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Margot Cafe & Bar
Categories: Restaurants French Restaurants Italian French, Italian [Edit]
1017 Woodland StNashville, TN 37206
Neighborhood: East End
(615) 227-4668
- Hours:
Tue-Sat 5 pm - 10 pm
Sun 11 am - 2 pm
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Classy, Trendy, Intimate
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
102 reviews for Margot Cafe & Bar
Review Highlights
"The menu changes daily, depending on what is in season."
(in 10 reviews)
"I heart brunch (yeah, it's awesome enough to mention twice."
(in 26 reviews)
"The exposed brick walls and warm colors create a cozy..."
(in 3 reviews)
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102 reviews in English
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Review from Lynne D.
Updated - 12/23/2011
This evening, daughter and I had reservations for Margot's special Christmas menu. She did not disappoint.
It was the first time we both had had fois gras and she really did a fantastic job on it. Daughter asked if it was from organic farms and was told the liver which was actually duck liver came from a farm in upstate NY and yes... it was organic.
Margot seared the liver in duck fat on both sides and served it with roasted white grapes.. my mouth had an orgasm.. creamy, delectable, healthy organ meat melted into my mouth. Is this what my ancestors lived on? This culinary experience was the beginning to a wonderful meal.
We had the beet salad with a few wisps of curly lettuce in the mix but the dominant factor was all the textures and tastes.. Beets, gorgonzola cheese, pomegranate seeds, hazelnuts. wow! All those flavors in my mouth at once. Crunch, crunch, taste, taste.. Mmmm!
The final course was BOUILLABAISSE. I could taste each and every ingredient in the soup but what my mouth couldn't get over was the velvety texture of the broth. I saw no oil slick floating on top, so I know it wasn't butter... My waitress said there was no gluten in the recipe.. so I know it wasn't a roux.. Xanthan gum?
What made my soup so velvety? Ohhhhhhhh, truly a well orchestrated combination of ingredients. I must have this soup again.
Overall, the food was ample, the combination of flavors, dishes, textures was both phenomenal and a joy to experience. She outdid herself with this menu. There were a few items that could not be touched, with a gluten sensitivity, but where we couldn't go, she made up for it in the dishes we could order.
Thank you Margot for dynamic food, and Merry Christmas!3 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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2/25/2011
my party and i made reservations at another restaurant, and when we got there, the menu was… Read more »
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Review from Kristin G.
Nashville, TN
12/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
Hot damn we played it wrong. The boy took me here for my birthday on Friday. We walked in and the place is just so cool. Small, quaint and homey. The bar, super cool. We were seated on the second floor, which is open to the first floor so you get a great view of the place.
We played it wrong because we thought the plates were going to be small, nope, not even. We left absolutely stuffed. It seems irrelevant to list the items we ordered when the menu changes daily but here goes.
1/2 order of house made chips
Duck appetizer
Chicken and grits
Steak and mushroom bread pudding
1 bottle of red wine
Holy smokes, it doesn't sound like a lot but it was. The steak was more than adequately portioned and the mushroom bread pudding was tasty but dense. The duck appetizer was great, I mean great! The meat was cut to look like bacon and the duck fat melted in your mouth. Accompanying the duck was a frisée salad with bacon vinaigrette. The only semi-disappointing thing, and this applies to all restaurants, is that our bottle of wine cost $38. We regularly buy this bottle at Woodland Wine merchant so we know how much it really costs, brutal!
I wish we had gone here sooner, it was absolutely fantastic. I'll be back for brunch and a bellini. Yes siree. -
Review from Brandon and Kelly E.
Nashville, TN
11/11/2011
We went here for our date night. Great ambience and very intimate setting... The perfect place for a quiet romantic dinner for two.
We ordered a couple of cocktails to start which were both excellent. For appetizer we ordered the Artisan Cheese with Mostarda jelly. It was sooooo good!! The grilled Cobain was also one of the best meals she has ever had! So if it's on the menu we recommend having it. I had the red snapper and it was good, but not on the same level as the Cobain was.
