). The parking was nightmarish so I opted for valet which was complimentary so that was nice. Our server was great! Attentive, chatty and everything else I could want in a server. I had the shrimp and grits and it was good, not fabulous, but definitely not bad. The shrimp could have been fresher but I guess thats what you get in a landlocked state. My friend had the Vol Au Vent which looked divine, comfort food anyone? As my first time here it was a bit nicer than I expected. It sits along 19th in the same vicinity as Chuy's and Hattie B's so I figured it was going to be casual. Not the case, Midtown Cafe was white tablecloth status and could be a good choice for a business lunch or the like, but definitely not a place to pop in for a quick casual lunch. Food was a 3.5, but service was definitely a 5. I probably wouldn't go back for lunch but it could be on my list of places to try for a nicer dinner.
(4)Lindsay H.
I feel guilty about the number of times I have come here and never written a review, because this place is one of my absolute favorites in Nashville! The menu is a perfect blend of southern and eclectic, and there are some dishes that I don't know where to even start when describing how delicious they are! For example- their spinach salad...SO GOOD. I never thought I would be hung up on a salad but this one does it for me. Also, as many of the reviewers have written, the lobster mac is out of this world. I've had quite a few mac n' cheeses in my life and this one tops the list. Is it the noodles? The lobster? That decadent cheese sauce? I don't know but it all comes together and leaves me wanting more (while simultaneously feeling myself gaining weight). Lastly, the Vol Au Vent. This is what I think heaven will be like. If you are a chicken pot pie fan, try the Vol au Vent. So bad, but so, so good.
(5)Rex G.
The Midtown Cafe is worth the trip from downtown. Excellent food, great service, good wine list. The server was excellent.
(4)Melinda T.
The shrimp and grits are amazing!! The seasoning is enhanced with bacon and Gouda cheese - yummy - everything's better with bacon!! Wish I lived here, I would bring family and friends!!!
(5)Terri H.
Valet park! I drove all the way around this restaurant and couldn't find anywhere to park. All the parking spots had orange cones in them. I then realized there was a valet stand in front of the restaurant and that would be my only option. The waiter brought two biscuits out first. One was regular and one had cranberry and a bit of cinnamon. He was very friendly and my water glass was never empty. Chicken Croquettes were the most tempting lunch option out of several amazing sounding entrees. They were topped with a sweet pea cream sauce and served with rice pilaf and vegetable confetti. Everything was so good I didn't leave a single bite.
(5)Nathan L.
Great food and great service. Exceeded expectations. The lobster mac and cheese was the best I've had.
(5)Anna J.
We came here for restaurant week dinner.... the food wasn't a standout, but wasn't bad either. Not much to elaborate, they were pretty crowded on a Thurs night, so we had to sit at the bar. I had the ribeye and it was cooked pretty well, however, had no seasoning to it, was pretty bland. I had to put a lot of salt on it to eat, the sauteed veggies and mash potatoes was good though. My boyfriend had the duck breast... this was not that great. The breast was a bit chewy and the rice tasted like the 1 minute uncle Ben's microwavable rice...ha! Now, desert was great, but then again, how can you go wrong with fruity sorbet and molten chocolate cake! Overall, good experience, but for the price you pay here, I expect food that should be much better executed.
(3)Phillip F.
Great food. I had the shrimp and grits, wife had the veal 3 way and we both had the artichoke lemon soup. All were very good. Service was good and the decor was nice, intimate, but not too small. I especially liked the art on the walls. Only possible negative was I thought some of the wine prices were a little high compared to same wines at other comparable restaraunts.
(4)Travis H.
Really really good food and a really really cool atmosphere. I got a simple sandwich and it was above and beyond what I expected. The little breads were great at the start and the local artwork hanging around this small place felt like I was in a mini art gallery. I thought the wait staff was really on top of things as well. Would definitely go back next time I'm in town.
(4)Diana S.
Old school pretty much sums up this restaurant. It must survive on businessmen who want a substantial lunch and possibly a glass or two of wine. The servers are very attentive and accommodating - I'm sure that helps build return business. The atmosphere is nice enough at night - modern interior and intimate with low lights - but if you go for lunch it would be like eating a cave. You aren't going to find much innovation on the menu, and they stick with what worked for them when they opened 25-odd years ago, e.g. lemon artichoke soup, crab cakes, steak, pork chops and some chicken. Used to go here on and off, but haven't been in about 12 years until meeting a big group Friday night. The crab cakes were not as good as I remembered, probably because I have had many versions that were much better since. Ditto for the lemon artichoke soup (which is a house specialty) which tasted of canned 'chokes. Even the Key lime pie was mediocre, and geez, guys - that is really easy to make. The filling wasn't very tart and the crust actually tasted a bit stale and was slightly mushy, when it should be buttery and crisp. WIth the many fantastic restaurants in Nashville that are producing truly delicious food, both of the innovative and down-home varieties, it will probably be another 10 years before I decide to go back to Midtown.
