My wife and I were extremely blown away by the unique opportunity we had with chef Ryan. Never could we have imagined the tasteful 12 course meal made for us. Unfortunately my words fail to paint a proper picture of the quality and excellence of Ryan's skill and the journey to another world this was..thank you!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tori
We had the Omakase Dining experience and it. Was. Phenomenal. Chef Ryan teleported me to Japan with his insane flavors. I told chef, “I wish there was a better way to show my appreciation for this art other than just eating it”…so this review is one other way. If you enjoy authentic, quality, thoughtful and flavorful food—PRESENT TENSE IS A MUST.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Raw Tuna Toast
Ria Cruz
There's a social element to dining that elevates the experience and makes it more than just trying good food. Present Tense does this well with their Omakase experience, offering excellent dishes in a relaxed, informal atmosphere. Where most omakase places tend to have an almost sacrosanct vibe as the chef carefully prepares the sushi, Present Tense turns it into a casual place where you can chat about anything, including the Chef's running playlist in the background.The food is great, prepared in minimalistic form so the quality of the ingredients shines more than hiding it in accoutrements that don't make sense. Loved the play on heat/smoke with shishito peppers, embered pineapples, burnt yam with seafood sourced outside Nashville for diners who might be missing quality fish from either NYC or California.This experience doesn't come cheap so it'll be pricey but it's worth it, including their cocktails that are wonderfully smooth (and strong!). Prepare to share Japanese beer or sake with the chef then enjoy a delicious dessert to top the meal off.I'm sure they will continue to improve and explore creative flavors, as well as some seating inefficiencies (2-hour seating ran longer and got seated later) but I'm rooting for their team and they can only get better.Hokkaido scallop & embered pineapple was the most memorable from the tasting menu. Highly recommended!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Meredith Beale
The decor and vibe of the restaurant was very cool, but the food, drinks, and service were terrible. Many of my party ordered a couple of the same drinks and they all tasted differently. The drinks were not as described by our waiter and did not taste great at all. One drink was extremely strong so it was sent back after a sip and my party was still charged for the drink. A couple people didn’t receive their food items and were still charged. Our waiter seemed to not know much about the menu, but wanted to upcharge us any chance he got. Everything was very pricey, but for the quality of the items received it wasn’t worth the price. Every single person in our large party said they wouldn’t return or recommend this spot with so many other great restaurants in town.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 1
Tammie Garcia
Didn’t eat food! Great service from Cole!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Adam Doerr
sticker shock. solid food but way too expensive and the included 20% tip was overly generous for the service we got. went with friends and 4 drinks, 4 hand rolls, 3 small plates, and ice cream was $240 ?
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Raw Tuna Toast, Japanese Sweet Potato Creme Fraiche Bonito Flake Miso Butter
Joshua Lewis
Before it housed Present Tense, a restaurant called Hart used to occupy this space. Some friends and I went there one weekday night for a quick bite and ordered the couple vegan dishes on its menu. The waitress came out and mentioned that the chef that night, who was consulting at Hart, was playing around in the kitchen and wanted to know whether we'd like to try a few more plant based dishes. What followed ended up being one of the best meals I'd had in my life. I never got to revisit Hart before it closed, which was disappointing. So I followed the development of Present Tense closely when I learned that the chef who'd prepared that dinner was one of the principals involved in the new concept, and tonight I finally got to eat here. I ordered five of the nine vegan options, and I am deeply, deeply disappointed to report that I couldn't find room to try the other four. Nashville doesn't deserve vegan food this good, but I'm awfully glad it's here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Charles Cosner
Open for Friday lunch. 4 of us had a number of courses. Exceptional in all respects
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ben Henson
The food was amazing! I love my katzu iberico ham and the sauce it was served on was such a good complement! The Japanese fried chicken was mouth watering. Lots of very cool cocktails, my favorite was the Andorra. All of the staff was very nice and they all remembered us when we came back a second night for drinks!
