Sole Mio

I am compelled to write a review because I am confused and surprised by all of the stellar reviews Sole Mio receives. I dined at Sole Mio once when they were at their old location and had a truly horrible meal. (So bad that I never went back). I was recently given a gift card for Sole Mio, so my boyfriend and I reluctantly decided to try it again. Everyone deserves a second chance, right? Honestly, it was really, really not worth it. Fine dining is one of my favorite things to do, and to put it simply, this is overpriced mediocre food with an underwhelming atmosphere. I am completely at a loss for how in the world this restaurant can get "best of" anything.

Our waiter was very friendly, but he was clearly distracted (or just not very smart, but I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt). He forgot to bring our bottle of wine until after we had nearly finished our first course. Then he approached us on three separate occasions asking if we wanted to see the dessert menu (we had ordered the special tastings menu that comes with its own dessert options, and we politely reminded him each of the three times he asked us that we were doing the tastings menu... at which point he would wander off and forget about us for another 15 minutes, only to come back and ask us if we wanted to see a dessert menu. one time is acceptable... waiters get busy. but this was just bizarre, especially because the restaurant wasn't that busy). As for my entree, i had the Mahi, which I ordered because it was served with risotto, which I usually love in all of its flavors and iterations. The Mahi was overcooked and dry and somewhat fishy, and the risotto tasted like rice boiled in really salty chicken broth. Awful! My boyfriend had pumpkin tortelloni, which was actually pretty good. The desserts tasted fine.

Then, to top off our experience, the restaurant lost our umbrella and it was absolutely pouring outside. Great way to end this highly disappointing meal.

In short, we will not be going back, and we will not be recommending this restaurant to anyone. There are too many FAR superior dining experiences in Nashville from which to choose.

Pros: Friendly Staff

Cons: Mediocre food, less than competent waiter

Posted 11/01/09

We were recommended to try Sole Mio by the hotel we were staying at, and I can honestly say I don't recall ever having a better recommendation from a hotel clerk anywhere in the US (Marquis at the Hampton Inn in Nashville).

Coming from NY City, we've become very used to great Italian food. It's definitely hard to find here in Tennessee; the chains are standardized, but certainly not spectacular. The food at Sole Mio was as good as ANY food I've ever had anywhere! The bisque in a bread bowl was super; the flavor and spices were perfect. The gnocchi was actually almost as good as my girlfriend's aunt's home made gnocchi, and she's a wonderful 80 year old cook who was born in Italy. The Tiramisu was the best I've ever had, bar none; delicately flavored with just the right amount of rum.

Given the fact that the restaurant was quite busy, it was a real tribute to the friendly staff that they were able to attend to us as well as they did; they were efficient, and not overbearing.

Overall, just a truly wonderful meal. We'd recommend it to anyone who wants real Italian food. Would also recommend reservations. (The food is SOOOO good it should be packed every night, frankly!)

Pros: Exceptional authentic Italian cuisine

Posted 10/23/09

Sole Mio is the BEST Italian Restaurant in Nashville. Tremendous. Sensational. A superb dining experience.

Incredible food.

Outstanding service.

Sole Mio is the ONE place to go for the BEST Italian dinner in Nashville.

There are some others that are very good. But there is only one that is the very best.

My wife and I recently decided to go to an Italian restaurant to celebrate our anniversary. Normally if we want Italian food we go to Carrabba's, which is very good , or to Macaroni Grill or Olive Garden, both of which are fine and which the kids enjoy, but we wanted to have something original, something that was not a franchise. After looking at reviews online we found several restaurants that were highly rated and had long lists of excellent customer reviews.

Let me tell you, we tried each of those other restaurants and they ranged from okay to good, to even very good, but none were in the same league with Sole Mio.

Unfortunately, ratings inflation does exist and if you read all of the reviews and go to each of the restaurants, you'll find there is only one true 5 - Sole Mio. There are some other good ones - 4's, and even 4.5's, but Sole Mio is exquisite. On a scale of 1-5, it may be a 6.

I don't have the literary skill to describe how Mio's food is better that the others; it's one of those things that, when you try it, you'll know it. Mio's is wonderful. We had a party of five, each with a different entre'. Each was delicious.

If the food wasn't enough to set Mio's apart, then there was service. If you go, you need to ask whether Kelly is working and ask to be seated in her area. All of the staff may be outstanding: I don't know. What I do know is that Kelly made us feel like the most important thing she had to do that evening was to make sure our anniversary was a special occasion - like she was personally thrilled to be a part of our anniversary.