(3)Kimberly L.
I was in Nashville for a training and I was taken here for dinner. Being from California, I had never had grits. So I decided to get the shrimp and grits. This dish was really good. I also had the local beer yazoo dos perros, which was also good.
(5)Pat S.
My companion and I had dinner here prior to the Saturday night Opry at the Ryman. We had reservations at a more "trendy" Nashville restaurant, but after looking at the menu we decided Midtown Cafe was more in keeping with our mood. We walked over from a nearby hotel, but parking does look at bit cramped - there was a valet. We arrived before the dinner crowd and the restaurant was almost empty, but filled up quickly. The server was attentive and well-versed in the menu offerings. Her descriptions of the entrees we ordered were spot on. There is a good wine list - we opted for a moderately-priced Pinot Grigio that neither of us had sampled before, and again, the server's description was spot-on. My companion had the minestrone soup and was rich, hot and satisfying on a chilly fall night. My salad was fresh, crisp, light and tasty. Our entrees were equally delicious - the seared dayboat scallops and lobster mac and cheese hit the spot with my companion while the grilled Tennessee trout with roasted new potatoes and creamed spinach was perfectly prepared. Quantities were sufficient, with enough for each of us to be satisfied with enough for us to sample the other's entree. The price was reasonable for the level of service and quality of the food and we were finished in time for the quick Uber ride downtown without being rushed. Highly recommended, unless I am in town and trying to get a reservation there, in which case, y'all go somewhere else so I can get a table!
(4)Jim G.
Had a fabulous dinner here last night. My Ahi Tune was out of this world. I happen to have had a similar dish at a favorite restaurant of mine in Florida recently, and there is no comparison. The size was generous. The tuna superb. The dressing that garnished the plate was superb. The setting is intimate and very friendly. Our waiter was a gem. I explained early on that I had fasting restrictions which prevented me from consuming meat or dairy, and he offered excellent recommendations for every course, including desert. I can't wait to return when I am on longer fasting to try some of the other excellent sounding options on the menu!
(5)Rich R.
An excellent meal, no reservations! Mid-Town Cafe is one of those places that defines my visit to a city. I will remember Nashville positively as a result! With no reservations (didn't know what a hot place this was) we managed to score a table right away during Julia Child tribute week in the middle of the dinner rush. The restaurant was completely packed, the cramped maze of chairs an tables feels like an "institution". Knowledgeable staff, a great chef, you will not be disappointed!
(5)BethAnn S.
I get it. Its the power lunch. But is it awful I don't want to be powerful if it means I have to sit on my neighbors lap in this crazy packed restaurant where they are so interested in moving folks thru the doors that there is nowhere to breath or stand if you aren't sitting? And if you are sitting, you could be paying $50 for lunch for two only to be unsure what the person across the table is talking about because its so loud? The food is really, really good. I'm not talking 5 diamond, but better than Hillsboro fare and if you want to see someone 'of importance', you will surely be in luck. I got a scallop salad, which was amazing, but we came when everyone and their mother did - 11:30 am - and our server was inattentive at best and having a spell of ADD at worst. I'd vote for a cheaper alternative or an off prime time booking to get your money's worth here.
(3)Jennifer S.
I see great reviews but I have been there 4 times now. The food is just okay. It is over priced, service is mediocre and I actually got food poisoning from the shrimp and grits one time. Nashville has a fabulous dining scene. You can find better for more affordable.
(2)Janet M.
We had an excellent meal an experience at Midtown Cafe. Open table screwed up our reservation by bumping us down an hour & half and the hostess was very good about helping us get on the reservation list for our desired time. Then we showed up a little early and were seated within 10 minutes. Overall, the service was impeccable. None of the snooty attitude you find at downtown restaurants like Merchants. Our waiter was very friendly and personable and professional. Now for the food. Let me just start by saying their shrimp & grits is outta this world. Seriously! I have never had any that have come close to this good. Not by a long shot. The grits have Gouda in them and there is a white wine sauce that covers it all. Impeccable! For dinner, I had the veal Oscar and my husband had the veal trio. He said the florentine was the best. I was very happy with mine, but the vegetable risotto was epic! I would not say the portions are small. I got three small veal filets, 3 or 4 thick asparagus and a nice portion of risotto. I ate it all, but was satisfied. I'm also a pregnant woman in my second trimester - I can eat! My only suggestion would be to add a touch more crab. There wasn't enough to accompany every bite. We skipped dessert, because we were full. However, all of their desserts are homemade and probably worth saving room for.
