Tayst Restaurant

I went there with family from out of town which included my father who is a sommelier and he agreed with me that Tayst has an excellent wine list and the food is absolutley amazing!! The quality is great and you can't beat eating food that is grown locally!! Our waiter was the best and knew everything about the ever changing menus items. Pros: Quality of food and service is superb! The chef is very creative with his dishes. Great art throughout! Cons: Kind of small but that makes it quaint. more

We ordered 2 appetizers - the hawaiian fish with cantelope and the short ribs with apples. The first appetizer was salty and the sauce overpowered the dish. The short ribs were o.k. but tasted like roast. The salads were $7.50 each and sounded very appetizing. My salad with the fried capers and watermelon was very salty and the watermelon could barely be found as they were in very small diced pieces. I ordered the salmon - it was tasteless. The ribeye was fair but the vegetables served with the steak were undercooked and lacked flavor. For $110 it was the most disappointing meal we have ever had. We actually went to sonic after spending $110 to satisfy our hunger. F. Scott's or even Outback is much more pleasing than this restaurant.\r \r I sent my first Salmon dish back because the mushrooms were rubbery and the salmon and palenta lacked flavor. After doing this, our waiter became indifferent and did not ask if we needed anything else or how the rest of the meal was.\r \r Guarantee we will never be back. more

I went to Tayst for the first time a few nights ago, and as many others have express, can't believe I haven't been before! Unfortunately we only had appetizers and wine, which is why I have only given 4 stars (since I can't be sure of the full experience!) Our waitress recommended a white wine when we explained what we were looking for--she described it as ""the perfect wine for a patio drink."" We were sold. And it was delicious. \r \r We opted to try the crawfish begneits with avocado icecream for an appetizer, even though we were completely reserved about our decision. Going into it totally skeptical, all four people were more than surprised at the combination of flavors and tastefulness of the dish. It completely changed our perception of food. \r \r I will be trying Tayst again very soon, this time for a full-scale meal. I'm sure I will be back to change that 4 star to 5. Pros: Service, quality of food more

Maybe it was the strange location (former insurance office) or the dark black and wine exterior, but there was nothing about Tayst's nondescript building that enticed me to visit. I'm sorry that it has taken me four years.\r \r Tayst was a very pleasant surprise featuring excellent service, intriguing tasty menu choices featuring local produce and an outstanding wine menu. As we all know there are a lot of little things that can make or break a restaurant experience and Tayst was no exception. After being seat next to the air conditioner vent, we requested a new table. The waiter pleasantly moved us to our table of choice with a smile and an apology. Our water Mateo was knowledgeable and attentive but not to the point of annoying. Staff seemed willing and able to do whatever they could to make your dining experience pleasant.\r \r Food was expertly paced. I never felt rushed or was waiting. We started with the beignets and crawfish. Excellent! We then followed with salads followed by two main dishes: seared scallops and pork that were pared with some recommended wine. When we expressed our disappointment that there was no simple chocolate dessert the chef sent a dish of chocolate to our table. Coffee was great. How many restaurants can't get that right? The food was innovative and full of taste and color. \r \r Dinner came to $170 (including tip). We will soon be back. Pros: Great food. Great service. Great wine list. more

Since its' opening, tayst has become my most favorite and recommended restaurant. It truly offers something different. I love the Chef Barlow's playful use of words and constant re-invention of things that have become boring and the norm. Value meals? Awesome idea. Don't forget to supersize it. Great wine list, great room (although every time I go there I forget that I hate the chairs, they're somewhat odd for dining) You really have to forget all that you have pre-conceived about what food is and should be. Let the kitchen do the work for you on that one. The idea that you should have a giant appetizer or a 'free' salad with your entree, and a main course draped in sauce with the unnecessary 'starch and vegetable' is ludicrous, but that's what we've come to expect thanks to the unoriginality of your every day chain restaurants. The restaurant is called tayst, and that is what you should do. You'll have to drop some change while dining here, but it's not nearly as expensive as some of the other hot nashville dining spots. As far as value, keep in mind it is quality NOT quantity when it comes to the bill. An entree may cost over $20 and the portion small compared to TGI Friday's (remember one of the reasons we are the fattest country in the world is because we have no concept of proper portion size), but if you are truly taysting, you'll leave satisfied. Quality food costs the suppliers big money. Use this rationale, you can spend $25 at Wal-Mart and buy a TON of garbage quality groceries, or you could spend $25 at Fresh Market or Whole Foods and have the most amazing quality ingredients available to the public. I shop at Wal-Mart for groceries regularly, but once in a while, i have to splurge for something great. Do yourself a favor and do the same. Enjoy tayst! Pros: variety, originality, fresh ingredients Cons: weird chairs, parking more

