Rolf and Daughters

We made our first visit this weekend. I know, it took awhile. We rolled in there right as they opened the doors and grabbed a seat at the bar. I was looking forward to some cocktails. The first one was good but nothing else on the menu jumped out. I will say their cocktail menu is prob the most pretentious one I’ve seen around town. You need a liqueur dictionary to get an idea of what’s in a drink.
The food was good and we look forward to returning to try some differ plates. We found out we’re not fans of chicken liver pâté. But that’s not their fault. The entrees were both very good (garganelli and lamb plate). If you haven’t been take few friends so you can explore more of the menu. That’s our plan.

Found our long lost Brooklyn chef. Everything was soo good. Small plates or large plates let your waitperson take you on an adventure.

Great food great service great vibe. New York City quality restaurant.
Pasta was fantastic and the starters are amazing, I wish they had an espresso but other than that it was really good! Highly recommended (PS walk ins are really fine!)

Celebrated my mom’s birthday here and dinner was absolutely delicious. We ordered mostly Vegetarian dishes and they were the standouts. Want to come back and try all the pastas. Very expensive for the portions, but worth every penny if you’re paying for flavor.

Did not get a chance to take photos of all the savory foods. Busy enjoying every plate of flavor fusions. Got too excited having a little bit of most everything from lamb, testa, squid, fish, cauliflower hummus, carpaccio or tartare. When it came down to desert, we got greedy and ordered all three on the menu. So that one, I was able to take a photo. Enjoy !

The best Nashville restaurant we’ve experienced! We’ve been here for happy hour and for a full dinner. Our happy hour experience left us wanting more; the cocktails are finely crafted, and the salad we shared was impeccable. For dinner, we split a few appetizers, all of which were outstanding. My boyfriend raved about his squid ink entrée, while my chef’s special grilled eggplant was the best eggplant I’ve ever had. It was seared so well and was accompanied by chickpeas, okra, and a light lemony sauce. In other words: Trust the chef. We capped the evening with a dessert, which also was delectable.
A word to the wise: Make reservations well in advance. We called in one afternoon looking for reservations that evening. The maitre d laughed on the phone. This was a MAJOR turnoff for us, but I’m so incredibly glad that we overlooked that.

While planning a girls weekend in Nashville, this restaurant kept popping up on numerous «Best of» and «Must Dine at» lists. I was a bit apprehensive based on the menu online. It’s not the kind of food I eat on a regular basis but I was game for something different. I will advise that you need to make a reservation in advance. We were coming on a busy weekend and they only had a 530pm dinner reservation available for a Friday evening. It was early but we snatched it up.
The restaurant is located in Germantown and I would give yourself enough time if you are driving. Parking is off street, no actual parking lots. You may have to circle around the block or park further up the street. The restaurant has that industrial sort of feel like it used to be a warehouse and then was transformed into a restaurant. There is a red brick wall towards the back with a bookshelf filled with books from left to right. We landed one of the tables against the wall but there are also a few communal tables in the middle as well as the bar area.
The menu is best enjoyed when you order a bit of everything and share. The dishes are not your traditional «full sized» so keep that in mind. Rather than quantity, they are all about quality of menu ingredients here. With four of us, it allowed us each to have several bites to try of each dish. The dishes were beautifully executed and reminded me of the kind of dishes you would see being created on Top Chef. Also make sure to enjoy a specially handcrafted cocktail off their drinks menu. Service was exceptional and very professional.
While this probably wouldn’t be somewhere I would eat regularly (based on the price point alone), it was nice to try something outside of what I’m used to and away from the touristy part of town.

After a lot of traveling the last couple months, it was so nice to walk into Rolf and Daughters and be greeted with a warm smile and impeccable service. Welcome home to friendly Nashville!
We had the crostini with butter beans and beef tartare as appetizers. The crostini was a thick slice of bread, toasted just slightly to retain the soft center. It was topped with a butter bean purée and sauteed sweet yellow peppers. It was my favorite dish of the night. The beef tartare served with sunflower-​topped crisps was very good, but it did have a hint of a spice I don’t love, like caraway seeds or fennel. It was not so much that it kept me from eating more than my share, though!
Our entrees were a bit disappointing. Both were very salty, and I’m a huge fan of salt, so words I never thought I’d type. We had the garganelli (the better of the two) and rigatoni. I picked the rigatoni as it comes with lamb pancetta and broccoli rabe, and I expected my mind to be blown. It was very, very salty making it hard to eat much of it. I also like noodles cooked al dente, but these were almost too undercooked. The garanelli with pork ragout, while also too salty, was better. The ragout was rich and the noodles perfectly cooked.
I wanted to love Rolf and Daughters’ food more than I did, but will definitely visit again. They have great, friendly service and a nice variety on their menu.

