Margot Cafe & Bar

I have been to Margot Cafe three times. We only go on special occasions because the price is a bit out of our budget now that we have two kids. But it is well worth the money. We seem to get out of there with two drinks, appetizer, meal, and a shared dessert for around $100 including tip. Well worth it. Margot has a seasonal menu, and I have yet to try a main course that is less than stellar. Margot is a very talented chef. I am a beer connoisseur, and I greatly appreciate that they have six respectable beers on the menu that pair well with food. Wine list is excellent. My only complaint is that the tables are very close together, so it is almost impossible to have a private conversation. So keep that in mind when making your reservation. But otherwise, one of the best restaurants in town. Highly recommended. Pros: Great Food, great servers, excellent wine list Cons: Tables are very close together, beer list could be expanded a tad more

After several failed attempts to experience this purported epicurean utopia, my husband and I finally made reservations for last Friday night. Perhaps the expectations were, by then, set insanely high but we were overall disappointed in our experience. The food was good. The atmosphere was OK. It was hard to pinpoint what made or broke the evening. I think it started with the cool welcome we received at the door. I don't need a bear hug but immediately, I felt like "eh, you're here so I'll seat you but it's just because I have nothing better to do." We were lead upstairs and to a two-seater table. I spotted a table adjacent to ours that was also open but seemed to afford a little more privacy. When we asked the host if we could scoot over to that one, you would have thought we'd asked for his first born. The succession of the evening's events were not earth shattering but, collectively, made for what we have come to describe as "not a sitter worthy evening." There was a waitstaff person roaming around with a bread basket but it never made its way to us. We finally had to beg for bread from our server. The first wine we ordered they were out of. They brought our second choice but it was not the same year as depicted in the menu. They forgot my husband's soup and rushed right into our entrees. Service was luke warm. Once the restaurant filled up, we quickly became uncomfortably intimate with our neighbors. Suddenly, "rubbing elbows" took on another connotation. I could hear their conversation just as well as my own. I could smell their food when it was delivered. That's not cozy or charming - that's called overcrowded. In conclusion, maybe it's just too fancy for us. We just need good food, warm service, some fine wine and an ambient atmosphere. Hold the attitude, please. Pros: Decent wine list, food quality was good Cons: Parking, lukewarm wait/service staff, tables too close more

i wanna love it - really i do. i was a big fan of margot's at the old f.scott's but i never seem to have a wonderful meal at this restaurant. ambiance is nice. margot comes by and is a doll - but where is the brilliance? i want to see it come back... please??? more

After several failed attempts to experience this purported epicurean utopia, my husband and I finally made reservations for last Friday night. Perhaps the expectations were, by then, set insanely high but we were overall disappointed in our experience. The food was good. The atmosphere was OK. It was hard to pinpoint what made or broke the evening. I think it started with the cool welcome we received at the door. I don't need a bear hug but immediately, I felt like ""eh, you're here so I'll seat you but it's just because I have nothing better to do."" We were lead upstairs and to a two-seater table. I spotted a table adjacent to ours that was also open but seemed to afford a little more privacy. When we asked the host if we could scoot over to that one, you would have thought we'd asked for his first born. The succession of the evening's events were not earth shattering but, collectively, made for what we have come to describe as ""not a sitter worthy evening."" There was a waitstaff person roaming around with a bread basket but it never made its way to us. We finally had to beg for bread from our server. The first wine we ordered they were out of. They brought our second choice but it was not the same year as depicted in the menu. They forgot my husband's soup and rushed right into our entrees. Service was luke warm. Once the restaurant filled up, we quickly became uncomfortably intimate with our neighbors. Suddenly, ""rubbing elbows"" took on another connotation. I could hear their conversation just as well as my own. I could smell their food when it was delivered. That's not cozy or charming - that's called overcrowded. In conclusion, maybe it's just too fancy for us. We just need good food, warm service, some fine wine and an ambient atmosphere. Hold the attitude, please. Pros: Decent wine list, food quality was good Cons: Parking, lukewarm wait/service staff, tables too close more

i wanna love it - really i do. i was a big fan of margot's at the old f.scott's but i never seem to have a wonderful meal at this restaurant. ambiance is nice. margot comes by and is a doll - but where is the brilliance? i want to see it come back... please??? more