My wife and I had a belated Valentine's dinner at Tayst on Saturday night, and we loved it! We arrived a couple of minutes early for our 6:30 reservation, and though the parking lot was already full, our table was ready and we had no wait. Our server answered all our questions and was attentive, but not over the top (or under foot.) She recommended 2 oz wine servings with our appetizers and salads, and a larger serving with the main course, which was perfect. The wine selections were all spot on for the dishes we ordered, and the food was delicious. I especially enjoyed my appetizer of grilled scallops paired with the Pierre Boniface Apremont. Our meal (which also included 1 dessert and 2 coffees) came to around $160.00 with tip, but the menu also offers a couple of 'value meals' that are substantially less expensive. If you're into wine at all, I'd say you should definitely give tayst a try! more

My wife and I have been dining at The Tayst for over 2 years and have ALWAYS found it a wonderful dining experience. The food is great, the decor is great and the prices are reasonable for a restaurant of this quality.\r I would say it is almost a F. Scotts.\r \r Lord Henry more

My husband and I went to Tayst on our anniversary and were highly disappointed. It took forever to get our food. The portions were tiny for what we paid. Don't get me wrong , we were not anticipating Shoney buffet but I would have liked to have been full by the time we left after paying $120.00 for two people. Radius 10 and Sambuca are 100 x what this restuarant wants to be. Skip it. \r The only plus was the wine, which was excellent. Pros: Wine list Cons: Bad service and bad food more

We went twice to Tayst with my boyfriend and we we were never disapointed. The service is very good, waiters are helpful without being too obnoxious and the food is delicious. The combinations of tastes is always incredible without being overwhelming., the portions are perfect, I hate restaurants where they give these huge plates with enough food for 5 persons. If you are looking for a very nice restaurant where they serve quality food with original combinations of flavors and tastes, you have to try this place. Great bonus, they recommend a wine for each of their course, which I found very nice (and they do not recommend their priciest wine. Pros: Excellent food, very nice combination of flavors and tastes more

Maybe I had the bar set too high after reading reviews (as I am an out of towner), but I knew we were in trouble when we pulled up and there was a help wanted sign outside of the restaurant. From my experience waiting tables, if you are a good restaurant and have a solid business, you don't need to solicit for help; people will come to you. The food itself was decent. There were actually a few solid dishes that we had (Duck Chili Frito Pie) but there were too many mistakes to overlook. Our scallop appetizer was cold upon arrival. Also my friend's Mahi Mahi was undercooked and we had to send it back. 30 minutes later it finally arrived after the rest of our party had finished their meals completely. We spent over $200 on 3 people but all we got was a ""sorry"". Couldn't they have comped our appetizer or offered a free dessert? Very Disappointing. Pros: Not much Cons: Poor Service, Small Wine List, Undercooked Food more

Arrived Valentine's and was greeted with an open door and friendly faces.\r Been there since and this is a place I know I can count on for great food, \r great service and an absolutely memorable time.\r The service is consistently attentive but not overbearing.\r The wine list is expansive but the servers are knowledgeable\r and don't try to sell you on stuff you don't ask for. Value seems\r to be the theme here with seasonal offerings. \r I've never had better Bollognese. \r Nothing short of amazing. Finaly a place where i know what I'm \r going to get for my money. Pros: parking, service, food Cons: little loud, esoteric wine list, small dessert menu more

I was very disappointed in the meal. The atmosphere is great, the people are nice, courteous. But, the food was nothing special for the price we paid. I spent the meal thinking...is this really it, surely there is something I'm missing.\r \r An aside, I've only tried the restaurant once, so maybe I havn't found their niche, but it hasn't made me desire a return trip. Pros: Nice ambience, good service Cons: Food was nothing special, not worth the cost more

Pompous attitude in a wanna be eclectic atmosphere--while listening to Foreigner 4 and other rock songs of the 80's and looking at (what has to be the owner's family member's) ill-suited art. The food was just a bunch of this and that thrown together in the name of ""gourmet"". It was raunchy to say the least. Who really wants to eat salmon soaked in Pastrami????? Come on---and something like ""duck guts"" sprinkled over every dish?? Yuk. The salad was so dry I wanted to pour my water over it. Pros: no wait/ good valet Cons: attitude/food/atmosphere more