She brought us some special something she'd asked the kitchen to make up to celebrate our anniversary. I don't know what it was, but it was wonderful.

She brought us 2 glasses of champagne - at just the right time - to toast our anniversary.

I don't mean to demean any of the staff at any of the other restaurants; we had some very good service at other places, but the difference between them and Mio's is the difference between going to Beach Bend and going to Disney - one's a pleasant outing, the other is a magical experience that provides memories for a lifetime.

So that's my thought. If you want a good Italian dinner, or even a very good Italian dinner, choose from any one of several others on the list of the top 10. But if you want the best Italian dinner, the best Italian dining experience, go to Sole Mio's.

And, if you want to really showcase the difference between excellent customer service and the alternative, leave Mio's and go to Caf? Margot's for after-dinner drinks and dessert as we did. It's like leaving Disney and deciding to stop at the carnival in the Dollar General parking lot.

Pros: great service, great food

Cons: a/c was out the day we were there

Posted 07/18/09

We made last minute plans to go downtown for the 4th. They squeezed us in for a large party and it was fabulous! Lee and everyone else at the restaurant were so nice. It was our first trip, but certainly won't be our last.

Pros: super night, location, food, service

Cons: none

Posted 07/05/09

This small, out-of-the way restaurant has become less out-of-the way with the development around the Schermerhorn. A great choice before a symphony concert or Sommet event.

I went with my daughter prior to a symphony concert. The restaurant was full and we were moved outside to a small patio. An outdoor seating can be the kiss of death for service as has happened to me several times in other eateries. But we were given menus promptly and served relatively quickly.

The bisque was excellent, as were the entrees. The specials are not marked with prices but my choice of mussels with pasta turned out to be reasonably priced. The regular menu is concise and features pasta/sauce combinations. Pasta dishes are very tasty and fresh judging by the fettucine with AlFredo sauce my daughter ordered. At close to twenty dollars with no meat or 'sides' these dishes did seem pricey. My experience suggests giving the specials a close look.

My young daughter was treated respectfully and our waiter offered to box up her remaining food and keep it refrigerated while we were at Symphony.

Highly recommended as a good meal before symphony. I would suggest making reservations.

Pros: Food, Service and Location

Cons: A bit pricey, limited menu

Posted 07/01/09

We absolutely love Sole Mio. In fact, we have been many times and every experience we have had is just lovely. The food is lovely, inventive, delicious and the staff are friendly, warm and welcoming. This is a great place to dine with your spouse, family, friends, etc. They have something for everyone. Try it! You wont' be sorry.

Pros: Excellent food, friendly staff, great atmosphere

Cons: what cons??

Posted 03/17/09

After reading a recent review I decided to write my own. As a new resident of Nashville, I haven't made the restaurant rounds yet and last night was my first experience at Sole Mio. I have read mainly great things and heard the same. On a packed Friday night I found them to be very friendly, courteous and welcoming. The server was quite knowledgeable and the owners and GM very friendly. The food was outstanding and I will certainly be back, many times to come... Frank

Pros: staff

Cons: parking

Posted 03/14/09

Everything was going fine until my wife bit into her tortellini. Earlier when we were ordering our food she specifically asked if it was cheese and the waiter said yes. The first bite proved otherwise. When the waiter came by to ask if everything was alright we asked whether or not there was meat in the tortellini. He said "there might be a little bit of veal in it." WHAT??? We went from cheese tortellini to veal tortellini. To some this might not seem like a big deal but for my wife it is a HUGE deal. She is very much against veal and also does not eat much meat. At that point we let the waiter know that we would be leaving, after which he brought us our bill. Not only did we feel that we shouldnt pay for her meal, we didnt feel that we should have to pay for the whole experience. We asked to speak with the GM at which point we explained the situation. He acted defensive and said "you dont think you should have to pay because the waiter made a little mistake?" Crazy. He finally said OK and picked up the check and walked away. We left the restaurant but the situation was not over. My wife had gotten into the car and I was about to open the door when I heard "excuse me sir." I turned around to see a woman following us out to the car. She asked if we were the people that walked out on our tab. I explained the situation, all the while she was acting defensive. I finally asked if she was the owner which it turned out she was! She asked if my wife was alergic to meat and I responded no but that she didnt eat veal and was very against veal. At this point the owner of the restaurant started walking away, then turned around and said "why dont you take her to get some cheese then." I couldnt believe it. We have been going to Sole Mio for the last 3 years. We probably would have gone back at some point. We will never go back to this restaurant mainly because of the outlandish behavior of the owner and the fact that not one person ever said sorry for the situation and acted as if it were our fault for the mix up.