(5)Tom B.
Simply superb, an outstanding meal with top notch service. I highly recommend both the lemon artichoke soup and the scallops with lobster brie mac and cheese with lobster sauce. The best meal I've had in a long time.
(5)Tina S.
Midtown is always a good idea. On a weekend,you must have reservations though. It is not really a place you can just walk in on the weekends. The restaurant is small and the food is excellent. I had the Tuna Tartar with seaweed as a starter and it was wonderful. They bring real miniature homemade biscuits to the table as the bread. For dinner I had the salmon with mushroom risotto. So flavorful and tasty. The restaurant has a nice wine selection. The crowd tends to be older, over 40ish. Most people are dressed very nicely. They have no parking really so you will need to use the valet service in front of the restaurant. With one cocktail,I'd say you are looking at $50 per person. Totally worth it. The portions are very reasonable and a good size, not too much and not too little. (Not like some of the newer restaurants that seem to think giving you hardly any food for a $60 meal is okay!). anyhow, definitely, Midtown is great food, good intimate atmosphere. Can't go wrong here.
(5)Jason B.
My wife and I were in Nashville as part of our honeymoon this weekend, and we wanted to eat somewhere nice before leaving. She doesn't eat red meat, so eating down south isn't always easy. We tried Watermark because the menu looked accommodating, but that was absolutely not the case. Once we walked back to our hotel, we looked up this place. Both of us are so happy we ended up there. First off, our waiter, Doug, was awesome! He was very patient with my wife, and had the chef change up a dish to her liking. She got the tuna steak and I had the hanger steak; both of which were outstanding. The atmosphere was calm, and not pretentious at all. I mean, don't be an idiot and wear a t-shirt, as it isn't that kind of place. Doug, if you read this, thank you a million times over and thanks for the tip about 5 points. See you next year!
(5)Anna L.
This place is OK. Its a little deceiving. A group of us were looking for a place for lunch. It says its a cafe, but when you get in there its really a fancier place for business lunches. No matter I guess.. we all ate there. The portions were big, the food was good and the waitress we had was very nice and ccomodating.
(3)Christopher P.
Another very pleasant experience at Midtown. Professional service and nice menu surprises such as seared foie gras appetizer, beautifully prepared. Restaurant week chefs menu offered very nice wine pairings as well. Small intimate atmosphere can get loud, but that's due to an enthusiastic crowd, not the acoustics of the room. Always a good bet for a well done meal.
(4)Tammy R.
Food was excellent. Valet parking is a bit of a pain as they rope off their parking lot so you're forced to valet. shrimp and grits were some of the best I've ever had. sea scallops were excellent as well. nice atmosphere. great for an intimate dinner. photos to follow
(5)Rachel S.
In my previous review for the Mid-Town Café, I threatened in my most Terminator-y voice, "I'll be back." And hey, I was. And you know what? I STILL love the Mid-Town Café. The food was awesome - I splurged for the 3-course tasting menu and had fois gras with baked apples and toast points, mahi-mahi with spinach and creamy cheesy grits, and the pumpkin swirl cheesecake, which was the cheesecake of the day. Oh, plus a Mid-Town Caesar to round out the meal. One of the waiters feared I hadn't enjoyed the fois gras because I left maybe half on the plate, but the reality is I was saving room for the next 3 courses! Of course, I took the remaining fois gras and everything else I was too full to eat home with me and enjoyed it again. And again. I might go as far to say that this is my favorite restaurant in Nashville. I love that it's in a teeny house in the middle of town, and it's classy but not obnoxiously shi-shi. Isn't it funny that shi-shi has boundaries? The entrée prices at Mid-Town can be quite high, but I feel you're paying for a hearty, filling, wonderfully cooked meal, where as at a more trendy/shi-shi restaurant you're paying for smaller portions, hip atmosphere, and perhaps some quasi-Iron Chef creativity. That's not what's going on at Mid-Town, and I appreciate that. There's no freeze dried pork belly ice cream or salted caramel mac and cheese (however there is lobster mac and cheese). There IS a great shrimp and grits, and there are fancy salads (and you can add yummy salty anchovies on the Caesar, mind you!), and tastefully prepared fish, pasta, chicken, veal, and steak with classic sides like creamed spinach and asparagus with hollandaise. And don't get me wrong, I love it when a menu is so out of this world it turns my brain onto its side. But sometimes the creativity gets ahead of the taste at those restaurants, and I end up disappointed. That has yet to happen at Mid-Town. 25 years and still going strong, it continues to be a class act all around.