We'll definitely be back again soon! -
Review from Alyssa W.
Nashville, TN
2/3/2012
One of the best meals I've had - ever
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Review from Ian R.
11/3/2011
This is an unfair review, but expectations are always unfair. Margot is by all counts an excellent restaurant. The food, service, ambiance, and menu are all executed well. So why does it not earn top marks? The answer is in expectations. Margot in my mind is not competing to be a "good" restaurant, they are competing to be one of the best restaurants in Nashville. On that measure they fall short.
I visited Margot for an anniversary dinner with my wife on a Saturday night. We were seated in the brick section near the kitchen and we were both very pleased with the vibe and the feel of the restaurant. The service was adequate, but not stellar. A few more checks to refresh bread and water would have been appreciated. Overall we were treated well and were comfortable for our entire dinner.
One of the key selling points for Margot is that their menu is constantly changing. I appreciate that, and on this evening we chose the autumn salad and the roasted beet appetizers. Both were good, but they seemed to be missing something. I commented that I actually thought that the beets could have used a little more salt, which is kind of basic for fine dining. For our main courses we had a pan roasted king klip and the osso bucco. Both were well prepared and very good, but they did not really live up to what we were expecting. We finished with a chocolate dessert and left the restaurant very pleased with the whole experience.
According to that previous paragraph this should probably be a 5 star review, but I still cannot help feeling that there was something missing from the whole experience. We had a very good dinner, it made for a very good anniversary, but it was not a truly "great" meal. I hate to say it but I think I prefer Margot's sister restaurant Marche. It is more affordable and I actually think the food might be better.
I know it is unfair, but when you are striving to be the best you have to live up to unreasonable expectations. If I had to guess I would say that we will probably take our search for transcendent food to a different establishment next time. -
Review from Howard L.
Nashville, TN
9/5/2011
The fawning reviews need a reality check. This is not a world class dining establishment. It's a decent restaurant in hipster E. Nashville that makes a big deal about being local and fresh. Those are two great adjectives for food, but they are not the end all be all of culinary greatness. I would rather have dried and processed foods prepared by Eric Ripert than fresh local produce by Joe the Plumber.
One experience in particular stands out for me, and that's not because it was great. One night I was there with a date. We ordered red wine. Waitress brought us glasses of white and then tried to make us take them, even though we said we didn't order them. She said, "You pointed to this. You ordered this." No, we said. We didn't order that, we pointed to a red wine on the other side of the menu. We're not going to pay $20 for the wrong wine. She took the glasses away huffily, which poisoned the rest of the evening somewhat. I'm the one who's supposed to be ticked, not the waitress. I guess she was really hurt by this because we got a new waiter after that. Or maybe it was a shift change, who knows.
$100 for two. Fairly steep, especially with lousy service. Food was decent but did not blow my socks off and the ambiance was relaxed. -
Review from Kristan H.
Cincinnati, OH
8/27/2011
In spite of a great ambiance, fresh ingredients, exciting combinations, and excellent service, I left Margot feeling a *teeny* bit underwhelmed.
Maybe I just ordered the wrong thing, but I wasn't wowed by my spinach and feta frittata. There was too much feta, so that flavor became overpowering, and the frittata was more like an omelette than a quiche. (In fairness, the waitress warned me about the omelette-ness.)
My brunch companions seemed to enjoy their meals, though, and I saw several other items I might have liked, so I would definitely be willing to go back next time I'm in Nashville. -
Review from ken g.
Murfreesboro, TN
1/21/2012
So far, this is my favorite restaurant in Nashville. I used to live in DC and miss the restaurants, but less so since trying Margot Cafe. My wife and I spend many a date night or Sunday brunch here. I've loved every meal.
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Review from Marcia M.
Do I already have 2 previous adoring reviews for Margot?
YES.
Do I still feel that is absolutely necessary to share with you what a satisfying brunch I had today?
You bet your ass.
Two words.
Cornbread pancakes.