Rolf and Daughters is an amazing «treat yourself» meal and experience! I totally fell in love with this place from the moment I sat down. I had called about 2 weeks in advance to make a reservation for a large group at 6pm on a Thursday night. Unfortunately we could not grab a table outside but the inside is just as charming.
Our server was so nice and explained the menu thoroughly. Cocktail menu was extensive with cute names like «The Frank Lloyd Wrong.»
Portions are on the smaller side, so our server recommended a pasta for each person and to share a few entrees. We started with the bread and seaweed butter because I’d heard rave reviews. It was ok… The pork ragu was life-​changing! Hands down one of the best things I’ve ever eaten. The squid ink pasta was also delicious. I can’t say I loved my dish (a lamb sausage pasta) as much as I liked the others I tried, but the pasta was still cooked perfectly.
I can’t wait to come back next time I am in Nashville and buy a «Pasta Mañana» t-​shirt! This place is definitely a MUST if you are coming from out of town.

Oh man, I hate to give it three stars, but there were issues. The food was WAY too salty. Everything, everything, minus dessert was too salty. Without the over-​salting the food would have been 5 stars, no doubt. They use sea salt so you really need to use less.
We went for our one year anniversary and this is what we ordered.
1. Sourdough seaweed butter — not my fav, but I don’t like seaweed. The hubbs loved it. It came with salt so I can’t comment.
2. Beef tartar — fantastic cut, presentation was wonderful! (too salty)
3. Garganelli verde — Amazing, I LOVED it! (too salty)
4. Roasted chicken — This I especially loved because it’s like chicken piccata, but better (too salty)
5. O&S tart with PB mousse — Out of this world! (No salt issues here)
They accidentally put in an order of liver pâté for us so we had that too. Again, wonderful, but too salty.
Other thoughts:
I feel like they need to expand and add a back room for dining purposes. I felt like I was eating in a bar, which I was. It’s great if you want a loud dinner with people milling around you, but if you want a quieter meal this is not the place for you. I hope one day they can build out (obviously this is only if they want to).
I loved the space (beyond the noise issues). The staff was fantastic. Our server was attentive and the food came out at a great pace. They treated us really well. I have nothing bad to say.
The drinks were great too. They were made well, the bartender was pleasant despite the high-​volume of people. He really made us feel welcome.
If they can get the salt thing under control I would list this as one of my favorite places to eat in Nashville. I wouldn’t necessarily come back for a quiet romantic meal, but I would come back with a group or to celebrate a new job or something. An event where you would want to get lively.

I hadn’t planned on hitting up any part of German town while in Nashville. After debating where to have my final dinner down there, it was settled. We would be going to German town.
Rolf’s did not disappoint. It was an amazing meal, at a high quality establishment.
Not much of a wait on a Saturday night. Waited by the bar and got a few drinks. Their Manhattan was solid.
Once we sat we decided to split lots of things on the menu. All of which was very tasty. My favorite dish here though was their bucatini with octopus. I was skeptical of how well a place in Nashville would make a great pasta like this. They shot down any wonder I had. This was some of the best bucatini I’ve had.
My only complaint is that the meal knocked my friends out cold with a serious case of the itis. Come here hungry, and leave happy.

We decided to sit at the bar this time for dinner, even though we had a 6pm reservation for dinner.
We started with the delicious THE ABSINTHE FATHER, a concoction developed by Ed Kolb, one of the master bartenders.
INGREDIENTS:
2 oz Belle Meade Bourbon
.5 oz ginger syrup
.5 oz Steen’s Sugar Cane Syrup
.75 oz fresh lemon juice
2 dashes orange bitters
rinse of absinthe for the glass
Do yourself a favor and try it. …you’ll be hooked.
Rest of dinner was again outstanding. This remains my #1 restaurant in Nashville!

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 pâté. 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).

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.

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.

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.

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 pâté, 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.

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.

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 entrée. However, it was served in a salad bowl. One sausage sliced into several pieces and covered with lettuce doesn’t seem like an entrée, particularly when the chicken entrée 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 entrée 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 4^th star.

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.