Lion's Share is the latest addition to the Nashville food scene and is worth every moment and dollar! Serving up elevated, expertly curated and perfectly executed dishes coupled with hand crafted cocktails and next level service, Lion's Share is an absolute experience from entry to exit!
We dined on a Monday evening at 5:30 PM and upon arrival, while they were ready for us, we grabbed a cocktail from the bar/lounge area. They have a specialty cocktail program that offers up all the classics, but some with a twist and elevation in ingredients and presentation. The bartender was engaging from the time we sat down, not just handing us a menu and waiting on our order. He asked what we enjoyed, what flavor profiles were our favorites and then recommended cocktails based on our likes. A nice personal touch to get our evening started. I am a gin fella, so I went with the Another Taylor-Burton Fling, a gin based cocktail that was light, refreshing with a little bite. My partner went with a classic Old Fashioned and our friend did a Manhattan. Both classic cocktails that were expertly made.
Once we made our way to the table, Anna, our server, quickly greeted and welcomed us. She started by giving a quick run down of the menu, how each section was laid out and what to expect. They like to take the full order, starters and mains, at the same time, so they can appropriately course out the meal. With that, we looked things over, asked a few questions and then mapped out our evening to include a phenomenal spread from all areas of the menu.
For starters, including Raw, Chilled and Snacks, we went with the Bluefin Tuna, Little Gem Lettuce, Bread & Butter and Grilled Avocado. The Bluefin Tuna was PHENOMENAL and the Grilled Avocado was shockingly flavorful! Not sure how they made a simple avocado ripe with so much flavor, but they did and it was impressive. In addition to what we ordered, the Chef/Owner, Robbie made his way to our table and also shared a few dishes including the Suzuki and Kanpachi with us. Both were expertly prepared and delightful to enjoy!
For our Mains, or "From the Hearth" we had a collection including Ricotta Agnolotti, Ora King Salmon and Pork Belly sided with Pommes Puree, Jumbo Asparagus and Maitake Mushrooms. The salmon was absolutely stunning and the squeeze of lime brightened it up for the perfect bite. The Ricotta Agnolotti was well portioned, packed with flavor making it rich, but not overpowering, and the blue crab balanced each bite. The Pork Belly was tender enough to be cut with a butter knife and had the perfect amount of smokiness that offered up a classic BBQ taste in a simple, yet elevated package. While the proteins were the stars, the sides held their own. The pommes puree was the standout and was easily some of the smoothest and silkiest I have ever had! The mushroom was hearty, yet tender and perfectly grilled. All the dishes, including the sides featured light sauces, which never overshadowed the food and did not change the true essence of the plate, only elevated each bite. The balance of sauce on each dish was impressive.
To round out our meal, we sampled a few desserts including the Embered Banana Cream Puff and Hazelnut Dacquoise with a round of espresso martinis. Both desserts were delectable and delightful, not too sweet, perfectly balanced, light and an absolute treat to end our meal with.
While the food is the absolute stand out at Lion's Share, the ambiance, vibe and service were among the best Nashville has to offer! This was all capped off by Chef Robbie's personal touch. He made it point to swing by multiple times, chatting, sharing and expressing gratitude with each visit. His attitude and approach is certainly felt with the staff, as everyone we encountered from the hostesses, bartenders, runners and servers, all seemed genuinely happy and proud to be part of Lion's Share.
It is worth noting that there is a dedicated pay lot in the rear of the restaurant. They will validate up to 2 hours for your visit, which is always a nice touch, especially in this area.
Overall, Lion's Share is an absolutely phenomenal addition to the fine dining community in Nashville. An absolute experience that is worth the visit! read more