Wow. So, yes, the food is amazing. Complex, beautiful, tasty, all of that. And the environment is warm, welcoming, lively - you're happy to arrive and a little sad to go. But the service......this is why it was a solid rock star 5. Traveling on business, had read about this place, finally got a reservation with two of my colleagues and starting with the most basic questions about what the words on the menu mean (yeah, a little high falutin', lots of items I've never heard of, a slight temptation for me to eye roll) we were treated to the most intelligent, passionate, and clear food picture I have ever gotten. NOT a faux precious Portlandia caricature, but the real thing - our server (Becca, from the receipt) clearly loves this food. But more importantly, she really knows what goes into it, how it's prepared, can describe how toasted grains actually change the flavor and texture of a pasta dish (as an example), and was able to help our vegetarian diner choose wisely. Not in any way bombastic or snotty - she was confident, knowledgable, dedicated to making sure we were going to have a hell of a meal and wanting to show off the best her team had to offer. Right, and beyond this, excellent service. There is something seriously right about this place, to have that kind of experience on a regular ole Sunday night. Made me feel like maybe I could fall in love with Nashville......
(5)
Jennifer N.
Everything about this place made me happy! 1. Super friendly staff -- starting right off with my phone call to make reservations. Our waiter was helpful and upbeat, even during a mad dinner crowd. There was no rushing us out of the place. 2. Accessible and cool vibe- The fact that they are getting such awesome reviews, but I was able to make a reservation when I wanted and on a weekend! Convenient Germantown location, and a cool, reclaimed industrial space really added to the ambiance. It is loud, but that only adds to the neighborhood tavern atmosphere. I haven't even gotten to the food and drinks! 3. Cocktails-- Each cocktail we tried was fantastic- the Cumberland sour and the Fillmore were especially great! 4. Food-- Everything we tried was inspired and delicious. The pork ragout has gotten love in other reviews as well- have to add my vote. The delicious house-made sourdough and seaweed butter is worth the extra cash for an order. The brussel sprout salad was a favorite at our table. The heritage chicken with preserved lemon was divine- juicy, fresh and flavorful. 5. Dessert-- To top it off - dessert was unique and delicious. Definitely try the bombolino- italian doughnuts, cream filled, and served with a redundantly delicious chocolate dipping sauce.
(5)
Joe R.
Went here a few week with my wife. We decided to just drop in since the restaurant we were planning on going to was closed for a week. This probably wasn't the best idea since as it turns out if you don't have a reservation you aren't getting a table. That was the awkward thing, when I asked for a table for two the hostess kind of looked at me puzzled and then said we could wait for a seat at the bar. She didn't offer to put us on a list or anything at all. So we waited about 25 minutes for a seat at the bar. I'm not against sitting at the bar but the situation felt odd. We had a few drinks and then I had to practically jump on the end of a conversation the bar tender was having with the couple next to us to get him to bring us food menus. We started with the crostini appetizer. It was good but it was one crostini which was a little disappointing. For our main courses I ordered the squid ink pasta and my wife ordered the spaghetti bottarga. I was a little disappointed in my dish although I thought my wife's was great. Apparently she liked my dish better so we should have switched. Basically, I think this place deserves another shot and maybe I should make a reservation next time. The odd experience at the door put a weird taste in my mouth. I would recommend to a friend because the food was decent. I think I need another trip to make up my mind.
(2)
James F.
I had the opportunity to take my sweetie out for a delish date night out. We decided to head over to Rolf and Daughters and for my first time, I was truly excited. So, we get there around 6 or 7 and got outside seating pretty quick. For a place I see written up more than once in the local papers, I was surprised at the lack of patronage there. That always makes me skeptical of the place. So, started off with a glass of Jameson (neat as always. Thank God they didn't have Bushmills. Who drinks that protestant crap?) and an appetizer of Octopus and pork belly with a black garlic spread. Then Lola (my much better half) had the Carbonera and I had the hanger steak. We finished it off with some lovely donuts filled with a vanilla custard. Holy Cow was all I can say. The food was prepared amazingly and with such care and love. The Carbonera had enough flavor and heat and my hanger steak was prepared exactly like a hanger steak should be, medium. The accompaniment of local greens and the grilled onions were more than garnish... they were an essential part of the dining experience. The steak was juicy, well seasoned and just so amazing. The octopus with pork belly was solid as a starter and the finisher of the dessert just put everything over the edge. Overall, I will go back. So many things on the menu to try, the staff was attentive and amazing and I left wanting to go back and just order all of what we ate again to take home.
(4)
Leslie C.
Wonderful, simple, flavorful. Atmosphere is upbeat and unpretentious. Sharing dishes is a great way to sample them all. Reservations highly recommended.
(4)
Isabel T.
The food was incredible! The server was nice. An amazing hipster atmosphere with the appearance of healthy natural food that was delicious! The food reminded me of my grandfather's home cooking- but very refined. Every aspect of the meal was above average. Look forward to visiting again soon.
(5)
EdDee P.
We absolutely love this place!!! Come here often and like to sit at the bar. The bartender is very friendly and talented with making some great cocktails!! We try a different app each time- i never seem to find something I love because I am so excited for my main dish! Every time I go there I get the squid ink pasta SOOOO GOOD! My boyfriend also gets the same thing every time-Bucatini far diabolo, octopus,rad lard, calabrian chili. I usually beg for a few bites! Just writing this review is making me want to go tonight! I am excited for it to be warmer outside because it has a cute outside area that sets a romantic vibe ;)
(5)
Heidi H.
When my husband and I pay $60 apiece for dinner, I need to be overwhelmed. I WAS, from start to finish. The reservation taker was friendly. The server was not only knowledgeable about everything on the menu, including the unusual (and oh so tasty) ingredients in the cocktails, she was incredibly efficient and friendly. The pasta ... oh, THE PASTA. Al dente. Perfectly seasoned. Made in house. The steak with turnip greens ... to die. My husband, a marvelous cook, is always comparing restaurant chicken with his own. Rolf and Daughters prevailed. The atmosphere is warm and intimate. Perfect date night.
(5)
Cynthia P.
When it's cold and rainy out and I'm too tired to cook or even think about what to prepare for dinner my favorite treat is to take a walk over to Rolf and Daughters. I've dined here several times and I crave the pasta...Garganelli verde, heritage pork ragout...echoing everyone else, it really is "all that". I usually dine with a friend and the two of us like to split the pasta, the salad (Garden lettuces, buttermilk dressing, asher blue), get a bottle of the San Lorenzo "Il Casolare" Marche Rosso IGT, Montepulciano, and finish with the bombolinis. PLENTY of food for two people and the bill is around $65 (before tax). Given the quality of food, the price seemed very reasonable.
(4)
Gabriella H.
As soon as we left Rolf and Daughters, I turned to my husband and said, "Five stars?" He immediately nodded and confirmed the assessment. The first good sign was the friendly phone reservation with the hostess followed by a really pleasant greeting at the door. Our server gave us plenty of time (maybe a little too much but that just gave my husband and me more time to talk) to mull over our menu choices. She was great at giving solicited opinions when we were undecided over something, and I always am! We had the garganelli (the ragout was deeelicious) and another pasta dish that had hen of the woods mushrooms. The latter came highly recommended by the server, who, when we were debating between that and the carbonara, cleverly added that the carbonara was likely going to be a staple while the other dish was seasonal. Sold. (Ha! She already knew we would be coming back!) The pastas tasted very different, and my husband and I kept on stealing from each others plates because we couldn't decide which we liked more. Drinks were strong and perfectly done, just the way I like them. They were a teensy bit on the small side for the price, but perhaps the coupes were larger than I gauged. Since I had ordered "sippers," they did last forever, so I can't complain. Another plus, when I mentioned that I wanted a drink similar to the Laverda and couldn't find anything on the menu, the server offered to have the bartender make something without skipping a beat--and that drink was spot-on too. Finally, for dessert we had the bombolinis (?). I may be spelling that wrong, but they were the donuts-from-heaven things. Light, not too sugary, a perfect dessert for two people to share even if only one of them has a major sweet tooth. Rolf and Daughters makes me wish that I lived in Werthan Lofts. We already can't wait to go back.
My favorite restaurant in the city, and I don't even think its close. First of all the space is really cool. Patio is great when weather permits, too. All I ever get here is pasta: The Squid Ink Canestri. Its such a unique dish with flavors that I could in no way replicate them at home. Its got this rich earthy flavor, and a nice brightness from the lemon too. Its a perfect dish. We always get the Pate too, and its equally awesome. The Gargenelli pasta with the pork ragout is another standout. You pretty much can't go wrong with any pasta here. Cocktails are nicely balanced and are booze forward, just how I like them.
(5)
Mark C.
Outstanding and simply one of Nashville's finest eateries. Fantastic food and terrific service! 10+
(5)
Chris V.
My new neighborhood joint is the bees knees! I waited anxiously for this new gem to open in the Werthan Loft building off Taylor Street. Only open five days and I've already been there 3 times - is that excessive?! Ah who's counting... While it's not the cheapest option for food in the Germantown area, it's well worth the high-price. The drinks are unique and well-made and the food... the FOOD! Upon first arrival, my friend Lenore informed me that the pork ragu was worth foregoing sex, so clearly that was my immediate go-to. I've had it twice...this week. It's packed full of flavor and soul-satisfying savory (say that three times fast). There's also a secret sandwich that doesn't appear on the menu and comes limited each night - that's the most I'll spill on that. ;) To cap off your night the Bambolini's are incredible. Basically three big, vanilla creme filled donut holes sprinkled with sugar and a chocolate sauce for dipping. If you like Boston Creme or Eclair type desserts, this one is for you! A WIN all the way around!
(5)
Timothy L.
If you want the best meal, served by a very well trained and knowledgeable server, look no further. Easily one of the best meals I have EVER had...both times that I went. While their menu does change from time to time, there are some things to keep and eye out for... 1) Any kind of meatballs. The 2 times that I've visited they had meatballs, the first time was beef and sausage, I think, and the second time they were lamb meatballs, both were crazy good. 2) If it has squid ink in the description of the pasta, order it. Again, both times the plates were slightly different but amazing nonetheless. 3) Order as much as you think you can stomach...and then some. I say this for two reasons. First, the leftovers are totally worth it. Second, you're more than likely to finish everything during your visit. I don't know how, but their food was soo good I had a hard time stopping, seriously. What, you ask, would this kind of meal cost? Not near as much as you would pay for this good a meal somewhere else. Most the meals are under $20/plate and the portions and taste will bring you for more....or just make you order more food.
(5)
Hunter K.
I had my first full dinner experience at Rolf and Daughters Friday night and walked away happy and satisfied. I was happy to branch out of my culinary comfort zone with the chicken liver pate and squid ink pasta dish. Both were very tasty, and the experience was enhanced by a friendly and attentive wait staff. As a resident of Germantown, I am glad to see another trendy dining option come into the neighborhood. Here's hoping Rolf and Daughters keeps good customer service on the menu as they establish themselves in town. They've got a great staff and a fun menu. I'll definitely go back.
(5)
Johan T.
Perfect evening from beginning to end. Super cool place, great bar, great staff and last but not least - great food. The trout was nothing but epic.
(5)
Tianna C.
I've been waiting to try the delights of Rolf and Daughters for several long months. Upon our first meeting, Chef and owner Philip Krajeck described the menu as "modern day peasant food". I wasn't quite sure how to wrap my head around that, so he described it as the type of environment in which you should feel comfortable reaching across the table and dipping your bread into your sisters pasta dish. I'm Italian, so I totally got it at that point. This was going to be the type of restaurant that felt like home. Unpretentious, familiar, welcoming... He was right. I rounded up a friend and headed over to Rolf and Daughters last night. This was only their second night of business open to the public. I immediately saw at least three people I knew as soon as I walked in the door... I think it really helps that the building is attached to the growing Werthan Lofts apartments community. The place was packed. On a Thursday night. Mainly a "hipster" crowd, but I'm OK with that sort of thing. My friend and I were seated in the middle of a community table. We enjoyed chatting and exchanging menu suggestions with the strangers around us. Although, I know some people would prefer to sit at a more private table, and those are also available. Our waitress was very familiar with each of the choices on the menu and was able to recommend an excellent bottle of 2011 Bordeaux Cinq Les Pattes. One of my new favorite cabernets. My friend and I started with the crostini, whipped ricotta, forno beet, pistachio ooh my god. Packed with flavor and we loved how the sweetness of the beets mixed in with the creamy ricotta. The presentation was also really beautiful, yet simple. I still felt like I was sitting at my family's table. We also ordered a side of the spaghetti squash with almonds because we just couldn't help ourselves. It didn't disappoint. Just the right amount of salt and crunch. We then shared the red kuri squash, chestnut and ricotta raviolo with brown butter. Again, I almost died. All of their pasta is made in house, and you can tell. It's delicately fresh and easily melts in your mouth. This dish was so perfect I almost licked my plate. We didn't stop there... we moved onto the brook trout with savoy cabbage, creme fraiche, and dill. Again, delightful. At this point, you would think two girls would have had their fill. Not even close. We ordered not one, but TWO desserts. Three housemade custard filled dough-nuts dipped in smooth dark chocolate and the dark chocolate torte made with Nashville chocolate co. Olive & Sinclair. Our community table neighbors thought our dessert looked so enticing that we ended up sharing a few bites with them... until they finished off ours and ordered their own. :) This place is well on it's way to becoming a Nashville gem. I'm already planning my next visit.
(5)
Angie L.
Some friends of mine who are cooler than I am had been here a couple of times and had plenty of positive comments about the meat dishes. As I'm not that much of a carnivore I wasn't sure what to expect. I did see a couple of interesting sounding things on the Pasta & Grains section of the menu. My squash & chestnut / ricotta raviolo was tasty & the presentation was nice too. The drink menu makes me want to return. I was driving so I went with a Mexican Coke. Nice option.
(4)
Darren S.
Very good food, sophisticated (but relaxed) atmosphere and good staff. A little out of the way but worth the trip.
(4)
Ann W.
My dinner was delicious. I had the pasta with the pork ragout sauce (after reading a recommendation from a fellow Yelper). The serving was a little small but it was sufficient and the price was reasonable. I ate every morsel. I appreciated being able to get a meal for under $20. The spagetti squash side was ok = it was a little crunchy and in chunks that did not seem totally cooked. The server was very helpful and knowledgable and handled our relatively large group well. It did take a long time to get our food. Probably an hour. But we were enjoying hanging out, so it was not a problem. One down side - one of my friends ordered the squid ink pasta with seafood. There was literally about one tablespoon of chopped seafood and not much of a sauce. She was definitely disappointed and it looked really skimpy to me. But someone else at the table ordered the same thing and did not complain, so what do I know? I would definitely go back and give them another try and hopefully move them up to five stars.
(4)
Brandon G.
This is another one of those places I want to be better than it actually is. Because it has so much going for it on the surface: cool building, ambiance, menu, etc. But when you get right down to it, the food is good, but it wasn't any better than that. It doesn't make me go "wow", it just makes me think about it for a second and go "yeah, this is pretty good."
(3)
Angela T.
Really liked our meal here. I wouldn't say it was top ten in the country (Bon Appetit) but good food and great architecture. If I was rating on the pate alone I would give it twenty stars. Very delicious with a green tomato jelly to balance the richness. Bread was perfectly toasted without being too rich as I have seen at other places. Brussel sprout salad was tasty. I ordered poorly. I had the trout which while not bad wasn't nearly as good as my husbands pasta with pork ragu. At a place that makes all of the pasta in house, I should have got a pasta dish! Lastly, drinks were good but not great. I had two off the holiday menu and liked the one with the egg white the best. Overall I liked the meal. However next time I go out in Nashville I might keep exploring their unbelievable food scene.
(4)
Leslie J.
This place is really good. We sat at the bar for dinner. The service can be hit or miss, but the food is awesome. We enjoyed the chicken liver pate', pork entree', and collard greens. Is it the best restaurant in Nashville? Probably not, but still really good. Our bartender, Bryce, was really nice and helpful. We'll definitely be back.
I ate at the bar and had an almost-fantastic experience. My chicken liver pate & brook trout were delicious!! I will definitely be going back. The food was out of this world good. Upon arrival, the restaurant was full, but the friendly hostess Angela directed us to 2 open seats at the bar, and informed us we could order from the full menu there. I usually prefer eating at the bar anyway, so I was quite happy with it!! A bartender came up immediately and asked what we'd like to drink before we had any menus. We said we needed a second to look over the wine list, and a ton of time went by before he came back to us. In the meantime, another bartender Matt(have been told he is the bar manager?) got our drink and appetizer order. He was diligent in checking on us, and very personable! Bartender #1 came back for our food order, but turns out, he forgot to ring it in, or put it on hold and forget to ring it back to the kitchen. So our dinner took a while, but again, Matt to the rescue. He smoothed things over and made sure our dinner came out ASAP. The brook trout way to die for, and I highly recommend having dinner here!! The atmosphere is beautiful, charming and intimate. The meal that i had was well worth the substantial wait. It was a teeny hiccup on a busy night, that I am sure won't happen again!!
(5)
Hunter A.
My default choice. Such a good atmosphere, spot-on preparation and service, delectable food. I felt compelled to write a review after being served a delightful concoction by last nite's bartender after I asked him for something grounding that was not alcoholic. His mystical response was from a mountain top of delicious herbs and more.
(5)
J H.
This was our second visit to Rolf & Daughters and I'm happy to say that this restaurant just keeps getting better. The cocktails are spot on (and the servers are very knowledgeable when it comes to getting recommendations on them). The wine list is solid. For the two of us we ordered 3 first courses and 3 pastas because, well, they looked so good. And they were. The pasta here is some of the best I've had outside of Italy and easily on par with great restaurants like Marea in NYC. Love, love, love. Good energy, good vibe, good music, great food. What's not to like?
(5)
Emily C.
so delicious! this was my first time eating there - i had gone for drinks previously. our waiter was so helpful and kind - he walked us through each item we selected from the menu and made sure we picked something that we'd like. the melon small plate and tartare were outrageously delicious. this is going to be another "go-to" place on my list.
(5)
G. B.
Obsessed. This place is fantastic. I came in with a gf on Sunday night without a table, luckily they were quickly able to sit us. Our server was so knowledgeable, extremely helpful and just overall great. The food took a little long to get to our table, but it was worth it. Everything was delicious and the atmosphere was great where we sat (outside). The bucatini was some of the best pasta I've ever had - and I've been to italy! If you visit, do yourself a favor and save room for desert. The bombolini w/ vanilla custard and chocolate sauce is not to be missed.
(5)
Kenny Y.
Not bad. I was still hungry after appetizer, entree, and desert.
(4)
Sarah E.
I would have loved to give this restaurant 5 stars, don't get me wrong. The service was great, the atmosphere was super cool, presentation of every dish was beautiful, and the cocktails, wine, small plates and entrees were on point and very very delicious. But... when we got to dessert, it was disappointing. I didn't think you could mess up dessert this much, but apparently you can. We ordered the lime curd dessert. Sounds bright and rich, right? It was a mess, literally. The photo explains it all. WTF? I order dessert every time I eat out, and this felt like we were getting punk'd. Ashton? Where are you? I'll go back here, but I probably won't order dessert.
(4)
Dene L.
If you like fresh, organic whole food, from local farmers, this is it. This is always my first choice if we go out to eat. I actually don't like to eat out much as the quality of the biodynamic organic food I get every week at the farmer's market is far better than what I will find in a restaurant in Nashville. I would rather eat at home... but the occasional splurge is well worth it at R + D. These guys actually buy from my farmers as I see them every Saturday morning buying from the same farmers I am. They don't even hardly promote that the food they choose to buy IS organic. For this, they should be applauded. It gives me hope that America isn't completely going Monsanto and Sysco. I've had all the appetizers and salads and they are all amazing. The beef tartare is very good as is the chicken and the octopus pasta. Bravo for doing it right.
(5)
Shushu C.
I had overwhelming expectations after hearing from a coworker that this was one of the best restaurants she went to while visiting in Nashville. Overall the experience was very good, but fell short in a few aspects. The atmosphere is very nice...with outside seating and gardens/lighting. The view is not the best...but considering the area there is not much around to look at anyway. We started with bread and seaweed butter and salt. I am not going to say that they 're robbing you..but they're robbing you. The bread was good and the butter was good, but I didn't taste any of the seaweed. The waiter said that the seaweed was added for texture purposes......umm...right. I ain't salty or anything...ha...ha....ok anyway the bread with salt was good. I think with regular butter it would've been the same to be honest. Now charging for bread at a nice restaurant is a nono... Next...Chicken liver pate. It was probably my favorite part of the meal..I just love liver. The seasoning was great..but after 1 bite it started feeling very thick and dry with toasted bread so I think they could've prepared it differently to foil the texture. I got the squid in capellini, which was way too overhyped. To be honest I had a few bites and was a little unimpressed. The crispy fried bits (onions?)were everywhere and was good for taste but just ended up being too much on every bite. The sauce was also too simple, which made the dish just lacking in depth. I've had very good squid ink pasta..so personally I didn't prefer Rolf and Daughters version.... But the pork ragu was...amazing. It was perfectly balanced and seasoned and I wanted to keep eating it. I really have mixed feelings about this place. It was just a few steps short of a 5 star review. We ended with the oreo dessert. Whatever the restaurants like jto do it to deconstruct whatever..idk i just still tastes like oreos. They made their own, but tasted a little too healthy. All in all, I was debating a 5 star review but..some points of this restaurant really deterred me. Anyway, this restaurant is definitely still worth revisiting and I will be back to see how they will have changed (if at all).
(4)
melba b.
We went there last night around at 6:00 with a early reservation. Loved the atmosphere and decor. We told our waiter it was out first visit and did he have any recommendations or specials to which he replied" everything is on the menu". The menu is a little hard to read and confusing. I had the squid and my husband had rigatoni( recommend that they serve bread with their pasta vs a separate order. Food was really good. Our server never came back to ask how the food was and seemed really not into serving or too cool.
(3)
Jenn C.
Wow! Best meal in Nashville (I think it beats Josephine handily)! RaD has a fun, laid back atmosphere with a beautiful outdoor patio, friendly service and great cocktails and food. We had the excellent sourdough bread to start, the rapini, the meatballs, the sweet potato with lime yogurt and the gnocchi. Oh man, the gnocchi. So rich but just the right portion to share. Our server was very sweet and spot on with her recommendations, which was very helpful given it's a sharing menu. This is a fantastic place for a fun night out and would be a great option to take out of town guests who appreciate great food and drinks. Will be back soon for sure!
(5)
Ashley T.
We came here for dinner with my in laws when they were in town visiting. We called ahead on a Friday to ask about reservations and my mother in law was told that it wasn't busy so we wouldn't need one. I found that hard to believe but we went with it. We arrived around 7pm and the patio was packed, as well as the walkway leading up to the restaurant. We were told it was over an hour wait and when we asked about calling ahead, the hostess assured us they don't take reservations on Friday nights. Oh well. We had heard good things about this place and knew anywhere we went would have a wait. So we waited for about 45 minutes and our table was ready. We were seated at a long, community table in the middle of the restaurant with strangers. Not ideal when trying to catch up with family, but it was fine. The service was great. Our server was very friendly and knowledgeable of the menu. He gave us his recommendations and we ordered. My mother in law and my husband both ordered the pasta with red sauce and my father in law and I both ordered the trout. Ha! I don't remember anything spectacular about the pasta, but it did taste fresh. The trout was cooked perfectly and presented beautifully, but the parsley was overwhelming for me. Otherwise, this dish was unique and delicious. The atmosphere is cool and they were playing some pret-ty solid 80s country songs. We could barely hear each other to talk across the table, but the music was a fun touch. Not really what I assumed I'd be listening to while eating the most beautiful piece of trout I've ever eaten. Haha We ordered 2 deserts on the menu to split, one was some kind of chocolate and coffee desert and the other was fruity. (It's been a hot minute since our visit so I'm drawing a blank). Both were really good. I was full so I didn't have much but otherwise I would have probably licked the plates clean. I would like to go back on a special occasion and try other things.
Food was delicious definitely get the Rigatoni & octopus. Loved the ambiance. The only problem was the parking situation was kind of hard to manage. The servers are well educated and provided great recommendations. The bar tenders looked like authentic mixologists. I give this place a two thumbs up.
(4)
Michelle R.
I visited Nashville a few weeks ago with my mom and my sister and all we kept hearing about was this restaurant called Rolf and Daughters. We went on our last night in town and absolutely loved it. The atmosphere is great and so peaceful if you sit outside. What truly made our experience so wonderful was our waitress Jami Holder! She was an absolute delight. Listening her talk with such enthusiasm for the menu and the process was inspiring. I can truly say that she is one of the best waitresses I have ever had. We all loved her and she made our experience that much better. I wish Jami all the best and Rolf and Daughter, you have a gem on your hands.
(5)
Jean K.
Half of a chicken is a hefty amount of protein for one meal, regardless of how tasty it is. And yes, the pastured chicken at Rolf and Daughters is delicious, but for $24, a wee bit of vegetables on the side would be nice. The menu was not well thought out and didn't list entrees separately. We were told that the beef sausage was an entree. However, it was served in a salad bowl. One sausage sliced into several pieces and covered with lettuce doesn't seem like an entree, particularly when the chicken entree was half of a chicken, albeit nothing else. I would have called the beef sausage a small plate or salad and the chicken a large plate suitable for sharing since there were no accompanying sides. Perhaps a more thoughtful menu format would have separated entrees from small plates rather than simply listing every item in ascending order by price. An untitled pasta section was separated only by a partial squiggly line. Besides the pasta dishes there were 4 entrees to choose from: brook trout from Florida, beef sausage, pastured local chicken and heritage pork. I wanted fish but since it wasn't local, I opted for the local pastured chicken. The chicken with preserved lemon and garlic confit was delicious. The skin was perfectly crisp and the meat was tender and juicy. Again, it was half of a chicken with no sides for $24. Perfectly cooked and delicious, yes, but it's still only chicken, even if it's pastured. It wasn't even organic. I would have preferred a quarter of a chicken with a couple of sides for that amount. The sourdough with seaweed butter appetizer was tasty but would have been better served hot or at least thoroughly warm. If the bread was complimentary, I would have overlooked it, but it wasn't. I've had complimentary bread, served hot and with infused butters that were better. Overall, the service was excellent, the ambiance trendy and whispers farm to table but in reality may be otherwise (trout from Florida?), the menu needs work, the addition of even one veggie to a $24 chicken entree would be nice and warm tap water in a pretty bottle is still warm tap water. Sorry, RaD, you're going to have to start living up to the hype and actually earn that 4th star.
(3)
Janet A.
So disappointed, I brought my daughter here for her birthday neither of us have ever been prior. My daughter and I requested a couple of simple changes to an entree to meet dietary needs only to be told the Chef is funny that way and set in his ways he will not prepare his meals differently than described on the menu. This is the only restaurant I've ever been to that the Chef did not try to accommodate request for the customer. The Hickory House at the Gaylord blows this place away in all aspects from the quality of the cuisine to the amazing customer service. Also, Urban Grub was much better than this place with amazing food and no problem making a few changes to the entree.
Every so often, you visit a restaurant that requires more time than usual to write a review - first, because there's too much goodness to write about, and second, you want some time to keep thinking back to the experience so as to write as holistic of a review as possible. Nearly two months have passed since I dined at Rolf and Daughters, so it's a restaurant that falls into this category. In terms of food and interior style, Rolf & Daughters is like most of its "trendy restaurant" counterparts. Blank&blank name - check. Badass industrial meets rustic chic space - check. Attractive, tattooed servers - check. Attractive, want-to-be-seen dining patrons - check. Food at places like this is hit or miss, so I was BLOWN AWAY by not only the deliciousness but also the creativity of the menu. I ordered the squid ink canestri, my sister got the gnocchi, and my cousin got the rigatoni. All three were equally delicious; I really was unable to pick a favorite. Hands down, the best pasta I've ever had. Other pastas I have from now on will probably pale in comparison to the three I tried here. R&D was one of the, if not THE experience, that completely made my trip to Nashville. R&D gets 5 stars for being amazing all-around! Tip: If you don't have a reservation, arrive right at opening. There was already a line of maybe 10 people ahead of us, but we got seated right away. We just had to be out within an hour and a half to clear our table for a reservation. We didn't feel rushed at all.
(5)
Thao n.
A gem in Nashville, excellent food! Had the broccoli and it might be the best broccoli dish I've ever had. The heritage pork was magnificent! Tender, tasty, and served with fresh peaches. And of course the squid ink pasta was excellent. Ordered the chocolate panna cotta dessert- flavors were good but on the drier side and a bit too much chocolate cake and almost no panna cotta. Good wine list. Mainly communal tables. Beautiful place but a bit loud.
(5)
David A.
This place is off the charts great. Sat at the bar with my daughter and had a fantastic meal. Our bartender (and server) was fabulous. He whipped up some killer cocktails and recommended incredible food. I have had some great meals in Nashville and I will but this place up against any of them. My daughter is vegetarian and we had much to choose from. We love the winter greens, a beet and farro salad, and some incredible pasta. The preparation was fantastic. A memorable meal in a great spot during a weekend trip with my daughter. A perfect way to end our visit. Can't wait for our return visit.
(5)
Emily T.
The best pasta I've found in this town. It's worth the price - don't let anyone tell you differently. And if someone tells you don't NEED Squid Ink Pasta - get rid of them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life. I actually NEED the pasta in order to live. It's that good. I haven't tasted a pasta I didn't love. The appetizers are slightly over priced but still delicious. The waitress was able to make drink selections based on my picky palette. She hit the nail on the head. The entrance is a little tricky to find but just follow the twinkling lights and you're close. Make a reservation - they get busy.
(5)
Kyla K.
We ate at RAD on a Saturday night while in Nashville for the weekend. The restaurant had a great atmosphere and was decorated beautifully. We were a group of 6 and they originally tried to give us a 4 top table with two seats tucked in either side in the corner, err.. We ended up moving to the family/communal table which was much better. Our server seemed a little stuck up and didn't seem to be that interested in chatting with us or giving details about the dishes. The small plates we had were all absolutely amazing!! Then came out the pasta dishes which had a massively heavy hand of salt in each of them.. It was rather off putting.. Then the meat- the lamb was so delicious but the portion size was extremely small for the price tag.. The chicken was a good portion size and the flavored were ok. Overall the atmosphere of the place and the small plates were the best part of the meal and the pasta and service was disappointing.
(3)
Megan K.
Loved our experience at Rolf & Daughters. It took us much longer to make the reservation, but I'm glad we finally did. The experience is definitely worth the hype. I went with the squid ink canestri--a dish I heard a ton about from friends who had visited before I did. Great flavor--a little bit of an ocean-y taste to it, but overall delicious. I had a fantastic drink that I can't remember the name of, naturally... it was a vibrant green and boasted flavors of lime and jalapeno, among other things. Amazing. Service was okay, considering it was a Friday night. Super busy. Tucked in Germantown, street parking. I'm excited to return!
(5)
Leland G.
I've been before. Multiple times. Food is always great. It takes chances. It's artisan. The service is usually great. It's a 4 star place. Tonight was unfortunately an exception :( We sat at bar and had drinks and apps. Moved to table. Sat with empty drinks for 10 minutes - thankfully we had a great group of friends but the lack of service was difficult to ignore. During the delay, I decided to go inside and "find" our server, who was very casually standing, at the server/POS station with the other servers, making jokes/laughing/doing nothing...I asked for a drink order and was told to "wait a minute." UGH Eventually - 2 pretentious servers later - we got our second round. And food. The food was WONDERFUL, as usual. Although IMHO the squid/octopus in the pasta was overdone, and there was far too much salt in (probably) the pasta water...because adding pancetta/seafood to a dish which has already been heavily salted, was a bit too much for 3/4 of us. Just saying :/ Finally...I used to serve, I used to run a kitchen; it's just a total bummer when such a place doesn't have the service to keep up! TIP: when food hits the table, servers--- CHECK BACK WITH YOUR TABLE(S) within "two bites or two minutes" of the food arriving. I will go back. I will expect better next time!!! Especially for a $300 dinner.
(2)
Pire T.
I loved every aspect of my visit here. The food is phenomenal. There are so many unique options to choose from and it all tastes delicious. We had a couple of their pasta dishes: the squid ink and lemon pasta. Both were incredible. We also had dessert. A lovely date cake with an ball of whipped topping. Again, everything is unusual but in the best possible way. If you visit, be sure to grab a couple of their signature cocktails. They're expertly crafted and beautifully presented. Aside from the delicious food, the atmosphere of this place is rustic southern with delicate hanging lights, communal tables (but also private tables and bar seating), hanging plants, and trendy decor. The staff is also extremely friendly and attentive. This is certainly one of my absolute favorite places in Nashville. I'll come back here time and time again.
(5)
Amber P.
Chefs are definitely not willing to adjust anything to please the customer. I don't know when the chefs happiness became more important that the customers! If you want to go and eat exactly what they give you, the food is very good. If you have any requests or adjustments this is not the place. Just the fact that they would not do anything to accommodate. I would not give any business to any place no matter how good, that completely devalues customer satisfaction.
(2)
Jay R.
This place is incredible, plain and simple. We did not have a single average dish, everything was extraordinary. From the delicious crostini with bell peppers to the heirloom tomato and mozzarella to the main dishes of summer squash and ricotta, pork ragout with green noodles or the famous squid ink pasta, everything was brilliant. We ended the meal with the deconstructed chocolate cake, it was the perfect ending to an excellent meal. We sat at the communal table, which is a bit of a unique experience, but it ended up working out great. I will definitely be back, no question.
(5)
Jose L.
Great little place, reminded me of the Woodberry Kitchen restaurant back home in the Baltimore area. Unpretentious, kind of warehouse-sy decor, good cocktails, great bread, friendly and attentive staff, and the food was really good. Took some customers here, we started with the sourdough bread with seaweed butter, kind of had the umami taste people talk about, that little something that you can't make out. They even had some good vegetarian entrees besides the usual salad for those of us going that route. I got the Vanilla panna cotta for dessert, really smooth. Will go back again.
(4)
Mary N.
Great atmosphere. Super good meatballs.
(5)
Kevin K.
Food, service and ambiance were great. I recommend ordering the shrimp salad and the green pasta with the meat sauce.
(5)
TNmedicine29 R.
My love for this place couldn't be stronger! I'm a Nashville native, and just had my second dinner experience with Rolf and Daughters. As if the you could beat the first time I went (for my birthday), low and behold R&D did! I love that the majority of the restaurant can't be pre-reserved, seriously cuts down on wait times when its first come. We grabbed drinks at the bar while we waited, briefly. I had the Market Bramble which was refreshing, light, and great, I am craving it now. My boyfriend had Cubra Kai which he loved, too! Let's talk about how awesome the food was! There were four of us- so we started out with the Fritto Misto, which had the lightest batter it only gave the veggies a little extra crunch without making you feel like you're eating fried food. We also had the crostini with chicken liver, peach, and almond, and it had richness from the chicken but some sweet from the peach. Also we had the sausage with peppers- I'm not usually a pork fan but this was great. Peppers and olives together with it made it delicious. For the pastas, I think we had all but one of them and we were all trying to politely lick out plates! You really can't go wrong. Whatever sounds good to you, will be! The pastas are handmade and fresh ingredients. I really can't speak highly enough about their pastas. I tried the Squid Ink bucatini the first time I went (heaven on earth) and did the lamb rigatoni this time-- and wanted to melt into my plate. Nobody was wanting to share theirs because they are so good! To top off the night, we had Olive and Sinclair cake and a peach tart. Very different from each other, but delicious. The peach tart was seasonal I think, but the cake-- it's a staple and not your typical chocolate cake-- WAY BETTER! Olive and Sinclair is a Nashville local chocolate and they make the cake where it is more spread out and with the coffee panna cotta. It was perfect.
(5)
Monica L.
I thought I was a crusty cynical foodie... and then I had dinner here. It has been a long time since I have been utterly delighted with every aspect of a meal. What a joy to be completely surprised by a first bite/sip. Springfield cocktail: Broker's gin, Pimm's, lemon, orange shrub, cucumber, good people IPA Light, refreshing, slightly sweet, herbaceous, fruity, and so well balanced you'd think there wasn't any alcohol in there (oh, but there was). The IPA lends a flowery/hoppy note, the Pimm's adds that herbal quality, and I thought I didn't even like gin! App: Chicken liver pate, currant mostarda, baby brassicas, toast They should package that currant mustarda. I'd put that sh*t on everything! (Like on a panini with goat cheese or something.) Entree: Squid ink campanelle, FL squid, shrimp, nduja, basil, sourdough breadcrumbs The squid/shrimp/nduja sausage is completely broken down and there are no discernible chunks - yet the taste permeates the entire dish. The sauce had a slight heat (spice) background, probably from the nduja. The sourdough breadcrumbs added that textural element that you usually don't get in a pasta dish. Dessert: Fresh farmers cheese flan with beet caramel and sorghum crisp Had that soft, slight-crumbly texture of a super fresh farmers cheese but in that jiggly flan structure. Beet caramel - where have you been all of my life?? Adds an earthy element that steers the flan dish away from the usual sickeningly-sweetness. The sorghum crisp had the texture of a thinner fortune cookie (words of my bartender!) and adds a nice bitterness that, again, helps to ground the dessert. Side note: If you are a small party, it may be easier to get seats at the bar rather than wait for a table.
(5)
Stephen L.
Our experience was awkward from the start. We had a reservation, but come to find out. That just meant we didn't have to sit at a table with a bunch of people we didn't know. We still had to sit at a table so close to other people that we could hear every detail of each tables conversations even when trying not to. This is definitely not a place to talk about anything too personal or too deep into business. There is only 1 booth that allows you minimal privacy. Call ahead. Request that. So all that being said- we sat down-The waitress must have been having a bad day because she was short with us and didn't seem to want to answer our questions. Which were very typical for a couples first time at a restaurant. We wanted recommendations and clarification on some dishes that we were uncertain about what they were. We ordered 2 smaller dishes. (Shishito Peppers!! So good!) 2 main dishes and desert along with 2 cocktails each. It was good. Wasn't great. Wasn't bad. Just good. But overall - 3 stars is for quality of food-That was good-Presentation was good-And uniqueness of the dishes. The - 2 stars is for the seating environment/portion size/ and the waitress being weird and really just not even trying to be "fake nice". We still tipped over 20%. Cuz we do that. With Nashville being such a great food scene. It would have to be someone's birthday request for us to go back here.
This place is amazing for a nice quit date to a fun hangout with friends, the drinks are amazing and the starters are freaking good absolutely recommend this places wouldn't miss it
(5)
Scott S.
YUM. I have been here a number of times and it just keeps getting better. Great space and great food. I'm happy to see Germantown bustling after so many years on the decline. You can thank great restaurants like R&D, Mad Hatter Germantown cafe and City House for the turn around.
(5)
Fatema B.
Trendy fun atmosphere, both indoors at the marble topped bar and outdoor on the lighted patio! I love the Mediterranean -Italian and Spanish influence on the menu! Drinks( cocktails) are refreshing and the food is flavorful and fresh!
This place is awesome. Best chicken of all time. Beef carpaccio is also super unique and awesome. Best restaurant I went to in Nashville.
(5)
Chris K.
This is one of my favorite spots in Nashville. Fantastic atmosphere, great bar, and awesome menu of plates that are perfect for family style dining. I've been about four times now, and the menu changes a bit every few weeks (some staples are always available). The chicken pate crostini and grilled squid are a must, as is the homemade sourdough with seaweed butter.
(4)
Erick N.
Fantastic restaurant; so happy to have finished my Nashville road trip on such a high note before the long journey back to Chicago. Had multiple chefs recommend Rolf & Daughters as one of Nashville's best venues and in my experience chefs tend to proffer excellent recommendations; when they praise a restaurant it is best to listen. As our shuttle dropped us off outside we were immediately impressed by the charming exterior of Rolf & Daughters. Walking in the interior was equally beautiful. As we arrived well before our reservation we opted to sit at the bar for a pre dinner cocktail, but were happy the hostess offered to squeeze us in early if we wanted (they had just opened, but we noticed that they rather quickly had a full house; impressive for a Sunday evening). We ended up finding the bar seating comfortable and the bartenders quite personable so moments later we informed the hostess we would like to eat up to the bar and were accommodated. Of note much of the dining room area has communal tables and seating was somewhat close together, so this also factored into our decision to sit at the bar. For some reason we enjoy the liveliness of bar seating, but when in a dining room have a preference for a more intimate ambiance. The menu at Rolf & Daughters is wonderful. Approximately sixteen savory items arranged from lighter dishes to heavier proteins and a separate section for pastas. Ingredients are fresh, high quality and most of what you are served is made from scratch in house. There is a nice balance of vegetable centric dishes, seafoods and meats. So much on the menu sounded tempting that it was tough to narrow our choices down. The bartender was very helpful answering our questions, making some recommendations and advising on what quantity of food to order (and was spot on with his assistance - as well as did a nice job coursing out what we ordered in a sensible manner). We ended up sharing five savories and of these four were fantastic and one (the octopus) still quite good but just not as stellar. The crostini with broccoli, pistachio and generous portion of shaved pecorino cheese sounds simple but wow, the freshness of the ingredients really shined and there was so much flavor. The sweet potato with nduja, green onion, yogurt and lime had such harmony among the various textures and flavors and also was a huge hit. The dry aged tartare was among the better tartare preparations I have enjoyed and the squid ink pasta with seafood and crunchy sour dough croutons was an instant favorite. The food was nicely presented but not at all fussy. One of those meals where you just really enjoy every single bite and the food leaves behind such a pleasant aftertaste. The only negative food wise was dessert; the individual ingredients sounded awesome - caramel, popcorn, lime curd and ginger (all flavors I love) but the curd was poorly executed (way too sweet and no tartness), the ginger was non-detectable and the caramel had an odd aftertaste that clashed with the lime; the popcorn provided a little much needed textural component but quickly became soggy. My wife made the smart decision of ordering a second crostini for dessert and I was envious but she made quick work of it, feverishly fending off my attempts to snatch a bite with her fork and a menacing stare down. Cocktails were on par quality wise with the savories. We really enjoyed the playful names (i.e. Here Today Saigon Amaro and Pearway to Heaven). For one round of drinks the bartender was adept at making us some nice off-menu cocktails based on a description of what we were seeking. Despite the poor dessert this was an otherwise outstanding meal. Loved the vibe (upscale yet casual), loved the decor, loved the staff (and Rolf & Daughters attracted friendly patrons as well), loved the drinks and loved the savories. We also were pleasantly surprised by the bill; for the high quality and rather generous portions this was quite a bargain! Definitely will be making a return visit next time we are in town and quite possibly will squeeze in two meals since there is just no way possible to consume all the highly appealing dishes on the menu in a single visit, though it might be fun to try!
(5)
Kris W.
This restaurant is definitely worth going out of your way to go to. Settled in a residential area of Germantown, we probably wouldn't have noticed it just driving around. Highly recommend getting a reservation especially if you want to go on the weekend, however they do about half and half reservation and walk in. The ambience is amazing, custom made furniture, great lighting, and not too loud. The food changes up regularly, but definitely try the handmade pastas, especially the squid ink pasta and garganelli verde. HIGHLY recommend the agretti, very unique dish. Also the beef tartare and sourdough/seeweed were delicious. Honestly probably everything is delicious on the menu so order lots of dishes and share among friends. You'll need to come back multiple times for sure. Lastly all the staff are incredibly helpful and will guide your choices as needed.
This was an amazing meal, from service to drinks to food, all around. Visited with 6 other girlfriends, no rezzies (for parties of greater than six, FYI) so we knew we had to get there WHEN THEY OPENED. We were seated right away (yay!) and our server was thorough and so attentive in his menu explanation AND with drink and wine suggestions. My favorites were the beef tartare and the pasta dishes were AMAZING! Great wine and cocktail list, this place was the highlight of our trip this weekend. Thanks RandDs!!!
(5)
Lesley B.
Everything was absolutely incredible. Service, recommendations, specials, wine, apps, entrees, pastas, desserts. Chef Phillip Krajeck, has really outdone himself and brings a delightful epicurean explosion using simple flavors and the freshest produce. Rolf and daughters is a dinner worth treating yourself. Atmosphere is perfect- although the restaurant is considerably fancy the atmosphere floats with a more casual aesthetic and modern vibe so it doesn't feel like you are have a stuffy fine dining experience. To be honest, I could probably wear jeans to Rolf and daughters without feeling underdressed. I can't rate one dish above another because everything we had was excellent. This included many of the appetizers, sharing a few entrees, and a couple of the desserts. I highly recommend going to Rolf and Daughters when you get a chance!
(5)
Caroline K.
Fresh off the airplane and in need of a drink, my friend and I headed straight to Rolf and Daughters. We arrived around 7pm and the place was packed. Our other friend still hadn't arrived, which turned out to be a good thing since the quoted time for a table was close to 2 hours. Silly me for going to one of the hottest restaurants in Nashville on a Friday night without a reservation. We headed over to the bar to imbibe while we waited, and luckily 2 seats opened up at the end of the bar. The bar itself it quite big, but was very crowded, especially since most people ended up eating there rather than just drinking. My friend got (multiple) Silence of the Lambruscos, while I started with the vey delicious Cynarnold Schwarzenegger and worked my way up to a few R.A.D. Old Fashioneds. The cocktails were great and very strong. They caught up with me later in the night. We were starving so we ordered the sourdough bread with seaweed butter and the chicken liver pate. Chicken liver is one of the few things I still have trouble enjoying, despite how much I try to like it. My friend was more than happy to devour it on her own, while I happily ate what seemed like a half-loaf of sourdough. The seaweed butter and chunks of sea salt to sprinkle on top were amazing. Who doesn't like a good piece of bread? Finally our friend arrived, and our table awaited! A lot of the tables are long, wooden communal benches, and we were seated comfortably at the end of one. All of the food sounded amazing, but our friend had eaten not that long ago and after my practical meal of bread, we didn't need that much food. We shared the Garganelli verde, Rigatoni with lamb sausage, and something else that I am ashamed to admit I forget. Too many cocktails! The food was impressive and we definitely were fighting over the last bite of that rigatoni. Overall, Rolf and Daughters lived up to the hype. It is the kind of restaurant you wish was in your neighborhood, but at the same time don't actually want near you because you will spend all your time and money there. I hope to be back!
(5)
Lindsay H.
Overall, a great restaurant! Came here with a group of 4 with reservations and had to wait about 15 minutes past our reservation to get a table. I'm so glad the food made up for that. Among the highlights were the agretti (a green found in the Mediterranean) and the trout. Everything was above average and I love the diversity of foods found on the menu. Ambience is loud and trendy, perfect if you're looking for a place with good energy. I just wish it were in an area walkable to other hot spots. I would highly recommend!
(4)
Emily C.
Small portions, don't come here for a big meal. Love the ambience, appetizer was sourdough bread and seaweed butter for 5.00. For a table of 4, we had enough for one each. Liked the zing of the butter. We had hen of the woods (vegetarian, lemon, mushroom) which was my favorite. The Garganelli verde was meat sauce and pasta, tasted great. The squid ink pasta was what I was looking forward to- but the black pasta was much too salty and tasted like seafood (which I don't mind). The heritage pork was okay, juicy and tender. I would recommend the pasta options at most. To taste their handmade pasta was worth the trip, but I wouldn't return because the small portions weren't for me.
(4)
Alex G.
I'll be back as RaD definitely has potential, but my most recent visit was pretty mediocre. Perhaps I just had overly high expectations given all the publicity this place has been getting (ex. Bon Appetite). Anyway, the drinks here are very solid. Enjoy a cocktail (daily special) and glass of wine. But the food was underwhelming. Came here with a party of four and had a chance to try quite a few dishes. Steak tartar was just so-so. Small portion for the price and the crostini it was one was in a bowl with some weird broth the made it a bit soggy. Just not sure what the idea was. Brussel sprouts were okay; tasted good, but I'm not personally a huge fan of the shaved slaw-style it's served as. Still, a recommended dish. Also enjoyed the sourdough bread and seaweed butter, but a little peeved that an italian restaurant wouldn't have free bread + olive oil/balsamic. Paying $5 (plus tax/tip) for bread and butter, no matter how tasty is a bit underwhelming, especially when a place like Etch does a butter tasting with several different butters for less. Ricotta cavatelli was pretty darn tasty. Had a fresh, nutty taste that's a bit hard to explain. Likely better in smaller portions as I can see the taste being a little cloying/overwhelming for a whole dish (I only sampled from one of my dining partners). I had the squid ink canestri and was underwhelmed. The flavor was solid, but when the ingredients say "shrimp" and "squid" I'd like to actually see and taste it. Whatever was topping the actual pasta was basically ground fish; it was more salty than I'd expect and truthfully it was difficult to even know that there was much there other than the pasta. Lamb meatballs were okay, but seemed to be a bit undercooked. The chicken was quite tasty, but also a bit on the salty side. Still it was definitely the best dish of the night.
(3)
Mag N.
have visited a couple times. always on point. no disappointments. i typically don't stray from a traditional cocktail, but the options here have not disappointed.
(5)
Shane M.
wonderful food and atmosphere, reasonable portions, great waiter, accommodating hostess, pleasurable experience
(5)
Elizabeth A.
Great place! Love the building and the food was delightful. I started with the tomatoes and had the trout and the favor was really good. The only problem I encountered was the noise level. For someone hard of hearing, it was hard to hear my dinner companions during conversation. That staff was very attentive and and catered to our party to make sure we had everything we needed. I think next time I go and I will return , I may opt to sit outside weather permitting.
(5)
Charles C.
Ok, not outstanding for this class of dining experience. Atmosphere/overall space is wonderful. Generously, waiter was aloof. Less diplomatically, he was kind of an ass. Around table, general consensus was food Sat. night was good, not great. Ate the beef shortrib for a main plate and can't say the flavor or the texture knocked me over. End of meal desserts were delicious and exceptional, though, providing a nice coda. Enjoyed the simple menu. Unfortunately, didn't quite achieve the mantra, "Focus on a few things, but execute on all of them exceptionally well."
(3)
Paulius N.
gastro-awesomeness a great foodie adventure with solid cocktails Once again, a new Nashville restaurant hits it out of the park. Bravo Nashville! The hits just keep on coming. Just opened, Rolf and Daughters is destined for greatness. Nothing on the menu that we tried disappointed. Cocktails to start, each one was unique and possessed a strong and well balanced flavor profile. The Milan Mule, made with gin for a ginger flavor load was a tart and bitter delight. Perfect to rev up the appetite for what awaited. Whoever designed the cocktail menu should be commended. A bit heavy on the amaros, but everyone has their style. I appreciate the lack of vodkas at the bar, and the non existence of the cloying flavored varieties. I would suggest however, the acquisition of olives for a classic martini. On to the food. A pork rib appetizer was off the charts great. Falling off the bone, moist, meaty, and served with a spicy relish. Worth of a death row dinner request no doubt. A porchetta sandwich was had as well. The bread was as perfect as could be, and stood up well to the moist fattiness of the meat. Seasoned quite lightly and served with a small amount of bitter greens for contrast, it was a flavor delight. If a sandwich can be comfort food, this one is. My brook trout entree, served with Savoy cabbage, creme fraiche and dill was heavenly. The chef again and again showed his deft hand with seasonings and texture combinations. The spaghetti carbonara, was rich if a bit on the small side, but again, a study in deliciousness. The squid ink canestri was big and bold, the chorizo blending seamlessly with the seafood. And it was visually stunning as well. Dessert options were also a hit. My bambolini were light as air with a fantastic chocolate dip, and the chocolate tart added a new dimension of subtle savoriness to the current trend of salt enhanced sweets. Carry on Rolf and Daughters. Carry on indeed.
(5)
Brooke M.
The best Nashville has to offer.
(5)
Claudia Y.
finally my restaurant in nashville. the place I'll always go. my second living room with a bar. GREAT cocktails. but it's the food. it's just plain excellent. all pastas made in house. the seafood squid ink and pork ragu garganelli were my favorites. we went twice the first week and pretty much ate through the menu. great vibe. great service. but it's the food. really. peasant food with a modern twist. inspired. truly. go.
(5)
Tim B.
Ambiance and drinks were great. Music was too loud for conversation. The food was too salty. Ordered meatballs and they were raw. Disappointing given the cost. Don't mind paying for a nice meal but I expect it to be well done. May consider coming back for drinks only. Nice patio space could make for a good happy hour. May give it a second chance in about a year but they have some kinks to work out first.
Huge fan still after 5 visits.....you can't beat the great vibe (cool interior, great patio, fun bar), attentive wait staff, and most of all, the food. The roasted chicken, gemelli pasta and cauliflower can't be beaten. I am not adventurous enough to try a few of the dishes (ink squid pasta) and I wish they didn't charge for the bread, but clearly it doesn't stop me from coming back. Read the other reviews and i haven't had the same issues, but maybe that's because we are early diners--hitting it about 6:15 or 6:30.
(4)
Vanessa P.
5 stars? Heck yes. I love the ambience here, the drinks are suberb, and the fresh pasta is perfect.
The pasta here is incredible, without a doubt. The cocktails are great too! I ordered the trout and it was under done. Cold and raw. They still charged me for it:/ ambience is nice.
(3)
Chris B.
Probably my favorite place in Nashville. And while I wouldn't give it 5 stars in Portland or San Fran I will say as far as nashville is concerned it is defiantly tops. They pasta goes without saying is awesome. Outstanding chicken liver mousse and tartar and fun seasonal vegetable dishes.
(5)
Bill D.
Overall we had a great experience. The food is amazing. The decor and vibe feels like an upscale Burger Up or a twin of the renowned City House. The price tag for two appetizer's, two glasses of wine each, two entree's, a shared desert, and two cool desert coffee's with the tip rounded out at a justifiable value of $170. That's about what I'm going to pay for an all-in dinner at an establishment of this caliber!! I will say that the server wasn't overly intuitive at first. I ordered our wine and he impatiently said "what's the rest of your order...the chef needs to plan ahead". Uh, really...did I really just hear that!! I looked at him for a very short minute and said, "as I said, we will enjoy the moment over a glass of wine"!! He quickly scurried away slightly rattled but to his credit he quickly got the idea and adapted to our slower pace and the eventual higher tab, including his generous tip for being a quick learner. I even like the side street location (much like the amazing City House) and the minimalist signage. I think the owners nailed it on every level. I would definitely go again!
(4)
Kay D.
My boyfriend and I got early reservations for a Friday night pretty far in advance, and it was already hopping at opening. The room is open, all wood and brick/concrete, so it got fairly noisy quickly. My cocktail was good, but arrived a good 5 minutes after my boyfriend's wine. We had apps (seaweed butter: good, coppa testa: so-so), 2 pastas and an entree. The veal pasta that was an off-menu item that night was good, and the pork ragout was amazing! I wish we would have just gotten those, because the pork served with the pork and sauerkraut entree was a real disappointment - just a few thin pieces with an inedible gristle line running through them. The sausage and sauerkraut were really good, however, so I have very mixed feelings about that dish. I feel the hype they are getting right now (mostly deserved from my experience) might let them get away with serving some dishes that wouldn't fly elsewhere. The service was friendly and efficient and we will definitely go back, but we'll stick to the pastas next time.
(4)
Adam M.
This is by far, one of the best restuarants I've eaten in my life! Being from New York City, I've eaten amongst the best of them, often at a much higher price. R&D is much better. The server was extremely patient and nice. The ambiance and design is perfect too. Allowing natural simplicity not to interfere with quite an original and succulent menu, of Italian origin. All homemade. The squid canestri is exquisite. Also had the Yorkshire Pork which was tender and full of delicious flavor. Would definitely go again!
(5)
Jennie V.
The atmosphere was almost as wonderful as the cocktails. My carbonara was a hair too salty and (this is coming from someone who over salts everything). The fingerling potatoes were okay. The panna cotta was to die for. The portions could be a little bigger. The prices were on target. Overall, I liked it and will return.
(4)
Joe F.
Everything about this restaurant is exciting and vibrant except for one thing. The food is wonderful, the outside patio is gorgeous and the wait staff is casual and friendly. Despite these wonderful aspects of the restaurant, it is lacking in one distinct area. The person who I've had to speak to on the phone to make reservations is rude, uninformative and abrasive. I've encountered this every time I've called. She knows little about the menu and the restaurant and made no attempt to find answers to the various questions I had asked. The last time I called I was hung up on after she told me that they were booked for the evening. I did not have an opportunity to ask about future reservations. It may not seem that important, but being a person in the service industry, I believe that the host stand is very important in a restaurant, as it is the first and last 'line of fire' that the guests encounter. I hope that Rolf and Daughters can find someone who can act as a true ambassador to their establishment and offer a bit more knowledge and friendliness for guests who call the restaurant, especially for the first time. But over all it is a great place to dine.
(4)
Ray B.
The resturant was beautiful, the staff, hostess and waitress, fantastic, the food delicious, the problem why I can only give 3 stars....the food, although it was delicious, for the price the portions were minimal. I dont mind paying for food I like and appreciate, but I do like to leave the table satisified. We started with the Crostini delicious but not enough for two to have a decent taste. The Carrot salad with little moo, delicious but seriously, for $10 I deserve the whole carrot. The Bucatini, delicious, but after the first bite, I was scrapping the bottom of the bowl and the Heritage Chicken, delicious, but when I am told the entre is a breast and a leg, I am from the South, a chicken breast is a nice size piece of meat, but this poor chicken never hit puberty. The Kale and polenta were delcious and i could have eaten a larger bowl full. We left not starving but definately not satisified. I probably will not return because for the price of the meal, there are equally good resturants where I feel I get a fair return on my investment. But thanks Rolf and Daughters for a nice evening.
(3)
Evan W.
- This isn't your fathers restaurant - This place lives up to the hype in every way possible ! Orders included : Squid ink pasta = 5* Beef Rigatoni = 2* Dessert drink (contains espresso?)= 4* The squid ink dish was amazing and the service was terrific too
(3)
Loralyn D.
One of my top 5 favorite restaurants in Nashville. Everything I've ordered has been amazing, the atmosphere is really trendy and comfy, the staff is friendly, and it's a great place to spend an evening. My biggest complaints are 1. I don't know at least one ingredient of every main dish on the menu so I have to ask or search on my phone and 2. You have to call for a reservation, they don't do Open Table.
(5)
Alexandra B.
Good restaurant. Weird cocktail menu (dont expect to get something you are used to) the bread was great. The beef tartare was delicious. We had the chicken which was really good also and a large portion as many have already described it. Ordered also a pasta on the side which was good after we got some more cheese for it and ended it with their strawberry dessert. Overall if you want a funky menu and experience something different give it a try. If you look for traditional it probably wont be the right place for you.
(4)
Kari T.
Yum!! Great service and everything on the menu was delicious.
(5)
Scott T.
Fantastic find! Diner over the top to form the service to the appetizer to the main course to the dinner
(5)
Amanda M.
Had a great time here the night of the CMAs. Perhaps the best part was our waiter with a cute little accent. The menu is organized a bit strangely and he did a great job of explaining and setting up our expectations. He also picked a delicious wine pairing and amazing brandy. I had the lamb, which was amazing. The beef tartare was a bit heavy for my taste, and the turnips also a bit al dente for my taste. Looking at other plates, I wished I'd had a different vegetable. The beets looked great. I did get the charred lettuce and butternut squash which was fantastic! The server did highly recommend pasta, but the person beside me got it, and the portions were pretty small for this Italian, but she seemed happy with it. The also made pretty phenomenal cocktails. :-) Definitely make a reservation!
(5)
Eden O.
Reservations were booked for the night here but we decided to walk in and wait anyways. There were five girls on a Saturday night around 7:30p, we ended up getting a seat in about an hour. We didn't mind waiting at all though because they reserve a bartender and space at the end of the bar solely for customers waiting for a table. This was very much appreciated. It also helped that these hand crafted cocktails were delicious and they had variety of liquors and flavors to choose from. They have an inviting and romantic patio outside strung with lights, inside is an industrial modern feel with brick walls, tall ceilings, and wood tables. The menu had a few unique dishes so we were all able to try something new. I opted for the chicken liver pate and the squid ink pasta. The pate was rich with flavor but not too salty. The squid ink pasta came with a light sauce of olive oil, garlic and tomatoes. It was just the right mix of ingredients to really get the flavor of this black pasta. Our server always seemed in somewhat of a hurry to get off to other tables, so often times was difficult to order a drink or ask questions. Only gripe about the place though.
(4)
Judi M.
Had reservations, called ahead and explained what time we had to be out for a show. Worst service ever! Nothing to ruin a meal, like a server who couldn't care less.
(1)
Jessica M.
We have a toddler so don't get out to really nice restaurants all that often. So glad that when we did, we went to Rolf and Daughters. Just Delicious. The highlights for me were the pate, the beef carpaccio, the arrabiatta seafood pasta, and, surprisingly, the carbonara. (The carbonara was ordered by my husband -- it seemed too boring to me -- but it was perhaps the most sinfully delicious pasta I've ever eaten. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.) The service was just fine though nothing particularly special. Ambience was fun and hip. We will definitely be back.
(5)
Corie K.
I'm a bit underwhelmed by the experience. We arrived in quite the good mood and opted to sit outside since the weather felt perfect. Our server came over to us and immediately explained that she would first take our drink order then come and take order for everything, apps, entrees, sides at one and bring out as they felt make sense to keep the kitchen and restaurant on schedule. She came back and took our drink order and reminded us again that we should be ready to order everything at once. This seemed really strange and authoritative; also doesn't give you much chance to feel out the menu and make decisions as the mood felt right. Furthermore, the dishes only came out in two drop offs, neither by our server. We ate what felt like sides with our what felt like appetizer; followed by our entrees. Our server felt cold, even when we tried to warm her up, asking her how her day was, etc. We later noticed the table next to us leisurely ordered with a different server, who also seemed much more friendly. We did decide to order dessert this evening - my decision wasn't based on anything looking particularly good, but mostly because I was still hungry. The pear tart was quite good, not too sweet, just the right size to not feel guilty. You should take note and prepare yourselves: the portions at R+D are very small in relation to their pricing. We hadn't eaten all day so were ready to stuff our face. On a normal day, had we ate lunch, the portions would have been fine (price not considered). It was $9 for a few pieces of broccoli, $9 for one piece of toast with smoked trout spread, and $11 for a small plate of grains w/ cucumbers and tomatoes. $27 doesn't seem out of question for an entree, however, the steak was four small slices, with 4 sprigs of greens and 3 mini potatoes and a mini sausage. The pork ragu and homemade pasta was quite yummy and a reasonable portion for the price. I'm not usually such a price-centric person when it comes to food, but I do want to find value in my meal, whether it be portion, flavor, or experience - I don't feel we got either. If either the server or food had blown me away, I would feel the $130 tab was justified. Tip if you are ready to give it a try for yourself: go for the pasta dishes and hope you don't get the server we had. Also try the Montana Verde if you are in the mood for a cocktail.
(3)
Adam D.
I read about this place in a TIME Magazine article, the focus of which was the up and coming food scene in the developing side of Nashville. They definitely lived up to the hype, and we didn't even have dinner. We weren't all that hungry but I had to check this place out before I left Nashville. Between the decor, the hipster wait staff, fancy cocktails, the farm-to-table concept and the small, yet elegant menu selection, I could have been in lower Manhattan and not known the difference. The Wingman was a solid drink. The wings were among the best I've ever had and the pate was delicious as well. My only knock is they put bread on the appetizer menu for $5. It's served with seaweed butter and sea salt, and though delicious, it should be on the house. If you're visiting like me, it's about a $8 cab ride each way from downtown.
(5)
Jessica G.
I came to Rolf & Daughters because it was recommended by a friend. I LOVE the ambiance here. The service is wonderful and the workers are so friendly! The cocktails are fresh and so delicious. The dry aged beef tartare is my favorite starter and the garganelli verde is one of the best things I've ever eaten! My husband and I will definitely come here often!
(5)
Lauren B.
This is literally one of the best restaurants I've eaten at in my life. EVERYTHING was AMAZING. The atmosphere. The service. And most importantly, the food. I basically can just tell you everything we ordered and you should go order it then you should go back and order everything else that I didn't mention. Sound good? The drinks. They change constantly so I'm not sure if it's there but the one The Pate. Oh my. Best pate of my life. The bread and seaweed butter. Yaaaaaas. The Beef Tartare. Phenom. Farro Gemeli. Amazing pasta dish. Roasted half chicken. Tender, perfectly seasoned, delicious. The pork. Whatever dish it's in, get it. The one with sauerkraut. (You'll see if it's on there). And another pasta dish that honestly why are you still reading this stop reading and make a reservation NOW they fill up fast and are small GO! OMG AND GET THE FLAN IT CHANGED MY LIFE NOT BEING DRAMATIC I DREAM ABOUT IT NOW.
(5)
Sheena T.
After a year (almost to the day) I finally made it back to Rolf and Daughters with an out of town guest. She wanted Italian food and if you want pasta, Rolf and Daughters makes it right. I had not been eager to rush back after a bad experience with a bartender (see my review) but I am happy to report that dining at a table was a much more enjoyable experience. We did not have a reservation, but waited in line for the doors to open on Sunday at 5:30pm. There were at least 15 people in line already (yikes) but luckily we were able to get a table. To start I had the crostini with a bean spread and some oil. It was delicious (once I took off the sardines) and my entree was some kind of black pasta dish that I cannot remember the name of, but it was absolutely delightful! All of the pasta dishes were outstanding, and so were our drinks. I am also pleased to report that our server was great and got us our tabs separately without issue. I feel that I need ONE more meal before I can go all 5 stars, but my friends, I am close!
(4)
Lawrence C.
Dined 12/12/13 Chic, warehouse space with exposed brick, high ceilings and exposed industrial sized ventilation tubes. Very long spacious bar set on side of dining area, in one large space. Diverse menu, from which we selected two pastas, canestri & bucatini, @ $18, plus a side of vegetables, turnips & Brussels @ $7 & 10 respectively. Everything was absolutely delicious. Tracy, our waiter graciously offered a sampling of two white wines before selecting, priced @ $9-14/glass. Chocolate tart @$9 was the finale to a wonderful meal. This was among the top three restaurants we dined at during our 3 weeks in Nashville, and we so look forward to our return here first. NB. Reservations are a must, and the staff will likely be very accommodating if you need to make special requests, as they were in my case.
(5)
Greg B.
What a fantastic place. I come here multiple times when I visit Nashville. Kate the manager runs a friendly tight ship. Staff is always so welcoming and smart. We love Taylor! Tip: just order the bread and seaweed butter as soon as you sit down. It's a no-brainier.
(5)
Heather J.
This is my favorite restaurant in Nashville. I always end up ordering family style because I have to try absolutely everything. The portions are perfect (if not a little on the large side, but I'm not complaining). The squid ink canestri always ends up being my favorite dish, and I can't get enough of the beef tartare. The chef varies the dishes regularly, so even though you're ordering a favorite, it'll probably have some delicious new twist on it! As this place is on the pricy side, I don't make it out often (can you say poor college student?), but when I do, I am never disappointed. The staff is always friendly (and usually quite funny), the atmosphere is very trendy but classic, but what really keeps me coming back is the sheer deliciousness of the food. I'm serious. This place is delicious. Oh! And you have to get the sourdough bread! Have to!
(5)
Andrew Q.
In search of extremely tasty food? Look no further than R and D. Been here multiple times and always leave extremely satisfied and looking forward to a return visit. There is no point describing any specific dishes because there are no incorrect decisions on the menu.
(5)
Andrea E.
Amazing! The food here is so good. This place has the kind of food you still dream about months later. I was passing through Nashville and Rolf and daughters was recommended for my boyfriend and I to go to. The menu is one where if you're like me you really have no idea what it says. It just doesn't matter. Order anything, it's probably all delicious. We had beet salad to start and I had a pasta dish with lamb for the main. Absolutely incredible. The chicken was also delicious. The service was excellent. I did have trouble getting ahold of the restaurant to make a reservation however it worked out because they accept walk-ins. The wine was also delicious especially paired with the food. So so good. Totally recommend this place.
(5)
Alexandra F.
Drinks are awesome here. I had the one with bourbon. I'd never had bourbon before, but wow! Very good! Rustic, nice design inside. Note to self: when the server says the meal you are about to order is light and you're so very hungry, don't get it. Have some seaweed butter and bread to start. It's good I promise. Don't order the scallops unless you have negative stomach space. They were good, but I didn't feel like I had eaten anything. I definitely want to go back here. And try a real meal. And order and different drink!
(4)
Bill M.
We were there for cocktails. They were Amazing. I had the TBD. Wifley had the cocktail of the day. Well crafted by the bartender.
(5)
Dennis M.
Advanced pasta types, which is always a great sign since tje chef is obviously traveled and has done research. Best meal in Nashville hands down. Had the squid ink canestri, and it was superb. The ruby red shrimp with buttermilk herbs was a delicious starter. Full of new flavors to my pallette.
(5)
Lauren W.
I feel like a terrible food blogger. Rolf and Daughters had been on my must-go list for what felt like an eternity but I just finally made my way around to it last week. This is totally 100% my fault due to poor planning and begging for last minute reservations. But my last minute perseverance finally paid off last week with a table for two at a reasonable dinner hour! Located in Germantown, Rolf and Daughters is charming and beautiful. They have a romantic outside patio lit by fairy string lights. Inside, it's dark and filled with lovely handcrafted wood pieces. The ceiling was even covered in wood planks. For a small place, they do seem to be able to fit a good amount of diners at once. I did think that the noise level was a bit loud, so it might not be a great place to take your parents (if they're the type who love to complain about noise) or someone who is hard of hearing. Of course we started off with cocktails! I chose the colony collapse which consisted of bourbon, honey liquor, and spiced cherry bitters. This was a stiff drink, just the way I like it. I love a cocktail that doesn't mask the alcoholic nature of the beverage, but enhances it. Steve chose the Spiker and Sponge which was rye, peach shrub, IPA beer, honey, lemon and bitters. To both of us, this drink was just a tad too tart and bitter for our palettes. For our appetizer I picked the chicken liver pate with green tomato jam and cacao. There are few things I love more than bird livers, so I always pick the pate if it's offered. This dish was absolutely perfect; I couldn't get over how much I loved it! Jewish mamas everywhere might weep, because this isn't your traditional chicken liver. The green tomato jam was really sweet and nicely balanced out the inherent bitterness of the cocoa. I know the idea of chocolate and liver sounds gross, but trust me, this dish is spot-on. Their menu is designed around sharing. There are pasta, entree, and side options that are served in large bowls with proportions for two. Steve and I decided to order one pasta, one protein, and one side and make a meal of it. For the pasta I picked the squid ink canestri made with shrimp, squid, pancetta and chili. It had been a long while since I saw squid ink pasta on the menu so I jumped at the chance. The pasta was al dente and the squid ink added a delicate salt flavor. The seafood added another layer of fish flavor which made this dish utterly amazing. I would be hard pressed to go back to Rolf and Daughters and not order this again! For our protein we went with the trout with heirloom beans and cucumber. The fish itself was tender and not the tiniest bit overcooked, but it was a tad too salty for my palette. And I know I must be sensitive to salt, because Steve thought the salt content was perfect. My favorite part had to be the pickled cucumbers that were hiding under the trout, adding a bright fresh flavor to complement the fish. For the side we chose fingerling potatoes with chili mayo. The potatoes were the cutest! Little bite size morsels with a crispy skin. But honestly, it was the chili mayo that made this dish. It added a layer of subtle spice and creaminess that coated the potatoes and left you craving more. I have a sweet tooth and when it came time to choose a dessert, I couldn't, so we opted for two. Since Steve had never had one, we went with the bomboloni with vanilla cream and a side of chocolate sauce for dipping. They came out nice and hot and the dark chocolate sauce wasn't overly sweet like many tend to be. For our second dessert we chose the Olive and Sinclair chocolate tart with caramel and bourbon barrel nibs. While I didn't recognize the nibs, the tart was dark, rich and lovely. My favorite part was the sprinkling of rock salt on top adding that salty crunch that accompanies dark chocolate so well. I totally get the hype; Rolf and Daughters is a positively wonderful restaurant pumping out creative and solid food in a lovely romantic location. I doubt anyone would be disappointed with a dinner there. Just make your reservation in advance so you don't get caught in the lurch like me!
(5)
Alan L.
Awesome awesome meal at Rolf and Daughters. My party of 3 went without a reservation on Friday night. We were quoted a 45 minute wait, got a drink at the bar, and before we knew it, our table was ready (wait was definitely closer to 20 minutes - when does that after happen?) Everything we ordered was excellent. Here's the run down, in descending order of deliciousness... Squid ink bucatini - huge chunks of octopus + breadcrumbs making the texture great made this an awesome dish. I have a pretty high standard for Italian living near the West Village in NYC and this was about as good as anything I've had. Chitarra - see note above about being about as good as anything I've had. Dessert - we had the blueberries dessert. I'm usually more of a chocolate guy, but this was insanely good. Ruby red shrimp - delicious shrimp in a buttermilk dressing. Only complaint - needed more of it. Beef tartare - good portion size, really yummy. Eggplant crostini - very tasty, but nothing too special. Short rib - only thing we ordered that we were 'eh' about. I prefer the braised, stringy short rib to this, which was more the style of a sliced NY strip steak. Cocktails were also excellent. Waiters and bartenders were super friendly and knowledgeable about the drinks and all of the menu items. Don't hesitate to check this place out!!
(5)
Mary T.
We strolled over to Rolf & Daughters after our Corsair tour to grab some dinner. I thought Google maps had let me down because it's off of a main street where you'd least expect to see a restaurant. Upon arriving, we were quoted a 30-45 minute wait, but were encouraged to head over to the bar for drinks. Our timing was spot on almost our entire trip; just as the bartender finished preparing our first round of drinks, two seats opened up. And just as quickly, tables opened up for us inside and out. We would've taken either, but the bartenders were so fantastic that we decided to remain there. The menu is a touch confusing. It's divided into two sections, but would be better as three (how it used to be, we're told). In the top, non-pasta section, dishes are either small plates or larger, shared plates - you can tell the difference by the price jump. The bottom section is a small selection of pasta dishes that one would consider mains. Our bartender guided us through the menu and helped us think about what would make sense, portion-wise. To share, we ordered the brook trout. The dish made up of trout, cucumber, dill, nasturtium, and greens. Delicate and fresh, we loved it. Separately, we each ordered a pasta dish - his with meat, mine without. The portions are restrained; that's not to say they are stingy, but unlikely you'll go home with a doggie bag. A huge fan of pasta, this wasn't my favorite homemade pasta, but it was damn good. To drink, we each had two drinks. He a Border Town, a mezcal drink, and a whiskey drink - a Spike and Sponge (?). I ordered a Montaña Verde, a tequila-based drink, and the rum-based Above the Sails. Sitting at the bar we not only received impeccable service, but also observed how carefully they craft each drink. I can't speak for his drinks, but both of mine were great. Of the two, the Montaña Verde's spicy finish made it my favorite. Overall, this was an excellent meal. If I lived in Nashville, this would be one of my go-to spots for a higher-end, yet unpretentious meal.
(5)
Luke Y.
I loved my meal at Rolf and Daughters, but the one catastrophic low point brought down the whole experience. We made reservations and came by early for drinks, which were delectable. The pastas (we had garganelli with pork and veggie carbonara) were fantastic. The atmosphere was classy, fitting for a date but relaxed enough to go not just as a special occasion. However, their gluten free pasta is a total fiasco. One of my party has Celiac Disease, and the only reason we could come in the first place was they make their own gluten free pasta. What a treat! However, when it came, she found pieces of regular pasta in her dish. They made her another dish, but it was pretty clear there was a massive contamination issue going on in the kitchen. The waiter wasn't concerned one bit, didn't offer to take it off the check or just get her another drink or anything, just oh we can make you another one. After the meal we met a Nashville native that has Celiac and she told us she never would go there and confirmed what we suspected: they just cook the gluten free pasta in the same pots and starchy gluten water as the regular pasta. What is the point of making your own if you're just going to mix it in and make it poisonous garbage? This is just like the Van Halen no brown M&M's rider: if they are that blind to this part of their menu, it throws their professional attention as a whole in question. Despite how great my individual experience was, I can't recommend going there.
(2)
Jessi S.
All new favorite spot in Nashville! No idea why it took us so long to come here since we live just a block away, perfect distance to stumble home from after one too many Manhattans (using Copper & Kings premium craft American Brandy!) Now on to the food...we ordered the beets, beef tartare, & broccoli. Everything was ridiculously amazing & I cannot wait to return.
(5)
Jesse W.
Favorite restaurant in Nashville. Very chill inside, good drinks, awesome italian dishes that you won't usually have at other restaurants like squid ink and stuff like that. If you take your date here and they haven't been before, you'll probably get laid.
(5)
Lesley K.
5 stars for great food. Cool ambiance. Nice server. Overall a great experience so I recommend going here. Thanks to the yelpers we were able to order the best of everything in my opinion. Check out my bill for the complete list. My group shared everything. The server gave us separate plates. New plates for apetizers and another new set for main course. My favorite was the pork heritage and sourdough bread with seaweed butter. Warning though that the portions are small. like what the server suggested: one apetizer to share for two. One entree each and one pasta to share for two. We should had ordered one or two more dishes but we decided to splurge on the dessert. We tried the devil's food cake - it has whipped coffee and cream and chunks of chocoate cake sprinkled with powedered sugar. I didn't care much about the other desert we got - strawberry something. Don't forget to order drinks. I like a bit of bitter on sweet so I goy Wake up saints - first drink on the list. All drinks I think are made with fresh fruits. I'm only visiting nashville. If I do come back, I'm definitely going back here. Do reserve in advance as its a small place.
(5)
Jen D.
After hearing from separate friends about how amazing R&D is, and hearing about some of their accolades, I had to try it while in Nashville for work for the weekend. I had a fine meal, but was a little disappointed. We did not have a reservation, but found a seat at the bar and decided just to stay there instead of wait for a table. High points... - Bartenders - Friendly, great servers who are somehow very fast while putting big time effort into the drinks - Pork Ragout - Favorite dish of the night, perfection. - Bombaloni dessert - super sweet pillows from heaven filled with custard, rolled in sugar, with a chocolate sauce. Doesn't get better than this. So glad I'm not diabetic :) - Atmosphere - feels like a farm to table restaurant in any major city- buzzing, energetic - Cocktails Not as high points... - Squid Ink pasta - was fine, do not understand the hype - Squash side - Really puzzling. Squash two ways - burnt (literally, not browned, but charred) and shaved raw (or close to raw. Sauce didn't do much for the dish either. - Meatballs - Average meatballs Enjoyed local meals at Etch, M. Restaurant and The Southern more. I was expecting Girl & the Goat quality of food, and while it was a good meal - it fell short of the hype. If you are visiting and have just 2 nights - I would try somewhere else. I'm bummed I didn't make it to Husk. If you have 3-4 nights, it's worth checking out.
(3)
David G.
Boom goes the dynamite! Fantastic. Magnifico. Awesome. Incredible. Splendiferous. Mother F@$%ing Delicious. Perfect. I cannot think of a thing that Rolf & Daughters does wrong. Not. One. Thing. The ambiance is perfect: there's reclaimed wood everywhere (beautiful), the ceiling is even incredibly done with wood. There are communal tables and individual tables (reservations basically required to even eat here, and definitely required to get a table alone). The lighting level is perfect: not too dark, not too bright. The service is impeccable. Servers who know what they are talking about in terms of food accompaniments, the knowledge of the liquid libation, and the knowledge of food allergies (Hello, fellow gluten free fellows and gals!) And, they are punctual. And your servers aren't pretentious because they're in an awesome restaurant and trendy section of town. (Holland House, please take note. Suggest that your servers do internships at Rolf & Daughters to learn "how not to be an overly pretentious hipster server... you can still be a hipster and not a douche, Holland House servers...) I've digressed. Apologies. The food is the kicker in your pantalones. It is unforgettable. You'll dream of it... in a dirty (as in sexy dirty) dreamie kind of way. All of the pastas are outrageously good. I kid you not that once I went with two colleagues and we just ordered all 5 pastas and shared. I don't think I have had a better experience with pasta. And, for the glutard (that's a person who needs gluten free) in your life, they also can make their pasta dishes using gluten free pasta. Make your reservation, arrive an hour early to drink their luxurious libation creations, and then enjoy your dinner and maybe some dessert. Make an evening of Rolf & Daughters. You won't be sorry.
(5)
Meredith P.
I recently tried Rolf & Daughters with my husband one night for dinner. The atmosphere is very warm and inviting. There's a bar area (where most people sat when we first got there which was not long after opening for dinner), they have a few longer tables in the middle of the room and then tables for two along the wall. The tables for two were a little closer together than I'm used to, but not uncomfortable. Our waitress was absolutely wonderful! She was really helpful with menu items (explaining the different plate sizes and answering any questions we had since this was our first time eating here). She also made great recommendations for wine based on what we told her our preferences were. The food was good, but there are some more unique items. I started with the winter vegetables that had an almond milk Caesar dressing. I liked most of the veggies but there was a combination of raw vegetables, some that I think had been slightly cooked and then there were some that had been pickled. Not my favorite. My husband had the beets which he said were delicious. For entrees we had the pastured chicken (which was amazing...and huge, like half a chicken huge!) and the octopus (this is more of small/appetizer plate). Overall we really enjoyed this place but will probably save it for special occasions
(4)
Valerie B.
My favourite place to eat while visiting Nashville! The pigs' head with roasted peaches were to die for. And who knew I would love chicken liver pate! It was the green tomato marmalade and cocoa that made it. Of the mains we tried the squid ink pasta was the best, spicy and flavourful. The pork ragout in the garganelli pasta was a bit salty (pasta rocked though). And the brook trout was succulent (not a fan of dill though - my preference though, trout could be paired with something more innovative). Service was friendly and we loved the chilled out hipster atmosphere.
(5)
K L.
Had one of the best meals at RAD. Had high expectations and wasn't disappointed. We started with Fall Lettuce and Stratacella with beets small plates. Both delicious. Crispy quinoa special touch to the lettuce. Followed with Brook trout entree and the tortellini pasta entree. Trout was perfectly cooked without a game fish taste. Enhanced by the broth below which was so good I could have eaten s bowl of it by itself. Lapped it all up with my spoon! Tortellini was delicious with chestnut flavor. Wish there were two more on the plate tho. Portions not generous but enough to satiate. Our server was proficient, and truly patient to answer all our questions. Didn't rush us. Yet food all came out promptly hot and fresh. If you haven't eaten here, you better!
(5)
Alyssa T.
Really cute interior and friendly server. My friend and I ordered some appetizers, which were good, and the chicken and a pasta to share. The chicken was good (a little too salty) but left more to be desired as it was literally just a huge chunk of chicken and nothing more. The pasta with pork was way too salty for me and slightly too gummy in texture. The desserts we had were delicious and creative. I enjoyed them the most. Overall a good meal but didn't live up to the hype for me.
(3)
Katie L.
I couldn't be happier with my first experience last night at Rolf and Daughters. We walked in without a reservation at 7 p.m. on a Friday (there's street parking) and were seated right away. As a starter, we had the crostini with broccoli, pecorino and pistachio. The crust crunched, and the middle stayed firm enough to hold the toppings. For drinks, my husband had the R.A.D. Old Fashioned -- orange-fragrant and smooth, no alcohol hitting the back of the throat and up into the sinuses -- and I had a glass of red recommended by the server -- I usually drink Spanish wine, and Rolf and Daughters' reds are Italian and French. I asked for a full-bodied, spicy red, and his recommendation was perfect. We sat at the long shared table at the restaurant's heart, and I overheard my neighbor saying how pleased she was by the server's recommendation of her wine, too. Our entrees were unique from one another and perfectly fit for both of us: My husband's rigatoni (beef shank, tomato and bone marrow) was rich without being decadent, homey without being a peasant's dish. It ate like your mother's chicken pot pie, and hit the right familiar spot without being too filling. I had the squid ink chitarra (blue crab, lemon and old bay crumbs), and it's the first lemon pasta I've had that isn't the same old routine of lemon, olive oil and parsley. The lemon made the dish, which was seasoned perfectly. My only criticism is that the crunch of crumbs called to mind pieces of shell, and every few bites tasted like some shell had snuck in. We split the zeppole for dessert (hazelnut milk jam, raw hazelnuts and Olive + Sinclair chocolate) and could have licked the plate. I had an after-dinner drink whose name I can't recall, but it had rum, meletti and egg foam. At $12, it was a bit small, but so delicious I could have had a tumbler of it. Our total before tip was $99, which is more than we'd planned to spend on a spur-of-the-moment meal, but so wowed were we by the food, service and atmosphere that we didn't bat an eyelash.
best restaurant in nashville. no joke. I've been here with the lady 5+ times, and each visit is better than the last. Really one of the only places in town putting together truly creative, consistent, ingredient focused dishes. Our servers have always been incredibly knowledgeable and helpful as well. And that wingman cocktail is trouble.
(5)
Molly R.
I made a reservation over a month ago. The day of the reservation I called to confirm - had to leave a message. I called back again later that afternoon and the hostess confirmed but was less than cordial. That evening I was on my way to the restaurant and hit major traffic (the President was in town) I called to let them know I would be late.I had to call four times before someone answered. Same hostess finally answered and told me they could only hold my reservation for 15 minutes. Really... only 15 minutes? Are you all that busy on a Tuesday night? I've had this reservation for a month. Thanks for nothing. I had been excited to try this restaurant - will now cross it off my list.
Assumptions. They say that when you assume, you make an ass of u and me. I went to Rolf and Daughters with a few assumptions. I was visiting a friend in Nashville for a few days and wanted to take her out for a nice dinner to show my appreciation for her hospitality. We chose Rolf and Daughters because we heard that they had recently started making their own gluten free pasta from scratch. As a sufferer of Celiac Disease, that's a pretty exciting idea. We arrived a bit early for our reservation and the restaurant was full. We got some lovely drinks at the bar and brought them outside to the front patio to enjoy the nice weather. Once our table was ready, we eagerly sat down and perused the menu. When I asked our server about the gluten free options, he mentioned the gluten free pasta right away. Of course, that's what I ordered - subbing in the gluten free pasta for the squid ink canestri dish. When the food came - we all dug in. Everyone was DELIGHTED with how delicious their food was. Delighted, that is, until I found a piece of regular, glutenous spaghetti in my gluten free pasta. I alerted the waiter immediately, unsure how this could have happened. He brought it back to the kitchen and asked them to make another bowl for me. He never apologized and instead made excuses about how they don't have a gluten free kitchen. (Which of course they don't have a gluten free kitchen! They serve regular pasta! But how did the gluten free and regular pasta make their way into the same bowl?) Another bowl of pasta made it's way to our table eventually and I ate it cautiously, still confused as to how the glutenous pasta made it's way into my bowl in the first place. SPOILER ALERT: It turns out that a kitchen that makes their own gluten free pasta from scratch COOKS IT IN THE SAME POT AS REGULAR PASTA. I found this out later that night when speaking to another Celiac who lives in Nashville. I get it - I made an assumption (that gluten free pasta would be cooked in a separate pot and reasonable methods would be employed to prevent cross contamination). This assumption was based on the idea that a restaurant that goes to the trouble to make a gluten free pasta from scratch would understand the very basic idea of cross-contamination. This assumption was very wrong. In the end, I can't recommend Rolf and Daughters for anyone who needs to eat gluten free. Except maybe for a cocktail.
(2)
Chris B.
Overall: my Nashville favorite. I've been here about 6 times. Food: excellent and original. This restaurant breaks into the next level fine dining. The dishes are flavorful and interesting. Menu favorites: moving target here as their menu will change - Squid ink pasta: homemade pasta. - Chicken: I never order chicken at restaurants but on a friends recommendation tried the chicken. Excellent. It's one of my main course favorites. Savory - Sourdough bread: it's just bread but with really tasty seaweed butter. Service: seems like we get the same waitress every time we go. She is efficient and pleasant. On our 3rd visit, she recognized us and greeted us. Wait staff seem knowledgeable about the menu. Atmosphere: tough to get reservations but worth it. Mostly inside dining although we did sit on the patio on a nice day. Intimate setting if needed but we have also done a four-top. It's busy but not so loud that you cannot converse. They do have communities tables available but I have not done it.
(5)
l k.
The first time here was amazing...one of my favorite dinners ever so I was super excited to come back. My second visit wasn't the best unfortunately... For one I don't recommend sitting outside in their patio area...there was a nasty, noxious odor of sewer gas that kept wafting in depending on the way the wind was blowing. Talk about ruining your appetite! Besides that I just don't feel like we got a lot of food for our money...to spend over $100 you should leave feeling satisfied but we both looked at each other and suggested going somewhere else for a "bang-bang" because we were still hungry!
(4)
Katherine H.
One of the best meals I've had in a long time. Cocktails, beef tartare, and pasta were all killer...inventive with a perfect balance of flavors. I woke up wanting a to eat another bowl of the squid ink bucatini for breakfast. We sat at the bar and received outstanding service and great recommendations from the bartender. Will be back!
(5)
Kenny K.
Unbelievable! One of the best restaurants I've ever been to. They use all local ingredients, so the menu changes seasonly depending upon what they can get from Nashville farmers. Overall great experience. Will definitely be back.
(5)
Charline H.
Farm-to-table concept with a hipster waitstaff and mixologist whipping up your cocktail in a very industrial looking setting... and we're here for pasta?! This chef was put on this earth to make pasta. I personally never order pasta while dinning out bc I feel like I can just make something very similar at home. NOT the case a RAD! I have never eaten a bowl of pasta so slowly. YUM. I'm not sure I would recommend taking just anyone here. Picky eaters my not have the adventurous ambition to dive into this type of cuisine. We tried to step out of our comfort zone and just order off of our waiter's recommendations. After a few questions, she narrowed down the selections and we went for it. No complaints and we enjoyed every bite. Tip: sit outside if it's available. great ambiance. Highlight Pasta: Bucatini fra diavolo, octopus, rad lardo, calabrian chili [$18]
(4)
Heather J.
Don't you hate it when you're so looking forward to trying something and then it doesn't live up to the hype? Well, fret not, my friend. You won't have that problem here. My friends and I were planning a trip to Nashville and I read about Rolf and Daughters in Bon Appetit Magazine. I called a month in advance to reserve a table for us, and even that far ahead of time, they barely had any space left. We got an 8:45 pm reservation on a Friday night and it was still packed when we got there. Even though the space was really full, we didn't feel cramped and it wasn't too loud. The decor is lovely - it feels very cozy and comfortable. I love the vibe at this place - upscale but not pretentious. We started with a bottle of rose, a shaved brussels sprout salad, a turnip dish, and the chicken liver pate. All three appetizers were excellent. I was surprised to discover how much I loved the pate. My other favorite was the brussels sprout salad. For our entrees, we got the garganelli with pork ragout, farro gemelli with mushrooms and greens, and the spaghetti fra diavolo with octopus. Everything was delicious. The pasta is homemade and definitely the best homemade pasta I've ever had. It wasn't all mushy, as some homemade pasta can be. The fra diavolo was definitely spicy and the octopus was perfectly cooked - tender, not chewy. For dessert we shared a chocolate tart and little Italian creme-filled donuts. Again, everything was superb. The whole experience at Rolf and Daughters was top notch, from the service, to the atmosphere, to the food. I would be a regular here if I lived in Nashville!
(5)
Tony C.
I was in Nashville on business and looked at several menus. I would suggest making reservations if possible because I saw the restaurant fill up as we started our meal. We usually sit at the bar and were not disappointed with our experience. I will be returning when in Nashville and hope the weather is nice so we can sit out on the patio.
(5)
Betsy L.
I will preface this with: I only came here for drinks and an appetizer...so this is not a review on the wait staff or the entrees. I walked into Rolf and Daughters, and was pleasantly greeted by the hostess! I was only here to sit at the bar and try something new for my birthday...and lo and behold there was exactly one bar seat open! Fate was kind. I squeezed on into the seat and was happy to find purse hooks underneath the bar - hallelujah for that, amiright ladies?! It was pretty busy behind the bar, but the bartender quickly greeted me, supplied me with a water glass and a food and drink menu. He was pleasant and helpful, and did not at all rush me (even though he had a lot going on). I told him what I was looking for, he suggested a drink, and was spot on! It was so delicious. I then ordered the Green Wheat small plate, followed by an Old Fashioned. I was really pleased with my whole experience, and will definitely go back with a friend or two.
(4)
David G.
When traveling with staff, the dining rules are simple. I pick the restaurant and order for the table. Their rules. Not mine. Two weeks after our visit to RAD and the noise around the halls is still about this place being their best meal (traveling or not) in recent memory. I must agree. It was just that good. From beginning to end. Not one plate was anything but an A+. The heirlooms with cultured cream got re-ordered as an additional dessert item, it was so stunning. The pastas brought enough moaning to draw attention from nearby tables. Clever cocktails brought it all together. Our only lament was that there were only 6 of us. Otherwise, we would have ordered the entire menu. I'd give it six stars, if I could.
(5)
Karyn A.
Dined outside on the patio tonight. What a nice breeze to enjoy our cocktails and dinner by. Pasta dishes were superb as well as the chicken. Corn and pea appetizer was just amazing!! Shared two desserts. Blueberry something and fresh peach something else- both fabulous!! Highly recommend Rolf and Daughters in Nashville!
(5)
Lizzy Z.
I highly recommend Rolf and Daughters for special occasions, or the perfect date night. The menu changes with each season, but I have no complaints on anything I have tried! The Squid Ink Cannestri is a MUST. The staff is always professional and willing to explain any part of the menu. The first time I dined at Rolf and Daughters, I had no idea what I wanted, and our server was patient with me and went over every detail. The atmosphere tops this beautiful little gem.
(5)
John A.
Came here with extremely high expectations, but left a bit disappointed. Service was great, ambience and setting were great, dessert was phenomenal. However, both our pasta dishes were underwhelming. I was expecting their pasta to be fantastic, but both dishes we had were just decent. Maybe my expectations were too high, but this certainly isn't anywhere on my list of favorite restaurants in Nashville.
(3)
Nicole L.
One of the best restaurants I've ever eaten at. The cocktails are hand crafted and well balanced. The food was amazing. We had several things off the menu and each one was delicious. Normally I can't stand chicken liver and I even liked theirs! Scott and Tracy were awesome as well! We can't wait to go back!
(5)
Caitlyn S.
I loved the 401K - it was a perfect cocktail for a warm day! The bartender was very patient with the questions we had and took the time to explain the drinks to us. He never made us feel like we were annoying him.
(5)
Jennifer M.
No joke. The best meal I've ever had in my life. My husband and I were in Nashville for New Years Eve and we were left speechless (hard to do!). Would recommend this place to anyone. The restaurant look/feel is awesome, service is impeccable and the food is out of this world. Definitely go there if you can get a reservation! We had: -Beef Tartare -Broccoli crostini -Squid ink pasta (AMAZING!) -Cod (this was a special) -Donuts All reasonably priced and we were very full after! So worth it.
(5)
Zeb M.
I enjoyed my dinner at Rolf and Daughter, but I don't know if I'd come back simply because there are always SO many restaurants to try in Nashville and there wasn't anything particularly outstanding to keep me coming back. Now wait a minute, don't get confused. Rolf and Daughter certainly lives up to four stars - I had some delicious lamb meatballs and an outstanding side of Brussels sprouts, apples, hazelnut, and pecorino; and my friend swore by her chicken as being some of the best and juiciest she's ever had. But... I guess I'm just old fashioned and don't believe in spending $21 to have a plate of chicken come out with nothing else with it. So yes, it does get pricey when you order an entree and side (or ordered a starter as a side like I did). However, I can't help but compare it to other fantastic restaurants with comparable prices and more amazing dishes. That said, I definitely would recommend Rolf and Daughters to anyone new. I don't eat pasta, but I hear it's the highlight of the menu and most affordable. Also, I think what I may have loved most was the atmosphere. I absolutely loved the ambiance and our server Chase was the friendliest and most personable people I've ever met in the food industry! Ask for her whenever you go!!
(4)
Ricky G.
My wife and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary by going to R.A.D. for the first time. This was the right decision. We shared 3 small dishes and 2 pasta dishes; every single bite was fantastic. I have read other reviews and there are a few dishes that every one talks about--squid ink pasta, Verde garganelli, beef tartare. They are correct; all were very amazing. We tried two other dishes that don't get nearly as much praise. First was the Crostini with broccoli, pecorino, and pistachio. This was served on one large piece of bread that had been toasted and covered with broccoli and pecorino cheese; the flavors were outstanding. The last dish we had (which actually was the first bite I had last night) was Spinach cassoncini with coppa and sarvecchio. This dish was served as 5 bite-sized pieces and was very small. The flavor however was unbelievable. I would rename this dish "Tiny pocket of exploding flavor." I was able to avoid ruining our anniversary dinner by offering a little extra beef tartare to my wife so that I could have the last "flavor bomb." Rolf and Daughters, thank you for a fantastic evening with some unforgettable food. We will return.
(5)
Brian N.
Incredible food and a great atmosphere! Went with 5 coworkers - we ordered 5 small plates, 5 large plates (3 pastas and 2 entrees) and 3 deserts. I'd definitely recommend this style of ordering - the plates were a bit on the small side, but every dish was perfection. At the end of the meal, everyone had enough to eat and enjoyed the variety in the dishes. Would absolutely go again.
(5)
Ashley B.
My boyfriend visited Nashville for the first time and our AirBnb host suggested this spot above all others, now I know why. The place itself was very cute and cozy and the outdoor seating was nice. The cocktails were amazing, the tartare was delicious, but the pasta was the best. I would definitely come back here.
(5)
Brittany M.
favorite restaurant I've ever eaten at. sourdough and seaweed butter. yesss. chicken. A+ all the pastas are insane. if they have the doughnuts will you're there, make sure you order them for dessert.
(5)
Jennie L.
Pushing to 5 for the experience overall. As one of the top 5 new restaurants in the US, it lives up to the hype. Started off with the beef tartare and immediately knew it was going to be a great meal! Citrus laced and great soaked crostini. Self proclaimed pasta snob - I expect pastas to be something I could never make on my own - these fit the bill. Squid ink canestri with crab and the bucatini fra diavolo with octopus were amazing. Octopus cooked perfectly. We also had the side of mushrooms and they were the perfect texture. Recommended wine was also great with the meal. And deep fried, cream filled donuts coated in sugar with chocolate sauce - yum! Great food, great service, great trendy atmosphere. (and the old school gangsta rap just loud enough to hear also won us over in a big way!) Definitely a must try!
(5)
Carla R.
I had just read that Bon Appetit made this the number 3 restaurant in the US....so we had to try it out on our date night. The place has a hipster vibe and the staff was very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and cocktails. When looking at the menu nothing really jumped out at me so I asked the server what she suggested. She suggested a certain pasta dish and the chicken dish. We tried both. I got the Garganelli verde, heritage pork ragout parmesano. It was delicious!!! It kind of looks like green bean stew:). My husband got the Heritage chicken and it was pretty good, but we both agree that my dish was better. The portions are a good size, not huge, but filling. The thing we did not like is that no sides came with the entrees. You have to buy separate and there isn't much of a side selection. We added the Brussels sprouts appetizer and it had a strong but good lemon flavor. We also had 2 drinks: Pinot Noir and my husband got the RAD Old Fashione. He said it had a strong lemon and maple smoke flavor. He said it was different. We had a great experience and would recommend.