I don't think that I will ever be the same again... phenomenal. These floppy flavorful chunks of heaven topped off with blackberries and maple syrup are the definition of comfort food at its very best. I couldn't hide my enthusiasm and overall gluttony as I ate every last bite. $8 is a very small price to pay for genuine happiness.
Brunch on!Listed in: Vegan - My New Adventures, Nosh on Nashville, I HEART Nashville Biz, Far East - Nashville, Adult Bevys Never Go Out Of…
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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2/12/2011
Smitten.
I am officially smitten and I'm not the least bit hesitant to tell the world that Margot has… Read more »
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Review from Tin N.
Nashville, TN
7/11/2011 ROTD 11/14/2011
According to my French brother in law, the top-tier restaurants in the world serve French food (whether they advertise it or not). I love the food at Margot Cafe. It comes very close to the French food that my brother in law cooks on Sunday afternoons, a weekly event that my family affectionately calls "French Sundays".
I personally prepare my tapenade slightly differently, but the differences are minor and won't detract from the overall quality of the restaurant. I'm not a fan of some of the appetizers found here--they take some liberty from the classic French recipes that should be somewhat standard.
But none of that can take away a star from my review simply because the sauces remain true to French cooking. And it's always the sauces that are most difficult to master in French cooking. My lamb chops were wonderful with the perfect sauce to accompany them.
This place will cost you a pretty penny, but if you're picky about French cooking, it's well worth it. -
Review from Stacie F.
Clawson, MI
11/28/2011
Great place! Very intimate, romantic and fun at the same time. Quite pricey too. My friends and I came for a bottle of wine and didn't try the food, but it looked delicious. We sat on the closed patio and it was very warm. Can't wait to go back in the spring!
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Review from Gloria S.
Hendersonville, TN
12/12/2011
I loved everything about our evening out. Margot's came very highly recommended and it totally lived up to everything we were told. We were there for my birthday and everything was just delicious and the atmosphere was perfect. Cozy and intimate....just what I wanted for my special day. And I just loved the uniqueness of the menu that changes daily.
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Review from Jamie A.
7/22/2011
If I was basing this review on my meal alone it would be a solid 5 stars. I had a delicate grilled cobia served with tomato and corn salad. A wonderful light meal which was pretty much necessary as it was a sweltering 80+ degrees in the upstairs dining area.
Boyfriend had a steak. It was pretty lacking. I tried my friend's shrimp pasta. The fresh pasta was great, but the sauce was super bland. My friend and I shared the chilled cucumber soup and it was an excellent start.
I am pretty set on coffee after dinner, even if it is in a hot house, and I really appreciated the coffee arriving in a french press. -
Review from Jeremy E.
8/5/2011
Best buy in Nashville.
I have been many times and each time I love that menu is always different and everything I eat is always good to great.
And it isn't that expensive. I went with 8 guys and we all ate apps, salads, and dinner with 2 to 3 drinks and the total bill was $350 with tip. -
Review from Lee B.
Brentwood, TN
10/23/2011
Had dinner last night at Margot. The second time we have been there. Fantastic. All of the food is fresh and made in house. The menu is seasonal and changes nightly. We had the chips for an appetizer, the house salad and the sirloin entree. They have a nice wine list and excellent choices by the glass. We shared the coconut crime brûlée for dessert and the coffee was brought to table as a French press. If you are in Nashville and are looking for a dining experience Margot needs to be on your list. I recommend reservations.
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Review from Caitlin C.
Nashville, TN
4/26/2011
Pathetically I've waited a couple weeks to write this review, when I wanted to instantly shout at the top of my lungs "GOOOD LORD" after tucking into my dinner at Margot. I'm not sure what to say really other than you should definitely get your butt down there.
Best birthday present ever: $100 gift card to Margot, so I had no qualms about pricing. Even so without the gift card the quality of service, food, atmosphere is definitely worth the price anyway. And that's refreshing as I'm often underwhelmed at fancy places...not Margot. Try a Bellini (champers with real peach nectar). If the Bolognese over Polenta is on the menu, order that...some of the best I've ever had. We didn't get dessert as we ordered the house potato chips, starters and entrees and a few rounds of drinks. But I definitely need to go back to get me some more Margot!