These guys do a great job. Margot's could hold it's own in any major market in the US! Food is spectacular and waitstaff knowledgeable and attentive without being over pretentious. Great wine list. The food is incredible. Flavors explode and menu shows creativity and imagination. Will continue to come back time and time again! Love it! Pros: Everything about this place is awesome! Cons: can't find any! more

These guys do a great job. Margot's could hold it's own in any major market in the US! Food is spectacular and waitstaff knowledgeable and attentive without being over pretentious. Great wine list. The food is incredible. Flavors explode and menu shows creativity and imagination. Will continue to come back time and time again! Love it! Pros: Everything about this place is awesome! Cons: can't find any! more

Well, it's been a year since I last visited and reviewed Margot, after a string of disappointing experiences. I wish I could say that things weren't still irritating but if I did, I'd be lying. The surprising thing is that my experience this time was the opposite of all my others - the service and treatment of my guests and me was impeccable. It was the food that let me down this time. Don't get me wrong - it's still very good, at least compared to, oh, any average chain. But it's no longer food I just can't wait to eat. Everything except the water was oversalted in a way that makes me suspect that whoever cooked it is either a chain smoker or perhaps the victim of a tragic beheading. I think there's a very self-satisfied air about the menu now and the lack of effort is almost comical. Luckily, I was on someone else's dime so I didn't leave with a bitter taste in my mouth. Just a salty one. Margot gets one more chance with me; then they get put on the list with the other Nashville also-rans. Faison's, Sasso, and whatever that dump was out in Belle Meade next to the dog pound. Pros: Food Cons: Almost hilariously erratic attention to detail more

Well, it's been a year since I last visited and reviewed Margot, after a string of disappointing experiences. I wish I could say that things weren't still irritating but if I did, I'd be lying. The surprising thing is that my experience this time was the opposite of all my others - the service and treatment of my guests and me was impeccable. It was the food that let me down this time. Don't get me wrong - it's still very good, at least compared to, oh, any average chain. But it's no longer food I just can't wait to eat. Everything except the water was oversalted in a way that makes me suspect that whoever cooked it is either a chain smoker or perhaps the victim of a tragic beheading. I think there's a very self-satisfied air about the menu now and the lack of effort is almost comical. Luckily, I was on someone else's dime so I didn't leave with a bitter taste in my mouth. Just a salty one. \r \r Margot gets one more chance with me; then they get put on the list with the other Nashville also-rans. Faison's, Sasso, and whatever that dump was out in Belle Meade next to the dog pound. Pros: Food Cons: Almost hilariously erratic attention to detail more

We've been to Margot's several times, and mostly it has been an extremely pleasant experience (albeit expensive). We went on a Thursday to celebrate a special occasion, and I was extremely disappointed: 1) the menu wasn't as inventive as it usually is and I didn't see much I was interested in eating, 2) the prices seem to have doubled (or tripled) since I was last there while the portions have dramatically shrunk - we left feeling hungry, 3) our waitress was absolutely terrible! She ignored us 99% of the time and was very rude. Also, our entrees took an hour to arrive. I will probably EVENTUALLY go back, but not anytime soon... I will go to places like Zola's where you get exceptional service and phenomenal food you can always count on. Margot's has a lot of catching up to do if it wants to run with the big boys... Pros: usually great menu , usually good service Cons: very expensive, tiny portions, service going down more