(4)Elizabeth H.
Midtown is our go to place when we have guests in town. The Ahi Tuna Tartar is the best I've had. The lemon artichoke soup is delicious as is the Shrimp and grits. Great wine list and fabulous service!
(5)Jason K.
I have only had the Shrimp and Grits. it is so good... Great place to take a date. very cosy and intimate. great staff. First time I went I arrive late 20 minutes before close and they never even tried to rush me even though I was willing to take the food to go, they sat me down and treated me very well. Great place all around.
(5)Charity A.
Kind of "predictable" fine dining menu. The tuna carpaccio was delicious. I order the salad and it had way too much dressing on it. Horrible wine selection. I asked for a dry red. They brought me two tastes, both were very sweet and fruit-forward. I asked the server to consult with the bartender and they suggested two more sweet, bold plummy wines. Bleh. I decided on one, but it was mediocre. Can a girl get a good wine or what?
(2)Caroline H.
Mid-Town cafe is teeny! There were about 10 tables and a bar. Yet, it's not super busy. On a Friday night at 8, there were only about 4 active tables during our entire stay! I tried the hummus appetizer and it was yummy, but nothing special. For dinner I had the shrimp and grits entree. While the other reviewers commented on how weird it was to have tomatoes in there, I'll disagree because I loved it! No, I've never had tomatoes in shrimp and grits before, but I thought the spiciness and the added tomatoes were a nice touch to make it original. All of the other ladies at my table really enjoyed their meals as well, with the exception being one who ordered a mediocre house salad. Our waiter was friendly and helpful, although his menu "favorites" happened to match the favorites of the waitress attending to the table next to ours, but you can't fault him for pushing what the kitchen wants to push. He was good about refilling waters and bringing out drinks. I liked how the restaurant had all these sets of 4 paintings, seemingly done by the same artist. I sat facing a set of 4 paintings of pipes. Tobacco pipes not drainage pipes. The whole vibe did sort of seem stuck in the '90s, but I actually liked this place a lot.
(4)Chef Mary S.
We had the most delightful dinner at Midtown! Excellent service and the food was outstanding. First I love the ambiance of the dimly lit dining room. It reminded me of the way restaurants were years ago, and still today in Chicago! Great wines offered by the glass! Loved the month long menu dedicated to Julia Child. Amazing how many restaurants can screw up a Caesar Salad...but they can. Ordered half portion salad requesting light dressing, well tossed and it was perfect. The Julia Child Sole Meunière melted in my mouth and the smoked gouda grits and creamed spinach were the perfect sides, I chose for this entree. They had no problem with me substituting! My friend had lobster mac and cheese, and it was the best she has ever had. The mussels were perfectly prepared as well. We were so stuffed we declined dessert but may stop in for just dessert and one of their special coffees next time.
(5)Barnabas P.
The shrimp and grits lived up to its reputation. The service was good. A really nice restaurant experience.
(4)Paul B.
I had a nice plate of veal saltimbocca served over mashed potatoes. It was garnished with deep fried spinach (interestingly good). The Demi-glace was perfect. I wish there would a little bit more sage presence but I realize everyone's pallet is different. The homemade Caesar dressing was excellent. Very nice wine selection by either glass or bottle. Very small but a nice ambiance. $100 for two with only 2 glasses of wine and no dessert. (the reason for only 4 stars)
(4)Gi O.
Nashville is turning out to be a dining homerun! Another great restaurant. Shrimp & grits were outstanding. The appetizer size is big enough, at least for me. While I did not try any of the martinis, they have a pretty extensive menu. Fantastic service. Bon appetite!
(5)Jade D.
Just okay. Not bad but not worth its prices. I can't believe 5-star reviews. Dont get me wrong, it definitely has some standouts: YES I would have licked the plate clean of the the appetizer portion of the shrimp and grits we got, but found everything else to be fair. My colleague was delivered a not-so-fresh glass of wine, which the waitress promptly replaced--though her comment "for the prices we charge, it better be perfect", was odd for a server to be remarking to her customers. And she was right, after eating my tuna dish, it seemed overpriced at $35.95 ... (more expensive than all dishes at Etch which I dined the next evening and which was more modern and inventive). The accompanying asian vegetables were just okay--seemed middle of the road preparation. As for ambiance, the place could use a refresh, the building itself is small, cute/quaint but the decor felt tired. I wouldnt go back really....and was glad I had in advance vetoed a colleague who wanted to take clients here the next night.
(3)S S.
Great food and great service. A little pricey but still a nice restaurant. Worth a try; specifically before an event downtown. They have a shuttle service to preclude parking issues downtown.
(4)Sydney M.