Make a reservation, it's too popular to expect a table on a weekend night.Listed in: Eating in Nashville
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Review from Samuel L.
Nashville, TN
5/15/2011
I am a known Sunday brunch lover, I'm sure I've said it before it one of these reviews. I fucking love it, it's my favorite time of the week. Margot was not disappointing for me.
The service was spotty at first, Theyr kind of screwed up my soup/salad order, but we got that all hammered out. Nothing harmed, it's just food folks.
Now the food, it was pretty goddamn good, and definitely worth the price. I think I got out of there for 50 bucks, including 2 glasses of wine, and grat. Pretty excellent. I had smoked salmon, fucking deliciously prepared, dill creme fraiche, standard but good.
Lady friend had seafood crepes, my favorite kind of meal, just made with all the leftovers and shit they're trying to move out before it goes bad(I mean there was no mention of what kind of "seafood" it was), but it sure tasted fucking good. I will definitely be back, for goddamn sure. -
Review from William L.
Brentwood, TN
10/17/2011
Margot's sister restaurant Marché was packed yesterday, so we decided to try Margot's Sunday brunch instead. My wife and I had been before for dinner, and we had a wonderful time. This time, however, the service was subpar, although the food was outstanding, as before. We waited far too long for our order to be taken and my son waited over fifteen minutes for a drink from the bar. The server repeated said his drink "was coming," but never offered an apology.
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Review from David G.
4/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
There are some things that you should know about me:
1. I heart brunch.
2. I heart eggs.
3. I heart brunch (yeah, it's awesome enough to mention twice).
4. I heart Margot Cafe & Bar.
Journeyed to Margot today for brunch, where I strongly recommend you make reservations, and I had a fan-tab-ulous time. The decor of the restaurant is quaint and eclectic. We sat upstairs where we could look down upon the rest of the restaurant below, particularly the bar area. The cozy nook in which we were stashed was very fun. The upstairs also has a larger section where there are a myriad of mirrors, some new and some old, are scattered across the main wall. All of the tables are clad with white linens and white tablecloths.
Our server was very knowledgeable of both the menu and of #1 wife's Celiac Disease (i.e. gluten-free need). She was able to recommend three items on the brunch menu (that weren't omelette!!) for the wife. For me, she also made some schnazzy recommendations. She was quick with the pomegranate + champagne for me, and the apricot juice + champagne for the wife.
Our starter was a plate of cheese (manchedo, bleu, and some creamy cheese) and a side of raisin bread perfectly toasted (only for me). The cheese portions were terrific
For a main dish at brunch, I had the steak (medium rare was the order, medium was what was delivered which is why you lose a star) and eggs in a tomato demi glace. Their brunch menu changes every Sunday, so you may or may not be able to enjoy the same brunch as I. Overall, the meal was delicious and the experience was fun. I highly recommend that you all give it a try for brunch as well as dinner.Listed in: Brunchin' in my hood..
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Review from Christian S.
Nashville, TN
2/12/2011
Excellent Sunday brunch (make a reservation - brunch only runs from 11-2), very good dinner (expensive). Chef Margot features largely local ingredients.
They serve Drew's Brews coffee in French presses.
Innovative and delicious cocktails. -
Review from Jackie Y.
Updated - 11/17/2010 ROTD 1/17/2011
After speaking with many of our friends who absolutely raved about this restaurant, the Hubs & I decided Margot deserved another shot! We arrived a few weeks following our first experience to allow the ever-evolving menu to change... and I am glad we did!
The food did not disappoint! The succulent Braised Rabbit upon a bed of sweet potatoes accompanied by leafy goodness... and the delicious seafood dish were TOP NOTCH! Sweet.. savory... overall YUM!