The food was fantastic. The service was poor. Our server let us mid conversation, was not familiar with the menu and was not really helpful when asked for recommendations. It felt like he did not care because a service fee is charged.I felt his attitude was an insult to the chef and the food being served.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 2
Jeff Tetrault
Only my 2nd written review ever (I need to be better at this) but felt compelled to share my experience. First and foremost, the vibe is so very welcoming as soon as you walk in the door. Perhaps odd to say, but the combination of the lighting along with a rustic cedar-esque smell (that may have been pumped in the air similar to Audrey's entrance) made P.T. feel really high end, but not at all pretentious.There was a mix of folks at the bar from couples enjoying a romantic date to tatted up service industry folks that were grabbing a few small bites before a shift. Although not currently drinking, the cocktail menu looked outstanding with it being the first time I've ever seen a color coded cocktail menu -- nail polish next to the drink description to show you the color it will be. Super creative.The food came out really (too) fast, where if I was to be forced to complain about something, it was the only infraction. But, a very small price to pay because it was absolutely delicious. The fried chicken, lamb and Japanese sweet potato -- which happens to be my favorite vegetable and NEVER on menus -- were standouts.The night was topped off by the bartender (Sam) who was so pleasant, playful, adorable and attentive and the grilled blueberry soft serve, which was super creative and the perfect way to complete the night. Great job, PT team -- we'll be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rana Mukherji
Nestled in the heart WeHo, this Japanese-inspired fusion restaurant is a true gem that has captured our hearts and palates.From the moment you step through the door, you are enveloped in an atmosphere that is worthy of its own paragraph: The interior is a visual feast, minimalist design elements, soft, ambient lighting, and lush greenery at each corner and even overhead! It's a comfortable balance between nature and modern sophistication.The culinary journey begins with a menu that reflects a masterful fusion of Japanese flavors with international influences. The chefs here have truly mastered the art of blending tradition with innovation, creating a dining experience that is both familiar and yet delightfully surprising.One of the standout features of this establishment is its sake selection. The knowledgeable staff is more than happy to guide you through the curated list, helping you find the perfect pairing for your meal. This feature is expected to grow even more impressive, as the owners' own proprietary sake will be available on the menu soon. Additionally, there is a large list of interesting cocktails. We did not pick a cocktail, but rather stuck to the sake list for our dinner.The wait staff themselves are a testament to the commitment to excellence that defines this establishment. Our server Miranda was very attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about her craft, ensuring that every aspect of our dining experience was seamless. Her recommendations were spot-on, and her presence added an extra layer of warmth to the already inviting ambiance.It appears that the menu changes regularly, thus making specific "knockout" dishes less necessary to mention. Nonetheless, an octopus dish, a plate of shishito peppers and okra, and the dan-dan noodles were standout choices. We also saved room for dessert, which was also a strong move on our part: the sesame seed soft-serve was the perfect closer, paired with a sweeter sake choice.In conclusion, this Japanese-inspired fusion restaurant is a must-try in the culinary scene. From the exquisite dishes to the sake selection, and the impeccable service provided by the skilled wait staff, every aspect of this dining experience is a hit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This Person
You need to try this place if you are in Nashville.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Raw Tuna Toast, X O Lamb Chops
Samuel Swiller
In Nashville for the weekend with some buddies from college. Came to Present Tense on a recommendation and it. Did. Not. Disappoint! Food is on point, and the atmosphere is fun without being too much. We had a blast! Might have to plan another Nashville trip just to come back to
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Shishito Peppers and Okra, Fried Chicken, Hokkaido Scallop Crudo, Raw Tuna Toast, Squid Ink Pasta, X O Lamb Chops
My wife and I were extremely blown away by the unique opportunity we had with chef Ryan. Never could we have imagined the tasteful 12 course meal made for us. Unfortunately my words fail to paint a proper picture of the quality and excellence of Ryan's skill and the journey to another world this was..thank you!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We had the Omakase Dining experience and it. Was. Phenomenal. Chef Ryan teleported me to Japan with his insane flavors. I told chef, “I wish there was a better way to show my appreciation for this art other than just eating it”…so this review is one other way. If you enjoy authentic, quality, thoughtful and flavorful food—PRESENT TENSE IS A MUST.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Raw Tuna Toast
There's a social element to dining that elevates the experience and makes it more than just trying good food. Present Tense does this well with their Omakase experience, offering excellent dishes in a relaxed, informal atmosphere. Where most omakase places tend to have an almost sacrosanct vibe as the chef carefully prepares the sushi, Present Tense turns it into a casual place where you can chat about anything, including the Chef's running playlist in the background.The food is great, prepared in minimalistic form so the quality of the ingredients shines more than hiding it in accoutrements that don't make sense. Loved the play on heat/smoke with shishito peppers, embered pineapples, burnt yam with seafood sourced outside Nashville for diners who might be missing quality fish from either NYC or California.This experience doesn't come cheap so it'll be pricey but it's worth it, including their cocktails that are wonderfully smooth (and strong!). Prepare to share Japanese beer or sake with the chef then enjoy a delicious dessert to top the meal off.I'm sure they will continue to improve and explore creative flavors, as well as some seating inefficiencies (2-hour seating ran longer and got seated later) but I'm rooting for their team and they can only get better.Hokkaido scallop & embered pineapple was the most memorable from the tasting menu. Highly recommended!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The decor and vibe of the restaurant was very cool, but the food, drinks, and service were terrible. Many of my party ordered a couple of the same drinks and they all tasted differently. The drinks were not as described by our waiter and did not taste great at all. One drink was extremely strong so it was sent back after a sip and my party was still charged for the drink. A couple people didn’t receive their food items and were still charged. Our waiter seemed to not know much about the menu, but wanted to upcharge us any chance he got. Everything was very pricey, but for the quality of the items received it wasn’t worth the price. Every single person in our large party said they wouldn’t return or recommend this spot with so many other great restaurants in town.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 1
Didn’t eat food! Great service from Cole!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
sticker shock. solid food but way too expensive and the included 20% tip was overly generous for the service we got. went with friends and 4 drinks, 4 hand rolls, 3 small plates, and ice cream was $240 ?