I love this place. The service is excellent, without being pretentious or intrusive. I always feel welcome, as if they've been waiting for the opportunity to share food they're very excited about. Consistently different, without being weird or inedible. The quality of ingredients that chef Jeremy Barlow uses is excellent, and his technique is also excellent. Favorites are the artisan cheese plate, which is inventive and balanced and the things he does with free range chicken . Portions are quite generous, unless you're addicted to all-you-can-eat -catfish night.....the staff is also very sensitive to dietary issues such as food allergies, which make the experience even more enjoyable. more

the food was eclectic mixed with comfort food. Nothing was short of delicious. The service was impeccable and attentive without being over bearing and we were impressed by the server's knowledge of food and wine pairings. I would go again and recommend any wine lover or someone looking for something a bit unique. Pros: ambience, parking, service more

Supper for 2 -- Appetizers: ""Ants on a Log"" (good beef, with an interesting sauce), ""Donuts & Ice Cream"" (truly excellent spicy shrimp beignet & bacon ice cream - sounds weird, but you must try it). Salads: romaine & house salad (very good). Entrees: ""Duck, Duck"" (spicy confit raviolis & fatty breast meat - very flavorful, excellent) & scallops & grits (not over cooked - also excellent). We had the wine pairings with each course which were excellent. Service was very attentive, but not overbearing. Of meals eaten across the past 20 years in the USA & Europe, this was among the top 3. This restaurant is a hidden ""gem"" in Nashville. Pros: most unusual menu, excellent food Cons: hard to find more

This restaurant on 21st Avenue just past Hillsboro Village main strip, left side going out of town, just before the newish Harris-Teeter, could be easy to miss, as it needs a little external improvement in the form of some minimalist lighting to make you see it from the road. But inside it is great, smallish, great friendly staff and a wide-enough and seasonally varied menu. The food here is very inexpensive considering that it is very different from the normal Nashville restaurant fare, and it is overall outstanding value. The bar is very well stocked and has a very wise expert who will give you a small taster if possible to help your selection, but also offers excellent advice based on your likes/dislikes and the meal, and price range. \r \r Some of the seasonal offerings, often the simplest prepared, are ridiculously good and remind you that great-tasting food needs to be prepared well with fresh ingredients, and that there should NEVER be too much on the plate. Southern/Nashville dining does not have to make you feel stuffed, and this is not the goal at Tayst. I had some fantastic lamb during the winter, the vegetables are always tender and never overcooked, the sorbets stand out as unusual and mouthwateringly good, and yes the signature creme brulee is one of the best I have had in Europe or the U.S.\r \r The owners and all of the staff are very nicely attentive without being overbearing in any way. They seem very concerned about your evening's experience and will go out of their way to make it better if they can. A nice and classy touch is that the head chef often visits the tables, subtly and cheerfully, to make sure everything has gone down well. \r \r Overall conclusion is that this restaurant gives the new Gulch restaurants the best run for the money, beats them in many ways on the food, and it doesn't have any of the parking headaches and rush of that area. Highly recommended. Pros: Parking, service, food Cons: difficult to notice from the road more

It has been quite a long time since we have been to Tayst. From the moment we made the reservations to the moment we left, we felt very welcome and appreciated. The service was attentive and professional. The food was very good. And the management was very welcoming and accomodating. We won't wait so long to go back. Pros: Management, Food, Service more

I took a group of 75 here from out of town last week because I love Dan and Jeremy and what they have done with this place. It is a rare place where you can count on them to deliver each and every time. The food is unique, creative and the presentation is perfect. Regardless if you have 2 people or 75, this is the place to take them! more

I go to Tayst as often as I can. The delicious food is unique in its flavor combinations, ingredients and presentation -- no local restaurant comes close to chef Jeremy's creativity. I used to consider myself a picky eater. Now, I just put myself in his hands and enjoy something unexpected. Regarding the portion sizes ... you can eat as much or as little as you like. I, for one, hate the trend of giant portions with poor ingredients. Same goes for the prices -- you can spend $20 and have a great drink/appetizer, or you can spend $100 and have multiple dishes and excellent wine. As for the service, it didn't take long for Dan and staff to greet me by name as I came in and to learn my favorite drink. This is a comfortable, classy, tasty ""Tayst"" -- check it out and tell your friends. more