Unfortunately, the service still disappointed us. We were greeted 7 minutes after being seated... our drink orders were taken over 20 minutes after being seated and the wine arrived well after 30 minutes of being patient in our chairs! Now... I am all for European Style Dining, but at least keep the wine flowing! Normally, I would attribute this mishap to a busy restaurant or a new server... but this has happened twice now! I'm starting to feel as though the food is a priority (as it should be!) but they need to get the food to customer in a timely manner!
Following this experience, I can definitely say we will be coming back... but we may sit at the bar!Listed in: Nashvillelicious
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/31/2010
I left this trendy restaurant feeling like the main character in a comic strip... the joke was… Read more »
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Review from Helen Gaye B.
Nashville, TN
12/17/2010
Love me some Margot! If there food wasn't the fabulous (which it is) I'd still go there for the staff. Destin rocks. Margot is wonderful. There's another server who never forgets who we are and I'm embarrassed to say I've forgotten her name. Maybe Nicole? The first time she served us was on our anniversary last year and ever since then she stops by to chat with us when we eat there. It was FREEZING outside when we went there for a cocktail and appetizer earlier this week, and Destin went and got a heater to put by our table. Does it get any better?
I had the duck confit pizza with white beans and it was spectacular. Hubs had the minestrone. Ditto on the spectacular. Had a fun and fizzy fall cocktail called a ginger something.
And, of course, there's that kitchy French-ish decor and those cool little vintage bread plates that always make me happy...
Maybe I love Margot Cafe so much because I've never had anything but a good time when I've been there. -
Review from Steph H.
1/10/2011
I have been lucky enough to have dined at Margot Cafe for dinner a few times in the distant past, but this past Sunday was the first time I made it there for brunch. In truth, a friend had wanted to go to their sister restaurant Marché, but when we got there around 11, the wait was already verging on an hour, so we decided to switch up our plans.
I'm really glad we did! Not to slam Marché, but I don't see how one could top brunch at Margot. The atmosphere was perfect for a slightly decadent and super delicious meal, and I appreciated that it felt less crowded, simply because the placement of the tables is broken up more. I also love the decor - exposed brick walls, eclectic vintage china plates that don't match... there's something that's verging on shabby chic about the place (though it is certainly more chic than shabby!).
The cocktails we ordered were awesome, and while my husband admitted that his steak and eggs came with a less than stunning steak (it seemed over-rested and wasn't super tender), the fries and the demi-glace that accompanied it were mindblowing. I ordered the potato & cheese crêpes with sage butter and they were so good, I could have eaten two orders (though my waistline is happy I didn't!). Blown away by the deliciousness of everything, we went ahead and ordered dessert: an order of poached pears with whipped mascarpone and a plate of the fresh baked pastries. Both were completely fab, and the pastry plate was extremely generous given its meager $5 price tag.
Essentially, if you are looking for a quality brunch spot to hit up on Sunday, this is the place to be. The bill can easily spiral upwards of $20/person, but I must say that the mains are generally around $10 - $12, so that's really not unreasonable if you manage to show self-restraint! Also, the menu changes on a weekly basis based on what's fresh and in season, so there's no chance of being serve subpar items or boring your tastebuds. I'll definitely be back for brunch, but I'd also love to try out their dinner again the next time I'm feeling a little flush. -
Review from Chef X.
Nashville, TN
4/3/2011
I'm torn. I've been eating here for years but my experiences have been inconsistent. I applaud them for championing the local, farm-to-fork ideal and appreciate their efforts to source many of their ingredients. I've had one of the most memorable evenings I've ever had-I mean seriously perfect-with great service but I've also had very undercooked risotto (like a rock) and sh*tty, rude service.
Margot is still one of the best restaurants in town and I always recommend it when out-of-towners ask where to eat. The vibe is great, it oozes organic, unforced charm-it's everything a chef-owned restaurant should be-except when it isn't. -
Review from Noah J.