(4)
G W.
One of the best meals I have ever eaten. I had the sweet potato agnolotti and my friend had the nettle tagliatelle. Both had the most wonderful combination of tastes. Service was wonderful and the wine suggestion was spot on. This is my new favorite restaurant.
(5)
Anthony W.
The experience I had at Rolf & Daughters is exactly the experience I want when I dine out. The service was attentive but not overbearing. The servers carefully explained the daily specials and menu items I inquired about. The cocktails were fantastic. The ambiance was upscale casual and inviting. The soundtrack, 90's hip hop, was on point. The beef tartare with mussels was one of the best versions of the dish I've had. The squid ink pasta left me wanting more. Probably one of the best meals I've had from start to finish.
(5)
Tracy B.
Phenomenal meal. Unusual ingredients that were put together for a *reason* (i.e., they made the taste explode in your mouth), not because they were trendy or eye-catching or whatever. Server made a great wine suggestion that complemented the food perfectly. The farro gemelli with mushrooms and greens was fantastic. The only thing I would change was the thumping bass of the music (no music could be heard, just the bass). It didn't add anything to the atmosphere and was annoying.
(5)
Heather F.
Love this new restaurant!! Rolf is the middle name of the founder and head chef. He held a very prestigious executive chef position at a restaurant in his home state of Florida before coming to Nashville and opening up his name sake restaurant (named in tribute too to his teenage daughters). The actual establishment is carved out of an old warehouse (as is much of the gentrification of this part of Nashville known as Germantown). What this means is that you get gorgeous refurbished flooring with tall ceilings and antique looking drop (pendant lighting) but you also get loud noise. If you are looking for low ceilings and soft candlelight dinner this isn't the place. The inside seating is communal seating from both the hand-carved wooden tables to the long bar, and the outside area is communal wooden picnic tables. Reservations fill up quickly so your best bet since you aren't going to get a lot of privacy anyway is to just show up and find a seat at the bar. Even though it is formed from a warehouse Rolf and Daughters still manages to be classy and elegant in its style. The food at Rolf and Daughters is outstanding. Farm to table is all the rage and this is clearly evidenced here. Our group shared the tomato appetizer dish that was so fresh I swear they just plucked the tomatoes off the vine right before serving. The real highlight is their squid ink pasta dish which is rich and filling. If you are a cocktail person you will love Rolf and Daughters. You will also need to bring your smart phone or dictionary to look up some of the names of the flavorings and stuff they put in their cocktail recipes or you can just ask the bartenders who are very knowledgeable.
(4)
Steve E.
We were there one week after our maiden voyage. Added the beef tartare to the mix. Apps we have had so far, good, but not spectacular. However, this is THE go-to pasta place in Nashville. We ordered the chicken with garlic confit and lemon reserve, and it was outstanding. Second to City house' version, but a great dish in its own right. Our server described the pork ragout as "like tasting a hug". Great line. She's right. Amazing stuff.
(5)
Kaleena G.
Fantastic food and drink -- very knowledgeable and welcoming staff. All around great experience!
Their food is good, but the service is pretentious. I tried to order an entree without bacon and the server asked "WHY?" and looked at me like I had three heads. I'm not sure why I have to justify not eating bacon when a simple yes or no would've done. My friend ordered the squid ink pasta after the waiter repeatedly reassured her that it was not spicy. After a few bites of the pasta she turned bright red and had tears in her eyes from the heat. I tried a bite of her entree and although it was good, it was still pretty spicy. When the waiter came back (at the end of our meal and not a minute before), my friend told him that she found the entree too spicy. The waiter turned and said, "She must have something wrong with her taste buds!" to the table next to us and laughed. This place would be great if they paid better attention to hiring staff. There's no need for the attitude.
(3)
Michelle S.
Great, friendly, and helpful service. Food is very fresh and well prepared. Portions a little smaller but not necessarily a bad thing
(5)
Kim R.
This place has a wonderful patio and fantastic cocktails. The menu was simplistic, yet imaginative. I had the sweet potatoes, swiss chard with bulger, and shared appetizers with my dinner companions. I also tasted the chicken that my friend had ordered, and it was outstanding. Definitely not your run of the mill roasted chicken. Our server was attentive and helpful with the menu. The next time I am in Nashville, I will definitely be back!
(5)
Todd B.
I am proud of Rolf and Daughters for being listed in the Bon Appetit's 2013 Best New Restaurants in America, and I wanted to go precisely because of my great trust in that list and because of my love for my home town of Nashville and its culinary achievements. Rolf did not disappoint. It is a lovely setting in historic Germantown, and the old warehouse space gives the feeling of a Williamsburg or Brooklyn hipster restaurant while preserving an Italian country ambience and cuisine. The servers look fresh off the Williamsburg ferry, and have a commanding knowledge of the menu, the cocktails and wines, and seemed passionate about the experience. When we expressed delight, our server smiled as if he were taking personal pleasure in our satisfaction. I like that. One note to readers: Though the restaurant is "Italian", it is not traditional Italian. Don't come here expecting marinara sauce or chicken parm. This is country Italian, and closer to a blend of Italian/German and Mediterranean. We chose the spaghetti with fresh parmesan and black pepper, the pork plate and the turnip greens. We loved all three. The spaghetti was delightful but nothing too exceptional that could not be found at other Italian restaurants. The pork was perfectly tender, and the sauce mixed with corn was a nice accompaniment. The pork shoulder was a bit fatty for our tastes, but the accompanying pork sausage was fresh and seasoned in a way that I loved. The turnip greens were cooked with tomatoes and red pepper. The menu is fairly limited, and honestly I felt there should have been more vegetable side options than just potatoes or turnip greens. The Manhattan cocktail was likely the best version of the classic I've ever had, and it's my favorite cocktail. I loved the place. The service was outstanding. The food: Hmm. I liked it, but nothing blew me away. But would I go back and give it a second try? Absolutely.
(4)
Meghan E.
I REALLY don't want to write this, as I have been looking forward to trying this restaurant so much, and I try not to let service be indicative of the whole experience, but that said I was just disappointed. We went for my birthday dinner and had reservations, and we seated promptly, the atmosphere is great. The problem was that they were out of two of the dishes I wanted to try, and I had been dying to try the carbonara. The server was incredibly rude when I explained that I was looking forward to it, acted personally insulted with my budget-friendly (about $30) wine choice, and was generally unpleasant. I try not to let service reflect great food, however this just continued through the entire meal. The appetizers were great, but my dish was so salty it was almost inedible. My fiance's meal was great as well, and I really appreciate the quality of the actual pasta. All of this said, I will give it another shot because of the way it is so celebrated, I just had to be there on an off night, right?
(2)
chocovore s.
Oh, Rolf and Daughters, I had it on good word from two friends whose taste I trust that you were wonderful . . . but I was so let down! We had 9pm reservations, and our table wasn't quite ready when we got there (a few minutes early, so not a problem), and the hostess (who was the friendliest staff person we encountered) offered us an open space at one of the community tables. Now I regret not taking it, since it might have at least meant a different server. We perused the drink menu in the few minutes it took for our table to open up. We were greeted fairly promptly, I ordered a glass of wine and my husband ordered a beer, but the server told him all of the taps were out except for one. So my husband ordered that beer, but the server came back to tell him that one was actually out, too. He said he'd look over the wine list, and after a few minutes the server came back with my wine, paused for approximately a half second, then walked off before my husband could order his glass of wine. Eventually she came back and he was able to order -- we figured we had better get the rest of our order in while she was there. Good thinking on our part --other servers ended up delivering our appetizer and entrees, and our server did not glance our way or come back to our table until we were completely finished eating and my husband's wine was long empty. When she did come to clear our plates she didn't even ask how our meal was! Anyway, the completely phoned-in service was a big damper. We also noticed that a diner at the table next to us had some sort of sausage dish that we didn't see on the menu. A special, maybe? The server didn't mention those, either. As for the food, we ordered the sourdough with seaweed butter for an appetizer, ricotta cavatelli with lamb ragu for me, and heritage chicken for my husband. The sourdough was rustic . . . or you could call it burned. I like crusty bread, but nearly the entire crust was charred black. I could see flecks of seaweed in the butter, but the taste was really not there. Oh, and there was a single sliced radish alongside. My pasta was good -- the serving size was indeed fairly small, but the cavatelli was very dense and rich. The richness was nicely offset with some fresh mint. My husband's chicken was fine, but it is literally half a chicken on a plate in some sauce. For $23 it doesn't even come with a side? A couple roasted veggies on the plate so it doesn't look so lonely? At City House it does. Just sayin'. I would usually go for dessert, but since we weren't feeling the vibe we passed. Our server *was* very on top of things once it was time to bring our check and get us out of there! Overall, I could be convinced to go back, but I'm in no hurry.
(2)
Crystal T.
Perfection. Perfection in every way. From the food to the ambience to the service to the cocktails--everything we had made me giggle with delight. It's one of the best meals I can remember. We went a month ago and I still find myself daydreaming about it. And yeah, I'm serious. When you go you must have a Chartreuse Manhattan. If you don't do it for yourself, do it for me. I also had the Hen of the Woods pasta--such a simple dish, made with whole ingredients, well-rounded flavors and spices, and house made pasta--simple and masterful. If you don't want to sit at the community table then make a reservation. The menu is small, but everything we had was amazing. That's all there is to say. Now go.
(5)
Trish T.
I really like this place because it's not really your typical Italian restaurant. I understand you have to have meatballs and pasta, but everything else is "different" than most places in Nashville. I'm by no means an over eater, but I had three courses and left still hungry :x. This place is not your typical large- can serve 3 people in one dish- portion. If you know the owner, he does give you larger portions. If you don't know him, the portions are smaller (maybe the correct single serving) portion. To start, I ordered the chicken liver pate, which is by far the cleanest tasting pate I've tried in Nashville. Then, I had the squid ink pasta, which I'm still drooling over as I write this post. My husband had the seafood fra diavolo, which he loved. For dessert, we had the doughnuts with the ice cream inside. The house made ice cream was reallllllly good, but the doughnut was really dense and bready tasting, which was not what I was expecting. I dub this place "my" gem of Nashville. I love Italian food, but there's a lack of options for good Italian food in Nashville. Since I lived in big cities all over the US, this is close to what to expect.
(5)
Crawford L.
Ahh, Rolf & Daughters. The biggest, baddest restaurant in all the land. You will see famous people like Ted Danson, Trent Dabbs, and at least 20% of the cast of ABC's "Nashville." You will scoff at how much the drinks cost, then order several more because they taste so good. You will receive your food and love it. You will order a second helping of the house-baked bread with seaweed butter. You will consider order a second helping of the mushroom pasta, too, in lieu of dessert. You will wind up ordering both. Happy eating! ALSO, one last thing: get reservations. Waiting two hours for a table is worth it, but it still sucks... and baby, it's cold outside.
(5)
Lori M.
I love this place!! So interesting and innovative which makes for a wonderful culinary adventure. The starters are always great and changes depending on what is in season. I have had almost every pasta dish and they are all fantastic! The trout, chicken and vegetarian dishes are my favorite. Nice folks and so glad I am a half a block away!!!
(5)
Lance D.
Amazing 5 star culinary explosion in the science of food.
(5)
Jennifer M.
Very disappointed. I had the puttanesca while my date had the garganelli, and both were so salty we didn't even make it halfway through the dishes. The puttanesca was just plain disgusting - the chef sorely misused the anchovies. Additionally, it's nothing like having a meal where you have to SCREAM. Across the table to have a conversation. The noise was terrible. Terrible food and ambience, so many better restaurants around town!
(1)
Tom G.
I genuinely hate doing this, because I have never actually eaten here, but may I suggest that you expand the words on your website "We encourage you to visit without a reservation" to include "but please call ahead to make sure we aren't closed for a whole fortnight"! While traveling through the South we wanted to hit Husk on one of our nights in town (review coming soon) and this place. Having checked the website and Yelp to confirm their opening hours we walked over here from downtown to work up a little appetite only to find it eerily abandoned with a tiny sign in the window saying they are on vacation. I appreciate that a small restaurant's staff are entitled to vacation, but how about considering other people's vacations and putting a note on your website to that effect? My mistake for not checking more thoroughly (I actually did call once we started walking from Downtown but the phone rang and rang so I assumed they were just busy) but even disappointed locals arrived when we did also unaware of the closure. Luckily some of these locals pointed us towards the nearby City House (review also coming soon) but please, guys, a tiny effort on your part would have been much appreciated by some people who had come from near and far to support your business. Thank you.
(1)
Mr.Food E.
Not your average Restaurant and I guess that is what makes this place great. Located just outside downtown Nashville in what appears to be an old factory that has been touched up quite nicely. It was a little awkward entering through an outdoor tent then accessing the main door but once inside the atmosphere was very inviting and full of friendly people and staff. The seating was a little weird especially if you don't like people. I was sat at a table with a total group of strangers after the first 10 seconds of silence you learn to dive right into other peoples conversations turned out to not be a bad thing. This was my first time here so I wasn't sure what to order so I relied on the waitress to help me choose a meal that would hold me over for the evening. Everything worked out well and the food was delicious and fresh. I ended up with a plate of the Garganelli it was like Mom's Mac and Cheese +5 it just hit the spot . Great food Great Staff and more importantly Great food. will be back if I'm in Nashville. If you Love food Eat here...
(5)
Diondre V.
Tried this place for the 3rd time and finally got seated. The first two times I've tried, they "don't do reservations on the weekend." The first time was for my girlfriend's birthday. "We are not gonna have a table for eight until about 10 o'clock." Meanwhile, people just kept being seated in front of us. Tried to get in the second time, there were 3 tables open for two but a party of 8 came just before us but these tables were not even in a row yet we still had to wait. This last time, showed up and there were clearly 4 tables wide open with a couple about to leave a fourth. "Table for two, please." "Oh it's going to be a 45 minute wait." "What about those four open tables for two?" "Oh those are for reservations.". WTF!!!!??? Just last week you didn't do weekend reservations now you all of a sudden have tables booked? Who did you notify that you all of a sudden do reservations? Now, this third time I walked in I noticed, just like the other two times, there is a specific "crowd", if you will, that they cater to. I've never seen a table of the "out crowd" in there and I've waited there a total of 2 hours in the three times I've been and have only been seated once. On to the food and drinks. First off the waitress could have explained the menu, which she could have because most of the things on there were not just normal things you'd find anywhere else. Flyte takes the cake in explanation of the menu items. She could have attempted. The drinks easily rival Patterson House for the tastiness and strength. The food was decent. I had the baby octupus with black garlic and pork for the appetizer. Pretty good. My main course consisted of pork tenderloin and cannellini beans and spinach. Pretty good. My side was polenta (grits) and greens. Those were just ok-they served them in a bowl together. Which was not a good idea because once the dish sat their, the polenta started to just float off into little pieces and there were no spoons. For dessert, my date and I shared a chocolate tart which had sea salt and chocolate nibs covering it. I liked it because it was light and not heavy. I'm not a big fan of chocolate overkill. The coffee is extra weak. Maybe that's because I'm a coffee drinker. The food is good, drinks are spectacular, service is ASS CRACK. That's why I only gave them three stars because of the service. Otherwise, the restaurant was pretty good. I would go if you want a decent meal with good drinks. Sidenote: look like you have money when you go, they like that. I feel like since we were not the crowd that they "prefer" we were treated terribly 3x. I wouldn't go back unless I had reservations and someone begged me.
(3)
Guillermo K.
Delicious stuff. Service was a little uneven (and slow at points). But the pasta was great. The Berkshire pork entree however is pretty whatever. Not worth it to get that.
(3)
Queen B.
Two disappointing experiences, decided it's not worth a review.
(2)
Taylor K.
The food is amazing, the atmosphere is fun, and the bartenders are easy on the eyes. It doesn't get better than this ;-).
(5)
Janet S.
Space - nice if you like wood and brick, this seems to be just arriving in Nashville, better late than never. Noise - loud chatter plus loud music (good if you like the Cure) Greeting - Nothing special..and we like special. Food - Meh to OK, small portions indeed! Service - Hesitant and unsure. 5 peeps - we were seated by the entrance door which meant an icy blast every time someone came in and out plus the gentle waft of cigarette smoke from the smokers just outside. Cocktails - $10/$11, Nice - A-OK and satisfying, Searching for the Cure (sticking with the music here ) and the Cumberland Sour Sourdough and Seaweed butter, 4 pieces of bread - 5 of us at table, (pet peeve of all of us) enough butter for 3 people. Sourdough a bit heavy to compete with the butter, no taste of seaweed. Pate Campagnola - not too much flavor here, no better than packet Pate. from Kroger, again 4 piececs of bread and 4 radishes, for the love of god... and yes we paid the extra charge for more bread. Oh and where were the cornichons peeps? Polenta and Turnip Greens - Greens extremely bitter, polenta soft and creamy, we all agreed this was the best thing we had all night. Pork Special Sandwich - belly wrapped in loin wrapped in skin (supposed to be crispy). Two of us had this, almost inedible, dripping in a greasy oil concoction they called Salsa Verde, why add oil to Pork? If the pork belly was there, we could not find it, it seemed all loin and no crispy skin, a great idea but not executed correctly. Trout - acceptable according to the eater. Yorkshire Pork - sub-par according to the Yorkshire man eating it, so like what is Yorkshire Pork anyhow? Pasta - the best dish of the evening of the entrees, but small as their Pastas are Secondi. Home made Parmesan was a little overpowering. Dessert - Bombolini - good, three of them and some chocca sauce. Finally I asked for a Sambucca, none to be had, no problem, I asked the waitress to ask the bartender to give me the closest alternative from their digestiv list and he sent amarro nardini. Excellent Choice - but I would expect a proactive bartender to suggest an alternative rather than wait for the guest to suggest it. Service - only came to us when she had to, was not particularly knowledgeable about the menu, was not receptive to the Pork Special feedback, and scampered away as fast as possible. All in all $200 for the lot of us, would we go back - Nah I don't think so but I sure did enjoy the company and thank our friends for treating us. Whew that was my longest review ever - sorry folks....but really this is pretty much a Gastropub on an average day, would enjoy this setting with a shepherds pie and a pint:-). Quieter ambiance at Silo and better VFM at ye olde Cityhouse. Why 3 stars??? I really like the bar shelves - reminded me of British Habitat shelving from the 90's, bottles nicely arranged. Me old flat in London was just like this.
(3)
Jaime B.
No complaints! Lives up to the hype. Had the butternut squash first course, and the trout dish, and squid ink pasta - and the bombilini dessert. They were all amazing! No reservation, arrived at 8:45 on a Saturday night, super busy but our party of 2 was seated at the community table within 20 minutes.
(5)
Mandy M.
Last minute trip to Nashville to visit son in college, tried to get a reservation the week before, but knew it was unlikely. Very helpful girl on the 'phone told me they have communal tables that are first come first seated (the bar is too). We waited about an hour for our table. Husband wanted to go elsewhere, I made him wait. Cocktails were delicious. The hostesses had been very friendly and the waitress was friendly enough, she seemed a bit overwhelmed. Steak Tartare appetiser was delicious, I thought the salsa verde was a strange choice to go with it but it worked. Squid Ink pasta with shrimp and lemon was absolutely wonderful, perfectly seasoned. Husband had the pasta verde with pork ragu which was very good - he thought he won (he didn't). Son very much enjoyed the roast pork, portions were way too small for his liking but then he's a 19 year old with the appetite of a small horse. Desserts were great, the bombolini were a big hit - warm, crispy sugary pillows of yumminess. The panacotta wasn't really, it jiggled okay but the consistency was too soft, more like a creme brulee without the brulee. Pet peeve... Husband and son finished their main course before I did and the waitress cleared their plates, asked about dessert and delivered the dessert menu before I had finished - super tacky and very rude, her actions made me feel as though they really wanted us out of there pdq. She did the same thing to the group of 3 sitting beside us. I know a lot of people don't like to sit with an empty plate in front of them (I'm one of those) but if someone in my party is still eating I can wait. We'll definitely go back (but maybe have a reservation next time).
(4)
Kel Vin W.
First meal back in Nashville, it was spectacular! First of all, the staff were great, we had a 3 year-old with us and they were very accommodating. The kitchen made a spaghetti with butter and parmesan dish for my friend's daughter, it was soooo good, all the adults wished we had a bowl of that! We started out with Razor clams, and a butternut squash crostini which were absolutely delicious. The clams were roasted with smoky char, but still perfectly tender, and the nutty hubbard squash on whipped ricotta made a smooth and earthy starter For entrees we got the Yorkshire pork, which was very rich in flavor! The roasted Heritage chicken was succulent and juicy. The gemelli was cooked with farro flour and hen of the woods mushrooms, it was earthy and had it been served in a pottery bowl, it would have been a modern rustic pasta dish. The squid ink canestri pasta with diced minced chorizo, shrimp and squid was bursting with seafood flavors. Lastly, we got 1 of each dessert: olive sinclair's chocoloate and sea salt chocolate baker; we also got the panna cotta which was so soft and deep in flavor. We also got the bombolinis which are fried to order, they are small doughnuts with pastry creme filling. A great meal, again, one of Nashville's gems!
(4)
E. D.
This is a meal that you've got to plan out in advance--but man, is it worth it! I've been here three times so far and have never been disappointed. It is delicious.
(5)
Sean S.
A place for lovers of cocktails and foodies. My main entree was a pork dish. Really high fat content. Not sure if that was intentional. All else was spot on! But no espresso drinks! Kind of weird for a 4 star place.
(4)
Cara K.
After reading all the glowing reviews on yelp, my boyfriend and I decided to give this restaurant a try. It was a very disappointing experience... We tried an appetizer, entree, and dessert. The app was very good. However, my boyfriend's entree was very undercooked and had to be sent back. Our waitress was by far the most unpleasant waitress I have ever encountered and did not apologize for the undercooked food or attempt to smooth over the inconvenience. I was entirely done eating my entree by the time my boyfriend's dish came back. I had a pasta dish which was very good. A couple we had talked to recommended the filled donuts for dessert and so we tried those as well. We both thought it was a fun, unique dessert. Although I have had bad experiences at restaurants I have never felt like writing a review on one. The experience was just that disappointing and I am still wondering why this place had so many good reviews. I agree that the food is very good, although I am not sure it is as good as I was expecting by reading the other reviews. At similar (price and atmosphere) restaurants in other cities I have had much better food and enjoyed the experience a lot more. And the service was horrible. The building was gorgeous but the vibe was unfriendly and overly hipster. I would not go back.
(2)
whitney D.
We went the night after they opened, and I'm just now remembering to write the review! The drinks were nice and the food was a little pretentious, however the vibe and the service were exceptional! The community table freaked me out at first, as I'm not the biggest fan typically, but we ended up knowing almost everyone there that night, which made it really fun. Our server was great and made us feel at home and the hostess went above and beyond by overhearing a friend say they wanted a cigarette and quickly bringing out a fancy silver cigarette case and offered them one. Overall it was a really fun night and having friends that live in the building, we will most likely be back soon!
(4)
Luke K.
Others have mentioned variable service and food but during my three times going have all been spectacular. I've never personally ordered the chicken but someone in my part has each time and man is that delicious. Their pastas are tasty, lighter than what you get at most places, which suited just fine. Most recently I had a pork belly dish and it was excellent. Probably not something I could order over and over but one of the positives of Rolf and Daughters is you can bounce around the menu pretty easily. It can be tough to get a table but the bar is a pretty good for hanging out while you wait.
(4)
Andrea D.
Service and food were good. Inside was beautifully redone. Portions are very small, do not go their starving. Wine pour for a $12 glass was under average and could have been better. Germantown already has Silo, City House and Germantown Cafe. I rather go to City House where the portions & pours are worth the money you will spend.
(4)
Gage L.
Amazing from start to finish. Appetizer of octopus w/ pork belly was a favorite. Our group ordered 3 of the 5 pasta dishes on the menu and all equally amazing. The dry aged meatballs with Sunday sauce was delicious. All cocktails were great.
(5)
Christina S.
Expectations were high and met! Everything from service to decor to food was amazing. We got lucky and walked in at 6:30 and got a seat at their communal table. We were smack in the middle of the table and at first we thought it would be tight but within five minutes we forgot there were people next to us. We ate 3 appetizers, two pasta entries and shared a desert with two cups of coffee (also had a glass of wine and beer) and we left spending $120 including tip. The brussel sprouts were out of this world! the For the freshness, flavor and pure ambiance, we feel this was a steal!!!! What a great find on our trip down south!!!! Our only issue was that we wish our dining experience lasted a little longer. Appetizers came out within 10 minutes of ordering and sometimes I like to settle in before starting to fine (perhaps giving clients the bread and butter for free would be a way to let us dine a little longer) and our food was served a quick 5 minutes after we finished our appetizers. Totally get they want to move people quickly, but I'd rather have had a few extra minutes between sitting and food arriving.
(5)
Sloane S.
Last Saturday, I had the opportunity to eat here for the first time. Dinner with a good friend. Only way to go. We arrived at 8:30 and waited at the bar for 45 minutes. Great bar staff, great cocktails and an adventurous wine list. The first three appetizers we ordered we could not get-they ran out of bread. It's good. I'm a foodie. I get it. This was a busy night. I had the chicken and my friend had the trout. It was in a word-DIVINE. I'll go back. The atmosphere, the service and the food. Great trifecta in my book.
(4)
Nathan W.
When I think about what I would want to have for my last meal, pasta invariably ends up on that list, sometimes two or three times. There is no more satisfying an item on the planet of which I am aware. Capable of both inspiring and comforting simultaneously. I would consider myself an avid pasta fan, fanatical even. Which brings me to Rolf and Daughters. Opened recently in the boiler building of the Werthan Packaging plant and condos, Rolf and Daughters aims to bring a central Italian perspective to the expanding Nashville food scene. In a city which lacks a robust Italian food presence, Rolf and Daughters shines. With one exception (which I will touch on in a moment) the food was thoughtful, inspired and comforting. The wine list was the equal of the food and the cocktails were clearly a daily consideration. We started our meal with a pate of chicken livers (one of my weaknesses) served with toast and a ginger jam. The pate was smooth, rich and delicious. The ginger jam was creative and a subtle compliment to the pate and crunch on the toast. My only gripe with this app was that it only had two toast points and extra toast costs $. If you are going to serve us a tin of pate at least give me enough bread with which to scrape the sides with. No one wants to watch me licking the inside of the tin, it is embarrassing. We followed this with a salad. A well executed salad is an unsung victory, and this sits soundly in that category. I imagine that any salad you choose will meet this mark so I wont spend my time on it. We shared a pasta dish with a pork ragu. This was sublime. I found myself wanting more bread...again...just to clean the bowl. It was rich and complex. It defined for me what savory is supposed to be. So delicious. Our individual courses were pasta again for me and shrimp for my wife. This pasta was the special. It was a goat which had been braised in milk and then an acidic and delicious creamy sauce wrapped around what appeared to be a twist on gnocchi. This was really good, not as good as the ragu, but still damn good. My only wish for it was that there had been more of the goat meat in it. My wife had the gulf shrimp for her entree. They were huge prawns in a delicious (thought uninspired) sauce. The heads were removed but for some reason they had left the rest of the shells on the shrimp. In my experience if you leave the shells on, the heads should also remain. It both makes for a great experience and a simpler deconstruction post prep. If you do remove the head then the tail should be all that remains. This is my opinion, but it made her dish challenging at best to eat. It also left us wishing she had ordered something else. Dessert was something special. I had the Italian donuts and my wife had an amazing dark chocolate torte. Both were amazing and left us feeling hugged. So where does this leave us? Full, that's where it leaves us. Rolf and Daughters does something great for Nashville. It makes us want more.
(4)
Eric F.
First Yelp review I've written + first time in Nashville and really, thoroughly enjoyed our meal at Rolf and Daughters. Delicious interesting cocktails Sour Dough with seaweed butter and chicken liver pate to start. Shaved brussel sprout salad was a treat. Trout and gemelli farro with hen of the wood mushrooms. And ensure you have the bartender pour you a glass of the Mettler red.
(4)
Rachel H.
Given the buzz around the place, I expected a unique and inventive experience. But, I could have prepared my dinner at home. We ordered three appetizers and a pasta for 2 of us because we wanted to sample various things. While the pasta was very good, they accomplished that mostly by using a lot of butter with other simple, good ingredients. It was good - but reproducible at home without much effort. Two of the appetizers also had generous portions of fat. I don't mind fat, but it felt like the restaurant was relying on fat to make the dishes feel special and satisfying. The appetizers were not memorable. Given better options in town, I'll go back only if a group votes for it.
(3)
Glenn F.
Rolf & Daughters is very interesting menu selection and restaurant. I dined on their second evening open and I couldn't believe how well they had things together. Service was amazing! (Thanks Becca!). My favorite selection is a mixture of meals. Just give me the most flavorful piece of oven roasted chicken, yes chicken, in Nashville and a side of their plain homemade spaghetti noodles and I will be happy. The ambiance is casual and hipster. Parking was adequate and the service was terrific. Drinks and cocktails are delicious. I will go back for sure.
(4)
Bill G.
6 of us went to Rolf and Daughters last night as we had been told it was a really good new place. The room inside is really cool an the bar is nice also. We ordered some drinks and wine and some appetizers all of which were pretty good. The Pate was good and also the bread they served with it. When we ordered our dinners we were told the specials had all sold our for the night which is strange because it was only 8pm. The menu itself seemed to be lacking in a lot of ways. They offer 4-5 apps and only 4-5 entrees. There were some sides and a few small plates as well but I was hoping for more. Anyway we all ordered and my wife got the meatballs and I ordered the Puttanesca and others ordered the fish. When we got our dinners they looked great but my wife complained about the salt in the meatballs and when I got a taste, I was shocked and I really like salt but I could not eat a second bite. My Pasta was way overdone with the Anchovies...way over done! I did taste the fish and it was ok but not great. Our waitress was just fine and kept the water bottles full on the table however the water in them was really warm which was odd as it was surely just tap water and wouldn't you fill them with cold water? So basically we had a really expensive seriously mediocre dinner and I would not recommend this place to anyone I like.
(1)
Julie S.
The wait staff is amazing...and that's only the beginning! The food is out of this world! We've had dinner here several times and we let the waitress or waiter choose half of the meal and we choose the other half off the menu and then we share and it's truly an experience. The other wonderful thing about this restaurant is the people watching. The prices are reasonable enough so that the uber cool young people who are always on the cutting edge can afford it and the "common table" where those without reservations but are willing to wait for seats, is a great way to get to know interesting people sitting around you. GO!
(5)
Jessica S.
The atmosphere has a hipster feel to it but I enjoy it. I love the lighting outside and inside the restaurant. The servers that I've had while dining there are awesome. They're all very knowledgable of their wines/cocktails/overall menu. The food is pretty fricken amazing too - VERY FRESH. I'm a huge fan of the Gargenelli pasta and the chicken, as well as the chicken liver pate. Oh! The beef taretare is pretty incredible too. This place is definitely worth trying if you're ever in the Nashville area. I've been twice in the past 3 weeks so clearly, I enjoy it. Make sure you try the pastas. As I said, all of the food is amazing, but the pasta dishes are unbelievable!
(5)
Kristin T.
Pretty fantastic. You can tell these bartenders are seasoned and being a bartender myself, I'm impressed by their expertly mastered cocktails. I get the feeling these guys could put back several shots of whiskey and still kickass at their job --and I bet they do. The food is very complex for as simple as it is. We shared the squid ink chitarra and the seaweed butter with sourdough (cheapest appetizer and it seemed like everyone at the bar got one as well). Food came out quickly and plated simply and very well. The place was pretty packed out when we got here at 8 which is to be expected and after a drink and about 15 minutes we opted for a bar seat when a couple left. It's a lovely downtown loft atmosphere and feels very comfortable. They do have 2 community table where 3 4 tops sit together. If your uncle bob has a flatulence problem, spare strangers the inconvenience and sit at a booth table. Great find just outside of downtown.
(5)
Mallory B.
Went for our first anniversary. Wonderful service, and delicious food! Ordered the beef tartar and cauliflower for appetizers, and split the garganelli verde entre. The cauliflower was good, I understand the rave reviews. The garganelli was good as well. The dish hit the same flavor "note," throughout, but boy is it a good note! Rich and meaty, hearty and satisfying. But, the standout of the evening was the beef tartar! Prepared with fried chickpeas and mussels. I am new to beef tartar, and this was EXCELLENT! Great red wine rec's from our waiter as well. We'd love to go back.
(5)
rusty r.
In my opinion, Rolf & Daughters is the best restaurant in Nashville. The food was incredible, and we ate almost everything on the menu. The pastas are particularly amazing. I want a Rolf cookbook! Until then, check out Bon Appetit's best restaurants 2013 for some recipes. The service was spot-on and textbook awesome hospitality, in my opinion better than Nashville's other top places (City House, Husk, Catbird Seat) The cocktails are up there with Patterson House, making them some of the best in the city. The vibes are convivial, bustling, airy, and warm. It seems one or two things are lacking at Nashville's top spots, but Rolf nails everything. In a celeb chef driven world, it's refreshing to see someone build such a name for themselves from scratch and without hype. 5 STARS.
(5)
Chelsea J.
I have been to Rolf and Daughters a few times now and have had nothing short of a great experience each time, therefore gifting them 5 stars. The drinks are outstanding (have since tried to create my own jalapeno infused drink.. didnt go so well) and I have always left already planning when I can return. The outdoor patio has great ambience, and the whole place (including waitstaff) just generally has a good feel to it. I would suggest Rolf for dinner with friends or an occasion, its a little loud so maybe leave aging relatives at home.
(5)
Saagar K.
My wife and I, along with another couple who were in town visiting, went to RAD on July 3. My wife is allergic to all tree nuts. Our waiter was informed of this twice, once by my friend and then again by me before we placed our order. Our meal ended prematurely when my wife had to run to the bathroom and literally began to vomit. Our dish contained pistachios which our waiter did not tell us about. To his credit he admitted not telling the kitchen and accepting responsibility. As we began to gather our things to leave we were presented with the bill; though they said they did not charge us for the offending dish. Shortly later the hostess came to our table somewhat sheepishly, apologized briefly, and then left. She gave me her card and assured me someone would be contacting me soon. It is now 8 days later (I waited a full week in case management was on holiday for the July 4th long weekend) and I have not heard from anyone from the restaurant. I am very disappointed in this restaurant. With the exception of the dish containing pistachios, they charged us for the full meal despite our having to leave in the middle of the meal due to my wife's allergic reaction. Not a single manager came over to check on us and the hostess was essentially useless; why she even bothered giving me her card remains a mystery to me. And most importantly, no one from the restaurant ever bothered to call to either apologize or to check on my wife's well being as we were told would happen. Next time don't bother with the pretense. Unfortunately, my wife has experienced allergic reactions while out at restaurants in the past. The best restaurants have always taken responsibility and clearly demonstrated remorse for the mistake by at least not presenting us with a bill and having the courtesy to call and check on us either that night or the next day. Rolf and Daughters seems to be resting on their laurels and are seemingly indifferent to their customers well being. Mistakes happen, but take some responsibility!
(1)
Mai H.
The vibe here was pretty awesome. I came here with a huge group- around 12- but our waitress was super attentive and our glasses of water were always filled. They have a great selection of wines, spirits, and specialty cocktails and you can also eat at the bar. I started with the chicken liver pate..not my favorite. I'm from Europe where I am used to my pates being smooth but this was more of a country type of pate which was chunky. Overall I felt it was sort of bland but I liked the whole grain mustard that accompanied the dish. I really wish I had tried the squid ink pasta, but I got the heritage chicken instead. The chicken itself was cooked beautifully but a little overly salted. Along with the chicken I hate the cauliflower which was beautifully roasted along with the brussel sprouts which were also beautifully cooked.For dessert I had the panna cotta, which was one of the best panna cottas I've ever had! The rest of the dessert menu was kind of boring, but that's ok. For the most part I feel like restaurants either have amazing desserts or have amazing savory foods and this restaurant focused more on their savory selections. Hope I can come back here and try that squid ink pasta next time!
(4)
Zach G.
So for my birthday (hey I'm getting old, I don't get presents anymore I just get to pick where I go eat now a days) I chose Rolf And Daughters for our 2nd experience with this place. So since we did not plan ahead for reservations we showed up before they opened and grabbed a table first thing. Works like a charm on most days. We started with the Bread and Salted Butter item and it was great as usual. I followed that with some random beer I let the dude in the tight jeans pick serving us pick out for me. I had been craving the Pork Ragout again and I gave in to my desires and wow. It was just as amazing as last time (though unusually more saltier, but that seemed to be a theme this evening). My wife on the other hand ordered the Carbonara Pasta with Prosciutto if I recall correctly. Now keep in mind my wife was/is pregnant at the time of this meal. She barely ate it and said she couldn't eat it cause it was way too salty. I was surprised by this, so I decided to taste it myself. And JESUS! It was like they poured a whole bag either in the water when they cooked the noodles or just dumped a whole shaker on to her dish. Now. I'm never one to send anything back but I had a pregnant wife who was starving and I had already mostly devoured my dish. So we mention it to the server and he even tried the dish himself and AGREED with us that it was way too salty and he got her another dish which the cooks purposefully did not add any additional salt (she got the pork ragout like I did because she tried mine and it was fine for her tasty mommy buds). Problem averted! We decided to skip dessert and then wifey ran into some old high school friends and the night was a success. I will still definitely return as I love this place, though it was a salty experience. I think my skin is still dried out from this trip over a month ago, I feel like one of those redbird girls who fake n bake 7 days a week.
(4)
Katie I.
Ah, what a spectacular experience. Not sure if was the company or the food, but I think it was both. Now I was not wowed by their appetizers. Chicken liver pate was so so, almost too sweet for me. Crostini with beet and ricotta was ok, nothing to write home about. The octopus and pork belly was certainly interesting, but again, nothing I'd order again. Now the brussel sprout salad was definitely a show stopper. Wow- stupendous! But the piece de resistance was the pasta. Holy shizzzballs it was freaking amazing. We tried the gemelli verde which had some mushroom in it and the pork ragout one. Seriously the pasta was the best I've ever had and I'm still having dreams about it. The roasted chicken was nice and had a flavorful juice- very French tasting. Hangar steak- which I usually don't care for- was very tender and sliced thin and delicious! Also had a dish with a pork croquette and a sausage. The pork croquette was awesome! Had the bombolini sp? for dessert which was good, nothing mind blowing, but very good. Something I'd love to have with coffee in the morning. Fantastic wine and cocktails. Can't wait to go back and literally eat my weight in pasta.
(5)
DJ K.
Excellent menu and great atmosphere! Avoid the steak and sausage. It is tough and uninspired compared to the rest of the menu. Other than that...dive in.
(4)
Mod F.
I've yet to eat anything here that didn't please me immensely. The hubs and I like to sit at the bar here and we have ranked this place in our top 5. He loves the Pork Ragout Garganelli and I love the Squid Ink Campanelle and the brussels sprouts salad with hazelnuts is such a fresh clean taste of heaven.
(5)
Jonny M.
This is by far some of the best food I've ever eaten. The pork ragu and heritage chicken are two dishes that will blow you mind. The chicken liver patte appetizer is so good! Amazing staff, vibe, food and drinks. If there were 6 stars if give it to them.
(5)
Caitlin D.
Exquisite. Last night my fiance and I dined with another couple at Rolf and Daughters, and from the moment we set foot inside the premises, we were impressed. The ceiling is covered in recycled looking plywood, giving it a very rustic, crafty feel. There are long farm tables for larger groups, and smaller tables for couples and four-tops. The bar is bountifully stocked with all kinds of interesting liquors and wines. They also offer craft beers that you don't see in many restaurants. I opted for the Fillmore cocktail, which came in a sizeable glass. This is vodka, St. Germain, Aperol, Lime and Sparkling wine. It was just the right amount of light and fruity, without being sweet or syrupy. It would make a great summer drink, but it was still good for the winter. It didn't taste unseasonal, and I enjoyed every sip. To start, we shared the brussels sprouts, which are shredded like a cole slaw and tossed with apple, hazelnut and fiore di sardo. The cheese gave it a perfect accent, and we gobbled it up in no time. For my main, I had the Yorkshire pork, which comes with cannellini beans, red cabbage and pumpkin seeds. The pork was tender, flavorful and juicy. The beans were plump and flavorful. My fiance had the Garganelli verde pasta with heritage pork ragout and pecorino. I took a taste, and fought the urge to eat more because he was enjoying it so much. We will definitely keep this place in mind for nicer occasions and out of town guests to be impressed!
(5)
Agnes T.
This review is for drinks at the bar (not for dinner - the food is great.) First off, the bartenders act like you inconvenience them. You have to stand off to the side to order where you are in the way of servers trying to pour wine. If you stand anywhere else, they will COMPLETELY ignore you. Once we got our drinks, we stood outside on the nice patio (since there is no room inside except a few limited seats), but servers never acknowledged us. Evidently, they "don't take orders" outside. Which I would understand if there was a huge bar crowd, but there were only 2 of us. I would spend my entire paycheck at Rolf and Daughters for drinks if they had a better set up and remotely cared about serving those just drinking. I have had better service at a pedestrian college bar. Bottom line: spend your cocktail money at Silo down the street, where they welcome you with a smile and are happy to serve you more.
(1)
D C.
It was a rainy night and we got there hoping to sit at the bar for fun. We were lucky we got there early cuz by the time we left it was packed!! The bar staff was AMAZING. True professionals in their craft and so friendly! They helped us choose cocktails which we loved and then also knew all about the menu to help us choose. Its an eclectic type of menu. It challenges your taste buds and you experience foods and tastes you wouldnt normally taste. The dessert was delish as well. Truly enjoyable, great atmosphere and awesome staff!
(4)
Martà M.
Maybe I just wasn't observant that evening, or my lack of Germantown geography is to blame, but I drove right past this place thinking my GPS had gone mad, wondering where in the heck I was. The front entrance has a City House feel to it, but the interior is where they've really made their mark. Regal, warm, modern, welcoming are all words that immediately come to mind - not too much of any one thing. And the marble bar - ah - gorgeous! Opting to sit at the bar was certainly not a mistake, and to say our bartender, Matt, is damn good at making a great drink would be a gross understatement. I love Scotch, and was tickled they actually stock Balvenie, but decided to try Matt's suggestion of a Sazerac. Wow! Their garden dish comprising of sweet potato, radicchio, pumpkin seed, and peccorino was stellar. The spaghetti carbonara was good, but I felt like it's missing one small thing; can't quite figure out what though. I was really disappointed their menu has so many things that I cannot eat due to allergies. For an after dinner beverage, Matt made a simple version of a Tom & Jerry which tasted a lot like egg nog. Not too sweet, but not too strong either - fantastic! I'm very much looking forward to my return.
Hipster haute couture keeps rolling in to Nashville. First City House and now Rolf and Daughters. We had a group of 7 with ages 5 to 66 and everybody found something that they liked. The menu and off-menu are all good to great. You must get the ribs. They are freaking amazing. The trout and chicken were great. Sides were excellent, especially the broccoli. Cocktails all have a unique twist. I tried the Sorghum Swizzle and it was excellent. I also tried the Milano Mule which got rave reviews by my sister but wasn't for me. And for the designated driver, they serve Mexican Coke. Prices are very fair considering the quality of the food. Here are my limited complaints: Parking is a bit challenging in this neighborhood. The interior design makes it fairly noisy considering that capacity isn't that high.
(5)
Dave C.
Our expectations were high - and Rolf & Daughters delivered. Cocktails, starters, entrees, and desserts ... just a beautiful dining experience. We selected the beef tartare as a starter - texture was perfect and the flavors savory & bright - aided by a uniquely light and fresh basil/olive oil (?) in which the crisp toasts rested. Outstanding take on a classic. Entrees included a dry aged meatball dish that J is still talking about, a gorgeously roasted chicken with lemon & garlic confit, and my pork tenderloin dish (a pork trifecta of pork sausage, pork belly and tenderloin). We can't remember such an outstanding array of dishes - each a best in class affair. Service was highly knowledgeable and personable - striking the right balance between attention and leaving us to enjoy our truly spectacular food. ... can't recommend Rolf and Daughters highly enough. Best food we've had in a long time - probably since Frances in San Francisco.
(5)
Coco R.
I have to agree with some of the other reviewers---I have been looking forward to trying this restaurant for forever. Perhaps I hyped it up too much in my head, but it wasn't that spectacular. The squid ink pasta was just OK. It didn't taste better than marches handmade pasta and the pricing at this restaurant is much higher than I think it needs to be. Yes, the ambiance is great, but so is holland houses patio and lighting...at 5-6 dollars less. The waitress was nice, but her niceness became forced throughout the dinner when she realized that we only wanted to order dinner and no drinks or dessert. Overall, my stomach and I left feeling somewhat disappointed. We left to drown our sorrows at holland house.
(2)
Mitch G.
Great place, great food. The space is beautiful, warm and inviting. We got the chicken liver pate, it was outstanding. Even the bread was a highlight. We also got the pork ragu, the squid ink pasta and the polenta. Our server told us we couldn't have made better choices. Both of the pasta dishes instantly became the best pasta I've ever had. The polenta could have used a pinch of salt, but there no way in hell I would have asked for any. We had a reservation and were seated almost immediately but there was a wait for other guests so I would recommend reservations. A great dining experience! And not that expensive, 4 dishes 6 drinks 30% tip for $120, not bad.
(5)
Allison T.
Good meal in a very trendy restaurant. The noise level is high, the service is warm and very well versed in the menu. Like most trendy farm-to-table places, the menu is a list of ingredients instead of a coherent explanation of a dish, so you must enlist the server's help to decode. Rolf and Daughters further complicates things by not making clear menu divisions between small plates/appetizers and entrees, so again the server has to explain. Once you get through that silliness, the food is solid New American with a good hand/palate in the kitchen on spices, herbs and hits of citrus/acid to enhance flavor. The three of us enjoyed a lovely marinated and roasted beet appetizer (two artfully presented beets, greens included), a nice beef tartare and an excellent octopus (with too-dry hominy, unfortunately). Entrees were a perfectly, lightly cooked trout, a farro pasta with the ideal blend of nuttiness, salt and lemon, and a decent garganelli (rigatoni) dish. The lemon curd tart was outstanding, the date-almond cake dense and cloyingly sweet, the chocolate cake bowl reminiscent of cookies and cream ice cream (take that how you will). Fun meal.
(4)
Rochell P.
I've eaten here a couple of times and have sat at the bar for drinks. First of all, LOVE the vibe - very chill but lively, muted light, exposed brick and wood tables. Smaller tables along the outside with 2 long communal tables in the middle. The cocktails are creative and tasty. We had the crostini and razor clams. The crostini was yummy with a light whipped ricotta and beets. The clams were not my favorite..a bit chewy for me. I've had the garganelli pasta and it was delish! I had a pasta special there on another night, forgot what it's called, with chocolate in it. It was just as tasty. For dessert we had a cream filled donut-type pastry with chocolate sauce (aka little pockets of heaven). The service is exceptional, very friendly and with good suggestions. I've heard others say that the servings are small. True but I don't want or need a bowl of pasta the size of my head.
(4)
Min M.
Hipster bartenders are unfriendly and unhelpful. Big turn off so much so that I can't remember much about the food. Great atmosphere in the restaurant. Just wish they didn't take themselves so seriously.
(3)
Fredrick L.
Great bar set up and the food is even better. We will definitely be back.
The best roast chicken ever. Best squid ink pasta. A memorable Meal lived up to its hype
(5)
Amanda E.
I've been wanting to try Rolf & Daughters for a while because I had heard many good things about it and Germantown has some amazing restaurants. I went with my girlfriend and a friend for dinner on a Saturday night. We had made reservations two weeks in advance, yet still had to wait for about 20 minutes for a table. We were finally seated when we inquired why there were several open tables available. The hostess had a twinge of an attitude, but I always give service people slack as they work very hard and sometimes they have an off night. We were promptly greeted by our server when we sat down and she took our drink orders and poured small glasses of lukewarm water. Odd. She was very knowledgeble about the menu and took the time to give recommendations. The decor was perfect and warm. We ordered our entrees and two appetizers to share, which came quickly. The baby octopus and pork belly was amazing, with crispy skin yet cooked perfectly on the inside. And I am not a fan of octopus. The sourdough bread is homemade and delicious, but of course they bring an odd number of slices for the the table, which I never understand about restaurants. Our entrees took a good 45 minutes to arrive at our table after the apps. I'm starting to realize why they make you wait. I ordered the pork ragu. It was good, but not great or earth shattering. The portions are small, which I appreciate. I had some bites of my friends' entrees. The farro pasta was light with a subtle lemon taste. It wasn't my favorite, but my girlfriend liked it. The trout was by far the best entree of the three. I am always impressed when a chef can turn Carolina trout into something delicious, because it is quite a boring and non flavorful fish. All in all it was a good experience. But for the prices they charge and for how long they make you wait, I would expect something better than "good."
(3)
Jenn R.
This is one of my favorite places in town. Great service,excellent drinks, creative and delicious each and every time. I love the fact that this chef makes his own pasta here.The pate's are always fantastic for starters. We have been here a half dozens times and love it everytime.
(5)
Cait C.
This place tries a little to hard to be trendy. The staff are not that friendly, and the food is okay but a little weird. i appreciate interesting dishes, but its like they tried so hard to be interesting that they got it slightly wrong. had the octopus bucatini and the fennel salad.
(3)
Annie N.
Living in DC and been to so many good restaurants, still I can't say enough about the place. Small plates so come with friends. 4 of us had 10 dishes and 2 desserts. Everything was so good. I would totally order them all again, From veggie dishes to pasta. Yummy!
(5)
Steven M.
My new favorite place in Nashville, amazing food with a casual hip atmosphere. Drinks are incredible. Staff is professional. Have a community table if you forget to make a reservation. I personally like the bar the best.
(5)
Jennifer P.
Cool, rustic atmosphere. The service was great and the food was pretty good. A bit overpriced.
(3)
Jackson B.
We had heard a lot of hype about Rolf and Daughters and decided to try it out one Saturday night without a reservation. This is the kind of place worth waiting an hour and a half- 2hrs for. Amazing dining experience. Drinks: Cool selections of cocktails and beers. The montaña verde (tequila, cilantro, jalapeño) was incredible. Food: Everything we had was great, but a couple things were truly exceptional. For small plates, we loved the carrots with fennel and the heirloom tomatoes. We shared four entrees--the steak and sausage, the chicken, the bucatini, and the garganelli verde. Both the chicken and the garganelli verde were some of the best dishes I've ever had. I never order chicken at restaurants--it usually seems plain/boring, but you can't miss the chicken at Rolf and Daughters. The house-made pasta was amazing too. Dessert: We got the bomboloni and pana cotta which were both great--ended up getting a second order of bomboloni. Overall: Expensive restaurant, but worth the price and the difficulty of getting a table. Great service and ambiance, along with creative and delicious food.
(5)
Jonathan B.
Food was fantastic! The atmosphere was very enjoyable. Very relaxed and inviting. I would HIGHLY recommend a reservation otherwise you'll probably be waiting... awhile. Luckily the bar staff kept us hydrated. I've read some reviews about poor service but our waitress was absolutely amazing. Kudos to her and the wine selection abilities.
(4)
christine w.
Went on a recommendation of a friend in Nashville. Sat at the bar for dinner and it's definitely the best place to eat if you are solo or with someone else. It was such a beautiful evening I would have loved to sit outside with a group... Next time! Cocktails are well made and the bartenders are super friendly and knowledgeable. Excited to see they had our good friend's beer from Blackberry Farms! We ordered the ruby red shrimp salad (awesome!), chicken liver crostini (not your grandma's canned chicken liver! This is rich and almost decadent. Only wish the bread wasn't so thick... Would have been better thinner and crispier), spaghetti carbonara (super yum!) and squid ink pasta (spicy and good but preferred the carbonara). Great date night or group dinner outing!
(4)
Maya K.
Yummy! I was in Nashville for the first time, and several people recommended Rolf and Daughters to me. Luckily, I was staying close by. Because I was alone, it was great to have full food service at the bar so I could be surrounded by more people than if I'd been at a table by myself. The very friendly bartender recommended the Absinthe Father to me, which was excellent - gingery, strong, and with a nice whiff of absinthe as it went down. I arrived hungry, and easily wolfed down the crostini with broccoli, pecorino, and pistachio, along with the squid ink campanelle. Both meals were light, but filling, and I left feeling full but not weighed down. The strong drink might have helped - definitely felt like I was walking in the clouds. I'll definitely be back next time I'm in Nashville... hopefully with a group so I can try lots of things!
(5)
Kurt G.
I am not very cool but when I go to Rolf and Daughters I feel much cooler than I am. The patio is a beautiful space filled with hipsters and little swirling plates of food I can't pronounce. We spent more than we expected to but I guess that's the price of cool.
(5)
Kristina L.
My GNO group finally made our way to Rolf & Daughters. We were not disappointed in the least. We started with cocktails (all were fabulous and I personally recommend the Buon Appetito) and noshed on the bread with seaweed butter and the chicken liver pate. The sprinkling of salt that came with the seaweed butter added a wonderful crunch to the dish and livened it up. We needed extra bread to polish it off. But the highlight was the pate. Oh, the pate!! Who knew that a green tomato jam and a dusting of cacao would off-set this enchanting dish? Obviously the chef because I was quite leery of cacao with liver. It worked and delightfully so. There were "oohs" and "ahs" and those weren't just from me but also the self-proclaimed haters of liver that I dined with this past Saturday evening. If I were not in a public venue, I would have stuck my finger in there to get the last of this delectable dish. Next time I think I will order it just for myself and revel in the glory of liver. For our main course, we all opted for a pasta dish. Thankfully, we all wanted something different. Between the four of us we had the garganelli verde with heritage pork ragout and parmesano; the farro gemelli with hen of the woods, cavolo nero and parmesano; the spaghetti fra diavolo with octopus, rad lardo, and calabrian chili; and then the squid ink canestri with shrimp, squid, rad pancetta and chili. As is our norm, we all sampled each other's dish and proclaimed them all ah-may-zing!! None of us were disappointed in our on personal bowl of happiness. I was the one who was fortunate enough to have the squid ink canestri. I would be hard pressed to go there again and not have the pate and that dish. It was sublime and the pasta was like heavenly little puffs of deliciousness. For dessert, we again shared. Our favorite was the bombellini filled with vanilla custard and a side of a warmed chocolate sauce for dipping. They were pure bliss and truly an enchanting end to a memorable night out with friends. Our group enjoyed our evening so much that we are already planning on a return trip. If you haven't been, call now and make a reservation so you too can have a food night to remember.
(5)
Duke W.
one of the greatest meals my wife and I have ever eaten.
(5)
Karen K.
This is my new go to restaurant in Nashville. All of the house made pasta is fantastic and they have a great wine selection. Go early and go often!
(5)
Michel A.
Fabulous meal and excellent service from bartender Ed. We would be regulars, I mean several times a week if we lived in the area. Interesting menu with some unusual ingredients. The chef and kitchen team know what they are doing.
(5)
Brian L.
thoroughly impressed - amazing cuisine and an excellent wine selection - cool room too
(5)
Alan B.
What an amazing place! We were visiting from out of town and found this place on yelp, and chose it based on the mostly positive reviews. We arrived without a reservation on a Saturday night and were told the wait would be an hour. We went over to the bar for drinks, and, after about 20 minutes, got seats at the bar. The bartenders offered us the choice of eating at the bar instead of waiting for our table. We made the right choice in staying at the bar. There were three bartenders that night, each one of them very friendly, extremely knowledgeable about the menu and the food they served, and really seemed to love the restaurant. I had the two bourbon-based house cocktails which were excellent. For my third drink I asked the bartender to mix up a "bartender's choice" drink which was fantastic as well. For the meal, we picked multiple dishes based on their recommendations and loved each one. The combination of flavors, fresh food, and obvious talent in the kitchen made for a very enjoyable meal. I will definitely be back whenever i return to Nashville.
Dined in early April 2014. Rolf and Daughters feels like a restaurant that has gotten accustomed to its own success that it has totally lost its way. I went there with my girlfriend, who had talked it up. She specifically talked up the bread and seaweed butter appetizer and the chocolate torte for dessert, so we planned on ordering those. Once we were seated, it took 20 minutes for anyone to talk to us. We assumed that we'd been forgotten, but just as we were about to get up, the waitress came over and took our drink order, with no apology for the wait. It then took 15 minutes to get the wine, and she dropped it off quickly and left without asking us about food. We realized then that we would have to get her attention to get anything done, so we did so and ordered the bread and butter. Luckily, that did not take long, but what came out was a average bread with some pretty good butter. It cost $5, but I've definitely gotten better for free. For all of the problems with the rest of the service, the entrees we got were delicious. I got a green pasta dish (none of the words on the menu entry were recognizable) and my girlfriend got the chicken. There are other places you could get similar quality entrees for a few dollars less, but it was very good. We then tried to order the chocolate torte (which had been written up as a signature Nashville dish), but apparently this is no longer an option. All told the meal took about an hour and a half, but could have taken much longer if we were not proactive in getting the attention of the wait staff. Overall: You can get the same quality of food for cheaper and with far better service. Don't fall for the hype.
(2)
Maggie W.
Believe the hype! I had some family in from out-of-town and decided to take them to RAD, as I have been hearing great things about it since I moved here. We started with perfectly crafted cocktails, the bread plate with seaweed butter (so so good!), the beef tartar and the tomato apps were all amazing. I got the Brook Trout, also great, My aunt got one of the pasta dishes and it was the best pasta I've ever tried. I'll be sure to get that next time. The service was friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive without the song-and-dance. This truly is As Good As It Gets!
(5)
Joe P.
Thank you for staying open late on Sunday. It's my last day in Germantown and spent the day packing the truck and finished at 8:50. Went to another establishment first but was 00:00:01 late and announce on arrival that the kitchen was close while other patrons were still ordering (already knew what I was going to order so could have be quick). Heart was crushed. Headed over here and was seated at the bar since the place was crowded. Great food (see comments below), awesome service (how can I get in on those staff meals?). Thank you for making my last night in Germantown a great memory.
(5)
Eliza R.
Eating at Rolf and Daughters was a fantastic dining experience. My friend and I ate here in late September when it was still warm, so we sat on the patio that was strung with big white bulb lights. We ordered a few drinks from the unique cocktail menu (that was apparently developed by one of the same people who helped create the Patterson House menu) and I can't even remember what I had, but it was delicious... The food was on point and I had the roasted chicken, while my friend had some of the fresh house-made pasta that Rolf and Daughters is known for. We also split an order of freshly baked bread with seaweed butter and salt. To die for, all of it. I can't wait to go back. I highly recommend this restaurant for a classier atmosphere that isn't too fine dining-esque. By the way, our server was great... She was really friendly, cool, laid back, and knowledgeable about everything on the menu.
(4)
Sunna L.
We dine here on a regular basis, but I never take the time to write about our experiences. I don't want to be one of those that only writes about bad experiences so I want to share Sunday night's dinner. Garganelli has always been my favorite dish. This never disappoints. Sunday night, the seasoning, texture of the pasta, everything was fresh and perfect. The most surprising event of the evening were the salad and the appetizer. Heirloom turnip salad. Three different root vegetables in white and pink colors on top of chive and radish stock puree. Beautiful and flavorful topped with bottarga. Creative, inventive, amazing flavor and excellent execution. The appetizer was called the Pig's head. The name may lead some running but if you do, you will miss out on a wonderful experience. The meat is cured, rolled, sliced then seared on both sides before placed carefully atop shredded kolrabi. Outstanding! If you have experienced adventurous cuisines and dishes, it becomes more difficult to find something new that is just a WOW. We found it Sunday night at RAD. In a city with so many restaurants popping up, RAD has carved their niche as a sustainable restaurant that will continue to surprise and delight their customers.
(5)
Jennifer H.
BY FAR one of the top 5 meals I have ever had! And I have eaten at some amazing places :-) Great venue, outside seating and amazing staff. Served family style. We had a private event, so not sure the wait, but seriouusly, get this place on your list!
(5)
Juliet N.
To be honest, I was not excited about going here, but OMG. Delicious! We had the sourdough bread, the Octopus, the winter salad, the crostini stracciatella, the squid ink pasta and the garganelli verde. We loved everything!
(5)
Anna J.
I love the atmosphere here. I went on a Monday night and had to wait about 20 minutes to sit at the communal table. I would suggest making a reservation. They are always busy it seems. The food was superb! I had the aged meatballs and they were delicious. My bf had the squid ink pasta. I think I may have liked it more. It has a ragu of shrimp and great garlic flavor! I opted for the non-alcoholic ginger, mint, and lime beverage and it was SO refreshing and yummy. Highly recommend it! Overall, great experience and can't wait to go back!
(4)
Vicki S.
Came in with a girlfriend on a Friday evening and expected a wait, which wound up being about 45 minutes. Normally I'd go elsewhere when faced with a wait that long, but R&D had been on my radar for ages - and I'm glad I stuck it out. Started at the bar with a cocktail (Don't Want No Shrub), which was more fun to watch as it was prepared than it was to drink. When I am given a tiny cocktail for $11, I expect it to be strong...or at the very least, to taste like alcohol. It was tasty but for the lack of punch, I could have ordered the nonalcoholic strawberry shrub and soda. I moved to wine next, and was pleased to find an extensive and impressive wine list. We were seated at the communal table, and despite the volume of the din making it difficult to hear my friend speak, it was fun to see the orders of everyone around me before I settled on my meal. We started with the chicken liver pate, and I can second another reviewer's assessment of it being one of the cleanest-tasting pates I've ever had. I've tried similar dishes elsewhere in town, and they now have a lot to live up to. I had the bucatini fra diavolo with octopus, which was spicy and hearty, with tender and well-prepared octopus. We had to close our amazing meal with an equally-amazing dessert: the bomboloni with dark chocolate sauce was to die for. Overall, excellent service, fantastic food, meh on the cocktail and don't expect too much conversation during busier times, but I will definitely make a return visit.
(4)
Bridget S.
Spectacular! If you appreciate fresh authentic pasta in creative sauces, this a must try restaurant. I loved the Ricotta cavatelli, tree nut ragout, sarvecchio..so earthy and nutty. My hubby enjoyed the Bucatini fra diavolo, octopus, rad lardo, calabrian chili...spicy and such tender octopus. We also tasted the Garganelli verde, heritage pork ragout, parmesano which was awesome. My taste buds are craving the pasta and sauces! Also a must try... one of their salads..Yum! (I liked the Kohlrabi salad). I enjoyed the community table....interesting and fun concept.
(5)
Meg M.
Great experience. Very cool atmosphere. Our waiter, Matt, suggested the Crostini, stracciatella, olio nuovo which ended up being our favorite part of the meal. We also had the Garganelli verde, heritage pork ragout, sarvecchio and Brook trout, bok choy, spinach, celery root remoulade. Both were excellent. They had a good drink list that included a lot of non-alcoholic options. A great place for a date night or dinner with friends.
(5)
Lindsay R.
The pork ragout is truly delightful. The Absinthe Father cocktail is poorly named but absolutely delicious, and the old fashioned tastes like bacon. Pricey but worth it, an amazing experience altogether. the trout is too fishy, and the chicken is quite large but classically delicious.
(4)
Frances B.
The food and atmosphere here are great. What we had that was amazing: The chicken liver pate The pork ragout pasta The squid ink pasta The trout The chicken was average, I wouldn't order it again. I knocked off a star for the service, and a little for the arrangement of the restaurant. It was crowded, as are all popular restaurants, and we kept being told by hostesses and bartenders to stand elsewhere when there was nowhere else to stand, which is annoying, because if all the bar seats are taken up there is no place to stand at the bar that doesn't block new patrons from walking up and getting a drink. That's annoying. The most disappointing aspect of our experience was the service. I have friends who live here and dine here often and have told me they had great servers. Our server was cold, unhelpful and looked mad to be at work. It's disappointing when I was so looking forward to trying this restaurant, that my enthusiasm was killed by the server. I will be back next time I'm in Nashville!
(4)
VIcki T.
My husband and I celebrated our 36th wedding anniversary here last night. This was our first visit to RAD and I can tell you it will not be our last. I can only tell you that on a Tuesday, it was loud inside and quiter outside, it was still quite warm so we opted to eat inside. I ordered the Spiker and Sponge cocktail - delicious, not sweet. My husband had a couple glasses of Chardonnay (it was on the bottom of the wine list and unfortunately I did not get the name). It pared well with our dishes. The dry-aged beef tartare was like no other beef tartare we had ever had. Two pieces of toast arrived topped with salsa verde and beef. Fabulous. What complimented that dish was the green wheat, green tomato, cucumber, medjool date and urfa biber - very fresh and minty tasting. Great combo. Not a morsel left. I had read the reviews and urged my husband to get the squid ink pasta - he did not. He ordered the potato gnocchi, lobster mushroom, shrimp with tarragon. It was very good but not as good as the Pork Ragout which I ordred. Best I have ever tasted and the green garganelli (verde) along with the sarvecchio was incredible. We did not opt for dessert and headed to Jeni's for ice cream afterward which continued our anniversary celebration. Definitely will return to try other dishes...service was fast, efficient, and helpful in menu selections.
Best meal we had in Nashville! Server was extremely knowledgable, friendly, and very accommodating of my food allergies. Great cocktails as well! Can't wait to go back. Make sure you call ahead for reservations. Beautiful layout and great lighting.
(5)
Stephanie C.
I know everyone loves this place, but I will admit that I was a little disappointed. It's small. Very small. Maybe it's just me, but small places always make me nervous. I feel like I'll never be able to get back in, or be able to try things that I really want to try in the future because it's too exclusive. Also, we were scrunched into tiny seats at the bar that were too close together. That being said, the atmosphere is lovely. The bartender was very nice, but the menu was almost incomprehensible to us. As if it was in a foreign language. We ordered a variety of items, but we went back and ordered wings at the end of the meal because we were still hungry. (These wings were so, so, so salty). None of the cocktails spoke to me either. Ill admit, I like a bit of a girly drink- Something with a sweet finish. But everything here was herbal and strong. All in all, I found my experience to be lackluster. It wasn't awful, but nothing jumped out to me. And the prices were a bit aggressive. I'm used to that with all of the new restaurants in Nashville, but these prices just seemed too steep considering the very casual atmosphere.
(3)
Kyle F.
Maybe I heard too much hype for the last several years about this place but it did not live up to expectations or the $150 tab. Would have rather spent that at many other places in Nashville. Service was great, ambiance is good, atmosphere is average. Got 2 apps, 2 entries and none of it was worth ordering again. The pasta was very salty.
(3)
Chastity G.
I can't believe it's taken me this long to write a review about Rolf and Daughters... I absolutely love this restaurant and probably eat here approx. once every two weeks. The food is consistently incredible and I consider it to be great value. As far as I know there isn't anything on the menu over $30, and it's a lot tastier than most of Nashville's fine dining establishments where all the entrees (except for a half-hearted nod to the vegetarians!) are all over $30. I was pretty devastated when they took the bucatini fra diavolo off the menu (please bring it back!) but the new pastas do not disappoint. I often come here alone after work, but it's definitely best to come with friends and share everything. I haven't tried all the pastas currently on the menu, but everything I've tried, I've ordered again. It's that good... there's nothing I even feel "meh" about. The staff are all incredibly nice and welcoming. There are one or two servers who are more European in their manner--quietly efficient, no "Hi, my name is ____ and I'll be taking care of you today"--but that shouldn't be mistaken for rudeness. Likewise, the portion size isn't the same as you'd get an American chain restaurant, but I for one consider it a refreshing change to not feel like I'm dying after I finish a pasta dish! Seriously great restaurant.
(5)
mumin k.
I love this place. Had the chicken liver pate and fish with carrots. The liver pate was excellent, the fish was cooked to perfection. My wife had the octopus appetizer and the squid ink pasta and these were also excellent. My only complain was the dessert. I had the bread pudding dessert which was really not worth it. I would have been happier if I just skipped the dessert. But overall, i would highly recommend this place.
(5)
Kidd E.
SAVE YOUR MONEY! I'm just going to say it like this. Over Hyped! The portions are very small, the dishes are over complicated, and the flavors did not work well. My dish was terrible! My wife's taste pretty good but for 26 it was very small. I will not go back. Just fair warning stay home and cook yourself!!
(1)
Shaina A.
Bread and butter always speak volumes; RAD's seaweed butter was fantastic. Enjoyed an intimate dinner, despite their being 6 in our party -- a true feat!
(4)
Marie B.
Amazing! Bon Appetite was right, definitely the #3 restaurant in the nation right now. The pasta is amazing!!! So amazing that we ordered more! Try the squid ink, chicken pate, and Pasta!! You can't go wrong. Great ambiance as well!! Too bad we were there in October and couldn't enjoy the outdoor space!
(5)
Carolyn M.
We went for a birthday dinner and it was delightful. The squid ink pasta was incredibly - spicy and perfect texture. My husband killed the vegetarian stew in 30 seconds or so. The seaweed bread was crunchy/chewy/just right. We had a few fancy cocktails and loved them. Service was phenomenal. The space is a beautifully renovated warehouse. Not to be skipped.
(4)
Will M.
We decided on RAD after a fair amount of research on local NV restaurants. We were coming in from out of state, and wanted a unique experience in our first visit to Nashville. We'd last had squid ink pasta in Italy almost 20 years ago, so looked forward to having it again, especially in light of the rave reviews about this very presentation. We reserved a week in advance. Note: I want to make it clear that I don't intend this review to be an RAD-bashing write up, but rather something the chef(s) might wish to take notice of, since our experience confirmed several earlier reviews. Quite simply, the canestri was overly, unbearably salty. When our replacement dish arrived (i returned the canestri, the first time in 35 years of eating out that I'd done that), the farro pasta, with mushroom sauce, was again overly salty. Is it possible that a chef there may not be tasting the food as others do? perhaps his/her senses aren't working in the same way as ours? It's possible that the problem is with my and others' sense of taste, but this had never happened to me before... In any case, given the number of similar comments, RAD might benefit by having independent testers come in to help guide them with their salting practices. For such a reputed restaurant, and with their signature dish, we were sorely dismayed to discover that RAD had erred in this way. To continue in the spirit of constructive criticism: the meal presentation would be more refined if food were served on plates, rather than lumped into large serving bowls. The zeppole desserts was tasty but also sloppily presented. The sourdough bread and seaweed butter should have been provided gratis. All that said, the server (grey haired, guitarist) was truly wonderful, very knowledgable about the preparation and options. He was quick to politely offer a replacement, and even refused to charge us for dessert, all of which reflected very positively on the management. Bravo! In short (!), for the prices and the reputation, we were quite disappointed. Given the generosity of the server, though, we believe it to have been either an off night, or simply a particularly salt-challenged chef, and either possibility can be easily rectified. We will try again next time, with crossed fingers.
(2)
Nicole P.
I understand it was Friday night, but didn't expect it to be so crazy in there. We arrived around 8, was told the wait would be an hour and a half. Tried to get drinks at the bar, but the bartenders never acknowledged us. Another patron said to go to the end of the bar by the service station, so we wiggled our way down and bumped into everything and everyone along the way. We didn't actually stand in front of the server's station, I know better than that, but were immediately told to shift to another part of the bar and form a line. This put us practically on top of a table where people were eating, and no matter where we stood we were in the way of the servers. The line never moved, and we never got to order any drinks. Suggestion: put cocktail menus in the waiting area out front and assign someone to take drink orders. We decided to go somewhere else.
(2)
Dru D.
Great place to eat! The squid ink is amazing! Definitely get reservations before you come here. We waited an hour to be seated without a reservation, but was planned as we wanted to have a couple drinks from the bar prior to dinner. The food and drinks are worth the trip if you are staying downtown or anywhere in the Nashville area.
(5)
Kathryn M.
The food was DELICIOUS and the service was WONDERFUL!!! Honestly the best restaurant in Nashville!!! We ordered the chicken (best chicken we have EVER had) and the squid ink pasta (which was also delicious). I wish we would have eaten here the second night. The cocktails were awesome... I had the southern... Which was great. We had the tartar and spring salad for appetizers and they were also great. For dessert we ordered the bombollina (I think)... Order them!!!! They are incredible!!!! We cannot wait to go back!!!!
(5)
Destination D.
I cruised in here to meet up with some new friends Kate and Robbie after work - we sat at the bar. Great company and great service. My friends live in the neighborhood so it felt lovely to be welcomed by Philip the owner, the hostess Kate, and Pam the waitress.
(5)
Kate O.
Simple, elegant, relaxed, refined. If you're vegan, don't be daunted by the menu: the kitchen knows how to accommodate you. The farro gemelli with hen of the woods mushrooms, or whatever's in season, and cavolo nero, or some other green, minus the cheese, is the long-standing option for vegan dinner. And it's delicious, so don't hesitate. You can also order the sourdough bread appetizer and either ask them to hold the seaweed butter or leave that for your dining companions and simply ask for an additional bowl of olive oil. Their mixed drinks are superb, so if you're in that mood, be bold and try something, and chances are you'll love it. They also have a solid wine list and a well-curated beer selection. I met my now-favorite beer there: Old Chub. I hear the desserts are fantastic, but I have no good news for vegans on that front, so if your diet allows it, indulge and enjoy, but if not, I hope you, like me, are a vicarious foodie and can enjoy the sight and sounds of your dining companions swooning over their desserts while you sip a coffee or, more probably, another glass of beer. In any case, go, go, go. This is a fantastic place.
(5)
Tim P.
Hippest of the hip. Coolest of the cool. Really good food and amazing ambience. Not for the unadventurous.
(4)
J E.
Incredible meal very time! It is typically busy and quite loud, but we really enjoyed the ambience, and the quality of the food makes up for any shortcomings.
(4)
Emily K.
Great food and great energy. The wait staff was incredibly knowledgeable and didn't steer us wrong with a suggestion. The veggie dishes were notably awesome and we devoured the two pasta dishes that we ordered. Yummy cocktails too!
(4)
Coleman G.
One of the best dining experiences I've ever had. Food, wine, service, ambiance were all so incredibly on point. I would be fat and broke if I lived in Nashville and had access to this at my leisure. Best restaurant in Nashville and rivaling any of the big dogs across the country. Also incredibly affordable. Thank you Rolf and Daughters.
(5)
Ying M.
My bf and I stopped in on a whim- (thanks to the communal table we were able to get a seat) and we thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Squid ink pasta is divine. I wanted three more bowls of it, at least. I was worried Rolf and Daughters wouldn't live up to the hype- I've only recently returned to Nashville from the foodie haven of Cambridge, MA- but it totally did! Next time I go, I want to bring a group so we can order a bunch of different items and sample everything. We saw the table next to us doing this and were immediately jealous.
(5)
Zach W.
Incredible ambiance, great drinks, and excellent service. What more could you ask for? Well, probably good food, and they have that too! The bartender was extremely accommodating and even made me something special off the menu. Even went back into the kitchen to get fresh ingredients. A top notch experience overall. Will be back many times!
(5)
Sylvia H.
A party of six went there last night. We had to ask for refills of our drinks (tea and coffee). I like my water cold, but this was like tap water right out of the tap, meaning it was lukewarm at best. Smallest servings I have ever seen in a restaurant. I had to eat when I got home. I don't need a doggie bag, but I would like a decent serving. Four teeny pieces of steak and 2 beef sausages with a few dandelion leaves and 3 anchovies along with two half done microscopic potatoes. for $27.00? Really? I would have liked dessert, but figured it would be a bite or two, so why bother. I am still incredulous about many of the good reviews on here, but I certainly will not be back. No salad or bread with the meal? Unless, of course, you order as an appetizer. Good grief. Just unbelievable.
(1)
Meg G.
Took a chance and tried to get into this highly recommended establishment without a reservation on a Sunday night while passing through town on a cross country road trip with a friend of mine. We waited maybe 10 min and got really lucky that 2 seats at the bar opened up. We had great service from the bartender, and he had great recommendations for us. We went with the beef tartare and octopus to share, and then we each had an entree. A pasta for my friend and the trout (I think) for myself. Oh and the sourdough bread is pretty good too (though not necessary, b/c there's so many other great things on the menu). Everything was perfection! My friend practically licked her pasta bowl clean! The atmosphere was great too. Seemed more like a local neighborhood haunt (in Germantown) rather than a touristy place, which is preferred. We had the doughnuts for dessert with chocolate and peanut butter dipping sauces (which is actually like 8 sugar cake doughnut holes) and were mouth watering. We rolled out of there very full and very happy! HIGHLY recommend you try and get a reservation ahead of time, but hey, you may just get lucky like us! Cheers!
(5)
Elizabeth G.
This is my fave Nashville restaurant. Dishes are great - not over-thought, but unique and delicious. Great atmosphere. Warm and casual. Service is excellent, too. Squid Ink Pasta is amazing.
(5)
John D.
Best dinner I've since moving to Nashville. Absolutely fabulous...can't hardly wait to go back!
I just don't get it. I've eaten or had drinks here a dozen times because everyone always raves about it. The cocktails are solid and the ambiance is good. The pasta plates are way undersized and I haven't had a single entree that came anywhere close to "great." Everything is well-plated and stylish, but it's just... a lot of style without that much substance, a recurring theme at many Nashville restaurants.
(3)
Erin E.
I was part of a party of 6 on a Sunday evening. The restaurant's interior is gorgeous. Our server was pleasant but was difficult to hear at times. My husband and I ordered the sourdough bread with the seaweed butter, the lettuces with summer vegetables, garganelli verde, and dry aged meatballs. We thought the food was really good, but if you're salt sensitive you should be pretty wary. The chef is very heavy handed with salt. (I tend to like salty things, so it didn't bother me.) One person in our party ordered the squid ink canestri and found it so salty she had to send it back. Our server was gracious and offered to have a simple olive oil/garlic/cracked black pepper dish prepared. That, too, was so salty that my friend couldn't eat it. (We couldn't figure out if the salt flavor was coming from the pasta, the cooking water, the sauce, or a combination of the three.) The dessert menu was limited to three selections, and two of us ordered the bombolini (which I'm pretty sure I misspelled) and chocolate sauce. It was okay, (I love dessert so my expectations were high). Overall, I'd go back for the pasta sometime, but probably won't be going to RAD often.
(3)
Laura T.
Rolf and Daughters in Nashville... Thank you for allowing the hipster cool crowd to physically sit on top of our table while we were out for my boyfriends birthday trying to enjoy a nice meal I know that wouldn't fly if we were a clean cut, non modified, Caucasian "rich looking couple" but I work 7 days a week for my money and it spends as well as there's does so def getting bad reviews all around. Shame on you!!! sincerly, the "tattooed" guests you treated like dirt
(1)
Josie R.
There are no words for how amazing our meal was at R&D this past weekend. Fall lettuce salad, octopus, squid ink pasta, farro spaghetti, everything was simply amazing!
(5)
Christa P.
Pasta with the mushrooms was out of this world- super delish. Steak was ok- not the best I have had and a little over done. The sauce pairing was not unique and I wouldnt order again.
(4)
David R.
Overall, this was a great experience. The space is airy, fresh and fun; it feels "bustling" and that energy carries over into the food. And the food here is undeniably great: everything we tried was well conceived and perfectly done. When you sit down your are tended to quickly and the waitress we had was extremely helpful in giving suggestions. With her help I feel like we ended up with a perfect amount of food as well as a comprehensive sampling of R&D's culinary vision. ProTip: for a party of two were very happy ordering two appetizers to share, then a bowl of pasta each, and then finally one main course to split. I'm docking a star (it really could have been a 5/5 experience) because of the behavior of a neighboring server who--while my wife and I were eating--felt comfortable describing our choices to the neighboring table *not *by discreetly telling them what we were eating, but by overtly turning around and **pointing over our table** and *onto*our plates! Did you get the part about that we were eating? It was very strange to say the least and more non-relaxing than you might imagine..
(4)
Bob S.
I returned finally after opening week to give Rolf another try. This really isn't a 3 star, i really rate it a 3.5 star but i can not do that on this site. We didn't have any share plates, none really appeal to us. I really don't consider a small loaf a bread and seaweed butter much of a small plate. We decided to 2 pasta and share one of the plates for our meal. We chose the lamb pasta on the menu that evening, the Spaghetti, morel and peas, and we chose the meatballs. The Spaghetti was good nicely cooked however the egg yolk ended up a little over cooked and was not runny enough. The lamb was nice, however it needed to have a little extra punch and was kind of bland. The Meatballs were served on a plate with Tomato sauce, 3 large Meatballs on a plate, very dense, i would prefer a little more tender. But were very good. I just don't get serving 3 large meatballs with nothing else as a side with this plate. We did not have desert. I will go back, but i do not think this is a place to take a date or for a business meeting. The restaurant is way to noisy to carry on a conversation for business or a date. It was hard to talk across the table. The service was very good. Most of the time when going out with a group i want a greater selections of plates to enjoy the evening. I would like to see the Meatballs move to the share plate at a price of 5 dollars per meatballs. I put the food at about a 4, but the atmosphere is only a 3 guys, unless your looking for a loud place where you dont want to talk to anyone.
(3)
Brien W.
Third time is the charm. Had dinner at the bar on Saturday and the food and drink was outstanding! Two standouts, the chicken liver pate was amazing, had a friend who said, "I don't eat liver" try it and couldn't stop eating till it was gone. The ricotta cavatelli pasta was so well rounded and delicious it was hard to put down. Great bar staff had a few old fashions... great meal!
(5)
Tiff C.
Loved the vibe, great service and absolutely delicious pasta. We had the bread appetizers (seaweed butter and chicken pate) and they were complex and tasty. The pasta was amazing, highly recommend! Especially bucatini (if you like spicy) and the pasta with oxtail (messinessi)
(5)
Sam L.
The food is very impressive but the portions are sized for 10 year olds, even compared to Chicago/New York fine dining. The entrees should be called small plates and appetizers should be tapas. We got appetizer, two entrees and a dessert and still were hungry. The octopus is cooked perfectly and the bacon is a nice touch. The squid ink pasta was al dente and seasoned well. The hanger steak was great with the turnip and spinach. When you charge so much for food, the portion need to fit the bill.
We came here for our first anniversary while on vacation & the ambiance definitely reminded us of being home in Chicago. Food: Rad ham appetizer - delicious! Perfect flavors/textures, very fresh! Squid Ink pasta - pasta cooked/seasoned perfectly, wonderful flavor, didn't get any spiciness as other reviews stated & dish was very oily. Lamb pasta - husband said this was good Panna cotta - really, really good! Service was extremely lacking & inexcusable for a fine dining restaurant. My husband ordered a cocktail with tequila that tasted like tequila on the rocks. He took one drink and never touched it the entire meal. Our server saw that he never finished his drink but never asked about it - something that any fine dining establishment should always do.
(3)
Ericka P.
Our party of 5 all tasted each others' meals and damn! was it good! I got a taste of the trout, lamb pasta, octopus spaghetti, chicken, and the meatballs. No one was too thrilled with the meatballs... But the chicken was BANGIN'! And the trout was a nice crisp meal for as hot as it was. I must say though.... We spent a lot of money to be served tallboys with mini juice cups. That was a bit silly.
(4)
Meryl C.
I just wish they were in California. After reading two reviews (Eater Nashville and another) and having Rolf and Daughters recommended by a local bartender, we went. Could not be more satisfied! Great cocktails and amazing food. Five stars from San Francisco.
(5)
Dan H.
I was a bit concerned that the ipa would ruin my palette, but the excess salt on the beef tartare and fra diavolo did a much better job of frying it. I'm a bit sad we wasted our one night out in Nashville here. I should add that my partner had the pasta with pork ragout and the few tastes I had were enjoyable.
(1)
Chrissy I.
The Squid Ink Pasta is I think literally the best dish I have ever tasted, just outstanding!! Seaweed butter and bread makes a yummy starter. Everyone in my party raved about their food! Our waiter was excellent - super kind, and very knowledgable. We will absolutely be back!!
(5)
Catherine L.
This place was great. Gotta be one of my favorites in Nashville so far, where the portions are always huge but the food (and taste level) isn't always good. The ambience is perfect. A well put together place with a rustic feel, it's intimate and classy but not pretentious. We sat outside under the lit 'open' sign and the strung lights. I got the summer salad which was unique, refreshing, complex and wonderful. I also got the vegetarian pasta dish with mushrooms and my friend got the pork ragout. Both were very delicious, even for a vegetarian meal! Highly recommend this place for dinner.
(5)
Sarah M.
This is a tale of four friends - not averse to paying high prices for great food, and well-dined at many fine restaurants the world-over. This is a story of a warm, industrial space filled with fun, hip people drinking delicious, hip cocktails, which surprisingly deliver and even exceed expectations (even in a time where one rarely recognizes most of the ingredients in the mixologist's purview). And at it's heart, this is a narrative about delicious pasta -- hearty, complex, layered, new shapes and textures, all pushed into the middle of our table and poached by each other, compared and contrasted and devoured until even the tiny specs of pecorino couldn't be spared from the sides of the bowl. Pork ragu, beef cheek and oxtail melange, caramelized onion and pecorino and hot pepper flake. And yet our story has a foil -- an unexpected twist -- and one that may have overshadowed all of the good things about Rolf & Daughters. And that's the bread. To put it simply, the pate at R&D (or as my boyfriend calls it -- meat butter), is creamy, smooth, buttery and unctuous. And it comes with three tiny pieces of bread. At a table of four, there is nothing more awkward than trying to split three pieces of bread (which themselves are thirds of a piece of bread). And last I checked, tables of 3 aren't that common. Furthermore, the bread doesn't provide enough of a vehicle for the delicious pate. In order to use up all of the pate on three pieces of bread, one would have to pile pate at least a half inch high on each piece. And last, the final nail in the coffin of the bread segue, is that additional bread is $1.50. When we balked at the price we were cheerily informed that "but it's baked in-house." My point is not to sound snobby, or cheap, or narrowly focused. My point is this -- when you charge someone $1.50 for two thirds of a piece of bread (when the additional order came, it only included two pieces), you give them the feeling of being "nickled and dimed" -- charge $2 more for the pate, or give the bread for free, but please don't charge $1.50 for extra bread which is necessitated by the fact that there is an ample amount of pate (which itself is a good thing). There are a lot of great things about Rolf & Daughters - in fact, I am pretty sure I'm going to have graphic dreams about the pork ragu, and our meal, all in all, was reasonably priced and satisfying. But I can't write this review without talking about the bread, in the hopes that they'll catch on that it's not worth the $1.50. It leaves a bad taste in your mouth, which is a tough thing to do when your last bite has been a creme filled fried donut with chocolate dipping sauce.
(4)
Julianne L.
Food was okay. Service was terrible. Our waitress completely rushed us when ordering and said the kitchen gets backed up so we needed to place our ASAP. We never saw our our waitress during dinner..although we wanted more drinks and water- it seems like there is extra staff to deliver food and check tables for service. The waitress is only there to take order and deliver check.
(3)
Brad M.
*Late review from my visit on 2/2/13. My wife and I had been wanting to try this place since some of our friends had been here. So, she took me here for my birthday. We started off with the Crostini and a few cocktails. The whipped ricotta on the Crostini was light and sweet. Their menu now says the topping was beets but I think we had squash or apricot. I then ordered the Brook Trout. It was served in a bowl which was different and crème fraiche was really good. But my wife's Heritage Chicken stole the show. The pan searing was perfect. Easily one of the best chicken meals I have ever tasted. Our desert was a dense and rich chocolate cake that was incredible. We can't wait to go back.
(5)
Greg T.
2 stars for food and server food knowledge. Here's why: Started dinner with some apps...went with the sourdough and seaweed app for $5. We had a party of 5 and server failed to tell us that the plate some with 4 pieces of bread. Our plate had barely any butter. I think this dish would be better if the bread was not sourdough...too overwhelming and masks the seaweed in my opinion. Pate app - same situation...only 3 pieces of bread this time. We ordered more (3 pieces) and were charged an additional $1.50 without being told bread is extra. I have no problem paying for bread - just let me know. Entree - special of the night was a pork special sandwich. It was sold to us as a piece of pork loin that was cooked inside pork belly with crispy pork skin. Sounded unreal to me so went with it. Sandwich came with all loin meat...no belly, no crispy skin..and drenched in some gnarly olive oil which made the dish an oily mess. Took 3 bites and was done with it. Asked server if this was the correct execution and she said it was and just left...no apologies or attempts to remedy the situation. The bottom line - at the prices Rolf and Daughters is charging you expect a certain level of food and service. They missed the mark during this visit. I really hope these guys step it up. I think they have a great opportunity to become a player in the Nashville restaurant scene if they make improvements. I would avoid group dinners and stick to simple apps at the bar.
(2)
Naomasa H.
Had a wonderful birthday dinner here. Reservations are recommended, but they do have communal tables and outdoor seating on a first come first serve basis. I hear the place has received a lot of press, namely in Bon Appetit. The atmosphere is inviting, friendly service, and the food is wonderful. Garganelli verde and farro gamelli were cooked perfectly. The positive press is well deserved. I hope they stay unpretentious and keep churning out wonderful dishes. Oh and the cocktails were tasty.
(5)
Semi-retired J.
Trying way too hard to be hip. What is - beet, maple yogurt, puffed quinoa? Elevate the experience, not the grammar. Great location, great servers and maybe someday we'll comprehend the menu.
(3)
Tiffany M.
Great and interesting selection of cocktails/wines and our server was excellent. Really knowledgeable and attentive throughout our meal. I ended up getting a Campari + grapefruit 'Buon Appetito' that was refreshing and sweet. The squid ink pasta, carbonara pasta and roasted chicken were top notch! Our meal was so good that we had to try dessert and those donuts with ganache left us perfectly full. This is definitely a restaurant to come back to again and again. Thanks, R&D!
(5)
Ashley T.
We came here for dinner with my in laws when they were in town visiting. We called ahead on a Friday to ask about reservations and my mother in law was told that it wasn't busy so we wouldn't need one. I found that hard to believe but we went with it. We arrived around 7pm and the patio was packed, as well as the walkway leading up to the restaurant. We were told it was over an hour wait and when we asked about calling ahead, the hostess assured us they don't take reservations on Friday nights. Oh well. We had heard good things about this place and knew anywhere we went would have a wait. So we waited for about 45 minutes and our table was ready. We were seated at a long, community table in the middle of the restaurant with strangers. Not ideal when trying to catch up with family, but it was fine. The service was great. Our server was very friendly and knowledgeable of the menu. He gave us his recommendations and we ordered. My mother in law and my husband both ordered the pasta with red sauce and my father in law and I both ordered the trout. Ha! I don't remember anything spectacular about the pasta, but it did taste fresh. The trout was cooked perfectly and presented beautifully, but the parsley was overwhelming for me. Otherwise, this dish was unique and delicious. The atmosphere is cool and they were playing some pret-ty solid 80s country songs. We could barely hear each other to talk across the table, but the music was a fun touch. Not really what I assumed I'd be listening to while eating the most beautiful piece of trout I've ever eaten. Haha We ordered 2 deserts on the menu to split, one was some kind of chocolate and coffee desert and the other was fruity. (It's been a hot minute since our visit so I'm drawing a blank). Both were really good. I was full so I didn't have much but otherwise I would have probably licked the plates clean. I would like to go back on a special occasion and try other things.
The pasta here is incredible, without a doubt. The cocktails are great too! I ordered the trout and it was under done. Cold and raw. They still charged me for it:/ ambience is nice.
(3)
Aaron G.
best restaurant in nashville. no joke. I've been here with the lady 5+ times, and each visit is better than the last. Really one of the only places in town putting together truly creative, consistent, ingredient focused dishes. Our servers have always been incredibly knowledgeable and helpful as well. And that wingman cocktail is trouble.
(5)
Molly R.
I made a reservation over a month ago. The day of the reservation I called to confirm - had to leave a message. I called back again later that afternoon and the hostess confirmed but was less than cordial. That evening I was on my way to the restaurant and hit major traffic (the President was in town) I called to let them know I would be late.I had to call four times before someone answered. Same hostess finally answered and told me they could only hold my reservation for 15 minutes. Really... only 15 minutes? Are you all that busy on a Tuesday night? I've had this reservation for a month. Thanks for nothing. I had been excited to try this restaurant - will now cross it off my list.
(1)
Jean K.
Half of a chicken is a hefty amount of protein for one meal, regardless of how tasty it is. And yes, the pastured chicken at Rolf and Daughters is delicious, but for $24, a wee bit of vegetables on the side would be nice. The menu was not well thought out and didn't list entrees separately. We were told that the beef sausage was an entree. However, it was served in a salad bowl. One sausage sliced into several pieces and covered with lettuce doesn't seem like an entree, particularly when the chicken entree was half of a chicken, albeit nothing else. I would have called the beef sausage a small plate or salad and the chicken a large plate suitable for sharing since there were no accompanying sides. Perhaps a more thoughtful menu format would have separated entrees from small plates rather than simply listing every item in ascending order by price. An untitled pasta section was separated only by a partial squiggly line. Besides the pasta dishes there were 4 entrees to choose from: brook trout from Florida, beef sausage, pastured local chicken and heritage pork. I wanted fish but since it wasn't local, I opted for the local pastured chicken. The chicken with preserved lemon and garlic confit was delicious. The skin was perfectly crisp and the meat was tender and juicy. Again, it was half of a chicken with no sides for $24. Perfectly cooked and delicious, yes, but it's still only chicken, even if it's pastured. It wasn't even organic. I would have preferred a quarter of a chicken with a couple of sides for that amount. The sourdough with seaweed butter appetizer was tasty but would have been better served hot or at least thoroughly warm. If the bread was complimentary, I would have overlooked it, but it wasn't. I've had complimentary bread, served hot and with infused butters that were better. Overall, the service was excellent, the ambiance trendy and whispers farm to table but in reality may be otherwise (trout from Florida?), the menu needs work, the addition of even one veggie to a $24 chicken entree would be nice and warm tap water in a pretty bottle is still warm tap water. Sorry, RaD, you're going to have to start living up to the hype and actually earn that 4th star.
(3)
Janet A.
So disappointed, I brought my daughter here for her birthday neither of us have ever been prior. My daughter and I requested a couple of simple changes to an entree to meet dietary needs only to be told the Chef is funny that way and set in his ways he will not prepare his meals differently than described on the menu. This is the only restaurant I've ever been to that the Chef did not try to accommodate request for the customer. The Hickory House at the Gaylord blows this place away in all aspects from the quality of the cuisine to the amazing customer service. Also, Urban Grub was much better than this place with amazing food and no problem making a few changes to the entree.
Every so often, you visit a restaurant that requires more time than usual to write a review - first, because there's too much goodness to write about, and second, you want some time to keep thinking back to the experience so as to write as holistic of a review as possible. Nearly two months have passed since I dined at Rolf and Daughters, so it's a restaurant that falls into this category. In terms of food and interior style, Rolf & Daughters is like most of its "trendy restaurant" counterparts. Blank&blank name - check. Badass industrial meets rustic chic space - check. Attractive, tattooed servers - check. Attractive, want-to-be-seen dining patrons - check. Food at places like this is hit or miss, so I was BLOWN AWAY by not only the deliciousness but also the creativity of the menu. I ordered the squid ink canestri, my sister got the gnocchi, and my cousin got the rigatoni. All three were equally delicious; I really was unable to pick a favorite. Hands down, the best pasta I've ever had. Other pastas I have from now on will probably pale in comparison to the three I tried here. R&D was one of the, if not THE experience, that completely made my trip to Nashville. R&D gets 5 stars for being amazing all-around! Tip: If you don't have a reservation, arrive right at opening. There was already a line of maybe 10 people ahead of us, but we got seated right away. We just had to be out within an hour and a half to clear our table for a reservation. We didn't feel rushed at all.
(5)
Thao n.
A gem in Nashville, excellent food! Had the broccoli and it might be the best broccoli dish I've ever had. The heritage pork was magnificent! Tender, tasty, and served with fresh peaches. And of course the squid ink pasta was excellent. Ordered the chocolate panna cotta dessert- flavors were good but on the drier side and a bit too much chocolate cake and almost no panna cotta. Good wine list. Mainly communal tables. Beautiful place but a bit loud.
(5)
David A.
This place is off the charts great. Sat at the bar with my daughter and had a fantastic meal. Our bartender (and server) was fabulous. He whipped up some killer cocktails and recommended incredible food. I have had some great meals in Nashville and I will but this place up against any of them. My daughter is vegetarian and we had much to choose from. We love the winter greens, a beet and farro salad, and some incredible pasta. The preparation was fantastic. A memorable meal in a great spot during a weekend trip with my daughter. A perfect way to end our visit. Can't wait for our return visit.
(5)
Emily T.
The best pasta I've found in this town. It's worth the price - don't let anyone tell you differently. And if someone tells you don't NEED Squid Ink Pasta - get rid of them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life. I actually NEED the pasta in order to live. It's that good. I haven't tasted a pasta I didn't love. The appetizers are slightly over priced but still delicious. The waitress was able to make drink selections based on my picky palette. She hit the nail on the head. The entrance is a little tricky to find but just follow the twinkling lights and you're close. Make a reservation - they get busy.
(5)
Kyla K.
We ate at RAD on a Saturday night while in Nashville for the weekend. The restaurant had a great atmosphere and was decorated beautifully. We were a group of 6 and they originally tried to give us a 4 top table with two seats tucked in either side in the corner, err.. We ended up moving to the family/communal table which was much better. Our server seemed a little stuck up and didn't seem to be that interested in chatting with us or giving details about the dishes. The small plates we had were all absolutely amazing!! Then came out the pasta dishes which had a massively heavy hand of salt in each of them.. It was rather off putting.. Then the meat- the lamb was so delicious but the portion size was extremely small for the price tag.. The chicken was a good portion size and the flavored were ok. Overall the atmosphere of the place and the small plates were the best part of the meal and the pasta and service was disappointing.
(3)
Megan K.
Loved our experience at Rolf & Daughters. It took us much longer to make the reservation, but I'm glad we finally did. The experience is definitely worth the hype. I went with the squid ink canestri--a dish I heard a ton about from friends who had visited before I did. Great flavor--a little bit of an ocean-y taste to it, but overall delicious. I had a fantastic drink that I can't remember the name of, naturally... it was a vibrant green and boasted flavors of lime and jalapeno, among other things. Amazing. Service was okay, considering it was a Friday night. Super busy. Tucked in Germantown, street parking. I'm excited to return!
(5)
Leland G.
I've been before. Multiple times. Food is always great. It takes chances. It's artisan. The service is usually great. It's a 4 star place. Tonight was unfortunately an exception :( We sat at bar and had drinks and apps. Moved to table. Sat with empty drinks for 10 minutes - thankfully we had a great group of friends but the lack of service was difficult to ignore. During the delay, I decided to go inside and "find" our server, who was very casually standing, at the server/POS station with the other servers, making jokes/laughing/doing nothing...I asked for a drink order and was told to "wait a minute." UGH Eventually - 2 pretentious servers later - we got our second round. And food. The food was WONDERFUL, as usual. Although IMHO the squid/octopus in the pasta was overdone, and there was far too much salt in (probably) the pasta water...because adding pancetta/seafood to a dish which has already been heavily salted, was a bit too much for 3/4 of us. Just saying :/ Finally...I used to serve, I used to run a kitchen; it's just a total bummer when such a place doesn't have the service to keep up! TIP: when food hits the table, servers--- CHECK BACK WITH YOUR TABLE(S) within "two bites or two minutes" of the food arriving. I will go back. I will expect better next time!!! Especially for a $300 dinner.