Pros: Example: best croissants in town

Cons: Rude waiter, rude GM, rude owner

Posted 03/13/09

My husband and I dined at Sole Mio for the first time on 02/15/09 after a last-minute change in dining plans. Being a local, I have heard quiet rumors for years about the good food being offered here, but I was still pleasantly surprised. My husband and I both love Italian food, but are in no way "experts". Luckily, the people at Sole Mio ARE! I was a little worried at first, because they were still offering a limited menu for the Valentine's weekend. We went with the dinner for two special and left it in their hands. As soon as we saw the antipasto platter, we relaxed and knew we were in for a treat. We couldn't believe the variety it offered. Every course was perfectly seasoned (and I was freaked out because of no salt and pepper on the table!), proportioned, and presented!

The attention from the staff was a nice, warm touch and a welcome change. JJ was our server, and she did a wonderful job of being attentive without hovering...Thanks, JJ! The other great bonus was the easy and ample parking. Often the hassle of finding,parking and walking deters me from eating downtown, but this place is super simple. Also, the price is not bad. The dinner special we had was $92 and had choice of appetizer (see above), included two entrees to split (generous), and two desserts-FULL desserts and non-alcoholic drinks.

Can't wait to go back and try full menu!

Pros: food, service, parking

Cons: tables a little small and close

Posted 02/17/09

My wife and I dined at Sole Mio on New's Eve before returning to Chattanooga after she had been out of town. The resturant was very easy to find (from the airport); and parking was a snap. We didn't have to wait long before being seated by a window (I had been told to request). Our waiter was full of fun and was very attentive. The bread and water came out promptly. Our orders were taken and the "condensed menu" was loaded with a full range of choices. Our appetizers were plentiful and our entrees yummy. We gave the whole expeience a "10". We will dine there again. Thank you.

Pros: Quality of the food. Parking. Wait staff.

Cons: Noisy

Posted 01/05/09

... "Amazing." I often find it difficult to give a place a good review, as my ID may imply, but too often jewels like Sole Mio are over looked. Having been in this city for many years I have dined at Sole Mio several times and have always been pleased.

Recently several friends and I met there for dinner. We were greeted most enthusiastically with "we've been waiting for you!" It seemed fairly busy that night and immediately we were taken to a table by the window; as if she knew exactly where we would like to sit. Our server's name was Deb; she spared no attention to detail and treated us as if we were the only customers she had. The GM was wondering through the dining room and greeted us with a heart-felt warm welcome, "Thank you for being here." WOW, so far so good. We all shared a couple of appetizers and each of us had a different entree listed on their "specials" menu. We couldn't believe how great the food was. I'll have to say try the Cioppino and the Chateau Briand; you won't be disappointed. The GM checked with us several times to make sure we were happy, and honestly, we could not have had better food or service anywhere.

After we finished our meal we were invited back for a benefit for Susan G. Komen on the 28th, he explained every month they are having a dinner and 50% of their proceeds will benefit the charity; just when you thought it couldn't get any better... not only do they really care about their customers, they care about the welfare of people in general.

What treat to find in this day; good customer service, great PR and benefits for charities people actually care about and want to attend. Kudos to Sole Mio, keep up the good work. I know where my money is going for dinner; at least once a month!

Pros: the food and the service

Cons: surprisingly... can't think of a thing

Posted 10/26/08

My husband and I went to Sole Mio for symphony date night this weekend, and were absolutely thrilled with the food and the service. We hadn't been to the new location before but I must say, it's terrific and very convienient to the symphony. Both of our entrees were delicious! My husband had the seafood pasta, and I had the mediterranean chicken with vegetables. The restaurant was packed and we were a little nervous about being able to get in and out quickly, but we were seated as soon as we arrived, the service was quick, but we did not feel as though we were being rushed, and were told that we could leave our car and walk to the symphony after dinner. When the symphony ended, we came back to Sole Mio to have tiramisu for dessert, which was included in our symphony package. This is by far the best Italian in Nashville, and more importantly, our new favorite date spot.