So finally am writing a review after eating there for the 4th time (I know I'm a lucky girl). First of all, favorite restaurant in Nashville. Food is amazing! The foie gras appetizer is so delicious, and the chef is always tweaking the menu to keep things interesting. Lemon artichoke soup. Get it. Ask questions later. But also ask about the soup of the day. Those are always good too. They also do this "flight" thing with their dinner specials. So you pay a set amount and choose a 2 or 3 or 4 course meal. You save a lot of money that way. And they'll even pair your wine by dish if you want that. But I've noticed that the wine flight pairings are more often white wine. Heads up. The veal, steak, chicken, duck, and salads are all great. OH MY GOSH the food is amazing. Just go. I can't really think of any dessert that I've been blown away by. Which is odd, because Sunset Grille has really strange, exotic desserts. Oh yeah. It's delicious. A little pricy but definitely worth every penny. Talking about it is making me hungry. Just go.
(5)Lisette F.
Came in for lunch. The food was really terrific. Had salmon BLT. One bite and I already knew I would miss that sandwich! My husband had a chicken salad with side of grits. All delicious! They had a lunch menu in honor of Julia Child and her signature dishes. What a neat idea! Service and ambience was wonderful. We were only in town a couple days but were wondering how we could squeeze another trip back!
(5)Ashley H.
Wine selection is great. Honey biscuits were delish. Shrimp and grits were awesome! Pecan pie gelato - best thing on the menu!
(4)Phillip S.
Try the Shrimp & Grits
(5)Ali M.
Fabulous. Shrimp and Grits!
(5)Jamie A.
This is my go to place for a lunch meet up with friends. I just returned from lunch with two of my lovelies and we had a great time. The tables are spacious, service is great, wine list is decent sized but the stand out is the food. Only available on the lunch menu, the chicken croquettes with green pea sauce, veggies and rice are fantastic! They always have inventive soups, but I can't resist the lemon artichoke soup. A friend ordered the meat loaf and it is a good thing we were at a larger table or I would've totally stolen a bite! It looked awesome.
(5)Michael F.
Best meal I have had in Nashville. Salad with Asian orange soy house dressing to start. Very, very fresh ingredients. Great biscuits. Had the special...roasted duck breast. Prepared just right...rich and comforting. Service was top notch...Mike took great care of me...he was definitely focused on making it a great experience. Will go back!
(5)Mark M.
Good service and food. Love the shuttle service for tpac and symphony! You just have to make sure you tell them with the reservation. Wait staff makes sure you eat and get shuttle and show on time.
(4)Josh M.
I want to preface the two-star rating by saying that it wasn't unpleasant, but we won't go back extremely soon. The ambience was decent, but not great. The service was all right, but not spot-on. And the food didn't blow me away. I got the feeling that their approach is a little more comfortable. I didn't feel that energy that a newer, eager restaurant has. I respect Midtown Cafe for being one of the first restaurant of its kind in Nashville, but I feel like they should make a couple updates to keep up with the blossoming food scene in Nashville.
(2)Sarah C.
Fab-u-lous! A pre-Valentine's dinner celebration (with a livingsocial coupon in tow) the hubs-to-be and I headed to Midtown after a slew of recommendations from our yelp friends! The dining space is intimate with candlelight and black linens and the waitstaff was fantastic to talk to! I'd go back to just hang out with them again. A prix fixe menu ($45/person) was offered for Valentine's Day weekend but many of the items were also offered on their standard menu. Starting with a mixed salad with aged goat cheese and strawberries and a smooth glass of pinot gris, I was already satisfied with the meal. OHH! Let me tell you about the mini biscuits with sweet butter! As soon as our server brought those suckers out, my low carb diet was out the window!!! The main course selections were grilled grouper and prime rib with beautiful vegetable sides, both tasty! One cool thing about Midtown besides the food and the wine selection is the fact they offer a complimentary shuttle service to TPAC and the Symphony!
(5)Carolyn M.
Had a great date night here. Smaller and more intimate than Sunset or Cabana. The pork chop was fantastic. Attentive service.
(4)Merritt G.
