Sambuca

07/17/2008 Posted by GinGin629

I went here for my birthday. It was a Sunday night and wasn't busy at all. Didn't need reservations. They had all their 40-80 dollar bottles of wine half off so we got a really nice bottle of Chardonnay for 25 bucks! I got the Filet it was cooked perfectly. Although I didn't like the veggies it came with nor did I like the Goat cheese tator tot (bland) side. But the macaroni and cheese appetizer and creme brulee was to die for. There was a Jazz quatertet playing and the singer was awesome! I think her name was Minnie or Mandy? Waiter was ok not very personable but that kind opf thing doesn't bother me. hostess was super friendly and atmosphere was very cool, dark and romantic.

Pros: Filet and Mac n Cheese, Entertainment, No waiting, Wine Specials

Cons: Vegetables, Goat Cheese Appetizer were bland

07/10/2008 Posted by chazjo

My first time going to Sambuca in Nashville was this past May for drinks & apps with friends on a Thurs. which also happened to be my friends' birthday. We were on the 2nd level patio & enjoyed apps (1/2 off before 7) & $5 martinis (all night top-shelf, kept us there much longer than we had originally planned). We wanted maki rolls that are listed on the menu for Thurs night, but we were told by the server that they didn't have them that night, 1st disappointment. My birthday is Friday & when asked what I wanted to do, I said I wanted to go to Sambuca the Thurs night before to have maki, apps & $5 Peartinis again b/c we had such fun in May. I didn't want to spend lots of money on dinner b/c I would spend more on my actual birthday on Friday. Thurs, at 6:30 we went & were informed that there was a private party until 8pm on the 2nd floor patio, first downer. Then we found a spot inside b/c there was no room outside on the 1st floor. We found chairs & sat at the side bar that looks at a dark wall, like something you'd see at a cafe if you wanted alone time with your laptop, not ideal for conversation. When the server came, she said the happy hour specials all ended at 7pm (which we knew; were going to order several appetizers before 7) & there were no longer $5 martinis, which meant no Peartinis that we had looked forward to. At that point we didn't even ask about maki b/c it probably wasn't available either. We didn't want to stay & were frustrated that nothing on menus for Thurs evening was accurate & that everything we looked forward to was no longer available. It had hurt the evening I had planned on to celebrate my birthday. We could have stayed, had one drink and left, but we were too frustrated at that point. I sure hope tomorrow night turns out better for us at a different restaurant. If vibe is the avenue they're going for I sure hope the rest of the food is good. As a designer, I can't see how the atmosphere draws people in.

06/03/2008 Posted by 27diappointed

My 27th birthday was supposed to be special: rented a limo, made 7 o'clock reservations at sambuca, had all my good close family and friends with me. arrived 10minuets early checked in. Host said table would be ready in few minutes, waited for 20minutes no table, went again to see what was going on and said it was being set up. waited for 20 more minutes, still not seated i was really mad then i went and yelled that if i didnt get seated soon the resturant was going to pay for my hour of waitting for my limo. Finally manager came out and seated us at a very dark table we had to use flash lights to read the menu. afer we ordered the food came out dry, under cooked and very bland. Plus their was no im sorry for the service or wait. i spent all that time thinking this was going to be great food and it sucked. Had i know the food and wait was this bad i would have at pizza. dont go ever!!

Pros: looked cool

Cons: bad service and food, hardly any parking

05/31/2008 Posted by bjbrandi

My first time at Sambuca, alls I can say was it was perfect. The food was to die for, the dessert also. The live music was the dickie band excellent. Service was excellent. Can be a a very romantic place or a place for you and your friends but either way the environment is assume, you can do either or, whatever the occussaion there environment will set the stage. It's by far the best i've been to in nashville and Atlanta. Thanks Sambuca for making my five year anniversay the best yet.

Pros: Valet Parking, Very excellent live music

Cons: Be prepared to spend but so worth it.

