Erica Law
I took the waitresses recommendation on what to order I got five things to share. The description and what I actually got felt like it wasn’t the same thing. Also, they put a ton of sauce on 3 of the entrées that had strange flavors. It was a nice atmosphere and the service was great. I’ve eaten at restaurants like this before but not so much in Nashville I like to think I know what good food taste like and this just wasn’t it.
… moreScott Sweetow
The restaurant is on the smaller side and intimate. A younger demographic on the night we visited, the vibe was energetic, and the small kitchen was buzzing with activity.
They have a nice wine list, but because we were doing Dry January we did not partake, instead enjoying two of their three types of “mocktails,” both of which were excellent.
Our server, who was occasionally augmented by a partner, was totally on it, and knowledgeable about the dishes and the flavor profiles. She gave us great service without hovering, but when needed she was right there. She suggested we get at least six small plates for the two of us, but we opted for just five that looked like they’d be really in our lane taste wise; that proved to be plenty of food. Especially once we got their amazing dessert, but more on that latter.
The menu itself was small and manageable, and I’m told they change it from time to time. All of the food has a distinct Spanish vibe to my taste, which is awesome, as the Spanish have awesome food. There were some really interesting twists thrown in there flavor wise with the dishes and I think for the most part they were a perfect match.
We opted for all seafood plates, which were a great fit for us, but threw in one vegetarian/vegan choice of a roasted beet on a bed of roasted garlic with a habanero finish. The beet was somehow cut paper thin in a spiral, which made it almost fall apart. How’d they do that!?!? The roasted garlic and habanero ended up with almost a chocolate or mole flavor after absorbing the beet juices and the effect was really amazing. For something I thought would be more boring I think this was one of our favorite dishes, and something I’m going to play around with in my own kitchen.
The yellowfin tuna with white asparagus was probably our second most favorite dish, with fresh tuna, and a turmeric based foam that melded the flavors together. Watch out for the powdered chili on the end of the asparagus spear, which gives it a nice kick if you can save enough of the tuna and asparagus for a flavorful and spicy combined final bite!
The grilled octopus was probably the most complex set of flavors owing to the heirloom potatoes, crispy and soft portions of octopus and the passion fruit based concoction they poured over it all. The description said avocado as well, but I could not see any in the dish, or taste it. An explosion of sweet and savory flavors that is not to be missed.
Our fourth plate was a Hokkaido scallop with popcorn, sorrel and walnut. It was sitting in a delicate broth which tasted like a very light olive oil with small walnut pieces and little bits of popcorn. I don’t personally think the sauce added much and would have liked something a little bit spicier in keeping with some of the other dishes, but that’s just me.
The only miss of the night for both of us was the shrimp with shiso leaf. On the menu they called it a “santa” leaf. Well known in sushi cuisine, I thought shiso was a natural for the shrimp. We were told to roll it up and eat it like a taco, which was good advice. The shrimp seemed to be flash fried in a very light batter. Not sure, but it had a slight tempura-like crispness to it. For whatever reason, portions of each shrimp were salty in a most unpleasant and overpowering way. We took the shiso leaf off and looked at each shrimp. It appeared that on the edge of the batter, there was a green substance and when we tasted it, it was like a mouth of salt. Once we pulled that edge off it took the awful salty taste away and the dish tasted much better. Both of us experienced the same reaction. Since I’m not sure how they prepared the shrimp, I don’t know if the batter was rolled in salt or what, and the wasabi mentioned on the menu would not give a salty taste.
Or “bonus” course was the white chocolate, salted raspberry custard/pudding, which was topped with 5 small pieces of candied nori seaweed. It was sublime. Fantastic. Amazing. Save room for dessert, and dig deep with your spoon to get the taste of white chocolate and raspberry in the same bite. Yum!
… moreBecky Spoon
WOOOOOW! Everything was incredible. The service and the ambiance was perfectly dim for a cozy intimate dinner with loved ones. The cocktails were top notch! The ingredients and the flavors were an experience that everyone should try. 20/10 recommend.! You won’t get through this dinner without being surprised with what you taste one your tongue.
… moreKristen Avery
Those wicker bar chairs are worn out, too small and so uncomfortable. For a 2 hr $375 dinner for two at the bar, please upgrade. As most of the other reviews have said, it’s high-end small plates with unique pairings. My bro is a foodie and this is his way of ‘treating me,’ I appreciate the opportunity to share what he likes but I can’t personally justify the prices. Not my thing for my money. All food tasted fine and atmosphere is intimate and parking is street side. Bartender is knowledgeable and engaging. Food runners are attentive and also engaging.
… moreHonest Olive
No disrespect to those food enthusiasts that were thrilled with their experience here but we are confused by the great reviews. The atmosphere at Peninsula is cozy and comfortable. It’s a small space but has a lot of charm. We loved the candlelight and soft lighting. Our waitress was pleasant but some of the other servers who brought dishes acted pretentiously. Not sure what that’s about. Overall, places like Peninsula just seem to be trying too hard. We had some tasty tapas, such as the endive creation, but others like the Spanish tortilla and the crispy rice and lobster dishes were just plain weird (dismaying textures, off-kilter flavors). We left feeling full, but not quite sure if we were SATISFIED if that makes sense. Overall, a tapas place like this is just confusing and trying too hard. A dining experience that makes us feel like “THAT was amazing…easy to love, easy to rave about, solidly delicious” is what we’re after. Not, “hey, let’s try to like what we just experienced!”
… moreTrey Tollison
Top notch 5 star experience every single time I visit this old world style restaurant. The restaurant is owner operated, I see this lovely husband and wife team working hard there every time I visit. They manage to give you an amazingly creative ever evolving menu that will always surprise you, challenge your palette, and certainly make you a happy diner. Expect about 12 to 14 options on the menu all small plates. I find 6 to 8 good for two folks to share. The amazing staff balances coursing each creation out once you have finished the last with just the right pause to enjoy a few sips from your drink. Drinks include an excellent gin selection, a creative cocktail program and extensive wine cellar. We’ve found the bartender to be personable and very well versed at matching drinks with the courses. I really think this restaurant can stand up against just about any of the better known celebrity chef locations in Nashville. Plenty of nearby street parking and a parking garage.
… moreTerry Hicks
DEAR SWEET BABY GEEZUS THIS PLACE POSSIBLY HAS THE BEST FOOD IN AMERICA!!! I’m coming from Miami and this place would literally never have room in Miami the food the prices the service THE FOOD I LITERALLY TRIED 5 DIFFERENT PLATES AND ALL OF THEM WERE AMAZING THE STICKY RICE WITH LOBSTER WAS MY FAVORITE . DO YOURSELVES A FAVOR AND VISIT …….THIS PLACE AMAZING
… moreFareed Naeem
Amazing dinner, wine, desert and desert wine – stellar service and recommendations – can’t wait to go back – still craving the tempura endive! I think the most notable feature of their food is how they enhance the taste using texture – highly recommend for an exquisite time.@
… moreJoshua Touriz
Extremely unique and delicious tapas. Definitely a memorable dining experience. Food came out quick and the hostess was super sweet. Nice atmosphere too. Would come back again if the menu was different. It looks like it changes by the season? Not too sure though. First day in Nashville, and so far the food has been awesome.
… moreFrank Bai
pretty good food, portion is reasonable and some can even order for half portion; price is a little high; environment is dark and immersive
… more