Santa Cruz, CA
9/19/2011
Cute little cafe on the corner of a busy intersection. New menus printed daily. Went here for Sunday brunch, and they were very busy. Little wait (about 15 minutes), but well worth it. They have great breakfast cocktails (our party had the bloody mary, mimosa, and the scarlet (blood orange mimosa). Food was amazing: sweet-potato crepes, fried-egg bruschetta, poached egg with creamy tomato grits, YUM!
Highly recommended. -
Review from Carolyn M.
Nashville, TN
8/14/2011
Love this place for a special night out. The menu changes daily and it's local, seasonal, fresh and most importantly, freaking delicious.
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Review from Jason S.
7/2/2010
Margot,
I want to love you, but you push me away. To the guy that said 'hit or miss', that's spot on. I have had memorable meals and experiences there - sitting on the covered patio during a deluge with my newborn enjoying a fantastic brunch, taking my mom there when she was in town for an amazing dinner, the list goes on.
But for every memorable experience, there have been disasters, generally related to service. Like the time we had friends in town, made reservations for four plus two high chairs days in advance, and we show up to find that they have used all of the high chairs and the flamboyant head waiter is a complete pompous jackass to us, like it was our fault. His response to our dilemma channeled Bill Lumbergh from 'Officespace', "Yeeeeeeah, I just wish there was something we could do...." Or the time my friends went there for New Year's, and they got rushed out, even though they had reservations and had not been there that long.
I dig the whole localvore menu and the ambiance, but at the end of the day, it can be a tough sell to bet our dining dollars on what is essentially a gamble.Listed in: Fun stuff on the East…, Mediocre Italian Restaurants…
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Review from Jessica N.
Nashville, TN
8/29/2011
Very tasty, high quality food. Beautiful presentation and wonderful service. A bit pricey, but worth it on a special occasion!
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Review from Patty L.
Hoboken, NJ
9/20/2010
Margot's had a warm and inviting feel. Small, but not cramped, exposed brick, dim lighting.
Dinner with a group of 8...no issues at all with having our table ready on time for our reservation.
Great cocktail menu and wine list.
Service was really friendly and we were left to have a long meal without feeling rushed.
In general, the table enjoyed their menu.
The vegetarian entree lacked a bit of creativity (white basmati rice with grilled, marinated eggplant), but it was tasty, though lacking a bit in size.
While they ran out of the bread pudding we all were eyeing, a blackberry crisp which was not on the menu that evening, won us all over.
If i ever find myself in Nashville again, I would think about bringing my husband here for dinner. -
Review from Brian T.
Knoxville, TN
8/22/2011
Great food, service and wine list. Would recommend making a reservation and trying out the potato chips with aioli as a starter.
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Review from Damon R.
Dallas, TX
10/4/2010 7 photos
Built in the 1930's as Fluty's Service Station Chef Margot McCormack has turned this into one of Nashville's "Best of" places to eat for the past 6 years in a row. Located in the historic "Five Points" area it is fine dinning but has a casual neighborhood feel. The menu is steered toward the Provence and Tuscany region cuisine and changes daily with six appetizers, six entrees, and five desserts. Has had write ups in the NY Times, London Telegraph, and Southern Living. Would recommend reservations during peak times and they are closed on Mondays.
pictures on my blog -
Review from michele b.
Nashville, TN
12/31/2011
my parents and i came here to have a little family night out and my father wanted french so we made reservations. the menu changes everyday, but not too much. the food was excellent! we all loved our food because everything was so fresh, juicy, tender, and perfectly seasoned. our waiter was really nice and explained everything on the menu to us. he came and checked up on us frequently and made sure everything on the table was in check. so why 4 stars instead of 5? although some aspects of the food were french, its not as french as i would have liked it to be. however that aside, the food, atmosphere, and service of the restaurant was top notch.
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Review from Cindy W.
