Eastland Cafe

Recommends

jgore1987

Joined 2 years ago

One of my favorite restaurants. My husband and I kind of stumbled upon this place looking for a new restaurant. We always get the same thing every time and joke that Eastland would be our "last" meal if we could choose! We actually just moved to Franklin so its a bit of a hike to East Nashville, but we go for special occasions. I would definitely recommend the mac and cheese and the goat cheese appetizer.

Recommends

creeker

Joined 3 years ago

I love Eastland!!!!!!. I have friends in the neighborhood and we go to Eastland at least once a week.They have fabulous happy hour specials and the ambience is laid back and stress free.Hal is a talented chef and Cara always seems to have everything under control.I always recommend Eastland to friends and family from out of town and have never heard anything but raves.The Mac and Cheese is to die for and I'm sure it is low cal.!!!!!!

Doesn't Recommend

AlexisB

Joined 3 years ago

Terrible service, mediocre food. The food was way too salty, the service was really horrible, the manager seemed pre-occupied with the wine she was drinking at the end of the night, and to top it off, we spotted a roach scurrying across the bar. Needless to say, we wont be back.

Doesn't Recommend

NashFoodReviewer

Joined 3 years ago

Eastland Cafe - losing their fine reputation... going sour. Eastland Cafe has had a good reputation in Nashville for years, but unfortunately with what has seemed to be recent changes in staffing, the environment there has gone sour. The servers all have an attitude, however it seems they have much too many tables to themselves and I think I heard something about our server having to wash dishes which is why he took so long to get us water. Water! The food there is good, I must say, but these last few times I've been going in the food did NOT taste how it used to, presentation was sloppy and when I asked for it to be redone, it came out worse. There was no management anywhere to be found. Who's running this nuthouse?! Whoever they need to do their job or they're going to lose their reputation real quick.

Doesn't Recommend

vbvr

Joined 6 years ago

Good food, awful service. Took out of town guest after hearing this was a great restaurant. I was so disappointed and actually embarressed. Waiter was awful - very inattentive. Food was tasty, but portions were very small. They did have a great selection so there was something for everyone. Will not be returning.

Recommends

IMT

Joined 4 years ago

Excited, then Disappointed. I was out with a group of women to celebrate a birthday. We had trouble finding the restaurant and called again to make sure we were headed in the right direction. When we arrived the hostess was lovely and brought us to our table. Our server was named Jon. He came over to take our drink order and made a comment about our group being directionally challenged. We didn't think anything of it other than this was his attempt at humor. Our drinks arrived and Jon went over the specials for the evening. He did not recite them from memory, kept turning to his notes, which was fine. He came back to take our order and I asked if he would advise me on the two entrees I had in mind. He was very non committal about offering any recommendations. This is the first time I have had a server do this. It was odd and from that point on he became increasingly rude and condescending to each of us until it was time for the tab. I would describe him as passive-aggressive. I ordered the mahi-mahi special with the potato gnocchi and the house salad with goat cheese. The salad was wonderful and I was looking forward to the entree. I asked for the wine list and Jon presented it to me, this time he suddenly wanted to offer suggestions. My entree arrived and it was mahi-mahi with diced potatoes, not the potato gnocchi Jon had recited twice from his notes. By this point I wasn't even interested in asking him about the error, our strategy was to ignore him because he was so caustic. We asked for to go containers, he said he would package them. We didn't feel we could trust him handling our food and asked for the containers. That is how bad our experience was.

Our group dines out once a month together. I was in the food service industry and feel a kinship to servers. Jon received 15% gratuity, which to me is for poor service. In all honesty he should have been given zero for his horrible attitude. We've been all over Nashville, everywhere from Watermark to Flyte to Cabana to Miro to tayst, etc. . We have had an excellent service and dining experience in each of these establishments. I understand there is a stereotype of women diners. I think Jon presumed this before making an effort to know us. We were in no way difficult, it was the other way around. When I dine out, the last thing I want to experience when I take time out of my hectic schedule, is to deal with a surly server. Eastland came highly recommended. We liked the vibe and thought the menu looked promising. Unfortunately Jon was intent on spoiling our experience. My advice to him, with job security being very unpredictable in the current economy, is he should find an occupation which suits his skill set. Whatever that may be. Eastland would have gotten a higher rating, Jon brought it down.

Doesn't Recommend

lttiddle2u

Joined 4 years ago

Worst Hostess Experience EVER. I won't be going back.. So, this was actually the second time I've eaten at the Eastland Cafe and thanks to the hostess at the front door, It will definitely be my last.

We happened to be the last two to arrive for birthday party in which a reservation had been made for 8 people. When we walked in and informed this pathetic excuse for a hostess who we were with, she proceeded to put her hand on her hip and lecture for at least 3 or 4 minutes about how in the "restaurant business" it reflected poorly on her if everyone didn't arrive on time. and blah blah blah blah blah. (As if anything could've reflected more poorly than her own behavior.) One of the other guests finally told her to shut her mouth and not to utter another word. Which thankfully, she did.

We ate, drank and enjoyed that birthday party until almost 10:00 and believe it or not, at no time was I worried that the world would come to an abrupt end because a few folks were late for a reservation.

It is a shame that an establishment such as this which does have good food, good servers, would employ a hostess with such an attitude. I know of 8 people who will never step through that door again.

Recommends

mooresas

Joined 4 years ago

Best spot in all of nashville. My boyfriend and I pick this spot for dates, anniversaries, or just because we crave it! I have been with parties and it was great for that too! Goat cheese brulee is a must have appetizer. All the food is large portions and great combinations of flavors... I cannot rave about this place enough! John is funny and knows the menu well! Linsey is a great bartender, and cute! YOU MUST TRY this place!

Recommends

janetandpaul

Joined 8 years ago

Consistent!. Happy Hour - Good Value, Consistent, Good Bar Atmosphere, noise level acceptable, Cocktails mostly strong - 2 will sort you out nicely after a hard day's work, $5 appetisers that will fill you up. A great 1.5 hr unwind after work and cheaper than cooking at home. Qualities that are the norm but sadly lacking at most Nashville bars.

Recommends

hippilongstocking

Joined 5 years ago

best happy hour deal in town. My girlfriends & I go to Eastland Cafe once a week for happy hour. You can't beat $5 specialty martinis & appetizers. The pizzas are always really good & big enough to share. The crust is nice & thin and they make the buffalo mozzarella in house. Other menu items include quesadillas (always good & always something new), potstickers, spring rolls & their newest edition: pork sliders served on yeast rolls with homemade pickles & cole slaw. Delicious!!

The staff is really nice. We usually stay for a while, sometimes a few hours. They never encourage us to leave, even though we don't spend as much money as other people that are there for dinner.

The restaurant is beautiful & has a great atmosphere. I think it was opened fairly recently, but isn't ultra modern & sterile. It feels like it's been there forever.

Go ahead & give it a try. The happy hour appetizers are so good that I don't doubt the dinner offerings are amazing as well!