The Catbird Seat
| Address: | 1711 Division St, Nashville, TN 37203, USA |
| Phone: | +1 615-810-8200 |
| Site: | thecatbirdseatrestaurant.com |
| Rating: | 4.8 |
| Working: | Closed Closed 5:30–9PM 5:30–9PM 5:30–9PM 5:30–9PM Closed |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 7
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Andrew Market
The Catbird Seat is truly something special. Arive on time, with no more than just fifteen minutes to spare. Entry is thoughtfully staggered between groups so that each party is individually escorted inside, at which stage you are greeted warmly by the Chef and staff. You are seated quite comfortably at the bar in the dinning area, which flanks the open, stainless prep-kitchen on three sides. A buffer space tactfully seperates the parties; the light buzz of coversation amongst the guests and with the staff is never enough to be a distraction and you will find that the service is honest and engaging, and perhaps lively at times. In just a short time the staff is able to form a relationship with you that is professional yet genuinely intimate and is reflexive of the very real care and joy that they invest into youre experiance. The Catbird Seat is unquestionably the city of Nashvilles culinary-flagship and is testament to Tennessees continuing progress and development. This restaurant ceartainly leads the forefront of what is the States new and vibrant food culture that has developed around the greater Nashville area. The quality and execution of Chefs tasting menu a strong contender for the best you will find in the United States, proudly rivaling any culinary experience that can be found in L. A., New York, Chicago,... you get the picture. Now to be clear, Im not saying that The Catbird Seat is the greatest restaurant that there ever has been, or will be. What I am saying however is this: as the restaurant continues to push itself culinarily and further craft its identity, I would not be surprised if in the next few years The Catbird Seat is considered for a Mechlean Star. Note: I have chosen not to address the eleven items that were served over the course of the meal because of the frequency with which the menu changes. However, I would like to complement the selection and thoughtfulness of the wine pairings with each course. (In my personal opinion, the option to have a set of custom cocktail pairings for the tasting menu could be a welcome addition). I would like to thoroughly thank Chef Ryan Poli & the entire staff of the The Catbird Seat for a dinning experience that will be fondly remember for a long time.
BE
Ben Gordon
This is definitely the best culinary "experience" I have had. The entire experience was simply amazing. From the greeting at the entrance to the cookie jar and copy of the menu for the night at the end. The chefs, sommelier, and support staff were all on point. Very friendly, knowledgeable, and really helped make the experience. The setting is awesome being able to watch everyone work their magic. The food was great. Very interesting combinations with good drink pairings. It wasnt one type of cuisine but I felt it was Asian inspired, with some Italian and American (including others). There were a couple of plates that really stood out from the rest as particularly tasty, but there wasnt anything that was an exploding mouthgasm of flavor that left me licking my plate. Ive had a couple of those moments. Maybe it just wasnt my night. As others have said, its expensive, but worth it. Im fine with the total cost, but the 20% service charge and the cost of the drinks in addition to the meal, left me feeling like I was taken advantage of. So, in conclusion, expensive, but worth it. Great food, and awesome experience. Be prepared for the additional costs (60% for drinks + another 20% service cost)
MO
Moto Mike
Weve been coming here for years now. Yes, theres the usual stuff you have to just accept that go against everything youve been raised to believe. You book online and pay (a lot for Nashville) in advance - even gratuity. OK, yes - it feels very wrong. We get it. But, just do it. Trust me. Trust the reviews. What you are introduced to is an experience unlike any other The South has to offer, right here in our hometown of Nashville. My earlier criticisms, too, have been addressed. Before there was no grand finale course - now there is. And it was brilliant. Before, it was a bit disorganized. Now it is down to a structured, methodical science, but still we felt like there was always a great desire to please and orient the meal and pace around us. In short, it all works and added up to a memorable experience we loved, and we are already looking forward to our next visit. Maybe not for everyone, but definitely for us. I guess that best sums it up.
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Bill Jones
The Catbird Seat is the very reason I visited Nashville, and it did not disappoint, even after arriving to find a new chef had taken over. The atmosphere of the restaurant is upscale, though the chefs, sommelier and hostess were all super laid-back and fun to be around for the night. The food was inventive and tasty throughout, we got along well with the staff and had a wonderful night here. It was even nice to see that a few of the things we already had some familiarity with (dishes the former chef cooked at El Ideas in Chicago during a collaboration dinner) were adapted in news ways at The Catbird Seat. The only negative is that despite how good everything was, there wasnt really any one dish that blew me away; and as fun as it all was, it did not do anything crazy to surprise me. That said, its a must-visit for foodies in Nashville.
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Emily Hanna Crane
Definitely should be on anyones bucket list. This was a dining experience beyond anything you can imagine. You think you know. But you really dont know until you eat there how amazing the food, ambience, and pairings can be. Each chef speaks to you about his or her dish. My favorite dish hands down was the A5 Wagu Beef with Umami crust with an eggplant-chocolate-miso puree. This one food item was hands down the single most enjoyable food Ive ever eaten. Pure pleasure in a flavor explosion! The beverage pairings are very good but pale in comparison to the food. Its worth the splurge to get the beverage pairings with the tasting menu just because the Beverage Director really does take the time to explain how the pairings work with each dish. We think we had (including the "snacks") 14 dishes. It was an amazing experience!
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Caitlin Berry
I would consider my fiancé and I to be foodies. We dont have any formal training or anything, but we have seen every episode of Top Chef. So doesnt that mean we are pretty much experts :D? Just kidding! But in all seriousness, we have had many tasting menus in our time (including Eleven Madison Park) and I honestly have to say in terms of overall experience and taste, this is the BEST tasting menu we have ever had. I think it definitely comes down to personal preference in some regard but it was just incredible. Every dish was absolutely flawless. Also, my partner doesnt drink so the fact that they offer a non-alcoholic pairing option was awesome! Everything was so thoughtful. If you are in Nasvhille, either because you live here or are visiting, I cannot recommend the Catbird Seat enough. Go go go!
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Dan Cassidy
This is a wonderful experience. We went together with another couple. When you sit down, they ask if you would like the beverage pairing. It was $65 per person, but my wife and I split it. It was plenty, I think they may have been a bit generous with the split! You dont get to pick your meal, it is a prefix menu. If you have allergies or food restrictions, you can email them and they can accommodate you. The food was delicious. Overall, the experience was well worth the cost. We will be back again.