Nashville, TN
10/8/2010 28 Check-ins Here
I love everything about this place -- perfectly done food, again and again and again; servers who really know the menu and what it's about; a casual atmosphere; a place that's perfect for an easy pizza and glass of wine OR a multi-course celebration dinner; an ever-changing menu that still never resorts to gimmicks or the latest food trend of the moment. There's a reason Margot's is still going strong in East Nashville after almost a decade. That's not an accident.
p.s. Noting some comments here about portion size. I've always thought the portion sizes were perfect. Too many restaurants, especially in the U.S., rely on quantity to impress. I'd say that Margot's portions--whether steak or pasta--are quite perfect. And for all the press it's gotten, it remains less pricey than a number of other Nashville restaurants. -
Review from Sara A.
Nashville, TN
6/30/2011
Came once a while back and loved this little gem. Super food and very nice atmosphere. If you're looking for a quiet dinner with a classy feel, this is your place.
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Review from Jennifer L.
San Francisco, CA
3/31/2008
After reading the glowing reviews, I decided Margot was a must-try for my one night stint in Nashville. As a business traveler, I tend to dine solo, and a decent bar with a friendly bartender is the only thing that keeps me from crying myself to sleep at night. Luckily, Margot delivered. My server was super friendly (as was everyone else - imagine, people smile when you accidentally make eye contact, rather than scowling or pretending like it didn't happen!!!), and chatted with me just enough so that I didn't feel like the invisible diner. He gave me some of the background on the history of the space and also let me sample an odd bottle of red wine that is bottled in clear glass! I know that might mean nothing to folks who don't drink a lot of wine, but for those that do; have you ever seen red in a clear glass bottle? The mind, it reels!
Margot Cafe is a small spot, but not crowded. There is a main dining room, seating upstairs, and a tented patio (whose patrons were in for a shock when the skies opened and rain thundered down around them, sneaking in around the roof a little and requiring some table scootches), plus a small bar that seats maybe 10. My only gripe with the bar is the lack of overhang. I hate when my legs are jammed right up against the bar when I'm sitting there, so I have to spread my legs out to either side of my stool, or sit way far back.
The bartender told me that one of Margot's influences is Alice Waters, and while I can see that, I feel like I couldn't quite score high marks in the "attention to detail" box. I started off with an iberico cheese served with a yummy warm cranberry walnut bread and Seckel pears. This was an excellent pairing, although large sections of pear were smooshy and gross, and for $12, I don't want any section of my pear to be smooshy and gross.
Next up the app of venison and sweet potato fries. The fries were fab - meaty and sweet and salty. The venison, I'm not quite sure about. Seared for maybe a second, it was closer to ahi tuna than the game I was imagining. I would've liked it a bit more done, but I figured this was how it was served, so I soldiered on, thoughtfully chewing and picking up on the foresty, earthy, venisony, damn, there is that distracting raw meat/tuna flavor again. But when my neighbors ordered it later, it came completely cooked through. So maybe they were just trying to poison me with raw meat. In any case, it's a good dish, but consider ordering it medium or medium rare.
I wrapped it all up with a jasmine panna cotta that was okay, but didn't really taste like jasmine, and a glass of muscat.
An enjoyable meal, and for Nashville's local cuisine scene, I'm sure it's something out of the ordinary. I'd recommend it with the stipulation that it might pale in comparison to California cuisine from California, where my tastebuds have been thoroughly spoiled. -
Review from John W.
Los Angeles, CA
10/2/2007 2 photos
In East Nashville's Five Points neighborhood, Margot McCormack and Jay Frein have transformed an old gas station into a casual but upscale restaurant. The exposed brick walls and warm colors create a cozy atmosphere. The staff is always knowledgeable and friendly. The modern American menu (with hints of Tuscany and Provence) changes daily, but always offers six appetizers, six entrees, and several desserts. And they always have at least one seasonal option for vegetarians.
This is the kind of gastronomic landmark that you might expect to find in Brooklyn or Boston, but that sits right at home in ultra-hip Five Points. -
Review from Amanda H.