(2)
Pire T.
I loved every aspect of my visit here. The food is phenomenal. There are so many unique options to choose from and it all tastes delicious. We had a couple of their pasta dishes: the squid ink and lemon pasta. Both were incredible. We also had dessert. A lovely date cake with an ball of whipped topping. Again, everything is unusual but in the best possible way. If you visit, be sure to grab a couple of their signature cocktails. They're expertly crafted and beautifully presented. Aside from the delicious food, the atmosphere of this place is rustic southern with delicate hanging lights, communal tables (but also private tables and bar seating), hanging plants, and trendy decor. The staff is also extremely friendly and attentive. This is certainly one of my absolute favorite places in Nashville. I'll come back here time and time again.
(5)
Amber P.
Chefs are definitely not willing to adjust anything to please the customer. I don't know when the chefs happiness became more important that the customers! If you want to go and eat exactly what they give you, the food is very good. If you have any requests or adjustments this is not the place. Just the fact that they would not do anything to accommodate. I would not give any business to any place no matter how good, that completely devalues customer satisfaction.
(2)
Jay R.
This place is incredible, plain and simple. We did not have a single average dish, everything was extraordinary. From the delicious crostini with bell peppers to the heirloom tomato and mozzarella to the main dishes of summer squash and ricotta, pork ragout with green noodles or the famous squid ink pasta, everything was brilliant. We ended the meal with the deconstructed chocolate cake, it was the perfect ending to an excellent meal. We sat at the communal table, which is a bit of a unique experience, but it ended up working out great. I will definitely be back, no question.
(5)
Annie N.
Living in DC and been to so many good restaurants, still I can't say enough about the place. Small plates so come with friends. 4 of us had 10 dishes and 2 desserts. Everything was so good. I would totally order them all again, From veggie dishes to pasta. Yummy!
(5)
Steven M.
My new favorite place in Nashville, amazing food with a casual hip atmosphere. Drinks are incredible. Staff is professional. Have a community table if you forget to make a reservation. I personally like the bar the best.
(5)
Jennifer P.
Cool, rustic atmosphere. The service was great and the food was pretty good. A bit overpriced.
(3)
TNmedicine29 R.
My love for this place couldn't be stronger! I'm a Nashville native, and just had my second dinner experience with Rolf and Daughters. As if the you could beat the first time I went (for my birthday), low and behold R&D did! I love that the majority of the restaurant can't be pre-reserved, seriously cuts down on wait times when its first come. We grabbed drinks at the bar while we waited, briefly. I had the Market Bramble which was refreshing, light, and great, I am craving it now. My boyfriend had Cubra Kai which he loved, too! Let's talk about how awesome the food was! There were four of us- so we started out with the Fritto Misto, which had the lightest batter it only gave the veggies a little extra crunch without making you feel like you're eating fried food. We also had the crostini with chicken liver, peach, and almond, and it had richness from the chicken but some sweet from the peach. Also we had the sausage with peppers- I'm not usually a pork fan but this was great. Peppers and olives together with it made it delicious. For the pastas, I think we had all but one of them and we were all trying to politely lick out plates! You really can't go wrong. Whatever sounds good to you, will be! The pastas are handmade and fresh ingredients. I really can't speak highly enough about their pastas. I tried the Squid Ink bucatini the first time I went (heaven on earth) and did the lamb rigatoni this time-- and wanted to melt into my plate. Nobody was wanting to share theirs because they are so good! To top off the night, we had Olive and Sinclair cake and a peach tart. Very different from each other, but delicious. The peach tart was seasonal I think, but the cake-- it's a staple and not your typical chocolate cake-- WAY BETTER! Olive and Sinclair is a Nashville local chocolate and they make the cake where it is more spread out and with the coffee panna cotta. It was perfect.
(5)
Monica L.
I thought I was a crusty cynical foodie... and then I had dinner here. It has been a long time since I have been utterly delighted with every aspect of a meal. What a joy to be completely surprised by a first bite/sip. Springfield cocktail: Broker's gin, Pimm's, lemon, orange shrub, cucumber, good people IPA Light, refreshing, slightly sweet, herbaceous, fruity, and so well balanced you'd think there wasn't any alcohol in there (oh, but there was). The IPA lends a flowery/hoppy note, the Pimm's adds that herbal quality, and I thought I didn't even like gin! App: Chicken liver pate, currant mostarda, baby brassicas, toast They should package that currant mustarda. I'd put that sh*t on everything! (Like on a panini with goat cheese or something.) Entree: Squid ink campanelle, FL squid, shrimp, nduja, basil, sourdough breadcrumbs The squid/shrimp/nduja sausage is completely broken down and there are no discernible chunks - yet the taste permeates the entire dish. The sauce had a slight heat (spice) background, probably from the nduja. The sourdough breadcrumbs added that textural element that you usually don't get in a pasta dish. Dessert: Fresh farmers cheese flan with beet caramel and sorghum crisp Had that soft, slight-crumbly texture of a super fresh farmers cheese but in that jiggly flan structure. Beet caramel - where have you been all of my life?? Adds an earthy element that steers the flan dish away from the usual sickeningly-sweetness. The sorghum crisp had the texture of a thinner fortune cookie (words of my bartender!) and adds a nice bitterness that, again, helps to ground the dessert. Side note: If you are a small party, it may be easier to get seats at the bar rather than wait for a table.
(5)
Stephen L.
Our experience was awkward from the start. We had a reservation, but come to find out. That just meant we didn't have to sit at a table with a bunch of people we didn't know. We still had to sit at a table so close to other people that we could hear every detail of each tables conversations even when trying not to. This is definitely not a place to talk about anything too personal or too deep into business. There is only 1 booth that allows you minimal privacy. Call ahead. Request that. So all that being said- we sat down-The waitress must have been having a bad day because she was short with us and didn't seem to want to answer our questions. Which were very typical for a couples first time at a restaurant. We wanted recommendations and clarification on some dishes that we were uncertain about what they were. We ordered 2 smaller dishes. (Shishito Peppers!! So good!) 2 main dishes and desert along with 2 cocktails each. It was good. Wasn't great. Wasn't bad. Just good. But overall - 3 stars is for quality of food-That was good-Presentation was good-And uniqueness of the dishes. The - 2 stars is for the seating environment/portion size/ and the waitress being weird and really just not even trying to be "fake nice". We still tipped over 20%. Cuz we do that. With Nashville being such a great food scene. It would have to be someone's birthday request for us to go back here.
Had reservations, called ahead and explained what time we had to be out for a show. Worst service ever! Nothing to ruin a meal, like a server who couldn't care less.
(1)
Jessica M.
We have a toddler so don't get out to really nice restaurants all that often. So glad that when we did, we went to Rolf and Daughters. Just Delicious. The highlights for me were the pate, the beef carpaccio, the arrabiatta seafood pasta, and, surprisingly, the carbonara. (The carbonara was ordered by my husband -- it seemed too boring to me -- but it was perhaps the most sinfully delicious pasta I've ever eaten. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.) The service was just fine though nothing particularly special. Ambience was fun and hip. We will definitely be back.
(5)
Emily C.
so delicious! this was my first time eating there - i had gone for drinks previously. our waiter was so helpful and kind - he walked us through each item we selected from the menu and made sure we picked something that we'd like. the melon small plate and tartare were outrageously delicious. this is going to be another "go-to" place on my list.
(5)
Jose L.
Great little place, reminded me of the Woodberry Kitchen restaurant back home in the Baltimore area. Unpretentious, kind of warehouse-sy decor, good cocktails, great bread, friendly and attentive staff, and the food was really good. Took some customers here, we started with the sourdough bread with seaweed butter, kind of had the umami taste people talk about, that little something that you can't make out. They even had some good vegetarian entrees besides the usual salad for those of us going that route. I got the Vanilla panna cotta for dessert, really smooth. Will go back again.
(4)
Mary N.
Great atmosphere. Super good meatballs.
(5)
Sarah E.
I would have loved to give this restaurant 5 stars, don't get me wrong. The service was great, the atmosphere was super cool, presentation of every dish was beautiful, and the cocktails, wine, small plates and entrees were on point and very very delicious. But... when we got to dessert, it was disappointing. I didn't think you could mess up dessert this much, but apparently you can. We ordered the lime curd dessert. Sounds bright and rich, right? It was a mess, literally. The photo explains it all. WTF? I order dessert every time I eat out, and this felt like we were getting punk'd. Ashton? Where are you? I'll go back here, but I probably won't order dessert.
(4)
Blayne K.
This was an amazing meal, from service to drinks to food, all around. Visited with 6 other girlfriends, no rezzies (for parties of greater than six, FYI) so we knew we had to get there WHEN THEY OPENED. We were seated right away (yay!) and our server was thorough and so attentive in his menu explanation AND with drink and wine suggestions. My favorites were the beef tartare and the pasta dishes were AMAZING! Great wine and cocktail list, this place was the highlight of our trip this weekend. Thanks RandDs!!!
(5)
Dene L.
If you like fresh, organic whole food, from local farmers, this is it. This is always my first choice if we go out to eat. I actually don't like to eat out much as the quality of the biodynamic organic food I get every week at the farmer's market is far better than what I will find in a restaurant in Nashville. I would rather eat at home... but the occasional splurge is well worth it at R + D. These guys actually buy from my farmers as I see them every Saturday morning buying from the same farmers I am. They don't even hardly promote that the food they choose to buy IS organic. For this, they should be applauded. It gives me hope that America isn't completely going Monsanto and Sysco. I've had all the appetizers and salads and they are all amazing. The beef tartare is very good as is the chicken and the octopus pasta. Bravo for doing it right.
(5)
Shushu C.
I had overwhelming expectations after hearing from a coworker that this was one of the best restaurants she went to while visiting in Nashville. Overall the experience was very good, but fell short in a few aspects. The atmosphere is very nice...with outside seating and gardens/lighting. The view is not the best...but considering the area there is not much around to look at anyway. We started with bread and seaweed butter and salt. I am not going to say that they 're robbing you..but they're robbing you. The bread was good and the butter was good, but I didn't taste any of the seaweed. The waiter said that the seaweed was added for texture purposes......umm...right. I ain't salty or anything...ha...ha....ok anyway the bread with salt was good. I think with regular butter it would've been the same to be honest. Now charging for bread at a nice restaurant is a nono... Next...Chicken liver pate. It was probably my favorite part of the meal..I just love liver. The seasoning was great..but after 1 bite it started feeling very thick and dry with toasted bread so I think they could've prepared it differently to foil the texture. I got the squid in capellini, which was way too overhyped. To be honest I had a few bites and was a little unimpressed. The crispy fried bits (onions?)were everywhere and was good for taste but just ended up being too much on every bite. The sauce was also too simple, which made the dish just lacking in depth. I've had very good squid ink pasta..so personally I didn't prefer Rolf and Daughters version.... But the pork ragu was...amazing. It was perfectly balanced and seasoned and I wanted to keep eating it. I really have mixed feelings about this place. It was just a few steps short of a 5 star review. We ended with the oreo dessert. Whatever the restaurants like jto do it to deconstruct whatever..idk i just still tastes like oreos. They made their own, but tasted a little too healthy. All in all, I was debating a 5 star review but..some points of this restaurant really deterred me. Anyway, this restaurant is definitely still worth revisiting and I will be back to see how they will have changed (if at all).
(4)
melba b.
We went there last night around at 6:00 with a early reservation. Loved the atmosphere and decor. We told our waiter it was out first visit and did he have any recommendations or specials to which he replied" everything is on the menu". The menu is a little hard to read and confusing. I had the squid and my husband had rigatoni( recommend that they serve bread with their pasta vs a separate order. Food was really good. Our server never came back to ask how the food was and seemed really not into serving or too cool.
(3)
Alyssa T.
Really cute interior and friendly server. My friend and I ordered some appetizers, which were good, and the chicken and a pasta to share. The chicken was good (a little too salty) but left more to be desired as it was literally just a huge chunk of chicken and nothing more. The pasta with pork was way too salty for me and slightly too gummy in texture. The desserts we had were delicious and creative. I enjoyed them the most. Overall a good meal but didn't live up to the hype for me.
(3)
Dennis M.
Advanced pasta types, which is always a great sign since tje chef is obviously traveled and has done research. Best meal in Nashville hands down. Had the squid ink canestri, and it was superb. The ruby red shrimp with buttermilk herbs was a delicious starter. Full of new flavors to my pallette.
This place is awesome. Best chicken of all time. Beef carpaccio is also super unique and awesome. Best restaurant I went to in Nashville.
(5)
Chris K.
This is one of my favorite spots in Nashville. Fantastic atmosphere, great bar, and awesome menu of plates that are perfect for family style dining. I've been about four times now, and the menu changes a bit every few weeks (some staples are always available). The chicken pate crostini and grilled squid are a must, as is the homemade sourdough with seaweed butter.
(4)
Erick N.
Fantastic restaurant; so happy to have finished my Nashville road trip on such a high note before the long journey back to Chicago. Had multiple chefs recommend Rolf & Daughters as one of Nashville's best venues and in my experience chefs tend to proffer excellent recommendations; when they praise a restaurant it is best to listen. As our shuttle dropped us off outside we were immediately impressed by the charming exterior of Rolf & Daughters. Walking in the interior was equally beautiful. As we arrived well before our reservation we opted to sit at the bar for a pre dinner cocktail, but were happy the hostess offered to squeeze us in early if we wanted (they had just opened, but we noticed that they rather quickly had a full house; impressive for a Sunday evening). We ended up finding the bar seating comfortable and the bartenders quite personable so moments later we informed the hostess we would like to eat up to the bar and were accommodated. Of note much of the dining room area has communal tables and seating was somewhat close together, so this also factored into our decision to sit at the bar. For some reason we enjoy the liveliness of bar seating, but when in a dining room have a preference for a more intimate ambiance. The menu at Rolf & Daughters is wonderful. Approximately sixteen savory items arranged from lighter dishes to heavier proteins and a separate section for pastas. Ingredients are fresh, high quality and most of what you are served is made from scratch in house. There is a nice balance of vegetable centric dishes, seafoods and meats. So much on the menu sounded tempting that it was tough to narrow our choices down. The bartender was very helpful answering our questions, making some recommendations and advising on what quantity of food to order (and was spot on with his assistance - as well as did a nice job coursing out what we ordered in a sensible manner). We ended up sharing five savories and of these four were fantastic and one (the octopus) still quite good but just not as stellar. The crostini with broccoli, pistachio and generous portion of shaved pecorino cheese sounds simple but wow, the freshness of the ingredients really shined and there was so much flavor. The sweet potato with nduja, green onion, yogurt and lime had such harmony among the various textures and flavors and also was a huge hit. The dry aged tartare was among the better tartare preparations I have enjoyed and the squid ink pasta with seafood and crunchy sour dough croutons was an instant favorite. The food was nicely presented but not at all fussy. One of those meals where you just really enjoy every single bite and the food leaves behind such a pleasant aftertaste. The only negative food wise was dessert; the individual ingredients sounded awesome - caramel, popcorn, lime curd and ginger (all flavors I love) but the curd was poorly executed (way too sweet and no tartness), the ginger was non-detectable and the caramel had an odd aftertaste that clashed with the lime; the popcorn provided a little much needed textural component but quickly became soggy. My wife made the smart decision of ordering a second crostini for dessert and I was envious but she made quick work of it, feverishly fending off my attempts to snatch a bite with her fork and a menacing stare down. Cocktails were on par quality wise with the savories. We really enjoyed the playful names (i.e. Here Today Saigon Amaro and Pearway to Heaven). For one round of drinks the bartender was adept at making us some nice off-menu cocktails based on a description of what we were seeking. Despite the poor dessert this was an otherwise outstanding meal. Loved the vibe (upscale yet casual), loved the decor, loved the staff (and Rolf & Daughters attracted friendly patrons as well), loved the drinks and loved the savories. We also were pleasantly surprised by the bill; for the high quality and rather generous portions this was quite a bargain! Definitely will be making a return visit next time we are in town and quite possibly will squeeze in two meals since there is just no way possible to consume all the highly appealing dishes on the menu in a single visit, though it might be fun to try!
(5)
Kris W.
This restaurant is definitely worth going out of your way to go to. Settled in a residential area of Germantown, we probably wouldn't have noticed it just driving around. Highly recommend getting a reservation especially if you want to go on the weekend, however they do about half and half reservation and walk in. The ambience is amazing, custom made furniture, great lighting, and not too loud. The food changes up regularly, but definitely try the handmade pastas, especially the squid ink pasta and garganelli verde. HIGHLY recommend the agretti, very unique dish. Also the beef tartare and sourdough/seeweed were delicious. Honestly probably everything is delicious on the menu so order lots of dishes and share among friends. You'll need to come back multiple times for sure. Lastly all the staff are incredibly helpful and will guide your choices as needed.
Fantastic find! Diner over the top to form the service to the appetizer to the main course to the dinner
(5)
Amanda M.
Had a great time here the night of the CMAs. Perhaps the best part was our waiter with a cute little accent. The menu is organized a bit strangely and he did a great job of explaining and setting up our expectations. He also picked a delicious wine pairing and amazing brandy. I had the lamb, which was amazing. The beef tartare was a bit heavy for my taste, and the turnips also a bit al dente for my taste. Looking at other plates, I wished I'd had a different vegetable. The beets looked great. I did get the charred lettuce and butternut squash which was fantastic! The server did highly recommend pasta, but the person beside me got it, and the portions were pretty small for this Italian, but she seemed happy with it. The also made pretty phenomenal cocktails. :-) Definitely make a reservation!
(5)
Caroline K.
Fresh off the airplane and in need of a drink, my friend and I headed straight to Rolf and Daughters. We arrived around 7pm and the place was packed. Our other friend still hadn't arrived, which turned out to be a good thing since the quoted time for a table was close to 2 hours. Silly me for going to one of the hottest restaurants in Nashville on a Friday night without a reservation. We headed over to the bar to imbibe while we waited, and luckily 2 seats opened up at the end of the bar. The bar itself it quite big, but was very crowded, especially since most people ended up eating there rather than just drinking. My friend got (multiple) Silence of the Lambruscos, while I started with the vey delicious Cynarnold Schwarzenegger and worked my way up to a few R.A.D. Old Fashioneds. The cocktails were great and very strong. They caught up with me later in the night. We were starving so we ordered the sourdough bread with seaweed butter and the chicken liver pate. Chicken liver is one of the few things I still have trouble enjoying, despite how much I try to like it. My friend was more than happy to devour it on her own, while I happily ate what seemed like a half-loaf of sourdough. The seaweed butter and chunks of sea salt to sprinkle on top were amazing. Who doesn't like a good piece of bread? Finally our friend arrived, and our table awaited! A lot of the tables are long, wooden communal benches, and we were seated comfortably at the end of one. All of the food sounded amazing, but our friend had eaten not that long ago and after my practical meal of bread, we didn't need that much food. We shared the Garganelli verde, Rigatoni with lamb sausage, and something else that I am ashamed to admit I forget. Too many cocktails! The food was impressive and we definitely were fighting over the last bite of that rigatoni. Overall, Rolf and Daughters lived up to the hype. It is the kind of restaurant you wish was in your neighborhood, but at the same time don't actually want near you because you will spend all your time and money there. I hope to be back!
(5)
Lindsay H.
Overall, a great restaurant! Came here with a group of 4 with reservations and had to wait about 15 minutes past our reservation to get a table. I'm so glad the food made up for that. Among the highlights were the agretti (a green found in the Mediterranean) and the trout. Everything was above average and I love the diversity of foods found on the menu. Ambience is loud and trendy, perfect if you're looking for a place with good energy. I just wish it were in an area walkable to other hot spots. I would highly recommend!
(4)
Emily C.
Small portions, don't come here for a big meal. Love the ambience, appetizer was sourdough bread and seaweed butter for 5.00. For a table of 4, we had enough for one each. Liked the zing of the butter. We had hen of the woods (vegetarian, lemon, mushroom) which was my favorite. The Garganelli verde was meat sauce and pasta, tasted great. The squid ink pasta was what I was looking forward to- but the black pasta was much too salty and tasted like seafood (which I don't mind). The heritage pork was okay, juicy and tender. I would recommend the pasta options at most. To taste their handmade pasta was worth the trip, but I wouldn't return because the small portions weren't for me.
(4)
Lesley B.
Everything was absolutely incredible. Service, recommendations, specials, wine, apps, entrees, pastas, desserts. Chef Phillip Krajeck, has really outdone himself and brings a delightful epicurean explosion using simple flavors and the freshest produce. Rolf and daughters is a dinner worth treating yourself. Atmosphere is perfect- although the restaurant is considerably fancy the atmosphere floats with a more casual aesthetic and modern vibe so it doesn't feel like you are have a stuffy fine dining experience. To be honest, I could probably wear jeans to Rolf and daughters without feeling underdressed. I can't rate one dish above another because everything we had was excellent. This included many of the appetizers, sharing a few entrees, and a couple of the desserts. I highly recommend going to Rolf and Daughters when you get a chance!
(5)
Jenn C.
Wow! Best meal in Nashville (I think it beats Josephine handily)! RaD has a fun, laid back atmosphere with a beautiful outdoor patio, friendly service and great cocktails and food. We had the excellent sourdough bread to start, the rapini, the meatballs, the sweet potato with lime yogurt and the gnocchi. Oh man, the gnocchi. So rich but just the right portion to share. Our server was very sweet and spot on with her recommendations, which was very helpful given it's a sharing menu. This is a fantastic place for a fun night out and would be a great option to take out of town guests who appreciate great food and drinks. Will be back soon for sure!
(5)
Julie S.
Food was delicious definitely get the Rigatoni & octopus. Loved the ambiance. The only problem was the parking situation was kind of hard to manage. The servers are well educated and provided great recommendations. The bar tenders looked like authentic mixologists. I give this place a two thumbs up.
(4)
Evan W.
- This isn't your fathers restaurant - This place lives up to the hype in every way possible ! Orders included : Squid ink pasta = 5* Beef Rigatoni = 2* Dessert drink (contains espresso?)= 4* The squid ink dish was amazing and the service was terrific too
(3)
Loralyn D.
One of my top 5 favorite restaurants in Nashville. Everything I've ordered has been amazing, the atmosphere is really trendy and comfy, the staff is friendly, and it's a great place to spend an evening. My biggest complaints are 1. I don't know at least one ingredient of every main dish on the menu so I have to ask or search on my phone and 2. You have to call for a reservation, they don't do Open Table.
(5)
Alexandra B.
Good restaurant. Weird cocktail menu (dont expect to get something you are used to) the bread was great. The beef tartare was delicious. We had the chicken which was really good also and a large portion as many have already described it. Ordered also a pasta on the side which was good after we got some more cheese for it and ended it with their strawberry dessert. Overall if you want a funky menu and experience something different give it a try. If you look for traditional it probably wont be the right place for you.
(4)
Kari T.
Yum!! Great service and everything on the menu was delicious.
(5)
Eden O.
Reservations were booked for the night here but we decided to walk in and wait anyways. There were five girls on a Saturday night around 7:30p, we ended up getting a seat in about an hour. We didn't mind waiting at all though because they reserve a bartender and space at the end of the bar solely for customers waiting for a table. This was very much appreciated. It also helped that these hand crafted cocktails were delicious and they had variety of liquors and flavors to choose from. They have an inviting and romantic patio outside strung with lights, inside is an industrial modern feel with brick walls, tall ceilings, and wood tables. The menu had a few unique dishes so we were all able to try something new. I opted for the chicken liver pate and the squid ink pasta. The pate was rich with flavor but not too salty. The squid ink pasta came with a light sauce of olive oil, garlic and tomatoes. It was just the right mix of ingredients to really get the flavor of this black pasta. Our server always seemed in somewhat of a hurry to get off to other tables, so often times was difficult to order a drink or ask questions. Only gripe about the place though.
(4)
Corie K.
I'm a bit underwhelmed by the experience. We arrived in quite the good mood and opted to sit outside since the weather felt perfect. Our server came over to us and immediately explained that she would first take our drink order then come and take order for everything, apps, entrees, sides at one and bring out as they felt make sense to keep the kitchen and restaurant on schedule. She came back and took our drink order and reminded us again that we should be ready to order everything at once. This seemed really strange and authoritative; also doesn't give you much chance to feel out the menu and make decisions as the mood felt right. Furthermore, the dishes only came out in two drop offs, neither by our server. We ate what felt like sides with our what felt like appetizer; followed by our entrees. Our server felt cold, even when we tried to warm her up, asking her how her day was, etc. We later noticed the table next to us leisurely ordered with a different server, who also seemed much more friendly. We did decide to order dessert this evening - my decision wasn't based on anything looking particularly good, but mostly because I was still hungry. The pear tart was quite good, not too sweet, just the right size to not feel guilty. You should take note and prepare yourselves: the portions at R+D are very small in relation to their pricing. We hadn't eaten all day so were ready to stuff our face. On a normal day, had we ate lunch, the portions would have been fine (price not considered). It was $9 for a few pieces of broccoli, $9 for one piece of toast with smoked trout spread, and $11 for a small plate of grains w/ cucumbers and tomatoes. $27 doesn't seem out of question for an entree, however, the steak was four small slices, with 4 sprigs of greens and 3 mini potatoes and a mini sausage. The pork ragu and homemade pasta was quite yummy and a reasonable portion for the price. I'm not usually such a price-centric person when it comes to food, but I do want to find value in my meal, whether it be portion, flavor, or experience - I don't feel we got either. If either the server or food had blown me away, I would feel the $130 tab was justified. Tip if you are ready to give it a try for yourself: go for the pasta dishes and hope you don't get the server we had. Also try the Montana Verde if you are in the mood for a cocktail.
(3)
Adam D.
I read about this place in a TIME Magazine article, the focus of which was the up and coming food scene in the developing side of Nashville. They definitely lived up to the hype, and we didn't even have dinner. We weren't all that hungry but I had to check this place out before I left Nashville. Between the decor, the hipster wait staff, fancy cocktails, the farm-to-table concept and the small, yet elegant menu selection, I could have been in lower Manhattan and not known the difference. The Wingman was a solid drink. The wings were among the best I've ever had and the pate was delicious as well. My only knock is they put bread on the appetizer menu for $5. It's served with seaweed butter and sea salt, and though delicious, it should be on the house. If you're visiting like me, it's about a $8 cab ride each way from downtown.
(5)
Jessica G.
I came to Rolf & Daughters because it was recommended by a friend. I LOVE the ambiance here. The service is wonderful and the workers are so friendly! The cocktails are fresh and so delicious. The dry aged beef tartare is my favorite starter and the garganelli verde is one of the best things I've ever eaten! My husband and I will definitely come here often!
(5)
Charles C.
Ok, not outstanding for this class of dining experience. Atmosphere/overall space is wonderful. Generously, waiter was aloof. Less diplomatically, he was kind of an ass. Around table, general consensus was food Sat. night was good, not great. Ate the beef shortrib for a main plate and can't say the flavor or the texture knocked me over. End of meal desserts were delicious and exceptional, though, providing a nice coda. Enjoyed the simple menu. Unfortunately, didn't quite achieve the mantra, "Focus on a few things, but execute on all of them exceptionally well."
(3)
Michelle R.
I visited Nashville a few weeks ago with my mom and my sister and all we kept hearing about was this restaurant called Rolf and Daughters. We went on our last night in town and absolutely loved it. The atmosphere is great and so peaceful if you sit outside. What truly made our experience so wonderful was our waitress Jami Holder! She was an absolute delight. Listening her talk with such enthusiasm for the menu and the process was inspiring. I can truly say that she is one of the best waitresses I have ever had. We all loved her and she made our experience that much better. I wish Jami all the best and Rolf and Daughter, you have a gem on your hands.
(5)
Lauren B.
This is literally one of the best restaurants I've eaten at in my life. EVERYTHING was AMAZING. The atmosphere. The service. And most importantly, the food. I basically can just tell you everything we ordered and you should go order it then you should go back and order everything else that I didn't mention. Sound good? The drinks. They change constantly so I'm not sure if it's there but the one The Pate. Oh my. Best pate of my life. The bread and seaweed butter. Yaaaaaas. The Beef Tartare. Phenom. Farro Gemeli. Amazing pasta dish. Roasted half chicken. Tender, perfectly seasoned, delicious. The pork. Whatever dish it's in, get it. The one with sauerkraut. (You'll see if it's on there). And another pasta dish that honestly why are you still reading this stop reading and make a reservation NOW they fill up fast and are small GO! OMG AND GET THE FLAN IT CHANGED MY LIFE NOT BEING DRAMATIC I DREAM ABOUT IT NOW.
(5)
Sheena T.
After a year (almost to the day) I finally made it back to Rolf and Daughters with an out of town guest. She wanted Italian food and if you want pasta, Rolf and Daughters makes it right. I had not been eager to rush back after a bad experience with a bartender (see my review) but I am happy to report that dining at a table was a much more enjoyable experience. We did not have a reservation, but waited in line for the doors to open on Sunday at 5:30pm. There were at least 15 people in line already (yikes) but luckily we were able to get a table. To start I had the crostini with a bean spread and some oil. It was delicious (once I took off the sardines) and my entree was some kind of black pasta dish that I cannot remember the name of, but it was absolutely delightful! All of the pasta dishes were outstanding, and so were our drinks. I am also pleased to report that our server was great and got us our tabs separately without issue. I feel that I need ONE more meal before I can go all 5 stars, but my friends, I am close!
(4)
Lawrence C.
Dined 12/12/13 Chic, warehouse space with exposed brick, high ceilings and exposed industrial sized ventilation tubes. Very long spacious bar set on side of dining area, in one large space. Diverse menu, from which we selected two pastas, canestri & bucatini, @ $18, plus a side of vegetables, turnips & Brussels @ $7 & 10 respectively. Everything was absolutely delicious. Tracy, our waiter graciously offered a sampling of two white wines before selecting, priced @ $9-14/glass. Chocolate tart @$9 was the finale to a wonderful meal. This was among the top three restaurants we dined at during our 3 weeks in Nashville, and we so look forward to our return here first. NB. Reservations are a must, and the staff will likely be very accommodating if you need to make special requests, as they were in my case.
(5)
Greg B.
What a fantastic place. I come here multiple times when I visit Nashville. Kate the manager runs a friendly tight ship. Staff is always so welcoming and smart. We love Taylor! Tip: just order the bread and seaweed butter as soon as you sit down. It's a no-brainier.
(5)
Heather J.
This is my favorite restaurant in Nashville. I always end up ordering family style because I have to try absolutely everything. The portions are perfect (if not a little on the large side, but I'm not complaining). The squid ink canestri always ends up being my favorite dish, and I can't get enough of the beef tartare. The chef varies the dishes regularly, so even though you're ordering a favorite, it'll probably have some delicious new twist on it! As this place is on the pricy side, I don't make it out often (can you say poor college student?), but when I do, I am never disappointed. The staff is always friendly (and usually quite funny), the atmosphere is very trendy but classic, but what really keeps me coming back is the sheer deliciousness of the food. I'm serious. This place is delicious. Oh! And you have to get the sourdough bread! Have to!
(5)
Andrew Q.
In search of extremely tasty food? Look no further than R and D. Been here multiple times and always leave extremely satisfied and looking forward to a return visit. There is no point describing any specific dishes because there are no incorrect decisions on the menu.
(5)
Andrea E.
Amazing! The food here is so good. This place has the kind of food you still dream about months later. I was passing through Nashville and Rolf and daughters was recommended for my boyfriend and I to go to. The menu is one where if you're like me you really have no idea what it says. It just doesn't matter. Order anything, it's probably all delicious. We had beet salad to start and I had a pasta dish with lamb for the main. Absolutely incredible. The chicken was also delicious. The service was excellent. I did have trouble getting ahold of the restaurant to make a reservation however it worked out because they accept walk-ins. The wine was also delicious especially paired with the food. So so good. Totally recommend this place.
(5)
Alexandra F.
Drinks are awesome here. I had the one with bourbon. I'd never had bourbon before, but wow! Very good! Rustic, nice design inside. Note to self: when the server says the meal you are about to order is light and you're so very hungry, don't get it. Have some seaweed butter and bread to start. It's good I promise. Don't order the scallops unless you have negative stomach space. They were good, but I didn't feel like I had eaten anything. I definitely want to go back here. And try a real meal. And order and different drink!
(4)
Alan L.
Awesome awesome meal at Rolf and Daughters. My party of 3 went without a reservation on Friday night. We were quoted a 45 minute wait, got a drink at the bar, and before we knew it, our table was ready (wait was definitely closer to 20 minutes - when does that after happen?) Everything we ordered was excellent. Here's the run down, in descending order of deliciousness... Squid ink bucatini - huge chunks of octopus + breadcrumbs making the texture great made this an awesome dish. I have a pretty high standard for Italian living near the West Village in NYC and this was about as good as anything I've had. Chitarra - see note above about being about as good as anything I've had. Dessert - we had the blueberries dessert. I'm usually more of a chocolate guy, but this was insanely good. Ruby red shrimp - delicious shrimp in a buttermilk dressing. Only complaint - needed more of it. Beef tartare - good portion size, really yummy. Eggplant crostini - very tasty, but nothing too special. Short rib - only thing we ordered that we were 'eh' about. I prefer the braised, stringy short rib to this, which was more the style of a sliced NY strip steak. Cocktails were also excellent. Waiters and bartenders were super friendly and knowledgeable about the drinks and all of the menu items. Don't hesitate to check this place out!!
(5)
Jessi S.
All new favorite spot in Nashville! No idea why it took us so long to come here since we live just a block away, perfect distance to stumble home from after one too many Manhattans (using Copper & Kings premium craft American Brandy!) Now on to the food...we ordered the beets, beef tartare, & broccoli. Everything was ridiculously amazing & I cannot wait to return.
(5)
Jesse W.
Favorite restaurant in Nashville. Very chill inside, good drinks, awesome italian dishes that you won't usually have at other restaurants like squid ink and stuff like that. If you take your date here and they haven't been before, you'll probably get laid.
(5)
Mary T.
We strolled over to Rolf & Daughters after our Corsair tour to grab some dinner. I thought Google maps had let me down because it's off of a main street where you'd least expect to see a restaurant. Upon arriving, we were quoted a 30-45 minute wait, but were encouraged to head over to the bar for drinks. Our timing was spot on almost our entire trip; just as the bartender finished preparing our first round of drinks, two seats opened up. And just as quickly, tables opened up for us inside and out. We would've taken either, but the bartenders were so fantastic that we decided to remain there. The menu is a touch confusing. It's divided into two sections, but would be better as three (how it used to be, we're told). In the top, non-pasta section, dishes are either small plates or larger, shared plates - you can tell the difference by the price jump. The bottom section is a small selection of pasta dishes that one would consider mains. Our bartender guided us through the menu and helped us think about what would make sense, portion-wise. To share, we ordered the brook trout. The dish made up of trout, cucumber, dill, nasturtium, and greens. Delicate and fresh, we loved it. Separately, we each ordered a pasta dish - his with meat, mine without. The portions are restrained; that's not to say they are stingy, but unlikely you'll go home with a doggie bag. A huge fan of pasta, this wasn't my favorite homemade pasta, but it was damn good. To drink, we each had two drinks. He a Border Town, a mezcal drink, and a whiskey drink - a Spike and Sponge (?). I ordered a Montaña Verde, a tequila-based drink, and the rum-based Above the Sails. Sitting at the bar we not only received impeccable service, but also observed how carefully they craft each drink. I can't speak for his drinks, but both of mine were great. Of the two, the Montaña Verde's spicy finish made it my favorite. Overall, this was an excellent meal. If I lived in Nashville, this would be one of my go-to spots for a higher-end, yet unpretentious meal.
(5)
Luke Y.
I loved my meal at Rolf and Daughters, but the one catastrophic low point brought down the whole experience. We made reservations and came by early for drinks, which were delectable. The pastas (we had garganelli with pork and veggie carbonara) were fantastic. The atmosphere was classy, fitting for a date but relaxed enough to go not just as a special occasion. However, their gluten free pasta is a total fiasco. One of my party has Celiac Disease, and the only reason we could come in the first place was they make their own gluten free pasta. What a treat! However, when it came, she found pieces of regular pasta in her dish. They made her another dish, but it was pretty clear there was a massive contamination issue going on in the kitchen. The waiter wasn't concerned one bit, didn't offer to take it off the check or just get her another drink or anything, just oh we can make you another one. After the meal we met a Nashville native that has Celiac and she told us she never would go there and confirmed what we suspected: they just cook the gluten free pasta in the same pots and starchy gluten water as the regular pasta. What is the point of making your own if you're just going to mix it in and make it poisonous garbage? This is just like the Van Halen no brown M&M's rider: if they are that blind to this part of their menu, it throws their professional attention as a whole in question. Despite how great my individual experience was, I can't recommend going there.
(2)
Lesley K.
5 stars for great food. Cool ambiance. Nice server. Overall a great experience so I recommend going here. Thanks to the yelpers we were able to order the best of everything in my opinion. Check out my bill for the complete list. My group shared everything. The server gave us separate plates. New plates for apetizers and another new set for main course. My favorite was the pork heritage and sourdough bread with seaweed butter. Warning though that the portions are small. like what the server suggested: one apetizer to share for two. One entree each and one pasta to share for two. We should had ordered one or two more dishes but we decided to splurge on the dessert. We tried the devil's food cake - it has whipped coffee and cream and chunks of chocoate cake sprinkled with powedered sugar. I didn't care much about the other desert we got - strawberry something. Don't forget to order drinks. I like a bit of bitter on sweet so I goy Wake up saints - first drink on the list. All drinks I think are made with fresh fruits. I'm only visiting nashville. If I do come back, I'm definitely going back here. Do reserve in advance as its a small place.
(5)
Bill M.
We were there for cocktails. They were Amazing. I had the TBD. Wifley had the cocktail of the day. Well crafted by the bartender.
(5)
Jen D.
After hearing from separate friends about how amazing R&D is, and hearing about some of their accolades, I had to try it while in Nashville for work for the weekend. I had a fine meal, but was a little disappointed. We did not have a reservation, but found a seat at the bar and decided just to stay there instead of wait for a table. High points... - Bartenders - Friendly, great servers who are somehow very fast while putting big time effort into the drinks - Pork Ragout - Favorite dish of the night, perfection. - Bombaloni dessert - super sweet pillows from heaven filled with custard, rolled in sugar, with a chocolate sauce. Doesn't get better than this. So glad I'm not diabetic :) - Atmosphere - feels like a farm to table restaurant in any major city- buzzing, energetic - Cocktails Not as high points... - Squid Ink pasta - was fine, do not understand the hype - Squash side - Really puzzling. Squash two ways - burnt (literally, not browned, but charred) and shaved raw (or close to raw. Sauce didn't do much for the dish either. - Meatballs - Average meatballs Enjoyed local meals at Etch, M. Restaurant and The Southern more. I was expecting Girl & the Goat quality of food, and while it was a good meal - it fell short of the hype. If you are visiting and have just 2 nights - I would try somewhere else. I'm bummed I didn't make it to Husk. If you have 3-4 nights, it's worth checking out.
(3)
Valerie B.
My favourite place to eat while visiting Nashville! The pigs' head with roasted peaches were to die for. And who knew I would love chicken liver pate! It was the green tomato marmalade and cocoa that made it. Of the mains we tried the squid ink pasta was the best, spicy and flavourful. The pork ragout in the garganelli pasta was a bit salty (pasta rocked though). And the brook trout was succulent (not a fan of dill though - my preference though, trout could be paired with something more innovative). Service was friendly and we loved the chilled out hipster atmosphere.
(5)
Lauren W.
I feel like a terrible food blogger. Rolf and Daughters had been on my must-go list for what felt like an eternity but I just finally made my way around to it last week. This is totally 100% my fault due to poor planning and begging for last minute reservations. But my last minute perseverance finally paid off last week with a table for two at a reasonable dinner hour! Located in Germantown, Rolf and Daughters is charming and beautiful. They have a romantic outside patio lit by fairy string lights. Inside, it's dark and filled with lovely handcrafted wood pieces. The ceiling was even covered in wood planks. For a small place, they do seem to be able to fit a good amount of diners at once. I did think that the noise level was a bit loud, so it might not be a great place to take your parents (if they're the type who love to complain about noise) or someone who is hard of hearing. Of course we started off with cocktails! I chose the colony collapse which consisted of bourbon, honey liquor, and spiced cherry bitters. This was a stiff drink, just the way I like it. I love a cocktail that doesn't mask the alcoholic nature of the beverage, but enhances it. Steve chose the Spiker and Sponge which was rye, peach shrub, IPA beer, honey, lemon and bitters. To both of us, this drink was just a tad too tart and bitter for our palettes. For our appetizer I picked the chicken liver pate with green tomato jam and cacao. There are few things I love more than bird livers, so I always pick the pate if it's offered. This dish was absolutely perfect; I couldn't get over how much I loved it! Jewish mamas everywhere might weep, because this isn't your traditional chicken liver. The green tomato jam was really sweet and nicely balanced out the inherent bitterness of the cocoa. I know the idea of chocolate and liver sounds gross, but trust me, this dish is spot-on. Their menu is designed around sharing. There are pasta, entree, and side options that are served in large bowls with proportions for two. Steve and I decided to order one pasta, one protein, and one side and make a meal of it. For the pasta I picked the squid ink canestri made with shrimp, squid, pancetta and chili. It had been a long while since I saw squid ink pasta on the menu so I jumped at the chance. The pasta was al dente and the squid ink added a delicate salt flavor. The seafood added another layer of fish flavor which made this dish utterly amazing. I would be hard pressed to go back to Rolf and Daughters and not order this again! For our protein we went with the trout with heirloom beans and cucumber. The fish itself was tender and not the tiniest bit overcooked, but it was a tad too salty for my palette. And I know I must be sensitive to salt, because Steve thought the salt content was perfect. My favorite part had to be the pickled cucumbers that were hiding under the trout, adding a bright fresh flavor to complement the fish. For the side we chose fingerling potatoes with chili mayo. The potatoes were the cutest! Little bite size morsels with a crispy skin. But honestly, it was the chili mayo that made this dish. It added a layer of subtle spice and creaminess that coated the potatoes and left you craving more. I have a sweet tooth and when it came time to choose a dessert, I couldn't, so we opted for two. Since Steve had never had one, we went with the bomboloni with vanilla cream and a side of chocolate sauce for dipping. They came out nice and hot and the dark chocolate sauce wasn't overly sweet like many tend to be. For our second dessert we chose the Olive and Sinclair chocolate tart with caramel and bourbon barrel nibs. While I didn't recognize the nibs, the tart was dark, rich and lovely. My favorite part was the sprinkling of rock salt on top adding that salty crunch that accompanies dark chocolate so well. I totally get the hype; Rolf and Daughters is a positively wonderful restaurant pumping out creative and solid food in a lovely romantic location. I doubt anyone would be disappointed with a dinner there. Just make your reservation in advance so you don't get caught in the lurch like me!
(5)
David G.
Boom goes the dynamite! Fantastic. Magnifico. Awesome. Incredible. Splendiferous. Mother F@$%ing Delicious. Perfect. I cannot think of a thing that Rolf & Daughters does wrong. Not. One. Thing. The ambiance is perfect: there's reclaimed wood everywhere (beautiful), the ceiling is even incredibly done with wood. There are communal tables and individual tables (reservations basically required to even eat here, and definitely required to get a table alone). The lighting level is perfect: not too dark, not too bright. The service is impeccable. Servers who know what they are talking about in terms of food accompaniments, the knowledge of the liquid libation, and the knowledge of food allergies (Hello, fellow gluten free fellows and gals!) And, they are punctual. And your servers aren't pretentious because they're in an awesome restaurant and trendy section of town. (Holland House, please take note. Suggest that your servers do internships at Rolf & Daughters to learn "how not to be an overly pretentious hipster server... you can still be a hipster and not a douche, Holland House servers...) I've digressed. Apologies. The food is the kicker in your pantalones. It is unforgettable. You'll dream of it... in a dirty (as in sexy dirty) dreamie kind of way. All of the pastas are outrageously good. I kid you not that once I went with two colleagues and we just ordered all 5 pastas and shared. I don't think I have had a better experience with pasta. And, for the glutard (that's a person who needs gluten free) in your life, they also can make their pasta dishes using gluten free pasta. Make your reservation, arrive an hour early to drink their luxurious libation creations, and then enjoy your dinner and maybe some dessert. Make an evening of Rolf & Daughters. You won't be sorry.
(5)
Meredith P.
I recently tried Rolf & Daughters with my husband one night for dinner. The atmosphere is very warm and inviting. There's a bar area (where most people sat when we first got there which was not long after opening for dinner), they have a few longer tables in the middle of the room and then tables for two along the wall. The tables for two were a little closer together than I'm used to, but not uncomfortable. Our waitress was absolutely wonderful! She was really helpful with menu items (explaining the different plate sizes and answering any questions we had since this was our first time eating here). She also made great recommendations for wine based on what we told her our preferences were. The food was good, but there are some more unique items. I started with the winter vegetables that had an almond milk Caesar dressing. I liked most of the veggies but there was a combination of raw vegetables, some that I think had been slightly cooked and then there were some that had been pickled. Not my favorite. My husband had the beets which he said were delicious. For entrees we had the pastured chicken (which was amazing...and huge, like half a chicken huge!) and the octopus (this is more of small/appetizer plate). Overall we really enjoyed this place but will probably save it for special occasions
(4)
K L.
Had one of the best meals at RAD. Had high expectations and wasn't disappointed. We started with Fall Lettuce and Stratacella with beets small plates. Both delicious. Crispy quinoa special touch to the lettuce. Followed with Brook trout entree and the tortellini pasta entree. Trout was perfectly cooked without a game fish taste. Enhanced by the broth below which was so good I could have eaten s bowl of it by itself. Lapped it all up with my spoon! Tortellini was delicious with chestnut flavor. Wish there were two more on the plate tho. Portions not generous but enough to satiate. Our server was proficient, and truly patient to answer all our questions. Didn't rush us. Yet food all came out promptly hot and fresh. If you haven't eaten here, you better!
(5)
Katie L.
I couldn't be happier with my first experience last night at Rolf and Daughters. We walked in without a reservation at 7 p.m. on a Friday (there's street parking) and were seated right away. As a starter, we had the crostini with broccoli, pecorino and pistachio. The crust crunched, and the middle stayed firm enough to hold the toppings. For drinks, my husband had the R.A.D. Old Fashioned -- orange-fragrant and smooth, no alcohol hitting the back of the throat and up into the sinuses -- and I had a glass of red recommended by the server -- I usually drink Spanish wine, and Rolf and Daughters' reds are Italian and French. I asked for a full-bodied, spicy red, and his recommendation was perfect. We sat at the long shared table at the restaurant's heart, and I overheard my neighbor saying how pleased she was by the server's recommendation of her wine, too. Our entrees were unique from one another and perfectly fit for both of us: My husband's rigatoni (beef shank, tomato and bone marrow) was rich without being decadent, homey without being a peasant's dish. It ate like your mother's chicken pot pie, and hit the right familiar spot without being too filling. I had the squid ink chitarra (blue crab, lemon and old bay crumbs), and it's the first lemon pasta I've had that isn't the same old routine of lemon, olive oil and parsley. The lemon made the dish, which was seasoned perfectly. My only criticism is that the crunch of crumbs called to mind pieces of shell, and every few bites tasted like some shell had snuck in. We split the zeppole for dessert (hazelnut milk jam, raw hazelnuts and Olive + Sinclair chocolate) and could have licked the plate. I had an after-dinner drink whose name I can't recall, but it had rum, meletti and egg foam. At $12, it was a bit small, but so delicious I could have had a tumbler of it. Our total before tip was $99, which is more than we'd planned to spend on a spur-of-the-moment meal, but so wowed were we by the food, service and atmosphere that we didn't bat an eyelash.
Assumptions. They say that when you assume, you make an ass of u and me. I went to Rolf and Daughters with a few assumptions. I was visiting a friend in Nashville for a few days and wanted to take her out for a nice dinner to show my appreciation for her hospitality. We chose Rolf and Daughters because we heard that they had recently started making their own gluten free pasta from scratch. As a sufferer of Celiac Disease, that's a pretty exciting idea. We arrived a bit early for our reservation and the restaurant was full. We got some lovely drinks at the bar and brought them outside to the front patio to enjoy the nice weather. Once our table was ready, we eagerly sat down and perused the menu. When I asked our server about the gluten free options, he mentioned the gluten free pasta right away. Of course, that's what I ordered - subbing in the gluten free pasta for the squid ink canestri dish. When the food came - we all dug in. Everyone was DELIGHTED with how delicious their food was. Delighted, that is, until I found a piece of regular, glutenous spaghetti in my gluten free pasta. I alerted the waiter immediately, unsure how this could have happened. He brought it back to the kitchen and asked them to make another bowl for me. He never apologized and instead made excuses about how they don't have a gluten free kitchen. (Which of course they don't have a gluten free kitchen! They serve regular pasta! But how did the gluten free and regular pasta make their way into the same bowl?) Another bowl of pasta made it's way to our table eventually and I ate it cautiously, still confused as to how the glutenous pasta made it's way into my bowl in the first place. SPOILER ALERT: It turns out that a kitchen that makes their own gluten free pasta from scratch COOKS IT IN THE SAME POT AS REGULAR PASTA. I found this out later that night when speaking to another Celiac who lives in Nashville. I get it - I made an assumption (that gluten free pasta would be cooked in a separate pot and reasonable methods would be employed to prevent cross contamination). This assumption was based on the idea that a restaurant that goes to the trouble to make a gluten free pasta from scratch would understand the very basic idea of cross-contamination. This assumption was very wrong. In the end, I can't recommend Rolf and Daughters for anyone who needs to eat gluten free. Except maybe for a cocktail.
(2)
Chris B.
Overall: my Nashville favorite. I've been here about 6 times. Food: excellent and original. This restaurant breaks into the next level fine dining. The dishes are flavorful and interesting. Menu favorites: moving target here as their menu will change - Squid ink pasta: homemade pasta. - Chicken: I never order chicken at restaurants but on a friends recommendation tried the chicken. Excellent. It's one of my main course favorites. Savory - Sourdough bread: it's just bread but with really tasty seaweed butter. Service: seems like we get the same waitress every time we go. She is efficient and pleasant. On our 3rd visit, she recognized us and greeted us. Wait staff seem knowledgeable about the menu. Atmosphere: tough to get reservations but worth it. Mostly inside dining although we did sit on the patio on a nice day. Intimate setting if needed but we have also done a four-top. It's busy but not so loud that you cannot converse. They do have communities tables available but I have not done it.
(5)
l k.
The first time here was amazing...one of my favorite dinners ever so I was super excited to come back. My second visit wasn't the best unfortunately... For one I don't recommend sitting outside in their patio area...there was a nasty, noxious odor of sewer gas that kept wafting in depending on the way the wind was blowing. Talk about ruining your appetite! Besides that I just don't feel like we got a lot of food for our money...to spend over $100 you should leave feeling satisfied but we both looked at each other and suggested going somewhere else for a "bang-bang" because we were still hungry!
(4)
Katherine H.
One of the best meals I've had in a long time. Cocktails, beef tartare, and pasta were all killer...inventive with a perfect balance of flavors. I woke up wanting a to eat another bowl of the squid ink bucatini for breakfast. We sat at the bar and received outstanding service and great recommendations from the bartender. Will be back!
(5)
Kenny K.
Unbelievable! One of the best restaurants I've ever been to. They use all local ingredients, so the menu changes seasonly depending upon what they can get from Nashville farmers. Overall great experience. Will definitely be back.
(5)
Charline H.
Farm-to-table concept with a hipster waitstaff and mixologist whipping up your cocktail in a very industrial looking setting... and we're here for pasta?! This chef was put on this earth to make pasta. I personally never order pasta while dinning out bc I feel like I can just make something very similar at home. NOT the case a RAD! I have never eaten a bowl of pasta so slowly. YUM. I'm not sure I would recommend taking just anyone here. Picky eaters my not have the adventurous ambition to dive into this type of cuisine. We tried to step out of our comfort zone and just order off of our waiter's recommendations. After a few questions, she narrowed down the selections and we went for it. No complaints and we enjoyed every bite. Tip: sit outside if it's available. great ambiance. Highlight Pasta: Bucatini fra diavolo, octopus, rad lardo, calabrian chili [$18]
(4)
Heather J.
Don't you hate it when you're so looking forward to trying something and then it doesn't live up to the hype? Well, fret not, my friend. You won't have that problem here. My friends and I were planning a trip to Nashville and I read about Rolf and Daughters in Bon Appetit Magazine. I called a month in advance to reserve a table for us, and even that far ahead of time, they barely had any space left. We got an 8:45 pm reservation on a Friday night and it was still packed when we got there. Even though the space was really full, we didn't feel cramped and it wasn't too loud. The decor is lovely - it feels very cozy and comfortable. I love the vibe at this place - upscale but not pretentious. We started with a bottle of rose, a shaved brussels sprout salad, a turnip dish, and the chicken liver pate. All three appetizers were excellent. I was surprised to discover how much I loved the pate. My other favorite was the brussels sprout salad. For our entrees, we got the garganelli with pork ragout, farro gemelli with mushrooms and greens, and the spaghetti fra diavolo with octopus. Everything was delicious. The pasta is homemade and definitely the best homemade pasta I've ever had. It wasn't all mushy, as some homemade pasta can be. The fra diavolo was definitely spicy and the octopus was perfectly cooked - tender, not chewy. For dessert we shared a chocolate tart and little Italian creme-filled donuts. Again, everything was superb. The whole experience at Rolf and Daughters was top notch, from the service, to the atmosphere, to the food. I would be a regular here if I lived in Nashville!
(5)
Tony C.
I was in Nashville on business and looked at several menus. I would suggest making reservations if possible because I saw the restaurant fill up as we started our meal. We usually sit at the bar and were not disappointed with our experience. I will be returning when in Nashville and hope the weather is nice so we can sit out on the patio.
(5)
Betsy L.
I will preface this with: I only came here for drinks and an appetizer...so this is not a review on the wait staff or the entrees. I walked into Rolf and Daughters, and was pleasantly greeted by the hostess! I was only here to sit at the bar and try something new for my birthday...and lo and behold there was exactly one bar seat open! Fate was kind. I squeezed on into the seat and was happy to find purse hooks underneath the bar - hallelujah for that, amiright ladies?! It was pretty busy behind the bar, but the bartender quickly greeted me, supplied me with a water glass and a food and drink menu. He was pleasant and helpful, and did not at all rush me (even though he had a lot going on). I told him what I was looking for, he suggested a drink, and was spot on! It was so delicious. I then ordered the Green Wheat small plate, followed by an Old Fashioned. I was really pleased with my whole experience, and will definitely go back with a friend or two.
(4)
David G.
When traveling with staff, the dining rules are simple. I pick the restaurant and order for the table. Their rules. Not mine. Two weeks after our visit to RAD and the noise around the halls is still about this place being their best meal (traveling or not) in recent memory. I must agree. It was just that good. From beginning to end. Not one plate was anything but an A+. The heirlooms with cultured cream got re-ordered as an additional dessert item, it was so stunning. The pastas brought enough moaning to draw attention from nearby tables. Clever cocktails brought it all together. Our only lament was that there were only 6 of us. Otherwise, we would have ordered the entire menu. I'd give it six stars, if I could.
(5)
Karyn A.
Dined outside on the patio tonight. What a nice breeze to enjoy our cocktails and dinner by. Pasta dishes were superb as well as the chicken. Corn and pea appetizer was just amazing!! Shared two desserts. Blueberry something and fresh peach something else- both fabulous!! Highly recommend Rolf and Daughters in Nashville!
(5)
Lizzy Z.
I highly recommend Rolf and Daughters for special occasions, or the perfect date night. The menu changes with each season, but I have no complaints on anything I have tried! The Squid Ink Cannestri is a MUST. The staff is always professional and willing to explain any part of the menu. The first time I dined at Rolf and Daughters, I had no idea what I wanted, and our server was patient with me and went over every detail. The atmosphere tops this beautiful little gem.
(5)
John A.
Came here with extremely high expectations, but left a bit disappointed. Service was great, ambience and setting were great, dessert was phenomenal. However, both our pasta dishes were underwhelming. I was expecting their pasta to be fantastic, but both dishes we had were just decent. Maybe my expectations were too high, but this certainly isn't anywhere on my list of favorite restaurants in Nashville.
(3)
Nicole L.
One of the best restaurants I've ever eaten at. The cocktails are hand crafted and well balanced. The food was amazing. We had several things off the menu and each one was delicious. Normally I can't stand chicken liver and I even liked theirs! Scott and Tracy were awesome as well! We can't wait to go back!
(5)
Caitlyn S.
I loved the 401K - it was a perfect cocktail for a warm day! The bartender was very patient with the questions we had and took the time to explain the drinks to us. He never made us feel like we were annoying him.
(5)
Jennifer M.
No joke. The best meal I've ever had in my life. My husband and I were in Nashville for New Years Eve and we were left speechless (hard to do!). Would recommend this place to anyone. The restaurant look/feel is awesome, service is impeccable and the food is out of this world. Definitely go there if you can get a reservation! We had: -Beef Tartare -Broccoli crostini -Squid ink pasta (AMAZING!) -Cod (this was a special) -Donuts All reasonably priced and we were very full after! So worth it.
(5)
Zeb M.
I enjoyed my dinner at Rolf and Daughter, but I don't know if I'd come back simply because there are always SO many restaurants to try in Nashville and there wasn't anything particularly outstanding to keep me coming back. Now wait a minute, don't get confused. Rolf and Daughter certainly lives up to four stars - I had some delicious lamb meatballs and an outstanding side of Brussels sprouts, apples, hazelnut, and pecorino; and my friend swore by her chicken as being some of the best and juiciest she's ever had. But... I guess I'm just old fashioned and don't believe in spending $21 to have a plate of chicken come out with nothing else with it. So yes, it does get pricey when you order an entree and side (or ordered a starter as a side like I did). However, I can't help but compare it to other fantastic restaurants with comparable prices and more amazing dishes. That said, I definitely would recommend Rolf and Daughters to anyone new. I don't eat pasta, but I hear it's the highlight of the menu and most affordable. Also, I think what I may have loved most was the atmosphere. I absolutely loved the ambiance and our server Chase was the friendliest and most personable people I've ever met in the food industry! Ask for her whenever you go!!
(4)
Ricky G.
My wife and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary by going to R.A.D. for the first time. This was the right decision. We shared 3 small dishes and 2 pasta dishes; every single bite was fantastic. I have read other reviews and there are a few dishes that every one talks about--squid ink pasta, Verde garganelli, beef tartare. They are correct; all were very amazing. We tried two other dishes that don't get nearly as much praise. First was the Crostini with broccoli, pecorino, and pistachio. This was served on one large piece of bread that had been toasted and covered with broccoli and pecorino cheese; the flavors were outstanding. The last dish we had (which actually was the first bite I had last night) was Spinach cassoncini with coppa and sarvecchio. This dish was served as 5 bite-sized pieces and was very small. The flavor however was unbelievable. I would rename this dish "Tiny pocket of exploding flavor." I was able to avoid ruining our anniversary dinner by offering a little extra beef tartare to my wife so that I could have the last "flavor bomb." Rolf and Daughters, thank you for a fantastic evening with some unforgettable food. We will return.
(5)
Brian N.
Incredible food and a great atmosphere! Went with 5 coworkers - we ordered 5 small plates, 5 large plates (3 pastas and 2 entrees) and 3 deserts. I'd definitely recommend this style of ordering - the plates were a bit on the small side, but every dish was perfection. At the end of the meal, everyone had enough to eat and enjoyed the variety in the dishes. Would absolutely go again.
(5)
Ashley B.
My boyfriend visited Nashville for the first time and our AirBnb host suggested this spot above all others, now I know why. The place itself was very cute and cozy and the outdoor seating was nice. The cocktails were amazing, the tartare was delicious, but the pasta was the best. I would definitely come back here.
(5)
Brittany M.
favorite restaurant I've ever eaten at. sourdough and seaweed butter. yesss. chicken. A+ all the pastas are insane. if they have the doughnuts will you're there, make sure you order them for dessert.
(5)
Jennie L.
Pushing to 5 for the experience overall. As one of the top 5 new restaurants in the US, it lives up to the hype. Started off with the beef tartare and immediately knew it was going to be a great meal! Citrus laced and great soaked crostini. Self proclaimed pasta snob - I expect pastas to be something I could never make on my own - these fit the bill. Squid ink canestri with crab and the bucatini fra diavolo with octopus were amazing. Octopus cooked perfectly. We also had the side of mushrooms and they were the perfect texture. Recommended wine was also great with the meal. And deep fried, cream filled donuts coated in sugar with chocolate sauce - yum! Great food, great service, great trendy atmosphere. (and the old school gangsta rap just loud enough to hear also won us over in a big way!) Definitely a must try!
(5)
Carla R.
I had just read that Bon Appetit made this the number 3 restaurant in the US....so we had to try it out on our date night. The place has a hipster vibe and the staff was very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and cocktails. When looking at the menu nothing really jumped out at me so I asked the server what she suggested. She suggested a certain pasta dish and the chicken dish. We tried both. I got the Garganelli verde, heritage pork ragout parmesano. It was delicious!!! It kind of looks like green bean stew:). My husband got the Heritage chicken and it was pretty good, but we both agree that my dish was better. The portions are a good size, not huge, but filling. The thing we did not like is that no sides came with the entrees. You have to buy separate and there isn't much of a side selection. We added the Brussels sprouts appetizer and it had a strong but good lemon flavor. We also had 2 drinks: Pinot Noir and my husband got the RAD Old Fashione. He said it had a strong lemon and maple smoke flavor. He said it was different. We had a great experience and would recommend.
(4)
G W.
One of the best meals I have ever eaten. I had the sweet potato agnolotti and my friend had the nettle tagliatelle. Both had the most wonderful combination of tastes. Service was wonderful and the wine suggestion was spot on. This is my new favorite restaurant.
(5)
Anthony W.
The experience I had at Rolf & Daughters is exactly the experience I want when I dine out. The service was attentive but not overbearing. The servers carefully explained the daily specials and menu items I inquired about. The cocktails were fantastic. The ambiance was upscale casual and inviting. The soundtrack, 90's hip hop, was on point. The beef tartare with mussels was one of the best versions of the dish I've had. The squid ink pasta left me wanting more. Probably one of the best meals I've had from start to finish.
(5)
Tracy B.
Phenomenal meal. Unusual ingredients that were put together for a *reason* (i.e., they made the taste explode in your mouth), not because they were trendy or eye-catching or whatever. Server made a great wine suggestion that complemented the food perfectly. The farro gemelli with mushrooms and greens was fantastic. The only thing I would change was the thumping bass of the music (no music could be heard, just the bass). It didn't add anything to the atmosphere and was annoying.
My favorite restaurant in the city, and I don't even think its close. First of all the space is really cool. Patio is great when weather permits, too. All I ever get here is pasta: The Squid Ink Canestri. Its such a unique dish with flavors that I could in no way replicate them at home. Its got this rich earthy flavor, and a nice brightness from the lemon too. Its a perfect dish. We always get the Pate too, and its equally awesome. The Gargenelli pasta with the pork ragout is another standout. You pretty much can't go wrong with any pasta here. Cocktails are nicely balanced and are booze forward, just how I like them.
(5)
Jackson B.
We had heard a lot of hype about Rolf and Daughters and decided to try it out one Saturday night without a reservation. This is the kind of place worth waiting an hour and a half- 2hrs for. Amazing dining experience. Drinks: Cool selections of cocktails and beers. The montaña verde (tequila, cilantro, jalapeño) was incredible. Food: Everything we had was great, but a couple things were truly exceptional. For small plates, we loved the carrots with fennel and the heirloom tomatoes. We shared four entrees--the steak and sausage, the chicken, the bucatini, and the garganelli verde. Both the chicken and the garganelli verde were some of the best dishes I've ever had. I never order chicken at restaurants--it usually seems plain/boring, but you can't miss the chicken at Rolf and Daughters. The house-made pasta was amazing too. Dessert: We got the bomboloni and pana cotta which were both great--ended up getting a second order of bomboloni. Overall: Expensive restaurant, but worth the price and the difficulty of getting a table. Great service and ambiance, along with creative and delicious food.
(5)
Jonathan B.
Food was fantastic! The atmosphere was very enjoyable. Very relaxed and inviting. I would HIGHLY recommend a reservation otherwise you'll probably be waiting... awhile. Luckily the bar staff kept us hydrated. I've read some reviews about poor service but our waitress was absolutely amazing. Kudos to her and the wine selection abilities.
(4)
christine w.
Went on a recommendation of a friend in Nashville. Sat at the bar for dinner and it's definitely the best place to eat if you are solo or with someone else. It was such a beautiful evening I would have loved to sit outside with a group... Next time! Cocktails are well made and the bartenders are super friendly and knowledgeable. Excited to see they had our good friend's beer from Blackberry Farms! We ordered the ruby red shrimp salad (awesome!), chicken liver crostini (not your grandma's canned chicken liver! This is rich and almost decadent. Only wish the bread wasn't so thick... Would have been better thinner and crispier), spaghetti carbonara (super yum!) and squid ink pasta (spicy and good but preferred the carbonara). Great date night or group dinner outing!
(4)
Maya K.
Yummy! I was in Nashville for the first time, and several people recommended Rolf and Daughters to me. Luckily, I was staying close by. Because I was alone, it was great to have full food service at the bar so I could be surrounded by more people than if I'd been at a table by myself. The very friendly bartender recommended the Absinthe Father to me, which was excellent - gingery, strong, and with a nice whiff of absinthe as it went down. I arrived hungry, and easily wolfed down the crostini with broccoli, pecorino, and pistachio, along with the squid ink campanelle. Both meals were light, but filling, and I left feeling full but not weighed down. The strong drink might have helped - definitely felt like I was walking in the clouds. I'll definitely be back next time I'm in Nashville... hopefully with a group so I can try lots of things!
(5)
Kurt G.
I am not very cool but when I go to Rolf and Daughters I feel much cooler than I am. The patio is a beautiful space filled with hipsters and little swirling plates of food I can't pronounce. We spent more than we expected to but I guess that's the price of cool.
(5)
Kristina L.
My GNO group finally made our way to Rolf & Daughters. We were not disappointed in the least. We started with cocktails (all were fabulous and I personally recommend the Buon Appetito) and noshed on the bread with seaweed butter and the chicken liver pate. The sprinkling of salt that came with the seaweed butter added a wonderful crunch to the dish and livened it up. We needed extra bread to polish it off. But the highlight was the pate. Oh, the pate!! Who knew that a green tomato jam and a dusting of cacao would off-set this enchanting dish? Obviously the chef because I was quite leery of cacao with liver. It worked and delightfully so. There were "oohs" and "ahs" and those weren't just from me but also the self-proclaimed haters of liver that I dined with this past Saturday evening. If I were not in a public venue, I would have stuck my finger in there to get the last of this delectable dish. Next time I think I will order it just for myself and revel in the glory of liver. For our main course, we all opted for a pasta dish. Thankfully, we all wanted something different. Between the four of us we had the garganelli verde with heritage pork ragout and parmesano; the farro gemelli with hen of the woods, cavolo nero and parmesano; the spaghetti fra diavolo with octopus, rad lardo, and calabrian chili; and then the squid ink canestri with shrimp, squid, rad pancetta and chili. As is our norm, we all sampled each other's dish and proclaimed them all ah-may-zing!! None of us were disappointed in our on personal bowl of happiness. I was the one who was fortunate enough to have the squid ink canestri. I would be hard pressed to go there again and not have the pate and that dish. It was sublime and the pasta was like heavenly little puffs of deliciousness. For dessert, we again shared. Our favorite was the bombellini filled with vanilla custard and a side of a warmed chocolate sauce for dipping. They were pure bliss and truly an enchanting end to a memorable night out with friends. Our group enjoyed our evening so much that we are already planning on a return trip. If you haven't been, call now and make a reservation so you too can have a food night to remember.
(5)
Duke W.
one of the greatest meals my wife and I have ever eaten.
(5)
Karen K.
This is my new go to restaurant in Nashville. All of the house made pasta is fantastic and they have a great wine selection. Go early and go often!
(5)
Michel A.
Fabulous meal and excellent service from bartender Ed. We would be regulars, I mean several times a week if we lived in the area. Interesting menu with some unusual ingredients. The chef and kitchen team know what they are doing.
(5)
Brian L.
thoroughly impressed - amazing cuisine and an excellent wine selection - cool room too
(5)
Alan B.
What an amazing place! We were visiting from out of town and found this place on yelp, and chose it based on the mostly positive reviews. We arrived without a reservation on a Saturday night and were told the wait would be an hour. We went over to the bar for drinks, and, after about 20 minutes, got seats at the bar. The bartenders offered us the choice of eating at the bar instead of waiting for our table. We made the right choice in staying at the bar. There were three bartenders that night, each one of them very friendly, extremely knowledgeable about the menu and the food they served, and really seemed to love the restaurant. I had the two bourbon-based house cocktails which were excellent. For my third drink I asked the bartender to mix up a "bartender's choice" drink which was fantastic as well. For the meal, we picked multiple dishes based on their recommendations and loved each one. The combination of flavors, fresh food, and obvious talent in the kitchen made for a very enjoyable meal. I will definitely be back whenever i return to Nashville.
This place is amazing for a nice quit date to a fun hangout with friends, the drinks are amazing and the starters are freaking good absolutely recommend this places wouldn't miss it
(5)
Scott S.
YUM. I have been here a number of times and it just keeps getting better. Great space and great food. I'm happy to see Germantown bustling after so many years on the decline. You can thank great restaurants like R&D, Mad Hatter Germantown cafe and City House for the turn around.
(5)
Fatema B.
Trendy fun atmosphere, both indoors at the marble topped bar and outdoor on the lighted patio! I love the Mediterranean -Italian and Spanish influence on the menu! Drinks( cocktails) are refreshing and the food is flavorful and fresh!
(4)
Jacob S.
Dined in early April 2014. Rolf and Daughters feels like a restaurant that has gotten accustomed to its own success that it has totally lost its way. I went there with my girlfriend, who had talked it up. She specifically talked up the bread and seaweed butter appetizer and the chocolate torte for dessert, so we planned on ordering those. Once we were seated, it took 20 minutes for anyone to talk to us. We assumed that we'd been forgotten, but just as we were about to get up, the waitress came over and took our drink order, with no apology for the wait. It then took 15 minutes to get the wine, and she dropped it off quickly and left without asking us about food. We realized then that we would have to get her attention to get anything done, so we did so and ordered the bread and butter. Luckily, that did not take long, but what came out was a average bread with some pretty good butter. It cost $5, but I've definitely gotten better for free. For all of the problems with the rest of the service, the entrees we got were delicious. I got a green pasta dish (none of the words on the menu entry were recognizable) and my girlfriend got the chicken. There are other places you could get similar quality entrees for a few dollars less, but it was very good. We then tried to order the chocolate torte (which had been written up as a signature Nashville dish), but apparently this is no longer an option. All told the meal took about an hour and a half, but could have taken much longer if we were not proactive in getting the attention of the wait staff. Overall: You can get the same quality of food for cheaper and with far better service. Don't fall for the hype.
(2)
Maggie W.
Believe the hype! I had some family in from out-of-town and decided to take them to RAD, as I have been hearing great things about it since I moved here. We started with perfectly crafted cocktails, the bread plate with seaweed butter (so so good!), the beef tartar and the tomato apps were all amazing. I got the Brook Trout, also great, My aunt got one of the pasta dishes and it was the best pasta I've ever tried. I'll be sure to get that next time. The service was friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive without the song-and-dance. This truly is As Good As It Gets!
(5)
Joe P.
Thank you for staying open late on Sunday. It's my last day in Germantown and spent the day packing the truck and finished at 8:50. Went to another establishment first but was 00:00:01 late and announce on arrival that the kitchen was close while other patrons were still ordering (already knew what I was going to order so could have be quick). Heart was crushed. Headed over here and was seated at the bar since the place was crowded. Great food (see comments below), awesome service (how can I get in on those staff meals?). Thank you for making my last night in Germantown a great memory.
(5)
Eliza R.
Eating at Rolf and Daughters was a fantastic dining experience. My friend and I ate here in late September when it was still warm, so we sat on the patio that was strung with big white bulb lights. We ordered a few drinks from the unique cocktail menu (that was apparently developed by one of the same people who helped create the Patterson House menu) and I can't even remember what I had, but it was delicious... The food was on point and I had the roasted chicken, while my friend had some of the fresh house-made pasta that Rolf and Daughters is known for. We also split an order of freshly baked bread with seaweed butter and salt. To die for, all of it. I can't wait to go back. I highly recommend this restaurant for a classier atmosphere that isn't too fine dining-esque. By the way, our server was great... She was really friendly, cool, laid back, and knowledgeable about everything on the menu.
(4)
Sunna L.
We dine here on a regular basis, but I never take the time to write about our experiences. I don't want to be one of those that only writes about bad experiences so I want to share Sunday night's dinner. Garganelli has always been my favorite dish. This never disappoints. Sunday night, the seasoning, texture of the pasta, everything was fresh and perfect. The most surprising event of the evening were the salad and the appetizer. Heirloom turnip salad. Three different root vegetables in white and pink colors on top of chive and radish stock puree. Beautiful and flavorful topped with bottarga. Creative, inventive, amazing flavor and excellent execution. The appetizer was called the Pig's head. The name may lead some running but if you do, you will miss out on a wonderful experience. The meat is cured, rolled, sliced then seared on both sides before placed carefully atop shredded kolrabi. Outstanding! If you have experienced adventurous cuisines and dishes, it becomes more difficult to find something new that is just a WOW. We found it Sunday night at RAD. In a city with so many restaurants popping up, RAD has carved their niche as a sustainable restaurant that will continue to surprise and delight their customers.
(5)
Jennifer H.
BY FAR one of the top 5 meals I have ever had! And I have eaten at some amazing places :-) Great venue, outside seating and amazing staff. Served family style. We had a private event, so not sure the wait, but seriouusly, get this place on your list!
(5)
Juliet N.
To be honest, I was not excited about going here, but OMG. Delicious! We had the sourdough bread, the Octopus, the winter salad, the crostini stracciatella, the squid ink pasta and the garganelli verde. We loved everything!
(5)
Anna J.
I love the atmosphere here. I went on a Monday night and had to wait about 20 minutes to sit at the communal table. I would suggest making a reservation. They are always busy it seems. The food was superb! I had the aged meatballs and they were delicious. My bf had the squid ink pasta. I think I may have liked it more. It has a ragu of shrimp and great garlic flavor! I opted for the non-alcoholic ginger, mint, and lime beverage and it was SO refreshing and yummy. Highly recommend it! Overall, great experience and can't wait to go back!
(4)
Vicki S.
Came in with a girlfriend on a Friday evening and expected a wait, which wound up being about 45 minutes. Normally I'd go elsewhere when faced with a wait that long, but R&D had been on my radar for ages - and I'm glad I stuck it out. Started at the bar with a cocktail (Don't Want No Shrub), which was more fun to watch as it was prepared than it was to drink. When I am given a tiny cocktail for $11, I expect it to be strong...or at the very least, to taste like alcohol. It was tasty but for the lack of punch, I could have ordered the nonalcoholic strawberry shrub and soda. I moved to wine next, and was pleased to find an extensive and impressive wine list. We were seated at the communal table, and despite the volume of the din making it difficult to hear my friend speak, it was fun to see the orders of everyone around me before I settled on my meal. We started with the chicken liver pate, and I can second another reviewer's assessment of it being one of the cleanest-tasting pates I've ever had. I've tried similar dishes elsewhere in town, and they now have a lot to live up to. I had the bucatini fra diavolo with octopus, which was spicy and hearty, with tender and well-prepared octopus. We had to close our amazing meal with an equally-amazing dessert: the bomboloni with dark chocolate sauce was to die for. Overall, excellent service, fantastic food, meh on the cocktail and don't expect too much conversation during busier times, but I will definitely make a return visit.
(4)
Bridget S.
Spectacular! If you appreciate fresh authentic pasta in creative sauces, this a must try restaurant. I loved the Ricotta cavatelli, tree nut ragout, sarvecchio..so earthy and nutty. My hubby enjoyed the Bucatini fra diavolo, octopus, rad lardo, calabrian chili...spicy and such tender octopus. We also tasted the Garganelli verde, heritage pork ragout, parmesano which was awesome. My taste buds are craving the pasta and sauces! Also a must try... one of their salads..Yum! (I liked the Kohlrabi salad). I enjoyed the community table....interesting and fun concept.
(5)
Meg M.
Great experience. Very cool atmosphere. Our waiter, Matt, suggested the Crostini, stracciatella, olio nuovo which ended up being our favorite part of the meal. We also had the Garganelli verde, heritage pork ragout, sarvecchio and Brook trout, bok choy, spinach, celery root remoulade. Both were excellent. They had a good drink list that included a lot of non-alcoholic options. A great place for a date night or dinner with friends.
(5)
Lindsay R.
The pork ragout is truly delightful. The Absinthe Father cocktail is poorly named but absolutely delicious, and the old fashioned tastes like bacon. Pricey but worth it, an amazing experience altogether. the trout is too fishy, and the chicken is quite large but classically delicious.
(4)
Frances B.
The food and atmosphere here are great. What we had that was amazing: The chicken liver pate The pork ragout pasta The squid ink pasta The trout The chicken was average, I wouldn't order it again. I knocked off a star for the service, and a little for the arrangement of the restaurant. It was crowded, as are all popular restaurants, and we kept being told by hostesses and bartenders to stand elsewhere when there was nowhere else to stand, which is annoying, because if all the bar seats are taken up there is no place to stand at the bar that doesn't block new patrons from walking up and getting a drink. That's annoying. The most disappointing aspect of our experience was the service. I have friends who live here and dine here often and have told me they had great servers. Our server was cold, unhelpful and looked mad to be at work. It's disappointing when I was so looking forward to trying this restaurant, that my enthusiasm was killed by the server. I will be back next time I'm in Nashville!
(4)
VIcki T.
My husband and I celebrated our 36th wedding anniversary here last night. This was our first visit to RAD and I can tell you it will not be our last. I can only tell you that on a Tuesday, it was loud inside and quiter outside, it was still quite warm so we opted to eat inside. I ordered the Spiker and Sponge cocktail - delicious, not sweet. My husband had a couple glasses of Chardonnay (it was on the bottom of the wine list and unfortunately I did not get the name). It pared well with our dishes. The dry-aged beef tartare was like no other beef tartare we had ever had. Two pieces of toast arrived topped with salsa verde and beef. Fabulous. What complimented that dish was the green wheat, green tomato, cucumber, medjool date and urfa biber - very fresh and minty tasting. Great combo. Not a morsel left. I had read the reviews and urged my husband to get the squid ink pasta - he did not. He ordered the potato gnocchi, lobster mushroom, shrimp with tarragon. It was very good but not as good as the Pork Ragout which I ordred. Best I have ever tasted and the green garganelli (verde) along with the sarvecchio was incredible. We did not opt for dessert and headed to Jeni's for ice cream afterward which continued our anniversary celebration. Definitely will return to try other dishes...service was fast, efficient, and helpful in menu selections.
(5)
Cait C.
This place tries a little to hard to be trendy. The staff are not that friendly, and the food is okay but a little weird. i appreciate interesting dishes, but its like they tried so hard to be interesting that they got it slightly wrong. had the octopus bucatini and the fennel salad.
(3)
Chris B.
Probably my favorite place in Nashville. And while I wouldn't give it 5 stars in Portland or San Fran I will say as far as nashville is concerned it is defiantly tops. They pasta goes without saying is awesome. Outstanding chicken liver mousse and tartar and fun seasonal vegetable dishes.
Best meal we had in Nashville! Server was extremely knowledgable, friendly, and very accommodating of my food allergies. Great cocktails as well! Can't wait to go back. Make sure you call ahead for reservations. Beautiful layout and great lighting.
(5)
Stephanie C.
I know everyone loves this place, but I will admit that I was a little disappointed. It's small. Very small. Maybe it's just me, but small places always make me nervous. I feel like I'll never be able to get back in, or be able to try things that I really want to try in the future because it's too exclusive. Also, we were scrunched into tiny seats at the bar that were too close together. That being said, the atmosphere is lovely. The bartender was very nice, but the menu was almost incomprehensible to us. As if it was in a foreign language. We ordered a variety of items, but we went back and ordered wings at the end of the meal because we were still hungry. (These wings were so, so, so salty). None of the cocktails spoke to me either. Ill admit, I like a bit of a girly drink- Something with a sweet finish. But everything here was herbal and strong. All in all, I found my experience to be lackluster. It wasn't awful, but nothing jumped out to me. And the prices were a bit aggressive. I'm used to that with all of the new restaurants in Nashville, but these prices just seemed too steep considering the very casual atmosphere.
(3)
Kyle F.
Maybe I heard too much hype for the last several years about this place but it did not live up to expectations or the $150 tab. Would have rather spent that at many other places in Nashville. Service was great, ambiance is good, atmosphere is average. Got 2 apps, 2 entries and none of it was worth ordering again. The pasta was very salty.
(3)
Chastity G.
I can't believe it's taken me this long to write a review about Rolf and Daughters... I absolutely love this restaurant and probably eat here approx. once every two weeks. The food is consistently incredible and I consider it to be great value. As far as I know there isn't anything on the menu over $30, and it's a lot tastier than most of Nashville's fine dining establishments where all the entrees (except for a half-hearted nod to the vegetarians!) are all over $30. I was pretty devastated when they took the bucatini fra diavolo off the menu (please bring it back!) but the new pastas do not disappoint. I often come here alone after work, but it's definitely best to come with friends and share everything. I haven't tried all the pastas currently on the menu, but everything I've tried, I've ordered again. It's that good... there's nothing I even feel "meh" about. The staff are all incredibly nice and welcoming. There are one or two servers who are more European in their manner--quietly efficient, no "Hi, my name is ____ and I'll be taking care of you today"--but that shouldn't be mistaken for rudeness. Likewise, the portion size isn't the same as you'd get an American chain restaurant, but I for one consider it a refreshing change to not feel like I'm dying after I finish a pasta dish! Seriously great restaurant.
(5)
mumin k.
I love this place. Had the chicken liver pate and fish with carrots. The liver pate was excellent, the fish was cooked to perfection. My wife had the octopus appetizer and the squid ink pasta and these were also excellent. My only complain was the dessert. I had the bread pudding dessert which was really not worth it. I would have been happier if I just skipped the dessert. But overall, i would highly recommend this place.
(5)
Kidd E.
SAVE YOUR MONEY! I'm just going to say it like this. Over Hyped! The portions are very small, the dishes are over complicated, and the flavors did not work well. My dish was terrible! My wife's taste pretty good but for 26 it was very small. I will not go back. Just fair warning stay home and cook yourself!!
(1)
Shaina A.
Bread and butter always speak volumes; RAD's seaweed butter was fantastic. Enjoyed an intimate dinner, despite their being 6 in our party -- a true feat!
(4)
Marie B.
Amazing! Bon Appetite was right, definitely the #3 restaurant in the nation right now. The pasta is amazing!!! So amazing that we ordered more! Try the squid ink, chicken pate, and Pasta!! You can't go wrong. Great ambiance as well!! Too bad we were there in October and couldn't enjoy the outdoor space!
(5)
Carolyn M.
We went for a birthday dinner and it was delightful. The squid ink pasta was incredibly - spicy and perfect texture. My husband killed the vegetarian stew in 30 seconds or so. The seaweed bread was crunchy/chewy/just right. We had a few fancy cocktails and loved them. Service was phenomenal. The space is a beautifully renovated warehouse. Not to be skipped.
(4)
Will M.
We decided on RAD after a fair amount of research on local NV restaurants. We were coming in from out of state, and wanted a unique experience in our first visit to Nashville. We'd last had squid ink pasta in Italy almost 20 years ago, so looked forward to having it again, especially in light of the rave reviews about this very presentation. We reserved a week in advance. Note: I want to make it clear that I don't intend this review to be an RAD-bashing write up, but rather something the chef(s) might wish to take notice of, since our experience confirmed several earlier reviews. Quite simply, the canestri was overly, unbearably salty. When our replacement dish arrived (i returned the canestri, the first time in 35 years of eating out that I'd done that), the farro pasta, with mushroom sauce, was again overly salty. Is it possible that a chef there may not be tasting the food as others do? perhaps his/her senses aren't working in the same way as ours? It's possible that the problem is with my and others' sense of taste, but this had never happened to me before... In any case, given the number of similar comments, RAD might benefit by having independent testers come in to help guide them with their salting practices. For such a reputed restaurant, and with their signature dish, we were sorely dismayed to discover that RAD had erred in this way. To continue in the spirit of constructive criticism: the meal presentation would be more refined if food were served on plates, rather than lumped into large serving bowls. The zeppole desserts was tasty but also sloppily presented. The sourdough bread and seaweed butter should have been provided gratis. All that said, the server (grey haired, guitarist) was truly wonderful, very knowledgable about the preparation and options. He was quick to politely offer a replacement, and even refused to charge us for dessert, all of which reflected very positively on the management. Bravo! In short (!), for the prices and the reputation, we were quite disappointed. Given the generosity of the server, though, we believe it to have been either an off night, or simply a particularly salt-challenged chef, and either possibility can be easily rectified. We will try again next time, with crossed fingers.
(2)
Nicole P.
I understand it was Friday night, but didn't expect it to be so crazy in there. We arrived around 8, was told the wait would be an hour and a half. Tried to get drinks at the bar, but the bartenders never acknowledged us. Another patron said to go to the end of the bar by the service station, so we wiggled our way down and bumped into everything and everyone along the way. We didn't actually stand in front of the server's station, I know better than that, but were immediately told to shift to another part of the bar and form a line. This put us practically on top of a table where people were eating, and no matter where we stood we were in the way of the servers. The line never moved, and we never got to order any drinks. Suggestion: put cocktail menus in the waiting area out front and assign someone to take drink orders. We decided to go somewhere else.
(2)
Dru D.
Great place to eat! The squid ink is amazing! Definitely get reservations before you come here. We waited an hour to be seated without a reservation, but was planned as we wanted to have a couple drinks from the bar prior to dinner. The food and drinks are worth the trip if you are staying downtown or anywhere in the Nashville area.
(5)
Heather F.
Love this new restaurant!! Rolf is the middle name of the founder and head chef. He held a very prestigious executive chef position at a restaurant in his home state of Florida before coming to Nashville and opening up his name sake restaurant (named in tribute too to his teenage daughters). The actual establishment is carved out of an old warehouse (as is much of the gentrification of this part of Nashville known as Germantown). What this means is that you get gorgeous refurbished flooring with tall ceilings and antique looking drop (pendant lighting) but you also get loud noise. If you are looking for low ceilings and soft candlelight dinner this isn't the place. The inside seating is communal seating from both the hand-carved wooden tables to the long bar, and the outside area is communal wooden picnic tables. Reservations fill up quickly so your best bet since you aren't going to get a lot of privacy anyway is to just show up and find a seat at the bar. Even though it is formed from a warehouse Rolf and Daughters still manages to be classy and elegant in its style. The food at Rolf and Daughters is outstanding. Farm to table is all the rage and this is clearly evidenced here. Our group shared the tomato appetizer dish that was so fresh I swear they just plucked the tomatoes off the vine right before serving. The real highlight is their squid ink pasta dish which is rich and filling. If you are a cocktail person you will love Rolf and Daughters. You will also need to bring your smart phone or dictionary to look up some of the names of the flavorings and stuff they put in their cocktail recipes or you can just ask the bartenders who are very knowledgeable.
(4)
Steve E.
We were there one week after our maiden voyage. Added the beef tartare to the mix. Apps we have had so far, good, but not spectacular. However, this is THE go-to pasta place in Nashville. We ordered the chicken with garlic confit and lemon reserve, and it was outstanding. Second to City house' version, but a great dish in its own right. Our server described the pork ragout as "like tasting a hug". Great line. She's right. Amazing stuff.
(5)
Kaleena G.
Fantastic food and drink -- very knowledgeable and welcoming staff. All around great experience!
Their food is good, but the service is pretentious. I tried to order an entree without bacon and the server asked "WHY?" and looked at me like I had three heads. I'm not sure why I have to justify not eating bacon when a simple yes or no would've done. My friend ordered the squid ink pasta after the waiter repeatedly reassured her that it was not spicy. After a few bites of the pasta she turned bright red and had tears in her eyes from the heat. I tried a bite of her entree and although it was good, it was still pretty spicy. When the waiter came back (at the end of our meal and not a minute before), my friend told him that she found the entree too spicy. The waiter turned and said, "She must have something wrong with her taste buds!" to the table next to us and laughed. This place would be great if they paid better attention to hiring staff. There's no need for the attitude.
(3)
Michelle S.
Great, friendly, and helpful service. Food is very fresh and well prepared. Portions a little smaller but not necessarily a bad thing
(5)
Kim R.
This place has a wonderful patio and fantastic cocktails. The menu was simplistic, yet imaginative. I had the sweet potatoes, swiss chard with bulger, and shared appetizers with my dinner companions. I also tasted the chicken that my friend had ordered, and it was outstanding. Definitely not your run of the mill roasted chicken. Our server was attentive and helpful with the menu. The next time I am in Nashville, I will definitely be back!
(5)
Todd B.
I am proud of Rolf and Daughters for being listed in the Bon Appetit's 2013 Best New Restaurants in America, and I wanted to go precisely because of my great trust in that list and because of my love for my home town of Nashville and its culinary achievements. Rolf did not disappoint. It is a lovely setting in historic Germantown, and the old warehouse space gives the feeling of a Williamsburg or Brooklyn hipster restaurant while preserving an Italian country ambience and cuisine. The servers look fresh off the Williamsburg ferry, and have a commanding knowledge of the menu, the cocktails and wines, and seemed passionate about the experience. When we expressed delight, our server smiled as if he were taking personal pleasure in our satisfaction. I like that. One note to readers: Though the restaurant is "Italian", it is not traditional Italian. Don't come here expecting marinara sauce or chicken parm. This is country Italian, and closer to a blend of Italian/German and Mediterranean. We chose the spaghetti with fresh parmesan and black pepper, the pork plate and the turnip greens. We loved all three. The spaghetti was delightful but nothing too exceptional that could not be found at other Italian restaurants. The pork was perfectly tender, and the sauce mixed with corn was a nice accompaniment. The pork shoulder was a bit fatty for our tastes, but the accompanying pork sausage was fresh and seasoned in a way that I loved. The turnip greens were cooked with tomatoes and red pepper. The menu is fairly limited, and honestly I felt there should have been more vegetable side options than just potatoes or turnip greens. The Manhattan cocktail was likely the best version of the classic I've ever had, and it's my favorite cocktail. I loved the place. The service was outstanding. The food: Hmm. I liked it, but nothing blew me away. But would I go back and give it a second try? Absolutely.
(4)
Meghan E.
I REALLY don't want to write this, as I have been looking forward to trying this restaurant so much, and I try not to let service be indicative of the whole experience, but that said I was just disappointed. We went for my birthday dinner and had reservations, and we seated promptly, the atmosphere is great. The problem was that they were out of two of the dishes I wanted to try, and I had been dying to try the carbonara. The server was incredibly rude when I explained that I was looking forward to it, acted personally insulted with my budget-friendly (about $30) wine choice, and was generally unpleasant. I try not to let service reflect great food, however this just continued through the entire meal. The appetizers were great, but my dish was so salty it was almost inedible. My fiance's meal was great as well, and I really appreciate the quality of the actual pasta. All of this said, I will give it another shot because of the way it is so celebrated, I just had to be there on an off night, right?
(2)
Jessica S.
The atmosphere has a hipster feel to it but I enjoy it. I love the lighting outside and inside the restaurant. The servers that I've had while dining there are awesome. They're all very knowledgable of their wines/cocktails/overall menu. The food is pretty fricken amazing too - VERY FRESH. I'm a huge fan of the Gargenelli pasta and the chicken, as well as the chicken liver pate. Oh! The beef taretare is pretty incredible too. This place is definitely worth trying if you're ever in the Nashville area. I've been twice in the past 3 weeks so clearly, I enjoy it. Make sure you try the pastas. As I said, all of the food is amazing, but the pasta dishes are unbelievable!
(5)
Kristin T.
Pretty fantastic. You can tell these bartenders are seasoned and being a bartender myself, I'm impressed by their expertly mastered cocktails. I get the feeling these guys could put back several shots of whiskey and still kickass at their job --and I bet they do. The food is very complex for as simple as it is. We shared the squid ink chitarra and the seaweed butter with sourdough (cheapest appetizer and it seemed like everyone at the bar got one as well). Food came out quickly and plated simply and very well. The place was pretty packed out when we got here at 8 which is to be expected and after a drink and about 15 minutes we opted for a bar seat when a couple left. It's a lovely downtown loft atmosphere and feels very comfortable. They do have 2 community table where 3 4 tops sit together. If your uncle bob has a flatulence problem, spare strangers the inconvenience and sit at a booth table. Great find just outside of downtown.
(5)
Mallory B.
Went for our first anniversary. Wonderful service, and delicious food! Ordered the beef tartar and cauliflower for appetizers, and split the garganelli verde entre. The cauliflower was good, I understand the rave reviews. The garganelli was good as well. The dish hit the same flavor "note," throughout, but boy is it a good note! Rich and meaty, hearty and satisfying. But, the standout of the evening was the beef tartar! Prepared with fried chickpeas and mussels. I am new to beef tartar, and this was EXCELLENT! Great red wine rec's from our waiter as well. We'd love to go back.
(5)
rusty r.
In my opinion, Rolf & Daughters is the best restaurant in Nashville. The food was incredible, and we ate almost everything on the menu. The pastas are particularly amazing. I want a Rolf cookbook! Until then, check out Bon Appetit's best restaurants 2013 for some recipes. The service was spot-on and textbook awesome hospitality, in my opinion better than Nashville's other top places (City House, Husk, Catbird Seat) The cocktails are up there with Patterson House, making them some of the best in the city. The vibes are convivial, bustling, airy, and warm. It seems one or two things are lacking at Nashville's top spots, but Rolf nails everything. In a celeb chef driven world, it's refreshing to see someone build such a name for themselves from scratch and without hype. 5 STARS.
(5)
Chelsea J.
I have been to Rolf and Daughters a few times now and have had nothing short of a great experience each time, therefore gifting them 5 stars. The drinks are outstanding (have since tried to create my own jalapeno infused drink.. didnt go so well) and I have always left already planning when I can return. The outdoor patio has great ambience, and the whole place (including waitstaff) just generally has a good feel to it. I would suggest Rolf for dinner with friends or an occasion, its a little loud so maybe leave aging relatives at home.
(5)
Saagar K.
My wife and I, along with another couple who were in town visiting, went to RAD on July 3. My wife is allergic to all tree nuts. Our waiter was informed of this twice, once by my friend and then again by me before we placed our order. Our meal ended prematurely when my wife had to run to the bathroom and literally began to vomit. Our dish contained pistachios which our waiter did not tell us about. To his credit he admitted not telling the kitchen and accepting responsibility. As we began to gather our things to leave we were presented with the bill; though they said they did not charge us for the offending dish. Shortly later the hostess came to our table somewhat sheepishly, apologized briefly, and then left. She gave me her card and assured me someone would be contacting me soon. It is now 8 days later (I waited a full week in case management was on holiday for the July 4th long weekend) and I have not heard from anyone from the restaurant. I am very disappointed in this restaurant. With the exception of the dish containing pistachios, they charged us for the full meal despite our having to leave in the middle of the meal due to my wife's allergic reaction. Not a single manager came over to check on us and the hostess was essentially useless; why she even bothered giving me her card remains a mystery to me. And most importantly, no one from the restaurant ever bothered to call to either apologize or to check on my wife's well being as we were told would happen. Next time don't bother with the pretense. Unfortunately, my wife has experienced allergic reactions while out at restaurants in the past. The best restaurants have always taken responsibility and clearly demonstrated remorse for the mistake by at least not presenting us with a bill and having the courtesy to call and check on us either that night or the next day. Rolf and Daughters seems to be resting on their laurels and are seemingly indifferent to their customers well being. Mistakes happen, but take some responsibility!
(1)
Kevin K.
Food, service and ambiance were great. I recommend ordering the shrimp salad and the green pasta with the meat sauce.
(5)
Mai H.
The vibe here was pretty awesome. I came here with a huge group- around 12- but our waitress was super attentive and our glasses of water were always filled. They have a great selection of wines, spirits, and specialty cocktails and you can also eat at the bar. I started with the chicken liver pate..not my favorite. I'm from Europe where I am used to my pates being smooth but this was more of a country type of pate which was chunky. Overall I felt it was sort of bland but I liked the whole grain mustard that accompanied the dish. I really wish I had tried the squid ink pasta, but I got the heritage chicken instead. The chicken itself was cooked beautifully but a little overly salted. Along with the chicken I hate the cauliflower which was beautifully roasted along with the brussel sprouts which were also beautifully cooked.For dessert I had the panna cotta, which was one of the best panna cottas I've ever had! The rest of the dessert menu was kind of boring, but that's ok. For the most part I feel like restaurants either have amazing desserts or have amazing savory foods and this restaurant focused more on their savory selections. Hope I can come back here and try that squid ink pasta next time!
(4)
Zach G.
So for my birthday (hey I'm getting old, I don't get presents anymore I just get to pick where I go eat now a days) I chose Rolf And Daughters for our 2nd experience with this place. So since we did not plan ahead for reservations we showed up before they opened and grabbed a table first thing. Works like a charm on most days. We started with the Bread and Salted Butter item and it was great as usual. I followed that with some random beer I let the dude in the tight jeans pick serving us pick out for me. I had been craving the Pork Ragout again and I gave in to my desires and wow. It was just as amazing as last time (though unusually more saltier, but that seemed to be a theme this evening). My wife on the other hand ordered the Carbonara Pasta with Prosciutto if I recall correctly. Now keep in mind my wife was/is pregnant at the time of this meal. She barely ate it and said she couldn't eat it cause it was way too salty. I was surprised by this, so I decided to taste it myself. And JESUS! It was like they poured a whole bag either in the water when they cooked the noodles or just dumped a whole shaker on to her dish. Now. I'm never one to send anything back but I had a pregnant wife who was starving and I had already mostly devoured my dish. So we mention it to the server and he even tried the dish himself and AGREED with us that it was way too salty and he got her another dish which the cooks purposefully did not add any additional salt (she got the pork ragout like I did because she tried mine and it was fine for her tasty mommy buds). Problem averted! We decided to skip dessert and then wifey ran into some old high school friends and the night was a success. I will still definitely return as I love this place, though it was a salty experience. I think my skin is still dried out from this trip over a month ago, I feel like one of those redbird girls who fake n bake 7 days a week.
(4)
Katie I.
Ah, what a spectacular experience. Not sure if was the company or the food, but I think it was both. Now I was not wowed by their appetizers. Chicken liver pate was so so, almost too sweet for me. Crostini with beet and ricotta was ok, nothing to write home about. The octopus and pork belly was certainly interesting, but again, nothing I'd order again. Now the brussel sprout salad was definitely a show stopper. Wow- stupendous! But the piece de resistance was the pasta. Holy shizzzballs it was freaking amazing. We tried the gemelli verde which had some mushroom in it and the pork ragout one. Seriously the pasta was the best I've ever had and I'm still having dreams about it. The roasted chicken was nice and had a flavorful juice- very French tasting. Hangar steak- which I usually don't care for- was very tender and sliced thin and delicious! Also had a dish with a pork croquette and a sausage. The pork croquette was awesome! Had the bombolini sp? for dessert which was good, nothing mind blowing, but very good. Something I'd love to have with coffee in the morning. Fantastic wine and cocktails. Can't wait to go back and literally eat my weight in pasta.