We went to dinner here Friday night with a Living Social coupon of get $40 of food for $20 in hand. The restaurant is very quaint. I loved how small it was. Our service was great. We were promptly seated for our reservation. Our server was great, too. He laughed with us all night and was always very attentive. I ordered the shrimp and grits for an appetizer. The served it with four prawns which wasn't bad for the $9.99 price tag. The dish was pretty good with a nice spicy kick, but for some reason they served it with tomatoes. Tomatoes? They didn't go with the dish at all. I tried it three times because I thought certainly the chef is using them to add to the dish. Nope. So I pushed the rest of them to the side. I had the 5oz filet with garden risotto and haricot verts for dinner. The steak was cooked perfectly (medium) but it had hardly any flavor whatsoever. Very disappointing. The actual arborio rice in the risotto was cooked perfectly, but they threw in diced fresh veggies throughout the risotto AFTER it was cooked. So they were crunchy. The veggies should have been cooked with the rice. I didn't finish the risotto. The haricot verts were cooked perfectly as well - and they tasted great, too. The service was great so if anyone ever suggested we go back I would go, but I'm in no rush. Note: Parking is valet and it's not free like many of the restaurants downtown so be sure to bring enough cash.
(3)David G.
So, here's my definition of "casual fine dining": it means you get to go to a quaint, small restaurant space that is somewhat intimate where the service staff is well-groomed and well-dressed, the prices are upscale, but the patrons are clad in a nice pair of "going out" jeans and a trendy top - but not so casual that a T-shirt would be worn. I think that's what I stumbled upon. I also stumbled into a fantastically plated appetizer of shrimp and grits. Wow! There was a definite spicy kick to these bad boys; the first real spicy shrimp and grits I've had in Nashville. I nice blackened twist on a low country favorite. The meal consisted of 4 hefty sized blackened shrimp and a delicious sauce. My only "huh?!?" moment when dining on this appetizer was "why are there so many hunks of tomato" and large hunks of tomato too. I've never seen tomato chunks in shrimp and grits, and I was not a fan of that portion of the app. Fortunately, I could easily just move them to the side and enjoy the rest of the dish. For dinner, I ordered the chef's special for the day which was filet mignon tips of beef in an alfredo sauce over a bed of noodles with spinach and mushrooms. It was piping hot (temperature, not spice this time) and after it cooled down was a delightful meal. The beef was cooked so that it was medium to medium rare. The chianti was nice and I did not even need any fava beans... ;)
(4)Theresa C.
We were staying across the street at the Courtyard and decided to check them out for lunch. Each of us tried a different dish. Their Blue Plate special was sold out so I had the corn and bacon chowder, which was good.
(4)Jess Y.
4.5 stars Casual fine dining? I'm not really sure what that even means. But, I am glad that I decided not to go completely casual (in my T-shirt and jeans) and opted for a nice sweater and my nice jeans, because otherwise I would have stuck out like a sore thumb. I was actually extremely surprised by the small size of the restaurant and the tables were slightly more crowded than I would have liked. But, the atmosphere was nice, candle-lit, black, clean. It would be a great place for a date. The service here is fantastic. Within literally 30 seconds of sitting down, we were greeted by our waiter who kindly explained and pointed out some of the highlights from the menu. We never had to wait more than 20 seconds for the service we needed---seriously. It's almost like he could read our minds. And of course the food is delicious. We started with one of their famous crab cakes and the tuna tartar #1 ahi. Both were absolutely delicious. The crab cake was lightly fried and chock-ful of crab--yummy. But, also the most expensive crab cake I have ever eaten. For the main dish, I ordered the seared dayboat scallops which came with a lobster brie "mac and cheese". The portions were generous and it came out with four perfectly-cooked gigantic juicy scallops and a delicious lobster pasta. I loved the flavor of the pasta, creamy but not overpowering and they were extremely generous with the amount of lobster added. My only qualm was that they included not only lobster tail meat but also the tasteless rubbery part of the lobster. I would have expected only the fluffy, sweet, and soft lobster tail meat included in the pasta at a place like this. Other than that though, it was spectacular. My dining partner ordered the rainbow trout which was also delicious. Delicately and perfectly fried and seasoned well, but not overpoweringly. We would have done dessert too, but we were just so full from the appetizers and main dishes that we had no room to even think about dessert! Our waiter was also happy to give us some suggestions about wine pairings. They have an extensive list and both my dining partner and I were extremely satisfied with the quality and the choice of the wines that were recommended and that we selected. Overall, excellent restaurant. If I ever earn enough money to afford fine dining, I would come again.
(4)Samantha S.
I went here with my parents whenever they were in town visiting me and every experience we have there is amazing. The servers are friendly, knowledgeable and don't hover over you or disappear at random times. It's a really small place so eat early or get a reservation. I usually order the crab cakes as an appetizer and then the pasta or one of the veals. Whenever my mom and I go back to Nashville we always go here at least twice so if you're a local take advantage of it as much as you can!
(5)Mally B.
The food was awesome overall and our service was great, but this place really needs to improve its atmosphere. The entrees are small and expensive, and if they want to continue charging these high prices, they need to change something. Seems like its more suited for the older crowd. Midtown Tavern (around the corner) was much more lively the Friday night that we came to this restaurant, and I wish we had gone there.