Chicago, IL
Updated - 9/14/2009
To all the Nashville Yelpers: if you love Margot, and you're ever in Chicago, try Lula Cafe. Lula is my favorite brunch spot (maybe favorite restaurant overall), and Margot reminds me very much of Lula because of its focus on seasonal ingredients and its use of not typical breakfast ingredients in interesting ways. Both spots also have the best cocktails, mmmm booze.
One thing Margot does that Lula does not, however, is brunch appetizers! LOVE that! The cheese selection is always fantastic, and who does not love cheese at all times but especially before a delicious brunch?
I got poached eggs over a stew of kale, potato and onion. It was pretty great. I also drank a really great blood orange mimosa. My sister had the mushroom omelette, and it was really lovely. We shared a side of grits, and I can't stop thinking about them.
Margot, I love you. I might write a love poem about you tonight in my diary.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/3/2008
First, the bad news: brunch services was slooooooow.
Second, the good news: The food was yummy.… Read more »
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Review from Caitlin D.
Nashville, TN
7/8/2007
Margot Cafe is located in the up and coming, "hipper" part of East Nashville. The restaurant has a unique ambiance, with exposed pipes and a loft with seating upstairs that create a funky feeling. This is clearly a popular spot, there was not an empty seat in the house.
Our waitress was excellent, she was knowledgeable about the menu and wine selection (which was extensive in comparison to many restaurants in Nashville) and paid careful attention to our needs.
We started with the cheese of the evening, which was a soft white cheese from the midwest that had a pleasant flavor. I was impressed. We ordered a bottle of Chianti, which was just right.
I had the pan fried fish crusted in a cornmeal coating, on a bed of corn salad. My plate was great, although it desperately needed some greens to balance it out and I had to order some lemon to give the fish a bit more zest. My friend's meal looked excellent, but my refusal to eat cute animals prevented me from tasting the veal. I did, however, manage to steal some of the sauteed spinache, which was just like I make it at home (ie, delish).
For dessert, we split the watermelon sorbet which came with a big, flat crunchy nutty wafer. Yum! It ended the meal perfectly.
All in all, I was impressed with Cafe Margot, and I see why it has received so much positive attention in Nashville. I will certainly be back (maybe time and time again...) -
Review from Julie B.
Nashville, TN
1/10/2011
I have to admit that I was super pumped when our friends made reservations at Margot for an after symphony dinner. Since moving to Nashville and hearing/reading all the good reviews could not wait to see what culinary excellence awaited. However, the entire evening there was a total let down.
Basically,
Service: Our reservations were for 9:30pm and arrived at 9:15pm - the waiters acted like they did not want to take a late table and our entire meal was rushed. The server was obviously ready to get the heck out of there - she did not explain the menu and we had to flag her down for drinks. Once the drinks arrived, she proceeded to spill about a 1/4 glass of wine on the table while reaching across 2 people to pour and knowledge of bar items was less than stellar. "what bourbon do you guys have??" "Well we have jack daniel, crown royal..." "What??!"
The appetizers were barely on the table when she brought the second course. To top it all off, the waiter began to smell more and more like an ashtray while dropping things off at our table (which I think is extremely disrespectful to smoke outside in between handling people's food).
Food: Everything that we ordered was well made and tasted great. However, thought it was extremely overpriced for the ingredients included.
Atmosphere: Small and cozy, but too rushed to enjoy it.
Bottom line: With tip a dinner for 4 people which included 2 appetizers, 4 second course items, entrees, 1 dessert, 1 bottle of wine, and 2 drinks was close to $300 dollars. I left feeling totally deflated and disappointed because for that kind of money the service and food should be impeccable. Maybe I am too picky but it will be a very long time, if ever that I dine here again. -
Review from Stephen W.
San Francisco, CA
1/1/2007
I wish that I could write a review of this restaurant that could do justice to it. I don't have a clever story or a great description of the food. All I can say is that this is one of my three favorite restaurants ever alongside Chez Fon Fon in Birmingham and Sel de le Terre in Boston.
All I can do is sum up the experience: fresh ingredients that are extremely well prepared and delivered by great servers alongside fabulous wines in a great environment. How much more can you ask for?