Pros: parking, friendly staff, great food

Cons: none

Posted 10/19/08

Never again. This was my first experience at the new location, and the atmosphere is nothing like the old place. Now it's just a box; simple and lackluster. The voice of the host was booming and echoed off the entry walls. We were seated by a wait station just inside the door and when we asked if there was anything more romantic we were told 'nope, this is it' in that loud take-it-or-leave-it voice. It was symphony night, but we weren't attending. Perhaps if we had gone later the room wouldn't have been so rushed, but we don't eat late. The waiter was courteous but had too many tables. He didn't offer the specials - we had to ask - and he couldn't relay all the details. We're simple wine drinkers, not snobs, and actually enjoy a good chardonnay and merlot. Maybe that's where we went wrong, and I felt we were treated as pedestrian after ordering our first glass. The waiter offered my husband another red, more complex, and $5/glass more, although that tidbit wasn't offered up. He drank it and appreciated its complexity, but returned to his preferred merlot. The appetizers were decent and the salad very fresh. However, the cannelloni was served in a baking dish like a lasagna, and the contents were difficult to distinguish. The monk fish was overcooked and did not taste fresh. The serving was seemingly made up of of remnants. The accompanying spaghetti and Mama Rosa's sauce was good but not served with a spoon. The host stopped by after we got our entrees and I asked for a large spoon. He returned with a serving size spoon that was so big it was laughable. I made it work, but could not stomach the remaining monk fish. The experience was not worth the $130 tab. We'll take our business elsewhere.

Posted 10/19/08

I have been going to Sole Mios now for several years, at their old location and the new. I love the atmosphere but the food is way above average and five stars doesnt do it justice. John Carlo and his lovely wife are wonderful and their passion for their resteraunt and their customers is obvious. You can have a bad day or week and five minutes in that beautiful setting wipes it all away and you are totally relaxed and pampered.

Freida Phifer
Jackson, Tn.

Posted 10/04/08

This is a great classic Italian place to dine for any occasion. Its pretty busy on the weekends, but if your a little patient, you have nothing to worry about. We sat in the bar before our table was ready where its first-come first-serve, but worth the wait. There were a few obnoxious twenty-somethings who were annoying the bartender, and obviously knew nothing about fine dining (or the wine list they were pretending to read), not the place for amatures. The bartender recommended the cioppino, which was excellent. They also have GREAT desserts!- tirrasmu delicious!!! Overall we had a great experience, great service, great food, great staff. We're sure to be back again and again.

Pros: close to most downtown parking spots

Cons: you might need reservations

Posted 06/01/08

My girlfriend and I ate at sole mio after a show one night. Granted it was late , but we got superb service. The food was great and the service was awesome. We recommened reservations or you certaintly will have to wait otherwise. We love coming to sole mio and always have excellent treatment.

Posted 06/01/08

Absolutely horrid. Terrible service, gross food, incompetent ownership. Avoid, avoid avoid. Try the Palms, try anywhere but this place.

Cons: Ownership is horrendously incompetent

Posted 04/26/08

Their espresso martini is great! Also, their awesome bread. However, my food; chicken marsala was a little too dry for me to eat. I have had better chicken marsala. The waitress was very nice and polite and she recommended the martini and it was excellent. The ambience is great and like that place. I might try some other entree next time to see how that turns out. at least i know which martini to try :)

Pros: great service

Posted 04/03/08

Planned a dinner and Symphony Saturday night, Symphony was fantastic, both musically and the venue. On the other hand, Sole Mio was a huge disappointment. Heard about it and wanted to go, but will not go back. Atmosphere was noisy, could not carry on a conversation. Our reservation was a table for 2 in the middle of the room, bumped all night by waiters, patrons, and had food trays carried overhead. Asked to move, but was told no. Service was slow, but I think it was our waiter as other nearby tables got prompt service. Food was average at best, certainly not worth the $$. No better than Fazolis. Honestly, I'm sad it turned out this way, I love good Italian food, this is just not the place to get it.

Pros: View

Cons: Slow service, noisy, poor value for money, below average tasting food

Posted 03/30/08

My parents like this restaurant. They would eat at Sol Mio when they came into town to visit my sister and I...which was every few weeks. They like the quiet downtown atmosphere. It is a nice place to eat if you are going to a play or concert downtown. I have probably eaten at this restaurant at least 15 times over the past two years. At best the Italian food is average. The service is inconsistant. If I am with my parents (late 50's) they are prompt and couteous. If I am with my sister or a group of friends (ages 19-25) they tend to be a little rude and tend to not make too many trips to our table. One time I even went for my husband's birthday party. I called ahead and ordered his favorite cake. I arranged it to be added to my bill and time to be brought out etc. The cake never came. The check did. I asked the waitress about this when he went to the restroom. She said, 'Oh really!" Then walked away and ignored my question to help another table. I waited and waited but she would never make eye contact with me again and kept avoiding , walking away and ignoring our party. So we left. My parents, now, will eat here if everything else around the area is booked for the night. If you do eat here the lasagna is pretty good.

