The Chef And I

Top two restaurants in Nashville, this one makes my list. I love food and have tried several chef tastings and the experience at the counter tonight with chef Aarryn Cole is going to be tough to beat. The 7 course tasting was an abundance of food that left me feeling refreshed, yet full of anticipating of what was next! We have her full reign to decide dessert and she did not disappoint. Ask her personally about mixing the ice creams. In Nashville, you must go and sit with her for dinner.

Our family has loved Chef & I since they were in the Gulch and absolutely love their newer location. It’s chef driven, food is absolutely amazing and you can tell all the ingredients are the best quality. They have the best martini in Nashville. Service is always impeccable. Can’t say enough wonderful things about this restaurant. Forget the chains/corporate restaurants - this place is owned and operated by locals.

My boyfriend and I reserved a spot at the chef and I for our ”nice” dinner while visiting Nashville. A tasting menu was a first for both of us, and it will not be the last! We were both absolutely blown away by the food. This was an ELEVATED experience. From the advanced techniques used in every course, to the presentation and, of course, the flavor, we could not have had a better experience. The staff was so friendly, the atmosphere was lovely, the food was absolutely delicious. Do not miss out on this superb restaurant!

So, first you have to know that this meal started off on a Saturday night and didn't finish until Sunday night. 4 of us had a reservation for the chef's table at 8pm Saturday night and due to restaurant delays didn't get seated until close to 9pm. Moments after we were finally seated the area around the restaurant lost power. The staff didn't quite know what to do, they entertained us, and gave us two torched smores while waiting for the power to come back on. An hour later when it did not they gently hinted we should leave and urged us to come back and give them another shot. The head chef actually gave us his card and asked us to text him if we would come back and that if we were willing to do so dinner would be on him. Consider us impressed so we changed plans and two of us returned the very next night. Btw we went to Halls steak house that night see the review. The service and the food on Sunday night were both fantastic. The food was epic and the service equally as good. Sitting watching it being prepared was incredible Broadway theatre. One of us had the 5 course tasting menu, the other did not. Both are great options. Again, food and theatre go hand in hand and you will not be disappointed with either. Two mildly disappointing parts. One, not that it really matters but the head chef who convinced us to come back wasn't really around and that was part of the sell. Secondly, on the same note, despite the promise of dinner being “one me” yeah that didnt happen either. All I will say to that is lesson learned. It was a great meal.

My daughter and I went here for a cooking class and then stayed for cocktails and appetizers. We were seated at a counter in the chef's cooking area where we had a blast interacting with chefs Matt and Eric. Our server, Addison, made some great menu recommendations and was very engaging. We both had a fun evening and will definetly be back.

We ventured in for our anniversary and were offered the Chef's table. If you ever have this opportunity, leap on it. Last night was unparalleled. It was a culinary adventure of exquisite wine paired with mind-opening flavor-exploding dishes brilliantly captained by Chef Eric assisted by Chef Matt. Seven striking dishes each crafted with panache and wit inches before us. Currated wines were paired for each dish by our guide for the evening, Mike, whose knowledge of the wine was only matched by his passion for music. He and the Chef team effortlessly navigated banter, walking us through the flavors along with the mindset for the ingredients or the combinations. Favorites seem impossible to choose, but standout moments from the evening include the Peri Peri, the Tandoori, as well as the Garam Marsala which left me quietly cursing its wonder. We came in as curious foodies and ended the night as though leaving a good friend's table. Thank you, The Chef and I for a night to remember. It's definitely worthy of a set of earrings ;)

This place came highly recommended and did not disappoint. My wife made a reservation and called back to see if we could switch from inside dining to sitting chef side. Spoke to the owner and said the option is a must and will make it happen. Once we arrived, all the chefs greeted us with a smile and catered to us throughout the evening. The food was simply amazing, both the 7-course chef's selection and peppercorn filet. The dessert was equally amazing but we were forcing it down because we were stuffed! The highlight of the night: the dishwasher accidentally dropped about 10 plates and left with frustration. Though it was unfortunate, what amazed me was the whole team, servers, chefs and waitresses all stepped in, no questions asked, and handled the dishes the rest of the night. The camaraderie gave me goosebumps. I highly recommend The Chef and I!