(5)
DJ K.
Excellent menu and great atmosphere! Avoid the steak and sausage. It is tough and uninspired compared to the rest of the menu. Other than that...dive in.
(4)
Mod F.
I've yet to eat anything here that didn't please me immensely. The hubs and I like to sit at the bar here and we have ranked this place in our top 5. He loves the Pork Ragout Garganelli and I love the Squid Ink Campanelle and the brussels sprouts salad with hazelnuts is such a fresh clean taste of heaven.
(5)
Jonny M.
This is by far some of the best food I've ever eaten. The pork ragu and heritage chicken are two dishes that will blow you mind. The chicken liver patte appetizer is so good! Amazing staff, vibe, food and drinks. If there were 6 stars if give it to them.
(5)
Kathryn M.
The food was DELICIOUS and the service was WONDERFUL!!! Honestly the best restaurant in Nashville!!! We ordered the chicken (best chicken we have EVER had) and the squid ink pasta (which was also delicious). I wish we would have eaten here the second night. The cocktails were awesome... I had the southern... Which was great. We had the tartar and spring salad for appetizers and they were also great. For dessert we ordered the bombollina (I think)... Order them!!!! They are incredible!!!! We cannot wait to go back!!!!
(5)
Destination D.
I cruised in here to meet up with some new friends Kate and Robbie after work - we sat at the bar. Great company and great service. My friends live in the neighborhood so it felt lovely to be welcomed by Philip the owner, the hostess Kate, and Pam the waitress.
(5)
Caitlin D.
Exquisite. Last night my fiance and I dined with another couple at Rolf and Daughters, and from the moment we set foot inside the premises, we were impressed. The ceiling is covered in recycled looking plywood, giving it a very rustic, crafty feel. There are long farm tables for larger groups, and smaller tables for couples and four-tops. The bar is bountifully stocked with all kinds of interesting liquors and wines. They also offer craft beers that you don't see in many restaurants. I opted for the Fillmore cocktail, which came in a sizeable glass. This is vodka, St. Germain, Aperol, Lime and Sparkling wine. It was just the right amount of light and fruity, without being sweet or syrupy. It would make a great summer drink, but it was still good for the winter. It didn't taste unseasonal, and I enjoyed every sip. To start, we shared the brussels sprouts, which are shredded like a cole slaw and tossed with apple, hazelnut and fiore di sardo. The cheese gave it a perfect accent, and we gobbled it up in no time. For my main, I had the Yorkshire pork, which comes with cannellini beans, red cabbage and pumpkin seeds. The pork was tender, flavorful and juicy. The beans were plump and flavorful. My fiance had the Garganelli verde pasta with heritage pork ragout and pecorino. I took a taste, and fought the urge to eat more because he was enjoying it so much. We will definitely keep this place in mind for nicer occasions and out of town guests to be impressed!
(5)
Agnes T.
This review is for drinks at the bar (not for dinner - the food is great.) First off, the bartenders act like you inconvenience them. You have to stand off to the side to order where you are in the way of servers trying to pour wine. If you stand anywhere else, they will COMPLETELY ignore you. Once we got our drinks, we stood outside on the nice patio (since there is no room inside except a few limited seats), but servers never acknowledged us. Evidently, they "don't take orders" outside. Which I would understand if there was a huge bar crowd, but there were only 2 of us. I would spend my entire paycheck at Rolf and Daughters for drinks if they had a better set up and remotely cared about serving those just drinking. I have had better service at a pedestrian college bar. Bottom line: spend your cocktail money at Silo down the street, where they welcome you with a smile and are happy to serve you more.
(1)
D C.
It was a rainy night and we got there hoping to sit at the bar for fun. We were lucky we got there early cuz by the time we left it was packed!! The bar staff was AMAZING. True professionals in their craft and so friendly! They helped us choose cocktails which we loved and then also knew all about the menu to help us choose. Its an eclectic type of menu. It challenges your taste buds and you experience foods and tastes you wouldnt normally taste. The dessert was delish as well. Truly enjoyable, great atmosphere and awesome staff!
(4)
Martà M.
Maybe I just wasn't observant that evening, or my lack of Germantown geography is to blame, but I drove right past this place thinking my GPS had gone mad, wondering where in the heck I was. The front entrance has a City House feel to it, but the interior is where they've really made their mark. Regal, warm, modern, welcoming are all words that immediately come to mind - not too much of any one thing. And the marble bar - ah - gorgeous! Opting to sit at the bar was certainly not a mistake, and to say our bartender, Matt, is damn good at making a great drink would be a gross understatement. I love Scotch, and was tickled they actually stock Balvenie, but decided to try Matt's suggestion of a Sazerac. Wow! Their garden dish comprising of sweet potato, radicchio, pumpkin seed, and peccorino was stellar. The spaghetti carbonara was good, but I felt like it's missing one small thing; can't quite figure out what though. I was really disappointed their menu has so many things that I cannot eat due to allergies. For an after dinner beverage, Matt made a simple version of a Tom & Jerry which tasted a lot like egg nog. Not too sweet, but not too strong either - fantastic! I'm very much looking forward to my return.
Hipster haute couture keeps rolling in to Nashville. First City House and now Rolf and Daughters. We had a group of 7 with ages 5 to 66 and everybody found something that they liked. The menu and off-menu are all good to great. You must get the ribs. They are freaking amazing. The trout and chicken were great. Sides were excellent, especially the broccoli. Cocktails all have a unique twist. I tried the Sorghum Swizzle and it was excellent. I also tried the Milano Mule which got rave reviews by my sister but wasn't for me. And for the designated driver, they serve Mexican Coke. Prices are very fair considering the quality of the food. Here are my limited complaints: Parking is a bit challenging in this neighborhood. The interior design makes it fairly noisy considering that capacity isn't that high.
(5)
Dave C.
Our expectations were high - and Rolf & Daughters delivered. Cocktails, starters, entrees, and desserts ... just a beautiful dining experience. We selected the beef tartare as a starter - texture was perfect and the flavors savory & bright - aided by a uniquely light and fresh basil/olive oil (?) in which the crisp toasts rested. Outstanding take on a classic. Entrees included a dry aged meatball dish that J is still talking about, a gorgeously roasted chicken with lemon & garlic confit, and my pork tenderloin dish (a pork trifecta of pork sausage, pork belly and tenderloin). We can't remember such an outstanding array of dishes - each a best in class affair. Service was highly knowledgeable and personable - striking the right balance between attention and leaving us to enjoy our truly spectacular food. ... can't recommend Rolf and Daughters highly enough. Best food we've had in a long time - probably since Frances in San Francisco.
(5)
Coco R.
I have to agree with some of the other reviewers---I have been looking forward to trying this restaurant for forever. Perhaps I hyped it up too much in my head, but it wasn't that spectacular. The squid ink pasta was just OK. It didn't taste better than marches handmade pasta and the pricing at this restaurant is much higher than I think it needs to be. Yes, the ambiance is great, but so is holland houses patio and lighting...at 5-6 dollars less. The waitress was nice, but her niceness became forced throughout the dinner when she realized that we only wanted to order dinner and no drinks or dessert. Overall, my stomach and I left feeling somewhat disappointed. We left to drown our sorrows at holland house.
(2)
Mitch G.
Great place, great food. The space is beautiful, warm and inviting. We got the chicken liver pate, it was outstanding. Even the bread was a highlight. We also got the pork ragu, the squid ink pasta and the polenta. Our server told us we couldn't have made better choices. Both of the pasta dishes instantly became the best pasta I've ever had. The polenta could have used a pinch of salt, but there no way in hell I would have asked for any. We had a reservation and were seated almost immediately but there was a wait for other guests so I would recommend reservations. A great dining experience! And not that expensive, 4 dishes 6 drinks 30% tip for $120, not bad.
(5)
Allison T.
Good meal in a very trendy restaurant. The noise level is high, the service is warm and very well versed in the menu. Like most trendy farm-to-table places, the menu is a list of ingredients instead of a coherent explanation of a dish, so you must enlist the server's help to decode. Rolf and Daughters further complicates things by not making clear menu divisions between small plates/appetizers and entrees, so again the server has to explain. Once you get through that silliness, the food is solid New American with a good hand/palate in the kitchen on spices, herbs and hits of citrus/acid to enhance flavor. The three of us enjoyed a lovely marinated and roasted beet appetizer (two artfully presented beets, greens included), a nice beef tartare and an excellent octopus (with too-dry hominy, unfortunately). Entrees were a perfectly, lightly cooked trout, a farro pasta with the ideal blend of nuttiness, salt and lemon, and a decent garganelli (rigatoni) dish. The lemon curd tart was outstanding, the date-almond cake dense and cloyingly sweet, the chocolate cake bowl reminiscent of cookies and cream ice cream (take that how you will). Fun meal.
(4)
G. B.
Obsessed. This place is fantastic. I came in with a gf on Sunday night without a table, luckily they were quickly able to sit us. Our server was so knowledgeable, extremely helpful and just overall great. The food took a little long to get to our table, but it was worth it. Everything was delicious and the atmosphere was great where we sat (outside). The bucatini was some of the best pasta I've ever had - and I've been to italy! If you visit, do yourself a favor and save room for desert. The bombolini w/ vanilla custard and chocolate sauce is not to be missed.
(5)
Kenny Y.
Not bad. I was still hungry after appetizer, entree, and desert.
(4)
Kate O.
Simple, elegant, relaxed, refined. If you're vegan, don't be daunted by the menu: the kitchen knows how to accommodate you. The farro gemelli with hen of the woods mushrooms, or whatever's in season, and cavolo nero, or some other green, minus the cheese, is the long-standing option for vegan dinner. And it's delicious, so don't hesitate. You can also order the sourdough bread appetizer and either ask them to hold the seaweed butter or leave that for your dining companions and simply ask for an additional bowl of olive oil. Their mixed drinks are superb, so if you're in that mood, be bold and try something, and chances are you'll love it. They also have a solid wine list and a well-curated beer selection. I met my now-favorite beer there: Old Chub. I hear the desserts are fantastic, but I have no good news for vegans on that front, so if your diet allows it, indulge and enjoy, but if not, I hope you, like me, are a vicarious foodie and can enjoy the sight and sounds of your dining companions swooning over their desserts while you sip a coffee or, more probably, another glass of beer. In any case, go, go, go. This is a fantastic place.
(5)
Tim P.
Hippest of the hip. Coolest of the cool. Really good food and amazing ambience. Not for the unadventurous.
(4)
J E.
Incredible meal very time! It is typically busy and quite loud, but we really enjoyed the ambience, and the quality of the food makes up for any shortcomings.
(4)
Emily K.
Great food and great energy. The wait staff was incredibly knowledgeable and didn't steer us wrong with a suggestion. The veggie dishes were notably awesome and we devoured the two pasta dishes that we ordered. Yummy cocktails too!
(4)
Coleman G.
One of the best dining experiences I've ever had. Food, wine, service, ambiance were all so incredibly on point. I would be fat and broke if I lived in Nashville and had access to this at my leisure. Best restaurant in Nashville and rivaling any of the big dogs across the country. Also incredibly affordable. Thank you Rolf and Daughters.
(5)
Ying M.
My bf and I stopped in on a whim- (thanks to the communal table we were able to get a seat) and we thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Squid ink pasta is divine. I wanted three more bowls of it, at least. I was worried Rolf and Daughters wouldn't live up to the hype- I've only recently returned to Nashville from the foodie haven of Cambridge, MA- but it totally did! Next time I go, I want to bring a group so we can order a bunch of different items and sample everything. We saw the table next to us doing this and were immediately jealous.
(5)
Zach W.
Incredible ambiance, great drinks, and excellent service. What more could you ask for? Well, probably good food, and they have that too! The bartender was extremely accommodating and even made me something special off the menu. Even went back into the kitchen to get fresh ingredients. A top notch experience overall. Will be back many times!
(5)
Sylvia H.
A party of six went there last night. We had to ask for refills of our drinks (tea and coffee). I like my water cold, but this was like tap water right out of the tap, meaning it was lukewarm at best. Smallest servings I have ever seen in a restaurant. I had to eat when I got home. I don't need a doggie bag, but I would like a decent serving. Four teeny pieces of steak and 2 beef sausages with a few dandelion leaves and 3 anchovies along with two half done microscopic potatoes. for $27.00? Really? I would have liked dessert, but figured it would be a bite or two, so why bother. I am still incredulous about many of the good reviews on here, but I certainly will not be back. No salad or bread with the meal? Unless, of course, you order as an appetizer. Good grief. Just unbelievable.
(1)
Meg G.
Took a chance and tried to get into this highly recommended establishment without a reservation on a Sunday night while passing through town on a cross country road trip with a friend of mine. We waited maybe 10 min and got really lucky that 2 seats at the bar opened up. We had great service from the bartender, and he had great recommendations for us. We went with the beef tartare and octopus to share, and then we each had an entree. A pasta for my friend and the trout (I think) for myself. Oh and the sourdough bread is pretty good too (though not necessary, b/c there's so many other great things on the menu). Everything was perfection! My friend practically licked her pasta bowl clean! The atmosphere was great too. Seemed more like a local neighborhood haunt (in Germantown) rather than a touristy place, which is preferred. We had the doughnuts for dessert with chocolate and peanut butter dipping sauces (which is actually like 8 sugar cake doughnut holes) and were mouth watering. We rolled out of there very full and very happy! HIGHLY recommend you try and get a reservation ahead of time, but hey, you may just get lucky like us! Cheers!
(5)
Elizabeth G.
This is my fave Nashville restaurant. Dishes are great - not over-thought, but unique and delicious. Great atmosphere. Warm and casual. Service is excellent, too. Squid Ink Pasta is amazing.
(5)
John D.
Best dinner I've since moving to Nashville. Absolutely fabulous...can't hardly wait to go back!
(5)
Avery F.
I just don't get it. I've eaten or had drinks here a dozen times because everyone always raves about it. The cocktails are solid and the ambiance is good. The pasta plates are way undersized and I haven't had a single entree that came anywhere close to "great." Everything is well-plated and stylish, but it's just... a lot of style without that much substance, a recurring theme at many Nashville restaurants.
(3)
Erin E.
I was part of a party of 6 on a Sunday evening. The restaurant's interior is gorgeous. Our server was pleasant but was difficult to hear at times. My husband and I ordered the sourdough bread with the seaweed butter, the lettuces with summer vegetables, garganelli verde, and dry aged meatballs. We thought the food was really good, but if you're salt sensitive you should be pretty wary. The chef is very heavy handed with salt. (I tend to like salty things, so it didn't bother me.) One person in our party ordered the squid ink canestri and found it so salty she had to send it back. Our server was gracious and offered to have a simple olive oil/garlic/cracked black pepper dish prepared. That, too, was so salty that my friend couldn't eat it. (We couldn't figure out if the salt flavor was coming from the pasta, the cooking water, the sauce, or a combination of the three.) The dessert menu was limited to three selections, and two of us ordered the bombolini (which I'm pretty sure I misspelled) and chocolate sauce. It was okay, (I love dessert so my expectations were high). Overall, I'd go back for the pasta sometime, but probably won't be going to RAD often.
(3)
Laura T.
Rolf and Daughters in Nashville... Thank you for allowing the hipster cool crowd to physically sit on top of our table while we were out for my boyfriends birthday trying to enjoy a nice meal I know that wouldn't fly if we were a clean cut, non modified, Caucasian "rich looking couple" but I work 7 days a week for my money and it spends as well as there's does so def getting bad reviews all around. Shame on you!!! sincerly, the "tattooed" guests you treated like dirt
(1)
Josie R.
There are no words for how amazing our meal was at R&D this past weekend. Fall lettuce salad, octopus, squid ink pasta, farro spaghetti, everything was simply amazing!
(5)
Christa P.
Pasta with the mushrooms was out of this world- super delish. Steak was ok- not the best I have had and a little over done. The sauce pairing was not unique and I wouldnt order again.
(4)
David R.
Overall, this was a great experience. The space is airy, fresh and fun; it feels "bustling" and that energy carries over into the food. And the food here is undeniably great: everything we tried was well conceived and perfectly done. When you sit down your are tended to quickly and the waitress we had was extremely helpful in giving suggestions. With her help I feel like we ended up with a perfect amount of food as well as a comprehensive sampling of R&D's culinary vision. ProTip: for a party of two were very happy ordering two appetizers to share, then a bowl of pasta each, and then finally one main course to split. I'm docking a star (it really could have been a 5/5 experience) because of the behavior of a neighboring server who--while my wife and I were eating--felt comfortable describing our choices to the neighboring table *not *by discreetly telling them what we were eating, but by overtly turning around and **pointing over our table** and *onto*our plates! Did you get the part about that we were eating? It was very strange to say the least and more non-relaxing than you might imagine..
(4)
Bob S.
I returned finally after opening week to give Rolf another try. This really isn't a 3 star, i really rate it a 3.5 star but i can not do that on this site. We didn't have any share plates, none really appeal to us. I really don't consider a small loaf a bread and seaweed butter much of a small plate. We decided to 2 pasta and share one of the plates for our meal. We chose the lamb pasta on the menu that evening, the Spaghetti, morel and peas, and we chose the meatballs. The Spaghetti was good nicely cooked however the egg yolk ended up a little over cooked and was not runny enough. The lamb was nice, however it needed to have a little extra punch and was kind of bland. The Meatballs were served on a plate with Tomato sauce, 3 large Meatballs on a plate, very dense, i would prefer a little more tender. But were very good. I just don't get serving 3 large meatballs with nothing else as a side with this plate. We did not have desert. I will go back, but i do not think this is a place to take a date or for a business meeting. The restaurant is way to noisy to carry on a conversation for business or a date. It was hard to talk across the table. The service was very good. Most of the time when going out with a group i want a greater selections of plates to enjoy the evening. I would like to see the Meatballs move to the share plate at a price of 5 dollars per meatballs. I put the food at about a 4, but the atmosphere is only a 3 guys, unless your looking for a loud place where you dont want to talk to anyone.
(3)
Brien W.
Third time is the charm. Had dinner at the bar on Saturday and the food and drink was outstanding! Two standouts, the chicken liver pate was amazing, had a friend who said, "I don't eat liver" try it and couldn't stop eating till it was gone. The ricotta cavatelli pasta was so well rounded and delicious it was hard to put down. Great bar staff had a few old fashions... great meal!
(5)
Tiff C.
Loved the vibe, great service and absolutely delicious pasta. We had the bread appetizers (seaweed butter and chicken pate) and they were complex and tasty. The pasta was amazing, highly recommend! Especially bucatini (if you like spicy) and the pasta with oxtail (messinessi)
(5)
Sam L.
The food is very impressive but the portions are sized for 10 year olds, even compared to Chicago/New York fine dining. The entrees should be called small plates and appetizers should be tapas. We got appetizer, two entrees and a dessert and still were hungry. The octopus is cooked perfectly and the bacon is a nice touch. The squid ink pasta was al dente and seasoned well. The hanger steak was great with the turnip and spinach. When you charge so much for food, the portion need to fit the bill.
We came here for our first anniversary while on vacation & the ambiance definitely reminded us of being home in Chicago. Food: Rad ham appetizer - delicious! Perfect flavors/textures, very fresh! Squid Ink pasta - pasta cooked/seasoned perfectly, wonderful flavor, didn't get any spiciness as other reviews stated & dish was very oily. Lamb pasta - husband said this was good Panna cotta - really, really good! Service was extremely lacking & inexcusable for a fine dining restaurant. My husband ordered a cocktail with tequila that tasted like tequila on the rocks. He took one drink and never touched it the entire meal. Our server saw that he never finished his drink but never asked about it - something that any fine dining establishment should always do.
(3)
Ericka P.
Our party of 5 all tasted each others' meals and damn! was it good! I got a taste of the trout, lamb pasta, octopus spaghetti, chicken, and the meatballs. No one was too thrilled with the meatballs... But the chicken was BANGIN'! And the trout was a nice crisp meal for as hot as it was. I must say though.... We spent a lot of money to be served tallboys with mini juice cups. That was a bit silly.
(4)
Meryl C.
I just wish they were in California. After reading two reviews (Eater Nashville and another) and having Rolf and Daughters recommended by a local bartender, we went. Could not be more satisfied! Great cocktails and amazing food. Five stars from San Francisco.
(5)
Dan H.
I was a bit concerned that the ipa would ruin my palette, but the excess salt on the beef tartare and fra diavolo did a much better job of frying it. I'm a bit sad we wasted our one night out in Nashville here. I should add that my partner had the pasta with pork ragout and the few tastes I had were enjoyable.
(1)
Chrissy I.
The Squid Ink Pasta is I think literally the best dish I have ever tasted, just outstanding!! Seaweed butter and bread makes a yummy starter. Everyone in my party raved about their food! Our waiter was excellent - super kind, and very knowledgable. We will absolutely be back!!
(5)
Catherine L.
This place was great. Gotta be one of my favorites in Nashville so far, where the portions are always huge but the food (and taste level) isn't always good. The ambience is perfect. A well put together place with a rustic feel, it's intimate and classy but not pretentious. We sat outside under the lit 'open' sign and the strung lights. I got the summer salad which was unique, refreshing, complex and wonderful. I also got the vegetarian pasta dish with mushrooms and my friend got the pork ragout. Both were very delicious, even for a vegetarian meal! Highly recommend this place for dinner.
(5)
Sarah M.
This is a tale of four friends - not averse to paying high prices for great food, and well-dined at many fine restaurants the world-over. This is a story of a warm, industrial space filled with fun, hip people drinking delicious, hip cocktails, which surprisingly deliver and even exceed expectations (even in a time where one rarely recognizes most of the ingredients in the mixologist's purview). And at it's heart, this is a narrative about delicious pasta -- hearty, complex, layered, new shapes and textures, all pushed into the middle of our table and poached by each other, compared and contrasted and devoured until even the tiny specs of pecorino couldn't be spared from the sides of the bowl. Pork ragu, beef cheek and oxtail melange, caramelized onion and pecorino and hot pepper flake. And yet our story has a foil -- an unexpected twist -- and one that may have overshadowed all of the good things about Rolf & Daughters. And that's the bread. To put it simply, the pate at R&D (or as my boyfriend calls it -- meat butter), is creamy, smooth, buttery and unctuous. And it comes with three tiny pieces of bread. At a table of four, there is nothing more awkward than trying to split three pieces of bread (which themselves are thirds of a piece of bread). And last I checked, tables of 3 aren't that common. Furthermore, the bread doesn't provide enough of a vehicle for the delicious pate. In order to use up all of the pate on three pieces of bread, one would have to pile pate at least a half inch high on each piece. And last, the final nail in the coffin of the bread segue, is that additional bread is $1.50. When we balked at the price we were cheerily informed that "but it's baked in-house." My point is not to sound snobby, or cheap, or narrowly focused. My point is this -- when you charge someone $1.50 for two thirds of a piece of bread (when the additional order came, it only included two pieces), you give them the feeling of being "nickled and dimed" -- charge $2 more for the pate, or give the bread for free, but please don't charge $1.50 for extra bread which is necessitated by the fact that there is an ample amount of pate (which itself is a good thing). There are a lot of great things about Rolf & Daughters - in fact, I am pretty sure I'm going to have graphic dreams about the pork ragu, and our meal, all in all, was reasonably priced and satisfying. But I can't write this review without talking about the bread, in the hopes that they'll catch on that it's not worth the $1.50. It leaves a bad taste in your mouth, which is a tough thing to do when your last bite has been a creme filled fried donut with chocolate dipping sauce.
(4)
Julianne L.
Food was okay. Service was terrible. Our waitress completely rushed us when ordering and said the kitchen gets backed up so we needed to place our ASAP. We never saw our our waitress during dinner..although we wanted more drinks and water- it seems like there is extra staff to deliver food and check tables for service. The waitress is only there to take order and deliver check.
(3)
Brad M.
*Late review from my visit on 2/2/13. My wife and I had been wanting to try this place since some of our friends had been here. So, she took me here for my birthday. We started off with the Crostini and a few cocktails. The whipped ricotta on the Crostini was light and sweet. Their menu now says the topping was beets but I think we had squash or apricot. I then ordered the Brook Trout. It was served in a bowl which was different and crème fraiche was really good. But my wife's Heritage Chicken stole the show. The pan searing was perfect. Easily one of the best chicken meals I have ever tasted. Our desert was a dense and rich chocolate cake that was incredible. We can't wait to go back.
(5)
Greg T.
2 stars for food and server food knowledge. Here's why: Started dinner with some apps...went with the sourdough and seaweed app for $5. We had a party of 5 and server failed to tell us that the plate some with 4 pieces of bread. Our plate had barely any butter. I think this dish would be better if the bread was not sourdough...too overwhelming and masks the seaweed in my opinion. Pate app - same situation...only 3 pieces of bread this time. We ordered more (3 pieces) and were charged an additional $1.50 without being told bread is extra. I have no problem paying for bread - just let me know. Entree - special of the night was a pork special sandwich. It was sold to us as a piece of pork loin that was cooked inside pork belly with crispy pork skin. Sounded unreal to me so went with it. Sandwich came with all loin meat...no belly, no crispy skin..and drenched in some gnarly olive oil which made the dish an oily mess. Took 3 bites and was done with it. Asked server if this was the correct execution and she said it was and just left...no apologies or attempts to remedy the situation. The bottom line - at the prices Rolf and Daughters is charging you expect a certain level of food and service. They missed the mark during this visit. I really hope these guys step it up. I think they have a great opportunity to become a player in the Nashville restaurant scene if they make improvements. I would avoid group dinners and stick to simple apps at the bar.
(2)
Tiffany M.
Great and interesting selection of cocktails/wines and our server was excellent. Really knowledgeable and attentive throughout our meal. I ended up getting a Campari + grapefruit 'Buon Appetito' that was refreshing and sweet. The squid ink pasta, carbonara pasta and roasted chicken were top notch! Our meal was so good that we had to try dessert and those donuts with ganache left us perfectly full. This is definitely a restaurant to come back to again and again. Thanks, R&D!
Wow. So, yes, the food is amazing. Complex, beautiful, tasty, all of that. And the environment is warm, welcoming, lively - you're happy to arrive and a little sad to go. But the service......this is why it was a solid rock star 5. Traveling on business, had read about this place, finally got a reservation with two of my colleagues and starting with the most basic questions about what the words on the menu mean (yeah, a little high falutin', lots of items I've never heard of, a slight temptation for me to eye roll) we were treated to the most intelligent, passionate, and clear food picture I have ever gotten. NOT a faux precious Portlandia caricature, but the real thing - our server (Becca, from the receipt) clearly loves this food. But more importantly, she really knows what goes into it, how it's prepared, can describe how toasted grains actually change the flavor and texture of a pasta dish (as an example), and was able to help our vegetarian diner choose wisely. Not in any way bombastic or snotty - she was confident, knowledgable, dedicated to making sure we were going to have a hell of a meal and wanting to show off the best her team had to offer. Right, and beyond this, excellent service. There is something seriously right about this place, to have that kind of experience on a regular ole Sunday night. Made me feel like maybe I could fall in love with Nashville......
(5)
Jennifer N.
Everything about this place made me happy! 1. Super friendly staff -- starting right off with my phone call to make reservations. Our waiter was helpful and upbeat, even during a mad dinner crowd. There was no rushing us out of the place. 2. Accessible and cool vibe- The fact that they are getting such awesome reviews, but I was able to make a reservation when I wanted and on a weekend! Convenient Germantown location, and a cool, reclaimed industrial space really added to the ambiance. It is loud, but that only adds to the neighborhood tavern atmosphere. I haven't even gotten to the food and drinks! 3. Cocktails-- Each cocktail we tried was fantastic- the Cumberland sour and the Fillmore were especially great! 4. Food-- Everything we tried was inspired and delicious. The pork ragout has gotten love in other reviews as well- have to add my vote. The delicious house-made sourdough and seaweed butter is worth the extra cash for an order. The brussel sprout salad was a favorite at our table. The heritage chicken with preserved lemon was divine- juicy, fresh and flavorful. 5. Dessert-- To top it off - dessert was unique and delicious. Definitely try the bombolino- italian doughnuts, cream filled, and served with a redundantly delicious chocolate dipping sauce.
(5)
Joe R.
Went here a few week with my wife. We decided to just drop in since the restaurant we were planning on going to was closed for a week. This probably wasn't the best idea since as it turns out if you don't have a reservation you aren't getting a table. That was the awkward thing, when I asked for a table for two the hostess kind of looked at me puzzled and then said we could wait for a seat at the bar. She didn't offer to put us on a list or anything at all. So we waited about 25 minutes for a seat at the bar. I'm not against sitting at the bar but the situation felt odd. We had a few drinks and then I had to practically jump on the end of a conversation the bar tender was having with the couple next to us to get him to bring us food menus. We started with the crostini appetizer. It was good but it was one crostini which was a little disappointing. For our main courses I ordered the squid ink pasta and my wife ordered the spaghetti bottarga. I was a little disappointed in my dish although I thought my wife's was great. Apparently she liked my dish better so we should have switched. Basically, I think this place deserves another shot and maybe I should make a reservation next time. The odd experience at the door put a weird taste in my mouth. I would recommend to a friend because the food was decent. I think I need another trip to make up my mind.
(2)
Naomasa H.
Had a wonderful birthday dinner here. Reservations are recommended, but they do have communal tables and outdoor seating on a first come first serve basis. I hear the place has received a lot of press, namely in Bon Appetit. The atmosphere is inviting, friendly service, and the food is wonderful. Garganelli verde and farro gamelli were cooked perfectly. The positive press is well deserved. I hope they stay unpretentious and keep churning out wonderful dishes. Oh and the cocktails were tasty.
(5)
Semi-retired J.
Trying way too hard to be hip. What is - beet, maple yogurt, puffed quinoa? Elevate the experience, not the grammar. Great location, great servers and maybe someday we'll comprehend the menu.
(3)
James F.
I had the opportunity to take my sweetie out for a delish date night out. We decided to head over to Rolf and Daughters and for my first time, I was truly excited. So, we get there around 6 or 7 and got outside seating pretty quick. For a place I see written up more than once in the local papers, I was surprised at the lack of patronage there. That always makes me skeptical of the place. So, started off with a glass of Jameson (neat as always. Thank God they didn't have Bushmills. Who drinks that protestant crap?) and an appetizer of Octopus and pork belly with a black garlic spread. Then Lola (my much better half) had the Carbonera and I had the hanger steak. We finished it off with some lovely donuts filled with a vanilla custard. Holy Cow was all I can say. The food was prepared amazingly and with such care and love. The Carbonera had enough flavor and heat and my hanger steak was prepared exactly like a hanger steak should be, medium. The accompaniment of local greens and the grilled onions were more than garnish... they were an essential part of the dining experience. The steak was juicy, well seasoned and just so amazing. The octopus with pork belly was solid as a starter and the finisher of the dessert just put everything over the edge. Overall, I will go back. So many things on the menu to try, the staff was attentive and amazing and I left wanting to go back and just order all of what we ate again to take home.
(4)
Leslie C.
Wonderful, simple, flavorful. Atmosphere is upbeat and unpretentious. Sharing dishes is a great way to sample them all. Reservations highly recommended.
(4)
Isabel T.
The food was incredible! The server was nice. An amazing hipster atmosphere with the appearance of healthy natural food that was delicious! The food reminded me of my grandfather's home cooking- but very refined. Every aspect of the meal was above average. Look forward to visiting again soon.
(5)
EdDee P.
We absolutely love this place!!! Come here often and like to sit at the bar. The bartender is very friendly and talented with making some great cocktails!! We try a different app each time- i never seem to find something I love because I am so excited for my main dish! Every time I go there I get the squid ink pasta SOOOO GOOD! My boyfriend also gets the same thing every time-Bucatini far diabolo, octopus,rad lard, calabrian chili. I usually beg for a few bites! Just writing this review is making me want to go tonight! I am excited for it to be warmer outside because it has a cute outside area that sets a romantic vibe ;)
(5)
Heidi H.
When my husband and I pay $60 apiece for dinner, I need to be overwhelmed. I WAS, from start to finish. The reservation taker was friendly. The server was not only knowledgeable about everything on the menu, including the unusual (and oh so tasty) ingredients in the cocktails, she was incredibly efficient and friendly. The pasta ... oh, THE PASTA. Al dente. Perfectly seasoned. Made in house. The steak with turnip greens ... to die. My husband, a marvelous cook, is always comparing restaurant chicken with his own. Rolf and Daughters prevailed. The atmosphere is warm and intimate. Perfect date night.
(5)
Cynthia P.
When it's cold and rainy out and I'm too tired to cook or even think about what to prepare for dinner my favorite treat is to take a walk over to Rolf and Daughters. I've dined here several times and I crave the pasta...Garganelli verde, heritage pork ragout...echoing everyone else, it really is "all that". I usually dine with a friend and the two of us like to split the pasta, the salad (Garden lettuces, buttermilk dressing, asher blue), get a bottle of the San Lorenzo "Il Casolare" Marche Rosso IGT, Montepulciano, and finish with the bombolinis. PLENTY of food for two people and the bill is around $65 (before tax). Given the quality of food, the price seemed very reasonable.
(4)
Gabriella H.
As soon as we left Rolf and Daughters, I turned to my husband and said, "Five stars?" He immediately nodded and confirmed the assessment. The first good sign was the friendly phone reservation with the hostess followed by a really pleasant greeting at the door. Our server gave us plenty of time (maybe a little too much but that just gave my husband and me more time to talk) to mull over our menu choices. She was great at giving solicited opinions when we were undecided over something, and I always am! We had the garganelli (the ragout was deeelicious) and another pasta dish that had hen of the woods mushrooms. The latter came highly recommended by the server, who, when we were debating between that and the carbonara, cleverly added that the carbonara was likely going to be a staple while the other dish was seasonal. Sold. (Ha! She already knew we would be coming back!) The pastas tasted very different, and my husband and I kept on stealing from each others plates because we couldn't decide which we liked more. Drinks were strong and perfectly done, just the way I like them. They were a teensy bit on the small side for the price, but perhaps the coupes were larger than I gauged. Since I had ordered "sippers," they did last forever, so I can't complain. Another plus, when I mentioned that I wanted a drink similar to the Laverda and couldn't find anything on the menu, the server offered to have the bartender make something without skipping a beat--and that drink was spot-on too. Finally, for dessert we had the bombolinis (?). I may be spelling that wrong, but they were the donuts-from-heaven things. Light, not too sugary, a perfect dessert for two people to share even if only one of them has a major sweet tooth. Rolf and Daughters makes me wish that I lived in Werthan Lofts. We already can't wait to go back.
(5)
Mark C.
Outstanding and simply one of Nashville's finest eateries. Fantastic food and terrific service! 10+
(5)
Chris V.
My new neighborhood joint is the bees knees! I waited anxiously for this new gem to open in the Werthan Loft building off Taylor Street. Only open five days and I've already been there 3 times - is that excessive?! Ah who's counting... While it's not the cheapest option for food in the Germantown area, it's well worth the high-price. The drinks are unique and well-made and the food... the FOOD! Upon first arrival, my friend Lenore informed me that the pork ragu was worth foregoing sex, so clearly that was my immediate go-to. I've had it twice...this week. It's packed full of flavor and soul-satisfying savory (say that three times fast). There's also a secret sandwich that doesn't appear on the menu and comes limited each night - that's the most I'll spill on that. ;) To cap off your night the Bambolini's are incredible. Basically three big, vanilla creme filled donut holes sprinkled with sugar and a chocolate sauce for dipping. If you like Boston Creme or Eclair type desserts, this one is for you! A WIN all the way around!
(5)
Timothy L.
If you want the best meal, served by a very well trained and knowledgeable server, look no further. Easily one of the best meals I have EVER had...both times that I went. While their menu does change from time to time, there are some things to keep and eye out for... 1) Any kind of meatballs. The 2 times that I've visited they had meatballs, the first time was beef and sausage, I think, and the second time they were lamb meatballs, both were crazy good. 2) If it has squid ink in the description of the pasta, order it. Again, both times the plates were slightly different but amazing nonetheless. 3) Order as much as you think you can stomach...and then some. I say this for two reasons. First, the leftovers are totally worth it. Second, you're more than likely to finish everything during your visit. I don't know how, but their food was soo good I had a hard time stopping, seriously. What, you ask, would this kind of meal cost? Not near as much as you would pay for this good a meal somewhere else. Most the meals are under $20/plate and the portions and taste will bring you for more....or just make you order more food.
(5)
Hunter K.
I had my first full dinner experience at Rolf and Daughters Friday night and walked away happy and satisfied. I was happy to branch out of my culinary comfort zone with the chicken liver pate and squid ink pasta dish. Both were very tasty, and the experience was enhanced by a friendly and attentive wait staff. As a resident of Germantown, I am glad to see another trendy dining option come into the neighborhood. Here's hoping Rolf and Daughters keeps good customer service on the menu as they establish themselves in town. They've got a great staff and a fun menu. I'll definitely go back.
(5)
Johan T.
Perfect evening from beginning to end. Super cool place, great bar, great staff and last but not least - great food. The trout was nothing but epic.
(5)
Tianna C.
I've been waiting to try the delights of Rolf and Daughters for several long months. Upon our first meeting, Chef and owner Philip Krajeck described the menu as "modern day peasant food". I wasn't quite sure how to wrap my head around that, so he described it as the type of environment in which you should feel comfortable reaching across the table and dipping your bread into your sisters pasta dish. I'm Italian, so I totally got it at that point. This was going to be the type of restaurant that felt like home. Unpretentious, familiar, welcoming... He was right. I rounded up a friend and headed over to Rolf and Daughters last night. This was only their second night of business open to the public. I immediately saw at least three people I knew as soon as I walked in the door... I think it really helps that the building is attached to the growing Werthan Lofts apartments community. The place was packed. On a Thursday night. Mainly a "hipster" crowd, but I'm OK with that sort of thing. My friend and I were seated in the middle of a community table. We enjoyed chatting and exchanging menu suggestions with the strangers around us. Although, I know some people would prefer to sit at a more private table, and those are also available. Our waitress was very familiar with each of the choices on the menu and was able to recommend an excellent bottle of 2011 Bordeaux Cinq Les Pattes. One of my new favorite cabernets. My friend and I started with the crostini, whipped ricotta, forno beet, pistachio ooh my god. Packed with flavor and we loved how the sweetness of the beets mixed in with the creamy ricotta. The presentation was also really beautiful, yet simple. I still felt like I was sitting at my family's table. We also ordered a side of the spaghetti squash with almonds because we just couldn't help ourselves. It didn't disappoint. Just the right amount of salt and crunch. We then shared the red kuri squash, chestnut and ricotta raviolo with brown butter. Again, I almost died. All of their pasta is made in house, and you can tell. It's delicately fresh and easily melts in your mouth. This dish was so perfect I almost licked my plate. We didn't stop there... we moved onto the brook trout with savoy cabbage, creme fraiche, and dill. Again, delightful. At this point, you would think two girls would have had their fill. Not even close. We ordered not one, but TWO desserts. Three housemade custard filled dough-nuts dipped in smooth dark chocolate and the dark chocolate torte made with Nashville chocolate co. Olive & Sinclair. Our community table neighbors thought our dessert looked so enticing that we ended up sharing a few bites with them... until they finished off ours and ordered their own. :) This place is well on it's way to becoming a Nashville gem. I'm already planning my next visit.
(5)
Angie L.
Some friends of mine who are cooler than I am had been here a couple of times and had plenty of positive comments about the meat dishes. As I'm not that much of a carnivore I wasn't sure what to expect. I did see a couple of interesting sounding things on the Pasta & Grains section of the menu. My squash & chestnut / ricotta raviolo was tasty & the presentation was nice too. The drink menu makes me want to return. I was driving so I went with a Mexican Coke. Nice option.
(4)
Darren S.
Very good food, sophisticated (but relaxed) atmosphere and good staff. A little out of the way but worth the trip.
(4)
Ann W.
My dinner was delicious. I had the pasta with the pork ragout sauce (after reading a recommendation from a fellow Yelper). The serving was a little small but it was sufficient and the price was reasonable. I ate every morsel. I appreciated being able to get a meal for under $20. The spagetti squash side was ok = it was a little crunchy and in chunks that did not seem totally cooked. The server was very helpful and knowledgable and handled our relatively large group well. It did take a long time to get our food. Probably an hour. But we were enjoying hanging out, so it was not a problem. One down side - one of my friends ordered the squid ink pasta with seafood. There was literally about one tablespoon of chopped seafood and not much of a sauce. She was definitely disappointed and it looked really skimpy to me. But someone else at the table ordered the same thing and did not complain, so what do I know? I would definitely go back and give them another try and hopefully move them up to five stars.
(4)
Brandon G.
This is another one of those places I want to be better than it actually is. Because it has so much going for it on the surface: cool building, ambiance, menu, etc. But when you get right down to it, the food is good, but it wasn't any better than that. It doesn't make me go "wow", it just makes me think about it for a second and go "yeah, this is pretty good."
(3)
Angela T.
Really liked our meal here. I wouldn't say it was top ten in the country (Bon Appetit) but good food and great architecture. If I was rating on the pate alone I would give it twenty stars. Very delicious with a green tomato jelly to balance the richness. Bread was perfectly toasted without being too rich as I have seen at other places. Brussel sprout salad was tasty. I ordered poorly. I had the trout which while not bad wasn't nearly as good as my husbands pasta with pork ragu. At a place that makes all of the pasta in house, I should have got a pasta dish! Lastly, drinks were good but not great. I had two off the holiday menu and liked the one with the egg white the best. Overall I liked the meal. However next time I go out in Nashville I might keep exploring their unbelievable food scene.
(4)
Leslie J.
This place is really good. We sat at the bar for dinner. The service can be hit or miss, but the food is awesome. We enjoyed the chicken liver pate', pork entree', and collard greens. Is it the best restaurant in Nashville? Probably not, but still really good. Our bartender, Bryce, was really nice and helpful. We'll definitely be back.
I ate at the bar and had an almost-fantastic experience. My chicken liver pate & brook trout were delicious!! I will definitely be going back. The food was out of this world good. Upon arrival, the restaurant was full, but the friendly hostess Angela directed us to 2 open seats at the bar, and informed us we could order from the full menu there. I usually prefer eating at the bar anyway, so I was quite happy with it!! A bartender came up immediately and asked what we'd like to drink before we had any menus. We said we needed a second to look over the wine list, and a ton of time went by before he came back to us. In the meantime, another bartender Matt(have been told he is the bar manager?) got our drink and appetizer order. He was diligent in checking on us, and very personable! Bartender #1 came back for our food order, but turns out, he forgot to ring it in, or put it on hold and forget to ring it back to the kitchen. So our dinner took a while, but again, Matt to the rescue. He smoothed things over and made sure our dinner came out ASAP. The brook trout way to die for, and I highly recommend having dinner here!! The atmosphere is beautiful, charming and intimate. The meal that i had was well worth the substantial wait. It was a teeny hiccup on a busy night, that I am sure won't happen again!!
(5)
Hunter A.
My default choice. Such a good atmosphere, spot-on preparation and service, delectable food. I felt compelled to write a review after being served a delightful concoction by last nite's bartender after I asked him for something grounding that was not alcoholic. His mystical response was from a mountain top of delicious herbs and more.
(5)
J H.
This was our second visit to Rolf & Daughters and I'm happy to say that this restaurant just keeps getting better. The cocktails are spot on (and the servers are very knowledgeable when it comes to getting recommendations on them). The wine list is solid. For the two of us we ordered 3 first courses and 3 pastas because, well, they looked so good. And they were. The pasta here is some of the best I've had outside of Italy and easily on par with great restaurants like Marea in NYC. Love, love, love. Good energy, good vibe, good music, great food. What's not to like?
(5)
Jenn R.
This is one of my favorite places in town. Great service,excellent drinks, creative and delicious each and every time. I love the fact that this chef makes his own pasta here.The pate's are always fantastic for starters. We have been here a half dozens times and love it everytime.
(5)
chocovore s.
Oh, Rolf and Daughters, I had it on good word from two friends whose taste I trust that you were wonderful . . . but I was so let down! We had 9pm reservations, and our table wasn't quite ready when we got there (a few minutes early, so not a problem), and the hostess (who was the friendliest staff person we encountered) offered us an open space at one of the community tables. Now I regret not taking it, since it might have at least meant a different server. We perused the drink menu in the few minutes it took for our table to open up. We were greeted fairly promptly, I ordered a glass of wine and my husband ordered a beer, but the server told him all of the taps were out except for one. So my husband ordered that beer, but the server came back to tell him that one was actually out, too. He said he'd look over the wine list, and after a few minutes the server came back with my wine, paused for approximately a half second, then walked off before my husband could order his glass of wine. Eventually she came back and he was able to order -- we figured we had better get the rest of our order in while she was there. Good thinking on our part --other servers ended up delivering our appetizer and entrees, and our server did not glance our way or come back to our table until we were completely finished eating and my husband's wine was long empty. When she did come to clear our plates she didn't even ask how our meal was! Anyway, the completely phoned-in service was a big damper. We also noticed that a diner at the table next to us had some sort of sausage dish that we didn't see on the menu. A special, maybe? The server didn't mention those, either. As for the food, we ordered the sourdough with seaweed butter for an appetizer, ricotta cavatelli with lamb ragu for me, and heritage chicken for my husband. The sourdough was rustic . . . or you could call it burned. I like crusty bread, but nearly the entire crust was charred black. I could see flecks of seaweed in the butter, but the taste was really not there. Oh, and there was a single sliced radish alongside. My pasta was good -- the serving size was indeed fairly small, but the cavatelli was very dense and rich. The richness was nicely offset with some fresh mint. My husband's chicken was fine, but it is literally half a chicken on a plate in some sauce. For $23 it doesn't even come with a side? A couple roasted veggies on the plate so it doesn't look so lonely? At City House it does. Just sayin'. I would usually go for dessert, but since we weren't feeling the vibe we passed. Our server *was* very on top of things once it was time to bring our check and get us out of there! Overall, I could be convinced to go back, but I'm in no hurry.
(2)
Crystal T.
Perfection. Perfection in every way. From the food to the ambience to the service to the cocktails--everything we had made me giggle with delight. It's one of the best meals I can remember. We went a month ago and I still find myself daydreaming about it. And yeah, I'm serious. When you go you must have a Chartreuse Manhattan. If you don't do it for yourself, do it for me. I also had the Hen of the Woods pasta--such a simple dish, made with whole ingredients, well-rounded flavors and spices, and house made pasta--simple and masterful. If you don't want to sit at the community table then make a reservation. The menu is small, but everything we had was amazing. That's all there is to say. Now go.
(5)
Trish T.
I really like this place because it's not really your typical Italian restaurant. I understand you have to have meatballs and pasta, but everything else is "different" than most places in Nashville. I'm by no means an over eater, but I had three courses and left still hungry :x. This place is not your typical large- can serve 3 people in one dish- portion. If you know the owner, he does give you larger portions. If you don't know him, the portions are smaller (maybe the correct single serving) portion. To start, I ordered the chicken liver pate, which is by far the cleanest tasting pate I've tried in Nashville. Then, I had the squid ink pasta, which I'm still drooling over as I write this post. My husband had the seafood fra diavolo, which he loved. For dessert, we had the doughnuts with the ice cream inside. The house made ice cream was reallllllly good, but the doughnut was really dense and bready tasting, which was not what I was expecting. I dub this place "my" gem of Nashville. I love Italian food, but there's a lack of options for good Italian food in Nashville. Since I lived in big cities all over the US, this is close to what to expect.
(5)
Crawford L.
Ahh, Rolf & Daughters. The biggest, baddest restaurant in all the land. You will see famous people like Ted Danson, Trent Dabbs, and at least 20% of the cast of ABC's "Nashville." You will scoff at how much the drinks cost, then order several more because they taste so good. You will receive your food and love it. You will order a second helping of the house-baked bread with seaweed butter. You will consider order a second helping of the mushroom pasta, too, in lieu of dessert. You will wind up ordering both. Happy eating! ALSO, one last thing: get reservations. Waiting two hours for a table is worth it, but it still sucks... and baby, it's cold outside.
(5)
Lori M.
I love this place!! So interesting and innovative which makes for a wonderful culinary adventure. The starters are always great and changes depending on what is in season. I have had almost every pasta dish and they are all fantastic! The trout, chicken and vegetarian dishes are my favorite. Nice folks and so glad I am a half a block away!!!
(5)
Lance D.
Amazing 5 star culinary explosion in the science of food.
(5)
Jennifer M.
Very disappointed. I had the puttanesca while my date had the garganelli, and both were so salty we didn't even make it halfway through the dishes. The puttanesca was just plain disgusting - the chef sorely misused the anchovies. Additionally, it's nothing like having a meal where you have to SCREAM. Across the table to have a conversation. The noise was terrible. Terrible food and ambience, so many better restaurants around town!
(1)
Tom G.
I genuinely hate doing this, because I have never actually eaten here, but may I suggest that you expand the words on your website "We encourage you to visit without a reservation" to include "but please call ahead to make sure we aren't closed for a whole fortnight"! While traveling through the South we wanted to hit Husk on one of our nights in town (review coming soon) and this place. Having checked the website and Yelp to confirm their opening hours we walked over here from downtown to work up a little appetite only to find it eerily abandoned with a tiny sign in the window saying they are on vacation. I appreciate that a small restaurant's staff are entitled to vacation, but how about considering other people's vacations and putting a note on your website to that effect? My mistake for not checking more thoroughly (I actually did call once we started walking from Downtown but the phone rang and rang so I assumed they were just busy) but even disappointed locals arrived when we did also unaware of the closure. Luckily some of these locals pointed us towards the nearby City House (review also coming soon) but please, guys, a tiny effort on your part would have been much appreciated by some people who had come from near and far to support your business. Thank you.
(1)
Mr.Food E.
Not your average Restaurant and I guess that is what makes this place great. Located just outside downtown Nashville in what appears to be an old factory that has been touched up quite nicely. It was a little awkward entering through an outdoor tent then accessing the main door but once inside the atmosphere was very inviting and full of friendly people and staff. The seating was a little weird especially if you don't like people. I was sat at a table with a total group of strangers after the first 10 seconds of silence you learn to dive right into other peoples conversations turned out to not be a bad thing. This was my first time here so I wasn't sure what to order so I relied on the waitress to help me choose a meal that would hold me over for the evening. Everything worked out well and the food was delicious and fresh. I ended up with a plate of the Garganelli it was like Mom's Mac and Cheese +5 it just hit the spot . Great food Great Staff and more importantly Great food. will be back if I'm in Nashville. If you Love food Eat here...
(5)
Diondre V.
Tried this place for the 3rd time and finally got seated. The first two times I've tried, they "don't do reservations on the weekend." The first time was for my girlfriend's birthday. "We are not gonna have a table for eight until about 10 o'clock." Meanwhile, people just kept being seated in front of us. Tried to get in the second time, there were 3 tables open for two but a party of 8 came just before us but these tables were not even in a row yet we still had to wait. This last time, showed up and there were clearly 4 tables wide open with a couple about to leave a fourth. "Table for two, please." "Oh it's going to be a 45 minute wait." "What about those four open tables for two?" "Oh those are for reservations.". WTF!!!!??? Just last week you didn't do weekend reservations now you all of a sudden have tables booked? Who did you notify that you all of a sudden do reservations? Now, this third time I walked in I noticed, just like the other two times, there is a specific "crowd", if you will, that they cater to. I've never seen a table of the "out crowd" in there and I've waited there a total of 2 hours in the three times I've been and have only been seated once. On to the food and drinks. First off the waitress could have explained the menu, which she could have because most of the things on there were not just normal things you'd find anywhere else. Flyte takes the cake in explanation of the menu items. She could have attempted. The drinks easily rival Patterson House for the tastiness and strength. The food was decent. I had the baby octupus with black garlic and pork for the appetizer. Pretty good. My main course consisted of pork tenderloin and cannellini beans and spinach. Pretty good. My side was polenta (grits) and greens. Those were just ok-they served them in a bowl together. Which was not a good idea because once the dish sat their, the polenta started to just float off into little pieces and there were no spoons. For dessert, my date and I shared a chocolate tart which had sea salt and chocolate nibs covering it. I liked it because it was light and not heavy. I'm not a big fan of chocolate overkill. The coffee is extra weak. Maybe that's because I'm a coffee drinker. The food is good, drinks are spectacular, service is ASS CRACK. That's why I only gave them three stars because of the service. Otherwise, the restaurant was pretty good. I would go if you want a decent meal with good drinks. Sidenote: look like you have money when you go, they like that. I feel like since we were not the crowd that they "prefer" we were treated terribly 3x. I wouldn't go back unless I had reservations and someone begged me.
(3)
Guillermo K.
Delicious stuff. Service was a little uneven (and slow at points). But the pasta was great. The Berkshire pork entree however is pretty whatever. Not worth it to get that.
(3)
Queen B.
Two disappointing experiences, decided it's not worth a review.
(2)
Taylor K.
The food is amazing, the atmosphere is fun, and the bartenders are easy on the eyes. It doesn't get better than this ;-).
(5)
Janet S.
Space - nice if you like wood and brick, this seems to be just arriving in Nashville, better late than never. Noise - loud chatter plus loud music (good if you like the Cure) Greeting - Nothing special..and we like special. Food - Meh to OK, small portions indeed! Service - Hesitant and unsure. 5 peeps - we were seated by the entrance door which meant an icy blast every time someone came in and out plus the gentle waft of cigarette smoke from the smokers just outside. Cocktails - $10/$11, Nice - A-OK and satisfying, Searching for the Cure (sticking with the music here ) and the Cumberland Sour Sourdough and Seaweed butter, 4 pieces of bread - 5 of us at table, (pet peeve of all of us) enough butter for 3 people. Sourdough a bit heavy to compete with the butter, no taste of seaweed. Pate Campagnola - not too much flavor here, no better than packet Pate. from Kroger, again 4 piececs of bread and 4 radishes, for the love of god... and yes we paid the extra charge for more bread. Oh and where were the cornichons peeps? Polenta and Turnip Greens - Greens extremely bitter, polenta soft and creamy, we all agreed this was the best thing we had all night. Pork Special Sandwich - belly wrapped in loin wrapped in skin (supposed to be crispy). Two of us had this, almost inedible, dripping in a greasy oil concoction they called Salsa Verde, why add oil to Pork? If the pork belly was there, we could not find it, it seemed all loin and no crispy skin, a great idea but not executed correctly. Trout - acceptable according to the eater. Yorkshire Pork - sub-par according to the Yorkshire man eating it, so like what is Yorkshire Pork anyhow? Pasta - the best dish of the evening of the entrees, but small as their Pastas are Secondi. Home made Parmesan was a little overpowering. Dessert - Bombolini - good, three of them and some chocca sauce. Finally I asked for a Sambucca, none to be had, no problem, I asked the waitress to ask the bartender to give me the closest alternative from their digestiv list and he sent amarro nardini. Excellent Choice - but I would expect a proactive bartender to suggest an alternative rather than wait for the guest to suggest it. Service - only came to us when she had to, was not particularly knowledgeable about the menu, was not receptive to the Pork Special feedback, and scampered away as fast as possible. All in all $200 for the lot of us, would we go back - Nah I don't think so but I sure did enjoy the company and thank our friends for treating us. Whew that was my longest review ever - sorry folks....but really this is pretty much a Gastropub on an average day, would enjoy this setting with a shepherds pie and a pint:-). Quieter ambiance at Silo and better VFM at ye olde Cityhouse. Why 3 stars??? I really like the bar shelves - reminded me of British Habitat shelving from the 90's, bottles nicely arranged. Me old flat in London was just like this.
(3)
Jaime B.
No complaints! Lives up to the hype. Had the butternut squash first course, and the trout dish, and squid ink pasta - and the bombilini dessert. They were all amazing! No reservation, arrived at 8:45 on a Saturday night, super busy but our party of 2 was seated at the community table within 20 minutes.
(5)
Mandy M.
Last minute trip to Nashville to visit son in college, tried to get a reservation the week before, but knew it was unlikely. Very helpful girl on the 'phone told me they have communal tables that are first come first seated (the bar is too). We waited about an hour for our table. Husband wanted to go elsewhere, I made him wait. Cocktails were delicious. The hostesses had been very friendly and the waitress was friendly enough, she seemed a bit overwhelmed. Steak Tartare appetiser was delicious, I thought the salsa verde was a strange choice to go with it but it worked. Squid Ink pasta with shrimp and lemon was absolutely wonderful, perfectly seasoned. Husband had the pasta verde with pork ragu which was very good - he thought he won (he didn't). Son very much enjoyed the roast pork, portions were way too small for his liking but then he's a 19 year old with the appetite of a small horse. Desserts were great, the bombolini were a big hit - warm, crispy sugary pillows of yumminess. The panacotta wasn't really, it jiggled okay but the consistency was too soft, more like a creme brulee without the brulee. Pet peeve... Husband and son finished their main course before I did and the waitress cleared their plates, asked about dessert and delivered the dessert menu before I had finished - super tacky and very rude, her actions made me feel as though they really wanted us out of there pdq. She did the same thing to the group of 3 sitting beside us. I know a lot of people don't like to sit with an empty plate in front of them (I'm one of those) but if someone in my party is still eating I can wait. We'll definitely go back (but maybe have a reservation next time).
(4)
Kel Vin W.
First meal back in Nashville, it was spectacular! First of all, the staff were great, we had a 3 year-old with us and they were very accommodating. The kitchen made a spaghetti with butter and parmesan dish for my friend's daughter, it was soooo good, all the adults wished we had a bowl of that! We started out with Razor clams, and a butternut squash crostini which were absolutely delicious. The clams were roasted with smoky char, but still perfectly tender, and the nutty hubbard squash on whipped ricotta made a smooth and earthy starter For entrees we got the Yorkshire pork, which was very rich in flavor! The roasted Heritage chicken was succulent and juicy. The gemelli was cooked with farro flour and hen of the woods mushrooms, it was earthy and had it been served in a pottery bowl, it would have been a modern rustic pasta dish. The squid ink canestri pasta with diced minced chorizo, shrimp and squid was bursting with seafood flavors. Lastly, we got 1 of each dessert: olive sinclair's chocoloate and sea salt chocolate baker; we also got the panna cotta which was so soft and deep in flavor. We also got the bombolinis which are fried to order, they are small doughnuts with pastry creme filling. A great meal, again, one of Nashville's gems!
(4)
E. D.
This is a meal that you've got to plan out in advance--but man, is it worth it! I've been here three times so far and have never been disappointed. It is delicious.
(5)
Sean S.
A place for lovers of cocktails and foodies. My main entree was a pork dish. Really high fat content. Not sure if that was intentional. All else was spot on! But no espresso drinks! Kind of weird for a 4 star place.
(4)
Cara K.
After reading all the glowing reviews on yelp, my boyfriend and I decided to give this restaurant a try. It was a very disappointing experience... We tried an appetizer, entree, and dessert. The app was very good. However, my boyfriend's entree was very undercooked and had to be sent back. Our waitress was by far the most unpleasant waitress I have ever encountered and did not apologize for the undercooked food or attempt to smooth over the inconvenience. I was entirely done eating my entree by the time my boyfriend's dish came back. I had a pasta dish which was very good. A couple we had talked to recommended the filled donuts for dessert and so we tried those as well. We both thought it was a fun, unique dessert. Although I have had bad experiences at restaurants I have never felt like writing a review on one. The experience was just that disappointing and I am still wondering why this place had so many good reviews. I agree that the food is very good, although I am not sure it is as good as I was expecting by reading the other reviews. At similar (price and atmosphere) restaurants in other cities I have had much better food and enjoyed the experience a lot more. And the service was horrible. The building was gorgeous but the vibe was unfriendly and overly hipster. I would not go back.
(2)
whitney D.
We went the night after they opened, and I'm just now remembering to write the review! The drinks were nice and the food was a little pretentious, however the vibe and the service were exceptional! The community table freaked me out at first, as I'm not the biggest fan typically, but we ended up knowing almost everyone there that night, which made it really fun. Our server was great and made us feel at home and the hostess went above and beyond by overhearing a friend say they wanted a cigarette and quickly bringing out a fancy silver cigarette case and offered them one. Overall it was a really fun night and having friends that live in the building, we will most likely be back soon!
(4)
Luke K.
Others have mentioned variable service and food but during my three times going have all been spectacular. I've never personally ordered the chicken but someone in my part has each time and man is that delicious. Their pastas are tasty, lighter than what you get at most places, which suited just fine. Most recently I had a pork belly dish and it was excellent. Probably not something I could order over and over but one of the positives of Rolf and Daughters is you can bounce around the menu pretty easily. It can be tough to get a table but the bar is a pretty good for hanging out while you wait.
(4)
Andrea D.
Service and food were good. Inside was beautifully redone. Portions are very small, do not go their starving. Wine pour for a $12 glass was under average and could have been better. Germantown already has Silo, City House and Germantown Cafe. I rather go to City House where the portions & pours are worth the money you will spend.
(4)
Gage L.
Amazing from start to finish. Appetizer of octopus w/ pork belly was a favorite. Our group ordered 3 of the 5 pasta dishes on the menu and all equally amazing. The dry aged meatballs with Sunday sauce was delicious. All cocktails were great.
(5)
Christina S.
Expectations were high and met! Everything from service to decor to food was amazing. We got lucky and walked in at 6:30 and got a seat at their communal table. We were smack in the middle of the table and at first we thought it would be tight but within five minutes we forgot there were people next to us. We ate 3 appetizers, two pasta entries and shared a desert with two cups of coffee (also had a glass of wine and beer) and we left spending $120 including tip. The brussel sprouts were out of this world! the For the freshness, flavor and pure ambiance, we feel this was a steal!!!! What a great find on our trip down south!!!! Our only issue was that we wish our dining experience lasted a little longer. Appetizers came out within 10 minutes of ordering and sometimes I like to settle in before starting to fine (perhaps giving clients the bread and butter for free would be a way to let us dine a little longer) and our food was served a quick 5 minutes after we finished our appetizers. Totally get they want to move people quickly, but I'd rather have had a few extra minutes between sitting and food arriving.
(5)
Sloane S.
Last Saturday, I had the opportunity to eat here for the first time. Dinner with a good friend. Only way to go. We arrived at 8:30 and waited at the bar for 45 minutes. Great bar staff, great cocktails and an adventurous wine list. The first three appetizers we ordered we could not get-they ran out of bread. It's good. I'm a foodie. I get it. This was a busy night. I had the chicken and my friend had the trout. It was in a word-DIVINE. I'll go back. The atmosphere, the service and the food. Great trifecta in my book.
(4)
Rachel H.
Given the buzz around the place, I expected a unique and inventive experience. But, I could have prepared my dinner at home. We ordered three appetizers and a pasta for 2 of us because we wanted to sample various things. While the pasta was very good, they accomplished that mostly by using a lot of butter with other simple, good ingredients. It was good - but reproducible at home without much effort. Two of the appetizers also had generous portions of fat. I don't mind fat, but it felt like the restaurant was relying on fat to make the dishes feel special and satisfying. The appetizers were not memorable. Given better options in town, I'll go back only if a group votes for it.
(3)
Glenn F.
Rolf & Daughters is very interesting menu selection and restaurant. I dined on their second evening open and I couldn't believe how well they had things together. Service was amazing! (Thanks Becca!). My favorite selection is a mixture of meals. Just give me the most flavorful piece of oven roasted chicken, yes chicken, in Nashville and a side of their plain homemade spaghetti noodles and I will be happy. The ambiance is casual and hipster. Parking was adequate and the service was terrific. Drinks and cocktails are delicious. I will go back for sure.
(4)
Nathan W.
When I think about what I would want to have for my last meal, pasta invariably ends up on that list, sometimes two or three times. There is no more satisfying an item on the planet of which I am aware. Capable of both inspiring and comforting simultaneously. I would consider myself an avid pasta fan, fanatical even. Which brings me to Rolf and Daughters. Opened recently in the boiler building of the Werthan Packaging plant and condos, Rolf and Daughters aims to bring a central Italian perspective to the expanding Nashville food scene. In a city which lacks a robust Italian food presence, Rolf and Daughters shines. With one exception (which I will touch on in a moment) the food was thoughtful, inspired and comforting. The wine list was the equal of the food and the cocktails were clearly a daily consideration. We started our meal with a pate of chicken livers (one of my weaknesses) served with toast and a ginger jam. The pate was smooth, rich and delicious. The ginger jam was creative and a subtle compliment to the pate and crunch on the toast. My only gripe with this app was that it only had two toast points and extra toast costs $. If you are going to serve us a tin of pate at least give me enough bread with which to scrape the sides with. No one wants to watch me licking the inside of the tin, it is embarrassing. We followed this with a salad. A well executed salad is an unsung victory, and this sits soundly in that category. I imagine that any salad you choose will meet this mark so I wont spend my time on it. We shared a pasta dish with a pork ragu. This was sublime. I found myself wanting more bread...again...just to clean the bowl. It was rich and complex. It defined for me what savory is supposed to be. So delicious. Our individual courses were pasta again for me and shrimp for my wife. This pasta was the special. It was a goat which had been braised in milk and then an acidic and delicious creamy sauce wrapped around what appeared to be a twist on gnocchi. This was really good, not as good as the ragu, but still damn good. My only wish for it was that there had been more of the goat meat in it. My wife had the gulf shrimp for her entree. They were huge prawns in a delicious (thought uninspired) sauce. The heads were removed but for some reason they had left the rest of the shells on the shrimp. In my experience if you leave the shells on, the heads should also remain. It both makes for a great experience and a simpler deconstruction post prep. If you do remove the head then the tail should be all that remains. This is my opinion, but it made her dish challenging at best to eat. It also left us wishing she had ordered something else. Dessert was something special. I had the Italian donuts and my wife had an amazing dark chocolate torte. Both were amazing and left us feeling hugged. So where does this leave us? Full, that's where it leaves us. Rolf and Daughters does something great for Nashville. It makes us want more.
(4)
Eric F.
First Yelp review I've written + first time in Nashville and really, thoroughly enjoyed our meal at Rolf and Daughters. Delicious interesting cocktails Sour Dough with seaweed butter and chicken liver pate to start. Shaved brussel sprout salad was a treat. Trout and gemelli farro with hen of the wood mushrooms. And ensure you have the bartender pour you a glass of the Mettler red.
(4)
Bill G.
6 of us went to Rolf and Daughters last night as we had been told it was a really good new place. The room inside is really cool an the bar is nice also. We ordered some drinks and wine and some appetizers all of which were pretty good. The Pate was good and also the bread they served with it. When we ordered our dinners we were told the specials had all sold our for the night which is strange because it was only 8pm. The menu itself seemed to be lacking in a lot of ways. They offer 4-5 apps and only 4-5 entrees. There were some sides and a few small plates as well but I was hoping for more. Anyway we all ordered and my wife got the meatballs and I ordered the Puttanesca and others ordered the fish. When we got our dinners they looked great but my wife complained about the salt in the meatballs and when I got a taste, I was shocked and I really like salt but I could not eat a second bite. My Pasta was way overdone with the Anchovies...way over done! I did taste the fish and it was ok but not great. Our waitress was just fine and kept the water bottles full on the table however the water in them was really warm which was odd as it was surely just tap water and wouldn't you fill them with cold water? So basically we had a really expensive seriously mediocre dinner and I would not recommend this place to anyone I like.
(1)
Julie S.
The wait staff is amazing...and that's only the beginning! The food is out of this world! We've had dinner here several times and we let the waitress or waiter choose half of the meal and we choose the other half off the menu and then we share and it's truly an experience. The other wonderful thing about this restaurant is the people watching. The prices are reasonable enough so that the uber cool young people who are always on the cutting edge can afford it and the "common table" where those without reservations but are willing to wait for seats, is a great way to get to know interesting people sitting around you. GO!
(5)
Rochell P.
I've eaten here a couple of times and have sat at the bar for drinks. First of all, LOVE the vibe - very chill but lively, muted light, exposed brick and wood tables. Smaller tables along the outside with 2 long communal tables in the middle. The cocktails are creative and tasty. We had the crostini and razor clams. The crostini was yummy with a light whipped ricotta and beets. The clams were not my favorite..a bit chewy for me. I've had the garganelli pasta and it was delish! I had a pasta special there on another night, forgot what it's called, with chocolate in it. It was just as tasty. For dessert we had a cream filled donut-type pastry with chocolate sauce (aka little pockets of heaven). The service is exceptional, very friendly and with good suggestions. I've heard others say that the servings are small. True but I don't want or need a bowl of pasta the size of my head.
(4)
Min M.
Hipster bartenders are unfriendly and unhelpful. Big turn off so much so that I can't remember much about the food. Great atmosphere in the restaurant. Just wish they didn't take themselves so seriously.
(3)
Fredrick L.
Great bar set up and the food is even better. We will definitely be back.
The best roast chicken ever. Best squid ink pasta. A memorable Meal lived up to its hype
(5)
Amanda E.
I've been wanting to try Rolf & Daughters for a while because I had heard many good things about it and Germantown has some amazing restaurants. I went with my girlfriend and a friend for dinner on a Saturday night. We had made reservations two weeks in advance, yet still had to wait for about 20 minutes for a table. We were finally seated when we inquired why there were several open tables available. The hostess had a twinge of an attitude, but I always give service people slack as they work very hard and sometimes they have an off night. We were promptly greeted by our server when we sat down and she took our drink orders and poured small glasses of lukewarm water. Odd. She was very knowledgeble about the menu and took the time to give recommendations. The decor was perfect and warm. We ordered our entrees and two appetizers to share, which came quickly. The baby octopus and pork belly was amazing, with crispy skin yet cooked perfectly on the inside. And I am not a fan of octopus. The sourdough bread is homemade and delicious, but of course they bring an odd number of slices for the the table, which I never understand about restaurants. Our entrees took a good 45 minutes to arrive at our table after the apps. I'm starting to realize why they make you wait. I ordered the pork ragu. It was good, but not great or earth shattering. The portions are small, which I appreciate. I had some bites of my friends' entrees. The farro pasta was light with a subtle lemon taste. It wasn't my favorite, but my girlfriend liked it. The trout was by far the best entree of the three. I am always impressed when a chef can turn Carolina trout into something delicious, because it is quite a boring and non flavorful fish. All in all it was a good experience. But for the prices they charge and for how long they make you wait, I would expect something better than "good."
(3)
Alex G.
I'll be back as RaD definitely has potential, but my most recent visit was pretty mediocre. Perhaps I just had overly high expectations given all the publicity this place has been getting (ex. Bon Appetite). Anyway, the drinks here are very solid. Enjoy a cocktail (daily special) and glass of wine. But the food was underwhelming. Came here with a party of four and had a chance to try quite a few dishes. Steak tartar was just so-so. Small portion for the price and the crostini it was one was in a bowl with some weird broth the made it a bit soggy. Just not sure what the idea was. Brussel sprouts were okay; tasted good, but I'm not personally a huge fan of the shaved slaw-style it's served as. Still, a recommended dish. Also enjoyed the sourdough bread and seaweed butter, but a little peeved that an italian restaurant wouldn't have free bread + olive oil/balsamic. Paying $5 (plus tax/tip) for bread and butter, no matter how tasty is a bit underwhelming, especially when a place like Etch does a butter tasting with several different butters for less. Ricotta cavatelli was pretty darn tasty. Had a fresh, nutty taste that's a bit hard to explain. Likely better in smaller portions as I can see the taste being a little cloying/overwhelming for a whole dish (I only sampled from one of my dining partners). I had the squid ink canestri and was underwhelmed. The flavor was solid, but when the ingredients say "shrimp" and "squid" I'd like to actually see and taste it. Whatever was topping the actual pasta was basically ground fish; it was more salty than I'd expect and truthfully it was difficult to even know that there was much there other than the pasta. Lamb meatballs were okay, but seemed to be a bit undercooked. The chicken was quite tasty, but also a bit on the salty side. Still it was definitely the best dish of the night.
(3)
Mag N.
have visited a couple times. always on point. no disappointments. i typically don't stray from a traditional cocktail, but the options here have not disappointed.
(5)
Shane M.
wonderful food and atmosphere, reasonable portions, great waiter, accommodating hostess, pleasurable experience
(5)
Elizabeth A.
Great place! Love the building and the food was delightful. I started with the tomatoes and had the trout and the favor was really good. The only problem I encountered was the noise level. For someone hard of hearing, it was hard to hear my dinner companions during conversation. That staff was very attentive and and catered to our party to make sure we had everything we needed. I think next time I go and I will return , I may opt to sit outside weather permitting.
(5)
Paulius N.
gastro-awesomeness a great foodie adventure with solid cocktails Once again, a new Nashville restaurant hits it out of the park. Bravo Nashville! The hits just keep on coming. Just opened, Rolf and Daughters is destined for greatness. Nothing on the menu that we tried disappointed. Cocktails to start, each one was unique and possessed a strong and well balanced flavor profile. The Milan Mule, made with gin for a ginger flavor load was a tart and bitter delight. Perfect to rev up the appetite for what awaited. Whoever designed the cocktail menu should be commended. A bit heavy on the amaros, but everyone has their style. I appreciate the lack of vodkas at the bar, and the non existence of the cloying flavored varieties. I would suggest however, the acquisition of olives for a classic martini. On to the food. A pork rib appetizer was off the charts great. Falling off the bone, moist, meaty, and served with a spicy relish. Worth of a death row dinner request no doubt. A porchetta sandwich was had as well. The bread was as perfect as could be, and stood up well to the moist fattiness of the meat. Seasoned quite lightly and served with a small amount of bitter greens for contrast, it was a flavor delight. If a sandwich can be comfort food, this one is. My brook trout entree, served with Savoy cabbage, creme fraiche and dill was heavenly. The chef again and again showed his deft hand with seasonings and texture combinations. The spaghetti carbonara, was rich if a bit on the small side, but again, a study in deliciousness. The squid ink canestri was big and bold, the chorizo blending seamlessly with the seafood. And it was visually stunning as well. Dessert options were also a hit. My bambolini were light as air with a fantastic chocolate dip, and the chocolate tart added a new dimension of subtle savoriness to the current trend of salt enhanced sweets. Carry on Rolf and Daughters. Carry on indeed.
(5)
Brooke M.
The best Nashville has to offer.
(5)
Claudia Y.
finally my restaurant in nashville. the place I'll always go. my second living room with a bar. GREAT cocktails. but it's the food. it's just plain excellent. all pastas made in house. the seafood squid ink and pork ragu garganelli were my favorites. we went twice the first week and pretty much ate through the menu. great vibe. great service. but it's the food. really. peasant food with a modern twist. inspired. truly. go.
(5)
Tim B.
Ambiance and drinks were great. Music was too loud for conversation. The food was too salty. Ordered meatballs and they were raw. Disappointing given the cost. Don't mind paying for a nice meal but I expect it to be well done. May consider coming back for drinks only. Nice patio space could make for a good happy hour. May give it a second chance in about a year but they have some kinks to work out first.
Huge fan still after 5 visits.....you can't beat the great vibe (cool interior, great patio, fun bar), attentive wait staff, and most of all, the food. The roasted chicken, gemelli pasta and cauliflower can't be beaten. I am not adventurous enough to try a few of the dishes (ink squid pasta) and I wish they didn't charge for the bread, but clearly it doesn't stop me from coming back. Read the other reviews and i haven't had the same issues, but maybe that's because we are early diners--hitting it about 6:15 or 6:30.
(4)
Vanessa P.
5 stars? Heck yes. I love the ambience here, the drinks are suberb, and the fresh pasta is perfect.
Overall we had a great experience. The food is amazing. The decor and vibe feels like an upscale Burger Up or a twin of the renowned City House. The price tag for two appetizer's, two glasses of wine each, two entree's, a shared desert, and two cool desert coffee's with the tip rounded out at a justifiable value of $170. That's about what I'm going to pay for an all-in dinner at an establishment of this caliber!! I will say that the server wasn't overly intuitive at first. I ordered our wine and he impatiently said "what's the rest of your order...the chef needs to plan ahead". Uh, really...did I really just hear that!! I looked at him for a very short minute and said, "as I said, we will enjoy the moment over a glass of wine"!! He quickly scurried away slightly rattled but to his credit he quickly got the idea and adapted to our slower pace and the eventual higher tab, including his generous tip for being a quick learner. I even like the side street location (much like the amazing City House) and the minimalist signage. I think the owners nailed it on every level. I would definitely go again!
(4)
Kay D.
My boyfriend and I got early reservations for a Friday night pretty far in advance, and it was already hopping at opening. The room is open, all wood and brick/concrete, so it got fairly noisy quickly. My cocktail was good, but arrived a good 5 minutes after my boyfriend's wine. We had apps (seaweed butter: good, coppa testa: so-so), 2 pastas and an entree. The veal pasta that was an off-menu item that night was good, and the pork ragout was amazing! I wish we would have just gotten those, because the pork served with the pork and sauerkraut entree was a real disappointment - just a few thin pieces with an inedible gristle line running through them. The sausage and sauerkraut were really good, however, so I have very mixed feelings about that dish. I feel the hype they are getting right now (mostly deserved from my experience) might let them get away with serving some dishes that wouldn't fly elsewhere. The service was friendly and efficient and we will definitely go back, but we'll stick to the pastas next time.
(4)
Adam M.
This is by far, one of the best restuarants I've eaten in my life! Being from New York City, I've eaten amongst the best of them, often at a much higher price. R&D is much better. The server was extremely patient and nice. The ambiance and design is perfect too. Allowing natural simplicity not to interfere with quite an original and succulent menu, of Italian origin. All homemade. The squid canestri is exquisite. Also had the Yorkshire Pork which was tender and full of delicious flavor. Would definitely go again!
(5)
Jennie V.
The atmosphere was almost as wonderful as the cocktails. My carbonara was a hair too salty and (this is coming from someone who over salts everything). The fingerling potatoes were okay. The panna cotta was to die for. The portions could be a little bigger. The prices were on target. Overall, I liked it and will return.
(4)
Joe F.
Everything about this restaurant is exciting and vibrant except for one thing. The food is wonderful, the outside patio is gorgeous and the wait staff is casual and friendly. Despite these wonderful aspects of the restaurant, it is lacking in one distinct area. The person who I've had to speak to on the phone to make reservations is rude, uninformative and abrasive. I've encountered this every time I've called. She knows little about the menu and the restaurant and made no attempt to find answers to the various questions I had asked. The last time I called I was hung up on after she told me that they were booked for the evening. I did not have an opportunity to ask about future reservations. It may not seem that important, but being a person in the service industry, I believe that the host stand is very important in a restaurant, as it is the first and last 'line of fire' that the guests encounter. I hope that Rolf and Daughters can find someone who can act as a true ambassador to their establishment and offer a bit more knowledge and friendliness for guests who call the restaurant, especially for the first time. But over all it is a great place to dine.
(4)
Ray B.
The resturant was beautiful, the staff, hostess and waitress, fantastic, the food delicious, the problem why I can only give 3 stars....the food, although it was delicious, for the price the portions were minimal. I dont mind paying for food I like and appreciate, but I do like to leave the table satisified. We started with the Crostini delicious but not enough for two to have a decent taste. The Carrot salad with little moo, delicious but seriously, for $10 I deserve the whole carrot. The Bucatini, delicious, but after the first bite, I was scrapping the bottom of the bowl and the Heritage Chicken, delicious, but when I am told the entre is a breast and a leg, I am from the South, a chicken breast is a nice size piece of meat, but this poor chicken never hit puberty. The Kale and polenta were delcious and i could have eaten a larger bowl full. We left not starving but definately not satisified. I probably will not return because for the price of the meal, there are equally good resturants where I feel I get a fair return on my investment. But thanks Rolf and Daughters for a nice evening.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Hipster Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Jason S.
Guys guys guys... GUYYYYSSS!!! Seriously. What the hell are you doing? And why didn't you tell me about this place before? This place gets it right. So many other places in Nashville get it close, but not right. A nice, quiet ambiance, soft lighting, communal or private tables. Wood everywhere. I sat up at the bar and a gent by the name of "Matt" took care of me. I started off with a cocktail, the "Laverda", which was a delightful mix of apple brandy, Pierre Ferrand's Dry Curacao, lemon, orange bitters and pimento dram. Freaking perfect. Being in a brandy state of mind, I hit my second cocktail with "The Jackal", which was Pierre Ferrand 1840 cognac, anejo tequila, Averna, and Angostura bitters. Had a spray of citrus over the top, served in a chilled lowball rinsed with absinthe. Again, perfect balance. Along with that libation, I opted for the snack that was pâté campangola, house mustard and pickles - and oh yes, fresh toasted sourdough slices. YOU SEE THAT ARNOLD MYINT?!? That's HOW YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO SERVE CHARCUTERIE, YOU STUPID, PRETENTIOUS, NO-TALENT HACK! Ahem, anyway, absolutely perfect way to start things off, and for the main course, I chose the "Yorkshire pork", which was beautiful plate of slices of pork, interspersed with apple slices, a fantastic sausage at the end, over a bed of savory kraut . Orbiting was a fantastic potato dumpling. Dabbed on top were splashes of whole-grain mustard, a perfect combination. Right after my plate was served, I asked Matt for a beer, and he proffered a pilsner they had on draft - a perfect choice. I took my time with my entree and it truly was spot-on in so many ways. Had some great conversation with Matt who is a Patterson House ex-pat, and as I wrapped it up, I asked for some coffee; he magically made a fresh cup appear in my hand. A great cup of coffee. Called it a night, headed home, can't recommend this place enough to people after this.
(5)Vassar B.
Wow. So, yes, the food is amazing. Complex, beautiful, tasty, all of that. And the environment is warm, welcoming, lively - you're happy to arrive and a little sad to go. But the service......this is why it was a solid rock star 5. Traveling on business, had read about this place, finally got a reservation with two of my colleagues and starting with the most basic questions about what the words on the menu mean (yeah, a little high falutin', lots of items I've never heard of, a slight temptation for me to eye roll) we were treated to the most intelligent, passionate, and clear food picture I have ever gotten. NOT a faux precious Portlandia caricature, but the real thing - our server (Becca, from the receipt) clearly loves this food. But more importantly, she really knows what goes into it, how it's prepared, can describe how toasted grains actually change the flavor and texture of a pasta dish (as an example), and was able to help our vegetarian diner choose wisely. Not in any way bombastic or snotty - she was confident, knowledgable, dedicated to making sure we were going to have a hell of a meal and wanting to show off the best her team had to offer. Right, and beyond this, excellent service. There is something seriously right about this place, to have that kind of experience on a regular ole Sunday night. Made me feel like maybe I could fall in love with Nashville......
(5)Jennifer N.
Everything about this place made me happy! 1. Super friendly staff -- starting right off with my phone call to make reservations. Our waiter was helpful and upbeat, even during a mad dinner crowd. There was no rushing us out of the place. 2. Accessible and cool vibe- The fact that they are getting such awesome reviews, but I was able to make a reservation when I wanted and on a weekend! Convenient Germantown location, and a cool, reclaimed industrial space really added to the ambiance. It is loud, but that only adds to the neighborhood tavern atmosphere. I haven't even gotten to the food and drinks! 3. Cocktails-- Each cocktail we tried was fantastic- the Cumberland sour and the Fillmore were especially great! 4. Food-- Everything we tried was inspired and delicious. The pork ragout has gotten love in other reviews as well- have to add my vote. The delicious house-made sourdough and seaweed butter is worth the extra cash for an order. The brussel sprout salad was a favorite at our table. The heritage chicken with preserved lemon was divine- juicy, fresh and flavorful. 5. Dessert-- To top it off - dessert was unique and delicious. Definitely try the bombolino- italian doughnuts, cream filled, and served with a redundantly delicious chocolate dipping sauce.
(5)Joe R.
Went here a few week with my wife. We decided to just drop in since the restaurant we were planning on going to was closed for a week. This probably wasn't the best idea since as it turns out if you don't have a reservation you aren't getting a table. That was the awkward thing, when I asked for a table for two the hostess kind of looked at me puzzled and then said we could wait for a seat at the bar. She didn't offer to put us on a list or anything at all. So we waited about 25 minutes for a seat at the bar. I'm not against sitting at the bar but the situation felt odd. We had a few drinks and then I had to practically jump on the end of a conversation the bar tender was having with the couple next to us to get him to bring us food menus. We started with the crostini appetizer. It was good but it was one crostini which was a little disappointing. For our main courses I ordered the squid ink pasta and my wife ordered the spaghetti bottarga. I was a little disappointed in my dish although I thought my wife's was great. Apparently she liked my dish better so we should have switched. Basically, I think this place deserves another shot and maybe I should make a reservation next time. The odd experience at the door put a weird taste in my mouth. I would recommend to a friend because the food was decent. I think I need another trip to make up my mind.
(2)James F.
I had the opportunity to take my sweetie out for a delish date night out. We decided to head over to Rolf and Daughters and for my first time, I was truly excited. So, we get there around 6 or 7 and got outside seating pretty quick. For a place I see written up more than once in the local papers, I was surprised at the lack of patronage there. That always makes me skeptical of the place. So, started off with a glass of Jameson (neat as always. Thank God they didn't have Bushmills. Who drinks that protestant crap?) and an appetizer of Octopus and pork belly with a black garlic spread. Then Lola (my much better half) had the Carbonera and I had the hanger steak. We finished it off with some lovely donuts filled with a vanilla custard. Holy Cow was all I can say. The food was prepared amazingly and with such care and love. The Carbonera had enough flavor and heat and my hanger steak was prepared exactly like a hanger steak should be, medium. The accompaniment of local greens and the grilled onions were more than garnish... they were an essential part of the dining experience. The steak was juicy, well seasoned and just so amazing. The octopus with pork belly was solid as a starter and the finisher of the dessert just put everything over the edge. Overall, I will go back. So many things on the menu to try, the staff was attentive and amazing and I left wanting to go back and just order all of what we ate again to take home.
(4)Leslie C.
Wonderful, simple, flavorful. Atmosphere is upbeat and unpretentious. Sharing dishes is a great way to sample them all. Reservations highly recommended.
(4)Isabel T.
The food was incredible! The server was nice. An amazing hipster atmosphere with the appearance of healthy natural food that was delicious! The food reminded me of my grandfather's home cooking- but very refined. Every aspect of the meal was above average. Look forward to visiting again soon.
(5)EdDee P.
We absolutely love this place!!! Come here often and like to sit at the bar. The bartender is very friendly and talented with making some great cocktails!! We try a different app each time- i never seem to find something I love because I am so excited for my main dish! Every time I go there I get the squid ink pasta SOOOO GOOD! My boyfriend also gets the same thing every time-Bucatini far diabolo, octopus,rad lard, calabrian chili. I usually beg for a few bites! Just writing this review is making me want to go tonight! I am excited for it to be warmer outside because it has a cute outside area that sets a romantic vibe ;)
(5)Heidi H.
When my husband and I pay $60 apiece for dinner, I need to be overwhelmed. I WAS, from start to finish. The reservation taker was friendly. The server was not only knowledgeable about everything on the menu, including the unusual (and oh so tasty) ingredients in the cocktails, she was incredibly efficient and friendly. The pasta ... oh, THE PASTA. Al dente. Perfectly seasoned. Made in house. The steak with turnip greens ... to die. My husband, a marvelous cook, is always comparing restaurant chicken with his own. Rolf and Daughters prevailed. The atmosphere is warm and intimate. Perfect date night.
(5)Cynthia P.
When it's cold and rainy out and I'm too tired to cook or even think about what to prepare for dinner my favorite treat is to take a walk over to Rolf and Daughters. I've dined here several times and I crave the pasta...Garganelli verde, heritage pork ragout...echoing everyone else, it really is "all that". I usually dine with a friend and the two of us like to split the pasta, the salad (Garden lettuces, buttermilk dressing, asher blue), get a bottle of the San Lorenzo "Il Casolare" Marche Rosso IGT, Montepulciano, and finish with the bombolinis. PLENTY of food for two people and the bill is around $65 (before tax). Given the quality of food, the price seemed very reasonable.
(4)Gabriella H.
As soon as we left Rolf and Daughters, I turned to my husband and said, "Five stars?" He immediately nodded and confirmed the assessment. The first good sign was the friendly phone reservation with the hostess followed by a really pleasant greeting at the door. Our server gave us plenty of time (maybe a little too much but that just gave my husband and me more time to talk) to mull over our menu choices. She was great at giving solicited opinions when we were undecided over something, and I always am! We had the garganelli (the ragout was deeelicious) and another pasta dish that had hen of the woods mushrooms. The latter came highly recommended by the server, who, when we were debating between that and the carbonara, cleverly added that the carbonara was likely going to be a staple while the other dish was seasonal. Sold. (Ha! She already knew we would be coming back!) The pastas tasted very different, and my husband and I kept on stealing from each others plates because we couldn't decide which we liked more. Drinks were strong and perfectly done, just the way I like them. They were a teensy bit on the small side for the price, but perhaps the coupes were larger than I gauged. Since I had ordered "sippers," they did last forever, so I can't complain. Another plus, when I mentioned that I wanted a drink similar to the Laverda and couldn't find anything on the menu, the server offered to have the bartender make something without skipping a beat--and that drink was spot-on too. Finally, for dessert we had the bombolinis (?). I may be spelling that wrong, but they were the donuts-from-heaven things. Light, not too sugary, a perfect dessert for two people to share even if only one of them has a major sweet tooth. Rolf and Daughters makes me wish that I lived in Werthan Lofts. We already can't wait to go back.
(5)Morgan M.
I heard about R.A.D (Rolf and Daughters) on my first trip out to Nashville but was unable to make it, so I made it a point to get there my second time around. The restaurant is located in a part of town that I would guess is "up and coming". Industrial-chic.... you know, where wood, metal and exposed brick dance together to create a "not trying to be cool", but IS very cool look. Some may call it hipster, some may say hippie.... I could really care less because the ambiance was warm and inviting, the staff was friendly, knowledgeable and (the one you don't usually expect--PASSIONATE!) about the experience they are about to give you. DRINKS FIRST: I'm a sucker for a good craft bartender who knows how to craft the perfect cocktail. I had the RAD Old Fashioned (what can I say?, I heart Whiskey/Bourbon).... and it was done perfectly. My go-to booze recommendation; mix it up. Start with a cocktail, then move to a glass of red -- experience the best of both worlds and attain the perfect buzz. FOODIE: My colleague and I shared everything; being the foodies we "claim" to be.... we didn't want to miss a thing. We started with the special charcuterie board; complete with Chicken Paté, Country Ham, and Head Cheese (which I sadly had to pass on bc of a stupid bet I am enduring in which I have to give up my beloved cheese for 140 days----yes, i know, kill me now!) The paté and country ham had SOOOO much going on; not only was the flavor amazing, but I found myself inhaling deeply before each bite bc it. smelled. so. freakin. amazing. We each ordered a pasta entree; I ordered the squid ink pasta and he the pork ragu. Well, let me tell you... I thought I was the clear winner, with squid ink shell pasta, crab, lemon butter sauce and.... (wait for it).....serrano chilis!! But no, no, no dear friends.... the "boring", "generic", "simple" Pork Ragu STOLE THE SHOW! Such a fantastic combination of flavors. I couldn't even tell you what was in that dish, but after one bite, I was ready to kick my colleague umder the table and run away with his dish. De-lish. KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Rumor has it that it is difficult to get reservations, (I would guess the restaurant seats about 40 +/-)...so we expected to play bar stool musical chairs until we were able to snag two chairs together and eat at the bar.... but we walked in around 8:30pm on a Thursday night and were seated right away. SUM IT UP: Two craft cocktails, a special starter, four glasses of wine and two entrees came out to $133. All of our pocketbooks are different, but seriously: Just do it. The service, the ambiance, the beverages and above all.....THE FOOD, is NOT something to be missed.
(5)Drew M.
My favorite restaurant in the city, and I don't even think its close. First of all the space is really cool. Patio is great when weather permits, too. All I ever get here is pasta: The Squid Ink Canestri. Its such a unique dish with flavors that I could in no way replicate them at home. Its got this rich earthy flavor, and a nice brightness from the lemon too. Its a perfect dish. We always get the Pate too, and its equally awesome. The Gargenelli pasta with the pork ragout is another standout. You pretty much can't go wrong with any pasta here. Cocktails are nicely balanced and are booze forward, just how I like them.
(5)Mark C.
Outstanding and simply one of Nashville's finest eateries. Fantastic food and terrific service! 10+
(5)Chris V.
My new neighborhood joint is the bees knees! I waited anxiously for this new gem to open in the Werthan Loft building off Taylor Street. Only open five days and I've already been there 3 times - is that excessive?! Ah who's counting... While it's not the cheapest option for food in the Germantown area, it's well worth the high-price. The drinks are unique and well-made and the food... the FOOD! Upon first arrival, my friend Lenore informed me that the pork ragu was worth foregoing sex, so clearly that was my immediate go-to. I've had it twice...this week. It's packed full of flavor and soul-satisfying savory (say that three times fast). There's also a secret sandwich that doesn't appear on the menu and comes limited each night - that's the most I'll spill on that. ;) To cap off your night the Bambolini's are incredible. Basically three big, vanilla creme filled donut holes sprinkled with sugar and a chocolate sauce for dipping. If you like Boston Creme or Eclair type desserts, this one is for you! A WIN all the way around!
(5)Timothy L.
If you want the best meal, served by a very well trained and knowledgeable server, look no further. Easily one of the best meals I have EVER had...both times that I went. While their menu does change from time to time, there are some things to keep and eye out for... 1) Any kind of meatballs. The 2 times that I've visited they had meatballs, the first time was beef and sausage, I think, and the second time they were lamb meatballs, both were crazy good. 2) If it has squid ink in the description of the pasta, order it. Again, both times the plates were slightly different but amazing nonetheless. 3) Order as much as you think you can stomach...and then some. I say this for two reasons. First, the leftovers are totally worth it. Second, you're more than likely to finish everything during your visit. I don't know how, but their food was soo good I had a hard time stopping, seriously. What, you ask, would this kind of meal cost? Not near as much as you would pay for this good a meal somewhere else. Most the meals are under $20/plate and the portions and taste will bring you for more....or just make you order more food.
(5)Hunter K.
I had my first full dinner experience at Rolf and Daughters Friday night and walked away happy and satisfied. I was happy to branch out of my culinary comfort zone with the chicken liver pate and squid ink pasta dish. Both were very tasty, and the experience was enhanced by a friendly and attentive wait staff. As a resident of Germantown, I am glad to see another trendy dining option come into the neighborhood. Here's hoping Rolf and Daughters keeps good customer service on the menu as they establish themselves in town. They've got a great staff and a fun menu. I'll definitely go back.
(5)Johan T.
Perfect evening from beginning to end. Super cool place, great bar, great staff and last but not least - great food. The trout was nothing but epic.
(5)Tianna C.
I've been waiting to try the delights of Rolf and Daughters for several long months. Upon our first meeting, Chef and owner Philip Krajeck described the menu as "modern day peasant food". I wasn't quite sure how to wrap my head around that, so he described it as the type of environment in which you should feel comfortable reaching across the table and dipping your bread into your sisters pasta dish. I'm Italian, so I totally got it at that point. This was going to be the type of restaurant that felt like home. Unpretentious, familiar, welcoming... He was right. I rounded up a friend and headed over to Rolf and Daughters last night. This was only their second night of business open to the public. I immediately saw at least three people I knew as soon as I walked in the door... I think it really helps that the building is attached to the growing Werthan Lofts apartments community. The place was packed. On a Thursday night. Mainly a "hipster" crowd, but I'm OK with that sort of thing. My friend and I were seated in the middle of a community table. We enjoyed chatting and exchanging menu suggestions with the strangers around us. Although, I know some people would prefer to sit at a more private table, and those are also available. Our waitress was very familiar with each of the choices on the menu and was able to recommend an excellent bottle of 2011 Bordeaux Cinq Les Pattes. One of my new favorite cabernets. My friend and I started with the crostini, whipped ricotta, forno beet, pistachio ooh my god. Packed with flavor and we loved how the sweetness of the beets mixed in with the creamy ricotta. The presentation was also really beautiful, yet simple. I still felt like I was sitting at my family's table. We also ordered a side of the spaghetti squash with almonds because we just couldn't help ourselves. It didn't disappoint. Just the right amount of salt and crunch. We then shared the red kuri squash, chestnut and ricotta raviolo with brown butter. Again, I almost died. All of their pasta is made in house, and you can tell. It's delicately fresh and easily melts in your mouth. This dish was so perfect I almost licked my plate. We didn't stop there... we moved onto the brook trout with savoy cabbage, creme fraiche, and dill. Again, delightful. At this point, you would think two girls would have had their fill. Not even close. We ordered not one, but TWO desserts. Three housemade custard filled dough-nuts dipped in smooth dark chocolate and the dark chocolate torte made with Nashville chocolate co. Olive & Sinclair. Our community table neighbors thought our dessert looked so enticing that we ended up sharing a few bites with them... until they finished off ours and ordered their own. :) This place is well on it's way to becoming a Nashville gem. I'm already planning my next visit.
(5)Angie L.
Some friends of mine who are cooler than I am had been here a couple of times and had plenty of positive comments about the meat dishes. As I'm not that much of a carnivore I wasn't sure what to expect. I did see a couple of interesting sounding things on the Pasta & Grains section of the menu. My squash & chestnut / ricotta raviolo was tasty & the presentation was nice too. The drink menu makes me want to return. I was driving so I went with a Mexican Coke. Nice option.
(4)Darren S.
Very good food, sophisticated (but relaxed) atmosphere and good staff. A little out of the way but worth the trip.
(4)Ann W.
My dinner was delicious. I had the pasta with the pork ragout sauce (after reading a recommendation from a fellow Yelper). The serving was a little small but it was sufficient and the price was reasonable. I ate every morsel. I appreciated being able to get a meal for under $20. The spagetti squash side was ok = it was a little crunchy and in chunks that did not seem totally cooked. The server was very helpful and knowledgable and handled our relatively large group well. It did take a long time to get our food. Probably an hour. But we were enjoying hanging out, so it was not a problem. One down side - one of my friends ordered the squid ink pasta with seafood. There was literally about one tablespoon of chopped seafood and not much of a sauce. She was definitely disappointed and it looked really skimpy to me. But someone else at the table ordered the same thing and did not complain, so what do I know? I would definitely go back and give them another try and hopefully move them up to five stars.
(4)Brandon G.
This is another one of those places I want to be better than it actually is. Because it has so much going for it on the surface: cool building, ambiance, menu, etc. But when you get right down to it, the food is good, but it wasn't any better than that. It doesn't make me go "wow", it just makes me think about it for a second and go "yeah, this is pretty good."
(3)Angela T.
Really liked our meal here. I wouldn't say it was top ten in the country (Bon Appetit) but good food and great architecture. If I was rating on the pate alone I would give it twenty stars. Very delicious with a green tomato jelly to balance the richness. Bread was perfectly toasted without being too rich as I have seen at other places. Brussel sprout salad was tasty. I ordered poorly. I had the trout which while not bad wasn't nearly as good as my husbands pasta with pork ragu. At a place that makes all of the pasta in house, I should have got a pasta dish! Lastly, drinks were good but not great. I had two off the holiday menu and liked the one with the egg white the best. Overall I liked the meal. However next time I go out in Nashville I might keep exploring their unbelievable food scene.