We've been to Margot's several times, and mostly it has been an extremely pleasant experience (albeit expensive). We went on a Thursday to celebrate a special occasion, and I was extremely disappointed: 1) the menu wasn't as inventive as it usually is and I didn't see much I was interested in eating, 2) the prices seem to have doubled (or tripled) since I was last there while the portions have dramatically shrunk - we left feeling hungry, 3) our waitress was absolutely terrible! She ignored us 99% of the time and was very rude. Also, our entrees took an hour to arrive. I will probably EVENTUALLY go back, but not anytime soon... I will go to places like Zola's where you get exceptional service and phenomenal food you can always count on. Margot's has a lot of catching up to do if it wants to run with the big boys... Pros: usually great menu , usually good service Cons: very expensive, tiny portions, service going down more

We dined at Margot for NYE. The most fabulous drinks, salad and appetizers ever!! more

We dined at Margot for NYE. The most fabulous drinks, salad and appetizers ever!! more

From the decor and ambiance to the food and the wine list, and let's not forget our wonderful waitress Amanda, all was an absolute delight. We never felt rushed, they allow diners to savor the creative offerings from the kitchen and enjoy things at their own pace--which is very important in this type of upscale, fine dining type of setting. Thank you! We'll definitely be back. more

From the decor and ambiance to the food and the wine list, and let's not forget our wonderful waitress Amanda, all was an absolute delight. We never felt rushed, they allow diners to savor the creative offerings from the kitchen and enjoy things at their own pace--which is very important in this type of upscale, fine dining type of setting. Thank you! We'll definitely be back. more

Finally, a chef that understands it - let the food speak for itself! Too often in Nashville, I am finding that chef's feel like the need to use 15 ingredients on every dish. That is not the case here. The food is simply prepare, but complex in flavor. Bravo! Our server was very knowledgeable. In fact, she shared her detailed wine tasting notes with us. The wine list, although interesting, is probably not one of the best I have seen in town. For such a nice restaurant, I think the wine list could use some improvement. The decor is fun and funky. I felt as if I was in the warehouse district in Chicago or New York. Thanks for a great find! We'll be back. Pros: Food, Simplicity, Decor Cons: The Wine List more

Finally, a chef that understands it - let the food speak for itself! Too often in Nashville, I am finding that chef's feel like the need to use 15 ingredients on every dish. That is not the case here. The food is simply prepare, but complex in flavor. Bravo! Our server was very knowledgeable. In fact, she shared her detailed wine tasting notes with us. The wine list, although interesting, is probably not one of the best I have seen in town. For such a nice restaurant, I think the wine list could use some improvement. The decor is fun and funky. I felt as if I was in the warehouse district in Chicago or New York. Thanks for a great find! We'll be back. Pros: Food, Simplicity, Decor Cons: The Wine List more

it is all about the food - top quality product, well prepared, a constantly changing menu, suporting local growers. our party of 5 tried a cross-section items from the ""snack"", appetizer, entree and desert menus, as well as 2 bottles of wine (totalled $75 per person). i dont think we were ""disappointed"" with anything other than the average-ness of the wine list (many spanish and italian choices neither we nor the server could elaborate on) and the desserts were just OK for $6. if visiting nashville, it's a bit out of the way - you have to cross the river - and it doesnt look like much from the outside. but it's good and well worth it. Pros: food quality, accomodating staff more

it is all about the food - top quality product, well prepared, a constantly changing menu, suporting local growers. our party of 5 tried a cross-section items from the "snack", appetizer, entree and desert menus, as well as 2 bottles of wine (totalled $75 per person). i dont think we were "disappointed" with anything other than the average-ness of the wine list (many spanish and italian choices neither we nor the server could elaborate on) and the desserts were just OK for $6. if visiting nashville, it's a bit out of the way - you have to cross the river - and it doesnt look like much from the outside. but it's good and well worth it. Pros: food quality, accomodating staff more

Four of us go out several times a year for special celebrations. We travel from Chattanooga to Louisville in search of fine dinning experiences. Our first opinion of Margot was that it was that we must have the wrong neighborhood, but with no real issues that wasn't a problem. Our second concern was that the "quaintness" of the decor was a little homemade, but the service and the food more than made up for the rather amateur construction techniques. We had a great time! Pros: Outstanding Server, Excellent Food, Great martinis Cons: Decor, limited menu, desert a little bland more