Mangia Nashville — Restaurant in Berry Hill

Came here to celebrate the birthday of a dear with a party of 8. Called the restaurant and noted that I had a “no pork/shellfish” dietary restriction and asked if it would be a problem for their pre fixe dinner. Received a phone call (I believe from Nick directly, the owner) and said that I would be taken care of.

As the dinner went on I received a substitution for their bolognese dish (some sort of Conchiglie with a pesto sauce. Quite nice actually) and we also had a guest at our table who was gluten free and she received multiple substitutions to accommodate her restrictions as well. When it came down to the last entrees (a chicken and pork loin dish) I noticed I did not get a substitution dish for the pork loin. I asked our server Nellie (who was absolutely wonderful and quite attentive) if I should expect a substitute dish. She said no. Then I asked “well, would you guys just mind prorating my bill since I was only served 9 courses instead of 10 like everyone else?”. She said they don’t really do that but would ask about some kind of substitution but came back with “we can give you more chicken”. I didn’t cause a fuss or make a scene and asked her to package it to go and I would take it home. I paid my $175 bill without any protest and left a note for management on my receipt that said something to the effect of “if you are going to charge for a 10 course pre fixe dinner, then please ensure that all guests receive 10 courses”. Nashville is a tough restaurant market right now and places have been closing left and right. I thought privately sharing this piece of constructive criticism instead of making a scene about it in the restaurant was a kind and helpful thing to do.

A few of us lingered outside the restaurant (birthday boy included) to chat and Nick comes out of the restaurant with my receipt and note in hand, walks right up to me proceeds to tell me how I received the same thing as everyone else and I should be grateful that I was taken care of. I responded saying that I received 9 courses, not 10 and that offering up leftovers of something that I already had (and was already entitled to as there was extra food left over from our table anyway) was insufficient. 9 courses + leftovers DOES NOT = 10 courses. Nick doubled down and said “you should think about that before you write another note like that again”.

Sounded vaguely threatening, but more than that I was just shocked that a restaurant owner would chose to be combative with a guest in front of 4 other customers who had an otherwise great night at their restaurant instead of just considering what was said (and if he wanted, just dismissing it). He could’ve asked me to step back inside and chat about it privately or apologize about any misunderstandings regarding their substitution polices (I learned from friends of mine who used to work there that “more of something” and not “something else” is their typically substitution policy regarding meat; perhaps I missed that on the website?).

We spent over $1000 with you guys tonight and now after that unnecessarily interaction it’s likely many of us and our friends won’t ever come back. I hope you consider different conflict resolution practices in the future.

To be clear, this is...

OMG where to even start with explaining last night's dining experience 🤷‍♀️ one word: AMAZING!! Mangia Nashville does it 1000% right!! You walk in and the smell of garlic hits you & you know it's gonna be a good night!! The ceiling is lined with, what we call, San Gennaro lights-like from the italian feast/fairs up North. Outside there is a bocce ball court & a small outdoor patio...which we thought cool, we'll get a bocce game in 😂-little did we know what was to come...this is a 3 HOUR PLUS dining experience! The staff is genuinely happy that you are there! The owner Nick checks you in and greets you like you're family coming over for sunday dinner (those who know, know). Sydney, our server for the night, was at the table immediately with a welcoming smile & absolutely bubbly personality to take our drink orders. I had a Nickotini-an espresso coffee martini-which was so delicious. The focaccia bread is on the table & they come around & pour seasoned olive oil onto a plate for dipping. Then the food starts coming out!! And it doesn't stop! There's conversations and music and a big screen TV playing The Godfather!! Half way through, there's a much needed lull & Nick comes out, gets everyone up & out of their seats (& food comas) for some singing & dancing!! He goes on to tell their story, profusely thanks everyone for being there, goes through all the individual celebrations going on that night & whips back into the kitchen for...MORE FOOD! 😳 By the time dessert rolls out, which he personally delivered to each table AND stops to talk to each person, you're completely stuffed & holding your stomach...but it's a dark chocolate panna cotta, how can you say no to the chef??!! The limoncello is TO DIE for....I make limoncello but his made me embarrassed to even say that!!! And finally, I think my party & I may have shead a tear or 2 at this, they come around with small paper bags, for everyone, containing 2 zeppoles covered in powdered sugar...and YES, we ate them!!! It's been 7+ years since these Northerners have had zeppoles & it was an out of body experience 😂😂 I think Sydney saw our reactions so we may or may not have left with extra!!! This was some of THE BEST Italian food I have EVER had!! If you're looking for an incredible dining experience, this is the place to go. We will most definitely be back...cause I gotta get the zeppole &...

We were very excited to try out Mangia. We made reservations for 4 to celebrate my husbands birthday. We were seated next to the hall to the bathrooms, altho’ we were surrounded by empty tables. It was a long wait for the server to stop by to start the dining experience and then she wasn’t attentive thereafter. 5 Stars - the meatballs, eggplant parm and the dried tomato and creamy spinach penne (great taste altho’ no dried tomatoes were seen - very basic but tasty dish), bread 3 Stars - tuna crudo. My husband liked it but 2 of us tried it and didn’t return for a 2nd bite. Lasagna - Server raved about it. Husband ordered it and said it was good, cheesy rather than meaty, but my lasagna was better. bread stack app... it was greasy rather than buttery - left unfinished by our table of 4 1 Star - my chicken parm side dish was served barely warm, I even thought one bite was a tad cool as if it was reheated unevenly. And it was so tough and rubbery, I kept checking to see if it was cooked thru. It was bland. No visible herbs or seasoning... the sauce looked like puréed tomatoes from a can. I left most of the rubber breast behind...awful. Our guests didn’t bother to eat their tomato sauced penne that accompanied their eggplant parm and chicken parm. In fact, my guest told the server she did not like it... the server laughed. We will not be returning. What a disappointing dining experience! Edit: Read your response..I don’t see my review as an act of unkindness. Nor do I understand serving anything less than hot, seasoned, tender and tasty Chicken Parm to guests. The CP we received was an insult to CP. I wouldn’t expect it to get any better if I returned it....maybe hotter? So I think you should take a look at your recipe, and whoever prepared the CP...set some higher standards for what is served to your guests and “act accordingly”. And as for supporting restaurants, I spent over $200 to feed 4 people, to sit DIRECTLY next to the bathroom hall, have slow, awkward service, and received food that simply was not tasty enough to eat, which is the worst part...I didn’t return the food or ask for any refund....I clearly supported you and your restaurant! Your response was full of excuses and...