(4)Leslie J.
This place is really good. We sat at the bar for dinner. The service can be hit or miss, but the food is awesome. We enjoyed the chicken liver pate', pork entree', and collard greens. Is it the best restaurant in Nashville? Probably not, but still really good. Our bartender, Bryce, was really nice and helpful. We'll definitely be back.
(4)Ray Ray K.
Casual-fancy spot in Germantown. I got a special vodka something from the bar, it was a little too sweet for me. The food is presented very lovely, and pretty good flavors. The liver pâté app was very good if you like that sort of thing which I do. Nice setting. Sorta pricey but a nice atmosphere.
(4)Katie W.
I ate at the bar and had an almost-fantastic experience. My chicken liver pate & brook trout were delicious!! I will definitely be going back. The food was out of this world good. Upon arrival, the restaurant was full, but the friendly hostess Angela directed us to 2 open seats at the bar, and informed us we could order from the full menu there. I usually prefer eating at the bar anyway, so I was quite happy with it!! A bartender came up immediately and asked what we'd like to drink before we had any menus. We said we needed a second to look over the wine list, and a ton of time went by before he came back to us. In the meantime, another bartender Matt(have been told he is the bar manager?) got our drink and appetizer order. He was diligent in checking on us, and very personable! Bartender #1 came back for our food order, but turns out, he forgot to ring it in, or put it on hold and forget to ring it back to the kitchen. So our dinner took a while, but again, Matt to the rescue. He smoothed things over and made sure our dinner came out ASAP. The brook trout way to die for, and I highly recommend having dinner here!! The atmosphere is beautiful, charming and intimate. The meal that i had was well worth the substantial wait. It was a teeny hiccup on a busy night, that I am sure won't happen again!!
(5)Hunter A.
My default choice. Such a good atmosphere, spot-on preparation and service, delectable food. I felt compelled to write a review after being served a delightful concoction by last nite's bartender after I asked him for something grounding that was not alcoholic. His mystical response was from a mountain top of delicious herbs and more.
(5)J H.
This was our second visit to Rolf & Daughters and I'm happy to say that this restaurant just keeps getting better. The cocktails are spot on (and the servers are very knowledgeable when it comes to getting recommendations on them). The wine list is solid. For the two of us we ordered 3 first courses and 3 pastas because, well, they looked so good. And they were. The pasta here is some of the best I've had outside of Italy and easily on par with great restaurants like Marea in NYC. Love, love, love. Good energy, good vibe, good music, great food. What's not to like?
(5)Emily C.
so delicious! this was my first time eating there - i had gone for drinks previously. our waiter was so helpful and kind - he walked us through each item we selected from the menu and made sure we picked something that we'd like. the melon small plate and tartare were outrageously delicious. this is going to be another "go-to" place on my list.
(5)G. B.
Obsessed. This place is fantastic. I came in with a gf on Sunday night without a table, luckily they were quickly able to sit us. Our server was so knowledgeable, extremely helpful and just overall great. The food took a little long to get to our table, but it was worth it. Everything was delicious and the atmosphere was great where we sat (outside). The bucatini was some of the best pasta I've ever had - and I've been to italy! If you visit, do yourself a favor and save room for desert. The bombolini w/ vanilla custard and chocolate sauce is not to be missed.
(5)Kenny Y.
Not bad. I was still hungry after appetizer, entree, and desert.
(4)Sarah E.
I would have loved to give this restaurant 5 stars, don't get me wrong. The service was great, the atmosphere was super cool, presentation of every dish was beautiful, and the cocktails, wine, small plates and entrees were on point and very very delicious. But... when we got to dessert, it was disappointing. I didn't think you could mess up dessert this much, but apparently you can. We ordered the lime curd dessert. Sounds bright and rich, right? It was a mess, literally. The photo explains it all. WTF? I order dessert every time I eat out, and this felt like we were getting punk'd. Ashton? Where are you? I'll go back here, but I probably won't order dessert.
(4)Dene L.
If you like fresh, organic whole food, from local farmers, this is it. This is always my first choice if we go out to eat. I actually don't like to eat out much as the quality of the biodynamic organic food I get every week at the farmer's market is far better than what I will find in a restaurant in Nashville. I would rather eat at home... but the occasional splurge is well worth it at R + D. These guys actually buy from my farmers as I see them every Saturday morning buying from the same farmers I am. They don't even hardly promote that the food they choose to buy IS organic. For this, they should be applauded. It gives me hope that America isn't completely going Monsanto and Sysco. I've had all the appetizers and salads and they are all amazing. The beef tartare is very good as is the chicken and the octopus pasta. Bravo for doing it right.
(5)Shushu C.
I had overwhelming expectations after hearing from a coworker that this was one of the best restaurants she went to while visiting in Nashville. Overall the experience was very good, but fell short in a few aspects. The atmosphere is very nice...with outside seating and gardens/lighting. The view is not the best...but considering the area there is not much around to look at anyway. We started with bread and seaweed butter and salt. I am not going to say that they 're robbing you..but they're robbing you. The bread was good and the butter was good, but I didn't taste any of the seaweed. The waiter said that the seaweed was added for texture purposes......umm...right. I ain't salty or anything...ha...ha....ok anyway the bread with salt was good. I think with regular butter it would've been the same to be honest. Now charging for bread at a nice restaurant is a nono... Next...Chicken liver pate. It was probably my favorite part of the meal..I just love liver. The seasoning was great..but after 1 bite it started feeling very thick and dry with toasted bread so I think they could've prepared it differently to foil the texture. I got the squid in capellini, which was way too overhyped. To be honest I had a few bites and was a little unimpressed. The crispy fried bits (onions?)were everywhere and was good for taste but just ended up being too much on every bite. The sauce was also too simple, which made the dish just lacking in depth. I've had very good squid ink pasta..so personally I didn't prefer Rolf and Daughters version.... But the pork ragu was...amazing. It was perfectly balanced and seasoned and I wanted to keep eating it. I really have mixed feelings about this place. It was just a few steps short of a 5 star review. We ended with the oreo dessert. Whatever the restaurants like jto do it to deconstruct whatever..idk i just still tastes like oreos. They made their own, but tasted a little too healthy. All in all, I was debating a 5 star review but..some points of this restaurant really deterred me. Anyway, this restaurant is definitely still worth revisiting and I will be back to see how they will have changed (if at all).
(4)melba b.
We went there last night around at 6:00 with a early reservation. Loved the atmosphere and decor. We told our waiter it was out first visit and did he have any recommendations or specials to which he replied" everything is on the menu". The menu is a little hard to read and confusing. I had the squid and my husband had rigatoni( recommend that they serve bread with their pasta vs a separate order. Food was really good. Our server never came back to ask how the food was and seemed really not into serving or too cool.
(3)Jenn C.
Wow! Best meal in Nashville (I think it beats Josephine handily)! RaD has a fun, laid back atmosphere with a beautiful outdoor patio, friendly service and great cocktails and food. We had the excellent sourdough bread to start, the rapini, the meatballs, the sweet potato with lime yogurt and the gnocchi. Oh man, the gnocchi. So rich but just the right portion to share. Our server was very sweet and spot on with her recommendations, which was very helpful given it's a sharing menu. This is a fantastic place for a fun night out and would be a great option to take out of town guests who appreciate great food and drinks. Will be back soon for sure!
(5)Ashley T.
We came here for dinner with my in laws when they were in town visiting. We called ahead on a Friday to ask about reservations and my mother in law was told that it wasn't busy so we wouldn't need one. I found that hard to believe but we went with it. We arrived around 7pm and the patio was packed, as well as the walkway leading up to the restaurant. We were told it was over an hour wait and when we asked about calling ahead, the hostess assured us they don't take reservations on Friday nights. Oh well. We had heard good things about this place and knew anywhere we went would have a wait. So we waited for about 45 minutes and our table was ready. We were seated at a long, community table in the middle of the restaurant with strangers. Not ideal when trying to catch up with family, but it was fine. The service was great. Our server was very friendly and knowledgeable of the menu. He gave us his recommendations and we ordered. My mother in law and my husband both ordered the pasta with red sauce and my father in law and I both ordered the trout. Ha! I don't remember anything spectacular about the pasta, but it did taste fresh. The trout was cooked perfectly and presented beautifully, but the parsley was overwhelming for me. Otherwise, this dish was unique and delicious. The atmosphere is cool and they were playing some pret-ty solid 80s country songs. We could barely hear each other to talk across the table, but the music was a fun touch. Not really what I assumed I'd be listening to while eating the most beautiful piece of trout I've ever eaten. Haha We ordered 2 deserts on the menu to split, one was some kind of chocolate and coffee desert and the other was fruity. (It's been a hot minute since our visit so I'm drawing a blank). Both were really good. I was full so I didn't have much but otherwise I would have probably licked the plates clean. I would like to go back on a special occasion and try other things.
(4)Michael U.
Items Selected: Orange Shrub with Lime Sourdough with Seaweed Butter Spring Onion Fritto Misto, Lemon, Bottarga Crostini, Stracciatella, Watercress, Olio Nuovo Sweet Potato, 'nduja, Green Onion, Yogurt, Lime Potato Gnocchi, Morel, Spring Garlic, Piave Sweet Potato Agnolotti, Mustard Greens, Testa Squid Ink Campanelle, Florida Squid, Shrimp, 'nduja, Basil, Breadcrumbs Stumptown Cold Brew Meyer Lemon and Whole Grain Tart, Pistachios, Olive Oil O+S Chocolate Cake, Coffee Panna Cotta, Milk Strawberries, Rhubarb, Almond, Coconut Unable to predict an arrival time for Nashville on a Monday during which several of the capitol's best restaurants are closed, it was with good fortune that walk-in only Rolf and Daughters was found to be only 75% full just after 7:00pm and taking a seat at the far end of the communal dining table with several seats separating us from the next party it was to a meal of almost universal excellence that we were treated, the hippest place in town also serving some of the city's best food. Currently helmed by former Gwynnett St. Chef Owen Clark, a man who stunned me with his creative cuisine in Brooklyn during an April 2013 meal that still ranks amongst the most memorable in the borough, the sharable plates at Rolf and Daughters see the young toque revisiting familiar territory with a focus on local produce and bold spice profiles amidst modest amounts of protein and suggested to be enjoyed in a series of three courses by a server extremely well versed in both ingredients and technique one would be hard pressed to name a single savory that could have been improved, even the non-alcoholic orange shrub proving to be the sort of fresh flavor I love as light notes of drinking vinegar lingered beneath a bubbly top note of citrus and soda. Inquiring on portions and preparations largely to maximize sampling of several plates amongst our party of three it was with house sourdough and seaweed butter that the meal kicked off and with vegetal brine helping to balance out the flavor-forward starter this is one bread most would benefit to pay for, the crisp crostini draped in watercress, stretchy cheese, and fresh olive oil equally simple yet delicious with an almost absolute lack of sweetness allowing pepper and buttery notes to flood the palate in a surprisingly unrestrained way. Moving on the flavors less subtle, it should seem rather obvious that fried spring onions dressed in citrus and briny shaved roe presented a significant upgrade on standard restaurant rings and, although not exactly large enough to share amongst three as a few bites will only leave the diner wanting more, the tender rounds of sweet potato topped in spicy sausage and those same onions were absolutely brilliant, the heat only arriving on the finish as yogurt tinged in lime presents an up-front bit of tang. Transitioning next to pastas, all made in house with ingredients that sang of farmer's markets in the spring, it was in three plates that appetites were invested and although the gnocchi was a bit softer than purists may prefer the addition of nutty cheese, fresh garlic, and earthy morels provided a depth of flavor rarely seen at 'hip' restaurants, the sweet potato packed pockets of pasta draped in house-cured testa somewhat resembling the flavor of stewed collards while the al dente Campanelle once again found Calabrian pork working its magic amidst a jumble of sautéed seafood given extra texture by just enough breadcrumbs to make it all work. More than impressed by savories, and fondly reminiscing about desserts from my Gwynnett St. experience, it was with a 'one of each' order from the sweets section that the meal would conclude, and paired to Stumptown's bold coldbrew the results were nearly on par with the rest, only the slightly over-applied coconut on a chilled plate of strawberries and rhubarb seemingly out of place, while both the subtle citrus tart crowned in nuts and bitter panna cotta topped in crumbles of cookies and sweet milk 'powder' were exactly what I'd expected - a study of contrasts without compromise ready to challenge and surprise.
(5)Julie S.
Food was delicious definitely get the Rigatoni & octopus. Loved the ambiance. The only problem was the parking situation was kind of hard to manage. The servers are well educated and provided great recommendations. The bar tenders looked like authentic mixologists. I give this place a two thumbs up.
(4)Michelle R.
I visited Nashville a few weeks ago with my mom and my sister and all we kept hearing about was this restaurant called Rolf and Daughters. We went on our last night in town and absolutely loved it. The atmosphere is great and so peaceful if you sit outside. What truly made our experience so wonderful was our waitress Jami Holder! She was an absolute delight. Listening her talk with such enthusiasm for the menu and the process was inspiring. I can truly say that she is one of the best waitresses I have ever had. We all loved her and she made our experience that much better. I wish Jami all the best and Rolf and Daughter, you have a gem on your hands.
(5)Jean K.
Half of a chicken is a hefty amount of protein for one meal, regardless of how tasty it is. And yes, the pastured chicken at Rolf and Daughters is delicious, but for $24, a wee bit of vegetables on the side would be nice. The menu was not well thought out and didn't list entrees separately. We were told that the beef sausage was an entree. However, it was served in a salad bowl. One sausage sliced into several pieces and covered with lettuce doesn't seem like an entree, particularly when the chicken entree was half of a chicken, albeit nothing else. I would have called the beef sausage a small plate or salad and the chicken a large plate suitable for sharing since there were no accompanying sides. Perhaps a more thoughtful menu format would have separated entrees from small plates rather than simply listing every item in ascending order by price. An untitled pasta section was separated only by a partial squiggly line. Besides the pasta dishes there were 4 entrees to choose from: brook trout from Florida, beef sausage, pastured local chicken and heritage pork. I wanted fish but since it wasn't local, I opted for the local pastured chicken. The chicken with preserved lemon and garlic confit was delicious. The skin was perfectly crisp and the meat was tender and juicy. Again, it was half of a chicken with no sides for $24. Perfectly cooked and delicious, yes, but it's still only chicken, even if it's pastured. It wasn't even organic. I would have preferred a quarter of a chicken with a couple of sides for that amount. The sourdough with seaweed butter appetizer was tasty but would have been better served hot or at least thoroughly warm. If the bread was complimentary, I would have overlooked it, but it wasn't. I've had complimentary bread, served hot and with infused butters that were better. Overall, the service was excellent, the ambiance trendy and whispers farm to table but in reality may be otherwise (trout from Florida?), the menu needs work, the addition of even one veggie to a $24 chicken entree would be nice and warm tap water in a pretty bottle is still warm tap water. Sorry, RaD, you're going to have to start living up to the hype and actually earn that 4th star.
(3)Janet A.
So disappointed, I brought my daughter here for her birthday neither of us have ever been prior. My daughter and I requested a couple of simple changes to an entree to meet dietary needs only to be told the Chef is funny that way and set in his ways he will not prepare his meals differently than described on the menu. This is the only restaurant I've ever been to that the Chef did not try to accommodate request for the customer. The Hickory House at the Gaylord blows this place away in all aspects from the quality of the cuisine to the amazing customer service. Also, Urban Grub was much better than this place with amazing food and no problem making a few changes to the entree.
(2)Hye Eun C.
I had heard so much about this place and finally had the opportunity to come. What a charming restaurant. My bf and I ordered: crostini with chicken liver pâté, spring onions with lemon zest, squid ink pasta, pork chop, and o+j coffee pennacotta. All the dishes were good, but my favorites of the night were the crostini and squid ink pasta. The crostini was flavorful with the sweet chicken pate, although I was a bit surprised that it wasn't warm or precut. The squid ink pasta had bold flavor and the seafood taste was obvious. Very cute atmosphere, especially the outside patio area, and the service was great. The amount was decent for the price, as well, although it definitely is pricey. Would come again to try the other offerings.
(4)Jane S.
Every so often, you visit a restaurant that requires more time than usual to write a review - first, because there's too much goodness to write about, and second, you want some time to keep thinking back to the experience so as to write as holistic of a review as possible. Nearly two months have passed since I dined at Rolf and Daughters, so it's a restaurant that falls into this category. In terms of food and interior style, Rolf & Daughters is like most of its "trendy restaurant" counterparts. Blank&blank name - check. Badass industrial meets rustic chic space - check. Attractive, tattooed servers - check. Attractive, want-to-be-seen dining patrons - check. Food at places like this is hit or miss, so I was BLOWN AWAY by not only the deliciousness but also the creativity of the menu. I ordered the squid ink canestri, my sister got the gnocchi, and my cousin got the rigatoni. All three were equally delicious; I really was unable to pick a favorite. Hands down, the best pasta I've ever had. Other pastas I have from now on will probably pale in comparison to the three I tried here. R&D was one of the, if not THE experience, that completely made my trip to Nashville. R&D gets 5 stars for being amazing all-around! Tip: If you don't have a reservation, arrive right at opening. There was already a line of maybe 10 people ahead of us, but we got seated right away. We just had to be out within an hour and a half to clear our table for a reservation. We didn't feel rushed at all.
(5)Thao n.
A gem in Nashville, excellent food! Had the broccoli and it might be the best broccoli dish I've ever had. The heritage pork was magnificent! Tender, tasty, and served with fresh peaches. And of course the squid ink pasta was excellent. Ordered the chocolate panna cotta dessert- flavors were good but on the drier side and a bit too much chocolate cake and almost no panna cotta. Good wine list. Mainly communal tables. Beautiful place but a bit loud.
(5)David A.
This place is off the charts great. Sat at the bar with my daughter and had a fantastic meal. Our bartender (and server) was fabulous. He whipped up some killer cocktails and recommended incredible food. I have had some great meals in Nashville and I will but this place up against any of them. My daughter is vegetarian and we had much to choose from. We love the winter greens, a beet and farro salad, and some incredible pasta. The preparation was fantastic. A memorable meal in a great spot during a weekend trip with my daughter. A perfect way to end our visit. Can't wait for our return visit.
(5)Emily T.
The best pasta I've found in this town. It's worth the price - don't let anyone tell you differently. And if someone tells you don't NEED Squid Ink Pasta - get rid of them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life. I actually NEED the pasta in order to live. It's that good. I haven't tasted a pasta I didn't love. The appetizers are slightly over priced but still delicious. The waitress was able to make drink selections based on my picky palette. She hit the nail on the head. The entrance is a little tricky to find but just follow the twinkling lights and you're close. Make a reservation - they get busy.
(5)Kyla K.
We ate at RAD on a Saturday night while in Nashville for the weekend. The restaurant had a great atmosphere and was decorated beautifully. We were a group of 6 and they originally tried to give us a 4 top table with two seats tucked in either side in the corner, err.. We ended up moving to the family/communal table which was much better. Our server seemed a little stuck up and didn't seem to be that interested in chatting with us or giving details about the dishes. The small plates we had were all absolutely amazing!! Then came out the pasta dishes which had a massively heavy hand of salt in each of them.. It was rather off putting.. Then the meat- the lamb was so delicious but the portion size was extremely small for the price tag.. The chicken was a good portion size and the flavored were ok. Overall the atmosphere of the place and the small plates were the best part of the meal and the pasta and service was disappointing.
(3)Megan K.
Loved our experience at Rolf & Daughters. It took us much longer to make the reservation, but I'm glad we finally did. The experience is definitely worth the hype. I went with the squid ink canestri--a dish I heard a ton about from friends who had visited before I did. Great flavor--a little bit of an ocean-y taste to it, but overall delicious. I had a fantastic drink that I can't remember the name of, naturally... it was a vibrant green and boasted flavors of lime and jalapeno, among other things. Amazing. Service was okay, considering it was a Friday night. Super busy. Tucked in Germantown, street parking. I'm excited to return!
(5)Leland G.
I've been before. Multiple times. Food is always great. It takes chances. It's artisan. The service is usually great. It's a 4 star place. Tonight was unfortunately an exception :( We sat at bar and had drinks and apps. Moved to table. Sat with empty drinks for 10 minutes - thankfully we had a great group of friends but the lack of service was difficult to ignore. During the delay, I decided to go inside and "find" our server, who was very casually standing, at the server/POS station with the other servers, making jokes/laughing/doing nothing...I asked for a drink order and was told to "wait a minute." UGH Eventually - 2 pretentious servers later - we got our second round. And food. The food was WONDERFUL, as usual. Although IMHO the squid/octopus in the pasta was overdone, and there was far too much salt in (probably) the pasta water...because adding pancetta/seafood to a dish which has already been heavily salted, was a bit too much for 3/4 of us. Just saying :/ Finally...I used to serve, I used to run a kitchen; it's just a total bummer when such a place doesn't have the service to keep up! TIP: when food hits the table, servers--- CHECK BACK WITH YOUR TABLE(S) within "two bites or two minutes" of the food arriving. I will go back. I will expect better next time!!! Especially for a $300 dinner.
(2)Pire T.
I loved every aspect of my visit here. The food is phenomenal. There are so many unique options to choose from and it all tastes delicious. We had a couple of their pasta dishes: the squid ink and lemon pasta. Both were incredible. We also had dessert. A lovely date cake with an ball of whipped topping. Again, everything is unusual but in the best possible way. If you visit, be sure to grab a couple of their signature cocktails. They're expertly crafted and beautifully presented. Aside from the delicious food, the atmosphere of this place is rustic southern with delicate hanging lights, communal tables (but also private tables and bar seating), hanging plants, and trendy decor. The staff is also extremely friendly and attentive. This is certainly one of my absolute favorite places in Nashville. I'll come back here time and time again.
(5)Amber P.
Chefs are definitely not willing to adjust anything to please the customer. I don't know when the chefs happiness became more important that the customers! If you want to go and eat exactly what they give you, the food is very good. If you have any requests or adjustments this is not the place. Just the fact that they would not do anything to accommodate. I would not give any business to any place no matter how good, that completely devalues customer satisfaction.
(2)Jay R.
This place is incredible, plain and simple. We did not have a single average dish, everything was extraordinary. From the delicious crostini with bell peppers to the heirloom tomato and mozzarella to the main dishes of summer squash and ricotta, pork ragout with green noodles or the famous squid ink pasta, everything was brilliant. We ended the meal with the deconstructed chocolate cake, it was the perfect ending to an excellent meal. We sat at the communal table, which is a bit of a unique experience, but it ended up working out great. I will definitely be back, no question.
(5)Jose L.
Great little place, reminded me of the Woodberry Kitchen restaurant back home in the Baltimore area. Unpretentious, kind of warehouse-sy decor, good cocktails, great bread, friendly and attentive staff, and the food was really good. Took some customers here, we started with the sourdough bread with seaweed butter, kind of had the umami taste people talk about, that little something that you can't make out. They even had some good vegetarian entrees besides the usual salad for those of us going that route. I got the Vanilla panna cotta for dessert, really smooth. Will go back again.
(4)Mary N.
Great atmosphere. Super good meatballs.
(5)Kevin K.
Food, service and ambiance were great. I recommend ordering the shrimp salad and the green pasta with the meat sauce.
(5)TNmedicine29 R.
My love for this place couldn't be stronger! I'm a Nashville native, and just had my second dinner experience with Rolf and Daughters. As if the you could beat the first time I went (for my birthday), low and behold R&D did! I love that the majority of the restaurant can't be pre-reserved, seriously cuts down on wait times when its first come. We grabbed drinks at the bar while we waited, briefly. I had the Market Bramble which was refreshing, light, and great, I am craving it now. My boyfriend had Cubra Kai which he loved, too! Let's talk about how awesome the food was! There were four of us- so we started out with the Fritto Misto, which had the lightest batter it only gave the veggies a little extra crunch without making you feel like you're eating fried food. We also had the crostini with chicken liver, peach, and almond, and it had richness from the chicken but some sweet from the peach. Also we had the sausage with peppers- I'm not usually a pork fan but this was great. Peppers and olives together with it made it delicious. For the pastas, I think we had all but one of them and we were all trying to politely lick out plates! You really can't go wrong. Whatever sounds good to you, will be! The pastas are handmade and fresh ingredients. I really can't speak highly enough about their pastas. I tried the Squid Ink bucatini the first time I went (heaven on earth) and did the lamb rigatoni this time-- and wanted to melt into my plate. Nobody was wanting to share theirs because they are so good! To top off the night, we had Olive and Sinclair cake and a peach tart. Very different from each other, but delicious. The peach tart was seasonal I think, but the cake-- it's a staple and not your typical chocolate cake-- WAY BETTER! Olive and Sinclair is a Nashville local chocolate and they make the cake where it is more spread out and with the coffee panna cotta. It was perfect.
(5)Monica L.
I thought I was a crusty cynical foodie... and then I had dinner here. It has been a long time since I have been utterly delighted with every aspect of a meal. What a joy to be completely surprised by a first bite/sip. Springfield cocktail: Broker's gin, Pimm's, lemon, orange shrub, cucumber, good people IPA Light, refreshing, slightly sweet, herbaceous, fruity, and so well balanced you'd think there wasn't any alcohol in there (oh, but there was). The IPA lends a flowery/hoppy note, the Pimm's adds that herbal quality, and I thought I didn't even like gin! App: Chicken liver pate, currant mostarda, baby brassicas, toast They should package that currant mustarda. I'd put that sh*t on everything! (Like on a panini with goat cheese or something.) Entree: Squid ink campanelle, FL squid, shrimp, nduja, basil, sourdough breadcrumbs The squid/shrimp/nduja sausage is completely broken down and there are no discernible chunks - yet the taste permeates the entire dish. The sauce had a slight heat (spice) background, probably from the nduja. The sourdough breadcrumbs added that textural element that you usually don't get in a pasta dish. Dessert: Fresh farmers cheese flan with beet caramel and sorghum crisp Had that soft, slight-crumbly texture of a super fresh farmers cheese but in that jiggly flan structure. Beet caramel - where have you been all of my life?? Adds an earthy element that steers the flan dish away from the usual sickeningly-sweetness. The sorghum crisp had the texture of a thinner fortune cookie (words of my bartender!) and adds a nice bitterness that, again, helps to ground the dessert. Side note: If you are a small party, it may be easier to get seats at the bar rather than wait for a table.
(5)Stephen L.
Our experience was awkward from the start. We had a reservation, but come to find out. That just meant we didn't have to sit at a table with a bunch of people we didn't know. We still had to sit at a table so close to other people that we could hear every detail of each tables conversations even when trying not to. This is definitely not a place to talk about anything too personal or too deep into business. There is only 1 booth that allows you minimal privacy. Call ahead. Request that. So all that being said- we sat down-The waitress must have been having a bad day because she was short with us and didn't seem to want to answer our questions. Which were very typical for a couples first time at a restaurant. We wanted recommendations and clarification on some dishes that we were uncertain about what they were. We ordered 2 smaller dishes. (Shishito Peppers!! So good!) 2 main dishes and desert along with 2 cocktails each. It was good. Wasn't great. Wasn't bad. Just good. But overall - 3 stars is for quality of food-That was good-Presentation was good-And uniqueness of the dishes. The - 2 stars is for the seating environment/portion size/ and the waitress being weird and really just not even trying to be "fake nice". We still tipped over 20%. Cuz we do that. With Nashville being such a great food scene. It would have to be someone's birthday request for us to go back here.
(3)Nandini M.
Quite possibly the best pasta I have ever eaten in my life and I eat a lot of pasta. You have to reserve at least a month and a half in advance but it is so worth it. The space is small and industrial but very warm and bright. We were seated in a corner and I loved that I could observe and people watch in the packed restaurant around me. The restaurant was pointed out to us on a tour earlier in the day and by a cabbie the day before, so Nashvellites (?) are clearly very proud of this place and they have every reason to be. We split a great bottle of rosé and a bunch of apps but my pasta entree blew me away. I seriously savored every bite. Everyone at my table loved their food too and to our amazement the bill didn't make any of us cringe. Affordable fine dining is the best! Very friendly for different dietary restrictions and super pleasant staff.
(5)Muna M.
This place is amazing for a nice quit date to a fun hangout with friends, the drinks are amazing and the starters are freaking good absolutely recommend this places wouldn't miss it
(5)Scott S.
YUM. I have been here a number of times and it just keeps getting better. Great space and great food. I'm happy to see Germantown bustling after so many years on the decline. You can thank great restaurants like R&D, Mad Hatter Germantown cafe and City House for the turn around.
(5)Fatema B.
Trendy fun atmosphere, both indoors at the marble topped bar and outdoor on the lighted patio! I love the Mediterranean -Italian and Spanish influence on the menu! Drinks( cocktails) are refreshing and the food is flavorful and fresh!
(4)Karoline K.
The patio is nice except in this humid weather. Visually its appealing but it's uncomfortable during the meal. I objected to sitting outside but my party couldn't refuse. This place has some better items I the menu and then a few that fall short. THEIR MENU DOESN'T STATE blatantly THE APPETIZERS, DESSERTS OR ENTREES. The items are listed in ascending order of price and it's also in order of appetizer to entree. The inexpensive dishes function as appetizers and the more expensive dishes are entrée portion. We ordered a total of 11 items, almost a twelve course meal. If you count water we had 12 courses! The waitress made us wait a bit before getting to us, even though we sat down immediately...she was a good server though! After a few minutes of asking each other what items seemed worthy of our palette, we decided on the beet appetizer, chicken liver crostini and the scallops. The larger entrees were squid ink pasta, pork pasta, chicken confit, and shorts rib. For the grand finale all three desserts! The berries dessert was DELICIOUS, I highly recommend it. The other two were ok, I don't think eating dessert outside was a good idea. They all tasted hot but eating hot dessert in the summer isn't as good as it sounds. Our plates were cold but the dessert was a warm, except the berry dessert. I didn't like the crostini, it needed more flavor and less water saturated veggies. The scallops were good and the beet was scrumptious. The beef short ribs cooked to perfection, and squid ink pasta was nothing special. The CHICKEN WAS GOOD but it wasn't anything out of the ordinary and the garganelli verde (pork pasta) was pretty dam tasty. Overall nice place to check out. Just don't eat outside, I've warned you.
(4)Dre H.
This place is awesome. Best chicken of all time. Beef carpaccio is also super unique and awesome. Best restaurant I went to in Nashville.
(5)Chris K.
This is one of my favorite spots in Nashville. Fantastic atmosphere, great bar, and awesome menu of plates that are perfect for family style dining. I've been about four times now, and the menu changes a bit every few weeks (some staples are always available). The chicken pate crostini and grilled squid are a must, as is the homemade sourdough with seaweed butter.
(4)Erick N.
Fantastic restaurant; so happy to have finished my Nashville road trip on such a high note before the long journey back to Chicago. Had multiple chefs recommend Rolf & Daughters as one of Nashville's best venues and in my experience chefs tend to proffer excellent recommendations; when they praise a restaurant it is best to listen. As our shuttle dropped us off outside we were immediately impressed by the charming exterior of Rolf & Daughters. Walking in the interior was equally beautiful. As we arrived well before our reservation we opted to sit at the bar for a pre dinner cocktail, but were happy the hostess offered to squeeze us in early if we wanted (they had just opened, but we noticed that they rather quickly had a full house; impressive for a Sunday evening). We ended up finding the bar seating comfortable and the bartenders quite personable so moments later we informed the hostess we would like to eat up to the bar and were accommodated. Of note much of the dining room area has communal tables and seating was somewhat close together, so this also factored into our decision to sit at the bar. For some reason we enjoy the liveliness of bar seating, but when in a dining room have a preference for a more intimate ambiance. The menu at Rolf & Daughters is wonderful. Approximately sixteen savory items arranged from lighter dishes to heavier proteins and a separate section for pastas. Ingredients are fresh, high quality and most of what you are served is made from scratch in house. There is a nice balance of vegetable centric dishes, seafoods and meats. So much on the menu sounded tempting that it was tough to narrow our choices down. The bartender was very helpful answering our questions, making some recommendations and advising on what quantity of food to order (and was spot on with his assistance - as well as did a nice job coursing out what we ordered in a sensible manner). We ended up sharing five savories and of these four were fantastic and one (the octopus) still quite good but just not as stellar. The crostini with broccoli, pistachio and generous portion of shaved pecorino cheese sounds simple but wow, the freshness of the ingredients really shined and there was so much flavor. The sweet potato with nduja, green onion, yogurt and lime had such harmony among the various textures and flavors and also was a huge hit. The dry aged tartare was among the better tartare preparations I have enjoyed and the squid ink pasta with seafood and crunchy sour dough croutons was an instant favorite. The food was nicely presented but not at all fussy. One of those meals where you just really enjoy every single bite and the food leaves behind such a pleasant aftertaste. The only negative food wise was dessert; the individual ingredients sounded awesome - caramel, popcorn, lime curd and ginger (all flavors I love) but the curd was poorly executed (way too sweet and no tartness), the ginger was non-detectable and the caramel had an odd aftertaste that clashed with the lime; the popcorn provided a little much needed textural component but quickly became soggy. My wife made the smart decision of ordering a second crostini for dessert and I was envious but she made quick work of it, feverishly fending off my attempts to snatch a bite with her fork and a menacing stare down. Cocktails were on par quality wise with the savories. We really enjoyed the playful names (i.e. Here Today Saigon Amaro and Pearway to Heaven). For one round of drinks the bartender was adept at making us some nice off-menu cocktails based on a description of what we were seeking. Despite the poor dessert this was an otherwise outstanding meal. Loved the vibe (upscale yet casual), loved the decor, loved the staff (and Rolf & Daughters attracted friendly patrons as well), loved the drinks and loved the savories. We also were pleasantly surprised by the bill; for the high quality and rather generous portions this was quite a bargain! Definitely will be making a return visit next time we are in town and quite possibly will squeeze in two meals since there is just no way possible to consume all the highly appealing dishes on the menu in a single visit, though it might be fun to try!
(5)Kris W.
This restaurant is definitely worth going out of your way to go to. Settled in a residential area of Germantown, we probably wouldn't have noticed it just driving around. Highly recommend getting a reservation especially if you want to go on the weekend, however they do about half and half reservation and walk in. The ambience is amazing, custom made furniture, great lighting, and not too loud. The food changes up regularly, but definitely try the handmade pastas, especially the squid ink pasta and garganelli verde. HIGHLY recommend the agretti, very unique dish. Also the beef tartare and sourdough/seeweed were delicious. Honestly probably everything is delicious on the menu so order lots of dishes and share among friends. You'll need to come back multiple times for sure. Lastly all the staff are incredibly helpful and will guide your choices as needed.
(5)Lydia B.
RAD is a Top notch upscale casual whisky bar with great food. Every bite of food was delicious. We shared the sour dough bread with seaweed butter. Um, what is seaweed butter and how can I get more of it? It was airy and uniquely yummy. We also had the Swiss chard and ricotta cassoncini, lardo. They were bite size canapés that were confusing looking but tasted good. I went over board on chicken and was pretty happy with myself. I adored the ample portion of creamy chicken liver with currant mustard, red cress and toast. My excellent server boasted about the pastured chicken with preserved lemon and garlic confit. so I went for it! I will say it was in my top 5 best chicken dishes from a restaurant. I loved the super chicken flavor with fresh herbs of tarragon and flat parsley accents. Chicken was served with no sided and it was so good. Just all juicy flattened chicken. My dinner partner tried the heritage pork sauerkraut gala apple with spaetzle. Sadly he was pretty stingy with sharing. The plate offered a few cuts of pork and the sauerkraut spaetzle. I tried a few bites when he was not looking and enjoyed my bites. The others at the table had the Garganelli verde heritage pork ragout, and sarvecchio (their favorite) I tasted it and boy are they on to something... It boasts Gooey, yummy bites of comfort food with style. We also shared a bowl of the squid ink Campanella, fl squid,shrimp, nduja (what ever that is?), basil, breadcrumbs... It was dramatic and also comforting. It did not photograph well but it tasted great. We also shared all three of the deserts and ordered secret desert cocktails. The lime curd, Carmel corn and ginger was odd looking but omg was it a delicious blend of treats for the mouth. We liked the beet and farmer cheese flan but it was not a highlight. The last desert was also unique and yummy but again the lime curd with popcorn took the prize. I was "forced" to get a desert cocktail called "Don't meletti me down" which was a mixture of Graham's port, meletti, smith & cross rum, Saigon cinnamon and while egg... Talk about a rich glass of yummy booze. I enjoyed a great meal at Rolf And Daughters for sure. It was a warm casual jeans feel too. Obviously I look forward to going back.
(5)Blayne K.
This was an amazing meal, from service to drinks to food, all around. Visited with 6 other girlfriends, no rezzies (for parties of greater than six, FYI) so we knew we had to get there WHEN THEY OPENED. We were seated right away (yay!) and our server was thorough and so attentive in his menu explanation AND with drink and wine suggestions. My favorites were the beef tartare and the pasta dishes were AMAZING! Great wine and cocktail list, this place was the highlight of our trip this weekend. Thanks RandDs!!!
(5)Lesley B.
Everything was absolutely incredible. Service, recommendations, specials, wine, apps, entrees, pastas, desserts. Chef Phillip Krajeck, has really outdone himself and brings a delightful epicurean explosion using simple flavors and the freshest produce. Rolf and daughters is a dinner worth treating yourself. Atmosphere is perfect- although the restaurant is considerably fancy the atmosphere floats with a more casual aesthetic and modern vibe so it doesn't feel like you are have a stuffy fine dining experience. To be honest, I could probably wear jeans to Rolf and daughters without feeling underdressed. I can't rate one dish above another because everything we had was excellent. This included many of the appetizers, sharing a few entrees, and a couple of the desserts. I highly recommend going to Rolf and Daughters when you get a chance!
(5)Caroline K.
Fresh off the airplane and in need of a drink, my friend and I headed straight to Rolf and Daughters. We arrived around 7pm and the place was packed. Our other friend still hadn't arrived, which turned out to be a good thing since the quoted time for a table was close to 2 hours. Silly me for going to one of the hottest restaurants in Nashville on a Friday night without a reservation. We headed over to the bar to imbibe while we waited, and luckily 2 seats opened up at the end of the bar. The bar itself it quite big, but was very crowded, especially since most people ended up eating there rather than just drinking. My friend got (multiple) Silence of the Lambruscos, while I started with the vey delicious Cynarnold Schwarzenegger and worked my way up to a few R.A.D. Old Fashioneds. The cocktails were great and very strong. They caught up with me later in the night. We were starving so we ordered the sourdough bread with seaweed butter and the chicken liver pate. Chicken liver is one of the few things I still have trouble enjoying, despite how much I try to like it. My friend was more than happy to devour it on her own, while I happily ate what seemed like a half-loaf of sourdough. The seaweed butter and chunks of sea salt to sprinkle on top were amazing. Who doesn't like a good piece of bread? Finally our friend arrived, and our table awaited! A lot of the tables are long, wooden communal benches, and we were seated comfortably at the end of one. All of the food sounded amazing, but our friend had eaten not that long ago and after my practical meal of bread, we didn't need that much food. We shared the Garganelli verde, Rigatoni with lamb sausage, and something else that I am ashamed to admit I forget. Too many cocktails! The food was impressive and we definitely were fighting over the last bite of that rigatoni. Overall, Rolf and Daughters lived up to the hype. It is the kind of restaurant you wish was in your neighborhood, but at the same time don't actually want near you because you will spend all your time and money there. I hope to be back!
(5)Lindsay H.
Overall, a great restaurant! Came here with a group of 4 with reservations and had to wait about 15 minutes past our reservation to get a table. I'm so glad the food made up for that. Among the highlights were the agretti (a green found in the Mediterranean) and the trout. Everything was above average and I love the diversity of foods found on the menu. Ambience is loud and trendy, perfect if you're looking for a place with good energy. I just wish it were in an area walkable to other hot spots. I would highly recommend!
(4)Emily C.
Small portions, don't come here for a big meal. Love the ambience, appetizer was sourdough bread and seaweed butter for 5.00. For a table of 4, we had enough for one each. Liked the zing of the butter. We had hen of the woods (vegetarian, lemon, mushroom) which was my favorite. The Garganelli verde was meat sauce and pasta, tasted great. The squid ink pasta was what I was looking forward to- but the black pasta was much too salty and tasted like seafood (which I don't mind). The heritage pork was okay, juicy and tender. I would recommend the pasta options at most. To taste their handmade pasta was worth the trip, but I wouldn't return because the small portions weren't for me.
(4)Alex G.
I'll be back as RaD definitely has potential, but my most recent visit was pretty mediocre. Perhaps I just had overly high expectations given all the publicity this place has been getting (ex. Bon Appetite). Anyway, the drinks here are very solid. Enjoy a cocktail (daily special) and glass of wine. But the food was underwhelming. Came here with a party of four and had a chance to try quite a few dishes. Steak tartar was just so-so. Small portion for the price and the crostini it was one was in a bowl with some weird broth the made it a bit soggy. Just not sure what the idea was. Brussel sprouts were okay; tasted good, but I'm not personally a huge fan of the shaved slaw-style it's served as. Still, a recommended dish. Also enjoyed the sourdough bread and seaweed butter, but a little peeved that an italian restaurant wouldn't have free bread + olive oil/balsamic. Paying $5 (plus tax/tip) for bread and butter, no matter how tasty is a bit underwhelming, especially when a place like Etch does a butter tasting with several different butters for less. Ricotta cavatelli was pretty darn tasty. Had a fresh, nutty taste that's a bit hard to explain. Likely better in smaller portions as I can see the taste being a little cloying/overwhelming for a whole dish (I only sampled from one of my dining partners). I had the squid ink canestri and was underwhelmed. The flavor was solid, but when the ingredients say "shrimp" and "squid" I'd like to actually see and taste it. Whatever was topping the actual pasta was basically ground fish; it was more salty than I'd expect and truthfully it was difficult to even know that there was much there other than the pasta. Lamb meatballs were okay, but seemed to be a bit undercooked. The chicken was quite tasty, but also a bit on the salty side. Still it was definitely the best dish of the night.
(3)Mag N.
have visited a couple times. always on point. no disappointments. i typically don't stray from a traditional cocktail, but the options here have not disappointed.
(5)Shane M.
wonderful food and atmosphere, reasonable portions, great waiter, accommodating hostess, pleasurable experience
(5)Elizabeth A.
Great place! Love the building and the food was delightful. I started with the tomatoes and had the trout and the favor was really good. The only problem I encountered was the noise level. For someone hard of hearing, it was hard to hear my dinner companions during conversation. That staff was very attentive and and catered to our party to make sure we had everything we needed. I think next time I go and I will return , I may opt to sit outside weather permitting.
(5)Charles C.
Ok, not outstanding for this class of dining experience. Atmosphere/overall space is wonderful. Generously, waiter was aloof. Less diplomatically, he was kind of an ass. Around table, general consensus was food Sat. night was good, not great. Ate the beef shortrib for a main plate and can't say the flavor or the texture knocked me over. End of meal desserts were delicious and exceptional, though, providing a nice coda. Enjoyed the simple menu. Unfortunately, didn't quite achieve the mantra, "Focus on a few things, but execute on all of them exceptionally well."
(3)Paulius N.
gastro-awesomeness a great foodie adventure with solid cocktails Once again, a new Nashville restaurant hits it out of the park. Bravo Nashville! The hits just keep on coming. Just opened, Rolf and Daughters is destined for greatness. Nothing on the menu that we tried disappointed. Cocktails to start, each one was unique and possessed a strong and well balanced flavor profile. The Milan Mule, made with gin for a ginger flavor load was a tart and bitter delight. Perfect to rev up the appetite for what awaited. Whoever designed the cocktail menu should be commended. A bit heavy on the amaros, but everyone has their style. I appreciate the lack of vodkas at the bar, and the non existence of the cloying flavored varieties. I would suggest however, the acquisition of olives for a classic martini. On to the food. A pork rib appetizer was off the charts great. Falling off the bone, moist, meaty, and served with a spicy relish. Worth of a death row dinner request no doubt. A porchetta sandwich was had as well. The bread was as perfect as could be, and stood up well to the moist fattiness of the meat. Seasoned quite lightly and served with a small amount of bitter greens for contrast, it was a flavor delight. If a sandwich can be comfort food, this one is. My brook trout entree, served with Savoy cabbage, creme fraiche and dill was heavenly. The chef again and again showed his deft hand with seasonings and texture combinations. The spaghetti carbonara, was rich if a bit on the small side, but again, a study in deliciousness. The squid ink canestri was big and bold, the chorizo blending seamlessly with the seafood. And it was visually stunning as well. Dessert options were also a hit. My bambolini were light as air with a fantastic chocolate dip, and the chocolate tart added a new dimension of subtle savoriness to the current trend of salt enhanced sweets. Carry on Rolf and Daughters. Carry on indeed.
(5)Brooke M.
The best Nashville has to offer.
(5)Claudia Y.
finally my restaurant in nashville. the place I'll always go. my second living room with a bar. GREAT cocktails. but it's the food. it's just plain excellent. all pastas made in house. the seafood squid ink and pork ragu garganelli were my favorites. we went twice the first week and pretty much ate through the menu. great vibe. great service. but it's the food. really. peasant food with a modern twist. inspired. truly. go.
(5)Tim B.
Ambiance and drinks were great. Music was too loud for conversation. The food was too salty. Ordered meatballs and they were raw. Disappointing given the cost. Don't mind paying for a nice meal but I expect it to be well done. May consider coming back for drinks only. Nice patio space could make for a good happy hour. May give it a second chance in about a year but they have some kinks to work out first.
(1)Bill F.
Pretty good meal, some dishes very good. For the price, I would say they are average to slightly above average for similar Nashville restaurants. The really odd thing about this place is how they nickel and dime you for bread. How weird! Guys, if you need higher margins, just charge me an extra buck or two for my app or entree but please don't pick my pocket when I want bread. Bread is five bucks, but the real kicker was the pâté. It comes with four VERY small pieces of crostini... not enough to finish the dish of pâté. When we asked for more crostini they brought 3 pieces (for four people) and charged us a buck fifty. It was just annoying enough that I probably won't be back. Too bad.
(3)Carol C.
Huge fan still after 5 visits.....you can't beat the great vibe (cool interior, great patio, fun bar), attentive wait staff, and most of all, the food. The roasted chicken, gemelli pasta and cauliflower can't be beaten. I am not adventurous enough to try a few of the dishes (ink squid pasta) and I wish they didn't charge for the bread, but clearly it doesn't stop me from coming back. Read the other reviews and i haven't had the same issues, but maybe that's because we are early diners--hitting it about 6:15 or 6:30.
(4)Vanessa P.
5 stars? Heck yes. I love the ambience here, the drinks are suberb, and the fresh pasta is perfect.
(5)Meitra A.
Great cocktails, great pasta. I even enjoyed the chicken liver pâté, and I never thought I would. We went on a Friday night, and we got there by 6pm. We didn't have reservations, so we sat at the bar. Our mixologist was great. I definitely recommend the bombolina dessert. I may have incorrectly remembered the name, but I've been thinking about those little pastry creme-filled donuts since I took the last bite. We will definitely go again.
(4)Annie K.
The pasta here is incredible, without a doubt. The cocktails are great too! I ordered the trout and it was under done. Cold and raw. They still charged me for it:/ ambience is nice.
(3)Chris B.
Probably my favorite place in Nashville. And while I wouldn't give it 5 stars in Portland or San Fran I will say as far as nashville is concerned it is defiantly tops. They pasta goes without saying is awesome. Outstanding chicken liver mousse and tartar and fun seasonal vegetable dishes.
(5)Bill D.
Overall we had a great experience. The food is amazing. The decor and vibe feels like an upscale Burger Up or a twin of the renowned City House. The price tag for two appetizer's, two glasses of wine each, two entree's, a shared desert, and two cool desert coffee's with the tip rounded out at a justifiable value of $170. That's about what I'm going to pay for an all-in dinner at an establishment of this caliber!! I will say that the server wasn't overly intuitive at first. I ordered our wine and he impatiently said "what's the rest of your order...the chef needs to plan ahead". Uh, really...did I really just hear that!! I looked at him for a very short minute and said, "as I said, we will enjoy the moment over a glass of wine"!! He quickly scurried away slightly rattled but to his credit he quickly got the idea and adapted to our slower pace and the eventual higher tab, including his generous tip for being a quick learner. I even like the side street location (much like the amazing City House) and the minimalist signage. I think the owners nailed it on every level. I would definitely go again!
(4)Kay D.
My boyfriend and I got early reservations for a Friday night pretty far in advance, and it was already hopping at opening. The room is open, all wood and brick/concrete, so it got fairly noisy quickly. My cocktail was good, but arrived a good 5 minutes after my boyfriend's wine. We had apps (seaweed butter: good, coppa testa: so-so), 2 pastas and an entree. The veal pasta that was an off-menu item that night was good, and the pork ragout was amazing! I wish we would have just gotten those, because the pork served with the pork and sauerkraut entree was a real disappointment - just a few thin pieces with an inedible gristle line running through them. The sausage and sauerkraut were really good, however, so I have very mixed feelings about that dish. I feel the hype they are getting right now (mostly deserved from my experience) might let them get away with serving some dishes that wouldn't fly elsewhere. The service was friendly and efficient and we will definitely go back, but we'll stick to the pastas next time.
(4)Adam M.
This is by far, one of the best restuarants I've eaten in my life! Being from New York City, I've eaten amongst the best of them, often at a much higher price. R&D is much better. The server was extremely patient and nice. The ambiance and design is perfect too. Allowing natural simplicity not to interfere with quite an original and succulent menu, of Italian origin. All homemade. The squid canestri is exquisite. Also had the Yorkshire Pork which was tender and full of delicious flavor. Would definitely go again!
(5)Jennie V.
The atmosphere was almost as wonderful as the cocktails. My carbonara was a hair too salty and (this is coming from someone who over salts everything). The fingerling potatoes were okay. The panna cotta was to die for. The portions could be a little bigger. The prices were on target. Overall, I liked it and will return.
(4)Joe F.
Everything about this restaurant is exciting and vibrant except for one thing. The food is wonderful, the outside patio is gorgeous and the wait staff is casual and friendly. Despite these wonderful aspects of the restaurant, it is lacking in one distinct area. The person who I've had to speak to on the phone to make reservations is rude, uninformative and abrasive. I've encountered this every time I've called. She knows little about the menu and the restaurant and made no attempt to find answers to the various questions I had asked. The last time I called I was hung up on after she told me that they were booked for the evening. I did not have an opportunity to ask about future reservations. It may not seem that important, but being a person in the service industry, I believe that the host stand is very important in a restaurant, as it is the first and last 'line of fire' that the guests encounter. I hope that Rolf and Daughters can find someone who can act as a true ambassador to their establishment and offer a bit more knowledge and friendliness for guests who call the restaurant, especially for the first time. But over all it is a great place to dine.
(4)Ray B.
The resturant was beautiful, the staff, hostess and waitress, fantastic, the food delicious, the problem why I can only give 3 stars....the food, although it was delicious, for the price the portions were minimal. I dont mind paying for food I like and appreciate, but I do like to leave the table satisified. We started with the Crostini delicious but not enough for two to have a decent taste. The Carrot salad with little moo, delicious but seriously, for $10 I deserve the whole carrot. The Bucatini, delicious, but after the first bite, I was scrapping the bottom of the bowl and the Heritage Chicken, delicious, but when I am told the entre is a breast and a leg, I am from the South, a chicken breast is a nice size piece of meat, but this poor chicken never hit puberty. The Kale and polenta were delcious and i could have eaten a larger bowl full. We left not starving but definately not satisified. I probably will not return because for the price of the meal, there are equally good resturants where I feel I get a fair return on my investment. But thanks Rolf and Daughters for a nice evening.
(3)Evan W.
- This isn't your fathers restaurant - This place lives up to the hype in every way possible ! Orders included : Squid ink pasta = 5* Beef Rigatoni = 2* Dessert drink (contains espresso?)= 4* The squid ink dish was amazing and the service was terrific too
(3)Loralyn D.
One of my top 5 favorite restaurants in Nashville. Everything I've ordered has been amazing, the atmosphere is really trendy and comfy, the staff is friendly, and it's a great place to spend an evening. My biggest complaints are 1. I don't know at least one ingredient of every main dish on the menu so I have to ask or search on my phone and 2. You have to call for a reservation, they don't do Open Table.
(5)Alexandra B.
Good restaurant. Weird cocktail menu (dont expect to get something you are used to) the bread was great. The beef tartare was delicious. We had the chicken which was really good also and a large portion as many have already described it. Ordered also a pasta on the side which was good after we got some more cheese for it and ended it with their strawberry dessert. Overall if you want a funky menu and experience something different give it a try. If you look for traditional it probably wont be the right place for you.
(4)Kari T.
Yum!! Great service and everything on the menu was delicious.
(5)Scott T.
Fantastic find! Diner over the top to form the service to the appetizer to the main course to the dinner
(5)Amanda M.
Had a great time here the night of the CMAs. Perhaps the best part was our waiter with a cute little accent. The menu is organized a bit strangely and he did a great job of explaining and setting up our expectations. He also picked a delicious wine pairing and amazing brandy. I had the lamb, which was amazing. The beef tartare was a bit heavy for my taste, and the turnips also a bit al dente for my taste. Looking at other plates, I wished I'd had a different vegetable. The beets looked great. I did get the charred lettuce and butternut squash which was fantastic! The server did highly recommend pasta, but the person beside me got it, and the portions were pretty small for this Italian, but she seemed happy with it. The also made pretty phenomenal cocktails. :-) Definitely make a reservation!
(5)Eden O.
Reservations were booked for the night here but we decided to walk in and wait anyways. There were five girls on a Saturday night around 7:30p, we ended up getting a seat in about an hour. We didn't mind waiting at all though because they reserve a bartender and space at the end of the bar solely for customers waiting for a table. This was very much appreciated. It also helped that these hand crafted cocktails were delicious and they had variety of liquors and flavors to choose from. They have an inviting and romantic patio outside strung with lights, inside is an industrial modern feel with brick walls, tall ceilings, and wood tables. The menu had a few unique dishes so we were all able to try something new. I opted for the chicken liver pate and the squid ink pasta. The pate was rich with flavor but not too salty. The squid ink pasta came with a light sauce of olive oil, garlic and tomatoes. It was just the right mix of ingredients to really get the flavor of this black pasta. Our server always seemed in somewhat of a hurry to get off to other tables, so often times was difficult to order a drink or ask questions. Only gripe about the place though.
(4)Judi M.
Had reservations, called ahead and explained what time we had to be out for a show. Worst service ever! Nothing to ruin a meal, like a server who couldn't care less.
(1)Jessica M.
We have a toddler so don't get out to really nice restaurants all that often. So glad that when we did, we went to Rolf and Daughters. Just Delicious. The highlights for me were the pate, the beef carpaccio, the arrabiatta seafood pasta, and, surprisingly, the carbonara. (The carbonara was ordered by my husband -- it seemed too boring to me -- but it was perhaps the most sinfully delicious pasta I've ever eaten. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.) The service was just fine though nothing particularly special. Ambience was fun and hip. We will definitely be back.
(5)Corie K.
I'm a bit underwhelmed by the experience. We arrived in quite the good mood and opted to sit outside since the weather felt perfect. Our server came over to us and immediately explained that she would first take our drink order then come and take order for everything, apps, entrees, sides at one and bring out as they felt make sense to keep the kitchen and restaurant on schedule. She came back and took our drink order and reminded us again that we should be ready to order everything at once. This seemed really strange and authoritative; also doesn't give you much chance to feel out the menu and make decisions as the mood felt right. Furthermore, the dishes only came out in two drop offs, neither by our server. We ate what felt like sides with our what felt like appetizer; followed by our entrees. Our server felt cold, even when we tried to warm her up, asking her how her day was, etc. We later noticed the table next to us leisurely ordered with a different server, who also seemed much more friendly. We did decide to order dessert this evening - my decision wasn't based on anything looking particularly good, but mostly because I was still hungry. The pear tart was quite good, not too sweet, just the right size to not feel guilty. You should take note and prepare yourselves: the portions at R+D are very small in relation to their pricing. We hadn't eaten all day so were ready to stuff our face. On a normal day, had we ate lunch, the portions would have been fine (price not considered). It was $9 for a few pieces of broccoli, $9 for one piece of toast with smoked trout spread, and $11 for a small plate of grains w/ cucumbers and tomatoes. $27 doesn't seem out of question for an entree, however, the steak was four small slices, with 4 sprigs of greens and 3 mini potatoes and a mini sausage. The pork ragu and homemade pasta was quite yummy and a reasonable portion for the price. I'm not usually such a price-centric person when it comes to food, but I do want to find value in my meal, whether it be portion, flavor, or experience - I don't feel we got either. If either the server or food had blown me away, I would feel the $130 tab was justified. Tip if you are ready to give it a try for yourself: go for the pasta dishes and hope you don't get the server we had. Also try the Montana Verde if you are in the mood for a cocktail.
(3)Adam D.
I read about this place in a TIME Magazine article, the focus of which was the up and coming food scene in the developing side of Nashville. They definitely lived up to the hype, and we didn't even have dinner. We weren't all that hungry but I had to check this place out before I left Nashville. Between the decor, the hipster wait staff, fancy cocktails, the farm-to-table concept and the small, yet elegant menu selection, I could have been in lower Manhattan and not known the difference. The Wingman was a solid drink. The wings were among the best I've ever had and the pate was delicious as well. My only knock is they put bread on the appetizer menu for $5. It's served with seaweed butter and sea salt, and though delicious, it should be on the house. If you're visiting like me, it's about a $8 cab ride each way from downtown.
(5)Jessica G.
I came to Rolf & Daughters because it was recommended by a friend. I LOVE the ambiance here. The service is wonderful and the workers are so friendly! The cocktails are fresh and so delicious. The dry aged beef tartare is my favorite starter and the garganelli verde is one of the best things I've ever eaten! My husband and I will definitely come here often!
(5)Lauren B.
This is literally one of the best restaurants I've eaten at in my life. EVERYTHING was AMAZING. The atmosphere. The service. And most importantly, the food. I basically can just tell you everything we ordered and you should go order it then you should go back and order everything else that I didn't mention. Sound good? The drinks. They change constantly so I'm not sure if it's there but the one The Pate. Oh my. Best pate of my life. The bread and seaweed butter. Yaaaaaas. The Beef Tartare. Phenom. Farro Gemeli. Amazing pasta dish. Roasted half chicken. Tender, perfectly seasoned, delicious. The pork. Whatever dish it's in, get it. The one with sauerkraut. (You'll see if it's on there). And another pasta dish that honestly why are you still reading this stop reading and make a reservation NOW they fill up fast and are small GO! OMG AND GET THE FLAN IT CHANGED MY LIFE NOT BEING DRAMATIC I DREAM ABOUT IT NOW.
(5)Sheena T.
After a year (almost to the day) I finally made it back to Rolf and Daughters with an out of town guest. She wanted Italian food and if you want pasta, Rolf and Daughters makes it right. I had not been eager to rush back after a bad experience with a bartender (see my review) but I am happy to report that dining at a table was a much more enjoyable experience. We did not have a reservation, but waited in line for the doors to open on Sunday at 5:30pm. There were at least 15 people in line already (yikes) but luckily we were able to get a table. To start I had the crostini with a bean spread and some oil. It was delicious (once I took off the sardines) and my entree was some kind of black pasta dish that I cannot remember the name of, but it was absolutely delightful! All of the pasta dishes were outstanding, and so were our drinks. I am also pleased to report that our server was great and got us our tabs separately without issue. I feel that I need ONE more meal before I can go all 5 stars, but my friends, I am close!
(4)Lawrence C.
Dined 12/12/13 Chic, warehouse space with exposed brick, high ceilings and exposed industrial sized ventilation tubes. Very long spacious bar set on side of dining area, in one large space. Diverse menu, from which we selected two pastas, canestri & bucatini, @ $18, plus a side of vegetables, turnips & Brussels @ $7 & 10 respectively. Everything was absolutely delicious. Tracy, our waiter graciously offered a sampling of two white wines before selecting, priced @ $9-14/glass. Chocolate tart @$9 was the finale to a wonderful meal. This was among the top three restaurants we dined at during our 3 weeks in Nashville, and we so look forward to our return here first. NB. Reservations are a must, and the staff will likely be very accommodating if you need to make special requests, as they were in my case.
(5)Greg B.
What a fantastic place. I come here multiple times when I visit Nashville. Kate the manager runs a friendly tight ship. Staff is always so welcoming and smart. We love Taylor! Tip: just order the bread and seaweed butter as soon as you sit down. It's a no-brainier.
(5)Heather J.
This is my favorite restaurant in Nashville. I always end up ordering family style because I have to try absolutely everything. The portions are perfect (if not a little on the large side, but I'm not complaining). The squid ink canestri always ends up being my favorite dish, and I can't get enough of the beef tartare. The chef varies the dishes regularly, so even though you're ordering a favorite, it'll probably have some delicious new twist on it! As this place is on the pricy side, I don't make it out often (can you say poor college student?), but when I do, I am never disappointed. The staff is always friendly (and usually quite funny), the atmosphere is very trendy but classic, but what really keeps me coming back is the sheer deliciousness of the food. I'm serious. This place is delicious. Oh! And you have to get the sourdough bread! Have to!
(5)Andrew Q.
In search of extremely tasty food? Look no further than R and D. Been here multiple times and always leave extremely satisfied and looking forward to a return visit. There is no point describing any specific dishes because there are no incorrect decisions on the menu.
(5)Andrea E.
Amazing! The food here is so good. This place has the kind of food you still dream about months later. I was passing through Nashville and Rolf and daughters was recommended for my boyfriend and I to go to. The menu is one where if you're like me you really have no idea what it says. It just doesn't matter. Order anything, it's probably all delicious. We had beet salad to start and I had a pasta dish with lamb for the main. Absolutely incredible. The chicken was also delicious. The service was excellent. I did have trouble getting ahold of the restaurant to make a reservation however it worked out because they accept walk-ins. The wine was also delicious especially paired with the food. So so good. Totally recommend this place.
(5)Alexandra F.
Drinks are awesome here. I had the one with bourbon. I'd never had bourbon before, but wow! Very good! Rustic, nice design inside. Note to self: when the server says the meal you are about to order is light and you're so very hungry, don't get it. Have some seaweed butter and bread to start. It's good I promise. Don't order the scallops unless you have negative stomach space. They were good, but I didn't feel like I had eaten anything. I definitely want to go back here. And try a real meal. And order and different drink!
(4)Bill M.
We were there for cocktails. They were Amazing. I had the TBD. Wifley had the cocktail of the day. Well crafted by the bartender.
(5)Dennis M.
Advanced pasta types, which is always a great sign since tje chef is obviously traveled and has done research. Best meal in Nashville hands down. Had the squid ink canestri, and it was superb. The ruby red shrimp with buttermilk herbs was a delicious starter. Full of new flavors to my pallette.
(5)Lauren W.
I feel like a terrible food blogger. Rolf and Daughters had been on my must-go list for what felt like an eternity but I just finally made my way around to it last week. This is totally 100% my fault due to poor planning and begging for last minute reservations. But my last minute perseverance finally paid off last week with a table for two at a reasonable dinner hour! Located in Germantown, Rolf and Daughters is charming and beautiful. They have a romantic outside patio lit by fairy string lights. Inside, it's dark and filled with lovely handcrafted wood pieces. The ceiling was even covered in wood planks. For a small place, they do seem to be able to fit a good amount of diners at once. I did think that the noise level was a bit loud, so it might not be a great place to take your parents (if they're the type who love to complain about noise) or someone who is hard of hearing. Of course we started off with cocktails! I chose the colony collapse which consisted of bourbon, honey liquor, and spiced cherry bitters. This was a stiff drink, just the way I like it. I love a cocktail that doesn't mask the alcoholic nature of the beverage, but enhances it. Steve chose the Spiker and Sponge which was rye, peach shrub, IPA beer, honey, lemon and bitters. To both of us, this drink was just a tad too tart and bitter for our palettes. For our appetizer I picked the chicken liver pate with green tomato jam and cacao. There are few things I love more than bird livers, so I always pick the pate if it's offered. This dish was absolutely perfect; I couldn't get over how much I loved it! Jewish mamas everywhere might weep, because this isn't your traditional chicken liver. The green tomato jam was really sweet and nicely balanced out the inherent bitterness of the cocoa. I know the idea of chocolate and liver sounds gross, but trust me, this dish is spot-on. Their menu is designed around sharing. There are pasta, entree, and side options that are served in large bowls with proportions for two. Steve and I decided to order one pasta, one protein, and one side and make a meal of it. For the pasta I picked the squid ink canestri made with shrimp, squid, pancetta and chili. It had been a long while since I saw squid ink pasta on the menu so I jumped at the chance. The pasta was al dente and the squid ink added a delicate salt flavor. The seafood added another layer of fish flavor which made this dish utterly amazing. I would be hard pressed to go back to Rolf and Daughters and not order this again! For our protein we went with the trout with heirloom beans and cucumber. The fish itself was tender and not the tiniest bit overcooked, but it was a tad too salty for my palette. And I know I must be sensitive to salt, because Steve thought the salt content was perfect. My favorite part had to be the pickled cucumbers that were hiding under the trout, adding a bright fresh flavor to complement the fish. For the side we chose fingerling potatoes with chili mayo. The potatoes were the cutest! Little bite size morsels with a crispy skin. But honestly, it was the chili mayo that made this dish. It added a layer of subtle spice and creaminess that coated the potatoes and left you craving more. I have a sweet tooth and when it came time to choose a dessert, I couldn't, so we opted for two. Since Steve had never had one, we went with the bomboloni with vanilla cream and a side of chocolate sauce for dipping. They came out nice and hot and the dark chocolate sauce wasn't overly sweet like many tend to be. For our second dessert we chose the Olive and Sinclair chocolate tart with caramel and bourbon barrel nibs. While I didn't recognize the nibs, the tart was dark, rich and lovely. My favorite part was the sprinkling of rock salt on top adding that salty crunch that accompanies dark chocolate so well. I totally get the hype; Rolf and Daughters is a positively wonderful restaurant pumping out creative and solid food in a lovely romantic location. I doubt anyone would be disappointed with a dinner there. Just make your reservation in advance so you don't get caught in the lurch like me!
(5)Alan L.
Awesome awesome meal at Rolf and Daughters. My party of 3 went without a reservation on Friday night. We were quoted a 45 minute wait, got a drink at the bar, and before we knew it, our table was ready (wait was definitely closer to 20 minutes - when does that after happen?) Everything we ordered was excellent. Here's the run down, in descending order of deliciousness... Squid ink bucatini - huge chunks of octopus + breadcrumbs making the texture great made this an awesome dish. I have a pretty high standard for Italian living near the West Village in NYC and this was about as good as anything I've had. Chitarra - see note above about being about as good as anything I've had. Dessert - we had the blueberries dessert. I'm usually more of a chocolate guy, but this was insanely good. Ruby red shrimp - delicious shrimp in a buttermilk dressing. Only complaint - needed more of it. Beef tartare - good portion size, really yummy. Eggplant crostini - very tasty, but nothing too special. Short rib - only thing we ordered that we were 'eh' about. I prefer the braised, stringy short rib to this, which was more the style of a sliced NY strip steak. Cocktails were also excellent. Waiters and bartenders were super friendly and knowledgeable about the drinks and all of the menu items. Don't hesitate to check this place out!!
(5)Mary T.
We strolled over to Rolf & Daughters after our Corsair tour to grab some dinner. I thought Google maps had let me down because it's off of a main street where you'd least expect to see a restaurant. Upon arriving, we were quoted a 30-45 minute wait, but were encouraged to head over to the bar for drinks. Our timing was spot on almost our entire trip; just as the bartender finished preparing our first round of drinks, two seats opened up. And just as quickly, tables opened up for us inside and out. We would've taken either, but the bartenders were so fantastic that we decided to remain there. The menu is a touch confusing. It's divided into two sections, but would be better as three (how it used to be, we're told). In the top, non-pasta section, dishes are either small plates or larger, shared plates - you can tell the difference by the price jump. The bottom section is a small selection of pasta dishes that one would consider mains. Our bartender guided us through the menu and helped us think about what would make sense, portion-wise. To share, we ordered the brook trout. The dish made up of trout, cucumber, dill, nasturtium, and greens. Delicate and fresh, we loved it. Separately, we each ordered a pasta dish - his with meat, mine without. The portions are restrained; that's not to say they are stingy, but unlikely you'll go home with a doggie bag. A huge fan of pasta, this wasn't my favorite homemade pasta, but it was damn good. To drink, we each had two drinks. He a Border Town, a mezcal drink, and a whiskey drink - a Spike and Sponge (?). I ordered a Montaña Verde, a tequila-based drink, and the rum-based Above the Sails. Sitting at the bar we not only received impeccable service, but also observed how carefully they craft each drink. I can't speak for his drinks, but both of mine were great. Of the two, the Montaña Verde's spicy finish made it my favorite. Overall, this was an excellent meal. If I lived in Nashville, this would be one of my go-to spots for a higher-end, yet unpretentious meal.
(5)Luke Y.
I loved my meal at Rolf and Daughters, but the one catastrophic low point brought down the whole experience. We made reservations and came by early for drinks, which were delectable. The pastas (we had garganelli with pork and veggie carbonara) were fantastic. The atmosphere was classy, fitting for a date but relaxed enough to go not just as a special occasion. However, their gluten free pasta is a total fiasco. One of my party has Celiac Disease, and the only reason we could come in the first place was they make their own gluten free pasta. What a treat! However, when it came, she found pieces of regular pasta in her dish. They made her another dish, but it was pretty clear there was a massive contamination issue going on in the kitchen. The waiter wasn't concerned one bit, didn't offer to take it off the check or just get her another drink or anything, just oh we can make you another one. After the meal we met a Nashville native that has Celiac and she told us she never would go there and confirmed what we suspected: they just cook the gluten free pasta in the same pots and starchy gluten water as the regular pasta. What is the point of making your own if you're just going to mix it in and make it poisonous garbage? This is just like the Van Halen no brown M&M's rider: if they are that blind to this part of their menu, it throws their professional attention as a whole in question. Despite how great my individual experience was, I can't recommend going there.
(2)Jessi S.
All new favorite spot in Nashville! No idea why it took us so long to come here since we live just a block away, perfect distance to stumble home from after one too many Manhattans (using Copper & Kings premium craft American Brandy!) Now on to the food...we ordered the beets, beef tartare, & broccoli. Everything was ridiculously amazing & I cannot wait to return.
(5)Jesse W.
Favorite restaurant in Nashville. Very chill inside, good drinks, awesome italian dishes that you won't usually have at other restaurants like squid ink and stuff like that. If you take your date here and they haven't been before, you'll probably get laid.
(5)Lesley K.
5 stars for great food. Cool ambiance. Nice server. Overall a great experience so I recommend going here. Thanks to the yelpers we were able to order the best of everything in my opinion. Check out my bill for the complete list. My group shared everything. The server gave us separate plates. New plates for apetizers and another new set for main course. My favorite was the pork heritage and sourdough bread with seaweed butter. Warning though that the portions are small. like what the server suggested: one apetizer to share for two. One entree each and one pasta to share for two. We should had ordered one or two more dishes but we decided to splurge on the dessert. We tried the devil's food cake - it has whipped coffee and cream and chunks of chocoate cake sprinkled with powedered sugar. I didn't care much about the other desert we got - strawberry something. Don't forget to order drinks. I like a bit of bitter on sweet so I goy Wake up saints - first drink on the list. All drinks I think are made with fresh fruits. I'm only visiting nashville. If I do come back, I'm definitely going back here. Do reserve in advance as its a small place.
(5)Jen D.
After hearing from separate friends about how amazing R&D is, and hearing about some of their accolades, I had to try it while in Nashville for work for the weekend. I had a fine meal, but was a little disappointed. We did not have a reservation, but found a seat at the bar and decided just to stay there instead of wait for a table. High points... - Bartenders - Friendly, great servers who are somehow very fast while putting big time effort into the drinks - Pork Ragout - Favorite dish of the night, perfection. - Bombaloni dessert - super sweet pillows from heaven filled with custard, rolled in sugar, with a chocolate sauce. Doesn't get better than this. So glad I'm not diabetic :) - Atmosphere - feels like a farm to table restaurant in any major city- buzzing, energetic - Cocktails Not as high points... - Squid Ink pasta - was fine, do not understand the hype - Squash side - Really puzzling. Squash two ways - burnt (literally, not browned, but charred) and shaved raw (or close to raw. Sauce didn't do much for the dish either. - Meatballs - Average meatballs Enjoyed local meals at Etch, M. Restaurant and The Southern more. I was expecting Girl & the Goat quality of food, and while it was a good meal - it fell short of the hype. If you are visiting and have just 2 nights - I would try somewhere else. I'm bummed I didn't make it to Husk. If you have 3-4 nights, it's worth checking out.
(3)David G.
Boom goes the dynamite! Fantastic. Magnifico. Awesome. Incredible. Splendiferous. Mother F@$%ing Delicious. Perfect. I cannot think of a thing that Rolf & Daughters does wrong. Not. One. Thing. The ambiance is perfect: there's reclaimed wood everywhere (beautiful), the ceiling is even incredibly done with wood. There are communal tables and individual tables (reservations basically required to even eat here, and definitely required to get a table alone). The lighting level is perfect: not too dark, not too bright. The service is impeccable. Servers who know what they are talking about in terms of food accompaniments, the knowledge of the liquid libation, and the knowledge of food allergies (Hello, fellow gluten free fellows and gals!) And, they are punctual. And your servers aren't pretentious because they're in an awesome restaurant and trendy section of town. (Holland House, please take note. Suggest that your servers do internships at Rolf & Daughters to learn "how not to be an overly pretentious hipster server... you can still be a hipster and not a douche, Holland House servers...) I've digressed. Apologies. The food is the kicker in your pantalones. It is unforgettable. You'll dream of it... in a dirty (as in sexy dirty) dreamie kind of way. All of the pastas are outrageously good. I kid you not that once I went with two colleagues and we just ordered all 5 pastas and shared. I don't think I have had a better experience with pasta. And, for the glutard (that's a person who needs gluten free) in your life, they also can make their pasta dishes using gluten free pasta. Make your reservation, arrive an hour early to drink their luxurious libation creations, and then enjoy your dinner and maybe some dessert. Make an evening of Rolf & Daughters. You won't be sorry.
(5)Meredith P.
I recently tried Rolf & Daughters with my husband one night for dinner. The atmosphere is very warm and inviting. There's a bar area (where most people sat when we first got there which was not long after opening for dinner), they have a few longer tables in the middle of the room and then tables for two along the wall. The tables for two were a little closer together than I'm used to, but not uncomfortable. Our waitress was absolutely wonderful! She was really helpful with menu items (explaining the different plate sizes and answering any questions we had since this was our first time eating here). She also made great recommendations for wine based on what we told her our preferences were. The food was good, but there are some more unique items. I started with the winter vegetables that had an almond milk Caesar dressing. I liked most of the veggies but there was a combination of raw vegetables, some that I think had been slightly cooked and then there were some that had been pickled. Not my favorite. My husband had the beets which he said were delicious. For entrees we had the pastured chicken (which was amazing...and huge, like half a chicken huge!) and the octopus (this is more of small/appetizer plate). Overall we really enjoyed this place but will probably save it for special occasions
(4)Valerie B.
My favourite place to eat while visiting Nashville! The pigs' head with roasted peaches were to die for. And who knew I would love chicken liver pate! It was the green tomato marmalade and cocoa that made it. Of the mains we tried the squid ink pasta was the best, spicy and flavourful. The pork ragout in the garganelli pasta was a bit salty (pasta rocked though). And the brook trout was succulent (not a fan of dill though - my preference though, trout could be paired with something more innovative). Service was friendly and we loved the chilled out hipster atmosphere.
(5)K L.
Had one of the best meals at RAD. Had high expectations and wasn't disappointed. We started with Fall Lettuce and Stratacella with beets small plates. Both delicious. Crispy quinoa special touch to the lettuce. Followed with Brook trout entree and the tortellini pasta entree. Trout was perfectly cooked without a game fish taste. Enhanced by the broth below which was so good I could have eaten s bowl of it by itself. Lapped it all up with my spoon! Tortellini was delicious with chestnut flavor. Wish there were two more on the plate tho. Portions not generous but enough to satiate. Our server was proficient, and truly patient to answer all our questions. Didn't rush us. Yet food all came out promptly hot and fresh. If you haven't eaten here, you better!
(5)Alyssa T.
Really cute interior and friendly server. My friend and I ordered some appetizers, which were good, and the chicken and a pasta to share. The chicken was good (a little too salty) but left more to be desired as it was literally just a huge chunk of chicken and nothing more. The pasta with pork was way too salty for me and slightly too gummy in texture. The desserts we had were delicious and creative. I enjoyed them the most. Overall a good meal but didn't live up to the hype for me.
(3)Katie L.
I couldn't be happier with my first experience last night at Rolf and Daughters. We walked in without a reservation at 7 p.m. on a Friday (there's street parking) and were seated right away. As a starter, we had the crostini with broccoli, pecorino and pistachio. The crust crunched, and the middle stayed firm enough to hold the toppings. For drinks, my husband had the R.A.D. Old Fashioned -- orange-fragrant and smooth, no alcohol hitting the back of the throat and up into the sinuses -- and I had a glass of red recommended by the server -- I usually drink Spanish wine, and Rolf and Daughters' reds are Italian and French. I asked for a full-bodied, spicy red, and his recommendation was perfect. We sat at the long shared table at the restaurant's heart, and I overheard my neighbor saying how pleased she was by the server's recommendation of her wine, too. Our entrees were unique from one another and perfectly fit for both of us: My husband's rigatoni (beef shank, tomato and bone marrow) was rich without being decadent, homey without being a peasant's dish. It ate like your mother's chicken pot pie, and hit the right familiar spot without being too filling. I had the squid ink chitarra (blue crab, lemon and old bay crumbs), and it's the first lemon pasta I've had that isn't the same old routine of lemon, olive oil and parsley. The lemon made the dish, which was seasoned perfectly. My only criticism is that the crunch of crumbs called to mind pieces of shell, and every few bites tasted like some shell had snuck in. We split the zeppole for dessert (hazelnut milk jam, raw hazelnuts and Olive + Sinclair chocolate) and could have licked the plate. I had an after-dinner drink whose name I can't recall, but it had rum, meletti and egg foam. At $12, it was a bit small, but so delicious I could have had a tumbler of it. Our total before tip was $99, which is more than we'd planned to spend on a spur-of-the-moment meal, but so wowed were we by the food, service and atmosphere that we didn't bat an eyelash.
(5)Denise S.
This place is crazy fantastic! My fiancé and I found the reviews on yelp and had to give it a try! From start to finish every bite was a mouth full of joy. My only regret is that this restaurant is not closer to my home town. I have to say this was a highlight during our weekend in Nashville for the CMA music fest. Oh and even if you didn't save room for dessert you have to have it!!
(5)Aaron G.
best restaurant in nashville. no joke. I've been here with the lady 5+ times, and each visit is better than the last. Really one of the only places in town putting together truly creative, consistent, ingredient focused dishes. Our servers have always been incredibly knowledgeable and helpful as well. And that wingman cocktail is trouble.
(5)Molly R.
I made a reservation over a month ago. The day of the reservation I called to confirm - had to leave a message. I called back again later that afternoon and the hostess confirmed but was less than cordial. That evening I was on my way to the restaurant and hit major traffic (the President was in town) I called to let them know I would be late.I had to call four times before someone answered. Same hostess finally answered and told me they could only hold my reservation for 15 minutes. Really... only 15 minutes? Are you all that busy on a Tuesday night? I've had this reservation for a month. Thanks for nothing. I had been excited to try this restaurant - will now cross it off my list.
(1)Kristen C.
My partner and I secured a Sunday night res super last minute on our first trip to Nashville. It was our first supper in the city and we've been daydreaming of going back since. First off, service was great. Very friendly and very knowledgeable, but best of all attentive! Miraculously my wine and water glasses were always being refilled right before the last two sips were about to go down. Second, the food is no joke. We started with the broccoli crostini, a classic done just right, and the beef tartare, which rivaled the tartares we've had in Paris. The octopus was cooked perfectly. The purée that went along aside it was a match made in heaven. We also got something along the lines of a sweet potato ravioli and they were described to us as 'little clouds' pre-placing our order. How silly, but they were really just that! So light! And of course, we can't stop talking about our dessert...a lime curd with caramel mousse, ginger droplets topped with popcorn. Are you kidding me? Who invented this? Trademark it now before I start attempting to make this back home in NYC. Atmosphere was wonderful. Hostess that greeted us was even sweet and memorable. May have been our favorite meal of all time. Thank you R&D!! Will be returning very soon.
(5)Megan S.
Assumptions. They say that when you assume, you make an ass of u and me. I went to Rolf and Daughters with a few assumptions. I was visiting a friend in Nashville for a few days and wanted to take her out for a nice dinner to show my appreciation for her hospitality. We chose Rolf and Daughters because we heard that they had recently started making their own gluten free pasta from scratch. As a sufferer of Celiac Disease, that's a pretty exciting idea. We arrived a bit early for our reservation and the restaurant was full. We got some lovely drinks at the bar and brought them outside to the front patio to enjoy the nice weather. Once our table was ready, we eagerly sat down and perused the menu. When I asked our server about the gluten free options, he mentioned the gluten free pasta right away. Of course, that's what I ordered - subbing in the gluten free pasta for the squid ink canestri dish. When the food came - we all dug in. Everyone was DELIGHTED with how delicious their food was. Delighted, that is, until I found a piece of regular, glutenous spaghetti in my gluten free pasta. I alerted the waiter immediately, unsure how this could have happened. He brought it back to the kitchen and asked them to make another bowl for me. He never apologized and instead made excuses about how they don't have a gluten free kitchen. (Which of course they don't have a gluten free kitchen! They serve regular pasta! But how did the gluten free and regular pasta make their way into the same bowl?) Another bowl of pasta made it's way to our table eventually and I ate it cautiously, still confused as to how the glutenous pasta made it's way into my bowl in the first place. SPOILER ALERT: It turns out that a kitchen that makes their own gluten free pasta from scratch COOKS IT IN THE SAME POT AS REGULAR PASTA. I found this out later that night when speaking to another Celiac who lives in Nashville. I get it - I made an assumption (that gluten free pasta would be cooked in a separate pot and reasonable methods would be employed to prevent cross contamination). This assumption was based on the idea that a restaurant that goes to the trouble to make a gluten free pasta from scratch would understand the very basic idea of cross-contamination. This assumption was very wrong. In the end, I can't recommend Rolf and Daughters for anyone who needs to eat gluten free. Except maybe for a cocktail.
(2)Chris B.
Overall: my Nashville favorite. I've been here about 6 times. Food: excellent and original. This restaurant breaks into the next level fine dining. The dishes are flavorful and interesting. Menu favorites: moving target here as their menu will change - Squid ink pasta: homemade pasta. - Chicken: I never order chicken at restaurants but on a friends recommendation tried the chicken. Excellent. It's one of my main course favorites. Savory - Sourdough bread: it's just bread but with really tasty seaweed butter. Service: seems like we get the same waitress every time we go. She is efficient and pleasant. On our 3rd visit, she recognized us and greeted us. Wait staff seem knowledgeable about the menu. Atmosphere: tough to get reservations but worth it. Mostly inside dining although we did sit on the patio on a nice day. Intimate setting if needed but we have also done a four-top. It's busy but not so loud that you cannot converse. They do have communities tables available but I have not done it.
(5)l k.
The first time here was amazing...one of my favorite dinners ever so I was super excited to come back. My second visit wasn't the best unfortunately... For one I don't recommend sitting outside in their patio area...there was a nasty, noxious odor of sewer gas that kept wafting in depending on the way the wind was blowing. Talk about ruining your appetite! Besides that I just don't feel like we got a lot of food for our money...to spend over $100 you should leave feeling satisfied but we both looked at each other and suggested going somewhere else for a "bang-bang" because we were still hungry!
(4)Katherine H.
One of the best meals I've had in a long time. Cocktails, beef tartare, and pasta were all killer...inventive with a perfect balance of flavors. I woke up wanting a to eat another bowl of the squid ink bucatini for breakfast. We sat at the bar and received outstanding service and great recommendations from the bartender. Will be back!
(5)Kenny K.
Unbelievable! One of the best restaurants I've ever been to. They use all local ingredients, so the menu changes seasonly depending upon what they can get from Nashville farmers. Overall great experience. Will definitely be back.
(5)Charline H.
Farm-to-table concept with a hipster waitstaff and mixologist whipping up your cocktail in a very industrial looking setting... and we're here for pasta?! This chef was put on this earth to make pasta. I personally never order pasta while dinning out bc I feel like I can just make something very similar at home. NOT the case a RAD! I have never eaten a bowl of pasta so slowly. YUM. I'm not sure I would recommend taking just anyone here. Picky eaters my not have the adventurous ambition to dive into this type of cuisine. We tried to step out of our comfort zone and just order off of our waiter's recommendations. After a few questions, she narrowed down the selections and we went for it. No complaints and we enjoyed every bite. Tip: sit outside if it's available. great ambiance. Highlight Pasta: Bucatini fra diavolo, octopus, rad lardo, calabrian chili [$18]
(4)Heather J.
Don't you hate it when you're so looking forward to trying something and then it doesn't live up to the hype? Well, fret not, my friend. You won't have that problem here. My friends and I were planning a trip to Nashville and I read about Rolf and Daughters in Bon Appetit Magazine. I called a month in advance to reserve a table for us, and even that far ahead of time, they barely had any space left. We got an 8:45 pm reservation on a Friday night and it was still packed when we got there. Even though the space was really full, we didn't feel cramped and it wasn't too loud. The decor is lovely - it feels very cozy and comfortable. I love the vibe at this place - upscale but not pretentious. We started with a bottle of rose, a shaved brussels sprout salad, a turnip dish, and the chicken liver pate. All three appetizers were excellent. I was surprised to discover how much I loved the pate. My other favorite was the brussels sprout salad. For our entrees, we got the garganelli with pork ragout, farro gemelli with mushrooms and greens, and the spaghetti fra diavolo with octopus. Everything was delicious. The pasta is homemade and definitely the best homemade pasta I've ever had. It wasn't all mushy, as some homemade pasta can be. The fra diavolo was definitely spicy and the octopus was perfectly cooked - tender, not chewy. For dessert we shared a chocolate tart and little Italian creme-filled donuts. Again, everything was superb. The whole experience at Rolf and Daughters was top notch, from the service, to the atmosphere, to the food. I would be a regular here if I lived in Nashville!
(5)Tony C.
I was in Nashville on business and looked at several menus. I would suggest making reservations if possible because I saw the restaurant fill up as we started our meal. We usually sit at the bar and were not disappointed with our experience. I will be returning when in Nashville and hope the weather is nice so we can sit out on the patio.
(5)Betsy L.
I will preface this with: I only came here for drinks and an appetizer...so this is not a review on the wait staff or the entrees. I walked into Rolf and Daughters, and was pleasantly greeted by the hostess! I was only here to sit at the bar and try something new for my birthday...and lo and behold there was exactly one bar seat open! Fate was kind. I squeezed on into the seat and was happy to find purse hooks underneath the bar - hallelujah for that, amiright ladies?! It was pretty busy behind the bar, but the bartender quickly greeted me, supplied me with a water glass and a food and drink menu. He was pleasant and helpful, and did not at all rush me (even though he had a lot going on). I told him what I was looking for, he suggested a drink, and was spot on! It was so delicious. I then ordered the Green Wheat small plate, followed by an Old Fashioned. I was really pleased with my whole experience, and will definitely go back with a friend or two.
(4)David G.
When traveling with staff, the dining rules are simple. I pick the restaurant and order for the table. Their rules. Not mine. Two weeks after our visit to RAD and the noise around the halls is still about this place being their best meal (traveling or not) in recent memory. I must agree. It was just that good. From beginning to end. Not one plate was anything but an A+. The heirlooms with cultured cream got re-ordered as an additional dessert item, it was so stunning. The pastas brought enough moaning to draw attention from nearby tables. Clever cocktails brought it all together. Our only lament was that there were only 6 of us. Otherwise, we would have ordered the entire menu. I'd give it six stars, if I could.
(5)Karyn A.
Dined outside on the patio tonight. What a nice breeze to enjoy our cocktails and dinner by. Pasta dishes were superb as well as the chicken. Corn and pea appetizer was just amazing!! Shared two desserts. Blueberry something and fresh peach something else- both fabulous!! Highly recommend Rolf and Daughters in Nashville!
(5)Lizzy Z.
I highly recommend Rolf and Daughters for special occasions, or the perfect date night. The menu changes with each season, but I have no complaints on anything I have tried! The Squid Ink Cannestri is a MUST. The staff is always professional and willing to explain any part of the menu. The first time I dined at Rolf and Daughters, I had no idea what I wanted, and our server was patient with me and went over every detail. The atmosphere tops this beautiful little gem.
(5)John A.
Came here with extremely high expectations, but left a bit disappointed. Service was great, ambience and setting were great, dessert was phenomenal. However, both our pasta dishes were underwhelming. I was expecting their pasta to be fantastic, but both dishes we had were just decent. Maybe my expectations were too high, but this certainly isn't anywhere on my list of favorite restaurants in Nashville.
(3)Nicole L.
One of the best restaurants I've ever eaten at. The cocktails are hand crafted and well balanced. The food was amazing. We had several things off the menu and each one was delicious. Normally I can't stand chicken liver and I even liked theirs! Scott and Tracy were awesome as well! We can't wait to go back!
(5)Caitlyn S.
I loved the 401K - it was a perfect cocktail for a warm day! The bartender was very patient with the questions we had and took the time to explain the drinks to us. He never made us feel like we were annoying him.
(5)Jennifer M.
No joke. The best meal I've ever had in my life. My husband and I were in Nashville for New Years Eve and we were left speechless (hard to do!). Would recommend this place to anyone. The restaurant look/feel is awesome, service is impeccable and the food is out of this world. Definitely go there if you can get a reservation! We had: -Beef Tartare -Broccoli crostini -Squid ink pasta (AMAZING!) -Cod (this was a special) -Donuts All reasonably priced and we were very full after! So worth it.
(5)Zeb M.
I enjoyed my dinner at Rolf and Daughter, but I don't know if I'd come back simply because there are always SO many restaurants to try in Nashville and there wasn't anything particularly outstanding to keep me coming back. Now wait a minute, don't get confused. Rolf and Daughter certainly lives up to four stars - I had some delicious lamb meatballs and an outstanding side of Brussels sprouts, apples, hazelnut, and pecorino; and my friend swore by her chicken as being some of the best and juiciest she's ever had. But... I guess I'm just old fashioned and don't believe in spending $21 to have a plate of chicken come out with nothing else with it. So yes, it does get pricey when you order an entree and side (or ordered a starter as a side like I did). However, I can't help but compare it to other fantastic restaurants with comparable prices and more amazing dishes. That said, I definitely would recommend Rolf and Daughters to anyone new. I don't eat pasta, but I hear it's the highlight of the menu and most affordable. Also, I think what I may have loved most was the atmosphere. I absolutely loved the ambiance and our server Chase was the friendliest and most personable people I've ever met in the food industry! Ask for her whenever you go!!
(4)Ricky G.
My wife and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary by going to R.A.D. for the first time. This was the right decision. We shared 3 small dishes and 2 pasta dishes; every single bite was fantastic. I have read other reviews and there are a few dishes that every one talks about--squid ink pasta, Verde garganelli, beef tartare. They are correct; all were very amazing. We tried two other dishes that don't get nearly as much praise. First was the Crostini with broccoli, pecorino, and pistachio. This was served on one large piece of bread that had been toasted and covered with broccoli and pecorino cheese; the flavors were outstanding. The last dish we had (which actually was the first bite I had last night) was Spinach cassoncini with coppa and sarvecchio. This dish was served as 5 bite-sized pieces and was very small. The flavor however was unbelievable. I would rename this dish "Tiny pocket of exploding flavor." I was able to avoid ruining our anniversary dinner by offering a little extra beef tartare to my wife so that I could have the last "flavor bomb." Rolf and Daughters, thank you for a fantastic evening with some unforgettable food. We will return.
(5)Brian N.
Incredible food and a great atmosphere! Went with 5 coworkers - we ordered 5 small plates, 5 large plates (3 pastas and 2 entrees) and 3 deserts. I'd definitely recommend this style of ordering - the plates were a bit on the small side, but every dish was perfection. At the end of the meal, everyone had enough to eat and enjoyed the variety in the dishes. Would absolutely go again.
(5)Ashley B.
My boyfriend visited Nashville for the first time and our AirBnb host suggested this spot above all others, now I know why. The place itself was very cute and cozy and the outdoor seating was nice. The cocktails were amazing, the tartare was delicious, but the pasta was the best. I would definitely come back here.
(5)Brittany M.
favorite restaurant I've ever eaten at. sourdough and seaweed butter. yesss. chicken. A+ all the pastas are insane. if they have the doughnuts will you're there, make sure you order them for dessert.
(5)Jennie L.
Pushing to 5 for the experience overall. As one of the top 5 new restaurants in the US, it lives up to the hype. Started off with the beef tartare and immediately knew it was going to be a great meal! Citrus laced and great soaked crostini. Self proclaimed pasta snob - I expect pastas to be something I could never make on my own - these fit the bill. Squid ink canestri with crab and the bucatini fra diavolo with octopus were amazing. Octopus cooked perfectly. We also had the side of mushrooms and they were the perfect texture. Recommended wine was also great with the meal. And deep fried, cream filled donuts coated in sugar with chocolate sauce - yum! Great food, great service, great trendy atmosphere. (and the old school gangsta rap just loud enough to hear also won us over in a big way!) Definitely a must try!
(5)Carla R.
I had just read that Bon Appetit made this the number 3 restaurant in the US....so we had to try it out on our date night. The place has a hipster vibe and the staff was very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and cocktails. When looking at the menu nothing really jumped out at me so I asked the server what she suggested. She suggested a certain pasta dish and the chicken dish. We tried both. I got the Garganelli verde, heritage pork ragout parmesano. It was delicious!!! It kind of looks like green bean stew:). My husband got the Heritage chicken and it was pretty good, but we both agree that my dish was better. The portions are a good size, not huge, but filling. The thing we did not like is that no sides came with the entrees. You have to buy separate and there isn't much of a side selection. We added the Brussels sprouts appetizer and it had a strong but good lemon flavor. We also had 2 drinks: Pinot Noir and my husband got the RAD Old Fashione. He said it had a strong lemon and maple smoke flavor. He said it was different. We had a great experience and would recommend.
(4)G W.
One of the best meals I have ever eaten. I had the sweet potato agnolotti and my friend had the nettle tagliatelle. Both had the most wonderful combination of tastes. Service was wonderful and the wine suggestion was spot on. This is my new favorite restaurant.
(5)Anthony W.
The experience I had at Rolf & Daughters is exactly the experience I want when I dine out. The service was attentive but not overbearing. The servers carefully explained the daily specials and menu items I inquired about. The cocktails were fantastic. The ambiance was upscale casual and inviting. The soundtrack, 90's hip hop, was on point. The beef tartare with mussels was one of the best versions of the dish I've had. The squid ink pasta left me wanting more. Probably one of the best meals I've had from start to finish.
(5)Tracy B.
Phenomenal meal. Unusual ingredients that were put together for a *reason* (i.e., they made the taste explode in your mouth), not because they were trendy or eye-catching or whatever. Server made a great wine suggestion that complemented the food perfectly. The farro gemelli with mushrooms and greens was fantastic. The only thing I would change was the thumping bass of the music (no music could be heard, just the bass). It didn't add anything to the atmosphere and was annoying.
(5)Heather F.
Love this new restaurant!! Rolf is the middle name of the founder and head chef. He held a very prestigious executive chef position at a restaurant in his home state of Florida before coming to Nashville and opening up his name sake restaurant (named in tribute too to his teenage daughters). The actual establishment is carved out of an old warehouse (as is much of the gentrification of this part of Nashville known as Germantown). What this means is that you get gorgeous refurbished flooring with tall ceilings and antique looking drop (pendant lighting) but you also get loud noise. If you are looking for low ceilings and soft candlelight dinner this isn't the place. The inside seating is communal seating from both the hand-carved wooden tables to the long bar, and the outside area is communal wooden picnic tables. Reservations fill up quickly so your best bet since you aren't going to get a lot of privacy anyway is to just show up and find a seat at the bar. Even though it is formed from a warehouse Rolf and Daughters still manages to be classy and elegant in its style. The food at Rolf and Daughters is outstanding. Farm to table is all the rage and this is clearly evidenced here. Our group shared the tomato appetizer dish that was so fresh I swear they just plucked the tomatoes off the vine right before serving. The real highlight is their squid ink pasta dish which is rich and filling. If you are a cocktail person you will love Rolf and Daughters. You will also need to bring your smart phone or dictionary to look up some of the names of the flavorings and stuff they put in their cocktail recipes or you can just ask the bartenders who are very knowledgeable.
(4)Steve E.
We were there one week after our maiden voyage. Added the beef tartare to the mix. Apps we have had so far, good, but not spectacular. However, this is THE go-to pasta place in Nashville. We ordered the chicken with garlic confit and lemon reserve, and it was outstanding. Second to City house' version, but a great dish in its own right. Our server described the pork ragout as "like tasting a hug". Great line. She's right. Amazing stuff.
(5)Kaleena G.
Fantastic food and drink -- very knowledgeable and welcoming staff. All around great experience!
(5)Kelly E.
A blend of urban chic and rustic décor, Rolf & Daughters' open seating and sweeping ceilings encourage an atmosphere of "see and be seen." Newer on the Nashville restaurant stage, their dishes are locally sourced with a strong lean towards quality and sustainability. Chef Philip Krajeck, a James Beard Award nominee, injects flavorful artistry into fresh veggie starters and delivers gorgeous varieties of homemade pasta dishes alongside more traditional mains. Reservations are highly recommended, but the host stand does maintain a few open seats for drop-in diners.
(5)Sara E.
Their food is good, but the service is pretentious. I tried to order an entree without bacon and the server asked "WHY?" and looked at me like I had three heads. I'm not sure why I have to justify not eating bacon when a simple yes or no would've done. My friend ordered the squid ink pasta after the waiter repeatedly reassured her that it was not spicy. After a few bites of the pasta she turned bright red and had tears in her eyes from the heat. I tried a bite of her entree and although it was good, it was still pretty spicy. When the waiter came back (at the end of our meal and not a minute before), my friend told him that she found the entree too spicy. The waiter turned and said, "She must have something wrong with her taste buds!" to the table next to us and laughed. This place would be great if they paid better attention to hiring staff. There's no need for the attitude.
(3)Michelle S.
Great, friendly, and helpful service. Food is very fresh and well prepared. Portions a little smaller but not necessarily a bad thing
(5)Kim R.
This place has a wonderful patio and fantastic cocktails. The menu was simplistic, yet imaginative. I had the sweet potatoes, swiss chard with bulger, and shared appetizers with my dinner companions. I also tasted the chicken that my friend had ordered, and it was outstanding. Definitely not your run of the mill roasted chicken. Our server was attentive and helpful with the menu. The next time I am in Nashville, I will definitely be back!