(3)Henry C. G.
First time, but will not be my last. Excellent chef's menu with wine pairings that I wouldn't ordinarily consider. Grouper, beautifully served on a bed of spinach with a side of stone ground grits. Wonderful dessert of coconut pie & a Tawny Port. Service was prompt coupled with conversation that was friendly & most accommodating. Being from New Orleans, my wife & I experience some of the best restaurants in the country on a daily basis. Mid-Town Cafe is (almost) an equal to any of our very best. Go early, sit at the quaint bar & enjoy!
(5)Tom K.
The food and service is first rate. I especially like eating at the bar. The regular bartender is friendly and attentive. This spot is a must!
(4)Caroline L.
Delish! I went for restaurant week and cleaned every plate. Fresh, flavorful, and well executed. The atmosphere is very cozy, too. I would highly recommend a visit here while you're in Nashville.
(5)Barbara K.
Based on yelp reviews, I booked a reservation for 20 people at midtown, all here visiting from out of state. They went above and beyond to accommodate us together (the place is pretty intimate/small.) they even provided a shuttle to/from our hotel! We started at the bar, and had some great cocktails. Nice wine selection too. Then we were seated for dinner. Our waitress, Laurie, was fabulous. Made great suggestions for dinner, and our water glasses and drinks were never lacking. Speed of service was perfect! Food: I had the organic mixed greens salad, it was so good I didn't want it to end. Everyone at my table had a different salad, and every plate was devoured! For the main course, I had salmon ( cooked to perfection and so tasty by itself) which was accompanied by a deliciously rich risotto and some kind of sundried tomato sauce on top. Mmmmm. I wanted to finish the whole dish, it was so tasty, but I couldn't get through it! Other meals at my table were all raved about as well, including the scallops, the shrimp and grits, and crab cakes. There were thumbs up from the rest of the group too. The desserts looked awesome, but unfortunately I was not able to fit another bite! It was a wonderful evening out, and I can't say enough about the attention we received on our visit!
(5)Charles N.
This was th highlight of our trip to Nashville. Everything on the menu wsa unreal! Free Shuttle from our hotel downtown to this restaurant, friendly waitstaff, and food that was SOOOO tasty. Big 5 stars here! Northerners/out of towners like us--be sure to order the shrimp and grits!
(5)John F.
I have been going to Nashville for 15 years now pretty frequently for business. The Midtown is my 'go to place' when I want a nice dinner alone or entertaining clients. Have dined here about 25 times over the years and find the food always tasty and fresh, wine list not overwhelming but always with interesting choices and service very good. I almost did not write this review because it is small and don't want it to get too popular but it's too good to keep to myself...
(4)Colby P.
My boyfriend and I chose to dine at Midtown Cafe after flipping through a hotel book advertising different Nashville establishments. Our experience was EXCEPTIONAL! Tim was our server. He was very helpful, but also not bothersome or overly attentive. He gave us the time and space to really enjoy the food, and did we ever! While everything was amazing, the Beef Carpaccio, Black & Blue Tuna and Gouda Cheese Grits really stood out. The presentation, flavor compliments, and quality of product were absolute perfection. As a newcomer to town, I will definitely be returning and spreading the word about this wonderful establishment!
(5)mumin k.
This update is based on my last visit only. I want to start by making it clear that I was a big fun of Midtown cafe and think that it is one of the best restaurants in Nashville. However, my last visit and experience at Midtown were not anywhere close to my previous experiences. I went for a dinner late friday evening with a friend and my wife. I ordered the Veal 3 Way dish which is supposed to be tasting portions of the three veal dishes on the menu here. I think this would be a great choice if prepared properly but unfortunately my dish was cold and the veal pieces did not taste right and were cold. The risotto and the mashed potatoes that were part of the dish were also pretty cold. I am not sure but I think the veal pieces were prepared earlier in the night and just heated before being served. It almost felt as if my dish was prepared an hour or two before my arrival and was held up in the kitchen and served when I ordered it later in the night. My wife had the ribeye steak and she was not happy with it but i think she asked for it. I don't understand why anybody would order stake at midtown anyway. I think you go to midtown for something different other than the ribeye. If you want to have ribeye, you just go to a good stakehouse. The only good thing about our dinner was the desert. The desert was very very good. Also, the service as usual was pretty good. I will continue to go to Midtown as I want to believe and hope that our bad experience was a one time event. One explanation I had for our unpleasant experience was the fact that we went there pretty late and I think we were the last table that ordered main dishes.
(2)Amy C.
They have the best shrimp & grits in TOWN and the service was excellent!!!