Posted 03/23/08

I can't disagree more with the previous two reviews. I have been going faithfully with my husband and friends before the symphony for a few years now, and I have never been disappointed. The things that makes this restaurant so wonderful is that you always feel you've discovered something that's a treasure. The food is exceptional, (I would highly recommend a whole made pasta with a cream sauce, or the 'momma rosa' sauce) the wait staff are kind and professional, albeit busy at times. The interior has a sweet, intimate atmosphere to socialize with your friends. We always enjoy it, and we'll continue to make it part of our symphony nights... Maybe some people enjoy the austere quality to some of the stuffier Italian places that would rival Sole Mio's, but it's the warmth and unpretentiousness of the place that I enjoy the most...

Pros: Great date spot, Great food, lovely ambience

Cons: Not really a child-friendly environment

Posted 02/22/08

My girlfriend and I went here on a Saturday night for our V-day/4 year + Anniversary. We hadn't been back in over 4 years! I was a little skeptical after reading the mixed reviews on here; however, our experience was great!! We had a reservation at 7pm and were about 15 minutes late. I called ahead to let them know we were running late. When we arrived I was afraid we'd have to wait since we were late. The parking lots were slammed, and I expected the worse - not true!!! We walked in, and the hostess took us right to our table. We were promptly greeted by the server. They had an extensive wine list! The food was fantastic and very hot, which is a plus. The portion sizes were huge!! Our server brought the food out very quick after we ordered it. The service was exceptional. I suppose everyone has a bad experience every now and then, but not us!! We're so glad we were able to celebrate our special occasion at Sole Mio. If, and only if, there were a negative part it would be the parking. Although we didn't have to walk far (a little behind the restaurant) the parking spots are all over the place - in their lot, behind the restaurant in the street, in a couple of gravel lots behind the restaurant. Their parking signs were all over the place and not very visible at night. We did find a place to park, but it'd be nice if they had a bigger lot, or more visible signs. This wasn't a negative for me, but I thought people might like to know. We will definitely return in the future!!!

Posted 02/18/08

My husband and I made reservations here for Valentine's Day and were disappointed with the outcome. My husband is picky about food so he checked the menu online before making reservations to confirm that they had something he liked. That day, he checked the website again to pick out what he wanted for his entree. Unfortunately, when we were seated we found that they had a limited menu for the evening and all their prices were doubled for the holiday. They did not have what he wanted. We asked our server if we could "special order" a plate of spaghetti but the cook said no. I was kind of surprised because it seemed like a nice restaurant and they will usually make accomodations for special requests at such places as long as it's not outlandish or anything. Plus, they had spaghetti on their regular menu. It's not that they were out. Anyway, our server was apologetic and seemed surprised that the website made no mention of the limited Valentine's Day menu. We left & dined elsewhere. We are hoping they did not charge us $50 per seat for cancelled reservations per their policy, as they would not reserve a table for us without a credit card number. That with the doubled prices I thought that was a bit tacky, I might add.

Pros: quaint atmosphere, friendly wait staff

Cons: lied about their menu items & pricing, a little cramped

Posted 02/18/08

Yuck! What a disaster. I ordered surf & turf (expecting filet & lobster). They give me beef tenderloin and shrimp, both of which were under-cooked and under seasoned. We explained our disappointment and they exchanged the surf and turf with a Veal meal. Unfortunatly that tasted like old ham with melted cheese on top. I was extremely disappointed. The atmosphere is alright, and the wine selection is quite good. But the food is quite gross! If your hungry, don't go here.

Pros: ambience, good music, good wine

Cons: bad food, rude staff, expensive

Posted 02/15/08

The only worthwhile Italian food in Nashville, and I've been looking. Period. Nuff said. Sole Mio makes pasta from scratch, gourmet desserts and provides a welcoming environment. Hey, what's a matter for you????

Posted 01/24/08

I ate at the new location for the first time and was shocked at how mediocre everything was. The dishes were overpriced, I could have shingled my house with the chicken or the veal. I parked there for the symphony which was the only amenity. I'm nearly certain the veal wasn't veal, but it's hard to tell because it was just awful. I can do better at home with a can and dried pasta. Very disappointing. Too expensive for the quality of food. No flavor. Pedestrian winelist. Nice parking for the symphony however.

Posted 12/19/07

Best restaurant in the world. Friendly staff, amazing food, incredible owners. If you're going out with kids, don't go. You will not find a kid's menu (and no side dishes as entree) and there is only one high chair and booster. Which is fine by me, i don't go out hoping to listen to rowdy kids. --Great place, make reservations!