(5)Todd B.
I am proud of Rolf and Daughters for being listed in the Bon Appetit's 2013 Best New Restaurants in America, and I wanted to go precisely because of my great trust in that list and because of my love for my home town of Nashville and its culinary achievements. Rolf did not disappoint. It is a lovely setting in historic Germantown, and the old warehouse space gives the feeling of a Williamsburg or Brooklyn hipster restaurant while preserving an Italian country ambience and cuisine. The servers look fresh off the Williamsburg ferry, and have a commanding knowledge of the menu, the cocktails and wines, and seemed passionate about the experience. When we expressed delight, our server smiled as if he were taking personal pleasure in our satisfaction. I like that. One note to readers: Though the restaurant is "Italian", it is not traditional Italian. Don't come here expecting marinara sauce or chicken parm. This is country Italian, and closer to a blend of Italian/German and Mediterranean. We chose the spaghetti with fresh parmesan and black pepper, the pork plate and the turnip greens. We loved all three. The spaghetti was delightful but nothing too exceptional that could not be found at other Italian restaurants. The pork was perfectly tender, and the sauce mixed with corn was a nice accompaniment. The pork shoulder was a bit fatty for our tastes, but the accompanying pork sausage was fresh and seasoned in a way that I loved. The turnip greens were cooked with tomatoes and red pepper. The menu is fairly limited, and honestly I felt there should have been more vegetable side options than just potatoes or turnip greens. The Manhattan cocktail was likely the best version of the classic I've ever had, and it's my favorite cocktail. I loved the place. The service was outstanding. The food: Hmm. I liked it, but nothing blew me away. But would I go back and give it a second try? Absolutely.
(4)Meghan E.
I REALLY don't want to write this, as I have been looking forward to trying this restaurant so much, and I try not to let service be indicative of the whole experience, but that said I was just disappointed. We went for my birthday dinner and had reservations, and we seated promptly, the atmosphere is great. The problem was that they were out of two of the dishes I wanted to try, and I had been dying to try the carbonara. The server was incredibly rude when I explained that I was looking forward to it, acted personally insulted with my budget-friendly (about $30) wine choice, and was generally unpleasant. I try not to let service reflect great food, however this just continued through the entire meal. The appetizers were great, but my dish was so salty it was almost inedible. My fiance's meal was great as well, and I really appreciate the quality of the actual pasta. All of this said, I will give it another shot because of the way it is so celebrated, I just had to be there on an off night, right?
(2)chocovore s.
Oh, Rolf and Daughters, I had it on good word from two friends whose taste I trust that you were wonderful . . . but I was so let down! We had 9pm reservations, and our table wasn't quite ready when we got there (a few minutes early, so not a problem), and the hostess (who was the friendliest staff person we encountered) offered us an open space at one of the community tables. Now I regret not taking it, since it might have at least meant a different server. We perused the drink menu in the few minutes it took for our table to open up. We were greeted fairly promptly, I ordered a glass of wine and my husband ordered a beer, but the server told him all of the taps were out except for one. So my husband ordered that beer, but the server came back to tell him that one was actually out, too. He said he'd look over the wine list, and after a few minutes the server came back with my wine, paused for approximately a half second, then walked off before my husband could order his glass of wine. Eventually she came back and he was able to order -- we figured we had better get the rest of our order in while she was there. Good thinking on our part --other servers ended up delivering our appetizer and entrees, and our server did not glance our way or come back to our table until we were completely finished eating and my husband's wine was long empty. When she did come to clear our plates she didn't even ask how our meal was! Anyway, the completely phoned-in service was a big damper. We also noticed that a diner at the table next to us had some sort of sausage dish that we didn't see on the menu. A special, maybe? The server didn't mention those, either. As for the food, we ordered the sourdough with seaweed butter for an appetizer, ricotta cavatelli with lamb ragu for me, and heritage chicken for my husband. The sourdough was rustic . . . or you could call it burned. I like crusty bread, but nearly the entire crust was charred black. I could see flecks of seaweed in the butter, but the taste was really not there. Oh, and there was a single sliced radish alongside. My pasta was good -- the serving size was indeed fairly small, but the cavatelli was very dense and rich. The richness was nicely offset with some fresh mint. My husband's chicken was fine, but it is literally half a chicken on a plate in some sauce. For $23 it doesn't even come with a side? A couple roasted veggies on the plate so it doesn't look so lonely? At City House it does. Just sayin'. I would usually go for dessert, but since we weren't feeling the vibe we passed. Our server *was* very on top of things once it was time to bring our check and get us out of there! Overall, I could be convinced to go back, but I'm in no hurry.
(2)Crystal T.
Perfection. Perfection in every way. From the food to the ambience to the service to the cocktails--everything we had made me giggle with delight. It's one of the best meals I can remember. We went a month ago and I still find myself daydreaming about it. And yeah, I'm serious. When you go you must have a Chartreuse Manhattan. If you don't do it for yourself, do it for me. I also had the Hen of the Woods pasta--such a simple dish, made with whole ingredients, well-rounded flavors and spices, and house made pasta--simple and masterful. If you don't want to sit at the community table then make a reservation. The menu is small, but everything we had was amazing. That's all there is to say. Now go.
(5)Trish T.
I really like this place because it's not really your typical Italian restaurant. I understand you have to have meatballs and pasta, but everything else is "different" than most places in Nashville. I'm by no means an over eater, but I had three courses and left still hungry :x. This place is not your typical large- can serve 3 people in one dish- portion. If you know the owner, he does give you larger portions. If you don't know him, the portions are smaller (maybe the correct single serving) portion. To start, I ordered the chicken liver pate, which is by far the cleanest tasting pate I've tried in Nashville. Then, I had the squid ink pasta, which I'm still drooling over as I write this post. My husband had the seafood fra diavolo, which he loved. For dessert, we had the doughnuts with the ice cream inside. The house made ice cream was reallllllly good, but the doughnut was really dense and bready tasting, which was not what I was expecting. I dub this place "my" gem of Nashville. I love Italian food, but there's a lack of options for good Italian food in Nashville. Since I lived in big cities all over the US, this is close to what to expect.
(5)Crawford L.
Ahh, Rolf & Daughters. The biggest, baddest restaurant in all the land. You will see famous people like Ted Danson, Trent Dabbs, and at least 20% of the cast of ABC's "Nashville." You will scoff at how much the drinks cost, then order several more because they taste so good. You will receive your food and love it. You will order a second helping of the house-baked bread with seaweed butter. You will consider order a second helping of the mushroom pasta, too, in lieu of dessert. You will wind up ordering both. Happy eating! ALSO, one last thing: get reservations. Waiting two hours for a table is worth it, but it still sucks... and baby, it's cold outside.
(5)Lori M.
I love this place!! So interesting and innovative which makes for a wonderful culinary adventure. The starters are always great and changes depending on what is in season. I have had almost every pasta dish and they are all fantastic! The trout, chicken and vegetarian dishes are my favorite. Nice folks and so glad I am a half a block away!!!
(5)Lance D.
Amazing 5 star culinary explosion in the science of food.
(5)Jennifer M.
Very disappointed. I had the puttanesca while my date had the garganelli, and both were so salty we didn't even make it halfway through the dishes. The puttanesca was just plain disgusting - the chef sorely misused the anchovies. Additionally, it's nothing like having a meal where you have to SCREAM. Across the table to have a conversation. The noise was terrible. Terrible food and ambience, so many better restaurants around town!
(1)Tom G.
I genuinely hate doing this, because I have never actually eaten here, but may I suggest that you expand the words on your website "We encourage you to visit without a reservation" to include "but please call ahead to make sure we aren't closed for a whole fortnight"! While traveling through the South we wanted to hit Husk on one of our nights in town (review coming soon) and this place. Having checked the website and Yelp to confirm their opening hours we walked over here from downtown to work up a little appetite only to find it eerily abandoned with a tiny sign in the window saying they are on vacation. I appreciate that a small restaurant's staff are entitled to vacation, but how about considering other people's vacations and putting a note on your website to that effect? My mistake for not checking more thoroughly (I actually did call once we started walking from Downtown but the phone rang and rang so I assumed they were just busy) but even disappointed locals arrived when we did also unaware of the closure. Luckily some of these locals pointed us towards the nearby City House (review also coming soon) but please, guys, a tiny effort on your part would have been much appreciated by some people who had come from near and far to support your business. Thank you.
(1)Mr.Food E.
Not your average Restaurant and I guess that is what makes this place great. Located just outside downtown Nashville in what appears to be an old factory that has been touched up quite nicely. It was a little awkward entering through an outdoor tent then accessing the main door but once inside the atmosphere was very inviting and full of friendly people and staff. The seating was a little weird especially if you don't like people. I was sat at a table with a total group of strangers after the first 10 seconds of silence you learn to dive right into other peoples conversations turned out to not be a bad thing. This was my first time here so I wasn't sure what to order so I relied on the waitress to help me choose a meal that would hold me over for the evening. Everything worked out well and the food was delicious and fresh. I ended up with a plate of the Garganelli it was like Mom's Mac and Cheese +5 it just hit the spot . Great food Great Staff and more importantly Great food. will be back if I'm in Nashville. If you Love food Eat here...
(5)Diondre V.
Tried this place for the 3rd time and finally got seated. The first two times I've tried, they "don't do reservations on the weekend." The first time was for my girlfriend's birthday. "We are not gonna have a table for eight until about 10 o'clock." Meanwhile, people just kept being seated in front of us. Tried to get in the second time, there were 3 tables open for two but a party of 8 came just before us but these tables were not even in a row yet we still had to wait. This last time, showed up and there were clearly 4 tables wide open with a couple about to leave a fourth. "Table for two, please." "Oh it's going to be a 45 minute wait." "What about those four open tables for two?" "Oh those are for reservations.". WTF!!!!??? Just last week you didn't do weekend reservations now you all of a sudden have tables booked? Who did you notify that you all of a sudden do reservations? Now, this third time I walked in I noticed, just like the other two times, there is a specific "crowd", if you will, that they cater to. I've never seen a table of the "out crowd" in there and I've waited there a total of 2 hours in the three times I've been and have only been seated once. On to the food and drinks. First off the waitress could have explained the menu, which she could have because most of the things on there were not just normal things you'd find anywhere else. Flyte takes the cake in explanation of the menu items. She could have attempted. The drinks easily rival Patterson House for the tastiness and strength. The food was decent. I had the baby octupus with black garlic and pork for the appetizer. Pretty good. My main course consisted of pork tenderloin and cannellini beans and spinach. Pretty good. My side was polenta (grits) and greens. Those were just ok-they served them in a bowl together. Which was not a good idea because once the dish sat their, the polenta started to just float off into little pieces and there were no spoons. For dessert, my date and I shared a chocolate tart which had sea salt and chocolate nibs covering it. I liked it because it was light and not heavy. I'm not a big fan of chocolate overkill. The coffee is extra weak. Maybe that's because I'm a coffee drinker. The food is good, drinks are spectacular, service is ASS CRACK. That's why I only gave them three stars because of the service. Otherwise, the restaurant was pretty good. I would go if you want a decent meal with good drinks. Sidenote: look like you have money when you go, they like that. I feel like since we were not the crowd that they "prefer" we were treated terribly 3x. I wouldn't go back unless I had reservations and someone begged me.
(3)Guillermo K.
Delicious stuff. Service was a little uneven (and slow at points). But the pasta was great. The Berkshire pork entree however is pretty whatever. Not worth it to get that.
(3)Queen B.
Two disappointing experiences, decided it's not worth a review.
(2)Taylor K.
The food is amazing, the atmosphere is fun, and the bartenders are easy on the eyes. It doesn't get better than this ;-).
(5)Janet S.
Space - nice if you like wood and brick, this seems to be just arriving in Nashville, better late than never. Noise - loud chatter plus loud music (good if you like the Cure) Greeting - Nothing special..and we like special. Food - Meh to OK, small portions indeed! Service - Hesitant and unsure. 5 peeps - we were seated by the entrance door which meant an icy blast every time someone came in and out plus the gentle waft of cigarette smoke from the smokers just outside. Cocktails - $10/$11, Nice - A-OK and satisfying, Searching for the Cure (sticking with the music here ) and the Cumberland Sour Sourdough and Seaweed butter, 4 pieces of bread - 5 of us at table, (pet peeve of all of us) enough butter for 3 people. Sourdough a bit heavy to compete with the butter, no taste of seaweed. Pate Campagnola - not too much flavor here, no better than packet Pate. from Kroger, again 4 piececs of bread and 4 radishes, for the love of god... and yes we paid the extra charge for more bread. Oh and where were the cornichons peeps? Polenta and Turnip Greens - Greens extremely bitter, polenta soft and creamy, we all agreed this was the best thing we had all night. Pork Special Sandwich - belly wrapped in loin wrapped in skin (supposed to be crispy). Two of us had this, almost inedible, dripping in a greasy oil concoction they called Salsa Verde, why add oil to Pork? If the pork belly was there, we could not find it, it seemed all loin and no crispy skin, a great idea but not executed correctly. Trout - acceptable according to the eater. Yorkshire Pork - sub-par according to the Yorkshire man eating it, so like what is Yorkshire Pork anyhow? Pasta - the best dish of the evening of the entrees, but small as their Pastas are Secondi. Home made Parmesan was a little overpowering. Dessert - Bombolini - good, three of them and some chocca sauce. Finally I asked for a Sambucca, none to be had, no problem, I asked the waitress to ask the bartender to give me the closest alternative from their digestiv list and he sent amarro nardini. Excellent Choice - but I would expect a proactive bartender to suggest an alternative rather than wait for the guest to suggest it. Service - only came to us when she had to, was not particularly knowledgeable about the menu, was not receptive to the Pork Special feedback, and scampered away as fast as possible. All in all $200 for the lot of us, would we go back - Nah I don't think so but I sure did enjoy the company and thank our friends for treating us. Whew that was my longest review ever - sorry folks....but really this is pretty much a Gastropub on an average day, would enjoy this setting with a shepherds pie and a pint:-). Quieter ambiance at Silo and better VFM at ye olde Cityhouse. Why 3 stars??? I really like the bar shelves - reminded me of British Habitat shelving from the 90's, bottles nicely arranged. Me old flat in London was just like this.
(3)Jaime B.
No complaints! Lives up to the hype. Had the butternut squash first course, and the trout dish, and squid ink pasta - and the bombilini dessert. They were all amazing! No reservation, arrived at 8:45 on a Saturday night, super busy but our party of 2 was seated at the community table within 20 minutes.
(5)Mandy M.
Last minute trip to Nashville to visit son in college, tried to get a reservation the week before, but knew it was unlikely. Very helpful girl on the 'phone told me they have communal tables that are first come first seated (the bar is too). We waited about an hour for our table. Husband wanted to go elsewhere, I made him wait. Cocktails were delicious. The hostesses had been very friendly and the waitress was friendly enough, she seemed a bit overwhelmed. Steak Tartare appetiser was delicious, I thought the salsa verde was a strange choice to go with it but it worked. Squid Ink pasta with shrimp and lemon was absolutely wonderful, perfectly seasoned. Husband had the pasta verde with pork ragu which was very good - he thought he won (he didn't). Son very much enjoyed the roast pork, portions were way too small for his liking but then he's a 19 year old with the appetite of a small horse. Desserts were great, the bombolini were a big hit - warm, crispy sugary pillows of yumminess. The panacotta wasn't really, it jiggled okay but the consistency was too soft, more like a creme brulee without the brulee. Pet peeve... Husband and son finished their main course before I did and the waitress cleared their plates, asked about dessert and delivered the dessert menu before I had finished - super tacky and very rude, her actions made me feel as though they really wanted us out of there pdq. She did the same thing to the group of 3 sitting beside us. I know a lot of people don't like to sit with an empty plate in front of them (I'm one of those) but if someone in my party is still eating I can wait. We'll definitely go back (but maybe have a reservation next time).
(4)Kel Vin W.
First meal back in Nashville, it was spectacular! First of all, the staff were great, we had a 3 year-old with us and they were very accommodating. The kitchen made a spaghetti with butter and parmesan dish for my friend's daughter, it was soooo good, all the adults wished we had a bowl of that! We started out with Razor clams, and a butternut squash crostini which were absolutely delicious. The clams were roasted with smoky char, but still perfectly tender, and the nutty hubbard squash on whipped ricotta made a smooth and earthy starter For entrees we got the Yorkshire pork, which was very rich in flavor! The roasted Heritage chicken was succulent and juicy. The gemelli was cooked with farro flour and hen of the woods mushrooms, it was earthy and had it been served in a pottery bowl, it would have been a modern rustic pasta dish. The squid ink canestri pasta with diced minced chorizo, shrimp and squid was bursting with seafood flavors. Lastly, we got 1 of each dessert: olive sinclair's chocoloate and sea salt chocolate baker; we also got the panna cotta which was so soft and deep in flavor. We also got the bombolinis which are fried to order, they are small doughnuts with pastry creme filling. A great meal, again, one of Nashville's gems!
(4)E. D.
This is a meal that you've got to plan out in advance--but man, is it worth it! I've been here three times so far and have never been disappointed. It is delicious.
(5)Sean S.
A place for lovers of cocktails and foodies. My main entree was a pork dish. Really high fat content. Not sure if that was intentional. All else was spot on! But no espresso drinks! Kind of weird for a 4 star place.
(4)Cara K.
After reading all the glowing reviews on yelp, my boyfriend and I decided to give this restaurant a try. It was a very disappointing experience... We tried an appetizer, entree, and dessert. The app was very good. However, my boyfriend's entree was very undercooked and had to be sent back. Our waitress was by far the most unpleasant waitress I have ever encountered and did not apologize for the undercooked food or attempt to smooth over the inconvenience. I was entirely done eating my entree by the time my boyfriend's dish came back. I had a pasta dish which was very good. A couple we had talked to recommended the filled donuts for dessert and so we tried those as well. We both thought it was a fun, unique dessert. Although I have had bad experiences at restaurants I have never felt like writing a review on one. The experience was just that disappointing and I am still wondering why this place had so many good reviews. I agree that the food is very good, although I am not sure it is as good as I was expecting by reading the other reviews. At similar (price and atmosphere) restaurants in other cities I have had much better food and enjoyed the experience a lot more. And the service was horrible. The building was gorgeous but the vibe was unfriendly and overly hipster. I would not go back.
(2)whitney D.
We went the night after they opened, and I'm just now remembering to write the review! The drinks were nice and the food was a little pretentious, however the vibe and the service were exceptional! The community table freaked me out at first, as I'm not the biggest fan typically, but we ended up knowing almost everyone there that night, which made it really fun. Our server was great and made us feel at home and the hostess went above and beyond by overhearing a friend say they wanted a cigarette and quickly bringing out a fancy silver cigarette case and offered them one. Overall it was a really fun night and having friends that live in the building, we will most likely be back soon!
(4)Luke K.
Others have mentioned variable service and food but during my three times going have all been spectacular. I've never personally ordered the chicken but someone in my part has each time and man is that delicious. Their pastas are tasty, lighter than what you get at most places, which suited just fine. Most recently I had a pork belly dish and it was excellent. Probably not something I could order over and over but one of the positives of Rolf and Daughters is you can bounce around the menu pretty easily. It can be tough to get a table but the bar is a pretty good for hanging out while you wait.
(4)Andrea D.
Service and food were good. Inside was beautifully redone. Portions are very small, do not go their starving. Wine pour for a $12 glass was under average and could have been better. Germantown already has Silo, City House and Germantown Cafe. I rather go to City House where the portions & pours are worth the money you will spend.
(4)Gage L.
Amazing from start to finish. Appetizer of octopus w/ pork belly was a favorite. Our group ordered 3 of the 5 pasta dishes on the menu and all equally amazing. The dry aged meatballs with Sunday sauce was delicious. All cocktails were great.
(5)Christina S.
Expectations were high and met! Everything from service to decor to food was amazing. We got lucky and walked in at 6:30 and got a seat at their communal table. We were smack in the middle of the table and at first we thought it would be tight but within five minutes we forgot there were people next to us. We ate 3 appetizers, two pasta entries and shared a desert with two cups of coffee (also had a glass of wine and beer) and we left spending $120 including tip. The brussel sprouts were out of this world! the For the freshness, flavor and pure ambiance, we feel this was a steal!!!! What a great find on our trip down south!!!! Our only issue was that we wish our dining experience lasted a little longer. Appetizers came out within 10 minutes of ordering and sometimes I like to settle in before starting to fine (perhaps giving clients the bread and butter for free would be a way to let us dine a little longer) and our food was served a quick 5 minutes after we finished our appetizers. Totally get they want to move people quickly, but I'd rather have had a few extra minutes between sitting and food arriving.
(5)Sloane S.
Last Saturday, I had the opportunity to eat here for the first time. Dinner with a good friend. Only way to go. We arrived at 8:30 and waited at the bar for 45 minutes. Great bar staff, great cocktails and an adventurous wine list. The first three appetizers we ordered we could not get-they ran out of bread. It's good. I'm a foodie. I get it. This was a busy night. I had the chicken and my friend had the trout. It was in a word-DIVINE. I'll go back. The atmosphere, the service and the food. Great trifecta in my book.
(4)Nathan W.
When I think about what I would want to have for my last meal, pasta invariably ends up on that list, sometimes two or three times. There is no more satisfying an item on the planet of which I am aware. Capable of both inspiring and comforting simultaneously. I would consider myself an avid pasta fan, fanatical even. Which brings me to Rolf and Daughters. Opened recently in the boiler building of the Werthan Packaging plant and condos, Rolf and Daughters aims to bring a central Italian perspective to the expanding Nashville food scene. In a city which lacks a robust Italian food presence, Rolf and Daughters shines. With one exception (which I will touch on in a moment) the food was thoughtful, inspired and comforting. The wine list was the equal of the food and the cocktails were clearly a daily consideration. We started our meal with a pate of chicken livers (one of my weaknesses) served with toast and a ginger jam. The pate was smooth, rich and delicious. The ginger jam was creative and a subtle compliment to the pate and crunch on the toast. My only gripe with this app was that it only had two toast points and extra toast costs $. If you are going to serve us a tin of pate at least give me enough bread with which to scrape the sides with. No one wants to watch me licking the inside of the tin, it is embarrassing. We followed this with a salad. A well executed salad is an unsung victory, and this sits soundly in that category. I imagine that any salad you choose will meet this mark so I wont spend my time on it. We shared a pasta dish with a pork ragu. This was sublime. I found myself wanting more bread...again...just to clean the bowl. It was rich and complex. It defined for me what savory is supposed to be. So delicious. Our individual courses were pasta again for me and shrimp for my wife. This pasta was the special. It was a goat which had been braised in milk and then an acidic and delicious creamy sauce wrapped around what appeared to be a twist on gnocchi. This was really good, not as good as the ragu, but still damn good. My only wish for it was that there had been more of the goat meat in it. My wife had the gulf shrimp for her entree. They were huge prawns in a delicious (thought uninspired) sauce. The heads were removed but for some reason they had left the rest of the shells on the shrimp. In my experience if you leave the shells on, the heads should also remain. It both makes for a great experience and a simpler deconstruction post prep. If you do remove the head then the tail should be all that remains. This is my opinion, but it made her dish challenging at best to eat. It also left us wishing she had ordered something else. Dessert was something special. I had the Italian donuts and my wife had an amazing dark chocolate torte. Both were amazing and left us feeling hugged. So where does this leave us? Full, that's where it leaves us. Rolf and Daughters does something great for Nashville. It makes us want more.
(4)Eric F.
First Yelp review I've written + first time in Nashville and really, thoroughly enjoyed our meal at Rolf and Daughters. Delicious interesting cocktails Sour Dough with seaweed butter and chicken liver pate to start. Shaved brussel sprout salad was a treat. Trout and gemelli farro with hen of the wood mushrooms. And ensure you have the bartender pour you a glass of the Mettler red.
(4)Rachel H.
Given the buzz around the place, I expected a unique and inventive experience. But, I could have prepared my dinner at home. We ordered three appetizers and a pasta for 2 of us because we wanted to sample various things. While the pasta was very good, they accomplished that mostly by using a lot of butter with other simple, good ingredients. It was good - but reproducible at home without much effort. Two of the appetizers also had generous portions of fat. I don't mind fat, but it felt like the restaurant was relying on fat to make the dishes feel special and satisfying. The appetizers were not memorable. Given better options in town, I'll go back only if a group votes for it.
(3)Glenn F.
Rolf & Daughters is very interesting menu selection and restaurant. I dined on their second evening open and I couldn't believe how well they had things together. Service was amazing! (Thanks Becca!). My favorite selection is a mixture of meals. Just give me the most flavorful piece of oven roasted chicken, yes chicken, in Nashville and a side of their plain homemade spaghetti noodles and I will be happy. The ambiance is casual and hipster. Parking was adequate and the service was terrific. Drinks and cocktails are delicious. I will go back for sure.
(4)Bill G.
6 of us went to Rolf and Daughters last night as we had been told it was a really good new place. The room inside is really cool an the bar is nice also. We ordered some drinks and wine and some appetizers all of which were pretty good. The Pate was good and also the bread they served with it. When we ordered our dinners we were told the specials had all sold our for the night which is strange because it was only 8pm. The menu itself seemed to be lacking in a lot of ways. They offer 4-5 apps and only 4-5 entrees. There were some sides and a few small plates as well but I was hoping for more. Anyway we all ordered and my wife got the meatballs and I ordered the Puttanesca and others ordered the fish. When we got our dinners they looked great but my wife complained about the salt in the meatballs and when I got a taste, I was shocked and I really like salt but I could not eat a second bite. My Pasta was way overdone with the Anchovies...way over done! I did taste the fish and it was ok but not great. Our waitress was just fine and kept the water bottles full on the table however the water in them was really warm which was odd as it was surely just tap water and wouldn't you fill them with cold water? So basically we had a really expensive seriously mediocre dinner and I would not recommend this place to anyone I like.
(1)Julie S.
The wait staff is amazing...and that's only the beginning! The food is out of this world! We've had dinner here several times and we let the waitress or waiter choose half of the meal and we choose the other half off the menu and then we share and it's truly an experience. The other wonderful thing about this restaurant is the people watching. The prices are reasonable enough so that the uber cool young people who are always on the cutting edge can afford it and the "common table" where those without reservations but are willing to wait for seats, is a great way to get to know interesting people sitting around you. GO!
(5)Jessica S.
The atmosphere has a hipster feel to it but I enjoy it. I love the lighting outside and inside the restaurant. The servers that I've had while dining there are awesome. They're all very knowledgable of their wines/cocktails/overall menu. The food is pretty fricken amazing too - VERY FRESH. I'm a huge fan of the Gargenelli pasta and the chicken, as well as the chicken liver pate. Oh! The beef taretare is pretty incredible too. This place is definitely worth trying if you're ever in the Nashville area. I've been twice in the past 3 weeks so clearly, I enjoy it. Make sure you try the pastas. As I said, all of the food is amazing, but the pasta dishes are unbelievable!
(5)Kristin T.
Pretty fantastic. You can tell these bartenders are seasoned and being a bartender myself, I'm impressed by their expertly mastered cocktails. I get the feeling these guys could put back several shots of whiskey and still kickass at their job --and I bet they do. The food is very complex for as simple as it is. We shared the squid ink chitarra and the seaweed butter with sourdough (cheapest appetizer and it seemed like everyone at the bar got one as well). Food came out quickly and plated simply and very well. The place was pretty packed out when we got here at 8 which is to be expected and after a drink and about 15 minutes we opted for a bar seat when a couple left. It's a lovely downtown loft atmosphere and feels very comfortable. They do have 2 community table where 3 4 tops sit together. If your uncle bob has a flatulence problem, spare strangers the inconvenience and sit at a booth table. Great find just outside of downtown.
(5)Mallory B.
Went for our first anniversary. Wonderful service, and delicious food! Ordered the beef tartar and cauliflower for appetizers, and split the garganelli verde entre. The cauliflower was good, I understand the rave reviews. The garganelli was good as well. The dish hit the same flavor "note," throughout, but boy is it a good note! Rich and meaty, hearty and satisfying. But, the standout of the evening was the beef tartar! Prepared with fried chickpeas and mussels. I am new to beef tartar, and this was EXCELLENT! Great red wine rec's from our waiter as well. We'd love to go back.
(5)rusty r.
In my opinion, Rolf & Daughters is the best restaurant in Nashville. The food was incredible, and we ate almost everything on the menu. The pastas are particularly amazing. I want a Rolf cookbook! Until then, check out Bon Appetit's best restaurants 2013 for some recipes. The service was spot-on and textbook awesome hospitality, in my opinion better than Nashville's other top places (City House, Husk, Catbird Seat) The cocktails are up there with Patterson House, making them some of the best in the city. The vibes are convivial, bustling, airy, and warm. It seems one or two things are lacking at Nashville's top spots, but Rolf nails everything. In a celeb chef driven world, it's refreshing to see someone build such a name for themselves from scratch and without hype. 5 STARS.
(5)Chelsea J.
I have been to Rolf and Daughters a few times now and have had nothing short of a great experience each time, therefore gifting them 5 stars. The drinks are outstanding (have since tried to create my own jalapeno infused drink.. didnt go so well) and I have always left already planning when I can return. The outdoor patio has great ambience, and the whole place (including waitstaff) just generally has a good feel to it. I would suggest Rolf for dinner with friends or an occasion, its a little loud so maybe leave aging relatives at home.
(5)Saagar K.
My wife and I, along with another couple who were in town visiting, went to RAD on July 3. My wife is allergic to all tree nuts. Our waiter was informed of this twice, once by my friend and then again by me before we placed our order. Our meal ended prematurely when my wife had to run to the bathroom and literally began to vomit. Our dish contained pistachios which our waiter did not tell us about. To his credit he admitted not telling the kitchen and accepting responsibility. As we began to gather our things to leave we were presented with the bill; though they said they did not charge us for the offending dish. Shortly later the hostess came to our table somewhat sheepishly, apologized briefly, and then left. She gave me her card and assured me someone would be contacting me soon. It is now 8 days later (I waited a full week in case management was on holiday for the July 4th long weekend) and I have not heard from anyone from the restaurant. I am very disappointed in this restaurant. With the exception of the dish containing pistachios, they charged us for the full meal despite our having to leave in the middle of the meal due to my wife's allergic reaction. Not a single manager came over to check on us and the hostess was essentially useless; why she even bothered giving me her card remains a mystery to me. And most importantly, no one from the restaurant ever bothered to call to either apologize or to check on my wife's well being as we were told would happen. Next time don't bother with the pretense. Unfortunately, my wife has experienced allergic reactions while out at restaurants in the past. The best restaurants have always taken responsibility and clearly demonstrated remorse for the mistake by at least not presenting us with a bill and having the courtesy to call and check on us either that night or the next day. Rolf and Daughters seems to be resting on their laurels and are seemingly indifferent to their customers well being. Mistakes happen, but take some responsibility!
(1)Mai H.
The vibe here was pretty awesome. I came here with a huge group- around 12- but our waitress was super attentive and our glasses of water were always filled. They have a great selection of wines, spirits, and specialty cocktails and you can also eat at the bar. I started with the chicken liver pate..not my favorite. I'm from Europe where I am used to my pates being smooth but this was more of a country type of pate which was chunky. Overall I felt it was sort of bland but I liked the whole grain mustard that accompanied the dish. I really wish I had tried the squid ink pasta, but I got the heritage chicken instead. The chicken itself was cooked beautifully but a little overly salted. Along with the chicken I hate the cauliflower which was beautifully roasted along with the brussel sprouts which were also beautifully cooked.For dessert I had the panna cotta, which was one of the best panna cottas I've ever had! The rest of the dessert menu was kind of boring, but that's ok. For the most part I feel like restaurants either have amazing desserts or have amazing savory foods and this restaurant focused more on their savory selections. Hope I can come back here and try that squid ink pasta next time!
(4)Zach G.
So for my birthday (hey I'm getting old, I don't get presents anymore I just get to pick where I go eat now a days) I chose Rolf And Daughters for our 2nd experience with this place. So since we did not plan ahead for reservations we showed up before they opened and grabbed a table first thing. Works like a charm on most days. We started with the Bread and Salted Butter item and it was great as usual. I followed that with some random beer I let the dude in the tight jeans pick serving us pick out for me. I had been craving the Pork Ragout again and I gave in to my desires and wow. It was just as amazing as last time (though unusually more saltier, but that seemed to be a theme this evening). My wife on the other hand ordered the Carbonara Pasta with Prosciutto if I recall correctly. Now keep in mind my wife was/is pregnant at the time of this meal. She barely ate it and said she couldn't eat it cause it was way too salty. I was surprised by this, so I decided to taste it myself. And JESUS! It was like they poured a whole bag either in the water when they cooked the noodles or just dumped a whole shaker on to her dish. Now. I'm never one to send anything back but I had a pregnant wife who was starving and I had already mostly devoured my dish. So we mention it to the server and he even tried the dish himself and AGREED with us that it was way too salty and he got her another dish which the cooks purposefully did not add any additional salt (she got the pork ragout like I did because she tried mine and it was fine for her tasty mommy buds). Problem averted! We decided to skip dessert and then wifey ran into some old high school friends and the night was a success. I will still definitely return as I love this place, though it was a salty experience. I think my skin is still dried out from this trip over a month ago, I feel like one of those redbird girls who fake n bake 7 days a week.
(4)Katie I.
Ah, what a spectacular experience. Not sure if was the company or the food, but I think it was both. Now I was not wowed by their appetizers. Chicken liver pate was so so, almost too sweet for me. Crostini with beet and ricotta was ok, nothing to write home about. The octopus and pork belly was certainly interesting, but again, nothing I'd order again. Now the brussel sprout salad was definitely a show stopper. Wow- stupendous! But the piece de resistance was the pasta. Holy shizzzballs it was freaking amazing. We tried the gemelli verde which had some mushroom in it and the pork ragout one. Seriously the pasta was the best I've ever had and I'm still having dreams about it. The roasted chicken was nice and had a flavorful juice- very French tasting. Hangar steak- which I usually don't care for- was very tender and sliced thin and delicious! Also had a dish with a pork croquette and a sausage. The pork croquette was awesome! Had the bombolini sp? for dessert which was good, nothing mind blowing, but very good. Something I'd love to have with coffee in the morning. Fantastic wine and cocktails. Can't wait to go back and literally eat my weight in pasta.
(5)DJ K.
Excellent menu and great atmosphere! Avoid the steak and sausage. It is tough and uninspired compared to the rest of the menu. Other than that...dive in.
(4)Mod F.
I've yet to eat anything here that didn't please me immensely. The hubs and I like to sit at the bar here and we have ranked this place in our top 5. He loves the Pork Ragout Garganelli and I love the Squid Ink Campanelle and the brussels sprouts salad with hazelnuts is such a fresh clean taste of heaven.
(5)Jonny M.
This is by far some of the best food I've ever eaten. The pork ragu and heritage chicken are two dishes that will blow you mind. The chicken liver patte appetizer is so good! Amazing staff, vibe, food and drinks. If there were 6 stars if give it to them.
(5)Caitlin D.
Exquisite. Last night my fiance and I dined with another couple at Rolf and Daughters, and from the moment we set foot inside the premises, we were impressed. The ceiling is covered in recycled looking plywood, giving it a very rustic, crafty feel. There are long farm tables for larger groups, and smaller tables for couples and four-tops. The bar is bountifully stocked with all kinds of interesting liquors and wines. They also offer craft beers that you don't see in many restaurants. I opted for the Fillmore cocktail, which came in a sizeable glass. This is vodka, St. Germain, Aperol, Lime and Sparkling wine. It was just the right amount of light and fruity, without being sweet or syrupy. It would make a great summer drink, but it was still good for the winter. It didn't taste unseasonal, and I enjoyed every sip. To start, we shared the brussels sprouts, which are shredded like a cole slaw and tossed with apple, hazelnut and fiore di sardo. The cheese gave it a perfect accent, and we gobbled it up in no time. For my main, I had the Yorkshire pork, which comes with cannellini beans, red cabbage and pumpkin seeds. The pork was tender, flavorful and juicy. The beans were plump and flavorful. My fiance had the Garganelli verde pasta with heritage pork ragout and pecorino. I took a taste, and fought the urge to eat more because he was enjoying it so much. We will definitely keep this place in mind for nicer occasions and out of town guests to be impressed!
(5)Agnes T.
This review is for drinks at the bar (not for dinner - the food is great.) First off, the bartenders act like you inconvenience them. You have to stand off to the side to order where you are in the way of servers trying to pour wine. If you stand anywhere else, they will COMPLETELY ignore you. Once we got our drinks, we stood outside on the nice patio (since there is no room inside except a few limited seats), but servers never acknowledged us. Evidently, they "don't take orders" outside. Which I would understand if there was a huge bar crowd, but there were only 2 of us. I would spend my entire paycheck at Rolf and Daughters for drinks if they had a better set up and remotely cared about serving those just drinking. I have had better service at a pedestrian college bar. Bottom line: spend your cocktail money at Silo down the street, where they welcome you with a smile and are happy to serve you more.
(1)D C.
It was a rainy night and we got there hoping to sit at the bar for fun. We were lucky we got there early cuz by the time we left it was packed!! The bar staff was AMAZING. True professionals in their craft and so friendly! They helped us choose cocktails which we loved and then also knew all about the menu to help us choose. Its an eclectic type of menu. It challenges your taste buds and you experience foods and tastes you wouldnt normally taste. The dessert was delish as well. Truly enjoyable, great atmosphere and awesome staff!
(4)Martà M.
Maybe I just wasn't observant that evening, or my lack of Germantown geography is to blame, but I drove right past this place thinking my GPS had gone mad, wondering where in the heck I was. The front entrance has a City House feel to it, but the interior is where they've really made their mark. Regal, warm, modern, welcoming are all words that immediately come to mind - not too much of any one thing. And the marble bar - ah - gorgeous! Opting to sit at the bar was certainly not a mistake, and to say our bartender, Matt, is damn good at making a great drink would be a gross understatement. I love Scotch, and was tickled they actually stock Balvenie, but decided to try Matt's suggestion of a Sazerac. Wow! Their garden dish comprising of sweet potato, radicchio, pumpkin seed, and peccorino was stellar. The spaghetti carbonara was good, but I felt like it's missing one small thing; can't quite figure out what though. I was really disappointed their menu has so many things that I cannot eat due to allergies. For an after dinner beverage, Matt made a simple version of a Tom & Jerry which tasted a lot like egg nog. Not too sweet, but not too strong either - fantastic! I'm very much looking forward to my return.
(4)Carissa O.
Amazing food. I would come once a week. Squid ink pasta is a must. The bread with seaweed butter is great. Not loving the pâté but I think that's more of a personal choice. My friend had some kind of spicy tomato based pasta that was really great. Another time, a different friend had the calamari pasta which was also good. The desserts are more like 4 stars but you probably won't have room anyway.
(5)Derek C.
Hipster haute couture keeps rolling in to Nashville. First City House and now Rolf and Daughters. We had a group of 7 with ages 5 to 66 and everybody found something that they liked. The menu and off-menu are all good to great. You must get the ribs. They are freaking amazing. The trout and chicken were great. Sides were excellent, especially the broccoli. Cocktails all have a unique twist. I tried the Sorghum Swizzle and it was excellent. I also tried the Milano Mule which got rave reviews by my sister but wasn't for me. And for the designated driver, they serve Mexican Coke. Prices are very fair considering the quality of the food. Here are my limited complaints: Parking is a bit challenging in this neighborhood. The interior design makes it fairly noisy considering that capacity isn't that high.
(5)Dave C.
Our expectations were high - and Rolf & Daughters delivered. Cocktails, starters, entrees, and desserts ... just a beautiful dining experience. We selected the beef tartare as a starter - texture was perfect and the flavors savory & bright - aided by a uniquely light and fresh basil/olive oil (?) in which the crisp toasts rested. Outstanding take on a classic. Entrees included a dry aged meatball dish that J is still talking about, a gorgeously roasted chicken with lemon & garlic confit, and my pork tenderloin dish (a pork trifecta of pork sausage, pork belly and tenderloin). We can't remember such an outstanding array of dishes - each a best in class affair. Service was highly knowledgeable and personable - striking the right balance between attention and leaving us to enjoy our truly spectacular food. ... can't recommend Rolf and Daughters highly enough. Best food we've had in a long time - probably since Frances in San Francisco.
(5)Coco R.
I have to agree with some of the other reviewers---I have been looking forward to trying this restaurant for forever. Perhaps I hyped it up too much in my head, but it wasn't that spectacular. The squid ink pasta was just OK. It didn't taste better than marches handmade pasta and the pricing at this restaurant is much higher than I think it needs to be. Yes, the ambiance is great, but so is holland houses patio and lighting...at 5-6 dollars less. The waitress was nice, but her niceness became forced throughout the dinner when she realized that we only wanted to order dinner and no drinks or dessert. Overall, my stomach and I left feeling somewhat disappointed. We left to drown our sorrows at holland house.
(2)Mitch G.
Great place, great food. The space is beautiful, warm and inviting. We got the chicken liver pate, it was outstanding. Even the bread was a highlight. We also got the pork ragu, the squid ink pasta and the polenta. Our server told us we couldn't have made better choices. Both of the pasta dishes instantly became the best pasta I've ever had. The polenta could have used a pinch of salt, but there no way in hell I would have asked for any. We had a reservation and were seated almost immediately but there was a wait for other guests so I would recommend reservations. A great dining experience! And not that expensive, 4 dishes 6 drinks 30% tip for $120, not bad.
(5)Allison T.
Good meal in a very trendy restaurant. The noise level is high, the service is warm and very well versed in the menu. Like most trendy farm-to-table places, the menu is a list of ingredients instead of a coherent explanation of a dish, so you must enlist the server's help to decode. Rolf and Daughters further complicates things by not making clear menu divisions between small plates/appetizers and entrees, so again the server has to explain. Once you get through that silliness, the food is solid New American with a good hand/palate in the kitchen on spices, herbs and hits of citrus/acid to enhance flavor. The three of us enjoyed a lovely marinated and roasted beet appetizer (two artfully presented beets, greens included), a nice beef tartare and an excellent octopus (with too-dry hominy, unfortunately). Entrees were a perfectly, lightly cooked trout, a farro pasta with the ideal blend of nuttiness, salt and lemon, and a decent garganelli (rigatoni) dish. The lemon curd tart was outstanding, the date-almond cake dense and cloyingly sweet, the chocolate cake bowl reminiscent of cookies and cream ice cream (take that how you will). Fun meal.
(4)Rochell P.
I've eaten here a couple of times and have sat at the bar for drinks. First of all, LOVE the vibe - very chill but lively, muted light, exposed brick and wood tables. Smaller tables along the outside with 2 long communal tables in the middle. The cocktails are creative and tasty. We had the crostini and razor clams. The crostini was yummy with a light whipped ricotta and beets. The clams were not my favorite..a bit chewy for me. I've had the garganelli pasta and it was delish! I had a pasta special there on another night, forgot what it's called, with chocolate in it. It was just as tasty. For dessert we had a cream filled donut-type pastry with chocolate sauce (aka little pockets of heaven). The service is exceptional, very friendly and with good suggestions. I've heard others say that the servings are small. True but I don't want or need a bowl of pasta the size of my head.
(4)Min M.
Hipster bartenders are unfriendly and unhelpful. Big turn off so much so that I can't remember much about the food. Great atmosphere in the restaurant. Just wish they didn't take themselves so seriously.
(3)Fredrick L.
Great bar set up and the food is even better. We will definitely be back.
(5)Dara S.
Great dining experience with a few reservations.... Fabulous pâté, but came with a measly portion of bread. We asked for an additional portion of bread and 2 pieces arrived. Would it kill them to bring 4? And that translated to $1.50 on my bill. What?? $1.50 for 2 pieces of bread? They clearly need to rethink the pate/bread ratio unless that is the scheme by which to make an additional $1.50 from every diner who orders pate. And speaking of bread, they charge $5.00 for 4 pieces of bread. Obviously no free bread here. There is a shortage of vegetarian options on this menu. The shrimp pasta has chorizo. The bucatini is made with pancetta. I ordered the pasta option without meat and the gemelli was delicious. I also ordered all 3 side dish options for the table and they did not disappoint. Fellow diner had the pasta with pork ragu and is still raving about it this morning. I love the atmosphere and the place was packed. Location stinks but this is a built-it-and-they-will -come place. Maybe the need to turn over tables quickly is why the waitress was whisking away our plates before we were actually finished. I'd probably give 4 stars but for the bread. I can't even believe my take-away from this dining experience was the bread fiasco. Why ruin a great experience with a stingy no-brainer?
(3)Loren G.
The best roast chicken ever. Best squid ink pasta. A memorable Meal lived up to its hype
(5)Amanda E.
I've been wanting to try Rolf & Daughters for a while because I had heard many good things about it and Germantown has some amazing restaurants. I went with my girlfriend and a friend for dinner on a Saturday night. We had made reservations two weeks in advance, yet still had to wait for about 20 minutes for a table. We were finally seated when we inquired why there were several open tables available. The hostess had a twinge of an attitude, but I always give service people slack as they work very hard and sometimes they have an off night. We were promptly greeted by our server when we sat down and she took our drink orders and poured small glasses of lukewarm water. Odd. She was very knowledgeble about the menu and took the time to give recommendations. The decor was perfect and warm. We ordered our entrees and two appetizers to share, which came quickly. The baby octopus and pork belly was amazing, with crispy skin yet cooked perfectly on the inside. And I am not a fan of octopus. The sourdough bread is homemade and delicious, but of course they bring an odd number of slices for the the table, which I never understand about restaurants. Our entrees took a good 45 minutes to arrive at our table after the apps. I'm starting to realize why they make you wait. I ordered the pork ragu. It was good, but not great or earth shattering. The portions are small, which I appreciate. I had some bites of my friends' entrees. The farro pasta was light with a subtle lemon taste. It wasn't my favorite, but my girlfriend liked it. The trout was by far the best entree of the three. I am always impressed when a chef can turn Carolina trout into something delicious, because it is quite a boring and non flavorful fish. All in all it was a good experience. But for the prices they charge and for how long they make you wait, I would expect something better than "good."
(3)Jenn R.
This is one of my favorite places in town. Great service,excellent drinks, creative and delicious each and every time. I love the fact that this chef makes his own pasta here.The pate's are always fantastic for starters. We have been here a half dozens times and love it everytime.
(5)Cait C.
This place tries a little to hard to be trendy. The staff are not that friendly, and the food is okay but a little weird. i appreciate interesting dishes, but its like they tried so hard to be interesting that they got it slightly wrong. had the octopus bucatini and the fennel salad.
(3)Annie N.
Living in DC and been to so many good restaurants, still I can't say enough about the place. Small plates so come with friends. 4 of us had 10 dishes and 2 desserts. Everything was so good. I would totally order them all again, From veggie dishes to pasta. Yummy!
(5)Steven M.
My new favorite place in Nashville, amazing food with a casual hip atmosphere. Drinks are incredible. Staff is professional. Have a community table if you forget to make a reservation. I personally like the bar the best.
(5)Jennifer P.
Cool, rustic atmosphere. The service was great and the food was pretty good. A bit overpriced.
(3)Jackson B.
We had heard a lot of hype about Rolf and Daughters and decided to try it out one Saturday night without a reservation. This is the kind of place worth waiting an hour and a half- 2hrs for. Amazing dining experience. Drinks: Cool selections of cocktails and beers. The montaña verde (tequila, cilantro, jalapeño) was incredible. Food: Everything we had was great, but a couple things were truly exceptional. For small plates, we loved the carrots with fennel and the heirloom tomatoes. We shared four entrees--the steak and sausage, the chicken, the bucatini, and the garganelli verde. Both the chicken and the garganelli verde were some of the best dishes I've ever had. I never order chicken at restaurants--it usually seems plain/boring, but you can't miss the chicken at Rolf and Daughters. The house-made pasta was amazing too. Dessert: We got the bomboloni and pana cotta which were both great--ended up getting a second order of bomboloni. Overall: Expensive restaurant, but worth the price and the difficulty of getting a table. Great service and ambiance, along with creative and delicious food.
(5)Jonathan B.
Food was fantastic! The atmosphere was very enjoyable. Very relaxed and inviting. I would HIGHLY recommend a reservation otherwise you'll probably be waiting... awhile. Luckily the bar staff kept us hydrated. I've read some reviews about poor service but our waitress was absolutely amazing. Kudos to her and the wine selection abilities.
(4)christine w.
Went on a recommendation of a friend in Nashville. Sat at the bar for dinner and it's definitely the best place to eat if you are solo or with someone else. It was such a beautiful evening I would have loved to sit outside with a group... Next time! Cocktails are well made and the bartenders are super friendly and knowledgeable. Excited to see they had our good friend's beer from Blackberry Farms! We ordered the ruby red shrimp salad (awesome!), chicken liver crostini (not your grandma's canned chicken liver! This is rich and almost decadent. Only wish the bread wasn't so thick... Would have been better thinner and crispier), spaghetti carbonara (super yum!) and squid ink pasta (spicy and good but preferred the carbonara). Great date night or group dinner outing!
(4)Maya K.
Yummy! I was in Nashville for the first time, and several people recommended Rolf and Daughters to me. Luckily, I was staying close by. Because I was alone, it was great to have full food service at the bar so I could be surrounded by more people than if I'd been at a table by myself. The very friendly bartender recommended the Absinthe Father to me, which was excellent - gingery, strong, and with a nice whiff of absinthe as it went down. I arrived hungry, and easily wolfed down the crostini with broccoli, pecorino, and pistachio, along with the squid ink campanelle. Both meals were light, but filling, and I left feeling full but not weighed down. The strong drink might have helped - definitely felt like I was walking in the clouds. I'll definitely be back next time I'm in Nashville... hopefully with a group so I can try lots of things!
(5)Kurt G.
I am not very cool but when I go to Rolf and Daughters I feel much cooler than I am. The patio is a beautiful space filled with hipsters and little swirling plates of food I can't pronounce. We spent more than we expected to but I guess that's the price of cool.
(5)Kristina L.
My GNO group finally made our way to Rolf & Daughters. We were not disappointed in the least. We started with cocktails (all were fabulous and I personally recommend the Buon Appetito) and noshed on the bread with seaweed butter and the chicken liver pate. The sprinkling of salt that came with the seaweed butter added a wonderful crunch to the dish and livened it up. We needed extra bread to polish it off. But the highlight was the pate. Oh, the pate!! Who knew that a green tomato jam and a dusting of cacao would off-set this enchanting dish? Obviously the chef because I was quite leery of cacao with liver. It worked and delightfully so. There were "oohs" and "ahs" and those weren't just from me but also the self-proclaimed haters of liver that I dined with this past Saturday evening. If I were not in a public venue, I would have stuck my finger in there to get the last of this delectable dish. Next time I think I will order it just for myself and revel in the glory of liver. For our main course, we all opted for a pasta dish. Thankfully, we all wanted something different. Between the four of us we had the garganelli verde with heritage pork ragout and parmesano; the farro gemelli with hen of the woods, cavolo nero and parmesano; the spaghetti fra diavolo with octopus, rad lardo, and calabrian chili; and then the squid ink canestri with shrimp, squid, rad pancetta and chili. As is our norm, we all sampled each other's dish and proclaimed them all ah-may-zing!! None of us were disappointed in our on personal bowl of happiness. I was the one who was fortunate enough to have the squid ink canestri. I would be hard pressed to go there again and not have the pate and that dish. It was sublime and the pasta was like heavenly little puffs of deliciousness. For dessert, we again shared. Our favorite was the bombellini filled with vanilla custard and a side of a warmed chocolate sauce for dipping. They were pure bliss and truly an enchanting end to a memorable night out with friends. Our group enjoyed our evening so much that we are already planning on a return trip. If you haven't been, call now and make a reservation so you too can have a food night to remember.
(5)Duke W.
one of the greatest meals my wife and I have ever eaten.
(5)Karen K.
This is my new go to restaurant in Nashville. All of the house made pasta is fantastic and they have a great wine selection. Go early and go often!
(5)Michel A.
Fabulous meal and excellent service from bartender Ed. We would be regulars, I mean several times a week if we lived in the area. Interesting menu with some unusual ingredients. The chef and kitchen team know what they are doing.
(5)Brian L.
thoroughly impressed - amazing cuisine and an excellent wine selection - cool room too
(5)Alan B.
What an amazing place! We were visiting from out of town and found this place on yelp, and chose it based on the mostly positive reviews. We arrived without a reservation on a Saturday night and were told the wait would be an hour. We went over to the bar for drinks, and, after about 20 minutes, got seats at the bar. The bartenders offered us the choice of eating at the bar instead of waiting for our table. We made the right choice in staying at the bar. There were three bartenders that night, each one of them very friendly, extremely knowledgeable about the menu and the food they served, and really seemed to love the restaurant. I had the two bourbon-based house cocktails which were excellent. For my third drink I asked the bartender to mix up a "bartender's choice" drink which was fantastic as well. For the meal, we picked multiple dishes based on their recommendations and loved each one. The combination of flavors, fresh food, and obvious talent in the kitchen made for a very enjoyable meal. I will definitely be back whenever i return to Nashville.
(5)Samantha B.
After a 3-star dinner and a 4-star dinner, Rolf and Daughters gave us our best dining experience in Nashville on our last night. As far as dining goes, I've decided we're spoiled brats with the food and restaurant quality in Philly. Previous to Rolf and Daughters, restaurant décor was very classic with little decoration and food was decent to good. R&D finally felt like a piece of Philly...exposed brick, natural wood, open bar, really great atmosphere. I would imagine this would be considered a 'hipster' spot in Nashville, but so be it. Our drinks were delicious and all of the food was outstanding. We shared the butternut squash appetizer to start. Honestly, to die for. It was so inventive and we basically licked the plate clean. For our entrees, we split 3 different dishes...squid ink canestri, spaghetti carbonara, and the lamb meatballs. Each dish was more and more delicious. The meatballs were surprising and unique, pasta cooked perfectly, everything had more flavor than the next. We finished the meal with the chocolate tart and were full and pleased that R&D was our last meal in Nashville. Seriously give it a try. Would love this spot in Philly.
(5)Jacob S.
Dined in early April 2014. Rolf and Daughters feels like a restaurant that has gotten accustomed to its own success that it has totally lost its way. I went there with my girlfriend, who had talked it up. She specifically talked up the bread and seaweed butter appetizer and the chocolate torte for dessert, so we planned on ordering those. Once we were seated, it took 20 minutes for anyone to talk to us. We assumed that we'd been forgotten, but just as we were about to get up, the waitress came over and took our drink order, with no apology for the wait. It then took 15 minutes to get the wine, and she dropped it off quickly and left without asking us about food. We realized then that we would have to get her attention to get anything done, so we did so and ordered the bread and butter. Luckily, that did not take long, but what came out was a average bread with some pretty good butter. It cost $5, but I've definitely gotten better for free. For all of the problems with the rest of the service, the entrees we got were delicious. I got a green pasta dish (none of the words on the menu entry were recognizable) and my girlfriend got the chicken. There are other places you could get similar quality entrees for a few dollars less, but it was very good. We then tried to order the chocolate torte (which had been written up as a signature Nashville dish), but apparently this is no longer an option. All told the meal took about an hour and a half, but could have taken much longer if we were not proactive in getting the attention of the wait staff. Overall: You can get the same quality of food for cheaper and with far better service. Don't fall for the hype.
(2)Maggie W.
Believe the hype! I had some family in from out-of-town and decided to take them to RAD, as I have been hearing great things about it since I moved here. We started with perfectly crafted cocktails, the bread plate with seaweed butter (so so good!), the beef tartar and the tomato apps were all amazing. I got the Brook Trout, also great, My aunt got one of the pasta dishes and it was the best pasta I've ever tried. I'll be sure to get that next time. The service was friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive without the song-and-dance. This truly is As Good As It Gets!
(5)Joe P.
Thank you for staying open late on Sunday. It's my last day in Germantown and spent the day packing the truck and finished at 8:50. Went to another establishment first but was 00:00:01 late and announce on arrival that the kitchen was close while other patrons were still ordering (already knew what I was going to order so could have be quick). Heart was crushed. Headed over here and was seated at the bar since the place was crowded. Great food (see comments below), awesome service (how can I get in on those staff meals?). Thank you for making my last night in Germantown a great memory.
(5)Eliza R.
Eating at Rolf and Daughters was a fantastic dining experience. My friend and I ate here in late September when it was still warm, so we sat on the patio that was strung with big white bulb lights. We ordered a few drinks from the unique cocktail menu (that was apparently developed by one of the same people who helped create the Patterson House menu) and I can't even remember what I had, but it was delicious... The food was on point and I had the roasted chicken, while my friend had some of the fresh house-made pasta that Rolf and Daughters is known for. We also split an order of freshly baked bread with seaweed butter and salt. To die for, all of it. I can't wait to go back. I highly recommend this restaurant for a classier atmosphere that isn't too fine dining-esque. By the way, our server was great... She was really friendly, cool, laid back, and knowledgeable about everything on the menu.
(4)Sunna L.
We dine here on a regular basis, but I never take the time to write about our experiences. I don't want to be one of those that only writes about bad experiences so I want to share Sunday night's dinner. Garganelli has always been my favorite dish. This never disappoints. Sunday night, the seasoning, texture of the pasta, everything was fresh and perfect. The most surprising event of the evening were the salad and the appetizer. Heirloom turnip salad. Three different root vegetables in white and pink colors on top of chive and radish stock puree. Beautiful and flavorful topped with bottarga. Creative, inventive, amazing flavor and excellent execution. The appetizer was called the Pig's head. The name may lead some running but if you do, you will miss out on a wonderful experience. The meat is cured, rolled, sliced then seared on both sides before placed carefully atop shredded kolrabi. Outstanding! If you have experienced adventurous cuisines and dishes, it becomes more difficult to find something new that is just a WOW. We found it Sunday night at RAD. In a city with so many restaurants popping up, RAD has carved their niche as a sustainable restaurant that will continue to surprise and delight their customers.
(5)Jennifer H.
BY FAR one of the top 5 meals I have ever had! And I have eaten at some amazing places :-) Great venue, outside seating and amazing staff. Served family style. We had a private event, so not sure the wait, but seriouusly, get this place on your list!
(5)Juliet N.
To be honest, I was not excited about going here, but OMG. Delicious! We had the sourdough bread, the Octopus, the winter salad, the crostini stracciatella, the squid ink pasta and the garganelli verde. We loved everything!
(5)Anna J.
I love the atmosphere here. I went on a Monday night and had to wait about 20 minutes to sit at the communal table. I would suggest making a reservation. They are always busy it seems. The food was superb! I had the aged meatballs and they were delicious. My bf had the squid ink pasta. I think I may have liked it more. It has a ragu of shrimp and great garlic flavor! I opted for the non-alcoholic ginger, mint, and lime beverage and it was SO refreshing and yummy. Highly recommend it! Overall, great experience and can't wait to go back!
(4)Vicki S.
Came in with a girlfriend on a Friday evening and expected a wait, which wound up being about 45 minutes. Normally I'd go elsewhere when faced with a wait that long, but R&D had been on my radar for ages - and I'm glad I stuck it out. Started at the bar with a cocktail (Don't Want No Shrub), which was more fun to watch as it was prepared than it was to drink. When I am given a tiny cocktail for $11, I expect it to be strong...or at the very least, to taste like alcohol. It was tasty but for the lack of punch, I could have ordered the nonalcoholic strawberry shrub and soda. I moved to wine next, and was pleased to find an extensive and impressive wine list. We were seated at the communal table, and despite the volume of the din making it difficult to hear my friend speak, it was fun to see the orders of everyone around me before I settled on my meal. We started with the chicken liver pate, and I can second another reviewer's assessment of it being one of the cleanest-tasting pates I've ever had. I've tried similar dishes elsewhere in town, and they now have a lot to live up to. I had the bucatini fra diavolo with octopus, which was spicy and hearty, with tender and well-prepared octopus. We had to close our amazing meal with an equally-amazing dessert: the bomboloni with dark chocolate sauce was to die for. Overall, excellent service, fantastic food, meh on the cocktail and don't expect too much conversation during busier times, but I will definitely make a return visit.
(4)Bridget S.
Spectacular! If you appreciate fresh authentic pasta in creative sauces, this a must try restaurant. I loved the Ricotta cavatelli, tree nut ragout, sarvecchio..so earthy and nutty. My hubby enjoyed the Bucatini fra diavolo, octopus, rad lardo, calabrian chili...spicy and such tender octopus. We also tasted the Garganelli verde, heritage pork ragout, parmesano which was awesome. My taste buds are craving the pasta and sauces! Also a must try... one of their salads..Yum! (I liked the Kohlrabi salad). I enjoyed the community table....interesting and fun concept.
(5)Meg M.
Great experience. Very cool atmosphere. Our waiter, Matt, suggested the Crostini, stracciatella, olio nuovo which ended up being our favorite part of the meal. We also had the Garganelli verde, heritage pork ragout, sarvecchio and Brook trout, bok choy, spinach, celery root remoulade. Both were excellent. They had a good drink list that included a lot of non-alcoholic options. A great place for a date night or dinner with friends.
(5)Lindsay R.
The pork ragout is truly delightful. The Absinthe Father cocktail is poorly named but absolutely delicious, and the old fashioned tastes like bacon. Pricey but worth it, an amazing experience altogether. the trout is too fishy, and the chicken is quite large but classically delicious.
(4)Frances B.
The food and atmosphere here are great. What we had that was amazing: The chicken liver pate The pork ragout pasta The squid ink pasta The trout The chicken was average, I wouldn't order it again. I knocked off a star for the service, and a little for the arrangement of the restaurant. It was crowded, as are all popular restaurants, and we kept being told by hostesses and bartenders to stand elsewhere when there was nowhere else to stand, which is annoying, because if all the bar seats are taken up there is no place to stand at the bar that doesn't block new patrons from walking up and getting a drink. That's annoying. The most disappointing aspect of our experience was the service. I have friends who live here and dine here often and have told me they had great servers. Our server was cold, unhelpful and looked mad to be at work. It's disappointing when I was so looking forward to trying this restaurant, that my enthusiasm was killed by the server. I will be back next time I'm in Nashville!
(4)VIcki T.
My husband and I celebrated our 36th wedding anniversary here last night. This was our first visit to RAD and I can tell you it will not be our last. I can only tell you that on a Tuesday, it was loud inside and quiter outside, it was still quite warm so we opted to eat inside. I ordered the Spiker and Sponge cocktail - delicious, not sweet. My husband had a couple glasses of Chardonnay (it was on the bottom of the wine list and unfortunately I did not get the name). It pared well with our dishes. The dry-aged beef tartare was like no other beef tartare we had ever had. Two pieces of toast arrived topped with salsa verde and beef. Fabulous. What complimented that dish was the green wheat, green tomato, cucumber, medjool date and urfa biber - very fresh and minty tasting. Great combo. Not a morsel left. I had read the reviews and urged my husband to get the squid ink pasta - he did not. He ordered the potato gnocchi, lobster mushroom, shrimp with tarragon. It was very good but not as good as the Pork Ragout which I ordred. Best I have ever tasted and the green garganelli (verde) along with the sarvecchio was incredible. We did not opt for dessert and headed to Jeni's for ice cream afterward which continued our anniversary celebration. Definitely will return to try other dishes...service was fast, efficient, and helpful in menu selections.
(5)David S.
Result from a table of four: at best mixed, but all disappointed. This place is overrated beyond belief. Total chaos. Just hope that the restaurant actually records your reservation correctly. Of previous reviews I found on Yelp, three predominant themes emerged: poor service, small entrée portions, and too much salt. On this experience: bar service was abysmal, several portions were pitifully undersized for the price, and star dishes were overloaded with salt. Our server was pleasant, knowledgeable, and tired. She was the best part of the experience. I ordered the chicken liver patě and squid ink pasta (a signature dish.) The paté was excellent. The pasta was the worst food put in my mouth in many years. Mixed opinions: I sent mine back to the kitchen. Others at my table enjoyed it. One of my group ordered the trout. It was underdone and swimming in a watery broth of cabbage and cream. Half of the undersized portion was left uneaten. Another of the group ordered the lamb balls. She couldn't finish them, not because the portion was too large, but because it was horrible. After tasting one, I agreed. I've never before tasted lamb the like of cheap hamburger and poorly prepared meatoaf. Thirsty? Forget about having a drink while waiting for your table. The bar may not get around to taking your order. 6 people went unserved in the 10 minutes we waited. Food mattered to me and my table. Decision of the table: This is possibly one of the worst restaurants in Nashville. None of the four of us will be back for another visit.
(1)Jeanette H.
Best meal we had in Nashville! Server was extremely knowledgable, friendly, and very accommodating of my food allergies. Great cocktails as well! Can't wait to go back. Make sure you call ahead for reservations. Beautiful layout and great lighting.
(5)Stephanie C.
I know everyone loves this place, but I will admit that I was a little disappointed. It's small. Very small. Maybe it's just me, but small places always make me nervous. I feel like I'll never be able to get back in, or be able to try things that I really want to try in the future because it's too exclusive. Also, we were scrunched into tiny seats at the bar that were too close together. That being said, the atmosphere is lovely. The bartender was very nice, but the menu was almost incomprehensible to us. As if it was in a foreign language. We ordered a variety of items, but we went back and ordered wings at the end of the meal because we were still hungry. (These wings were so, so, so salty). None of the cocktails spoke to me either. Ill admit, I like a bit of a girly drink- Something with a sweet finish. But everything here was herbal and strong. All in all, I found my experience to be lackluster. It wasn't awful, but nothing jumped out to me. And the prices were a bit aggressive. I'm used to that with all of the new restaurants in Nashville, but these prices just seemed too steep considering the very casual atmosphere.
(3)Kyle F.
Maybe I heard too much hype for the last several years about this place but it did not live up to expectations or the $150 tab. Would have rather spent that at many other places in Nashville. Service was great, ambiance is good, atmosphere is average. Got 2 apps, 2 entries and none of it was worth ordering again. The pasta was very salty.
(3)Chastity G.
I can't believe it's taken me this long to write a review about Rolf and Daughters... I absolutely love this restaurant and probably eat here approx. once every two weeks. The food is consistently incredible and I consider it to be great value. As far as I know there isn't anything on the menu over $30, and it's a lot tastier than most of Nashville's fine dining establishments where all the entrees (except for a half-hearted nod to the vegetarians!) are all over $30. I was pretty devastated when they took the bucatini fra diavolo off the menu (please bring it back!) but the new pastas do not disappoint. I often come here alone after work, but it's definitely best to come with friends and share everything. I haven't tried all the pastas currently on the menu, but everything I've tried, I've ordered again. It's that good... there's nothing I even feel "meh" about. The staff are all incredibly nice and welcoming. There are one or two servers who are more European in their manner--quietly efficient, no "Hi, my name is ____ and I'll be taking care of you today"--but that shouldn't be mistaken for rudeness. Likewise, the portion size isn't the same as you'd get an American chain restaurant, but I for one consider it a refreshing change to not feel like I'm dying after I finish a pasta dish! Seriously great restaurant.
(5)mumin k.
I love this place. Had the chicken liver pate and fish with carrots. The liver pate was excellent, the fish was cooked to perfection. My wife had the octopus appetizer and the squid ink pasta and these were also excellent. My only complain was the dessert. I had the bread pudding dessert which was really not worth it. I would have been happier if I just skipped the dessert. But overall, i would highly recommend this place.
(5)Kidd E.
SAVE YOUR MONEY! I'm just going to say it like this. Over Hyped! The portions are very small, the dishes are over complicated, and the flavors did not work well. My dish was terrible! My wife's taste pretty good but for 26 it was very small. I will not go back. Just fair warning stay home and cook yourself!!
(1)Shaina A.
Bread and butter always speak volumes; RAD's seaweed butter was fantastic. Enjoyed an intimate dinner, despite their being 6 in our party -- a true feat!
(4)Marie B.
Amazing! Bon Appetite was right, definitely the #3 restaurant in the nation right now. The pasta is amazing!!! So amazing that we ordered more! Try the squid ink, chicken pate, and Pasta!! You can't go wrong. Great ambiance as well!! Too bad we were there in October and couldn't enjoy the outdoor space!
(5)Carolyn M.
We went for a birthday dinner and it was delightful. The squid ink pasta was incredibly - spicy and perfect texture. My husband killed the vegetarian stew in 30 seconds or so. The seaweed bread was crunchy/chewy/just right. We had a few fancy cocktails and loved them. Service was phenomenal. The space is a beautifully renovated warehouse. Not to be skipped.
(4)Will M.
We decided on RAD after a fair amount of research on local NV restaurants. We were coming in from out of state, and wanted a unique experience in our first visit to Nashville. We'd last had squid ink pasta in Italy almost 20 years ago, so looked forward to having it again, especially in light of the rave reviews about this very presentation. We reserved a week in advance. Note: I want to make it clear that I don't intend this review to be an RAD-bashing write up, but rather something the chef(s) might wish to take notice of, since our experience confirmed several earlier reviews. Quite simply, the canestri was overly, unbearably salty. When our replacement dish arrived (i returned the canestri, the first time in 35 years of eating out that I'd done that), the farro pasta, with mushroom sauce, was again overly salty. Is it possible that a chef there may not be tasting the food as others do? perhaps his/her senses aren't working in the same way as ours? It's possible that the problem is with my and others' sense of taste, but this had never happened to me before... In any case, given the number of similar comments, RAD might benefit by having independent testers come in to help guide them with their salting practices. For such a reputed restaurant, and with their signature dish, we were sorely dismayed to discover that RAD had erred in this way. To continue in the spirit of constructive criticism: the meal presentation would be more refined if food were served on plates, rather than lumped into large serving bowls. The zeppole desserts was tasty but also sloppily presented. The sourdough bread and seaweed butter should have been provided gratis. All that said, the server (grey haired, guitarist) was truly wonderful, very knowledgable about the preparation and options. He was quick to politely offer a replacement, and even refused to charge us for dessert, all of which reflected very positively on the management. Bravo! In short (!), for the prices and the reputation, we were quite disappointed. Given the generosity of the server, though, we believe it to have been either an off night, or simply a particularly salt-challenged chef, and either possibility can be easily rectified. We will try again next time, with crossed fingers.
(2)Nicole P.
I understand it was Friday night, but didn't expect it to be so crazy in there. We arrived around 8, was told the wait would be an hour and a half. Tried to get drinks at the bar, but the bartenders never acknowledged us. Another patron said to go to the end of the bar by the service station, so we wiggled our way down and bumped into everything and everyone along the way. We didn't actually stand in front of the server's station, I know better than that, but were immediately told to shift to another part of the bar and form a line. This put us practically on top of a table where people were eating, and no matter where we stood we were in the way of the servers. The line never moved, and we never got to order any drinks. Suggestion: put cocktail menus in the waiting area out front and assign someone to take drink orders. We decided to go somewhere else.
(2)Dru D.
Great place to eat! The squid ink is amazing! Definitely get reservations before you come here. We waited an hour to be seated without a reservation, but was planned as we wanted to have a couple drinks from the bar prior to dinner. The food and drinks are worth the trip if you are staying downtown or anywhere in the Nashville area.
(5)Kathryn M.
The food was DELICIOUS and the service was WONDERFUL!!! Honestly the best restaurant in Nashville!!! We ordered the chicken (best chicken we have EVER had) and the squid ink pasta (which was also delicious). I wish we would have eaten here the second night. The cocktails were awesome... I had the southern... Which was great. We had the tartar and spring salad for appetizers and they were also great. For dessert we ordered the bombollina (I think)... Order them!!!! They are incredible!!!! We cannot wait to go back!!!!
(5)Destination D.
I cruised in here to meet up with some new friends Kate and Robbie after work - we sat at the bar. Great company and great service. My friends live in the neighborhood so it felt lovely to be welcomed by Philip the owner, the hostess Kate, and Pam the waitress.
(5)Kate O.
Simple, elegant, relaxed, refined. If you're vegan, don't be daunted by the menu: the kitchen knows how to accommodate you. The farro gemelli with hen of the woods mushrooms, or whatever's in season, and cavolo nero, or some other green, minus the cheese, is the long-standing option for vegan dinner. And it's delicious, so don't hesitate. You can also order the sourdough bread appetizer and either ask them to hold the seaweed butter or leave that for your dining companions and simply ask for an additional bowl of olive oil. Their mixed drinks are superb, so if you're in that mood, be bold and try something, and chances are you'll love it. They also have a solid wine list and a well-curated beer selection. I met my now-favorite beer there: Old Chub. I hear the desserts are fantastic, but I have no good news for vegans on that front, so if your diet allows it, indulge and enjoy, but if not, I hope you, like me, are a vicarious foodie and can enjoy the sight and sounds of your dining companions swooning over their desserts while you sip a coffee or, more probably, another glass of beer. In any case, go, go, go. This is a fantastic place.
(5)Tim P.
Hippest of the hip. Coolest of the cool. Really good food and amazing ambience. Not for the unadventurous.
(4)J E.
Incredible meal very time! It is typically busy and quite loud, but we really enjoyed the ambience, and the quality of the food makes up for any shortcomings.
(4)Emily K.
Great food and great energy. The wait staff was incredibly knowledgeable and didn't steer us wrong with a suggestion. The veggie dishes were notably awesome and we devoured the two pasta dishes that we ordered. Yummy cocktails too!
(4)Coleman G.
One of the best dining experiences I've ever had. Food, wine, service, ambiance were all so incredibly on point. I would be fat and broke if I lived in Nashville and had access to this at my leisure. Best restaurant in Nashville and rivaling any of the big dogs across the country. Also incredibly affordable. Thank you Rolf and Daughters.
(5)Ying M.
My bf and I stopped in on a whim- (thanks to the communal table we were able to get a seat) and we thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Squid ink pasta is divine. I wanted three more bowls of it, at least. I was worried Rolf and Daughters wouldn't live up to the hype- I've only recently returned to Nashville from the foodie haven of Cambridge, MA- but it totally did! Next time I go, I want to bring a group so we can order a bunch of different items and sample everything. We saw the table next to us doing this and were immediately jealous.
(5)Zach W.
Incredible ambiance, great drinks, and excellent service. What more could you ask for? Well, probably good food, and they have that too! The bartender was extremely accommodating and even made me something special off the menu. Even went back into the kitchen to get fresh ingredients. A top notch experience overall. Will be back many times!
(5)Sylvia H.
A party of six went there last night. We had to ask for refills of our drinks (tea and coffee). I like my water cold, but this was like tap water right out of the tap, meaning it was lukewarm at best. Smallest servings I have ever seen in a restaurant. I had to eat when I got home. I don't need a doggie bag, but I would like a decent serving. Four teeny pieces of steak and 2 beef sausages with a few dandelion leaves and 3 anchovies along with two half done microscopic potatoes. for $27.00? Really? I would have liked dessert, but figured it would be a bite or two, so why bother. I am still incredulous about many of the good reviews on here, but I certainly will not be back. No salad or bread with the meal? Unless, of course, you order as an appetizer. Good grief. Just unbelievable.
(1)Meg G.
Took a chance and tried to get into this highly recommended establishment without a reservation on a Sunday night while passing through town on a cross country road trip with a friend of mine. We waited maybe 10 min and got really lucky that 2 seats at the bar opened up. We had great service from the bartender, and he had great recommendations for us. We went with the beef tartare and octopus to share, and then we each had an entree. A pasta for my friend and the trout (I think) for myself. Oh and the sourdough bread is pretty good too (though not necessary, b/c there's so many other great things on the menu). Everything was perfection! My friend practically licked her pasta bowl clean! The atmosphere was great too. Seemed more like a local neighborhood haunt (in Germantown) rather than a touristy place, which is preferred. We had the doughnuts for dessert with chocolate and peanut butter dipping sauces (which is actually like 8 sugar cake doughnut holes) and were mouth watering. We rolled out of there very full and very happy! HIGHLY recommend you try and get a reservation ahead of time, but hey, you may just get lucky like us! Cheers!
(5)Elizabeth G.
This is my fave Nashville restaurant. Dishes are great - not over-thought, but unique and delicious. Great atmosphere. Warm and casual. Service is excellent, too. Squid Ink Pasta is amazing.
(5)John D.
Best dinner I've since moving to Nashville. Absolutely fabulous...can't hardly wait to go back!
(5)Matt H.
My fiancé and I live in the condos attached to Rolf and Daughters, and we had read lots of articles about this place being "nationally ranked" and all that stuff. Well, it actually lived up to the hype! We had tasty food, great service, and a very unique environment. The only thing we hope for is a patio update so we can sit outside in the upcoming warmer months!
(4)Avery F.
I just don't get it. I've eaten or had drinks here a dozen times because everyone always raves about it. The cocktails are solid and the ambiance is good. The pasta plates are way undersized and I haven't had a single entree that came anywhere close to "great." Everything is well-plated and stylish, but it's just... a lot of style without that much substance, a recurring theme at many Nashville restaurants.
(3)Erin E.
I was part of a party of 6 on a Sunday evening. The restaurant's interior is gorgeous. Our server was pleasant but was difficult to hear at times. My husband and I ordered the sourdough bread with the seaweed butter, the lettuces with summer vegetables, garganelli verde, and dry aged meatballs. We thought the food was really good, but if you're salt sensitive you should be pretty wary. The chef is very heavy handed with salt. (I tend to like salty things, so it didn't bother me.) One person in our party ordered the squid ink canestri and found it so salty she had to send it back. Our server was gracious and offered to have a simple olive oil/garlic/cracked black pepper dish prepared. That, too, was so salty that my friend couldn't eat it. (We couldn't figure out if the salt flavor was coming from the pasta, the cooking water, the sauce, or a combination of the three.) The dessert menu was limited to three selections, and two of us ordered the bombolini (which I'm pretty sure I misspelled) and chocolate sauce. It was okay, (I love dessert so my expectations were high). Overall, I'd go back for the pasta sometime, but probably won't be going to RAD often.
(3)Laura T.
Rolf and Daughters in Nashville... Thank you for allowing the hipster cool crowd to physically sit on top of our table while we were out for my boyfriends birthday trying to enjoy a nice meal I know that wouldn't fly if we were a clean cut, non modified, Caucasian "rich looking couple" but I work 7 days a week for my money and it spends as well as there's does so def getting bad reviews all around. Shame on you!!! sincerly, the "tattooed" guests you treated like dirt
(1)Josie R.
There are no words for how amazing our meal was at R&D this past weekend. Fall lettuce salad, octopus, squid ink pasta, farro spaghetti, everything was simply amazing!
(5)Christa P.
Pasta with the mushrooms was out of this world- super delish. Steak was ok- not the best I have had and a little over done. The sauce pairing was not unique and I wouldnt order again.
(4)David R.
Overall, this was a great experience. The space is airy, fresh and fun; it feels "bustling" and that energy carries over into the food. And the food here is undeniably great: everything we tried was well conceived and perfectly done. When you sit down your are tended to quickly and the waitress we had was extremely helpful in giving suggestions. With her help I feel like we ended up with a perfect amount of food as well as a comprehensive sampling of R&D's culinary vision. ProTip: for a party of two were very happy ordering two appetizers to share, then a bowl of pasta each, and then finally one main course to split. I'm docking a star (it really could have been a 5/5 experience) because of the behavior of a neighboring server who--while my wife and I were eating--felt comfortable describing our choices to the neighboring table *not *by discreetly telling them what we were eating, but by overtly turning around and **pointing over our table** and *onto*our plates! Did you get the part about that we were eating? It was very strange to say the least and more non-relaxing than you might imagine..
(4)Bob S.
I returned finally after opening week to give Rolf another try. This really isn't a 3 star, i really rate it a 3.5 star but i can not do that on this site. We didn't have any share plates, none really appeal to us. I really don't consider a small loaf a bread and seaweed butter much of a small plate. We decided to 2 pasta and share one of the plates for our meal. We chose the lamb pasta on the menu that evening, the Spaghetti, morel and peas, and we chose the meatballs. The Spaghetti was good nicely cooked however the egg yolk ended up a little over cooked and was not runny enough. The lamb was nice, however it needed to have a little extra punch and was kind of bland. The Meatballs were served on a plate with Tomato sauce, 3 large Meatballs on a plate, very dense, i would prefer a little more tender. But were very good. I just don't get serving 3 large meatballs with nothing else as a side with this plate. We did not have desert. I will go back, but i do not think this is a place to take a date or for a business meeting. The restaurant is way to noisy to carry on a conversation for business or a date. It was hard to talk across the table. The service was very good. Most of the time when going out with a group i want a greater selections of plates to enjoy the evening. I would like to see the Meatballs move to the share plate at a price of 5 dollars per meatballs. I put the food at about a 4, but the atmosphere is only a 3 guys, unless your looking for a loud place where you dont want to talk to anyone.
(3)Brien W.
Third time is the charm. Had dinner at the bar on Saturday and the food and drink was outstanding! Two standouts, the chicken liver pate was amazing, had a friend who said, "I don't eat liver" try it and couldn't stop eating till it was gone. The ricotta cavatelli pasta was so well rounded and delicious it was hard to put down. Great bar staff had a few old fashions... great meal!
(5)Tiff C.
Loved the vibe, great service and absolutely delicious pasta. We had the bread appetizers (seaweed butter and chicken pate) and they were complex and tasty. The pasta was amazing, highly recommend! Especially bucatini (if you like spicy) and the pasta with oxtail (messinessi)
(5)Sam L.
The food is very impressive but the portions are sized for 10 year olds, even compared to Chicago/New York fine dining. The entrees should be called small plates and appetizers should be tapas. We got appetizer, two entrees and a dessert and still were hungry. The octopus is cooked perfectly and the bacon is a nice touch. The squid ink pasta was al dente and seasoned well. The hanger steak was great with the turnip and spinach. When you charge so much for food, the portion need to fit the bill.
(3)Jennifer B.
I am going to make this one short and sweet... 100% A MUST GO!!! There has not been a single thing on this menu that I have not fallen in love with. And trust me when I say I have had everything from an apéritif to their amazing dessert. I love love love ROLF AND DAUGHTERS. The only thing I will mention is that it is a small space so if you don't have a reservation, expect to wait a bit.
(5)Marisa P.
We came here for our first anniversary while on vacation & the ambiance definitely reminded us of being home in Chicago. Food: Rad ham appetizer - delicious! Perfect flavors/textures, very fresh! Squid Ink pasta - pasta cooked/seasoned perfectly, wonderful flavor, didn't get any spiciness as other reviews stated & dish was very oily. Lamb pasta - husband said this was good Panna cotta - really, really good! Service was extremely lacking & inexcusable for a fine dining restaurant. My husband ordered a cocktail with tequila that tasted like tequila on the rocks. He took one drink and never touched it the entire meal. Our server saw that he never finished his drink but never asked about it - something that any fine dining establishment should always do.
(3)Ericka P.
Our party of 5 all tasted each others' meals and damn! was it good! I got a taste of the trout, lamb pasta, octopus spaghetti, chicken, and the meatballs. No one was too thrilled with the meatballs... But the chicken was BANGIN'! And the trout was a nice crisp meal for as hot as it was. I must say though.... We spent a lot of money to be served tallboys with mini juice cups. That was a bit silly.
(4)Meryl C.
I just wish they were in California. After reading two reviews (Eater Nashville and another) and having Rolf and Daughters recommended by a local bartender, we went. Could not be more satisfied! Great cocktails and amazing food. Five stars from San Francisco.
(5)Dan H.
I was a bit concerned that the ipa would ruin my palette, but the excess salt on the beef tartare and fra diavolo did a much better job of frying it. I'm a bit sad we wasted our one night out in Nashville here. I should add that my partner had the pasta with pork ragout and the few tastes I had were enjoyable.
(1)Chrissy I.
The Squid Ink Pasta is I think literally the best dish I have ever tasted, just outstanding!! Seaweed butter and bread makes a yummy starter. Everyone in my party raved about their food! Our waiter was excellent - super kind, and very knowledgable. We will absolutely be back!!
(5)Catherine L.
This place was great. Gotta be one of my favorites in Nashville so far, where the portions are always huge but the food (and taste level) isn't always good. The ambience is perfect. A well put together place with a rustic feel, it's intimate and classy but not pretentious. We sat outside under the lit 'open' sign and the strung lights. I got the summer salad which was unique, refreshing, complex and wonderful. I also got the vegetarian pasta dish with mushrooms and my friend got the pork ragout. Both were very delicious, even for a vegetarian meal! Highly recommend this place for dinner.
(5)Sarah M.
This is a tale of four friends - not averse to paying high prices for great food, and well-dined at many fine restaurants the world-over. This is a story of a warm, industrial space filled with fun, hip people drinking delicious, hip cocktails, which surprisingly deliver and even exceed expectations (even in a time where one rarely recognizes most of the ingredients in the mixologist's purview). And at it's heart, this is a narrative about delicious pasta -- hearty, complex, layered, new shapes and textures, all pushed into the middle of our table and poached by each other, compared and contrasted and devoured until even the tiny specs of pecorino couldn't be spared from the sides of the bowl. Pork ragu, beef cheek and oxtail melange, caramelized onion and pecorino and hot pepper flake. And yet our story has a foil -- an unexpected twist -- and one that may have overshadowed all of the good things about Rolf & Daughters. And that's the bread. To put it simply, the pate at R&D (or as my boyfriend calls it -- meat butter), is creamy, smooth, buttery and unctuous. And it comes with three tiny pieces of bread. At a table of four, there is nothing more awkward than trying to split three pieces of bread (which themselves are thirds of a piece of bread). And last I checked, tables of 3 aren't that common. Furthermore, the bread doesn't provide enough of a vehicle for the delicious pate. In order to use up all of the pate on three pieces of bread, one would have to pile pate at least a half inch high on each piece. And last, the final nail in the coffin of the bread segue, is that additional bread is $1.50. When we balked at the price we were cheerily informed that "but it's baked in-house." My point is not to sound snobby, or cheap, or narrowly focused. My point is this -- when you charge someone $1.50 for two thirds of a piece of bread (when the additional order came, it only included two pieces), you give them the feeling of being "nickled and dimed" -- charge $2 more for the pate, or give the bread for free, but please don't charge $1.50 for extra bread which is necessitated by the fact that there is an ample amount of pate (which itself is a good thing). There are a lot of great things about Rolf & Daughters - in fact, I am pretty sure I'm going to have graphic dreams about the pork ragu, and our meal, all in all, was reasonably priced and satisfying. But I can't write this review without talking about the bread, in the hopes that they'll catch on that it's not worth the $1.50. It leaves a bad taste in your mouth, which is a tough thing to do when your last bite has been a creme filled fried donut with chocolate dipping sauce.
(4)Julianne L.
Food was okay. Service was terrible. Our waitress completely rushed us when ordering and said the kitchen gets backed up so we needed to place our ASAP. We never saw our our waitress during dinner..although we wanted more drinks and water- it seems like there is extra staff to deliver food and check tables for service. The waitress is only there to take order and deliver check.
(3)Brad M.
*Late review from my visit on 2/2/13. My wife and I had been wanting to try this place since some of our friends had been here. So, she took me here for my birthday. We started off with the Crostini and a few cocktails. The whipped ricotta on the Crostini was light and sweet. Their menu now says the topping was beets but I think we had squash or apricot. I then ordered the Brook Trout. It was served in a bowl which was different and crème fraiche was really good. But my wife's Heritage Chicken stole the show. The pan searing was perfect. Easily one of the best chicken meals I have ever tasted. Our desert was a dense and rich chocolate cake that was incredible. We can't wait to go back.
(5)Greg T.
2 stars for food and server food knowledge. Here's why: Started dinner with some apps...went with the sourdough and seaweed app for $5. We had a party of 5 and server failed to tell us that the plate some with 4 pieces of bread. Our plate had barely any butter. I think this dish would be better if the bread was not sourdough...too overwhelming and masks the seaweed in my opinion. Pate app - same situation...only 3 pieces of bread this time. We ordered more (3 pieces) and were charged an additional $1.50 without being told bread is extra. I have no problem paying for bread - just let me know. Entree - special of the night was a pork special sandwich. It was sold to us as a piece of pork loin that was cooked inside pork belly with crispy pork skin. Sounded unreal to me so went with it. Sandwich came with all loin meat...no belly, no crispy skin..and drenched in some gnarly olive oil which made the dish an oily mess. Took 3 bites and was done with it. Asked server if this was the correct execution and she said it was and just left...no apologies or attempts to remedy the situation. The bottom line - at the prices Rolf and Daughters is charging you expect a certain level of food and service. They missed the mark during this visit. I really hope these guys step it up. I think they have a great opportunity to become a player in the Nashville restaurant scene if they make improvements. I would avoid group dinners and stick to simple apps at the bar.
(2)Naomasa H.
Had a wonderful birthday dinner here. Reservations are recommended, but they do have communal tables and outdoor seating on a first come first serve basis. I hear the place has received a lot of press, namely in Bon Appetit. The atmosphere is inviting, friendly service, and the food is wonderful. Garganelli verde and farro gamelli were cooked perfectly. The positive press is well deserved. I hope they stay unpretentious and keep churning out wonderful dishes. Oh and the cocktails were tasty.
(5)Semi-retired J.
Trying way too hard to be hip. What is - beet, maple yogurt, puffed quinoa? Elevate the experience, not the grammar. Great location, great servers and maybe someday we'll comprehend the menu.
(3)Tiffany M.
Great and interesting selection of cocktails/wines and our server was excellent. Really knowledgeable and attentive throughout our meal. I ended up getting a Campari + grapefruit 'Buon Appetito' that was refreshing and sweet. The squid ink pasta, carbonara pasta and roasted chicken were top notch! Our meal was so good that we had to try dessert and those donuts with ganache left us perfectly full. This is definitely a restaurant to come back to again and again. Thanks, R&D!
(5)Ashley T.
We came here for dinner with my in laws when they were in town visiting. We called ahead on a Friday to ask about reservations and my mother in law was told that it wasn't busy so we wouldn't need one. I found that hard to believe but we went with it. We arrived around 7pm and the patio was packed, as well as the walkway leading up to the restaurant. We were told it was over an hour wait and when we asked about calling ahead, the hostess assured us they don't take reservations on Friday nights. Oh well. We had heard good things about this place and knew anywhere we went would have a wait. So we waited for about 45 minutes and our table was ready. We were seated at a long, community table in the middle of the restaurant with strangers. Not ideal when trying to catch up with family, but it was fine. The service was great. Our server was very friendly and knowledgeable of the menu. He gave us his recommendations and we ordered. My mother in law and my husband both ordered the pasta with red sauce and my father in law and I both ordered the trout. Ha! I don't remember anything spectacular about the pasta, but it did taste fresh. The trout was cooked perfectly and presented beautifully, but the parsley was overwhelming for me. Otherwise, this dish was unique and delicious. The atmosphere is cool and they were playing some pret-ty solid 80s country songs. We could barely hear each other to talk across the table, but the music was a fun touch. Not really what I assumed I'd be listening to while eating the most beautiful piece of trout I've ever eaten. Haha We ordered 2 deserts on the menu to split, one was some kind of chocolate and coffee desert and the other was fruity. (It's been a hot minute since our visit so I'm drawing a blank). Both were really good. I was full so I didn't have much but otherwise I would have probably licked the plates clean. I would like to go back on a special occasion and try other things.
(4)Michael U.
Items Selected: Orange Shrub with Lime Sourdough with Seaweed Butter Spring Onion Fritto Misto, Lemon, Bottarga Crostini, Stracciatella, Watercress, Olio Nuovo Sweet Potato, 'nduja, Green Onion, Yogurt, Lime Potato Gnocchi, Morel, Spring Garlic, Piave Sweet Potato Agnolotti, Mustard Greens, Testa Squid Ink Campanelle, Florida Squid, Shrimp, 'nduja, Basil, Breadcrumbs Stumptown Cold Brew Meyer Lemon and Whole Grain Tart, Pistachios, Olive Oil O+S Chocolate Cake, Coffee Panna Cotta, Milk Strawberries, Rhubarb, Almond, Coconut Unable to predict an arrival time for Nashville on a Monday during which several of the capitol's best restaurants are closed, it was with good fortune that walk-in only Rolf and Daughters was found to be only 75% full just after 7:00pm and taking a seat at the far end of the communal dining table with several seats separating us from the next party it was to a meal of almost universal excellence that we were treated, the hippest place in town also serving some of the city's best food. Currently helmed by former Gwynnett St. Chef Owen Clark, a man who stunned me with his creative cuisine in Brooklyn during an April 2013 meal that still ranks amongst the most memorable in the borough, the sharable plates at Rolf and Daughters see the young toque revisiting familiar territory with a focus on local produce and bold spice profiles amidst modest amounts of protein and suggested to be enjoyed in a series of three courses by a server extremely well versed in both ingredients and technique one would be hard pressed to name a single savory that could have been improved, even the non-alcoholic orange shrub proving to be the sort of fresh flavor I love as light notes of drinking vinegar lingered beneath a bubbly top note of citrus and soda. Inquiring on portions and preparations largely to maximize sampling of several plates amongst our party of three it was with house sourdough and seaweed butter that the meal kicked off and with vegetal brine helping to balance out the flavor-forward starter this is one bread most would benefit to pay for, the crisp crostini draped in watercress, stretchy cheese, and fresh olive oil equally simple yet delicious with an almost absolute lack of sweetness allowing pepper and buttery notes to flood the palate in a surprisingly unrestrained way. Moving on the flavors less subtle, it should seem rather obvious that fried spring onions dressed in citrus and briny shaved roe presented a significant upgrade on standard restaurant rings and, although not exactly large enough to share amongst three as a few bites will only leave the diner wanting more, the tender rounds of sweet potato topped in spicy sausage and those same onions were absolutely brilliant, the heat only arriving on the finish as yogurt tinged in lime presents an up-front bit of tang. Transitioning next to pastas, all made in house with ingredients that sang of farmer's markets in the spring, it was in three plates that appetites were invested and although the gnocchi was a bit softer than purists may prefer the addition of nutty cheese, fresh garlic, and earthy morels provided a depth of flavor rarely seen at 'hip' restaurants, the sweet potato packed pockets of pasta draped in house-cured testa somewhat resembling the flavor of stewed collards while the al dente Campanelle once again found Calabrian pork working its magic amidst a jumble of sautéed seafood given extra texture by just enough breadcrumbs to make it all work. More than impressed by savories, and fondly reminiscing about desserts from my Gwynnett St. experience, it was with a 'one of each' order from the sweets section that the meal would conclude, and paired to Stumptown's bold coldbrew the results were nearly on par with the rest, only the slightly over-applied coconut on a chilled plate of strawberries and rhubarb seemingly out of place, while both the subtle citrus tart crowned in nuts and bitter panna cotta topped in crumbles of cookies and sweet milk 'powder' were exactly what I'd expected - a study of contrasts without compromise ready to challenge and surprise.
(5)Annie K.
The pasta here is incredible, without a doubt. The cocktails are great too! I ordered the trout and it was under done. Cold and raw. They still charged me for it:/ ambience is nice.
(3)Aaron G.
best restaurant in nashville. no joke. I've been here with the lady 5+ times, and each visit is better than the last. Really one of the only places in town putting together truly creative, consistent, ingredient focused dishes. Our servers have always been incredibly knowledgeable and helpful as well. And that wingman cocktail is trouble.
(5)Molly R.
I made a reservation over a month ago. The day of the reservation I called to confirm - had to leave a message. I called back again later that afternoon and the hostess confirmed but was less than cordial. That evening I was on my way to the restaurant and hit major traffic (the President was in town) I called to let them know I would be late.I had to call four times before someone answered. Same hostess finally answered and told me they could only hold my reservation for 15 minutes. Really... only 15 minutes? Are you all that busy on a Tuesday night? I've had this reservation for a month. Thanks for nothing. I had been excited to try this restaurant - will now cross it off my list.
(1)Jean K.
Half of a chicken is a hefty amount of protein for one meal, regardless of how tasty it is. And yes, the pastured chicken at Rolf and Daughters is delicious, but for $24, a wee bit of vegetables on the side would be nice. The menu was not well thought out and didn't list entrees separately. We were told that the beef sausage was an entree. However, it was served in a salad bowl. One sausage sliced into several pieces and covered with lettuce doesn't seem like an entree, particularly when the chicken entree was half of a chicken, albeit nothing else. I would have called the beef sausage a small plate or salad and the chicken a large plate suitable for sharing since there were no accompanying sides. Perhaps a more thoughtful menu format would have separated entrees from small plates rather than simply listing every item in ascending order by price. An untitled pasta section was separated only by a partial squiggly line. Besides the pasta dishes there were 4 entrees to choose from: brook trout from Florida, beef sausage, pastured local chicken and heritage pork. I wanted fish but since it wasn't local, I opted for the local pastured chicken. The chicken with preserved lemon and garlic confit was delicious. The skin was perfectly crisp and the meat was tender and juicy. Again, it was half of a chicken with no sides for $24. Perfectly cooked and delicious, yes, but it's still only chicken, even if it's pastured. It wasn't even organic. I would have preferred a quarter of a chicken with a couple of sides for that amount. The sourdough with seaweed butter appetizer was tasty but would have been better served hot or at least thoroughly warm. If the bread was complimentary, I would have overlooked it, but it wasn't. I've had complimentary bread, served hot and with infused butters that were better. Overall, the service was excellent, the ambiance trendy and whispers farm to table but in reality may be otherwise (trout from Florida?), the menu needs work, the addition of even one veggie to a $24 chicken entree would be nice and warm tap water in a pretty bottle is still warm tap water. Sorry, RaD, you're going to have to start living up to the hype and actually earn that 4th star.
(3)Janet A.
So disappointed, I brought my daughter here for her birthday neither of us have ever been prior. My daughter and I requested a couple of simple changes to an entree to meet dietary needs only to be told the Chef is funny that way and set in his ways he will not prepare his meals differently than described on the menu. This is the only restaurant I've ever been to that the Chef did not try to accommodate request for the customer. The Hickory House at the Gaylord blows this place away in all aspects from the quality of the cuisine to the amazing customer service. Also, Urban Grub was much better than this place with amazing food and no problem making a few changes to the entree.
(2)Hye Eun C.
I had heard so much about this place and finally had the opportunity to come. What a charming restaurant. My bf and I ordered: crostini with chicken liver pâté, spring onions with lemon zest, squid ink pasta, pork chop, and o+j coffee pennacotta. All the dishes were good, but my favorites of the night were the crostini and squid ink pasta. The crostini was flavorful with the sweet chicken pate, although I was a bit surprised that it wasn't warm or precut. The squid ink pasta had bold flavor and the seafood taste was obvious. Very cute atmosphere, especially the outside patio area, and the service was great. The amount was decent for the price, as well, although it definitely is pricey. Would come again to try the other offerings.
(4)Jane S.
Every so often, you visit a restaurant that requires more time than usual to write a review - first, because there's too much goodness to write about, and second, you want some time to keep thinking back to the experience so as to write as holistic of a review as possible. Nearly two months have passed since I dined at Rolf and Daughters, so it's a restaurant that falls into this category. In terms of food and interior style, Rolf & Daughters is like most of its "trendy restaurant" counterparts. Blank&blank name - check. Badass industrial meets rustic chic space - check. Attractive, tattooed servers - check. Attractive, want-to-be-seen dining patrons - check. Food at places like this is hit or miss, so I was BLOWN AWAY by not only the deliciousness but also the creativity of the menu. I ordered the squid ink canestri, my sister got the gnocchi, and my cousin got the rigatoni. All three were equally delicious; I really was unable to pick a favorite. Hands down, the best pasta I've ever had. Other pastas I have from now on will probably pale in comparison to the three I tried here. R&D was one of the, if not THE experience, that completely made my trip to Nashville. R&D gets 5 stars for being amazing all-around! Tip: If you don't have a reservation, arrive right at opening. There was already a line of maybe 10 people ahead of us, but we got seated right away. We just had to be out within an hour and a half to clear our table for a reservation. We didn't feel rushed at all.
