Watermark

05/19/11

Nashville's finest restaurant?

by Hoyt Hill at Citysearch

Since the hiring of executive chef Matt Bolus, Watermark has elevated to the top echelon of Nashville restaurants.

I have dined there several times and it has been superb every time

03/05/09

NOT AT ALL UP TO MY STANDARDS

by gwynmorrison at Citysearch

I read many good things about this restaurant and when I ate here I was very sad indeed. My fish was not warm on the inside and should have had at least a few tiny vegetables on the plate or something else to at least feel like you are eating a bit more and I am a very small person. the bread was just ok if you are really hungry and too salty at that. The other foods on the table had complaints and were either too salty or just not up to standards I knew it should be. All and all I have to give this place a less than average rating. They sure raved about it in the papers and I would stick to Merchants any day or even Sperrys over Watermark. Way to expensive for the taste or presentation of the food. I didn't want to hurt the person's feelings paying for it when my fish was not very warm. Oh so bad.

• Cons: No one came up to park our car as stated so we walked a long way. Food was less than hi standard.Took a long time to get our food.

02/28/09

The Watermark Experience -- not to be missed

by talans at Citysearch

An excellent fine dining experience. Watermark delivers on all fronts -- from the simple yet elegant ambiance and attentive yet unobtrusive service, to the outstanding cuisine. Be sure not to miss the superb grit souffle or the indulgent chocolate sampler. Hats off to Sean Norton for a truly inventive and well-executed menu. A memorable and highly satisfying evening.

• Pros: Cuisine, service, ambiance
• Cons: None we noticed

12/10/08

Disappointing on many levels

by FreshHell at Citysearch

Very over-rated, overpriced restaurant. Terrible ambiance - high walls & wood floor make for a very noisy setting. Spare interior design is severe, not Zen-like. Half-finished condo project across the street (which, given the economy, will likely remain unfinished) ruins what was probably a wonderful view. Shrimp appetizer was so overcooked & rubbery a knife could barely cut through them. Chorizo? where? The pumpkin soup had a strangely heavy mouthfeel and bitter aftertaste. The grit souffle IS stellar, but one dish does not a chef or menu make. Salad prices are like early high scores in ice-skating: they serve to artificially inflate the scores/prices appearing further down the program/menu. Roll your eyes if you must, but anyone who orders fish at restaurants needs to understand how commercial overfishing has caused the collapse of fish populations. Watermark seems not to have heard the news: Daurade, grouper, tilefish are on all "do not order" lists yet those fish, plus an "organic" (farmed? wild? who knows?) salmon and hebi were the choices available. Hebi are taken mostly by long-line fishing (which threatens the leatherback turtle) and can be kept frozen on board ship for up to two weeks before they make it to market (despite being overnighted from Hawaii as per our waiter). In any case, hebi are replacing the collapsed swordfish anyway. It's hard to understand how a chef who appears so invested in creating a menu that reflects seasonal foods (butternut squash, pumpkin, root vegetables) also seems insensitive to other aspects of menu-making like these. I did like the use of so many types of wild mushrooms. The filet and lamb were both very good but overpriced. The service was glacially slow, even for a large party. Perhaps the slow service was designed to pump up the wine bill; no one should have to wait nearly an hour between courses, even in a party of 10. Kudos to Sam Tucker and Heather Riley, who are responsible for the delightful dessert choices.

• Pros: Grit souffle. Filet and lamb v. good but overpriced. Desserts with coffee.
• Cons: Prices. Ambiance. Ruined view off balcony.

09/24/08

A must-try

by stanlynn at Citysearch

Visited Watermark in early September. We began our evening at the bar, where the fine barkeep, Ned, kept us lubricated and entertained. He mixes a fine drink (esp. the Lemon Drop Martini made w. Hangar Vodka) and delivers equally fine comedy. The hostess let us know that our table was ready whenever we were an that there was certainly no rush...I love that! No one likes to be forgotten, but I don't like to have to gulp my drink to accomadate a table seating.

Overall, our dinner was exceptional. I started with the grit souflee. It was exquisite..but big enough to share. I didn't finish it as I was eager for my dinner. My husband had the foie gras and loved it. For dinner, I had the filet and my husband had the buffalo strip. Entrees were excellent. And for dessert we enjoyed the chocolate sampler. Everything on it was delicious.

For the negatives, I would have to mention a few very small details that would be so easy to correct but left me feeling a little underwhelmed. Firstly, filter your water. I know I could have ordered bottled water, however in a restaurant of this caliber, I would think the table water would be filtered so as to compliment the meal, not compete with it. Also, we had two small 'to-go' containers. The waiter, (who was excellent, by the way) offered to get a bag so we could carry them easier. He returned with a white plastic (Kroger-like) grocery sack with "Thank you, Thank you, Thank you" on the front...you know that type. C'mon Watermark! invest in some of those cute little bags with the handles. Put a sticker on it so you can advertise. It would be much chic-er (is that a word?) and I could carry my work lunch in it and advertise for you even more. Stop cutting the little corners!

On another note, I also tried sister (or is it brother..) restaurant Miro District....delicious.