Pros: Everything

Cons: Nothing

Posted 12/03/07

I've eaten here three times, 2 dates and a birthday. If you are lucky enough to get a good table and a waiter who isn't hungover, the high cost is worth it. The food, while not abundant, is very rich and has good flavor. I had a lukewarm meal once, but an amazing view. Another time I had great food, but the waiter never came back to check on us and we were stucky in mediocre table near a bunch of gabby, tipsy, middle-aged women. If you want to take a gamble that the atmosphere will work out, you will have a blast. But don't bet on it.

Posted 10/02/07

I really don't understand some of the compliments this establishment has received. The service was adequate but the food was below par. Italian food, especially southern Italian, is my favorite but the food here failed miserably. This restaurant was among the worst Italian restaurants that I have tried in the city.

Posted 08/24/07

My boyfriend and I have eaten at Sole Mio several times, the first couple of time we went dinner was great, and the food was prepared very well. The last time we ate these I ordered the lasanga, and it was not that greta and the portion was very small, every thing was ala carte. My boyfriend said his veal was not as good as he remembered it.

Not what we expected

Pros: Needs to beef up the portions size

Cons: Parking, location

Posted 08/19/07

Way to go SOLE MIO owners, RE: your reply/comment on this site! Your staff is superb, the food is borderline perfection, and most of all, the "vibe" is comfortable and positive! The truth always wins, as good beats "evil". Stay GOOD!

Pros: ALL!

Cons: Can't think of anything

Posted 07/26/07

Married to a New Yorker and been there many times--I felt like I was in New York, and I think this is what my New York friends are homesick for--ordinary food presented with hutzba at inflated price, cramped parking, 20% gratuity (mandatory). As I ate the hugh serving, with luke-warm coffee, I couldn't help thinking about Demos--good food, friendly, professional, very reasonable price (but Greek). I probably will go again sometime when my New York friends are longing for another injection, but not 'til then. The staff was very friendly and polite, I must admit.

Pros: Friendly staff

Cons: value

Posted 06/06/07

I lived in Italy and until I found Sole Mio I thought I had to go to New York to find good italian food. This is the best pasta in Nashville and it's all homemade. Carlo and Debra are an adorable couple who love Italy, love what they do, and the restaurant holds the spirit of their journey together and welcomes everyone.
They greeted us with such warmth the first time we came in we felt like regulars. Now we will be.
I cannot say enough good things about this restaurant, the service, and the food. Must go!

Posted 05/22/07

The food was good and the atmoshphere was nice. The cost was a little too steep for just a regular night out.

Pros: Nice atmosphere and food was good

Cons: Cost was too high for a regular night out

Posted 05/07/07

I had heard of this place from friends who always rave about how good it is. We don't eat out as much as we use to when we lived in NYC.(Too often disappointed ) When we went to Sole Mio it was busy, but they had our table ready when we arrived. ( We had the forsight to call first) Our waiter was warm and well informed about the menu and wine list. We started with the Mussels, so fresh and garlicky, and a Caprese that melted in the mouth. My pasta was perfect, slightly chewy with a pesto sauce that wasn't like any other I had had in all my travels in this country and in Europe. My husband had the salmon and it was fresh and full of flavor without being smothered with sauce like so many places do.The tiramisu was also the best. I don't understand the bad reviews of this place unless they were written by their competition or a disgruntled ex-employee. Go try for yourself. We loved it!! That's why they've been in business for so long.

Pros: Warm Amgience,Fresh homemade food

Cons: Not great for small children

Posted 04/17/07

I have been there a few times and I chose this place to take my date on the night I proposed. It has a pleasing atmosphere with its music, seating arrangement, and nice view of downtown out of a very large window. The service is good and you usually feel special. The food is great too. Prices are what you would expect it to be, but not so bad. I am looking forward to returning. But there are drawbacks: Parking is limited (think of the shopping mall around X-mas); If you smoke you better like being outdoors; It takes a while to get seated with a reservation (not sure what happens if you don't have a reservation???)--we had a reservation one night and still waited 40 min. It can be worth the wait, but not every time.