(5)Thao n.
A gem in Nashville, excellent food! Had the broccoli and it might be the best broccoli dish I've ever had. The heritage pork was magnificent! Tender, tasty, and served with fresh peaches. And of course the squid ink pasta was excellent. Ordered the chocolate panna cotta dessert- flavors were good but on the drier side and a bit too much chocolate cake and almost no panna cotta. Good wine list. Mainly communal tables. Beautiful place but a bit loud.
(5)David A.
This place is off the charts great. Sat at the bar with my daughter and had a fantastic meal. Our bartender (and server) was fabulous. He whipped up some killer cocktails and recommended incredible food. I have had some great meals in Nashville and I will but this place up against any of them. My daughter is vegetarian and we had much to choose from. We love the winter greens, a beet and farro salad, and some incredible pasta. The preparation was fantastic. A memorable meal in a great spot during a weekend trip with my daughter. A perfect way to end our visit. Can't wait for our return visit.
(5)Emily T.
The best pasta I've found in this town. It's worth the price - don't let anyone tell you differently. And if someone tells you don't NEED Squid Ink Pasta - get rid of them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life. I actually NEED the pasta in order to live. It's that good. I haven't tasted a pasta I didn't love. The appetizers are slightly over priced but still delicious. The waitress was able to make drink selections based on my picky palette. She hit the nail on the head. The entrance is a little tricky to find but just follow the twinkling lights and you're close. Make a reservation - they get busy.
(5)Kyla K.
We ate at RAD on a Saturday night while in Nashville for the weekend. The restaurant had a great atmosphere and was decorated beautifully. We were a group of 6 and they originally tried to give us a 4 top table with two seats tucked in either side in the corner, err.. We ended up moving to the family/communal table which was much better. Our server seemed a little stuck up and didn't seem to be that interested in chatting with us or giving details about the dishes. The small plates we had were all absolutely amazing!! Then came out the pasta dishes which had a massively heavy hand of salt in each of them.. It was rather off putting.. Then the meat- the lamb was so delicious but the portion size was extremely small for the price tag.. The chicken was a good portion size and the flavored were ok. Overall the atmosphere of the place and the small plates were the best part of the meal and the pasta and service was disappointing.
(3)Megan K.
Loved our experience at Rolf & Daughters. It took us much longer to make the reservation, but I'm glad we finally did. The experience is definitely worth the hype. I went with the squid ink canestri--a dish I heard a ton about from friends who had visited before I did. Great flavor--a little bit of an ocean-y taste to it, but overall delicious. I had a fantastic drink that I can't remember the name of, naturally... it was a vibrant green and boasted flavors of lime and jalapeno, among other things. Amazing. Service was okay, considering it was a Friday night. Super busy. Tucked in Germantown, street parking. I'm excited to return!
(5)Leland G.
I've been before. Multiple times. Food is always great. It takes chances. It's artisan. The service is usually great. It's a 4 star place. Tonight was unfortunately an exception :( We sat at bar and had drinks and apps. Moved to table. Sat with empty drinks for 10 minutes - thankfully we had a great group of friends but the lack of service was difficult to ignore. During the delay, I decided to go inside and "find" our server, who was very casually standing, at the server/POS station with the other servers, making jokes/laughing/doing nothing...I asked for a drink order and was told to "wait a minute." UGH Eventually - 2 pretentious servers later - we got our second round. And food. The food was WONDERFUL, as usual. Although IMHO the squid/octopus in the pasta was overdone, and there was far too much salt in (probably) the pasta water...because adding pancetta/seafood to a dish which has already been heavily salted, was a bit too much for 3/4 of us. Just saying :/ Finally...I used to serve, I used to run a kitchen; it's just a total bummer when such a place doesn't have the service to keep up! TIP: when food hits the table, servers--- CHECK BACK WITH YOUR TABLE(S) within "two bites or two minutes" of the food arriving. I will go back. I will expect better next time!!! Especially for a $300 dinner.
(2)Pire T.
I loved every aspect of my visit here. The food is phenomenal. There are so many unique options to choose from and it all tastes delicious. We had a couple of their pasta dishes: the squid ink and lemon pasta. Both were incredible. We also had dessert. A lovely date cake with an ball of whipped topping. Again, everything is unusual but in the best possible way. If you visit, be sure to grab a couple of their signature cocktails. They're expertly crafted and beautifully presented. Aside from the delicious food, the atmosphere of this place is rustic southern with delicate hanging lights, communal tables (but also private tables and bar seating), hanging plants, and trendy decor. The staff is also extremely friendly and attentive. This is certainly one of my absolute favorite places in Nashville. I'll come back here time and time again.
(5)Amber P.
Chefs are definitely not willing to adjust anything to please the customer. I don't know when the chefs happiness became more important that the customers! If you want to go and eat exactly what they give you, the food is very good. If you have any requests or adjustments this is not the place. Just the fact that they would not do anything to accommodate. I would not give any business to any place no matter how good, that completely devalues customer satisfaction.
(2)Jay R.
This place is incredible, plain and simple. We did not have a single average dish, everything was extraordinary. From the delicious crostini with bell peppers to the heirloom tomato and mozzarella to the main dishes of summer squash and ricotta, pork ragout with green noodles or the famous squid ink pasta, everything was brilliant. We ended the meal with the deconstructed chocolate cake, it was the perfect ending to an excellent meal. We sat at the communal table, which is a bit of a unique experience, but it ended up working out great. I will definitely be back, no question.
(5)Annie N.
Living in DC and been to so many good restaurants, still I can't say enough about the place. Small plates so come with friends. 4 of us had 10 dishes and 2 desserts. Everything was so good. I would totally order them all again, From veggie dishes to pasta. Yummy!
(5)Steven M.
My new favorite place in Nashville, amazing food with a casual hip atmosphere. Drinks are incredible. Staff is professional. Have a community table if you forget to make a reservation. I personally like the bar the best.
(5)Jennifer P.
Cool, rustic atmosphere. The service was great and the food was pretty good. A bit overpriced.
(3)TNmedicine29 R.
My love for this place couldn't be stronger! I'm a Nashville native, and just had my second dinner experience with Rolf and Daughters. As if the you could beat the first time I went (for my birthday), low and behold R&D did! I love that the majority of the restaurant can't be pre-reserved, seriously cuts down on wait times when its first come. We grabbed drinks at the bar while we waited, briefly. I had the Market Bramble which was refreshing, light, and great, I am craving it now. My boyfriend had Cubra Kai which he loved, too! Let's talk about how awesome the food was! There were four of us- so we started out with the Fritto Misto, which had the lightest batter it only gave the veggies a little extra crunch without making you feel like you're eating fried food. We also had the crostini with chicken liver, peach, and almond, and it had richness from the chicken but some sweet from the peach. Also we had the sausage with peppers- I'm not usually a pork fan but this was great. Peppers and olives together with it made it delicious. For the pastas, I think we had all but one of them and we were all trying to politely lick out plates! You really can't go wrong. Whatever sounds good to you, will be! The pastas are handmade and fresh ingredients. I really can't speak highly enough about their pastas. I tried the Squid Ink bucatini the first time I went (heaven on earth) and did the lamb rigatoni this time-- and wanted to melt into my plate. Nobody was wanting to share theirs because they are so good! To top off the night, we had Olive and Sinclair cake and a peach tart. Very different from each other, but delicious. The peach tart was seasonal I think, but the cake-- it's a staple and not your typical chocolate cake-- WAY BETTER! Olive and Sinclair is a Nashville local chocolate and they make the cake where it is more spread out and with the coffee panna cotta. It was perfect.
(5)Monica L.
I thought I was a crusty cynical foodie... and then I had dinner here. It has been a long time since I have been utterly delighted with every aspect of a meal. What a joy to be completely surprised by a first bite/sip. Springfield cocktail: Broker's gin, Pimm's, lemon, orange shrub, cucumber, good people IPA Light, refreshing, slightly sweet, herbaceous, fruity, and so well balanced you'd think there wasn't any alcohol in there (oh, but there was). The IPA lends a flowery/hoppy note, the Pimm's adds that herbal quality, and I thought I didn't even like gin! App: Chicken liver pate, currant mostarda, baby brassicas, toast They should package that currant mustarda. I'd put that sh*t on everything! (Like on a panini with goat cheese or something.) Entree: Squid ink campanelle, FL squid, shrimp, nduja, basil, sourdough breadcrumbs The squid/shrimp/nduja sausage is completely broken down and there are no discernible chunks - yet the taste permeates the entire dish. The sauce had a slight heat (spice) background, probably from the nduja. The sourdough breadcrumbs added that textural element that you usually don't get in a pasta dish. Dessert: Fresh farmers cheese flan with beet caramel and sorghum crisp Had that soft, slight-crumbly texture of a super fresh farmers cheese but in that jiggly flan structure. Beet caramel - where have you been all of my life?? Adds an earthy element that steers the flan dish away from the usual sickeningly-sweetness. The sorghum crisp had the texture of a thinner fortune cookie (words of my bartender!) and adds a nice bitterness that, again, helps to ground the dessert. Side note: If you are a small party, it may be easier to get seats at the bar rather than wait for a table.
(5)Stephen L.
Our experience was awkward from the start. We had a reservation, but come to find out. That just meant we didn't have to sit at a table with a bunch of people we didn't know. We still had to sit at a table so close to other people that we could hear every detail of each tables conversations even when trying not to. This is definitely not a place to talk about anything too personal or too deep into business. There is only 1 booth that allows you minimal privacy. Call ahead. Request that. So all that being said- we sat down-The waitress must have been having a bad day because she was short with us and didn't seem to want to answer our questions. Which were very typical for a couples first time at a restaurant. We wanted recommendations and clarification on some dishes that we were uncertain about what they were. We ordered 2 smaller dishes. (Shishito Peppers!! So good!) 2 main dishes and desert along with 2 cocktails each. It was good. Wasn't great. Wasn't bad. Just good. But overall - 3 stars is for quality of food-That was good-Presentation was good-And uniqueness of the dishes. The - 2 stars is for the seating environment/portion size/ and the waitress being weird and really just not even trying to be "fake nice". We still tipped over 20%. Cuz we do that. With Nashville being such a great food scene. It would have to be someone's birthday request for us to go back here.
(3)Nandini M.
Quite possibly the best pasta I have ever eaten in my life and I eat a lot of pasta. You have to reserve at least a month and a half in advance but it is so worth it. The space is small and industrial but very warm and bright. We were seated in a corner and I loved that I could observe and people watch in the packed restaurant around me. The restaurant was pointed out to us on a tour earlier in the day and by a cabbie the day before, so Nashvellites (?) are clearly very proud of this place and they have every reason to be. We split a great bottle of rosé and a bunch of apps but my pasta entree blew me away. I seriously savored every bite. Everyone at my table loved their food too and to our amazement the bill didn't make any of us cringe. Affordable fine dining is the best! Very friendly for different dietary restrictions and super pleasant staff.
(5)Judi M.
Had reservations, called ahead and explained what time we had to be out for a show. Worst service ever! Nothing to ruin a meal, like a server who couldn't care less.
(1)Jessica M.
We have a toddler so don't get out to really nice restaurants all that often. So glad that when we did, we went to Rolf and Daughters. Just Delicious. The highlights for me were the pate, the beef carpaccio, the arrabiatta seafood pasta, and, surprisingly, the carbonara. (The carbonara was ordered by my husband -- it seemed too boring to me -- but it was perhaps the most sinfully delicious pasta I've ever eaten. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.) The service was just fine though nothing particularly special. Ambience was fun and hip. We will definitely be back.
(5)Emily C.
so delicious! this was my first time eating there - i had gone for drinks previously. our waiter was so helpful and kind - he walked us through each item we selected from the menu and made sure we picked something that we'd like. the melon small plate and tartare were outrageously delicious. this is going to be another "go-to" place on my list.
(5)Jose L.
Great little place, reminded me of the Woodberry Kitchen restaurant back home in the Baltimore area. Unpretentious, kind of warehouse-sy decor, good cocktails, great bread, friendly and attentive staff, and the food was really good. Took some customers here, we started with the sourdough bread with seaweed butter, kind of had the umami taste people talk about, that little something that you can't make out. They even had some good vegetarian entrees besides the usual salad for those of us going that route. I got the Vanilla panna cotta for dessert, really smooth. Will go back again.
(4)Mary N.
Great atmosphere. Super good meatballs.
(5)Sarah E.
I would have loved to give this restaurant 5 stars, don't get me wrong. The service was great, the atmosphere was super cool, presentation of every dish was beautiful, and the cocktails, wine, small plates and entrees were on point and very very delicious. But... when we got to dessert, it was disappointing. I didn't think you could mess up dessert this much, but apparently you can. We ordered the lime curd dessert. Sounds bright and rich, right? It was a mess, literally. The photo explains it all. WTF? I order dessert every time I eat out, and this felt like we were getting punk'd. Ashton? Where are you? I'll go back here, but I probably won't order dessert.
(4)Blayne K.
This was an amazing meal, from service to drinks to food, all around. Visited with 6 other girlfriends, no rezzies (for parties of greater than six, FYI) so we knew we had to get there WHEN THEY OPENED. We were seated right away (yay!) and our server was thorough and so attentive in his menu explanation AND with drink and wine suggestions. My favorites were the beef tartare and the pasta dishes were AMAZING! Great wine and cocktail list, this place was the highlight of our trip this weekend. Thanks RandDs!!!
(5)Dene L.
If you like fresh, organic whole food, from local farmers, this is it. This is always my first choice if we go out to eat. I actually don't like to eat out much as the quality of the biodynamic organic food I get every week at the farmer's market is far better than what I will find in a restaurant in Nashville. I would rather eat at home... but the occasional splurge is well worth it at R + D. These guys actually buy from my farmers as I see them every Saturday morning buying from the same farmers I am. They don't even hardly promote that the food they choose to buy IS organic. For this, they should be applauded. It gives me hope that America isn't completely going Monsanto and Sysco. I've had all the appetizers and salads and they are all amazing. The beef tartare is very good as is the chicken and the octopus pasta. Bravo for doing it right.
(5)Shushu C.
I had overwhelming expectations after hearing from a coworker that this was one of the best restaurants she went to while visiting in Nashville. Overall the experience was very good, but fell short in a few aspects. The atmosphere is very nice...with outside seating and gardens/lighting. The view is not the best...but considering the area there is not much around to look at anyway. We started with bread and seaweed butter and salt. I am not going to say that they 're robbing you..but they're robbing you. The bread was good and the butter was good, but I didn't taste any of the seaweed. The waiter said that the seaweed was added for texture purposes......umm...right. I ain't salty or anything...ha...ha....ok anyway the bread with salt was good. I think with regular butter it would've been the same to be honest. Now charging for bread at a nice restaurant is a nono... Next...Chicken liver pate. It was probably my favorite part of the meal..I just love liver. The seasoning was great..but after 1 bite it started feeling very thick and dry with toasted bread so I think they could've prepared it differently to foil the texture. I got the squid in capellini, which was way too overhyped. To be honest I had a few bites and was a little unimpressed. The crispy fried bits (onions?)were everywhere and was good for taste but just ended up being too much on every bite. The sauce was also too simple, which made the dish just lacking in depth. I've had very good squid ink pasta..so personally I didn't prefer Rolf and Daughters version.... But the pork ragu was...amazing. It was perfectly balanced and seasoned and I wanted to keep eating it. I really have mixed feelings about this place. It was just a few steps short of a 5 star review. We ended with the oreo dessert. Whatever the restaurants like jto do it to deconstruct whatever..idk i just still tastes like oreos. They made their own, but tasted a little too healthy. All in all, I was debating a 5 star review but..some points of this restaurant really deterred me. Anyway, this restaurant is definitely still worth revisiting and I will be back to see how they will have changed (if at all).
(4)melba b.
We went there last night around at 6:00 with a early reservation. Loved the atmosphere and decor. We told our waiter it was out first visit and did he have any recommendations or specials to which he replied" everything is on the menu". The menu is a little hard to read and confusing. I had the squid and my husband had rigatoni( recommend that they serve bread with their pasta vs a separate order. Food was really good. Our server never came back to ask how the food was and seemed really not into serving or too cool.
(3)Alyssa T.
Really cute interior and friendly server. My friend and I ordered some appetizers, which were good, and the chicken and a pasta to share. The chicken was good (a little too salty) but left more to be desired as it was literally just a huge chunk of chicken and nothing more. The pasta with pork was way too salty for me and slightly too gummy in texture. The desserts we had were delicious and creative. I enjoyed them the most. Overall a good meal but didn't live up to the hype for me.
(3)Dennis M.
Advanced pasta types, which is always a great sign since tje chef is obviously traveled and has done research. Best meal in Nashville hands down. Had the squid ink canestri, and it was superb. The ruby red shrimp with buttermilk herbs was a delicious starter. Full of new flavors to my pallette.
(5)Karoline K.
The patio is nice except in this humid weather. Visually its appealing but it's uncomfortable during the meal. I objected to sitting outside but my party couldn't refuse. This place has some better items I the menu and then a few that fall short. THEIR MENU DOESN'T STATE blatantly THE APPETIZERS, DESSERTS OR ENTREES. The items are listed in ascending order of price and it's also in order of appetizer to entree. The inexpensive dishes function as appetizers and the more expensive dishes are entrée portion. We ordered a total of 11 items, almost a twelve course meal. If you count water we had 12 courses! The waitress made us wait a bit before getting to us, even though we sat down immediately...she was a good server though! After a few minutes of asking each other what items seemed worthy of our palette, we decided on the beet appetizer, chicken liver crostini and the scallops. The larger entrees were squid ink pasta, pork pasta, chicken confit, and shorts rib. For the grand finale all three desserts! The berries dessert was DELICIOUS, I highly recommend it. The other two were ok, I don't think eating dessert outside was a good idea. They all tasted hot but eating hot dessert in the summer isn't as good as it sounds. Our plates were cold but the dessert was a warm, except the berry dessert. I didn't like the crostini, it needed more flavor and less water saturated veggies. The scallops were good and the beet was scrumptious. The beef short ribs cooked to perfection, and squid ink pasta was nothing special. The CHICKEN WAS GOOD but it wasn't anything out of the ordinary and the garganelli verde (pork pasta) was pretty dam tasty. Overall nice place to check out. Just don't eat outside, I've warned you.
(4)Dre H.
This place is awesome. Best chicken of all time. Beef carpaccio is also super unique and awesome. Best restaurant I went to in Nashville.
(5)Chris K.
This is one of my favorite spots in Nashville. Fantastic atmosphere, great bar, and awesome menu of plates that are perfect for family style dining. I've been about four times now, and the menu changes a bit every few weeks (some staples are always available). The chicken pate crostini and grilled squid are a must, as is the homemade sourdough with seaweed butter.
(4)Erick N.
Fantastic restaurant; so happy to have finished my Nashville road trip on such a high note before the long journey back to Chicago. Had multiple chefs recommend Rolf & Daughters as one of Nashville's best venues and in my experience chefs tend to proffer excellent recommendations; when they praise a restaurant it is best to listen. As our shuttle dropped us off outside we were immediately impressed by the charming exterior of Rolf & Daughters. Walking in the interior was equally beautiful. As we arrived well before our reservation we opted to sit at the bar for a pre dinner cocktail, but were happy the hostess offered to squeeze us in early if we wanted (they had just opened, but we noticed that they rather quickly had a full house; impressive for a Sunday evening). We ended up finding the bar seating comfortable and the bartenders quite personable so moments later we informed the hostess we would like to eat up to the bar and were accommodated. Of note much of the dining room area has communal tables and seating was somewhat close together, so this also factored into our decision to sit at the bar. For some reason we enjoy the liveliness of bar seating, but when in a dining room have a preference for a more intimate ambiance. The menu at Rolf & Daughters is wonderful. Approximately sixteen savory items arranged from lighter dishes to heavier proteins and a separate section for pastas. Ingredients are fresh, high quality and most of what you are served is made from scratch in house. There is a nice balance of vegetable centric dishes, seafoods and meats. So much on the menu sounded tempting that it was tough to narrow our choices down. The bartender was very helpful answering our questions, making some recommendations and advising on what quantity of food to order (and was spot on with his assistance - as well as did a nice job coursing out what we ordered in a sensible manner). We ended up sharing five savories and of these four were fantastic and one (the octopus) still quite good but just not as stellar. The crostini with broccoli, pistachio and generous portion of shaved pecorino cheese sounds simple but wow, the freshness of the ingredients really shined and there was so much flavor. The sweet potato with nduja, green onion, yogurt and lime had such harmony among the various textures and flavors and also was a huge hit. The dry aged tartare was among the better tartare preparations I have enjoyed and the squid ink pasta with seafood and crunchy sour dough croutons was an instant favorite. The food was nicely presented but not at all fussy. One of those meals where you just really enjoy every single bite and the food leaves behind such a pleasant aftertaste. The only negative food wise was dessert; the individual ingredients sounded awesome - caramel, popcorn, lime curd and ginger (all flavors I love) but the curd was poorly executed (way too sweet and no tartness), the ginger was non-detectable and the caramel had an odd aftertaste that clashed with the lime; the popcorn provided a little much needed textural component but quickly became soggy. My wife made the smart decision of ordering a second crostini for dessert and I was envious but she made quick work of it, feverishly fending off my attempts to snatch a bite with her fork and a menacing stare down. Cocktails were on par quality wise with the savories. We really enjoyed the playful names (i.e. Here Today Saigon Amaro and Pearway to Heaven). For one round of drinks the bartender was adept at making us some nice off-menu cocktails based on a description of what we were seeking. Despite the poor dessert this was an otherwise outstanding meal. Loved the vibe (upscale yet casual), loved the decor, loved the staff (and Rolf & Daughters attracted friendly patrons as well), loved the drinks and loved the savories. We also were pleasantly surprised by the bill; for the high quality and rather generous portions this was quite a bargain! Definitely will be making a return visit next time we are in town and quite possibly will squeeze in two meals since there is just no way possible to consume all the highly appealing dishes on the menu in a single visit, though it might be fun to try!
(5)Kris W.
This restaurant is definitely worth going out of your way to go to. Settled in a residential area of Germantown, we probably wouldn't have noticed it just driving around. Highly recommend getting a reservation especially if you want to go on the weekend, however they do about half and half reservation and walk in. The ambience is amazing, custom made furniture, great lighting, and not too loud. The food changes up regularly, but definitely try the handmade pastas, especially the squid ink pasta and garganelli verde. HIGHLY recommend the agretti, very unique dish. Also the beef tartare and sourdough/seeweed were delicious. Honestly probably everything is delicious on the menu so order lots of dishes and share among friends. You'll need to come back multiple times for sure. Lastly all the staff are incredibly helpful and will guide your choices as needed.
(5)Lydia B.
RAD is a Top notch upscale casual whisky bar with great food. Every bite of food was delicious. We shared the sour dough bread with seaweed butter. Um, what is seaweed butter and how can I get more of it? It was airy and uniquely yummy. We also had the Swiss chard and ricotta cassoncini, lardo. They were bite size canapés that were confusing looking but tasted good. I went over board on chicken and was pretty happy with myself. I adored the ample portion of creamy chicken liver with currant mustard, red cress and toast. My excellent server boasted about the pastured chicken with preserved lemon and garlic confit. so I went for it! I will say it was in my top 5 best chicken dishes from a restaurant. I loved the super chicken flavor with fresh herbs of tarragon and flat parsley accents. Chicken was served with no sided and it was so good. Just all juicy flattened chicken. My dinner partner tried the heritage pork sauerkraut gala apple with spaetzle. Sadly he was pretty stingy with sharing. The plate offered a few cuts of pork and the sauerkraut spaetzle. I tried a few bites when he was not looking and enjoyed my bites. The others at the table had the Garganelli verde heritage pork ragout, and sarvecchio (their favorite) I tasted it and boy are they on to something... It boasts Gooey, yummy bites of comfort food with style. We also shared a bowl of the squid ink Campanella, fl squid,shrimp, nduja (what ever that is?), basil, breadcrumbs... It was dramatic and also comforting. It did not photograph well but it tasted great. We also shared all three of the deserts and ordered secret desert cocktails. The lime curd, Carmel corn and ginger was odd looking but omg was it a delicious blend of treats for the mouth. We liked the beet and farmer cheese flan but it was not a highlight. The last desert was also unique and yummy but again the lime curd with popcorn took the prize. I was "forced" to get a desert cocktail called "Don't meletti me down" which was a mixture of Graham's port, meletti, smith & cross rum, Saigon cinnamon and while egg... Talk about a rich glass of yummy booze. I enjoyed a great meal at Rolf And Daughters for sure. It was a warm casual jeans feel too. Obviously I look forward to going back.
(5)Scott T.
Fantastic find! Diner over the top to form the service to the appetizer to the main course to the dinner
(5)Amanda M.
Had a great time here the night of the CMAs. Perhaps the best part was our waiter with a cute little accent. The menu is organized a bit strangely and he did a great job of explaining and setting up our expectations. He also picked a delicious wine pairing and amazing brandy. I had the lamb, which was amazing. The beef tartare was a bit heavy for my taste, and the turnips also a bit al dente for my taste. Looking at other plates, I wished I'd had a different vegetable. The beets looked great. I did get the charred lettuce and butternut squash which was fantastic! The server did highly recommend pasta, but the person beside me got it, and the portions were pretty small for this Italian, but she seemed happy with it. The also made pretty phenomenal cocktails. :-) Definitely make a reservation!
(5)Caroline K.
Fresh off the airplane and in need of a drink, my friend and I headed straight to Rolf and Daughters. We arrived around 7pm and the place was packed. Our other friend still hadn't arrived, which turned out to be a good thing since the quoted time for a table was close to 2 hours. Silly me for going to one of the hottest restaurants in Nashville on a Friday night without a reservation. We headed over to the bar to imbibe while we waited, and luckily 2 seats opened up at the end of the bar. The bar itself it quite big, but was very crowded, especially since most people ended up eating there rather than just drinking. My friend got (multiple) Silence of the Lambruscos, while I started with the vey delicious Cynarnold Schwarzenegger and worked my way up to a few R.A.D. Old Fashioneds. The cocktails were great and very strong. They caught up with me later in the night. We were starving so we ordered the sourdough bread with seaweed butter and the chicken liver pate. Chicken liver is one of the few things I still have trouble enjoying, despite how much I try to like it. My friend was more than happy to devour it on her own, while I happily ate what seemed like a half-loaf of sourdough. The seaweed butter and chunks of sea salt to sprinkle on top were amazing. Who doesn't like a good piece of bread? Finally our friend arrived, and our table awaited! A lot of the tables are long, wooden communal benches, and we were seated comfortably at the end of one. All of the food sounded amazing, but our friend had eaten not that long ago and after my practical meal of bread, we didn't need that much food. We shared the Garganelli verde, Rigatoni with lamb sausage, and something else that I am ashamed to admit I forget. Too many cocktails! The food was impressive and we definitely were fighting over the last bite of that rigatoni. Overall, Rolf and Daughters lived up to the hype. It is the kind of restaurant you wish was in your neighborhood, but at the same time don't actually want near you because you will spend all your time and money there. I hope to be back!
(5)Lindsay H.
Overall, a great restaurant! Came here with a group of 4 with reservations and had to wait about 15 minutes past our reservation to get a table. I'm so glad the food made up for that. Among the highlights were the agretti (a green found in the Mediterranean) and the trout. Everything was above average and I love the diversity of foods found on the menu. Ambience is loud and trendy, perfect if you're looking for a place with good energy. I just wish it were in an area walkable to other hot spots. I would highly recommend!
(4)Emily C.
Small portions, don't come here for a big meal. Love the ambience, appetizer was sourdough bread and seaweed butter for 5.00. For a table of 4, we had enough for one each. Liked the zing of the butter. We had hen of the woods (vegetarian, lemon, mushroom) which was my favorite. The Garganelli verde was meat sauce and pasta, tasted great. The squid ink pasta was what I was looking forward to- but the black pasta was much too salty and tasted like seafood (which I don't mind). The heritage pork was okay, juicy and tender. I would recommend the pasta options at most. To taste their handmade pasta was worth the trip, but I wouldn't return because the small portions weren't for me.
(4)Lesley B.
Everything was absolutely incredible. Service, recommendations, specials, wine, apps, entrees, pastas, desserts. Chef Phillip Krajeck, has really outdone himself and brings a delightful epicurean explosion using simple flavors and the freshest produce. Rolf and daughters is a dinner worth treating yourself. Atmosphere is perfect- although the restaurant is considerably fancy the atmosphere floats with a more casual aesthetic and modern vibe so it doesn't feel like you are have a stuffy fine dining experience. To be honest, I could probably wear jeans to Rolf and daughters without feeling underdressed. I can't rate one dish above another because everything we had was excellent. This included many of the appetizers, sharing a few entrees, and a couple of the desserts. I highly recommend going to Rolf and Daughters when you get a chance!
(5)Jenn C.
Wow! Best meal in Nashville (I think it beats Josephine handily)! RaD has a fun, laid back atmosphere with a beautiful outdoor patio, friendly service and great cocktails and food. We had the excellent sourdough bread to start, the rapini, the meatballs, the sweet potato with lime yogurt and the gnocchi. Oh man, the gnocchi. So rich but just the right portion to share. Our server was very sweet and spot on with her recommendations, which was very helpful given it's a sharing menu. This is a fantastic place for a fun night out and would be a great option to take out of town guests who appreciate great food and drinks. Will be back soon for sure!
(5)Julie S.
Food was delicious definitely get the Rigatoni & octopus. Loved the ambiance. The only problem was the parking situation was kind of hard to manage. The servers are well educated and provided great recommendations. The bar tenders looked like authentic mixologists. I give this place a two thumbs up.
(4)Evan W.
- This isn't your fathers restaurant - This place lives up to the hype in every way possible ! Orders included : Squid ink pasta = 5* Beef Rigatoni = 2* Dessert drink (contains espresso?)= 4* The squid ink dish was amazing and the service was terrific too
(3)Loralyn D.
One of my top 5 favorite restaurants in Nashville. Everything I've ordered has been amazing, the atmosphere is really trendy and comfy, the staff is friendly, and it's a great place to spend an evening. My biggest complaints are 1. I don't know at least one ingredient of every main dish on the menu so I have to ask or search on my phone and 2. You have to call for a reservation, they don't do Open Table.
(5)Alexandra B.
Good restaurant. Weird cocktail menu (dont expect to get something you are used to) the bread was great. The beef tartare was delicious. We had the chicken which was really good also and a large portion as many have already described it. Ordered also a pasta on the side which was good after we got some more cheese for it and ended it with their strawberry dessert. Overall if you want a funky menu and experience something different give it a try. If you look for traditional it probably wont be the right place for you.
(4)Kari T.
Yum!! Great service and everything on the menu was delicious.
(5)Eden O.
Reservations were booked for the night here but we decided to walk in and wait anyways. There were five girls on a Saturday night around 7:30p, we ended up getting a seat in about an hour. We didn't mind waiting at all though because they reserve a bartender and space at the end of the bar solely for customers waiting for a table. This was very much appreciated. It also helped that these hand crafted cocktails were delicious and they had variety of liquors and flavors to choose from. They have an inviting and romantic patio outside strung with lights, inside is an industrial modern feel with brick walls, tall ceilings, and wood tables. The menu had a few unique dishes so we were all able to try something new. I opted for the chicken liver pate and the squid ink pasta. The pate was rich with flavor but not too salty. The squid ink pasta came with a light sauce of olive oil, garlic and tomatoes. It was just the right mix of ingredients to really get the flavor of this black pasta. Our server always seemed in somewhat of a hurry to get off to other tables, so often times was difficult to order a drink or ask questions. Only gripe about the place though.
(4)Corie K.
I'm a bit underwhelmed by the experience. We arrived in quite the good mood and opted to sit outside since the weather felt perfect. Our server came over to us and immediately explained that she would first take our drink order then come and take order for everything, apps, entrees, sides at one and bring out as they felt make sense to keep the kitchen and restaurant on schedule. She came back and took our drink order and reminded us again that we should be ready to order everything at once. This seemed really strange and authoritative; also doesn't give you much chance to feel out the menu and make decisions as the mood felt right. Furthermore, the dishes only came out in two drop offs, neither by our server. We ate what felt like sides with our what felt like appetizer; followed by our entrees. Our server felt cold, even when we tried to warm her up, asking her how her day was, etc. We later noticed the table next to us leisurely ordered with a different server, who also seemed much more friendly. We did decide to order dessert this evening - my decision wasn't based on anything looking particularly good, but mostly because I was still hungry. The pear tart was quite good, not too sweet, just the right size to not feel guilty. You should take note and prepare yourselves: the portions at R+D are very small in relation to their pricing. We hadn't eaten all day so were ready to stuff our face. On a normal day, had we ate lunch, the portions would have been fine (price not considered). It was $9 for a few pieces of broccoli, $9 for one piece of toast with smoked trout spread, and $11 for a small plate of grains w/ cucumbers and tomatoes. $27 doesn't seem out of question for an entree, however, the steak was four small slices, with 4 sprigs of greens and 3 mini potatoes and a mini sausage. The pork ragu and homemade pasta was quite yummy and a reasonable portion for the price. I'm not usually such a price-centric person when it comes to food, but I do want to find value in my meal, whether it be portion, flavor, or experience - I don't feel we got either. If either the server or food had blown me away, I would feel the $130 tab was justified. Tip if you are ready to give it a try for yourself: go for the pasta dishes and hope you don't get the server we had. Also try the Montana Verde if you are in the mood for a cocktail.
(3)Adam D.
I read about this place in a TIME Magazine article, the focus of which was the up and coming food scene in the developing side of Nashville. They definitely lived up to the hype, and we didn't even have dinner. We weren't all that hungry but I had to check this place out before I left Nashville. Between the decor, the hipster wait staff, fancy cocktails, the farm-to-table concept and the small, yet elegant menu selection, I could have been in lower Manhattan and not known the difference. The Wingman was a solid drink. The wings were among the best I've ever had and the pate was delicious as well. My only knock is they put bread on the appetizer menu for $5. It's served with seaweed butter and sea salt, and though delicious, it should be on the house. If you're visiting like me, it's about a $8 cab ride each way from downtown.
(5)Jessica G.
I came to Rolf & Daughters because it was recommended by a friend. I LOVE the ambiance here. The service is wonderful and the workers are so friendly! The cocktails are fresh and so delicious. The dry aged beef tartare is my favorite starter and the garganelli verde is one of the best things I've ever eaten! My husband and I will definitely come here often!
(5)Charles C.
Ok, not outstanding for this class of dining experience. Atmosphere/overall space is wonderful. Generously, waiter was aloof. Less diplomatically, he was kind of an ass. Around table, general consensus was food Sat. night was good, not great. Ate the beef shortrib for a main plate and can't say the flavor or the texture knocked me over. End of meal desserts were delicious and exceptional, though, providing a nice coda. Enjoyed the simple menu. Unfortunately, didn't quite achieve the mantra, "Focus on a few things, but execute on all of them exceptionally well."
(3)Michelle R.
I visited Nashville a few weeks ago with my mom and my sister and all we kept hearing about was this restaurant called Rolf and Daughters. We went on our last night in town and absolutely loved it. The atmosphere is great and so peaceful if you sit outside. What truly made our experience so wonderful was our waitress Jami Holder! She was an absolute delight. Listening her talk with such enthusiasm for the menu and the process was inspiring. I can truly say that she is one of the best waitresses I have ever had. We all loved her and she made our experience that much better. I wish Jami all the best and Rolf and Daughter, you have a gem on your hands.
(5)Lauren B.
This is literally one of the best restaurants I've eaten at in my life. EVERYTHING was AMAZING. The atmosphere. The service. And most importantly, the food. I basically can just tell you everything we ordered and you should go order it then you should go back and order everything else that I didn't mention. Sound good? The drinks. They change constantly so I'm not sure if it's there but the one The Pate. Oh my. Best pate of my life. The bread and seaweed butter. Yaaaaaas. The Beef Tartare. Phenom. Farro Gemeli. Amazing pasta dish. Roasted half chicken. Tender, perfectly seasoned, delicious. The pork. Whatever dish it's in, get it. The one with sauerkraut. (You'll see if it's on there). And another pasta dish that honestly why are you still reading this stop reading and make a reservation NOW they fill up fast and are small GO! OMG AND GET THE FLAN IT CHANGED MY LIFE NOT BEING DRAMATIC I DREAM ABOUT IT NOW.
(5)Sheena T.
After a year (almost to the day) I finally made it back to Rolf and Daughters with an out of town guest. She wanted Italian food and if you want pasta, Rolf and Daughters makes it right. I had not been eager to rush back after a bad experience with a bartender (see my review) but I am happy to report that dining at a table was a much more enjoyable experience. We did not have a reservation, but waited in line for the doors to open on Sunday at 5:30pm. There were at least 15 people in line already (yikes) but luckily we were able to get a table. To start I had the crostini with a bean spread and some oil. It was delicious (once I took off the sardines) and my entree was some kind of black pasta dish that I cannot remember the name of, but it was absolutely delightful! All of the pasta dishes were outstanding, and so were our drinks. I am also pleased to report that our server was great and got us our tabs separately without issue. I feel that I need ONE more meal before I can go all 5 stars, but my friends, I am close!
(4)Lawrence C.
Dined 12/12/13 Chic, warehouse space with exposed brick, high ceilings and exposed industrial sized ventilation tubes. Very long spacious bar set on side of dining area, in one large space. Diverse menu, from which we selected two pastas, canestri & bucatini, @ $18, plus a side of vegetables, turnips & Brussels @ $7 & 10 respectively. Everything was absolutely delicious. Tracy, our waiter graciously offered a sampling of two white wines before selecting, priced @ $9-14/glass. Chocolate tart @$9 was the finale to a wonderful meal. This was among the top three restaurants we dined at during our 3 weeks in Nashville, and we so look forward to our return here first. NB. Reservations are a must, and the staff will likely be very accommodating if you need to make special requests, as they were in my case.
(5)Greg B.
What a fantastic place. I come here multiple times when I visit Nashville. Kate the manager runs a friendly tight ship. Staff is always so welcoming and smart. We love Taylor! Tip: just order the bread and seaweed butter as soon as you sit down. It's a no-brainier.
(5)Heather J.
This is my favorite restaurant in Nashville. I always end up ordering family style because I have to try absolutely everything. The portions are perfect (if not a little on the large side, but I'm not complaining). The squid ink canestri always ends up being my favorite dish, and I can't get enough of the beef tartare. The chef varies the dishes regularly, so even though you're ordering a favorite, it'll probably have some delicious new twist on it! As this place is on the pricy side, I don't make it out often (can you say poor college student?), but when I do, I am never disappointed. The staff is always friendly (and usually quite funny), the atmosphere is very trendy but classic, but what really keeps me coming back is the sheer deliciousness of the food. I'm serious. This place is delicious. Oh! And you have to get the sourdough bread! Have to!
(5)Andrew Q.
In search of extremely tasty food? Look no further than R and D. Been here multiple times and always leave extremely satisfied and looking forward to a return visit. There is no point describing any specific dishes because there are no incorrect decisions on the menu.
(5)Andrea E.
Amazing! The food here is so good. This place has the kind of food you still dream about months later. I was passing through Nashville and Rolf and daughters was recommended for my boyfriend and I to go to. The menu is one where if you're like me you really have no idea what it says. It just doesn't matter. Order anything, it's probably all delicious. We had beet salad to start and I had a pasta dish with lamb for the main. Absolutely incredible. The chicken was also delicious. The service was excellent. I did have trouble getting ahold of the restaurant to make a reservation however it worked out because they accept walk-ins. The wine was also delicious especially paired with the food. So so good. Totally recommend this place.
(5)Alexandra F.
Drinks are awesome here. I had the one with bourbon. I'd never had bourbon before, but wow! Very good! Rustic, nice design inside. Note to self: when the server says the meal you are about to order is light and you're so very hungry, don't get it. Have some seaweed butter and bread to start. It's good I promise. Don't order the scallops unless you have negative stomach space. They were good, but I didn't feel like I had eaten anything. I definitely want to go back here. And try a real meal. And order and different drink!
(4)Alan L.
Awesome awesome meal at Rolf and Daughters. My party of 3 went without a reservation on Friday night. We were quoted a 45 minute wait, got a drink at the bar, and before we knew it, our table was ready (wait was definitely closer to 20 minutes - when does that after happen?) Everything we ordered was excellent. Here's the run down, in descending order of deliciousness... Squid ink bucatini - huge chunks of octopus + breadcrumbs making the texture great made this an awesome dish. I have a pretty high standard for Italian living near the West Village in NYC and this was about as good as anything I've had. Chitarra - see note above about being about as good as anything I've had. Dessert - we had the blueberries dessert. I'm usually more of a chocolate guy, but this was insanely good. Ruby red shrimp - delicious shrimp in a buttermilk dressing. Only complaint - needed more of it. Beef tartare - good portion size, really yummy. Eggplant crostini - very tasty, but nothing too special. Short rib - only thing we ordered that we were 'eh' about. I prefer the braised, stringy short rib to this, which was more the style of a sliced NY strip steak. Cocktails were also excellent. Waiters and bartenders were super friendly and knowledgeable about the drinks and all of the menu items. Don't hesitate to check this place out!!
(5)Jessi S.
All new favorite spot in Nashville! No idea why it took us so long to come here since we live just a block away, perfect distance to stumble home from after one too many Manhattans (using Copper & Kings premium craft American Brandy!) Now on to the food...we ordered the beets, beef tartare, & broccoli. Everything was ridiculously amazing & I cannot wait to return.
(5)Jesse W.
Favorite restaurant in Nashville. Very chill inside, good drinks, awesome italian dishes that you won't usually have at other restaurants like squid ink and stuff like that. If you take your date here and they haven't been before, you'll probably get laid.
(5)Mary T.
We strolled over to Rolf & Daughters after our Corsair tour to grab some dinner. I thought Google maps had let me down because it's off of a main street where you'd least expect to see a restaurant. Upon arriving, we were quoted a 30-45 minute wait, but were encouraged to head over to the bar for drinks. Our timing was spot on almost our entire trip; just as the bartender finished preparing our first round of drinks, two seats opened up. And just as quickly, tables opened up for us inside and out. We would've taken either, but the bartenders were so fantastic that we decided to remain there. The menu is a touch confusing. It's divided into two sections, but would be better as three (how it used to be, we're told). In the top, non-pasta section, dishes are either small plates or larger, shared plates - you can tell the difference by the price jump. The bottom section is a small selection of pasta dishes that one would consider mains. Our bartender guided us through the menu and helped us think about what would make sense, portion-wise. To share, we ordered the brook trout. The dish made up of trout, cucumber, dill, nasturtium, and greens. Delicate and fresh, we loved it. Separately, we each ordered a pasta dish - his with meat, mine without. The portions are restrained; that's not to say they are stingy, but unlikely you'll go home with a doggie bag. A huge fan of pasta, this wasn't my favorite homemade pasta, but it was damn good. To drink, we each had two drinks. He a Border Town, a mezcal drink, and a whiskey drink - a Spike and Sponge (?). I ordered a Montaña Verde, a tequila-based drink, and the rum-based Above the Sails. Sitting at the bar we not only received impeccable service, but also observed how carefully they craft each drink. I can't speak for his drinks, but both of mine were great. Of the two, the Montaña Verde's spicy finish made it my favorite. Overall, this was an excellent meal. If I lived in Nashville, this would be one of my go-to spots for a higher-end, yet unpretentious meal.
(5)Luke Y.
I loved my meal at Rolf and Daughters, but the one catastrophic low point brought down the whole experience. We made reservations and came by early for drinks, which were delectable. The pastas (we had garganelli with pork and veggie carbonara) were fantastic. The atmosphere was classy, fitting for a date but relaxed enough to go not just as a special occasion. However, their gluten free pasta is a total fiasco. One of my party has Celiac Disease, and the only reason we could come in the first place was they make their own gluten free pasta. What a treat! However, when it came, she found pieces of regular pasta in her dish. They made her another dish, but it was pretty clear there was a massive contamination issue going on in the kitchen. The waiter wasn't concerned one bit, didn't offer to take it off the check or just get her another drink or anything, just oh we can make you another one. After the meal we met a Nashville native that has Celiac and she told us she never would go there and confirmed what we suspected: they just cook the gluten free pasta in the same pots and starchy gluten water as the regular pasta. What is the point of making your own if you're just going to mix it in and make it poisonous garbage? This is just like the Van Halen no brown M&M's rider: if they are that blind to this part of their menu, it throws their professional attention as a whole in question. Despite how great my individual experience was, I can't recommend going there.
(2)Lesley K.
5 stars for great food. Cool ambiance. Nice server. Overall a great experience so I recommend going here. Thanks to the yelpers we were able to order the best of everything in my opinion. Check out my bill for the complete list. My group shared everything. The server gave us separate plates. New plates for apetizers and another new set for main course. My favorite was the pork heritage and sourdough bread with seaweed butter. Warning though that the portions are small. like what the server suggested: one apetizer to share for two. One entree each and one pasta to share for two. We should had ordered one or two more dishes but we decided to splurge on the dessert. We tried the devil's food cake - it has whipped coffee and cream and chunks of chocoate cake sprinkled with powedered sugar. I didn't care much about the other desert we got - strawberry something. Don't forget to order drinks. I like a bit of bitter on sweet so I goy Wake up saints - first drink on the list. All drinks I think are made with fresh fruits. I'm only visiting nashville. If I do come back, I'm definitely going back here. Do reserve in advance as its a small place.
(5)Bill M.
We were there for cocktails. They were Amazing. I had the TBD. Wifley had the cocktail of the day. Well crafted by the bartender.
(5)Jen D.
After hearing from separate friends about how amazing R&D is, and hearing about some of their accolades, I had to try it while in Nashville for work for the weekend. I had a fine meal, but was a little disappointed. We did not have a reservation, but found a seat at the bar and decided just to stay there instead of wait for a table. High points... - Bartenders - Friendly, great servers who are somehow very fast while putting big time effort into the drinks - Pork Ragout - Favorite dish of the night, perfection. - Bombaloni dessert - super sweet pillows from heaven filled with custard, rolled in sugar, with a chocolate sauce. Doesn't get better than this. So glad I'm not diabetic :) - Atmosphere - feels like a farm to table restaurant in any major city- buzzing, energetic - Cocktails Not as high points... - Squid Ink pasta - was fine, do not understand the hype - Squash side - Really puzzling. Squash two ways - burnt (literally, not browned, but charred) and shaved raw (or close to raw. Sauce didn't do much for the dish either. - Meatballs - Average meatballs Enjoyed local meals at Etch, M. Restaurant and The Southern more. I was expecting Girl & the Goat quality of food, and while it was a good meal - it fell short of the hype. If you are visiting and have just 2 nights - I would try somewhere else. I'm bummed I didn't make it to Husk. If you have 3-4 nights, it's worth checking out.
(3)Valerie B.
My favourite place to eat while visiting Nashville! The pigs' head with roasted peaches were to die for. And who knew I would love chicken liver pate! It was the green tomato marmalade and cocoa that made it. Of the mains we tried the squid ink pasta was the best, spicy and flavourful. The pork ragout in the garganelli pasta was a bit salty (pasta rocked though). And the brook trout was succulent (not a fan of dill though - my preference though, trout could be paired with something more innovative). Service was friendly and we loved the chilled out hipster atmosphere.
(5)Lauren W.
I feel like a terrible food blogger. Rolf and Daughters had been on my must-go list for what felt like an eternity but I just finally made my way around to it last week. This is totally 100% my fault due to poor planning and begging for last minute reservations. But my last minute perseverance finally paid off last week with a table for two at a reasonable dinner hour! Located in Germantown, Rolf and Daughters is charming and beautiful. They have a romantic outside patio lit by fairy string lights. Inside, it's dark and filled with lovely handcrafted wood pieces. The ceiling was even covered in wood planks. For a small place, they do seem to be able to fit a good amount of diners at once. I did think that the noise level was a bit loud, so it might not be a great place to take your parents (if they're the type who love to complain about noise) or someone who is hard of hearing. Of course we started off with cocktails! I chose the colony collapse which consisted of bourbon, honey liquor, and spiced cherry bitters. This was a stiff drink, just the way I like it. I love a cocktail that doesn't mask the alcoholic nature of the beverage, but enhances it. Steve chose the Spiker and Sponge which was rye, peach shrub, IPA beer, honey, lemon and bitters. To both of us, this drink was just a tad too tart and bitter for our palettes. For our appetizer I picked the chicken liver pate with green tomato jam and cacao. There are few things I love more than bird livers, so I always pick the pate if it's offered. This dish was absolutely perfect; I couldn't get over how much I loved it! Jewish mamas everywhere might weep, because this isn't your traditional chicken liver. The green tomato jam was really sweet and nicely balanced out the inherent bitterness of the cocoa. I know the idea of chocolate and liver sounds gross, but trust me, this dish is spot-on. Their menu is designed around sharing. There are pasta, entree, and side options that are served in large bowls with proportions for two. Steve and I decided to order one pasta, one protein, and one side and make a meal of it. For the pasta I picked the squid ink canestri made with shrimp, squid, pancetta and chili. It had been a long while since I saw squid ink pasta on the menu so I jumped at the chance. The pasta was al dente and the squid ink added a delicate salt flavor. The seafood added another layer of fish flavor which made this dish utterly amazing. I would be hard pressed to go back to Rolf and Daughters and not order this again! For our protein we went with the trout with heirloom beans and cucumber. The fish itself was tender and not the tiniest bit overcooked, but it was a tad too salty for my palette. And I know I must be sensitive to salt, because Steve thought the salt content was perfect. My favorite part had to be the pickled cucumbers that were hiding under the trout, adding a bright fresh flavor to complement the fish. For the side we chose fingerling potatoes with chili mayo. The potatoes were the cutest! Little bite size morsels with a crispy skin. But honestly, it was the chili mayo that made this dish. It added a layer of subtle spice and creaminess that coated the potatoes and left you craving more. I have a sweet tooth and when it came time to choose a dessert, I couldn't, so we opted for two. Since Steve had never had one, we went with the bomboloni with vanilla cream and a side of chocolate sauce for dipping. They came out nice and hot and the dark chocolate sauce wasn't overly sweet like many tend to be. For our second dessert we chose the Olive and Sinclair chocolate tart with caramel and bourbon barrel nibs. While I didn't recognize the nibs, the tart was dark, rich and lovely. My favorite part was the sprinkling of rock salt on top adding that salty crunch that accompanies dark chocolate so well. I totally get the hype; Rolf and Daughters is a positively wonderful restaurant pumping out creative and solid food in a lovely romantic location. I doubt anyone would be disappointed with a dinner there. Just make your reservation in advance so you don't get caught in the lurch like me!
(5)David G.
Boom goes the dynamite! Fantastic. Magnifico. Awesome. Incredible. Splendiferous. Mother F@$%ing Delicious. Perfect. I cannot think of a thing that Rolf & Daughters does wrong. Not. One. Thing. The ambiance is perfect: there's reclaimed wood everywhere (beautiful), the ceiling is even incredibly done with wood. There are communal tables and individual tables (reservations basically required to even eat here, and definitely required to get a table alone). The lighting level is perfect: not too dark, not too bright. The service is impeccable. Servers who know what they are talking about in terms of food accompaniments, the knowledge of the liquid libation, and the knowledge of food allergies (Hello, fellow gluten free fellows and gals!) And, they are punctual. And your servers aren't pretentious because they're in an awesome restaurant and trendy section of town. (Holland House, please take note. Suggest that your servers do internships at Rolf & Daughters to learn "how not to be an overly pretentious hipster server... you can still be a hipster and not a douche, Holland House servers...) I've digressed. Apologies. The food is the kicker in your pantalones. It is unforgettable. You'll dream of it... in a dirty (as in sexy dirty) dreamie kind of way. All of the pastas are outrageously good. I kid you not that once I went with two colleagues and we just ordered all 5 pastas and shared. I don't think I have had a better experience with pasta. And, for the glutard (that's a person who needs gluten free) in your life, they also can make their pasta dishes using gluten free pasta. Make your reservation, arrive an hour early to drink their luxurious libation creations, and then enjoy your dinner and maybe some dessert. Make an evening of Rolf & Daughters. You won't be sorry.
(5)Meredith P.
I recently tried Rolf & Daughters with my husband one night for dinner. The atmosphere is very warm and inviting. There's a bar area (where most people sat when we first got there which was not long after opening for dinner), they have a few longer tables in the middle of the room and then tables for two along the wall. The tables for two were a little closer together than I'm used to, but not uncomfortable. Our waitress was absolutely wonderful! She was really helpful with menu items (explaining the different plate sizes and answering any questions we had since this was our first time eating here). She also made great recommendations for wine based on what we told her our preferences were. The food was good, but there are some more unique items. I started with the winter vegetables that had an almond milk Caesar dressing. I liked most of the veggies but there was a combination of raw vegetables, some that I think had been slightly cooked and then there were some that had been pickled. Not my favorite. My husband had the beets which he said were delicious. For entrees we had the pastured chicken (which was amazing...and huge, like half a chicken huge!) and the octopus (this is more of small/appetizer plate). Overall we really enjoyed this place but will probably save it for special occasions
(4)K L.
Had one of the best meals at RAD. Had high expectations and wasn't disappointed. We started with Fall Lettuce and Stratacella with beets small plates. Both delicious. Crispy quinoa special touch to the lettuce. Followed with Brook trout entree and the tortellini pasta entree. Trout was perfectly cooked without a game fish taste. Enhanced by the broth below which was so good I could have eaten s bowl of it by itself. Lapped it all up with my spoon! Tortellini was delicious with chestnut flavor. Wish there were two more on the plate tho. Portions not generous but enough to satiate. Our server was proficient, and truly patient to answer all our questions. Didn't rush us. Yet food all came out promptly hot and fresh. If you haven't eaten here, you better!
(5)Katie L.
I couldn't be happier with my first experience last night at Rolf and Daughters. We walked in without a reservation at 7 p.m. on a Friday (there's street parking) and were seated right away. As a starter, we had the crostini with broccoli, pecorino and pistachio. The crust crunched, and the middle stayed firm enough to hold the toppings. For drinks, my husband had the R.A.D. Old Fashioned -- orange-fragrant and smooth, no alcohol hitting the back of the throat and up into the sinuses -- and I had a glass of red recommended by the server -- I usually drink Spanish wine, and Rolf and Daughters' reds are Italian and French. I asked for a full-bodied, spicy red, and his recommendation was perfect. We sat at the long shared table at the restaurant's heart, and I overheard my neighbor saying how pleased she was by the server's recommendation of her wine, too. Our entrees were unique from one another and perfectly fit for both of us: My husband's rigatoni (beef shank, tomato and bone marrow) was rich without being decadent, homey without being a peasant's dish. It ate like your mother's chicken pot pie, and hit the right familiar spot without being too filling. I had the squid ink chitarra (blue crab, lemon and old bay crumbs), and it's the first lemon pasta I've had that isn't the same old routine of lemon, olive oil and parsley. The lemon made the dish, which was seasoned perfectly. My only criticism is that the crunch of crumbs called to mind pieces of shell, and every few bites tasted like some shell had snuck in. We split the zeppole for dessert (hazelnut milk jam, raw hazelnuts and Olive + Sinclair chocolate) and could have licked the plate. I had an after-dinner drink whose name I can't recall, but it had rum, meletti and egg foam. At $12, it was a bit small, but so delicious I could have had a tumbler of it. Our total before tip was $99, which is more than we'd planned to spend on a spur-of-the-moment meal, but so wowed were we by the food, service and atmosphere that we didn't bat an eyelash.
(5)Denise S.
This place is crazy fantastic! My fiancé and I found the reviews on yelp and had to give it a try! From start to finish every bite was a mouth full of joy. My only regret is that this restaurant is not closer to my home town. I have to say this was a highlight during our weekend in Nashville for the CMA music fest. Oh and even if you didn't save room for dessert you have to have it!!
(5)Kristen C.
My partner and I secured a Sunday night res super last minute on our first trip to Nashville. It was our first supper in the city and we've been daydreaming of going back since. First off, service was great. Very friendly and very knowledgeable, but best of all attentive! Miraculously my wine and water glasses were always being refilled right before the last two sips were about to go down. Second, the food is no joke. We started with the broccoli crostini, a classic done just right, and the beef tartare, which rivaled the tartares we've had in Paris. The octopus was cooked perfectly. The purée that went along aside it was a match made in heaven. We also got something along the lines of a sweet potato ravioli and they were described to us as 'little clouds' pre-placing our order. How silly, but they were really just that! So light! And of course, we can't stop talking about our dessert...a lime curd with caramel mousse, ginger droplets topped with popcorn. Are you kidding me? Who invented this? Trademark it now before I start attempting to make this back home in NYC. Atmosphere was wonderful. Hostess that greeted us was even sweet and memorable. May have been our favorite meal of all time. Thank you R&D!! Will be returning very soon.
(5)Megan S.
Assumptions. They say that when you assume, you make an ass of u and me. I went to Rolf and Daughters with a few assumptions. I was visiting a friend in Nashville for a few days and wanted to take her out for a nice dinner to show my appreciation for her hospitality. We chose Rolf and Daughters because we heard that they had recently started making their own gluten free pasta from scratch. As a sufferer of Celiac Disease, that's a pretty exciting idea. We arrived a bit early for our reservation and the restaurant was full. We got some lovely drinks at the bar and brought them outside to the front patio to enjoy the nice weather. Once our table was ready, we eagerly sat down and perused the menu. When I asked our server about the gluten free options, he mentioned the gluten free pasta right away. Of course, that's what I ordered - subbing in the gluten free pasta for the squid ink canestri dish. When the food came - we all dug in. Everyone was DELIGHTED with how delicious their food was. Delighted, that is, until I found a piece of regular, glutenous spaghetti in my gluten free pasta. I alerted the waiter immediately, unsure how this could have happened. He brought it back to the kitchen and asked them to make another bowl for me. He never apologized and instead made excuses about how they don't have a gluten free kitchen. (Which of course they don't have a gluten free kitchen! They serve regular pasta! But how did the gluten free and regular pasta make their way into the same bowl?) Another bowl of pasta made it's way to our table eventually and I ate it cautiously, still confused as to how the glutenous pasta made it's way into my bowl in the first place. SPOILER ALERT: It turns out that a kitchen that makes their own gluten free pasta from scratch COOKS IT IN THE SAME POT AS REGULAR PASTA. I found this out later that night when speaking to another Celiac who lives in Nashville. I get it - I made an assumption (that gluten free pasta would be cooked in a separate pot and reasonable methods would be employed to prevent cross contamination). This assumption was based on the idea that a restaurant that goes to the trouble to make a gluten free pasta from scratch would understand the very basic idea of cross-contamination. This assumption was very wrong. In the end, I can't recommend Rolf and Daughters for anyone who needs to eat gluten free. Except maybe for a cocktail.
(2)Chris B.
Overall: my Nashville favorite. I've been here about 6 times. Food: excellent and original. This restaurant breaks into the next level fine dining. The dishes are flavorful and interesting. Menu favorites: moving target here as their menu will change - Squid ink pasta: homemade pasta. - Chicken: I never order chicken at restaurants but on a friends recommendation tried the chicken. Excellent. It's one of my main course favorites. Savory - Sourdough bread: it's just bread but with really tasty seaweed butter. Service: seems like we get the same waitress every time we go. She is efficient and pleasant. On our 3rd visit, she recognized us and greeted us. Wait staff seem knowledgeable about the menu. Atmosphere: tough to get reservations but worth it. Mostly inside dining although we did sit on the patio on a nice day. Intimate setting if needed but we have also done a four-top. It's busy but not so loud that you cannot converse. They do have communities tables available but I have not done it.
(5)l k.
The first time here was amazing...one of my favorite dinners ever so I was super excited to come back. My second visit wasn't the best unfortunately... For one I don't recommend sitting outside in their patio area...there was a nasty, noxious odor of sewer gas that kept wafting in depending on the way the wind was blowing. Talk about ruining your appetite! Besides that I just don't feel like we got a lot of food for our money...to spend over $100 you should leave feeling satisfied but we both looked at each other and suggested going somewhere else for a "bang-bang" because we were still hungry!
(4)Katherine H.
One of the best meals I've had in a long time. Cocktails, beef tartare, and pasta were all killer...inventive with a perfect balance of flavors. I woke up wanting a to eat another bowl of the squid ink bucatini for breakfast. We sat at the bar and received outstanding service and great recommendations from the bartender. Will be back!
(5)Kenny K.
Unbelievable! One of the best restaurants I've ever been to. They use all local ingredients, so the menu changes seasonly depending upon what they can get from Nashville farmers. Overall great experience. Will definitely be back.
(5)Charline H.
Farm-to-table concept with a hipster waitstaff and mixologist whipping up your cocktail in a very industrial looking setting... and we're here for pasta?! This chef was put on this earth to make pasta. I personally never order pasta while dinning out bc I feel like I can just make something very similar at home. NOT the case a RAD! I have never eaten a bowl of pasta so slowly. YUM. I'm not sure I would recommend taking just anyone here. Picky eaters my not have the adventurous ambition to dive into this type of cuisine. We tried to step out of our comfort zone and just order off of our waiter's recommendations. After a few questions, she narrowed down the selections and we went for it. No complaints and we enjoyed every bite. Tip: sit outside if it's available. great ambiance. Highlight Pasta: Bucatini fra diavolo, octopus, rad lardo, calabrian chili [$18]
(4)Heather J.
Don't you hate it when you're so looking forward to trying something and then it doesn't live up to the hype? Well, fret not, my friend. You won't have that problem here. My friends and I were planning a trip to Nashville and I read about Rolf and Daughters in Bon Appetit Magazine. I called a month in advance to reserve a table for us, and even that far ahead of time, they barely had any space left. We got an 8:45 pm reservation on a Friday night and it was still packed when we got there. Even though the space was really full, we didn't feel cramped and it wasn't too loud. The decor is lovely - it feels very cozy and comfortable. I love the vibe at this place - upscale but not pretentious. We started with a bottle of rose, a shaved brussels sprout salad, a turnip dish, and the chicken liver pate. All three appetizers were excellent. I was surprised to discover how much I loved the pate. My other favorite was the brussels sprout salad. For our entrees, we got the garganelli with pork ragout, farro gemelli with mushrooms and greens, and the spaghetti fra diavolo with octopus. Everything was delicious. The pasta is homemade and definitely the best homemade pasta I've ever had. It wasn't all mushy, as some homemade pasta can be. The fra diavolo was definitely spicy and the octopus was perfectly cooked - tender, not chewy. For dessert we shared a chocolate tart and little Italian creme-filled donuts. Again, everything was superb. The whole experience at Rolf and Daughters was top notch, from the service, to the atmosphere, to the food. I would be a regular here if I lived in Nashville!
(5)Tony C.
I was in Nashville on business and looked at several menus. I would suggest making reservations if possible because I saw the restaurant fill up as we started our meal. We usually sit at the bar and were not disappointed with our experience. I will be returning when in Nashville and hope the weather is nice so we can sit out on the patio.
(5)Betsy L.
I will preface this with: I only came here for drinks and an appetizer...so this is not a review on the wait staff or the entrees. I walked into Rolf and Daughters, and was pleasantly greeted by the hostess! I was only here to sit at the bar and try something new for my birthday...and lo and behold there was exactly one bar seat open! Fate was kind. I squeezed on into the seat and was happy to find purse hooks underneath the bar - hallelujah for that, amiright ladies?! It was pretty busy behind the bar, but the bartender quickly greeted me, supplied me with a water glass and a food and drink menu. He was pleasant and helpful, and did not at all rush me (even though he had a lot going on). I told him what I was looking for, he suggested a drink, and was spot on! It was so delicious. I then ordered the Green Wheat small plate, followed by an Old Fashioned. I was really pleased with my whole experience, and will definitely go back with a friend or two.
(4)David G.
When traveling with staff, the dining rules are simple. I pick the restaurant and order for the table. Their rules. Not mine. Two weeks after our visit to RAD and the noise around the halls is still about this place being their best meal (traveling or not) in recent memory. I must agree. It was just that good. From beginning to end. Not one plate was anything but an A+. The heirlooms with cultured cream got re-ordered as an additional dessert item, it was so stunning. The pastas brought enough moaning to draw attention from nearby tables. Clever cocktails brought it all together. Our only lament was that there were only 6 of us. Otherwise, we would have ordered the entire menu. I'd give it six stars, if I could.
(5)Karyn A.
Dined outside on the patio tonight. What a nice breeze to enjoy our cocktails and dinner by. Pasta dishes were superb as well as the chicken. Corn and pea appetizer was just amazing!! Shared two desserts. Blueberry something and fresh peach something else- both fabulous!! Highly recommend Rolf and Daughters in Nashville!
(5)Lizzy Z.
I highly recommend Rolf and Daughters for special occasions, or the perfect date night. The menu changes with each season, but I have no complaints on anything I have tried! The Squid Ink Cannestri is a MUST. The staff is always professional and willing to explain any part of the menu. The first time I dined at Rolf and Daughters, I had no idea what I wanted, and our server was patient with me and went over every detail. The atmosphere tops this beautiful little gem.
(5)John A.
Came here with extremely high expectations, but left a bit disappointed. Service was great, ambience and setting were great, dessert was phenomenal. However, both our pasta dishes were underwhelming. I was expecting their pasta to be fantastic, but both dishes we had were just decent. Maybe my expectations were too high, but this certainly isn't anywhere on my list of favorite restaurants in Nashville.
(3)Nicole L.
One of the best restaurants I've ever eaten at. The cocktails are hand crafted and well balanced. The food was amazing. We had several things off the menu and each one was delicious. Normally I can't stand chicken liver and I even liked theirs! Scott and Tracy were awesome as well! We can't wait to go back!
(5)Caitlyn S.
I loved the 401K - it was a perfect cocktail for a warm day! The bartender was very patient with the questions we had and took the time to explain the drinks to us. He never made us feel like we were annoying him.
(5)Jennifer M.
No joke. The best meal I've ever had in my life. My husband and I were in Nashville for New Years Eve and we were left speechless (hard to do!). Would recommend this place to anyone. The restaurant look/feel is awesome, service is impeccable and the food is out of this world. Definitely go there if you can get a reservation! We had: -Beef Tartare -Broccoli crostini -Squid ink pasta (AMAZING!) -Cod (this was a special) -Donuts All reasonably priced and we were very full after! So worth it.
(5)Zeb M.
I enjoyed my dinner at Rolf and Daughter, but I don't know if I'd come back simply because there are always SO many restaurants to try in Nashville and there wasn't anything particularly outstanding to keep me coming back. Now wait a minute, don't get confused. Rolf and Daughter certainly lives up to four stars - I had some delicious lamb meatballs and an outstanding side of Brussels sprouts, apples, hazelnut, and pecorino; and my friend swore by her chicken as being some of the best and juiciest she's ever had. But... I guess I'm just old fashioned and don't believe in spending $21 to have a plate of chicken come out with nothing else with it. So yes, it does get pricey when you order an entree and side (or ordered a starter as a side like I did). However, I can't help but compare it to other fantastic restaurants with comparable prices and more amazing dishes. That said, I definitely would recommend Rolf and Daughters to anyone new. I don't eat pasta, but I hear it's the highlight of the menu and most affordable. Also, I think what I may have loved most was the atmosphere. I absolutely loved the ambiance and our server Chase was the friendliest and most personable people I've ever met in the food industry! Ask for her whenever you go!!
(4)Ricky G.
My wife and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary by going to R.A.D. for the first time. This was the right decision. We shared 3 small dishes and 2 pasta dishes; every single bite was fantastic. I have read other reviews and there are a few dishes that every one talks about--squid ink pasta, Verde garganelli, beef tartare. They are correct; all were very amazing. We tried two other dishes that don't get nearly as much praise. First was the Crostini with broccoli, pecorino, and pistachio. This was served on one large piece of bread that had been toasted and covered with broccoli and pecorino cheese; the flavors were outstanding. The last dish we had (which actually was the first bite I had last night) was Spinach cassoncini with coppa and sarvecchio. This dish was served as 5 bite-sized pieces and was very small. The flavor however was unbelievable. I would rename this dish "Tiny pocket of exploding flavor." I was able to avoid ruining our anniversary dinner by offering a little extra beef tartare to my wife so that I could have the last "flavor bomb." Rolf and Daughters, thank you for a fantastic evening with some unforgettable food. We will return.
(5)Brian N.
Incredible food and a great atmosphere! Went with 5 coworkers - we ordered 5 small plates, 5 large plates (3 pastas and 2 entrees) and 3 deserts. I'd definitely recommend this style of ordering - the plates were a bit on the small side, but every dish was perfection. At the end of the meal, everyone had enough to eat and enjoyed the variety in the dishes. Would absolutely go again.
(5)Ashley B.
My boyfriend visited Nashville for the first time and our AirBnb host suggested this spot above all others, now I know why. The place itself was very cute and cozy and the outdoor seating was nice. The cocktails were amazing, the tartare was delicious, but the pasta was the best. I would definitely come back here.
(5)Brittany M.
favorite restaurant I've ever eaten at. sourdough and seaweed butter. yesss. chicken. A+ all the pastas are insane. if they have the doughnuts will you're there, make sure you order them for dessert.
(5)Jennie L.
Pushing to 5 for the experience overall. As one of the top 5 new restaurants in the US, it lives up to the hype. Started off with the beef tartare and immediately knew it was going to be a great meal! Citrus laced and great soaked crostini. Self proclaimed pasta snob - I expect pastas to be something I could never make on my own - these fit the bill. Squid ink canestri with crab and the bucatini fra diavolo with octopus were amazing. Octopus cooked perfectly. We also had the side of mushrooms and they were the perfect texture. Recommended wine was also great with the meal. And deep fried, cream filled donuts coated in sugar with chocolate sauce - yum! Great food, great service, great trendy atmosphere. (and the old school gangsta rap just loud enough to hear also won us over in a big way!) Definitely a must try!
(5)Carla R.
I had just read that Bon Appetit made this the number 3 restaurant in the US....so we had to try it out on our date night. The place has a hipster vibe and the staff was very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and cocktails. When looking at the menu nothing really jumped out at me so I asked the server what she suggested. She suggested a certain pasta dish and the chicken dish. We tried both. I got the Garganelli verde, heritage pork ragout parmesano. It was delicious!!! It kind of looks like green bean stew:). My husband got the Heritage chicken and it was pretty good, but we both agree that my dish was better. The portions are a good size, not huge, but filling. The thing we did not like is that no sides came with the entrees. You have to buy separate and there isn't much of a side selection. We added the Brussels sprouts appetizer and it had a strong but good lemon flavor. We also had 2 drinks: Pinot Noir and my husband got the RAD Old Fashione. He said it had a strong lemon and maple smoke flavor. He said it was different. We had a great experience and would recommend.
(4)G W.
One of the best meals I have ever eaten. I had the sweet potato agnolotti and my friend had the nettle tagliatelle. Both had the most wonderful combination of tastes. Service was wonderful and the wine suggestion was spot on. This is my new favorite restaurant.
(5)Anthony W.
The experience I had at Rolf & Daughters is exactly the experience I want when I dine out. The service was attentive but not overbearing. The servers carefully explained the daily specials and menu items I inquired about. The cocktails were fantastic. The ambiance was upscale casual and inviting. The soundtrack, 90's hip hop, was on point. The beef tartare with mussels was one of the best versions of the dish I've had. The squid ink pasta left me wanting more. Probably one of the best meals I've had from start to finish.
(5)Tracy B.
Phenomenal meal. Unusual ingredients that were put together for a *reason* (i.e., they made the taste explode in your mouth), not because they were trendy or eye-catching or whatever. Server made a great wine suggestion that complemented the food perfectly. The farro gemelli with mushrooms and greens was fantastic. The only thing I would change was the thumping bass of the music (no music could be heard, just the bass). It didn't add anything to the atmosphere and was annoying.
(5)Morgan M.
I heard about R.A.D (Rolf and Daughters) on my first trip out to Nashville but was unable to make it, so I made it a point to get there my second time around. The restaurant is located in a part of town that I would guess is "up and coming". Industrial-chic.... you know, where wood, metal and exposed brick dance together to create a "not trying to be cool", but IS very cool look. Some may call it hipster, some may say hippie.... I could really care less because the ambiance was warm and inviting, the staff was friendly, knowledgeable and (the one you don't usually expect--PASSIONATE!) about the experience they are about to give you. DRINKS FIRST: I'm a sucker for a good craft bartender who knows how to craft the perfect cocktail. I had the RAD Old Fashioned (what can I say?, I heart Whiskey/Bourbon).... and it was done perfectly. My go-to booze recommendation; mix it up. Start with a cocktail, then move to a glass of red -- experience the best of both worlds and attain the perfect buzz. FOODIE: My colleague and I shared everything; being the foodies we "claim" to be.... we didn't want to miss a thing. We started with the special charcuterie board; complete with Chicken Paté, Country Ham, and Head Cheese (which I sadly had to pass on bc of a stupid bet I am enduring in which I have to give up my beloved cheese for 140 days----yes, i know, kill me now!) The paté and country ham had SOOOO much going on; not only was the flavor amazing, but I found myself inhaling deeply before each bite bc it. smelled. so. freakin. amazing. We each ordered a pasta entree; I ordered the squid ink pasta and he the pork ragu. Well, let me tell you... I thought I was the clear winner, with squid ink shell pasta, crab, lemon butter sauce and.... (wait for it).....serrano chilis!! But no, no, no dear friends.... the "boring", "generic", "simple" Pork Ragu STOLE THE SHOW! Such a fantastic combination of flavors. I couldn't even tell you what was in that dish, but after one bite, I was ready to kick my colleague umder the table and run away with his dish. De-lish. KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Rumor has it that it is difficult to get reservations, (I would guess the restaurant seats about 40 +/-)...so we expected to play bar stool musical chairs until we were able to snag two chairs together and eat at the bar.... but we walked in around 8:30pm on a Thursday night and were seated right away. SUM IT UP: Two craft cocktails, a special starter, four glasses of wine and two entrees came out to $133. All of our pocketbooks are different, but seriously: Just do it. The service, the ambiance, the beverages and above all.....THE FOOD, is NOT something to be missed.
(5)Drew M.
My favorite restaurant in the city, and I don't even think its close. First of all the space is really cool. Patio is great when weather permits, too. All I ever get here is pasta: The Squid Ink Canestri. Its such a unique dish with flavors that I could in no way replicate them at home. Its got this rich earthy flavor, and a nice brightness from the lemon too. Its a perfect dish. We always get the Pate too, and its equally awesome. The Gargenelli pasta with the pork ragout is another standout. You pretty much can't go wrong with any pasta here. Cocktails are nicely balanced and are booze forward, just how I like them.
(5)Jackson B.
We had heard a lot of hype about Rolf and Daughters and decided to try it out one Saturday night without a reservation. This is the kind of place worth waiting an hour and a half- 2hrs for. Amazing dining experience. Drinks: Cool selections of cocktails and beers. The montaña verde (tequila, cilantro, jalapeño) was incredible. Food: Everything we had was great, but a couple things were truly exceptional. For small plates, we loved the carrots with fennel and the heirloom tomatoes. We shared four entrees--the steak and sausage, the chicken, the bucatini, and the garganelli verde. Both the chicken and the garganelli verde were some of the best dishes I've ever had. I never order chicken at restaurants--it usually seems plain/boring, but you can't miss the chicken at Rolf and Daughters. The house-made pasta was amazing too. Dessert: We got the bomboloni and pana cotta which were both great--ended up getting a second order of bomboloni. Overall: Expensive restaurant, but worth the price and the difficulty of getting a table. Great service and ambiance, along with creative and delicious food.
(5)Jonathan B.
Food was fantastic! The atmosphere was very enjoyable. Very relaxed and inviting. I would HIGHLY recommend a reservation otherwise you'll probably be waiting... awhile. Luckily the bar staff kept us hydrated. I've read some reviews about poor service but our waitress was absolutely amazing. Kudos to her and the wine selection abilities.
(4)christine w.
Went on a recommendation of a friend in Nashville. Sat at the bar for dinner and it's definitely the best place to eat if you are solo or with someone else. It was such a beautiful evening I would have loved to sit outside with a group... Next time! Cocktails are well made and the bartenders are super friendly and knowledgeable. Excited to see they had our good friend's beer from Blackberry Farms! We ordered the ruby red shrimp salad (awesome!), chicken liver crostini (not your grandma's canned chicken liver! This is rich and almost decadent. Only wish the bread wasn't so thick... Would have been better thinner and crispier), spaghetti carbonara (super yum!) and squid ink pasta (spicy and good but preferred the carbonara). Great date night or group dinner outing!
(4)Maya K.
Yummy! I was in Nashville for the first time, and several people recommended Rolf and Daughters to me. Luckily, I was staying close by. Because I was alone, it was great to have full food service at the bar so I could be surrounded by more people than if I'd been at a table by myself. The very friendly bartender recommended the Absinthe Father to me, which was excellent - gingery, strong, and with a nice whiff of absinthe as it went down. I arrived hungry, and easily wolfed down the crostini with broccoli, pecorino, and pistachio, along with the squid ink campanelle. Both meals were light, but filling, and I left feeling full but not weighed down. The strong drink might have helped - definitely felt like I was walking in the clouds. I'll definitely be back next time I'm in Nashville... hopefully with a group so I can try lots of things!
(5)Kurt G.
I am not very cool but when I go to Rolf and Daughters I feel much cooler than I am. The patio is a beautiful space filled with hipsters and little swirling plates of food I can't pronounce. We spent more than we expected to but I guess that's the price of cool.
(5)Kristina L.
My GNO group finally made our way to Rolf & Daughters. We were not disappointed in the least. We started with cocktails (all were fabulous and I personally recommend the Buon Appetito) and noshed on the bread with seaweed butter and the chicken liver pate. The sprinkling of salt that came with the seaweed butter added a wonderful crunch to the dish and livened it up. We needed extra bread to polish it off. But the highlight was the pate. Oh, the pate!! Who knew that a green tomato jam and a dusting of cacao would off-set this enchanting dish? Obviously the chef because I was quite leery of cacao with liver. It worked and delightfully so. There were "oohs" and "ahs" and those weren't just from me but also the self-proclaimed haters of liver that I dined with this past Saturday evening. If I were not in a public venue, I would have stuck my finger in there to get the last of this delectable dish. Next time I think I will order it just for myself and revel in the glory of liver. For our main course, we all opted for a pasta dish. Thankfully, we all wanted something different. Between the four of us we had the garganelli verde with heritage pork ragout and parmesano; the farro gemelli with hen of the woods, cavolo nero and parmesano; the spaghetti fra diavolo with octopus, rad lardo, and calabrian chili; and then the squid ink canestri with shrimp, squid, rad pancetta and chili. As is our norm, we all sampled each other's dish and proclaimed them all ah-may-zing!! None of us were disappointed in our on personal bowl of happiness. I was the one who was fortunate enough to have the squid ink canestri. I would be hard pressed to go there again and not have the pate and that dish. It was sublime and the pasta was like heavenly little puffs of deliciousness. For dessert, we again shared. Our favorite was the bombellini filled with vanilla custard and a side of a warmed chocolate sauce for dipping. They were pure bliss and truly an enchanting end to a memorable night out with friends. Our group enjoyed our evening so much that we are already planning on a return trip. If you haven't been, call now and make a reservation so you too can have a food night to remember.
(5)Duke W.
one of the greatest meals my wife and I have ever eaten.
(5)Karen K.
This is my new go to restaurant in Nashville. All of the house made pasta is fantastic and they have a great wine selection. Go early and go often!
(5)Michel A.
Fabulous meal and excellent service from bartender Ed. We would be regulars, I mean several times a week if we lived in the area. Interesting menu with some unusual ingredients. The chef and kitchen team know what they are doing.
(5)Brian L.
thoroughly impressed - amazing cuisine and an excellent wine selection - cool room too
(5)Alan B.
What an amazing place! We were visiting from out of town and found this place on yelp, and chose it based on the mostly positive reviews. We arrived without a reservation on a Saturday night and were told the wait would be an hour. We went over to the bar for drinks, and, after about 20 minutes, got seats at the bar. The bartenders offered us the choice of eating at the bar instead of waiting for our table. We made the right choice in staying at the bar. There were three bartenders that night, each one of them very friendly, extremely knowledgeable about the menu and the food they served, and really seemed to love the restaurant. I had the two bourbon-based house cocktails which were excellent. For my third drink I asked the bartender to mix up a "bartender's choice" drink which was fantastic as well. For the meal, we picked multiple dishes based on their recommendations and loved each one. The combination of flavors, fresh food, and obvious talent in the kitchen made for a very enjoyable meal. I will definitely be back whenever i return to Nashville.
(5)Samantha B.
After a 3-star dinner and a 4-star dinner, Rolf and Daughters gave us our best dining experience in Nashville on our last night. As far as dining goes, I've decided we're spoiled brats with the food and restaurant quality in Philly. Previous to Rolf and Daughters, restaurant décor was very classic with little decoration and food was decent to good. R&D finally felt like a piece of Philly...exposed brick, natural wood, open bar, really great atmosphere. I would imagine this would be considered a 'hipster' spot in Nashville, but so be it. Our drinks were delicious and all of the food was outstanding. We shared the butternut squash appetizer to start. Honestly, to die for. It was so inventive and we basically licked the plate clean. For our entrees, we split 3 different dishes...squid ink canestri, spaghetti carbonara, and the lamb meatballs. Each dish was more and more delicious. The meatballs were surprising and unique, pasta cooked perfectly, everything had more flavor than the next. We finished the meal with the chocolate tart and were full and pleased that R&D was our last meal in Nashville. Seriously give it a try. Would love this spot in Philly.
(5)Muna M.
This place is amazing for a nice quit date to a fun hangout with friends, the drinks are amazing and the starters are freaking good absolutely recommend this places wouldn't miss it
(5)Scott S.
YUM. I have been here a number of times and it just keeps getting better. Great space and great food. I'm happy to see Germantown bustling after so many years on the decline. You can thank great restaurants like R&D, Mad Hatter Germantown cafe and City House for the turn around.
(5)Fatema B.
Trendy fun atmosphere, both indoors at the marble topped bar and outdoor on the lighted patio! I love the Mediterranean -Italian and Spanish influence on the menu! Drinks( cocktails) are refreshing and the food is flavorful and fresh!
(4)Jacob S.
Dined in early April 2014. Rolf and Daughters feels like a restaurant that has gotten accustomed to its own success that it has totally lost its way. I went there with my girlfriend, who had talked it up. She specifically talked up the bread and seaweed butter appetizer and the chocolate torte for dessert, so we planned on ordering those. Once we were seated, it took 20 minutes for anyone to talk to us. We assumed that we'd been forgotten, but just as we were about to get up, the waitress came over and took our drink order, with no apology for the wait. It then took 15 minutes to get the wine, and she dropped it off quickly and left without asking us about food. We realized then that we would have to get her attention to get anything done, so we did so and ordered the bread and butter. Luckily, that did not take long, but what came out was a average bread with some pretty good butter. It cost $5, but I've definitely gotten better for free. For all of the problems with the rest of the service, the entrees we got were delicious. I got a green pasta dish (none of the words on the menu entry were recognizable) and my girlfriend got the chicken. There are other places you could get similar quality entrees for a few dollars less, but it was very good. We then tried to order the chocolate torte (which had been written up as a signature Nashville dish), but apparently this is no longer an option. All told the meal took about an hour and a half, but could have taken much longer if we were not proactive in getting the attention of the wait staff. Overall: You can get the same quality of food for cheaper and with far better service. Don't fall for the hype.
(2)Maggie W.
Believe the hype! I had some family in from out-of-town and decided to take them to RAD, as I have been hearing great things about it since I moved here. We started with perfectly crafted cocktails, the bread plate with seaweed butter (so so good!), the beef tartar and the tomato apps were all amazing. I got the Brook Trout, also great, My aunt got one of the pasta dishes and it was the best pasta I've ever tried. I'll be sure to get that next time. The service was friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive without the song-and-dance. This truly is As Good As It Gets!
(5)Joe P.
Thank you for staying open late on Sunday. It's my last day in Germantown and spent the day packing the truck and finished at 8:50. Went to another establishment first but was 00:00:01 late and announce on arrival that the kitchen was close while other patrons were still ordering (already knew what I was going to order so could have be quick). Heart was crushed. Headed over here and was seated at the bar since the place was crowded. Great food (see comments below), awesome service (how can I get in on those staff meals?). Thank you for making my last night in Germantown a great memory.
(5)Eliza R.
Eating at Rolf and Daughters was a fantastic dining experience. My friend and I ate here in late September when it was still warm, so we sat on the patio that was strung with big white bulb lights. We ordered a few drinks from the unique cocktail menu (that was apparently developed by one of the same people who helped create the Patterson House menu) and I can't even remember what I had, but it was delicious... The food was on point and I had the roasted chicken, while my friend had some of the fresh house-made pasta that Rolf and Daughters is known for. We also split an order of freshly baked bread with seaweed butter and salt. To die for, all of it. I can't wait to go back. I highly recommend this restaurant for a classier atmosphere that isn't too fine dining-esque. By the way, our server was great... She was really friendly, cool, laid back, and knowledgeable about everything on the menu.
(4)Sunna L.
We dine here on a regular basis, but I never take the time to write about our experiences. I don't want to be one of those that only writes about bad experiences so I want to share Sunday night's dinner. Garganelli has always been my favorite dish. This never disappoints. Sunday night, the seasoning, texture of the pasta, everything was fresh and perfect. The most surprising event of the evening were the salad and the appetizer. Heirloom turnip salad. Three different root vegetables in white and pink colors on top of chive and radish stock puree. Beautiful and flavorful topped with bottarga. Creative, inventive, amazing flavor and excellent execution. The appetizer was called the Pig's head. The name may lead some running but if you do, you will miss out on a wonderful experience. The meat is cured, rolled, sliced then seared on both sides before placed carefully atop shredded kolrabi. Outstanding! If you have experienced adventurous cuisines and dishes, it becomes more difficult to find something new that is just a WOW. We found it Sunday night at RAD. In a city with so many restaurants popping up, RAD has carved their niche as a sustainable restaurant that will continue to surprise and delight their customers.
(5)Jennifer H.
BY FAR one of the top 5 meals I have ever had! And I have eaten at some amazing places :-) Great venue, outside seating and amazing staff. Served family style. We had a private event, so not sure the wait, but seriouusly, get this place on your list!
(5)Juliet N.
To be honest, I was not excited about going here, but OMG. Delicious! We had the sourdough bread, the Octopus, the winter salad, the crostini stracciatella, the squid ink pasta and the garganelli verde. We loved everything!
(5)Anna J.
I love the atmosphere here. I went on a Monday night and had to wait about 20 minutes to sit at the communal table. I would suggest making a reservation. They are always busy it seems. The food was superb! I had the aged meatballs and they were delicious. My bf had the squid ink pasta. I think I may have liked it more. It has a ragu of shrimp and great garlic flavor! I opted for the non-alcoholic ginger, mint, and lime beverage and it was SO refreshing and yummy. Highly recommend it! Overall, great experience and can't wait to go back!
(4)Vicki S.
Came in with a girlfriend on a Friday evening and expected a wait, which wound up being about 45 minutes. Normally I'd go elsewhere when faced with a wait that long, but R&D had been on my radar for ages - and I'm glad I stuck it out. Started at the bar with a cocktail (Don't Want No Shrub), which was more fun to watch as it was prepared than it was to drink. When I am given a tiny cocktail for $11, I expect it to be strong...or at the very least, to taste like alcohol. It was tasty but for the lack of punch, I could have ordered the nonalcoholic strawberry shrub and soda. I moved to wine next, and was pleased to find an extensive and impressive wine list. We were seated at the communal table, and despite the volume of the din making it difficult to hear my friend speak, it was fun to see the orders of everyone around me before I settled on my meal. We started with the chicken liver pate, and I can second another reviewer's assessment of it being one of the cleanest-tasting pates I've ever had. I've tried similar dishes elsewhere in town, and they now have a lot to live up to. I had the bucatini fra diavolo with octopus, which was spicy and hearty, with tender and well-prepared octopus. We had to close our amazing meal with an equally-amazing dessert: the bomboloni with dark chocolate sauce was to die for. Overall, excellent service, fantastic food, meh on the cocktail and don't expect too much conversation during busier times, but I will definitely make a return visit.
(4)Bridget S.
Spectacular! If you appreciate fresh authentic pasta in creative sauces, this a must try restaurant. I loved the Ricotta cavatelli, tree nut ragout, sarvecchio..so earthy and nutty. My hubby enjoyed the Bucatini fra diavolo, octopus, rad lardo, calabrian chili...spicy and such tender octopus. We also tasted the Garganelli verde, heritage pork ragout, parmesano which was awesome. My taste buds are craving the pasta and sauces! Also a must try... one of their salads..Yum! (I liked the Kohlrabi salad). I enjoyed the community table....interesting and fun concept.
(5)Meg M.
Great experience. Very cool atmosphere. Our waiter, Matt, suggested the Crostini, stracciatella, olio nuovo which ended up being our favorite part of the meal. We also had the Garganelli verde, heritage pork ragout, sarvecchio and Brook trout, bok choy, spinach, celery root remoulade. Both were excellent. They had a good drink list that included a lot of non-alcoholic options. A great place for a date night or dinner with friends.
(5)Lindsay R.
The pork ragout is truly delightful. The Absinthe Father cocktail is poorly named but absolutely delicious, and the old fashioned tastes like bacon. Pricey but worth it, an amazing experience altogether. the trout is too fishy, and the chicken is quite large but classically delicious.
(4)Frances B.
The food and atmosphere here are great. What we had that was amazing: The chicken liver pate The pork ragout pasta The squid ink pasta The trout The chicken was average, I wouldn't order it again. I knocked off a star for the service, and a little for the arrangement of the restaurant. It was crowded, as are all popular restaurants, and we kept being told by hostesses and bartenders to stand elsewhere when there was nowhere else to stand, which is annoying, because if all the bar seats are taken up there is no place to stand at the bar that doesn't block new patrons from walking up and getting a drink. That's annoying. The most disappointing aspect of our experience was the service. I have friends who live here and dine here often and have told me they had great servers. Our server was cold, unhelpful and looked mad to be at work. It's disappointing when I was so looking forward to trying this restaurant, that my enthusiasm was killed by the server. I will be back next time I'm in Nashville!
(4)VIcki T.
My husband and I celebrated our 36th wedding anniversary here last night. This was our first visit to RAD and I can tell you it will not be our last. I can only tell you that on a Tuesday, it was loud inside and quiter outside, it was still quite warm so we opted to eat inside. I ordered the Spiker and Sponge cocktail - delicious, not sweet. My husband had a couple glasses of Chardonnay (it was on the bottom of the wine list and unfortunately I did not get the name). It pared well with our dishes. The dry-aged beef tartare was like no other beef tartare we had ever had. Two pieces of toast arrived topped with salsa verde and beef. Fabulous. What complimented that dish was the green wheat, green tomato, cucumber, medjool date and urfa biber - very fresh and minty tasting. Great combo. Not a morsel left. I had read the reviews and urged my husband to get the squid ink pasta - he did not. He ordered the potato gnocchi, lobster mushroom, shrimp with tarragon. It was very good but not as good as the Pork Ragout which I ordred. Best I have ever tasted and the green garganelli (verde) along with the sarvecchio was incredible. We did not opt for dessert and headed to Jeni's for ice cream afterward which continued our anniversary celebration. Definitely will return to try other dishes...service was fast, efficient, and helpful in menu selections.
(5)Cait C.
This place tries a little to hard to be trendy. The staff are not that friendly, and the food is okay but a little weird. i appreciate interesting dishes, but its like they tried so hard to be interesting that they got it slightly wrong. had the octopus bucatini and the fennel salad.
(3)Chris B.
Probably my favorite place in Nashville. And while I wouldn't give it 5 stars in Portland or San Fran I will say as far as nashville is concerned it is defiantly tops. They pasta goes without saying is awesome. Outstanding chicken liver mousse and tartar and fun seasonal vegetable dishes.
(5)David S.
Result from a table of four: at best mixed, but all disappointed. This place is overrated beyond belief. Total chaos. Just hope that the restaurant actually records your reservation correctly. Of previous reviews I found on Yelp, three predominant themes emerged: poor service, small entrée portions, and too much salt. On this experience: bar service was abysmal, several portions were pitifully undersized for the price, and star dishes were overloaded with salt. Our server was pleasant, knowledgeable, and tired. She was the best part of the experience. I ordered the chicken liver patě and squid ink pasta (a signature dish.) The paté was excellent. The pasta was the worst food put in my mouth in many years. Mixed opinions: I sent mine back to the kitchen. Others at my table enjoyed it. One of my group ordered the trout. It was underdone and swimming in a watery broth of cabbage and cream. Half of the undersized portion was left uneaten. Another of the group ordered the lamb balls. She couldn't finish them, not because the portion was too large, but because it was horrible. After tasting one, I agreed. I've never before tasted lamb the like of cheap hamburger and poorly prepared meatoaf. Thirsty? Forget about having a drink while waiting for your table. The bar may not get around to taking your order. 6 people went unserved in the 10 minutes we waited. Food mattered to me and my table. Decision of the table: This is possibly one of the worst restaurants in Nashville. None of the four of us will be back for another visit.
(1)Jeanette H.
Best meal we had in Nashville! Server was extremely knowledgable, friendly, and very accommodating of my food allergies. Great cocktails as well! Can't wait to go back. Make sure you call ahead for reservations. Beautiful layout and great lighting.
(5)Stephanie C.
I know everyone loves this place, but I will admit that I was a little disappointed. It's small. Very small. Maybe it's just me, but small places always make me nervous. I feel like I'll never be able to get back in, or be able to try things that I really want to try in the future because it's too exclusive. Also, we were scrunched into tiny seats at the bar that were too close together. That being said, the atmosphere is lovely. The bartender was very nice, but the menu was almost incomprehensible to us. As if it was in a foreign language. We ordered a variety of items, but we went back and ordered wings at the end of the meal because we were still hungry. (These wings were so, so, so salty). None of the cocktails spoke to me either. Ill admit, I like a bit of a girly drink- Something with a sweet finish. But everything here was herbal and strong. All in all, I found my experience to be lackluster. It wasn't awful, but nothing jumped out to me. And the prices were a bit aggressive. I'm used to that with all of the new restaurants in Nashville, but these prices just seemed too steep considering the very casual atmosphere.
(3)Kyle F.
Maybe I heard too much hype for the last several years about this place but it did not live up to expectations or the $150 tab. Would have rather spent that at many other places in Nashville. Service was great, ambiance is good, atmosphere is average. Got 2 apps, 2 entries and none of it was worth ordering again. The pasta was very salty.
(3)Chastity G.
I can't believe it's taken me this long to write a review about Rolf and Daughters... I absolutely love this restaurant and probably eat here approx. once every two weeks. The food is consistently incredible and I consider it to be great value. As far as I know there isn't anything on the menu over $30, and it's a lot tastier than most of Nashville's fine dining establishments where all the entrees (except for a half-hearted nod to the vegetarians!) are all over $30. I was pretty devastated when they took the bucatini fra diavolo off the menu (please bring it back!) but the new pastas do not disappoint. I often come here alone after work, but it's definitely best to come with friends and share everything. I haven't tried all the pastas currently on the menu, but everything I've tried, I've ordered again. It's that good... there's nothing I even feel "meh" about. The staff are all incredibly nice and welcoming. There are one or two servers who are more European in their manner--quietly efficient, no "Hi, my name is ____ and I'll be taking care of you today"--but that shouldn't be mistaken for rudeness. Likewise, the portion size isn't the same as you'd get an American chain restaurant, but I for one consider it a refreshing change to not feel like I'm dying after I finish a pasta dish! Seriously great restaurant.
(5)mumin k.
I love this place. Had the chicken liver pate and fish with carrots. The liver pate was excellent, the fish was cooked to perfection. My wife had the octopus appetizer and the squid ink pasta and these were also excellent. My only complain was the dessert. I had the bread pudding dessert which was really not worth it. I would have been happier if I just skipped the dessert. But overall, i would highly recommend this place.
(5)Kidd E.
SAVE YOUR MONEY! I'm just going to say it like this. Over Hyped! The portions are very small, the dishes are over complicated, and the flavors did not work well. My dish was terrible! My wife's taste pretty good but for 26 it was very small. I will not go back. Just fair warning stay home and cook yourself!!
(1)Shaina A.
Bread and butter always speak volumes; RAD's seaweed butter was fantastic. Enjoyed an intimate dinner, despite their being 6 in our party -- a true feat!
(4)Marie B.
Amazing! Bon Appetite was right, definitely the #3 restaurant in the nation right now. The pasta is amazing!!! So amazing that we ordered more! Try the squid ink, chicken pate, and Pasta!! You can't go wrong. Great ambiance as well!! Too bad we were there in October and couldn't enjoy the outdoor space!
(5)Carolyn M.
We went for a birthday dinner and it was delightful. The squid ink pasta was incredibly - spicy and perfect texture. My husband killed the vegetarian stew in 30 seconds or so. The seaweed bread was crunchy/chewy/just right. We had a few fancy cocktails and loved them. Service was phenomenal. The space is a beautifully renovated warehouse. Not to be skipped.
(4)Will M.
We decided on RAD after a fair amount of research on local NV restaurants. We were coming in from out of state, and wanted a unique experience in our first visit to Nashville. We'd last had squid ink pasta in Italy almost 20 years ago, so looked forward to having it again, especially in light of the rave reviews about this very presentation. We reserved a week in advance. Note: I want to make it clear that I don't intend this review to be an RAD-bashing write up, but rather something the chef(s) might wish to take notice of, since our experience confirmed several earlier reviews. Quite simply, the canestri was overly, unbearably salty. When our replacement dish arrived (i returned the canestri, the first time in 35 years of eating out that I'd done that), the farro pasta, with mushroom sauce, was again overly salty. Is it possible that a chef there may not be tasting the food as others do? perhaps his/her senses aren't working in the same way as ours? It's possible that the problem is with my and others' sense of taste, but this had never happened to me before... In any case, given the number of similar comments, RAD might benefit by having independent testers come in to help guide them with their salting practices. For such a reputed restaurant, and with their signature dish, we were sorely dismayed to discover that RAD had erred in this way. To continue in the spirit of constructive criticism: the meal presentation would be more refined if food were served on plates, rather than lumped into large serving bowls. The zeppole desserts was tasty but also sloppily presented. The sourdough bread and seaweed butter should have been provided gratis. All that said, the server (grey haired, guitarist) was truly wonderful, very knowledgable about the preparation and options. He was quick to politely offer a replacement, and even refused to charge us for dessert, all of which reflected very positively on the management. Bravo! In short (!), for the prices and the reputation, we were quite disappointed. Given the generosity of the server, though, we believe it to have been either an off night, or simply a particularly salt-challenged chef, and either possibility can be easily rectified. We will try again next time, with crossed fingers.
(2)Nicole P.