05/11/2008 Posted by JandCParr

Dining out at a place like this is an "event" for my wife and I as we have two small boys and our dining out usually involves more casual dining(and lots of napkins!) Apart from that, dining at a place like this only fits in our budget on the rare occasion. With that said, we were greatly pleased. The waiter, David, advised his main concern was making certain our entire dining experience was memorable. He made recommendations based on what we liked and what he had enjoyed himself from the menu, of which he had eaten most everything available in his time there. He actually gave his veteren opinion not only for the good, but also steered us away from a dish he did not feel we would be satisfied with. I was greatly impressed that a waiter would be so candid and honest. So often "everything is the best" when you ask the waiter/waitress! He was right on with his recommendation of the tuna etoufee. It was delicious! The tuna was perfectly cooked, meaning it had a beautiful sear on the outside and was essentially raw in the center. True tuna lovers will appreciate this dish and it was out of this world. My wife got the rib-eye. The steak was perfectly cooked and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. It came with a side of potatoes that my wife kept raving over. She also asked for a side of the walnut butter that comes with the filet because she was curious about it. It made a great accompaniment to the steak, although it certainly did not need it. After ordering desert we asked David if it would be fine to venture upstairs to check out the view of the city we had heard so much about and he advised it was not a problem. Upon returning to our table, dessert soon was delivered (a chocolate toffee tort) and was slowly devoured. The band played sounded fantastic and were not too loud. It does get a bit dark in there (the servers actually carry flashlights!) but the ambiance was just what we were looking for that night. We will definitely be back.

Pros: Food, atmosphere, service

Cons: On the pricier end, but worth it!

04/19/2008 Posted by cookmaster

The food is always consistant and good, the seabass is the best I have ever eaten. The things that makes this restaurant so great is the kicking bands they book the play this joint. The food is good the service has always been good and the cocktails and funky and cool.. But the band makes this whole experience worth every single penny. Led Zepplin I found you again

Pros: The Music, the food and the service

Cons: Parking (none) must valet, expensive dinner for (2) $200.00 easily

02/16/2008 Posted by erinsparkles58

We have been to Sambuca twice. First time, it was great. I had already eaten so I just ordered a side of sweet potatoes- which were amazing. But I loved the ambiance. The band was very good and quiet so we could still have a conversation. So, based on this, we determined to come back for Valentines day and had the opposite experience. First of all, the table was teeny tiny and about 1 foot (no joke) from 3 other tables- so that was awkward. We felt like we were dining with strangers. We ordered salads which were delicious. I had to request some bread which I saw at other tables. The service was good though. Then the band came and we didn't talk the rest of the time. They were fine, just loud and totally opposite the smooth, soft jazz band that had been there previously. I ordered the Zebra pasta and was dissatisfied. Not only was it hard to eat, but it was not flavorful and did not fill me up. My husband had the filet, which he absolutely Loved. I've never seen him chew so slowly to savor each bite. We had tiramisu for desert and that was fine. So, to sum it up: cool vibe, score or miss on the menu and music, service is average, request a booth.

Pros: cool vibe, fine service

Cons: crowded table, food expensive for what you get.

02/01/2008 Posted by TomLey

I am new to Nashville and I can honestly say that Sambuca is the best restaurant I have been to. My girlfriend and I enjoy dining out regularly and we were delighted with the great level of service, ambience, music, and food quality this place offers at very reasonable prices. So far, we have been there three times and every time we have had such a wonderful experience!

11/30/2007 Posted by amanda1973

Sambuca is an awesome experience. The food is delightful. I highly recommend the petite filet, zebra pasta, tortilla soup, and all the salads. The half-price appetizers are great. I love the Thursday night Soul/R&B music. The dining room is very cozy and comfortable. The music volume is perfect. I have nothing to complain about. Our servers have also been wonderful and very accomodating. Anyone that complains about this place needs to get a life and go home!!!!!

Pros: half-price appetizers

Cons: need half-price wines

11/10/2007 Posted by nickirobins

We went on a Sunday night which featured half price bottles of wine and live Jazz music, which by the way was nice and relaxing. Our server, Ashley, was really great. She was friendly and professional. She was able to make a fine dining environment, comfortable. Our food was SO delicious! We started with the Buca Beignets, then my husband got the Caesar Salad and I had the Shrimp & Crab Bisque. YUM! We both ordered the filet (mine petite) and an order of asparagus. The quality of meat was fantastic and the gorgonzola butter complimented it very well. Overall, our experience was wonderful. A little pricey, but pretty standard for the type of restaurant. We had a very nice, romantic evening and we will definitely be returning!

Pros: Food, ambience

Cons: a little pricey