Pros: Good food and nice atmosphere

Cons: Parking and waiting to be seated

Posted 03/03/07

My husband and I were in town for the Preds game last night, and happened into Sole Mio simply because it was next door to where we parked. We both love Italian food so we figured, "Why not?"
We did not have reservations, and the hostess told us they were booked until 7pm (it was right at 5pm when we got there). However, she checked with another hostess, and found out that we could be seated at the bar, if that was OK with us, so we agreed.
The bartender last night, Robin, was great. They have a pretty good sized wine list, and she was very patient while my husband and I perused it, even pouring several different samples for us to try before we found one that we liked.
The bread was great....very hot and fresh. We didn't have to wait very long for our food, and both our meals were hot. My husband ordered the cannelloni, which was a generous portion, and excellent.
I opted for the lasagna al forno; again, a generous portion. It was superb, with layers of homemade egg noodles with meat sauce, bechamel sauce, and plenty of mozarella.
We were both too stuffed for dessert, but my husband did order a cup of coffee, and was brought some homemade biscotti, which was also very good.
Overall, we were very pleasantly surprised and glad we decided to stop in.

Pros: excellent food, a good wine list, very helpful bartender

Cons: a little pricier than we expected; need reservations to get a good table

Posted 02/25/07

This place is grossly misrepresented. I felt like I was sitting in a low rent Mexican restaurant. The view was nonexistent. There was a fireplace like something in a small foyer with no tables. The website encourages to call ahead for seats with a view or next to the fire. My food was cold. My date's pasta wasn't cooked the way it should be. People need to realize that just because it is expensive and nonchain doesn't mean it "just the best ever". This was perhaps the worse experience ever, overpriced, overrated, and quite honestly I felt like I was paying BMW prices for a Chevy. If the owners offered me a meal with my girlfriend one night a week for a year I would opt for the cash value and take her to Olive Garden!!!

Posted 02/13/07

Sole Mio is impressive. Very reasonable, yet upscale in style and the service is excellent. We had Saturday night reservations (6 PM) and we were seated immediately. The Salsicca (Sweet Sausage and pasta) was the best. Inpeccable in taste and just left you yearning for more. The Lasagna al Forno was good, and looks magnificent, but felt like something was missing - but like I said, still very good. The Cheese Cake was styled perfectly and very delicious and the Creme Brulee was, well - some of the best I've ever had. And I say that, being a guy with a taste for pastries and desserts. The service was great, we never felt underserved nor overran. And the cost is one of the best parts - a dinner for two with appetizer, main course, and dessert (and coffee) all for less than $60. That's everything - meal, tax, and tip. Just incredible. I definately recommend it, you'll love it.

Pros: Ambience, Food, and of course the Creme Brulee

Cons: Parking (Free but limited due to current construction)

Posted 01/06/07

I adore Sole Mio! First, the atmosphere is serene but not overdone...yet very romantic. The waiters are all very knowledgable about the menu and know exactly which sauces to recommend for you. The pasta sauce choices are extensive and all delicious, but I highly recommend the Mama Rosa with penne! It's fabulous! The wine complimented the meal perfectly...I could not have asked for a better meal. This is one of my most favorite italian places...I cant believe other citysearchers are ranking it up there with the Olive Garden...I mean seriously, a restaurant chain versus actual made from scratch italian - no contest! You must eat at Sole Mio! Love it!

Pros: Best food in Nashville, convenient parking, excellent value

Cons: make reservations to be sure!

Posted 08/18/06

With high hopes we thought wed finally found a great Italian food restaurant in Nashville. Everything was great, the staff, even parking, thats until the food arrived. Both of our salads were a bit strange tasting, I think a previous review said it well. I had the Lasagne Al Forno which presented well, but didnt taste much better than what you may get at an Olive Garden. The sauce was bland and reminded me of something canned. My wife had shrimp and angel hair pasta. Nothing special there either. She complained about the low count of shrimp on her plate (5). They should focus and care a lot more on how to prepare traditional Italian food. It starts first with great ingredients!

Pros: Parking, Staff, Ambience.

Cons: Not quality prepared food.

Posted 08/12/06

I am normally not a big fan of Italian food---more of a steak or sushi kind of gal---but this place won me over! My boyfriend and I decided to come hear recently just for a nice romantic dinner for two. The atmosphere was perfect--it was charming, quiet, and had a super friendly staff. I had the veal special and my boyfriend had the lasagna and I can honestly say that both dishes were some of the best Italian food I've ever had. For dessert we had this mouth-watering banana foster dish--simply delightful! Our waiter was so nice and didn't seem to mind that we were the very last table left on a Tuesday night. Best of all I thought it was rather reasonably priced for all that we got. We had a bottle of wine, one liqour drink, an appetizer, two dinners and dessert for a little over $100 (I was expecting about $50 more than that). Lets just say I'll definitely be going back--I may even suggest eating Italian for once!