I understand it was Friday night, but didn't expect it to be so crazy in there. We arrived around 8, was told the wait would be an hour and a half. Tried to get drinks at the bar, but the bartenders never acknowledged us. Another patron said to go to the end of the bar by the service station, so we wiggled our way down and bumped into everything and everyone along the way. We didn't actually stand in front of the server's station, I know better than that, but were immediately told to shift to another part of the bar and form a line. This put us practically on top of a table where people were eating, and no matter where we stood we were in the way of the servers. The line never moved, and we never got to order any drinks. Suggestion: put cocktail menus in the waiting area out front and assign someone to take drink orders. We decided to go somewhere else.
(2)Dru D.
Great place to eat! The squid ink is amazing! Definitely get reservations before you come here. We waited an hour to be seated without a reservation, but was planned as we wanted to have a couple drinks from the bar prior to dinner. The food and drinks are worth the trip if you are staying downtown or anywhere in the Nashville area.
(5)Heather F.
Love this new restaurant!! Rolf is the middle name of the founder and head chef. He held a very prestigious executive chef position at a restaurant in his home state of Florida before coming to Nashville and opening up his name sake restaurant (named in tribute too to his teenage daughters). The actual establishment is carved out of an old warehouse (as is much of the gentrification of this part of Nashville known as Germantown). What this means is that you get gorgeous refurbished flooring with tall ceilings and antique looking drop (pendant lighting) but you also get loud noise. If you are looking for low ceilings and soft candlelight dinner this isn't the place. The inside seating is communal seating from both the hand-carved wooden tables to the long bar, and the outside area is communal wooden picnic tables. Reservations fill up quickly so your best bet since you aren't going to get a lot of privacy anyway is to just show up and find a seat at the bar. Even though it is formed from a warehouse Rolf and Daughters still manages to be classy and elegant in its style. The food at Rolf and Daughters is outstanding. Farm to table is all the rage and this is clearly evidenced here. Our group shared the tomato appetizer dish that was so fresh I swear they just plucked the tomatoes off the vine right before serving. The real highlight is their squid ink pasta dish which is rich and filling. If you are a cocktail person you will love Rolf and Daughters. You will also need to bring your smart phone or dictionary to look up some of the names of the flavorings and stuff they put in their cocktail recipes or you can just ask the bartenders who are very knowledgeable.
(4)Steve E.
We were there one week after our maiden voyage. Added the beef tartare to the mix. Apps we have had so far, good, but not spectacular. However, this is THE go-to pasta place in Nashville. We ordered the chicken with garlic confit and lemon reserve, and it was outstanding. Second to City house' version, but a great dish in its own right. Our server described the pork ragout as "like tasting a hug". Great line. She's right. Amazing stuff.
(5)Kaleena G.
Fantastic food and drink -- very knowledgeable and welcoming staff. All around great experience!
(5)Kelly E.
A blend of urban chic and rustic décor, Rolf & Daughters' open seating and sweeping ceilings encourage an atmosphere of "see and be seen." Newer on the Nashville restaurant stage, their dishes are locally sourced with a strong lean towards quality and sustainability. Chef Philip Krajeck, a James Beard Award nominee, injects flavorful artistry into fresh veggie starters and delivers gorgeous varieties of homemade pasta dishes alongside more traditional mains. Reservations are highly recommended, but the host stand does maintain a few open seats for drop-in diners.
(5)Sara E.
Their food is good, but the service is pretentious. I tried to order an entree without bacon and the server asked "WHY?" and looked at me like I had three heads. I'm not sure why I have to justify not eating bacon when a simple yes or no would've done. My friend ordered the squid ink pasta after the waiter repeatedly reassured her that it was not spicy. After a few bites of the pasta she turned bright red and had tears in her eyes from the heat. I tried a bite of her entree and although it was good, it was still pretty spicy. When the waiter came back (at the end of our meal and not a minute before), my friend told him that she found the entree too spicy. The waiter turned and said, "She must have something wrong with her taste buds!" to the table next to us and laughed. This place would be great if they paid better attention to hiring staff. There's no need for the attitude.
(3)Michelle S.
Great, friendly, and helpful service. Food is very fresh and well prepared. Portions a little smaller but not necessarily a bad thing
(5)Kim R.
This place has a wonderful patio and fantastic cocktails. The menu was simplistic, yet imaginative. I had the sweet potatoes, swiss chard with bulger, and shared appetizers with my dinner companions. I also tasted the chicken that my friend had ordered, and it was outstanding. Definitely not your run of the mill roasted chicken. Our server was attentive and helpful with the menu. The next time I am in Nashville, I will definitely be back!
(5)Todd B.
I am proud of Rolf and Daughters for being listed in the Bon Appetit's 2013 Best New Restaurants in America, and I wanted to go precisely because of my great trust in that list and because of my love for my home town of Nashville and its culinary achievements. Rolf did not disappoint. It is a lovely setting in historic Germantown, and the old warehouse space gives the feeling of a Williamsburg or Brooklyn hipster restaurant while preserving an Italian country ambience and cuisine. The servers look fresh off the Williamsburg ferry, and have a commanding knowledge of the menu, the cocktails and wines, and seemed passionate about the experience. When we expressed delight, our server smiled as if he were taking personal pleasure in our satisfaction. I like that. One note to readers: Though the restaurant is "Italian", it is not traditional Italian. Don't come here expecting marinara sauce or chicken parm. This is country Italian, and closer to a blend of Italian/German and Mediterranean. We chose the spaghetti with fresh parmesan and black pepper, the pork plate and the turnip greens. We loved all three. The spaghetti was delightful but nothing too exceptional that could not be found at other Italian restaurants. The pork was perfectly tender, and the sauce mixed with corn was a nice accompaniment. The pork shoulder was a bit fatty for our tastes, but the accompanying pork sausage was fresh and seasoned in a way that I loved. The turnip greens were cooked with tomatoes and red pepper. The menu is fairly limited, and honestly I felt there should have been more vegetable side options than just potatoes or turnip greens. The Manhattan cocktail was likely the best version of the classic I've ever had, and it's my favorite cocktail. I loved the place. The service was outstanding. The food: Hmm. I liked it, but nothing blew me away. But would I go back and give it a second try? Absolutely.
(4)Meghan E.
I REALLY don't want to write this, as I have been looking forward to trying this restaurant so much, and I try not to let service be indicative of the whole experience, but that said I was just disappointed. We went for my birthday dinner and had reservations, and we seated promptly, the atmosphere is great. The problem was that they were out of two of the dishes I wanted to try, and I had been dying to try the carbonara. The server was incredibly rude when I explained that I was looking forward to it, acted personally insulted with my budget-friendly (about $30) wine choice, and was generally unpleasant. I try not to let service reflect great food, however this just continued through the entire meal. The appetizers were great, but my dish was so salty it was almost inedible. My fiance's meal was great as well, and I really appreciate the quality of the actual pasta. All of this said, I will give it another shot because of the way it is so celebrated, I just had to be there on an off night, right?
(2)Jessica S.
The atmosphere has a hipster feel to it but I enjoy it. I love the lighting outside and inside the restaurant. The servers that I've had while dining there are awesome. They're all very knowledgable of their wines/cocktails/overall menu. The food is pretty fricken amazing too - VERY FRESH. I'm a huge fan of the Gargenelli pasta and the chicken, as well as the chicken liver pate. Oh! The beef taretare is pretty incredible too. This place is definitely worth trying if you're ever in the Nashville area. I've been twice in the past 3 weeks so clearly, I enjoy it. Make sure you try the pastas. As I said, all of the food is amazing, but the pasta dishes are unbelievable!
(5)Kristin T.
Pretty fantastic. You can tell these bartenders are seasoned and being a bartender myself, I'm impressed by their expertly mastered cocktails. I get the feeling these guys could put back several shots of whiskey and still kickass at their job --and I bet they do. The food is very complex for as simple as it is. We shared the squid ink chitarra and the seaweed butter with sourdough (cheapest appetizer and it seemed like everyone at the bar got one as well). Food came out quickly and plated simply and very well. The place was pretty packed out when we got here at 8 which is to be expected and after a drink and about 15 minutes we opted for a bar seat when a couple left. It's a lovely downtown loft atmosphere and feels very comfortable. They do have 2 community table where 3 4 tops sit together. If your uncle bob has a flatulence problem, spare strangers the inconvenience and sit at a booth table. Great find just outside of downtown.
(5)Mallory B.
Went for our first anniversary. Wonderful service, and delicious food! Ordered the beef tartar and cauliflower for appetizers, and split the garganelli verde entre. The cauliflower was good, I understand the rave reviews. The garganelli was good as well. The dish hit the same flavor "note," throughout, but boy is it a good note! Rich and meaty, hearty and satisfying. But, the standout of the evening was the beef tartar! Prepared with fried chickpeas and mussels. I am new to beef tartar, and this was EXCELLENT! Great red wine rec's from our waiter as well. We'd love to go back.
(5)rusty r.
In my opinion, Rolf & Daughters is the best restaurant in Nashville. The food was incredible, and we ate almost everything on the menu. The pastas are particularly amazing. I want a Rolf cookbook! Until then, check out Bon Appetit's best restaurants 2013 for some recipes. The service was spot-on and textbook awesome hospitality, in my opinion better than Nashville's other top places (City House, Husk, Catbird Seat) The cocktails are up there with Patterson House, making them some of the best in the city. The vibes are convivial, bustling, airy, and warm. It seems one or two things are lacking at Nashville's top spots, but Rolf nails everything. In a celeb chef driven world, it's refreshing to see someone build such a name for themselves from scratch and without hype. 5 STARS.
(5)Chelsea J.
I have been to Rolf and Daughters a few times now and have had nothing short of a great experience each time, therefore gifting them 5 stars. The drinks are outstanding (have since tried to create my own jalapeno infused drink.. didnt go so well) and I have always left already planning when I can return. The outdoor patio has great ambience, and the whole place (including waitstaff) just generally has a good feel to it. I would suggest Rolf for dinner with friends or an occasion, its a little loud so maybe leave aging relatives at home.
(5)Saagar K.
My wife and I, along with another couple who were in town visiting, went to RAD on July 3. My wife is allergic to all tree nuts. Our waiter was informed of this twice, once by my friend and then again by me before we placed our order. Our meal ended prematurely when my wife had to run to the bathroom and literally began to vomit. Our dish contained pistachios which our waiter did not tell us about. To his credit he admitted not telling the kitchen and accepting responsibility. As we began to gather our things to leave we were presented with the bill; though they said they did not charge us for the offending dish. Shortly later the hostess came to our table somewhat sheepishly, apologized briefly, and then left. She gave me her card and assured me someone would be contacting me soon. It is now 8 days later (I waited a full week in case management was on holiday for the July 4th long weekend) and I have not heard from anyone from the restaurant. I am very disappointed in this restaurant. With the exception of the dish containing pistachios, they charged us for the full meal despite our having to leave in the middle of the meal due to my wife's allergic reaction. Not a single manager came over to check on us and the hostess was essentially useless; why she even bothered giving me her card remains a mystery to me. And most importantly, no one from the restaurant ever bothered to call to either apologize or to check on my wife's well being as we were told would happen. Next time don't bother with the pretense. Unfortunately, my wife has experienced allergic reactions while out at restaurants in the past. The best restaurants have always taken responsibility and clearly demonstrated remorse for the mistake by at least not presenting us with a bill and having the courtesy to call and check on us either that night or the next day. Rolf and Daughters seems to be resting on their laurels and are seemingly indifferent to their customers well being. Mistakes happen, but take some responsibility!
(1)Kevin K.
Food, service and ambiance were great. I recommend ordering the shrimp salad and the green pasta with the meat sauce.
(5)Mai H.
The vibe here was pretty awesome. I came here with a huge group- around 12- but our waitress was super attentive and our glasses of water were always filled. They have a great selection of wines, spirits, and specialty cocktails and you can also eat at the bar. I started with the chicken liver pate..not my favorite. I'm from Europe where I am used to my pates being smooth but this was more of a country type of pate which was chunky. Overall I felt it was sort of bland but I liked the whole grain mustard that accompanied the dish. I really wish I had tried the squid ink pasta, but I got the heritage chicken instead. The chicken itself was cooked beautifully but a little overly salted. Along with the chicken I hate the cauliflower which was beautifully roasted along with the brussel sprouts which were also beautifully cooked.For dessert I had the panna cotta, which was one of the best panna cottas I've ever had! The rest of the dessert menu was kind of boring, but that's ok. For the most part I feel like restaurants either have amazing desserts or have amazing savory foods and this restaurant focused more on their savory selections. Hope I can come back here and try that squid ink pasta next time!
(4)Zach G.
So for my birthday (hey I'm getting old, I don't get presents anymore I just get to pick where I go eat now a days) I chose Rolf And Daughters for our 2nd experience with this place. So since we did not plan ahead for reservations we showed up before they opened and grabbed a table first thing. Works like a charm on most days. We started with the Bread and Salted Butter item and it was great as usual. I followed that with some random beer I let the dude in the tight jeans pick serving us pick out for me. I had been craving the Pork Ragout again and I gave in to my desires and wow. It was just as amazing as last time (though unusually more saltier, but that seemed to be a theme this evening). My wife on the other hand ordered the Carbonara Pasta with Prosciutto if I recall correctly. Now keep in mind my wife was/is pregnant at the time of this meal. She barely ate it and said she couldn't eat it cause it was way too salty. I was surprised by this, so I decided to taste it myself. And JESUS! It was like they poured a whole bag either in the water when they cooked the noodles or just dumped a whole shaker on to her dish. Now. I'm never one to send anything back but I had a pregnant wife who was starving and I had already mostly devoured my dish. So we mention it to the server and he even tried the dish himself and AGREED with us that it was way too salty and he got her another dish which the cooks purposefully did not add any additional salt (she got the pork ragout like I did because she tried mine and it was fine for her tasty mommy buds). Problem averted! We decided to skip dessert and then wifey ran into some old high school friends and the night was a success. I will still definitely return as I love this place, though it was a salty experience. I think my skin is still dried out from this trip over a month ago, I feel like one of those redbird girls who fake n bake 7 days a week.
(4)Katie I.
Ah, what a spectacular experience. Not sure if was the company or the food, but I think it was both. Now I was not wowed by their appetizers. Chicken liver pate was so so, almost too sweet for me. Crostini with beet and ricotta was ok, nothing to write home about. The octopus and pork belly was certainly interesting, but again, nothing I'd order again. Now the brussel sprout salad was definitely a show stopper. Wow- stupendous! But the piece de resistance was the pasta. Holy shizzzballs it was freaking amazing. We tried the gemelli verde which had some mushroom in it and the pork ragout one. Seriously the pasta was the best I've ever had and I'm still having dreams about it. The roasted chicken was nice and had a flavorful juice- very French tasting. Hangar steak- which I usually don't care for- was very tender and sliced thin and delicious! Also had a dish with a pork croquette and a sausage. The pork croquette was awesome! Had the bombolini sp? for dessert which was good, nothing mind blowing, but very good. Something I'd love to have with coffee in the morning. Fantastic wine and cocktails. Can't wait to go back and literally eat my weight in pasta.
(5)DJ K.
Excellent menu and great atmosphere! Avoid the steak and sausage. It is tough and uninspired compared to the rest of the menu. Other than that...dive in.
(4)Mod F.
I've yet to eat anything here that didn't please me immensely. The hubs and I like to sit at the bar here and we have ranked this place in our top 5. He loves the Pork Ragout Garganelli and I love the Squid Ink Campanelle and the brussels sprouts salad with hazelnuts is such a fresh clean taste of heaven.
(5)Jonny M.
This is by far some of the best food I've ever eaten. The pork ragu and heritage chicken are two dishes that will blow you mind. The chicken liver patte appetizer is so good! Amazing staff, vibe, food and drinks. If there were 6 stars if give it to them.
(5)Kathryn M.
The food was DELICIOUS and the service was WONDERFUL!!! Honestly the best restaurant in Nashville!!! We ordered the chicken (best chicken we have EVER had) and the squid ink pasta (which was also delicious). I wish we would have eaten here the second night. The cocktails were awesome... I had the southern... Which was great. We had the tartar and spring salad for appetizers and they were also great. For dessert we ordered the bombollina (I think)... Order them!!!! They are incredible!!!! We cannot wait to go back!!!!
(5)Destination D.
I cruised in here to meet up with some new friends Kate and Robbie after work - we sat at the bar. Great company and great service. My friends live in the neighborhood so it felt lovely to be welcomed by Philip the owner, the hostess Kate, and Pam the waitress.
(5)Caitlin D.
Exquisite. Last night my fiance and I dined with another couple at Rolf and Daughters, and from the moment we set foot inside the premises, we were impressed. The ceiling is covered in recycled looking plywood, giving it a very rustic, crafty feel. There are long farm tables for larger groups, and smaller tables for couples and four-tops. The bar is bountifully stocked with all kinds of interesting liquors and wines. They also offer craft beers that you don't see in many restaurants. I opted for the Fillmore cocktail, which came in a sizeable glass. This is vodka, St. Germain, Aperol, Lime and Sparkling wine. It was just the right amount of light and fruity, without being sweet or syrupy. It would make a great summer drink, but it was still good for the winter. It didn't taste unseasonal, and I enjoyed every sip. To start, we shared the brussels sprouts, which are shredded like a cole slaw and tossed with apple, hazelnut and fiore di sardo. The cheese gave it a perfect accent, and we gobbled it up in no time. For my main, I had the Yorkshire pork, which comes with cannellini beans, red cabbage and pumpkin seeds. The pork was tender, flavorful and juicy. The beans were plump and flavorful. My fiance had the Garganelli verde pasta with heritage pork ragout and pecorino. I took a taste, and fought the urge to eat more because he was enjoying it so much. We will definitely keep this place in mind for nicer occasions and out of town guests to be impressed!
(5)Agnes T.
This review is for drinks at the bar (not for dinner - the food is great.) First off, the bartenders act like you inconvenience them. You have to stand off to the side to order where you are in the way of servers trying to pour wine. If you stand anywhere else, they will COMPLETELY ignore you. Once we got our drinks, we stood outside on the nice patio (since there is no room inside except a few limited seats), but servers never acknowledged us. Evidently, they "don't take orders" outside. Which I would understand if there was a huge bar crowd, but there were only 2 of us. I would spend my entire paycheck at Rolf and Daughters for drinks if they had a better set up and remotely cared about serving those just drinking. I have had better service at a pedestrian college bar. Bottom line: spend your cocktail money at Silo down the street, where they welcome you with a smile and are happy to serve you more.
(1)D C.
It was a rainy night and we got there hoping to sit at the bar for fun. We were lucky we got there early cuz by the time we left it was packed!! The bar staff was AMAZING. True professionals in their craft and so friendly! They helped us choose cocktails which we loved and then also knew all about the menu to help us choose. Its an eclectic type of menu. It challenges your taste buds and you experience foods and tastes you wouldnt normally taste. The dessert was delish as well. Truly enjoyable, great atmosphere and awesome staff!
(4)Martà M.
Maybe I just wasn't observant that evening, or my lack of Germantown geography is to blame, but I drove right past this place thinking my GPS had gone mad, wondering where in the heck I was. The front entrance has a City House feel to it, but the interior is where they've really made their mark. Regal, warm, modern, welcoming are all words that immediately come to mind - not too much of any one thing. And the marble bar - ah - gorgeous! Opting to sit at the bar was certainly not a mistake, and to say our bartender, Matt, is damn good at making a great drink would be a gross understatement. I love Scotch, and was tickled they actually stock Balvenie, but decided to try Matt's suggestion of a Sazerac. Wow! Their garden dish comprising of sweet potato, radicchio, pumpkin seed, and peccorino was stellar. The spaghetti carbonara was good, but I felt like it's missing one small thing; can't quite figure out what though. I was really disappointed their menu has so many things that I cannot eat due to allergies. For an after dinner beverage, Matt made a simple version of a Tom & Jerry which tasted a lot like egg nog. Not too sweet, but not too strong either - fantastic! I'm very much looking forward to my return.
(4)Carissa O.
Amazing food. I would come once a week. Squid ink pasta is a must. The bread with seaweed butter is great. Not loving the pâté but I think that's more of a personal choice. My friend had some kind of spicy tomato based pasta that was really great. Another time, a different friend had the calamari pasta which was also good. The desserts are more like 4 stars but you probably won't have room anyway.
(5)Derek C.
Hipster haute couture keeps rolling in to Nashville. First City House and now Rolf and Daughters. We had a group of 7 with ages 5 to 66 and everybody found something that they liked. The menu and off-menu are all good to great. You must get the ribs. They are freaking amazing. The trout and chicken were great. Sides were excellent, especially the broccoli. Cocktails all have a unique twist. I tried the Sorghum Swizzle and it was excellent. I also tried the Milano Mule which got rave reviews by my sister but wasn't for me. And for the designated driver, they serve Mexican Coke. Prices are very fair considering the quality of the food. Here are my limited complaints: Parking is a bit challenging in this neighborhood. The interior design makes it fairly noisy considering that capacity isn't that high.
(5)Dave C.
Our expectations were high - and Rolf & Daughters delivered. Cocktails, starters, entrees, and desserts ... just a beautiful dining experience. We selected the beef tartare as a starter - texture was perfect and the flavors savory & bright - aided by a uniquely light and fresh basil/olive oil (?) in which the crisp toasts rested. Outstanding take on a classic. Entrees included a dry aged meatball dish that J is still talking about, a gorgeously roasted chicken with lemon & garlic confit, and my pork tenderloin dish (a pork trifecta of pork sausage, pork belly and tenderloin). We can't remember such an outstanding array of dishes - each a best in class affair. Service was highly knowledgeable and personable - striking the right balance between attention and leaving us to enjoy our truly spectacular food. ... can't recommend Rolf and Daughters highly enough. Best food we've had in a long time - probably since Frances in San Francisco.
(5)Coco R.
I have to agree with some of the other reviewers---I have been looking forward to trying this restaurant for forever. Perhaps I hyped it up too much in my head, but it wasn't that spectacular. The squid ink pasta was just OK. It didn't taste better than marches handmade pasta and the pricing at this restaurant is much higher than I think it needs to be. Yes, the ambiance is great, but so is holland houses patio and lighting...at 5-6 dollars less. The waitress was nice, but her niceness became forced throughout the dinner when she realized that we only wanted to order dinner and no drinks or dessert. Overall, my stomach and I left feeling somewhat disappointed. We left to drown our sorrows at holland house.
(2)Mitch G.
Great place, great food. The space is beautiful, warm and inviting. We got the chicken liver pate, it was outstanding. Even the bread was a highlight. We also got the pork ragu, the squid ink pasta and the polenta. Our server told us we couldn't have made better choices. Both of the pasta dishes instantly became the best pasta I've ever had. The polenta could have used a pinch of salt, but there no way in hell I would have asked for any. We had a reservation and were seated almost immediately but there was a wait for other guests so I would recommend reservations. A great dining experience! And not that expensive, 4 dishes 6 drinks 30% tip for $120, not bad.
(5)Allison T.
Good meal in a very trendy restaurant. The noise level is high, the service is warm and very well versed in the menu. Like most trendy farm-to-table places, the menu is a list of ingredients instead of a coherent explanation of a dish, so you must enlist the server's help to decode. Rolf and Daughters further complicates things by not making clear menu divisions between small plates/appetizers and entrees, so again the server has to explain. Once you get through that silliness, the food is solid New American with a good hand/palate in the kitchen on spices, herbs and hits of citrus/acid to enhance flavor. The three of us enjoyed a lovely marinated and roasted beet appetizer (two artfully presented beets, greens included), a nice beef tartare and an excellent octopus (with too-dry hominy, unfortunately). Entrees were a perfectly, lightly cooked trout, a farro pasta with the ideal blend of nuttiness, salt and lemon, and a decent garganelli (rigatoni) dish. The lemon curd tart was outstanding, the date-almond cake dense and cloyingly sweet, the chocolate cake bowl reminiscent of cookies and cream ice cream (take that how you will). Fun meal.
(4)G. B.
Obsessed. This place is fantastic. I came in with a gf on Sunday night without a table, luckily they were quickly able to sit us. Our server was so knowledgeable, extremely helpful and just overall great. The food took a little long to get to our table, but it was worth it. Everything was delicious and the atmosphere was great where we sat (outside). The bucatini was some of the best pasta I've ever had - and I've been to italy! If you visit, do yourself a favor and save room for desert. The bombolini w/ vanilla custard and chocolate sauce is not to be missed.
(5)Kenny Y.
Not bad. I was still hungry after appetizer, entree, and desert.
(4)Kate O.
Simple, elegant, relaxed, refined. If you're vegan, don't be daunted by the menu: the kitchen knows how to accommodate you. The farro gemelli with hen of the woods mushrooms, or whatever's in season, and cavolo nero, or some other green, minus the cheese, is the long-standing option for vegan dinner. And it's delicious, so don't hesitate. You can also order the sourdough bread appetizer and either ask them to hold the seaweed butter or leave that for your dining companions and simply ask for an additional bowl of olive oil. Their mixed drinks are superb, so if you're in that mood, be bold and try something, and chances are you'll love it. They also have a solid wine list and a well-curated beer selection. I met my now-favorite beer there: Old Chub. I hear the desserts are fantastic, but I have no good news for vegans on that front, so if your diet allows it, indulge and enjoy, but if not, I hope you, like me, are a vicarious foodie and can enjoy the sight and sounds of your dining companions swooning over their desserts while you sip a coffee or, more probably, another glass of beer. In any case, go, go, go. This is a fantastic place.
(5)Tim P.
Hippest of the hip. Coolest of the cool. Really good food and amazing ambience. Not for the unadventurous.
(4)J E.
Incredible meal very time! It is typically busy and quite loud, but we really enjoyed the ambience, and the quality of the food makes up for any shortcomings.
(4)Emily K.
Great food and great energy. The wait staff was incredibly knowledgeable and didn't steer us wrong with a suggestion. The veggie dishes were notably awesome and we devoured the two pasta dishes that we ordered. Yummy cocktails too!
(4)Coleman G.
One of the best dining experiences I've ever had. Food, wine, service, ambiance were all so incredibly on point. I would be fat and broke if I lived in Nashville and had access to this at my leisure. Best restaurant in Nashville and rivaling any of the big dogs across the country. Also incredibly affordable. Thank you Rolf and Daughters.
(5)Ying M.
My bf and I stopped in on a whim- (thanks to the communal table we were able to get a seat) and we thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Squid ink pasta is divine. I wanted three more bowls of it, at least. I was worried Rolf and Daughters wouldn't live up to the hype- I've only recently returned to Nashville from the foodie haven of Cambridge, MA- but it totally did! Next time I go, I want to bring a group so we can order a bunch of different items and sample everything. We saw the table next to us doing this and were immediately jealous.
(5)Zach W.
Incredible ambiance, great drinks, and excellent service. What more could you ask for? Well, probably good food, and they have that too! The bartender was extremely accommodating and even made me something special off the menu. Even went back into the kitchen to get fresh ingredients. A top notch experience overall. Will be back many times!
(5)Sylvia H.
A party of six went there last night. We had to ask for refills of our drinks (tea and coffee). I like my water cold, but this was like tap water right out of the tap, meaning it was lukewarm at best. Smallest servings I have ever seen in a restaurant. I had to eat when I got home. I don't need a doggie bag, but I would like a decent serving. Four teeny pieces of steak and 2 beef sausages with a few dandelion leaves and 3 anchovies along with two half done microscopic potatoes. for $27.00? Really? I would have liked dessert, but figured it would be a bite or two, so why bother. I am still incredulous about many of the good reviews on here, but I certainly will not be back. No salad or bread with the meal? Unless, of course, you order as an appetizer. Good grief. Just unbelievable.
(1)Meg G.
Took a chance and tried to get into this highly recommended establishment without a reservation on a Sunday night while passing through town on a cross country road trip with a friend of mine. We waited maybe 10 min and got really lucky that 2 seats at the bar opened up. We had great service from the bartender, and he had great recommendations for us. We went with the beef tartare and octopus to share, and then we each had an entree. A pasta for my friend and the trout (I think) for myself. Oh and the sourdough bread is pretty good too (though not necessary, b/c there's so many other great things on the menu). Everything was perfection! My friend practically licked her pasta bowl clean! The atmosphere was great too. Seemed more like a local neighborhood haunt (in Germantown) rather than a touristy place, which is preferred. We had the doughnuts for dessert with chocolate and peanut butter dipping sauces (which is actually like 8 sugar cake doughnut holes) and were mouth watering. We rolled out of there very full and very happy! HIGHLY recommend you try and get a reservation ahead of time, but hey, you may just get lucky like us! Cheers!
(5)Elizabeth G.
This is my fave Nashville restaurant. Dishes are great - not over-thought, but unique and delicious. Great atmosphere. Warm and casual. Service is excellent, too. Squid Ink Pasta is amazing.
(5)John D.
Best dinner I've since moving to Nashville. Absolutely fabulous...can't hardly wait to go back!
(5)Avery F.
I just don't get it. I've eaten or had drinks here a dozen times because everyone always raves about it. The cocktails are solid and the ambiance is good. The pasta plates are way undersized and I haven't had a single entree that came anywhere close to "great." Everything is well-plated and stylish, but it's just... a lot of style without that much substance, a recurring theme at many Nashville restaurants.
(3)Erin E.
I was part of a party of 6 on a Sunday evening. The restaurant's interior is gorgeous. Our server was pleasant but was difficult to hear at times. My husband and I ordered the sourdough bread with the seaweed butter, the lettuces with summer vegetables, garganelli verde, and dry aged meatballs. We thought the food was really good, but if you're salt sensitive you should be pretty wary. The chef is very heavy handed with salt. (I tend to like salty things, so it didn't bother me.) One person in our party ordered the squid ink canestri and found it so salty she had to send it back. Our server was gracious and offered to have a simple olive oil/garlic/cracked black pepper dish prepared. That, too, was so salty that my friend couldn't eat it. (We couldn't figure out if the salt flavor was coming from the pasta, the cooking water, the sauce, or a combination of the three.) The dessert menu was limited to three selections, and two of us ordered the bombolini (which I'm pretty sure I misspelled) and chocolate sauce. It was okay, (I love dessert so my expectations were high). Overall, I'd go back for the pasta sometime, but probably won't be going to RAD often.
(3)Laura T.
Rolf and Daughters in Nashville... Thank you for allowing the hipster cool crowd to physically sit on top of our table while we were out for my boyfriends birthday trying to enjoy a nice meal I know that wouldn't fly if we were a clean cut, non modified, Caucasian "rich looking couple" but I work 7 days a week for my money and it spends as well as there's does so def getting bad reviews all around. Shame on you!!! sincerly, the "tattooed" guests you treated like dirt
(1)Josie R.
There are no words for how amazing our meal was at R&D this past weekend. Fall lettuce salad, octopus, squid ink pasta, farro spaghetti, everything was simply amazing!
(5)Christa P.
Pasta with the mushrooms was out of this world- super delish. Steak was ok- not the best I have had and a little over done. The sauce pairing was not unique and I wouldnt order again.
(4)David R.
Overall, this was a great experience. The space is airy, fresh and fun; it feels "bustling" and that energy carries over into the food. And the food here is undeniably great: everything we tried was well conceived and perfectly done. When you sit down your are tended to quickly and the waitress we had was extremely helpful in giving suggestions. With her help I feel like we ended up with a perfect amount of food as well as a comprehensive sampling of R&D's culinary vision. ProTip: for a party of two were very happy ordering two appetizers to share, then a bowl of pasta each, and then finally one main course to split. I'm docking a star (it really could have been a 5/5 experience) because of the behavior of a neighboring server who--while my wife and I were eating--felt comfortable describing our choices to the neighboring table *not *by discreetly telling them what we were eating, but by overtly turning around and **pointing over our table** and *onto*our plates! Did you get the part about that we were eating? It was very strange to say the least and more non-relaxing than you might imagine..
(4)Bob S.
I returned finally after opening week to give Rolf another try. This really isn't a 3 star, i really rate it a 3.5 star but i can not do that on this site. We didn't have any share plates, none really appeal to us. I really don't consider a small loaf a bread and seaweed butter much of a small plate. We decided to 2 pasta and share one of the plates for our meal. We chose the lamb pasta on the menu that evening, the Spaghetti, morel and peas, and we chose the meatballs. The Spaghetti was good nicely cooked however the egg yolk ended up a little over cooked and was not runny enough. The lamb was nice, however it needed to have a little extra punch and was kind of bland. The Meatballs were served on a plate with Tomato sauce, 3 large Meatballs on a plate, very dense, i would prefer a little more tender. But were very good. I just don't get serving 3 large meatballs with nothing else as a side with this plate. We did not have desert. I will go back, but i do not think this is a place to take a date or for a business meeting. The restaurant is way to noisy to carry on a conversation for business or a date. It was hard to talk across the table. The service was very good. Most of the time when going out with a group i want a greater selections of plates to enjoy the evening. I would like to see the Meatballs move to the share plate at a price of 5 dollars per meatballs. I put the food at about a 4, but the atmosphere is only a 3 guys, unless your looking for a loud place where you dont want to talk to anyone.
(3)Brien W.
Third time is the charm. Had dinner at the bar on Saturday and the food and drink was outstanding! Two standouts, the chicken liver pate was amazing, had a friend who said, "I don't eat liver" try it and couldn't stop eating till it was gone. The ricotta cavatelli pasta was so well rounded and delicious it was hard to put down. Great bar staff had a few old fashions... great meal!
(5)Tiff C.
Loved the vibe, great service and absolutely delicious pasta. We had the bread appetizers (seaweed butter and chicken pate) and they were complex and tasty. The pasta was amazing, highly recommend! Especially bucatini (if you like spicy) and the pasta with oxtail (messinessi)
(5)Sam L.
The food is very impressive but the portions are sized for 10 year olds, even compared to Chicago/New York fine dining. The entrees should be called small plates and appetizers should be tapas. We got appetizer, two entrees and a dessert and still were hungry. The octopus is cooked perfectly and the bacon is a nice touch. The squid ink pasta was al dente and seasoned well. The hanger steak was great with the turnip and spinach. When you charge so much for food, the portion need to fit the bill.
(3)Jennifer B.
I am going to make this one short and sweet... 100% A MUST GO!!! There has not been a single thing on this menu that I have not fallen in love with. And trust me when I say I have had everything from an apéritif to their amazing dessert. I love love love ROLF AND DAUGHTERS. The only thing I will mention is that it is a small space so if you don't have a reservation, expect to wait a bit.
(5)Marisa P.
We came here for our first anniversary while on vacation & the ambiance definitely reminded us of being home in Chicago. Food: Rad ham appetizer - delicious! Perfect flavors/textures, very fresh! Squid Ink pasta - pasta cooked/seasoned perfectly, wonderful flavor, didn't get any spiciness as other reviews stated & dish was very oily. Lamb pasta - husband said this was good Panna cotta - really, really good! Service was extremely lacking & inexcusable for a fine dining restaurant. My husband ordered a cocktail with tequila that tasted like tequila on the rocks. He took one drink and never touched it the entire meal. Our server saw that he never finished his drink but never asked about it - something that any fine dining establishment should always do.
(3)Ericka P.
Our party of 5 all tasted each others' meals and damn! was it good! I got a taste of the trout, lamb pasta, octopus spaghetti, chicken, and the meatballs. No one was too thrilled with the meatballs... But the chicken was BANGIN'! And the trout was a nice crisp meal for as hot as it was. I must say though.... We spent a lot of money to be served tallboys with mini juice cups. That was a bit silly.
(4)Meryl C.
I just wish they were in California. After reading two reviews (Eater Nashville and another) and having Rolf and Daughters recommended by a local bartender, we went. Could not be more satisfied! Great cocktails and amazing food. Five stars from San Francisco.
(5)Dan H.
I was a bit concerned that the ipa would ruin my palette, but the excess salt on the beef tartare and fra diavolo did a much better job of frying it. I'm a bit sad we wasted our one night out in Nashville here. I should add that my partner had the pasta with pork ragout and the few tastes I had were enjoyable.
(1)Chrissy I.
The Squid Ink Pasta is I think literally the best dish I have ever tasted, just outstanding!! Seaweed butter and bread makes a yummy starter. Everyone in my party raved about their food! Our waiter was excellent - super kind, and very knowledgable. We will absolutely be back!!
(5)Catherine L.
This place was great. Gotta be one of my favorites in Nashville so far, where the portions are always huge but the food (and taste level) isn't always good. The ambience is perfect. A well put together place with a rustic feel, it's intimate and classy but not pretentious. We sat outside under the lit 'open' sign and the strung lights. I got the summer salad which was unique, refreshing, complex and wonderful. I also got the vegetarian pasta dish with mushrooms and my friend got the pork ragout. Both were very delicious, even for a vegetarian meal! Highly recommend this place for dinner.
(5)Sarah M.
This is a tale of four friends - not averse to paying high prices for great food, and well-dined at many fine restaurants the world-over. This is a story of a warm, industrial space filled with fun, hip people drinking delicious, hip cocktails, which surprisingly deliver and even exceed expectations (even in a time where one rarely recognizes most of the ingredients in the mixologist's purview). And at it's heart, this is a narrative about delicious pasta -- hearty, complex, layered, new shapes and textures, all pushed into the middle of our table and poached by each other, compared and contrasted and devoured until even the tiny specs of pecorino couldn't be spared from the sides of the bowl. Pork ragu, beef cheek and oxtail melange, caramelized onion and pecorino and hot pepper flake. And yet our story has a foil -- an unexpected twist -- and one that may have overshadowed all of the good things about Rolf & Daughters. And that's the bread. To put it simply, the pate at R&D (or as my boyfriend calls it -- meat butter), is creamy, smooth, buttery and unctuous. And it comes with three tiny pieces of bread. At a table of four, there is nothing more awkward than trying to split three pieces of bread (which themselves are thirds of a piece of bread). And last I checked, tables of 3 aren't that common. Furthermore, the bread doesn't provide enough of a vehicle for the delicious pate. In order to use up all of the pate on three pieces of bread, one would have to pile pate at least a half inch high on each piece. And last, the final nail in the coffin of the bread segue, is that additional bread is $1.50. When we balked at the price we were cheerily informed that "but it's baked in-house." My point is not to sound snobby, or cheap, or narrowly focused. My point is this -- when you charge someone $1.50 for two thirds of a piece of bread (when the additional order came, it only included two pieces), you give them the feeling of being "nickled and dimed" -- charge $2 more for the pate, or give the bread for free, but please don't charge $1.50 for extra bread which is necessitated by the fact that there is an ample amount of pate (which itself is a good thing). There are a lot of great things about Rolf & Daughters - in fact, I am pretty sure I'm going to have graphic dreams about the pork ragu, and our meal, all in all, was reasonably priced and satisfying. But I can't write this review without talking about the bread, in the hopes that they'll catch on that it's not worth the $1.50. It leaves a bad taste in your mouth, which is a tough thing to do when your last bite has been a creme filled fried donut with chocolate dipping sauce.
(4)Julianne L.
Food was okay. Service was terrible. Our waitress completely rushed us when ordering and said the kitchen gets backed up so we needed to place our ASAP. We never saw our our waitress during dinner..although we wanted more drinks and water- it seems like there is extra staff to deliver food and check tables for service. The waitress is only there to take order and deliver check.
(3)Brad M.
*Late review from my visit on 2/2/13. My wife and I had been wanting to try this place since some of our friends had been here. So, she took me here for my birthday. We started off with the Crostini and a few cocktails. The whipped ricotta on the Crostini was light and sweet. Their menu now says the topping was beets but I think we had squash or apricot. I then ordered the Brook Trout. It was served in a bowl which was different and crème fraiche was really good. But my wife's Heritage Chicken stole the show. The pan searing was perfect. Easily one of the best chicken meals I have ever tasted. Our desert was a dense and rich chocolate cake that was incredible. We can't wait to go back.
(5)Greg T.
2 stars for food and server food knowledge. Here's why: Started dinner with some apps...went with the sourdough and seaweed app for $5. We had a party of 5 and server failed to tell us that the plate some with 4 pieces of bread. Our plate had barely any butter. I think this dish would be better if the bread was not sourdough...too overwhelming and masks the seaweed in my opinion. Pate app - same situation...only 3 pieces of bread this time. We ordered more (3 pieces) and were charged an additional $1.50 without being told bread is extra. I have no problem paying for bread - just let me know. Entree - special of the night was a pork special sandwich. It was sold to us as a piece of pork loin that was cooked inside pork belly with crispy pork skin. Sounded unreal to me so went with it. Sandwich came with all loin meat...no belly, no crispy skin..and drenched in some gnarly olive oil which made the dish an oily mess. Took 3 bites and was done with it. Asked server if this was the correct execution and she said it was and just left...no apologies or attempts to remedy the situation. The bottom line - at the prices Rolf and Daughters is charging you expect a certain level of food and service. They missed the mark during this visit. I really hope these guys step it up. I think they have a great opportunity to become a player in the Nashville restaurant scene if they make improvements. I would avoid group dinners and stick to simple apps at the bar.
(2)Tiffany M.
Great and interesting selection of cocktails/wines and our server was excellent. Really knowledgeable and attentive throughout our meal. I ended up getting a Campari + grapefruit 'Buon Appetito' that was refreshing and sweet. The squid ink pasta, carbonara pasta and roasted chicken were top notch! Our meal was so good that we had to try dessert and those donuts with ganache left us perfectly full. This is definitely a restaurant to come back to again and again. Thanks, R&D!
(5)Matt H.
My fiancé and I live in the condos attached to Rolf and Daughters, and we had read lots of articles about this place being "nationally ranked" and all that stuff. Well, it actually lived up to the hype! We had tasty food, great service, and a very unique environment. The only thing we hope for is a patio update so we can sit outside in the upcoming warmer months!
(4)Jason S.
Guys guys guys... GUYYYYSSS!!! Seriously. What the hell are you doing? And why didn't you tell me about this place before? This place gets it right. So many other places in Nashville get it close, but not right. A nice, quiet ambiance, soft lighting, communal or private tables. Wood everywhere. I sat up at the bar and a gent by the name of "Matt" took care of me. I started off with a cocktail, the "Laverda", which was a delightful mix of apple brandy, Pierre Ferrand's Dry Curacao, lemon, orange bitters and pimento dram. Freaking perfect. Being in a brandy state of mind, I hit my second cocktail with "The Jackal", which was Pierre Ferrand 1840 cognac, anejo tequila, Averna, and Angostura bitters. Had a spray of citrus over the top, served in a chilled lowball rinsed with absinthe. Again, perfect balance. Along with that libation, I opted for the snack that was pâté campangola, house mustard and pickles - and oh yes, fresh toasted sourdough slices. YOU SEE THAT ARNOLD MYINT?!? That's HOW YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO SERVE CHARCUTERIE, YOU STUPID, PRETENTIOUS, NO-TALENT HACK! Ahem, anyway, absolutely perfect way to start things off, and for the main course, I chose the "Yorkshire pork", which was beautiful plate of slices of pork, interspersed with apple slices, a fantastic sausage at the end, over a bed of savory kraut . Orbiting was a fantastic potato dumpling. Dabbed on top were splashes of whole-grain mustard, a perfect combination. Right after my plate was served, I asked Matt for a beer, and he proffered a pilsner they had on draft - a perfect choice. I took my time with my entree and it truly was spot-on in so many ways. Had some great conversation with Matt who is a Patterson House ex-pat, and as I wrapped it up, I asked for some coffee; he magically made a fresh cup appear in my hand. A great cup of coffee. Called it a night, headed home, can't recommend this place enough to people after this.
(5)Vassar B.
Wow. So, yes, the food is amazing. Complex, beautiful, tasty, all of that. And the environment is warm, welcoming, lively - you're happy to arrive and a little sad to go. But the service......this is why it was a solid rock star 5. Traveling on business, had read about this place, finally got a reservation with two of my colleagues and starting with the most basic questions about what the words on the menu mean (yeah, a little high falutin', lots of items I've never heard of, a slight temptation for me to eye roll) we were treated to the most intelligent, passionate, and clear food picture I have ever gotten. NOT a faux precious Portlandia caricature, but the real thing - our server (Becca, from the receipt) clearly loves this food. But more importantly, she really knows what goes into it, how it's prepared, can describe how toasted grains actually change the flavor and texture of a pasta dish (as an example), and was able to help our vegetarian diner choose wisely. Not in any way bombastic or snotty - she was confident, knowledgable, dedicated to making sure we were going to have a hell of a meal and wanting to show off the best her team had to offer. Right, and beyond this, excellent service. There is something seriously right about this place, to have that kind of experience on a regular ole Sunday night. Made me feel like maybe I could fall in love with Nashville......
(5)Jennifer N.
Everything about this place made me happy! 1. Super friendly staff -- starting right off with my phone call to make reservations. Our waiter was helpful and upbeat, even during a mad dinner crowd. There was no rushing us out of the place. 2. Accessible and cool vibe- The fact that they are getting such awesome reviews, but I was able to make a reservation when I wanted and on a weekend! Convenient Germantown location, and a cool, reclaimed industrial space really added to the ambiance. It is loud, but that only adds to the neighborhood tavern atmosphere. I haven't even gotten to the food and drinks! 3. Cocktails-- Each cocktail we tried was fantastic- the Cumberland sour and the Fillmore were especially great! 4. Food-- Everything we tried was inspired and delicious. The pork ragout has gotten love in other reviews as well- have to add my vote. The delicious house-made sourdough and seaweed butter is worth the extra cash for an order. The brussel sprout salad was a favorite at our table. The heritage chicken with preserved lemon was divine- juicy, fresh and flavorful. 5. Dessert-- To top it off - dessert was unique and delicious. Definitely try the bombolino- italian doughnuts, cream filled, and served with a redundantly delicious chocolate dipping sauce.
(5)Joe R.
Went here a few week with my wife. We decided to just drop in since the restaurant we were planning on going to was closed for a week. This probably wasn't the best idea since as it turns out if you don't have a reservation you aren't getting a table. That was the awkward thing, when I asked for a table for two the hostess kind of looked at me puzzled and then said we could wait for a seat at the bar. She didn't offer to put us on a list or anything at all. So we waited about 25 minutes for a seat at the bar. I'm not against sitting at the bar but the situation felt odd. We had a few drinks and then I had to practically jump on the end of a conversation the bar tender was having with the couple next to us to get him to bring us food menus. We started with the crostini appetizer. It was good but it was one crostini which was a little disappointing. For our main courses I ordered the squid ink pasta and my wife ordered the spaghetti bottarga. I was a little disappointed in my dish although I thought my wife's was great. Apparently she liked my dish better so we should have switched. Basically, I think this place deserves another shot and maybe I should make a reservation next time. The odd experience at the door put a weird taste in my mouth. I would recommend to a friend because the food was decent. I think I need another trip to make up my mind.
(2)Naomasa H.
Had a wonderful birthday dinner here. Reservations are recommended, but they do have communal tables and outdoor seating on a first come first serve basis. I hear the place has received a lot of press, namely in Bon Appetit. The atmosphere is inviting, friendly service, and the food is wonderful. Garganelli verde and farro gamelli were cooked perfectly. The positive press is well deserved. I hope they stay unpretentious and keep churning out wonderful dishes. Oh and the cocktails were tasty.
(5)Semi-retired J.
Trying way too hard to be hip. What is - beet, maple yogurt, puffed quinoa? Elevate the experience, not the grammar. Great location, great servers and maybe someday we'll comprehend the menu.
(3)James F.
I had the opportunity to take my sweetie out for a delish date night out. We decided to head over to Rolf and Daughters and for my first time, I was truly excited. So, we get there around 6 or 7 and got outside seating pretty quick. For a place I see written up more than once in the local papers, I was surprised at the lack of patronage there. That always makes me skeptical of the place. So, started off with a glass of Jameson (neat as always. Thank God they didn't have Bushmills. Who drinks that protestant crap?) and an appetizer of Octopus and pork belly with a black garlic spread. Then Lola (my much better half) had the Carbonera and I had the hanger steak. We finished it off with some lovely donuts filled with a vanilla custard. Holy Cow was all I can say. The food was prepared amazingly and with such care and love. The Carbonera had enough flavor and heat and my hanger steak was prepared exactly like a hanger steak should be, medium. The accompaniment of local greens and the grilled onions were more than garnish... they were an essential part of the dining experience. The steak was juicy, well seasoned and just so amazing. The octopus with pork belly was solid as a starter and the finisher of the dessert just put everything over the edge. Overall, I will go back. So many things on the menu to try, the staff was attentive and amazing and I left wanting to go back and just order all of what we ate again to take home.
(4)Leslie C.
Wonderful, simple, flavorful. Atmosphere is upbeat and unpretentious. Sharing dishes is a great way to sample them all. Reservations highly recommended.
(4)Isabel T.
The food was incredible! The server was nice. An amazing hipster atmosphere with the appearance of healthy natural food that was delicious! The food reminded me of my grandfather's home cooking- but very refined. Every aspect of the meal was above average. Look forward to visiting again soon.
(5)EdDee P.
We absolutely love this place!!! Come here often and like to sit at the bar. The bartender is very friendly and talented with making some great cocktails!! We try a different app each time- i never seem to find something I love because I am so excited for my main dish! Every time I go there I get the squid ink pasta SOOOO GOOD! My boyfriend also gets the same thing every time-Bucatini far diabolo, octopus,rad lard, calabrian chili. I usually beg for a few bites! Just writing this review is making me want to go tonight! I am excited for it to be warmer outside because it has a cute outside area that sets a romantic vibe ;)
(5)Heidi H.
When my husband and I pay $60 apiece for dinner, I need to be overwhelmed. I WAS, from start to finish. The reservation taker was friendly. The server was not only knowledgeable about everything on the menu, including the unusual (and oh so tasty) ingredients in the cocktails, she was incredibly efficient and friendly. The pasta ... oh, THE PASTA. Al dente. Perfectly seasoned. Made in house. The steak with turnip greens ... to die. My husband, a marvelous cook, is always comparing restaurant chicken with his own. Rolf and Daughters prevailed. The atmosphere is warm and intimate. Perfect date night.
(5)Cynthia P.
When it's cold and rainy out and I'm too tired to cook or even think about what to prepare for dinner my favorite treat is to take a walk over to Rolf and Daughters. I've dined here several times and I crave the pasta...Garganelli verde, heritage pork ragout...echoing everyone else, it really is "all that". I usually dine with a friend and the two of us like to split the pasta, the salad (Garden lettuces, buttermilk dressing, asher blue), get a bottle of the San Lorenzo "Il Casolare" Marche Rosso IGT, Montepulciano, and finish with the bombolinis. PLENTY of food for two people and the bill is around $65 (before tax). Given the quality of food, the price seemed very reasonable.
(4)Gabriella H.
As soon as we left Rolf and Daughters, I turned to my husband and said, "Five stars?" He immediately nodded and confirmed the assessment. The first good sign was the friendly phone reservation with the hostess followed by a really pleasant greeting at the door. Our server gave us plenty of time (maybe a little too much but that just gave my husband and me more time to talk) to mull over our menu choices. She was great at giving solicited opinions when we were undecided over something, and I always am! We had the garganelli (the ragout was deeelicious) and another pasta dish that had hen of the woods mushrooms. The latter came highly recommended by the server, who, when we were debating between that and the carbonara, cleverly added that the carbonara was likely going to be a staple while the other dish was seasonal. Sold. (Ha! She already knew we would be coming back!) The pastas tasted very different, and my husband and I kept on stealing from each others plates because we couldn't decide which we liked more. Drinks were strong and perfectly done, just the way I like them. They were a teensy bit on the small side for the price, but perhaps the coupes were larger than I gauged. Since I had ordered "sippers," they did last forever, so I can't complain. Another plus, when I mentioned that I wanted a drink similar to the Laverda and couldn't find anything on the menu, the server offered to have the bartender make something without skipping a beat--and that drink was spot-on too. Finally, for dessert we had the bombolinis (?). I may be spelling that wrong, but they were the donuts-from-heaven things. Light, not too sugary, a perfect dessert for two people to share even if only one of them has a major sweet tooth. Rolf and Daughters makes me wish that I lived in Werthan Lofts. We already can't wait to go back.
(5)Mark C.
Outstanding and simply one of Nashville's finest eateries. Fantastic food and terrific service! 10+
(5)Chris V.
My new neighborhood joint is the bees knees! I waited anxiously for this new gem to open in the Werthan Loft building off Taylor Street. Only open five days and I've already been there 3 times - is that excessive?! Ah who's counting... While it's not the cheapest option for food in the Germantown area, it's well worth the high-price. The drinks are unique and well-made and the food... the FOOD! Upon first arrival, my friend Lenore informed me that the pork ragu was worth foregoing sex, so clearly that was my immediate go-to. I've had it twice...this week. It's packed full of flavor and soul-satisfying savory (say that three times fast). There's also a secret sandwich that doesn't appear on the menu and comes limited each night - that's the most I'll spill on that. ;) To cap off your night the Bambolini's are incredible. Basically three big, vanilla creme filled donut holes sprinkled with sugar and a chocolate sauce for dipping. If you like Boston Creme or Eclair type desserts, this one is for you! A WIN all the way around!
(5)Timothy L.
If you want the best meal, served by a very well trained and knowledgeable server, look no further. Easily one of the best meals I have EVER had...both times that I went. While their menu does change from time to time, there are some things to keep and eye out for... 1) Any kind of meatballs. The 2 times that I've visited they had meatballs, the first time was beef and sausage, I think, and the second time they were lamb meatballs, both were crazy good. 2) If it has squid ink in the description of the pasta, order it. Again, both times the plates were slightly different but amazing nonetheless. 3) Order as much as you think you can stomach...and then some. I say this for two reasons. First, the leftovers are totally worth it. Second, you're more than likely to finish everything during your visit. I don't know how, but their food was soo good I had a hard time stopping, seriously. What, you ask, would this kind of meal cost? Not near as much as you would pay for this good a meal somewhere else. Most the meals are under $20/plate and the portions and taste will bring you for more....or just make you order more food.
(5)Hunter K.
I had my first full dinner experience at Rolf and Daughters Friday night and walked away happy and satisfied. I was happy to branch out of my culinary comfort zone with the chicken liver pate and squid ink pasta dish. Both were very tasty, and the experience was enhanced by a friendly and attentive wait staff. As a resident of Germantown, I am glad to see another trendy dining option come into the neighborhood. Here's hoping Rolf and Daughters keeps good customer service on the menu as they establish themselves in town. They've got a great staff and a fun menu. I'll definitely go back.
(5)Johan T.
Perfect evening from beginning to end. Super cool place, great bar, great staff and last but not least - great food. The trout was nothing but epic.
(5)Tianna C.
I've been waiting to try the delights of Rolf and Daughters for several long months. Upon our first meeting, Chef and owner Philip Krajeck described the menu as "modern day peasant food". I wasn't quite sure how to wrap my head around that, so he described it as the type of environment in which you should feel comfortable reaching across the table and dipping your bread into your sisters pasta dish. I'm Italian, so I totally got it at that point. This was going to be the type of restaurant that felt like home. Unpretentious, familiar, welcoming... He was right. I rounded up a friend and headed over to Rolf and Daughters last night. This was only their second night of business open to the public. I immediately saw at least three people I knew as soon as I walked in the door... I think it really helps that the building is attached to the growing Werthan Lofts apartments community. The place was packed. On a Thursday night. Mainly a "hipster" crowd, but I'm OK with that sort of thing. My friend and I were seated in the middle of a community table. We enjoyed chatting and exchanging menu suggestions with the strangers around us. Although, I know some people would prefer to sit at a more private table, and those are also available. Our waitress was very familiar with each of the choices on the menu and was able to recommend an excellent bottle of 2011 Bordeaux Cinq Les Pattes. One of my new favorite cabernets. My friend and I started with the crostini, whipped ricotta, forno beet, pistachio ooh my god. Packed with flavor and we loved how the sweetness of the beets mixed in with the creamy ricotta. The presentation was also really beautiful, yet simple. I still felt like I was sitting at my family's table. We also ordered a side of the spaghetti squash with almonds because we just couldn't help ourselves. It didn't disappoint. Just the right amount of salt and crunch. We then shared the red kuri squash, chestnut and ricotta raviolo with brown butter. Again, I almost died. All of their pasta is made in house, and you can tell. It's delicately fresh and easily melts in your mouth. This dish was so perfect I almost licked my plate. We didn't stop there... we moved onto the brook trout with savoy cabbage, creme fraiche, and dill. Again, delightful. At this point, you would think two girls would have had their fill. Not even close. We ordered not one, but TWO desserts. Three housemade custard filled dough-nuts dipped in smooth dark chocolate and the dark chocolate torte made with Nashville chocolate co. Olive & Sinclair. Our community table neighbors thought our dessert looked so enticing that we ended up sharing a few bites with them... until they finished off ours and ordered their own. :) This place is well on it's way to becoming a Nashville gem. I'm already planning my next visit.
(5)Angie L.
Some friends of mine who are cooler than I am had been here a couple of times and had plenty of positive comments about the meat dishes. As I'm not that much of a carnivore I wasn't sure what to expect. I did see a couple of interesting sounding things on the Pasta & Grains section of the menu. My squash & chestnut / ricotta raviolo was tasty & the presentation was nice too. The drink menu makes me want to return. I was driving so I went with a Mexican Coke. Nice option.
(4)Darren S.
Very good food, sophisticated (but relaxed) atmosphere and good staff. A little out of the way but worth the trip.
(4)Ann W.
My dinner was delicious. I had the pasta with the pork ragout sauce (after reading a recommendation from a fellow Yelper). The serving was a little small but it was sufficient and the price was reasonable. I ate every morsel. I appreciated being able to get a meal for under $20. The spagetti squash side was ok = it was a little crunchy and in chunks that did not seem totally cooked. The server was very helpful and knowledgable and handled our relatively large group well. It did take a long time to get our food. Probably an hour. But we were enjoying hanging out, so it was not a problem. One down side - one of my friends ordered the squid ink pasta with seafood. There was literally about one tablespoon of chopped seafood and not much of a sauce. She was definitely disappointed and it looked really skimpy to me. But someone else at the table ordered the same thing and did not complain, so what do I know? I would definitely go back and give them another try and hopefully move them up to five stars.
(4)Brandon G.
This is another one of those places I want to be better than it actually is. Because it has so much going for it on the surface: cool building, ambiance, menu, etc. But when you get right down to it, the food is good, but it wasn't any better than that. It doesn't make me go "wow", it just makes me think about it for a second and go "yeah, this is pretty good."
(3)Angela T.
Really liked our meal here. I wouldn't say it was top ten in the country (Bon Appetit) but good food and great architecture. If I was rating on the pate alone I would give it twenty stars. Very delicious with a green tomato jelly to balance the richness. Bread was perfectly toasted without being too rich as I have seen at other places. Brussel sprout salad was tasty. I ordered poorly. I had the trout which while not bad wasn't nearly as good as my husbands pasta with pork ragu. At a place that makes all of the pasta in house, I should have got a pasta dish! Lastly, drinks were good but not great. I had two off the holiday menu and liked the one with the egg white the best. Overall I liked the meal. However next time I go out in Nashville I might keep exploring their unbelievable food scene.
(4)Leslie J.
This place is really good. We sat at the bar for dinner. The service can be hit or miss, but the food is awesome. We enjoyed the chicken liver pate', pork entree', and collard greens. Is it the best restaurant in Nashville? Probably not, but still really good. Our bartender, Bryce, was really nice and helpful. We'll definitely be back.
(4)Ray Ray K.
Casual-fancy spot in Germantown. I got a special vodka something from the bar, it was a little too sweet for me. The food is presented very lovely, and pretty good flavors. The liver pâté app was very good if you like that sort of thing which I do. Nice setting. Sorta pricey but a nice atmosphere.
(4)Katie W.
I ate at the bar and had an almost-fantastic experience. My chicken liver pate & brook trout were delicious!! I will definitely be going back. The food was out of this world good. Upon arrival, the restaurant was full, but the friendly hostess Angela directed us to 2 open seats at the bar, and informed us we could order from the full menu there. I usually prefer eating at the bar anyway, so I was quite happy with it!! A bartender came up immediately and asked what we'd like to drink before we had any menus. We said we needed a second to look over the wine list, and a ton of time went by before he came back to us. In the meantime, another bartender Matt(have been told he is the bar manager?) got our drink and appetizer order. He was diligent in checking on us, and very personable! Bartender #1 came back for our food order, but turns out, he forgot to ring it in, or put it on hold and forget to ring it back to the kitchen. So our dinner took a while, but again, Matt to the rescue. He smoothed things over and made sure our dinner came out ASAP. The brook trout way to die for, and I highly recommend having dinner here!! The atmosphere is beautiful, charming and intimate. The meal that i had was well worth the substantial wait. It was a teeny hiccup on a busy night, that I am sure won't happen again!!
(5)Hunter A.
My default choice. Such a good atmosphere, spot-on preparation and service, delectable food. I felt compelled to write a review after being served a delightful concoction by last nite's bartender after I asked him for something grounding that was not alcoholic. His mystical response was from a mountain top of delicious herbs and more.
(5)J H.
This was our second visit to Rolf & Daughters and I'm happy to say that this restaurant just keeps getting better. The cocktails are spot on (and the servers are very knowledgeable when it comes to getting recommendations on them). The wine list is solid. For the two of us we ordered 3 first courses and 3 pastas because, well, they looked so good. And they were. The pasta here is some of the best I've had outside of Italy and easily on par with great restaurants like Marea in NYC. Love, love, love. Good energy, good vibe, good music, great food. What's not to like?
(5)Jenn R.
This is one of my favorite places in town. Great service,excellent drinks, creative and delicious each and every time. I love the fact that this chef makes his own pasta here.The pate's are always fantastic for starters. We have been here a half dozens times and love it everytime.
(5)chocovore s.
Oh, Rolf and Daughters, I had it on good word from two friends whose taste I trust that you were wonderful . . . but I was so let down! We had 9pm reservations, and our table wasn't quite ready when we got there (a few minutes early, so not a problem), and the hostess (who was the friendliest staff person we encountered) offered us an open space at one of the community tables. Now I regret not taking it, since it might have at least meant a different server. We perused the drink menu in the few minutes it took for our table to open up. We were greeted fairly promptly, I ordered a glass of wine and my husband ordered a beer, but the server told him all of the taps were out except for one. So my husband ordered that beer, but the server came back to tell him that one was actually out, too. He said he'd look over the wine list, and after a few minutes the server came back with my wine, paused for approximately a half second, then walked off before my husband could order his glass of wine. Eventually she came back and he was able to order -- we figured we had better get the rest of our order in while she was there. Good thinking on our part --other servers ended up delivering our appetizer and entrees, and our server did not glance our way or come back to our table until we were completely finished eating and my husband's wine was long empty. When she did come to clear our plates she didn't even ask how our meal was! Anyway, the completely phoned-in service was a big damper. We also noticed that a diner at the table next to us had some sort of sausage dish that we didn't see on the menu. A special, maybe? The server didn't mention those, either. As for the food, we ordered the sourdough with seaweed butter for an appetizer, ricotta cavatelli with lamb ragu for me, and heritage chicken for my husband. The sourdough was rustic . . . or you could call it burned. I like crusty bread, but nearly the entire crust was charred black. I could see flecks of seaweed in the butter, but the taste was really not there. Oh, and there was a single sliced radish alongside. My pasta was good -- the serving size was indeed fairly small, but the cavatelli was very dense and rich. The richness was nicely offset with some fresh mint. My husband's chicken was fine, but it is literally half a chicken on a plate in some sauce. For $23 it doesn't even come with a side? A couple roasted veggies on the plate so it doesn't look so lonely? At City House it does. Just sayin'. I would usually go for dessert, but since we weren't feeling the vibe we passed. Our server *was* very on top of things once it was time to bring our check and get us out of there! Overall, I could be convinced to go back, but I'm in no hurry.
(2)Crystal T.
Perfection. Perfection in every way. From the food to the ambience to the service to the cocktails--everything we had made me giggle with delight. It's one of the best meals I can remember. We went a month ago and I still find myself daydreaming about it. And yeah, I'm serious. When you go you must have a Chartreuse Manhattan. If you don't do it for yourself, do it for me. I also had the Hen of the Woods pasta--such a simple dish, made with whole ingredients, well-rounded flavors and spices, and house made pasta--simple and masterful. If you don't want to sit at the community table then make a reservation. The menu is small, but everything we had was amazing. That's all there is to say. Now go.
(5)Trish T.
I really like this place because it's not really your typical Italian restaurant. I understand you have to have meatballs and pasta, but everything else is "different" than most places in Nashville. I'm by no means an over eater, but I had three courses and left still hungry :x. This place is not your typical large- can serve 3 people in one dish- portion. If you know the owner, he does give you larger portions. If you don't know him, the portions are smaller (maybe the correct single serving) portion. To start, I ordered the chicken liver pate, which is by far the cleanest tasting pate I've tried in Nashville. Then, I had the squid ink pasta, which I'm still drooling over as I write this post. My husband had the seafood fra diavolo, which he loved. For dessert, we had the doughnuts with the ice cream inside. The house made ice cream was reallllllly good, but the doughnut was really dense and bready tasting, which was not what I was expecting. I dub this place "my" gem of Nashville. I love Italian food, but there's a lack of options for good Italian food in Nashville. Since I lived in big cities all over the US, this is close to what to expect.
(5)Crawford L.
Ahh, Rolf & Daughters. The biggest, baddest restaurant in all the land. You will see famous people like Ted Danson, Trent Dabbs, and at least 20% of the cast of ABC's "Nashville." You will scoff at how much the drinks cost, then order several more because they taste so good. You will receive your food and love it. You will order a second helping of the house-baked bread with seaweed butter. You will consider order a second helping of the mushroom pasta, too, in lieu of dessert. You will wind up ordering both. Happy eating! ALSO, one last thing: get reservations. Waiting two hours for a table is worth it, but it still sucks... and baby, it's cold outside.
(5)Lori M.
I love this place!! So interesting and innovative which makes for a wonderful culinary adventure. The starters are always great and changes depending on what is in season. I have had almost every pasta dish and they are all fantastic! The trout, chicken and vegetarian dishes are my favorite. Nice folks and so glad I am a half a block away!!!
(5)Lance D.
Amazing 5 star culinary explosion in the science of food.
(5)Jennifer M.
Very disappointed. I had the puttanesca while my date had the garganelli, and both were so salty we didn't even make it halfway through the dishes. The puttanesca was just plain disgusting - the chef sorely misused the anchovies. Additionally, it's nothing like having a meal where you have to SCREAM. Across the table to have a conversation. The noise was terrible. Terrible food and ambience, so many better restaurants around town!
(1)Tom G.
I genuinely hate doing this, because I have never actually eaten here, but may I suggest that you expand the words on your website "We encourage you to visit without a reservation" to include "but please call ahead to make sure we aren't closed for a whole fortnight"! While traveling through the South we wanted to hit Husk on one of our nights in town (review coming soon) and this place. Having checked the website and Yelp to confirm their opening hours we walked over here from downtown to work up a little appetite only to find it eerily abandoned with a tiny sign in the window saying they are on vacation. I appreciate that a small restaurant's staff are entitled to vacation, but how about considering other people's vacations and putting a note on your website to that effect? My mistake for not checking more thoroughly (I actually did call once we started walking from Downtown but the phone rang and rang so I assumed they were just busy) but even disappointed locals arrived when we did also unaware of the closure. Luckily some of these locals pointed us towards the nearby City House (review also coming soon) but please, guys, a tiny effort on your part would have been much appreciated by some people who had come from near and far to support your business. Thank you.
(1)Mr.Food E.
Not your average Restaurant and I guess that is what makes this place great. Located just outside downtown Nashville in what appears to be an old factory that has been touched up quite nicely. It was a little awkward entering through an outdoor tent then accessing the main door but once inside the atmosphere was very inviting and full of friendly people and staff. The seating was a little weird especially if you don't like people. I was sat at a table with a total group of strangers after the first 10 seconds of silence you learn to dive right into other peoples conversations turned out to not be a bad thing. This was my first time here so I wasn't sure what to order so I relied on the waitress to help me choose a meal that would hold me over for the evening. Everything worked out well and the food was delicious and fresh. I ended up with a plate of the Garganelli it was like Mom's Mac and Cheese +5 it just hit the spot . Great food Great Staff and more importantly Great food. will be back if I'm in Nashville. If you Love food Eat here...
(5)Diondre V.
Tried this place for the 3rd time and finally got seated. The first two times I've tried, they "don't do reservations on the weekend." The first time was for my girlfriend's birthday. "We are not gonna have a table for eight until about 10 o'clock." Meanwhile, people just kept being seated in front of us. Tried to get in the second time, there were 3 tables open for two but a party of 8 came just before us but these tables were not even in a row yet we still had to wait. This last time, showed up and there were clearly 4 tables wide open with a couple about to leave a fourth. "Table for two, please." "Oh it's going to be a 45 minute wait." "What about those four open tables for two?" "Oh those are for reservations.". WTF!!!!??? Just last week you didn't do weekend reservations now you all of a sudden have tables booked? Who did you notify that you all of a sudden do reservations? Now, this third time I walked in I noticed, just like the other two times, there is a specific "crowd", if you will, that they cater to. I've never seen a table of the "out crowd" in there and I've waited there a total of 2 hours in the three times I've been and have only been seated once. On to the food and drinks. First off the waitress could have explained the menu, which she could have because most of the things on there were not just normal things you'd find anywhere else. Flyte takes the cake in explanation of the menu items. She could have attempted. The drinks easily rival Patterson House for the tastiness and strength. The food was decent. I had the baby octupus with black garlic and pork for the appetizer. Pretty good. My main course consisted of pork tenderloin and cannellini beans and spinach. Pretty good. My side was polenta (grits) and greens. Those were just ok-they served them in a bowl together. Which was not a good idea because once the dish sat their, the polenta started to just float off into little pieces and there were no spoons. For dessert, my date and I shared a chocolate tart which had sea salt and chocolate nibs covering it. I liked it because it was light and not heavy. I'm not a big fan of chocolate overkill. The coffee is extra weak. Maybe that's because I'm a coffee drinker. The food is good, drinks are spectacular, service is ASS CRACK. That's why I only gave them three stars because of the service. Otherwise, the restaurant was pretty good. I would go if you want a decent meal with good drinks. Sidenote: look like you have money when you go, they like that. I feel like since we were not the crowd that they "prefer" we were treated terribly 3x. I wouldn't go back unless I had reservations and someone begged me.
(3)Guillermo K.
Delicious stuff. Service was a little uneven (and slow at points). But the pasta was great. The Berkshire pork entree however is pretty whatever. Not worth it to get that.
(3)Queen B.
Two disappointing experiences, decided it's not worth a review.
(2)Taylor K.
The food is amazing, the atmosphere is fun, and the bartenders are easy on the eyes. It doesn't get better than this ;-).
(5)Janet S.
Space - nice if you like wood and brick, this seems to be just arriving in Nashville, better late than never. Noise - loud chatter plus loud music (good if you like the Cure) Greeting - Nothing special..and we like special. Food - Meh to OK, small portions indeed! Service - Hesitant and unsure. 5 peeps - we were seated by the entrance door which meant an icy blast every time someone came in and out plus the gentle waft of cigarette smoke from the smokers just outside. Cocktails - $10/$11, Nice - A-OK and satisfying, Searching for the Cure (sticking with the music here ) and the Cumberland Sour Sourdough and Seaweed butter, 4 pieces of bread - 5 of us at table, (pet peeve of all of us) enough butter for 3 people. Sourdough a bit heavy to compete with the butter, no taste of seaweed. Pate Campagnola - not too much flavor here, no better than packet Pate. from Kroger, again 4 piececs of bread and 4 radishes, for the love of god... and yes we paid the extra charge for more bread. Oh and where were the cornichons peeps? Polenta and Turnip Greens - Greens extremely bitter, polenta soft and creamy, we all agreed this was the best thing we had all night. Pork Special Sandwich - belly wrapped in loin wrapped in skin (supposed to be crispy). Two of us had this, almost inedible, dripping in a greasy oil concoction they called Salsa Verde, why add oil to Pork? If the pork belly was there, we could not find it, it seemed all loin and no crispy skin, a great idea but not executed correctly. Trout - acceptable according to the eater. Yorkshire Pork - sub-par according to the Yorkshire man eating it, so like what is Yorkshire Pork anyhow? Pasta - the best dish of the evening of the entrees, but small as their Pastas are Secondi. Home made Parmesan was a little overpowering. Dessert - Bombolini - good, three of them and some chocca sauce. Finally I asked for a Sambucca, none to be had, no problem, I asked the waitress to ask the bartender to give me the closest alternative from their digestiv list and he sent amarro nardini. Excellent Choice - but I would expect a proactive bartender to suggest an alternative rather than wait for the guest to suggest it. Service - only came to us when she had to, was not particularly knowledgeable about the menu, was not receptive to the Pork Special feedback, and scampered away as fast as possible. All in all $200 for the lot of us, would we go back - Nah I don't think so but I sure did enjoy the company and thank our friends for treating us. Whew that was my longest review ever - sorry folks....but really this is pretty much a Gastropub on an average day, would enjoy this setting with a shepherds pie and a pint:-). Quieter ambiance at Silo and better VFM at ye olde Cityhouse. Why 3 stars??? I really like the bar shelves - reminded me of British Habitat shelving from the 90's, bottles nicely arranged. Me old flat in London was just like this.
(3)Jaime B.
No complaints! Lives up to the hype. Had the butternut squash first course, and the trout dish, and squid ink pasta - and the bombilini dessert. They were all amazing! No reservation, arrived at 8:45 on a Saturday night, super busy but our party of 2 was seated at the community table within 20 minutes.
(5)Mandy M.
Last minute trip to Nashville to visit son in college, tried to get a reservation the week before, but knew it was unlikely. Very helpful girl on the 'phone told me they have communal tables that are first come first seated (the bar is too). We waited about an hour for our table. Husband wanted to go elsewhere, I made him wait. Cocktails were delicious. The hostesses had been very friendly and the waitress was friendly enough, she seemed a bit overwhelmed. Steak Tartare appetiser was delicious, I thought the salsa verde was a strange choice to go with it but it worked. Squid Ink pasta with shrimp and lemon was absolutely wonderful, perfectly seasoned. Husband had the pasta verde with pork ragu which was very good - he thought he won (he didn't). Son very much enjoyed the roast pork, portions were way too small for his liking but then he's a 19 year old with the appetite of a small horse. Desserts were great, the bombolini were a big hit - warm, crispy sugary pillows of yumminess. The panacotta wasn't really, it jiggled okay but the consistency was too soft, more like a creme brulee without the brulee. Pet peeve... Husband and son finished their main course before I did and the waitress cleared their plates, asked about dessert and delivered the dessert menu before I had finished - super tacky and very rude, her actions made me feel as though they really wanted us out of there pdq. She did the same thing to the group of 3 sitting beside us. I know a lot of people don't like to sit with an empty plate in front of them (I'm one of those) but if someone in my party is still eating I can wait. We'll definitely go back (but maybe have a reservation next time).
(4)Kel Vin W.
First meal back in Nashville, it was spectacular! First of all, the staff were great, we had a 3 year-old with us and they were very accommodating. The kitchen made a spaghetti with butter and parmesan dish for my friend's daughter, it was soooo good, all the adults wished we had a bowl of that! We started out with Razor clams, and a butternut squash crostini which were absolutely delicious. The clams were roasted with smoky char, but still perfectly tender, and the nutty hubbard squash on whipped ricotta made a smooth and earthy starter For entrees we got the Yorkshire pork, which was very rich in flavor! The roasted Heritage chicken was succulent and juicy. The gemelli was cooked with farro flour and hen of the woods mushrooms, it was earthy and had it been served in a pottery bowl, it would have been a modern rustic pasta dish. The squid ink canestri pasta with diced minced chorizo, shrimp and squid was bursting with seafood flavors. Lastly, we got 1 of each dessert: olive sinclair's chocoloate and sea salt chocolate baker; we also got the panna cotta which was so soft and deep in flavor. We also got the bombolinis which are fried to order, they are small doughnuts with pastry creme filling. A great meal, again, one of Nashville's gems!
(4)E. D.
This is a meal that you've got to plan out in advance--but man, is it worth it! I've been here three times so far and have never been disappointed. It is delicious.
(5)Sean S.
A place for lovers of cocktails and foodies. My main entree was a pork dish. Really high fat content. Not sure if that was intentional. All else was spot on! But no espresso drinks! Kind of weird for a 4 star place.
(4)Cara K.
After reading all the glowing reviews on yelp, my boyfriend and I decided to give this restaurant a try. It was a very disappointing experience... We tried an appetizer, entree, and dessert. The app was very good. However, my boyfriend's entree was very undercooked and had to be sent back. Our waitress was by far the most unpleasant waitress I have ever encountered and did not apologize for the undercooked food or attempt to smooth over the inconvenience. I was entirely done eating my entree by the time my boyfriend's dish came back. I had a pasta dish which was very good. A couple we had talked to recommended the filled donuts for dessert and so we tried those as well. We both thought it was a fun, unique dessert. Although I have had bad experiences at restaurants I have never felt like writing a review on one. The experience was just that disappointing and I am still wondering why this place had so many good reviews. I agree that the food is very good, although I am not sure it is as good as I was expecting by reading the other reviews. At similar (price and atmosphere) restaurants in other cities I have had much better food and enjoyed the experience a lot more. And the service was horrible. The building was gorgeous but the vibe was unfriendly and overly hipster. I would not go back.
(2)whitney D.
We went the night after they opened, and I'm just now remembering to write the review! The drinks were nice and the food was a little pretentious, however the vibe and the service were exceptional! The community table freaked me out at first, as I'm not the biggest fan typically, but we ended up knowing almost everyone there that night, which made it really fun. Our server was great and made us feel at home and the hostess went above and beyond by overhearing a friend say they wanted a cigarette and quickly bringing out a fancy silver cigarette case and offered them one. Overall it was a really fun night and having friends that live in the building, we will most likely be back soon!
(4)Luke K.
Others have mentioned variable service and food but during my three times going have all been spectacular. I've never personally ordered the chicken but someone in my part has each time and man is that delicious. Their pastas are tasty, lighter than what you get at most places, which suited just fine. Most recently I had a pork belly dish and it was excellent. Probably not something I could order over and over but one of the positives of Rolf and Daughters is you can bounce around the menu pretty easily. It can be tough to get a table but the bar is a pretty good for hanging out while you wait.
(4)Andrea D.
Service and food were good. Inside was beautifully redone. Portions are very small, do not go their starving. Wine pour for a $12 glass was under average and could have been better. Germantown already has Silo, City House and Germantown Cafe. I rather go to City House where the portions & pours are worth the money you will spend.
(4)Gage L.
Amazing from start to finish. Appetizer of octopus w/ pork belly was a favorite. Our group ordered 3 of the 5 pasta dishes on the menu and all equally amazing. The dry aged meatballs with Sunday sauce was delicious. All cocktails were great.
(5)Christina S.
Expectations were high and met! Everything from service to decor to food was amazing. We got lucky and walked in at 6:30 and got a seat at their communal table. We were smack in the middle of the table and at first we thought it would be tight but within five minutes we forgot there were people next to us. We ate 3 appetizers, two pasta entries and shared a desert with two cups of coffee (also had a glass of wine and beer) and we left spending $120 including tip. The brussel sprouts were out of this world! the For the freshness, flavor and pure ambiance, we feel this was a steal!!!! What a great find on our trip down south!!!! Our only issue was that we wish our dining experience lasted a little longer. Appetizers came out within 10 minutes of ordering and sometimes I like to settle in before starting to fine (perhaps giving clients the bread and butter for free would be a way to let us dine a little longer) and our food was served a quick 5 minutes after we finished our appetizers. Totally get they want to move people quickly, but I'd rather have had a few extra minutes between sitting and food arriving.
(5)Sloane S.
Last Saturday, I had the opportunity to eat here for the first time. Dinner with a good friend. Only way to go. We arrived at 8:30 and waited at the bar for 45 minutes. Great bar staff, great cocktails and an adventurous wine list. The first three appetizers we ordered we could not get-they ran out of bread. It's good. I'm a foodie. I get it. This was a busy night. I had the chicken and my friend had the trout. It was in a word-DIVINE. I'll go back. The atmosphere, the service and the food. Great trifecta in my book.
(4)Rachel H.
Given the buzz around the place, I expected a unique and inventive experience. But, I could have prepared my dinner at home. We ordered three appetizers and a pasta for 2 of us because we wanted to sample various things. While the pasta was very good, they accomplished that mostly by using a lot of butter with other simple, good ingredients. It was good - but reproducible at home without much effort. Two of the appetizers also had generous portions of fat. I don't mind fat, but it felt like the restaurant was relying on fat to make the dishes feel special and satisfying. The appetizers were not memorable. Given better options in town, I'll go back only if a group votes for it.
(3)Glenn F.
Rolf & Daughters is very interesting menu selection and restaurant. I dined on their second evening open and I couldn't believe how well they had things together. Service was amazing! (Thanks Becca!). My favorite selection is a mixture of meals. Just give me the most flavorful piece of oven roasted chicken, yes chicken, in Nashville and a side of their plain homemade spaghetti noodles and I will be happy. The ambiance is casual and hipster. Parking was adequate and the service was terrific. Drinks and cocktails are delicious. I will go back for sure.
(4)Nathan W.
When I think about what I would want to have for my last meal, pasta invariably ends up on that list, sometimes two or three times. There is no more satisfying an item on the planet of which I am aware. Capable of both inspiring and comforting simultaneously. I would consider myself an avid pasta fan, fanatical even. Which brings me to Rolf and Daughters. Opened recently in the boiler building of the Werthan Packaging plant and condos, Rolf and Daughters aims to bring a central Italian perspective to the expanding Nashville food scene. In a city which lacks a robust Italian food presence, Rolf and Daughters shines. With one exception (which I will touch on in a moment) the food was thoughtful, inspired and comforting. The wine list was the equal of the food and the cocktails were clearly a daily consideration. We started our meal with a pate of chicken livers (one of my weaknesses) served with toast and a ginger jam. The pate was smooth, rich and delicious. The ginger jam was creative and a subtle compliment to the pate and crunch on the toast. My only gripe with this app was that it only had two toast points and extra toast costs $. If you are going to serve us a tin of pate at least give me enough bread with which to scrape the sides with. No one wants to watch me licking the inside of the tin, it is embarrassing. We followed this with a salad. A well executed salad is an unsung victory, and this sits soundly in that category. I imagine that any salad you choose will meet this mark so I wont spend my time on it. We shared a pasta dish with a pork ragu. This was sublime. I found myself wanting more bread...again...just to clean the bowl. It was rich and complex. It defined for me what savory is supposed to be. So delicious. Our individual courses were pasta again for me and shrimp for my wife. This pasta was the special. It was a goat which had been braised in milk and then an acidic and delicious creamy sauce wrapped around what appeared to be a twist on gnocchi. This was really good, not as good as the ragu, but still damn good. My only wish for it was that there had been more of the goat meat in it. My wife had the gulf shrimp for her entree. They were huge prawns in a delicious (thought uninspired) sauce. The heads were removed but for some reason they had left the rest of the shells on the shrimp. In my experience if you leave the shells on, the heads should also remain. It both makes for a great experience and a simpler deconstruction post prep. If you do remove the head then the tail should be all that remains. This is my opinion, but it made her dish challenging at best to eat. It also left us wishing she had ordered something else. Dessert was something special. I had the Italian donuts and my wife had an amazing dark chocolate torte. Both were amazing and left us feeling hugged. So where does this leave us? Full, that's where it leaves us. Rolf and Daughters does something great for Nashville. It makes us want more.
(4)Eric F.
First Yelp review I've written + first time in Nashville and really, thoroughly enjoyed our meal at Rolf and Daughters. Delicious interesting cocktails Sour Dough with seaweed butter and chicken liver pate to start. Shaved brussel sprout salad was a treat. Trout and gemelli farro with hen of the wood mushrooms. And ensure you have the bartender pour you a glass of the Mettler red.
(4)Bill G.
6 of us went to Rolf and Daughters last night as we had been told it was a really good new place. The room inside is really cool an the bar is nice also. We ordered some drinks and wine and some appetizers all of which were pretty good. The Pate was good and also the bread they served with it. When we ordered our dinners we were told the specials had all sold our for the night which is strange because it was only 8pm. The menu itself seemed to be lacking in a lot of ways. They offer 4-5 apps and only 4-5 entrees. There were some sides and a few small plates as well but I was hoping for more. Anyway we all ordered and my wife got the meatballs and I ordered the Puttanesca and others ordered the fish. When we got our dinners they looked great but my wife complained about the salt in the meatballs and when I got a taste, I was shocked and I really like salt but I could not eat a second bite. My Pasta was way overdone with the Anchovies...way over done! I did taste the fish and it was ok but not great. Our waitress was just fine and kept the water bottles full on the table however the water in them was really warm which was odd as it was surely just tap water and wouldn't you fill them with cold water? So basically we had a really expensive seriously mediocre dinner and I would not recommend this place to anyone I like.
(1)Julie S.
The wait staff is amazing...and that's only the beginning! The food is out of this world! We've had dinner here several times and we let the waitress or waiter choose half of the meal and we choose the other half off the menu and then we share and it's truly an experience. The other wonderful thing about this restaurant is the people watching. The prices are reasonable enough so that the uber cool young people who are always on the cutting edge can afford it and the "common table" where those without reservations but are willing to wait for seats, is a great way to get to know interesting people sitting around you. GO!
(5)Rochell P.
I've eaten here a couple of times and have sat at the bar for drinks. First of all, LOVE the vibe - very chill but lively, muted light, exposed brick and wood tables. Smaller tables along the outside with 2 long communal tables in the middle. The cocktails are creative and tasty. We had the crostini and razor clams. The crostini was yummy with a light whipped ricotta and beets. The clams were not my favorite..a bit chewy for me. I've had the garganelli pasta and it was delish! I had a pasta special there on another night, forgot what it's called, with chocolate in it. It was just as tasty. For dessert we had a cream filled donut-type pastry with chocolate sauce (aka little pockets of heaven). The service is exceptional, very friendly and with good suggestions. I've heard others say that the servings are small. True but I don't want or need a bowl of pasta the size of my head.
(4)Min M.
Hipster bartenders are unfriendly and unhelpful. Big turn off so much so that I can't remember much about the food. Great atmosphere in the restaurant. Just wish they didn't take themselves so seriously.
(3)Fredrick L.
Great bar set up and the food is even better. We will definitely be back.
(5)Dara S.
Great dining experience with a few reservations.... Fabulous pâté, but came with a measly portion of bread. We asked for an additional portion of bread and 2 pieces arrived. Would it kill them to bring 4? And that translated to $1.50 on my bill. What?? $1.50 for 2 pieces of bread? They clearly need to rethink the pate/bread ratio unless that is the scheme by which to make an additional $1.50 from every diner who orders pate. And speaking of bread, they charge $5.00 for 4 pieces of bread. Obviously no free bread here. There is a shortage of vegetarian options on this menu. The shrimp pasta has chorizo. The bucatini is made with pancetta. I ordered the pasta option without meat and the gemelli was delicious. I also ordered all 3 side dish options for the table and they did not disappoint. Fellow diner had the pasta with pork ragu and is still raving about it this morning. I love the atmosphere and the place was packed. Location stinks but this is a built-it-and-they-will -come place. Maybe the need to turn over tables quickly is why the waitress was whisking away our plates before we were actually finished. I'd probably give 4 stars but for the bread. I can't even believe my take-away from this dining experience was the bread fiasco. Why ruin a great experience with a stingy no-brainer?
(3)Loren G.
The best roast chicken ever. Best squid ink pasta. A memorable Meal lived up to its hype
(5)Amanda E.
I've been wanting to try Rolf & Daughters for a while because I had heard many good things about it and Germantown has some amazing restaurants. I went with my girlfriend and a friend for dinner on a Saturday night. We had made reservations two weeks in advance, yet still had to wait for about 20 minutes for a table. We were finally seated when we inquired why there were several open tables available. The hostess had a twinge of an attitude, but I always give service people slack as they work very hard and sometimes they have an off night. We were promptly greeted by our server when we sat down and she took our drink orders and poured small glasses of lukewarm water. Odd. She was very knowledgeble about the menu and took the time to give recommendations. The decor was perfect and warm. We ordered our entrees and two appetizers to share, which came quickly. The baby octopus and pork belly was amazing, with crispy skin yet cooked perfectly on the inside. And I am not a fan of octopus. The sourdough bread is homemade and delicious, but of course they bring an odd number of slices for the the table, which I never understand about restaurants. Our entrees took a good 45 minutes to arrive at our table after the apps. I'm starting to realize why they make you wait. I ordered the pork ragu. It was good, but not great or earth shattering. The portions are small, which I appreciate. I had some bites of my friends' entrees. The farro pasta was light with a subtle lemon taste. It wasn't my favorite, but my girlfriend liked it. The trout was by far the best entree of the three. I am always impressed when a chef can turn Carolina trout into something delicious, because it is quite a boring and non flavorful fish. All in all it was a good experience. But for the prices they charge and for how long they make you wait, I would expect something better than "good."
(3)Alex G.
I'll be back as RaD definitely has potential, but my most recent visit was pretty mediocre. Perhaps I just had overly high expectations given all the publicity this place has been getting (ex. Bon Appetite). Anyway, the drinks here are very solid. Enjoy a cocktail (daily special) and glass of wine. But the food was underwhelming. Came here with a party of four and had a chance to try quite a few dishes. Steak tartar was just so-so. Small portion for the price and the crostini it was one was in a bowl with some weird broth the made it a bit soggy. Just not sure what the idea was. Brussel sprouts were okay; tasted good, but I'm not personally a huge fan of the shaved slaw-style it's served as. Still, a recommended dish. Also enjoyed the sourdough bread and seaweed butter, but a little peeved that an italian restaurant wouldn't have free bread + olive oil/balsamic. Paying $5 (plus tax/tip) for bread and butter, no matter how tasty is a bit underwhelming, especially when a place like Etch does a butter tasting with several different butters for less. Ricotta cavatelli was pretty darn tasty. Had a fresh, nutty taste that's a bit hard to explain. Likely better in smaller portions as I can see the taste being a little cloying/overwhelming for a whole dish (I only sampled from one of my dining partners). I had the squid ink canestri and was underwhelmed. The flavor was solid, but when the ingredients say "shrimp" and "squid" I'd like to actually see and taste it. Whatever was topping the actual pasta was basically ground fish; it was more salty than I'd expect and truthfully it was difficult to even know that there was much there other than the pasta. Lamb meatballs were okay, but seemed to be a bit undercooked. The chicken was quite tasty, but also a bit on the salty side. Still it was definitely the best dish of the night.
(3)Mag N.
have visited a couple times. always on point. no disappointments. i typically don't stray from a traditional cocktail, but the options here have not disappointed.
(5)Shane M.
wonderful food and atmosphere, reasonable portions, great waiter, accommodating hostess, pleasurable experience
(5)Elizabeth A.
Great place! Love the building and the food was delightful. I started with the tomatoes and had the trout and the favor was really good. The only problem I encountered was the noise level. For someone hard of hearing, it was hard to hear my dinner companions during conversation. That staff was very attentive and and catered to our party to make sure we had everything we needed. I think next time I go and I will return , I may opt to sit outside weather permitting.
(5)Paulius N.
gastro-awesomeness a great foodie adventure with solid cocktails Once again, a new Nashville restaurant hits it out of the park. Bravo Nashville! The hits just keep on coming. Just opened, Rolf and Daughters is destined for greatness. Nothing on the menu that we tried disappointed. Cocktails to start, each one was unique and possessed a strong and well balanced flavor profile. The Milan Mule, made with gin for a ginger flavor load was a tart and bitter delight. Perfect to rev up the appetite for what awaited. Whoever designed the cocktail menu should be commended. A bit heavy on the amaros, but everyone has their style. I appreciate the lack of vodkas at the bar, and the non existence of the cloying flavored varieties. I would suggest however, the acquisition of olives for a classic martini. On to the food. A pork rib appetizer was off the charts great. Falling off the bone, moist, meaty, and served with a spicy relish. Worth of a death row dinner request no doubt. A porchetta sandwich was had as well. The bread was as perfect as could be, and stood up well to the moist fattiness of the meat. Seasoned quite lightly and served with a small amount of bitter greens for contrast, it was a flavor delight. If a sandwich can be comfort food, this one is. My brook trout entree, served with Savoy cabbage, creme fraiche and dill was heavenly. The chef again and again showed his deft hand with seasonings and texture combinations. The spaghetti carbonara, was rich if a bit on the small side, but again, a study in deliciousness. The squid ink canestri was big and bold, the chorizo blending seamlessly with the seafood. And it was visually stunning as well. Dessert options were also a hit. My bambolini were light as air with a fantastic chocolate dip, and the chocolate tart added a new dimension of subtle savoriness to the current trend of salt enhanced sweets. Carry on Rolf and Daughters. Carry on indeed.
(5)Brooke M.
The best Nashville has to offer.
(5)Claudia Y.
finally my restaurant in nashville. the place I'll always go. my second living room with a bar. GREAT cocktails. but it's the food. it's just plain excellent. all pastas made in house. the seafood squid ink and pork ragu garganelli were my favorites. we went twice the first week and pretty much ate through the menu. great vibe. great service. but it's the food. really. peasant food with a modern twist. inspired. truly. go.
(5)Tim B.
Ambiance and drinks were great. Music was too loud for conversation. The food was too salty. Ordered meatballs and they were raw. Disappointing given the cost. Don't mind paying for a nice meal but I expect it to be well done. May consider coming back for drinks only. Nice patio space could make for a good happy hour. May give it a second chance in about a year but they have some kinks to work out first.
(1)Bill F.
Pretty good meal, some dishes very good. For the price, I would say they are average to slightly above average for similar Nashville restaurants. The really odd thing about this place is how they nickel and dime you for bread. How weird! Guys, if you need higher margins, just charge me an extra buck or two for my app or entree but please don't pick my pocket when I want bread. Bread is five bucks, but the real kicker was the pâté. It comes with four VERY small pieces of crostini... not enough to finish the dish of pâté. When we asked for more crostini they brought 3 pieces (for four people) and charged us a buck fifty. It was just annoying enough that I probably won't be back. Too bad.
(3)Carol C.
Huge fan still after 5 visits.....you can't beat the great vibe (cool interior, great patio, fun bar), attentive wait staff, and most of all, the food. The roasted chicken, gemelli pasta and cauliflower can't be beaten. I am not adventurous enough to try a few of the dishes (ink squid pasta) and I wish they didn't charge for the bread, but clearly it doesn't stop me from coming back. Read the other reviews and i haven't had the same issues, but maybe that's because we are early diners--hitting it about 6:15 or 6:30.
(4)Vanessa P.
5 stars? Heck yes. I love the ambience here, the drinks are suberb, and the fresh pasta is perfect.
(5)Meitra A.
Great cocktails, great pasta. I even enjoyed the chicken liver pâté, and I never thought I would. We went on a Friday night, and we got there by 6pm. We didn't have reservations, so we sat at the bar. Our mixologist was great. I definitely recommend the bombolina dessert. I may have incorrectly remembered the name, but I've been thinking about those little pastry creme-filled donuts since I took the last bite. We will definitely go again.
(4)Bill D.
Overall we had a great experience. The food is amazing. The decor and vibe feels like an upscale Burger Up or a twin of the renowned City House. The price tag for two appetizer's, two glasses of wine each, two entree's, a shared desert, and two cool desert coffee's with the tip rounded out at a justifiable value of $170. That's about what I'm going to pay for an all-in dinner at an establishment of this caliber!! I will say that the server wasn't overly intuitive at first. I ordered our wine and he impatiently said "what's the rest of your order...the chef needs to plan ahead". Uh, really...did I really just hear that!! I looked at him for a very short minute and said, "as I said, we will enjoy the moment over a glass of wine"!! He quickly scurried away slightly rattled but to his credit he quickly got the idea and adapted to our slower pace and the eventual higher tab, including his generous tip for being a quick learner. I even like the side street location (much like the amazing City House) and the minimalist signage. I think the owners nailed it on every level. I would definitely go again!
(4)Kay D.
My boyfriend and I got early reservations for a Friday night pretty far in advance, and it was already hopping at opening. The room is open, all wood and brick/concrete, so it got fairly noisy quickly. My cocktail was good, but arrived a good 5 minutes after my boyfriend's wine. We had apps (seaweed butter: good, coppa testa: so-so), 2 pastas and an entree. The veal pasta that was an off-menu item that night was good, and the pork ragout was amazing! I wish we would have just gotten those, because the pork served with the pork and sauerkraut entree was a real disappointment - just a few thin pieces with an inedible gristle line running through them. The sausage and sauerkraut were really good, however, so I have very mixed feelings about that dish. I feel the hype they are getting right now (mostly deserved from my experience) might let them get away with serving some dishes that wouldn't fly elsewhere. The service was friendly and efficient and we will definitely go back, but we'll stick to the pastas next time.
(4)Adam M.
This is by far, one of the best restuarants I've eaten in my life! Being from New York City, I've eaten amongst the best of them, often at a much higher price. R&D is much better. The server was extremely patient and nice. The ambiance and design is perfect too. Allowing natural simplicity not to interfere with quite an original and succulent menu, of Italian origin. All homemade. The squid canestri is exquisite. Also had the Yorkshire Pork which was tender and full of delicious flavor. Would definitely go again!
(5)Jennie V.
The atmosphere was almost as wonderful as the cocktails. My carbonara was a hair too salty and (this is coming from someone who over salts everything). The fingerling potatoes were okay. The panna cotta was to die for. The portions could be a little bigger. The prices were on target. Overall, I liked it and will return.
(4)Joe F.
Everything about this restaurant is exciting and vibrant except for one thing. The food is wonderful, the outside patio is gorgeous and the wait staff is casual and friendly. Despite these wonderful aspects of the restaurant, it is lacking in one distinct area. The person who I've had to speak to on the phone to make reservations is rude, uninformative and abrasive. I've encountered this every time I've called. She knows little about the menu and the restaurant and made no attempt to find answers to the various questions I had asked. The last time I called I was hung up on after she told me that they were booked for the evening. I did not have an opportunity to ask about future reservations. It may not seem that important, but being a person in the service industry, I believe that the host stand is very important in a restaurant, as it is the first and last 'line of fire' that the guests encounter. I hope that Rolf and Daughters can find someone who can act as a true ambassador to their establishment and offer a bit more knowledge and friendliness for guests who call the restaurant, especially for the first time. But over all it is a great place to dine.
(4)Ray B.
The resturant was beautiful, the staff, hostess and waitress, fantastic, the food delicious, the problem why I can only give 3 stars....the food, although it was delicious, for the price the portions were minimal. I dont mind paying for food I like and appreciate, but I do like to leave the table satisified. We started with the Crostini delicious but not enough for two to have a decent taste. The Carrot salad with little moo, delicious but seriously, for $10 I deserve the whole carrot. The Bucatini, delicious, but after the first bite, I was scrapping the bottom of the bowl and the Heritage Chicken, delicious, but when I am told the entre is a breast and a leg, I am from the South, a chicken breast is a nice size piece of meat, but this poor chicken never hit puberty. The Kale and polenta were delcious and i could have eaten a larger bowl full. We left not starving but definately not satisified. I probably will not return because for the price of the meal, there are equally good resturants where I feel I get a fair return on my investment. But thanks Rolf and Daughters for a nice evening.
(3)