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Raw Tuna Toast, Japanese Sweet Potato Creme Fraiche Bonito Flake Miso Butter
Before it housed Present Tense, a restaurant called Hart used to occupy this space. Some friends and I went there one weekday night for a quick bite and ordered the couple vegan dishes on its menu. The waitress came out and mentioned that the chef that night, who was consulting at Hart, was playing around in the kitchen and wanted to know whether we'd like to try a few more plant based dishes. What followed ended up being one of the best meals I'd had in my life. I never got to revisit Hart before it closed, which was disappointing. So I followed the development of Present Tense closely when I learned that the chef who'd prepared that dinner was one of the principals involved in the new concept, and tonight I finally got to eat here. I ordered five of the nine vegan options, and I am deeply, deeply disappointed to report that I couldn't find room to try the other four. Nashville doesn't deserve vegan food this good, but I'm awfully glad it's here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Open for Friday lunch. 4 of us had a number of courses. Exceptional in all respects
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food was amazing! I love my katzu iberico ham and the sauce it was served on was such a good complement! The Japanese fried chicken was mouth watering. Lots of very cool cocktails, my favorite was the Andorra. All of the staff was very nice and they all remembered us when we came back a second night for drinks!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Iberico Pork Katsu Pickles Rice Tonkatsu Sauce
Wonderful food, everything we had was excellent. The staff was knowledgeable too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
The food was fantastic. The service was poor. Our server let us mid conversation, was not familiar with the menu and was not really helpful when asked for recommendations. It felt like he did not care because a service fee is charged.I felt his attitude was an insult to the chef and the food being served.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 2
Only my 2nd written review ever (I need to be better at this) but felt compelled to share my experience. First and foremost, the vibe is so very welcoming as soon as you walk in the door. Perhaps odd to say, but the combination of the lighting along with a rustic cedar-esque smell (that may have been pumped in the air similar to Audrey's entrance) made P.T. feel really high end, but not at all pretentious.There was a mix of folks at the bar from couples enjoying a romantic date to tatted up service industry folks that were grabbing a few small bites before a shift. Although not currently drinking, the cocktail menu looked outstanding with it being the first time I've ever seen a color coded cocktail menu -- nail polish next to the drink description to show you the color it will be. Super creative.The food came out really (too) fast, where if I was to be forced to complain about something, it was the only infraction. But, a very small price to pay because it was absolutely delicious. The fried chicken, lamb and Japanese sweet potato -- which happens to be my favorite vegetable and NEVER on menus -- were standouts.The night was topped off by the bartender (Sam) who was so pleasant, playful, adorable and attentive and the grilled blueberry soft serve, which was super creative and the perfect way to complete the night. Great job, PT team -- we'll be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nestled in the heart WeHo, this Japanese-inspired fusion restaurant is a true gem that has captured our hearts and palates.From the moment you step through the door, you are enveloped in an atmosphere that is worthy of its own paragraph: The interior is a visual feast, minimalist design elements, soft, ambient lighting, and lush greenery at each corner and even overhead! It's a comfortable balance between nature and modern sophistication.The culinary journey begins with a menu that reflects a masterful fusion of Japanese flavors with international influences. The chefs here have truly mastered the art of blending tradition with innovation, creating a dining experience that is both familiar and yet delightfully surprising.One of the standout features of this establishment is its sake selection. The knowledgeable staff is more than happy to guide you through the curated list, helping you find the perfect pairing for your meal. This feature is expected to grow even more impressive, as the owners' own proprietary sake will be available on the menu soon. Additionally, there is a large list of interesting cocktails. We did not pick a cocktail, but rather stuck to the sake list for our dinner.The wait staff themselves are a testament to the commitment to excellence that defines this establishment. Our server Miranda was very attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about her craft, ensuring that every aspect of our dining experience was seamless. Her recommendations were spot-on, and her presence added an extra layer of warmth to the already inviting ambiance.It appears that the menu changes regularly, thus making specific "knockout" dishes less necessary to mention. Nonetheless, an octopus dish, a plate of shishito peppers and okra, and the dan-dan noodles were standout choices. We also saved room for dessert, which was also a strong move on our part: the sesame seed soft-serve was the perfect closer, paired with a sweeter sake choice.In conclusion, this Japanese-inspired fusion restaurant is a must-try in the culinary scene. From the exquisite dishes to the sake selection, and the impeccable service provided by the skilled wait staff, every aspect of this dining experience is a hit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
You need to try this place if you are in Nashville.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Raw Tuna Toast, X O Lamb Chops
In Nashville for the weekend with some buddies from college. Came to Present Tense on a recommendation and it. Did. Not. Disappoint! Food is on point, and the atmosphere is fun without being too much. We had a blast! Might have to plan another Nashville trip just to come back to
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Shishito Peppers and Okra, Fried Chicken, Hokkaido Scallop Crudo, Raw Tuna Toast, Squid Ink Pasta, X O Lamb Chops