Pros: Food, Dessert, Staff

Cons: NONE!!

Posted 07/20/06

Everything from the salads to the desserts are superb! I greatly enjoyed Sole Mio's version of a caesar salad...mesclun mix with fresh croutons, parmesan cheese and beets. It was a light salad, but had interesting flavors not traditionally found in usual caesar salads. And the tomato bisque was very flavorful as well. For my entree, I ordered capellini with the Mama Rosa sauce and added chicken breast-I highly recommend this dish!! I have never encountered such a tasty sauce...pesto, ricotta and tomato blended into a wonderfully creamy, yet not too heavy sauce. Dessert was tiramisu and cappucino...an excellent way to end the meal. Wine service is wonderful with a large wine list to choose from. Since we went on a weekend night, I highly recommend reservations. Aside from the food, the ambience was romantic and the service was delightful. We can't wait to go back again!

Pros: Food, food, food!

Posted 07/05/06

The building is nice and the seating was prompt. However there seemed to be too little staff on a Tuesday evening for the amount of customers being served. The bread was good and the wine was good. The salad was mediocre and strange. It was supposed to be a Caesar salad but it was made using field greens instead of romaine and sliced beets were included. The worst part of the meal was the Veal Saltimbocca. The dish was an unusual variation using mostly sliced luncheon meat style ham along with two small pieces of tough veal. When we complained, we were told it could have been made using traditional Proscuitto for an additional charge. Our server expressed an apology for our disappointment but nothing could be done except by the owner who was not there. We feel the quality and consistency of some of the Italian chain restaurants far exceed Sole Mio. We will neither recommend Sole Mio nor repeat our previous visit.

Pros: The bread and wine were both good

Cons: Cheaply prepared food at high quality prices

Posted 07/03/06

We use to love you but we don't anymore!Obviously you feel the same about the customers. It seems to be all about the money now. We ate there so many times and loved it , but the last 2 or 3 times the food has lost it's flavor, the price is higher, and heaven forbid that you tell the owner how you feel. We will be going somewhere else from now on, and we apologize to all the friends we sent there.

Posted 06/30/06

Sole Mio consistently provides the best Italian food in Nashville and is easily differentiated from the chain restaurants in town. The meals are always prepared to the diner's request and the attention to service ("James" is my favorite server) is unsurpassed. There are always fresh and savory specials on the menu and the servers present them along with the full menu in a knowledegable way. The wine list is constantly updated and the choices are excellent. I always highly recommend Sole Mio to friends (given many gift certificates) and all have had an excellent dining experiences and have thanked me for my recommendation. I put this restaurant in the "can't miss" category.

Posted 06/23/06

We went there for dinner last night and I couldn't believe I was in the same Sole Mio.
We asked to be seated outside; it was a beautiful 70 degrees.
The tables werent set up so they came back out to place the tablecloths, utensils, etc No big deal.
Water, menus and then they forgot about us. After 15 minutes ... I walked out.

I would say they didn't know we were there but ... when we walked thru the restaurant the hostess double checked with the coral of waiters.

I was truly surprised because Sole Mio is "in my line up" when I have to entertain out of town guest.

Cons: Service, Service, Service

Posted 04/02/06

My husband and I were surprised how casual the restaurant felt and expensive the food was for dishes that were a hit or a miss. My husband got the tomato bisque which was exceptional. I got the caprese salad which was very bland. My husband got the red snapper with a dill cream sauce. The dill cream sauce was tasty, the red snapper was rubbery. I got the linguine noodle with vtc sauce and added shrimp. Again, the sauce was tasty, a nice blend of vodka, tomato, and cream. The shrimp (5 for $5.50) were small. The noodles were cooked to perfection. We skipped dessert because nothing "stood out". At the end of our meal, we did receive complimentary glasses of champagne and almond biscottis. With two glasses of wine ($6.50 each), appetizers, and our main entrees, our meal cost around $70 not including tip.

Pros: Sauces, Wine List, Friendly Staff

Cons: High Price, Average Food, Loud - Lost View

Posted 09/12/05

I was happy from the moment the warm welcoming hostess greeted us till the biscotti was presented with the check. It was a perfect evening at Sole Mio filled with fresh mussles.mouthwatering pasta and great wine.The service was informed and cheerful and the restaurant was cozy.I would recommend this place for anyone who really enjoys homecooking.You can tell they really care at Sole Mio.I've been to Italy and this food tastes like some of the best I've had over there.

Pros: You Feel Like Family, Great Food, Wide Wine Selection

Posted 08/31/05