etch - Franklin — Restaurant in Franklin

We arrived at the restaurant hungry and hopeful, but unfortunately, our experience fell short in many ways. Here’s a breakdown of our visit: Appetizer We started with the focaccia, which was freshly toasted and served with quality olive oil. This was the one highlight of the meal, and we were initially happy with it. Main Courses My husband ordered the jerk chicken pasta. The flavor was disappointingly bland, and the pasta was overcooked, "it's like Applebee's" -- my husband's comment . I chose the beef tenderloin and requested it "pink" (medium-ish). What arrived was dry, overcooked, and unappetizing. Some pieces were even burnt, leaving a bitter taste. It was far from tender, which is ironic given the dish’s name. Dessert Despite our disappointment with the entrees, we decided to give dessert a chance and ordered the apple sesame tart. This turned out to be a mistake. The puff pastry was dense and lacked the signature flakiness. The layers, instead of being light and airy, clung together in a greasy mass. Flavor-wise, it was overwhelmingly sweet, with no complexity or balance. Service The saving grace of our visit was our waitress. She was attentive, polite, and provided excellent service despite the subpar food. Final Thoughts While the service was commendable and the focaccia enjoyable, the overall dining experience was deeply disappointing. The chef seems to be attempting fusion cuisine, but the execution felt chaotic. The ingredients and flavors didn’t come together harmoniously; instead, they seemed haphazardly assembled. The chef’s ambitious ideas need much better execution, and the dishes require significant improvement in quality and balance. Unfortunately, we cannot recommend this restaurant based...

Food: App: brussel sprouts - OK and decent but definitely oily. Entree: butternut masala grits with shrimp addition. Let me start by saying: What. A. Mess. It was such a strange plate of food despite the description being so intricately inviting. I was initially thrown off by the pile of kale next to a pile of what looked like a squash cranberry salad all placed top of the grits. (Just imagine eating salad on top of masala grits - odd. And sweet squash/feta/cranberry mixed with masala grits - odder). Next to that were 3 very thick 1 inch tempura Zucchini slices - the menu says fried hearts of palm and doesn't mention zucchini anywhere? (I am just realizing this now looking back at the menu) The zucchini were watery since they were so thick and plus being placed in the grits - it made the tempura coating completely soggy. Lastly, the shrimp were cooked well, but the tails were left on. Overall, it was an extremely awkward and unpleasant meal to have and left a bad taste in my mouth for the rest of the evening. It's definitely the worst shrimp and grits I've ever had. Shrimp on their own were the highlight in this head scratching pile. Please do not order this. In fact, please take this off the menu.

Server was very nice and the place is very cozy and has a nice ambiance.

Don't get the damn...

One of the finest dining experiences I’ve had in Franklin! From the moment I walked into etch, I felt welcomed by the warm, modern atmosphere and the professional yet friendly staff.

The food was a masterpiece—each dish felt like it was plated with passion. The Wasabi Salmon was beautifully balanced with just the right kick. The Smoked Carpaccio melted in the mouth, and the Apple Sesame Tart surprised me with its complexity. For dessert, the Chocolate Mousse, Bread Pudding, and Pavlova were heavenly. Every course delivered a new highlight.

Service was seamless—attentive without being overbearing, and very knowledgeable when it came to dietary needs. I really appreciated the clearly labeled vegetarian options and the flexibility for dietary restrictions.

Parking is easy and convenient with free and valet options nearby, making it stress-free to plan your evening. Accessibility is well thought out and the space is wheelchair-friendly. Although it’s not themed for kids, it’s a calm and respectful space where older children would feel comfortable.

This is more than just dinner—it’s a flavorful experience worth savoring. Highly recommend Etch for anyone looking for world-class food in a charming,...