(5)Dan d.
We stumbled into this place on a non-theatre night (they apparently cater to the local theatre crowd), so the place was empty. We sat at the bar and had an appetizer while waiting on the rest of our group - the foie gras on truffle bread with applesauce and raspberry was a delightful surprise. Dinner was uniformly excellent: well prepared, promptly served, and delicious. Service was very good throughout. My only quibble was that the prices were rather steep - $225 for 3 dinners with wine! Visa, Mastercard, or American Express ?
(4)Robert R.
The lemon artichoke soup was superb. Green tomato BLT was excellent. A first rate lunch.
(4)Bob W.
Visited early on a busy Sat night. Couldn't get seated at a regular table, but did have plenty of space at the full service bar. We had the Beef Bourguignon and Seared Sea Scallops with Lobster Mac & Cheese. Both were served piping hot and were outstanding! Awesome tasting and large portions! Service was impeccable. Can't go wrong with the Midtown Cafe!
(5)Adam L.
It has been a very long time since I'd last been to Midtown...at least a year. Admittedly, it is overlooked on the list of lunch meeting spots. That and my recollection of the food was that it was hit or miss. Today, I ordered the grilled steak salad. The steak was cooked a perfect medium rare and the dressing was fantastic. The salad itself (lettuce, mushrooms, onions and tomatoes...I passed on cucumbers) was presented beautifully and tasted great. Good service too.
(4)David C.
Great great great. Food, portions, price, service...all of it top-notch. Stumbled in almost by accident, looking for a place in walking distance from my hotel. I'll definitely be back.
(4)Philip G.
This is a small restaurant with wonderful food. The lemon artichoke soup is always better than I remembered. I have had the shrimp and grits and the chicken croquettes, and both were excellent. The prices are reasonable.
(4)Leigh S.
So good, they actually have a deal running today $15 dollars for $30 worth of food...went here for Valentine's Day...so good! If you wanna catch the deal you can do so at sharingspree.com/Deals/n…
(4)John F.
We go out of our way and stay at the Courtyard across the street just so we can enjoy the food and service in this great place. Both of us had their trout which we loved. Broad wind list and good advice from our server. We'll return.
(5)Marianne B.
We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner at Mid-Town Cafe. The service was excellent and the food was delicious. I ordered pasta with fresh vegetables and my partner ordered lamb chops. We were both very pleased with our choices.
(5)Diana B.
"Back in the day" (say when the restaurant was decorated) this place was the "go to" for power lunches and interesting food choices. A group of four of us went this past Saturday evening for a birthday. Since we were staying at The Hutton Hotel for the night, it was convenient and I remembered having a few nice meals there in the 90's. While it has retained its "cozy" status, the food and service were appallingly bad. The menu is uninspired and does not offer many healthy choices. Started with the shrimp appetizer which was 4 tiny shrimp coated in what tasted like sawdust chips and went downhill from there.... My pork tenderloin was tasteless and overcooked to jerky texture. The risotto was swimming in butter and puddled at the top. The salmon tasted extremely fishy. The server was arrogant and sarcastic with all of us. We were not surprised to see the place not even half-full on a Saturday night as this place has not kept up and there are so many other amazing restaurants in Nashville to choose from now for good dining experiences!
(1)Patrick A.
Please give this place a shot! Just around the corner from a couple of main roads - so just a little hard to find (but worth it). I have eaten there more than 20 times and am always satisfied, Small comfortable location with great food and great service. I usually have the scallops with lobster mac n' cheese, seared AHI, or veal three ways.
(5)Jenny K.
Fantastic food, every course. Restaurant is small, so I recommend making reservations, but the waiters were great and the atmosphere is great. Restaurant seems like a dress kind of place, but there were people there in jeans and t shirts, so there was quite a range. Food info: I had the salmon dip for appetizer-I could seriously have had that for the meal, unbelievably awesome flavor. House salad was unique and excellent. Rainbow Trout-AMAZING! came with a corn/bell pepper/tomato topping and dressing, absolutely stunning flavor that was complex and delicious. Finished with a peach bourbon gelato that was fantastic as well. My husband and I got one appetizer, 2 salads, 2 entrees, one dessert and water for a total of $82 before tip. Well worth it.
(5)Kyle F.
Excellent restaurant. I highly reccomend any of the seafood. The service is fantastic, and they may have the beat wine selection in Nashville. Other dishes are also great, even if you need to adjust to something off the menu for dietary reasons. This is not my favorite restaurant but it is a wonderful place for good traditional American food and a nice place to visit with someone special. If you are at all interested in a diverse menu and good wine in an extremely intimate setting I would say Midtown is certainly a great choice.
(5)