Nicoletto's Italian Kitchen — Restaurant in Nashville-Davidson

We have eaten at Nicoletto's many times. Not because either of us particularly wanted to, but because our friends did or it happened to be open and nearby. Being from NJ/NY, we are well-accustomed to good authentic Italian food and THIS is not it. The homemade pasta itself is good, but everything else leaves much to be desired. For a place that really only does one thing (pasta dishes), that one thing should be done really well. The dishes lack originality; they are basic with usually just a three-ingredient formula of (1) pasta, (2) sauce, and (3) meat. The add-ons like mushrooms, olives, capers, or burrata, etc. are lacking. We can find more ingredients to brighten up one's tastebuds at Maggiano's.

One particular dish - the eggplant parmesan - was incredibly disappointing. So, eggplant parm is supposed to be very thinly sliced eggplant, breaded and then cooked until very soft. The slices should then be layered on top of one another to make almost a sort of casserole feel to it. Nicoletto's eggplant slices were - no kidding - 1/3" thick, not breaded, very firm, very salty, and there were only two slices. It was honestly the worst egglplant parm (if you can call it that) we've ever had. We don't like tearing down local mom 'n pop establishments one bit, but hopefully the owner or head chef will read this and rethink their recipes.

We want to love Nicoletto's because the concept is great - homemade authentic Italian pasta (yum!); however, Nicoletto's simply does not deliver on taste or ingredient options. It is sadly overrated...

I am ONLY leaving this review bc service has gone down hill during covid and I found plastic in my food today with no way to talk to a real person and just say, hey...watch it. I have been coming here since they opened. Always loved them but the shift with covid really slowed business response and they stopped taking phone orders altogether (what about little ole ladies?). Now I cant even call and complain about the plastic I found in my food. They have an answering machine that reads you your rights, lets you air your grievances and then hangs up on you.

I want to love these guys but things have shifted - including customer service... and i was hoping mom - n - pop shops would rise above laissez-faire attitude that corps have now. These guys have had less and less communication and it isn't good. I do appreciate the call (see below) but it's coming too late.

So sorry. But two stars

UPDATE: owner called me immediately and addressed some of my issues and concerns. That was awesome and I appreciate that. They are working to navigate covid and technology without leaving people behind. BUT going to "non human digital" doesn't work for me. I want to be able to pick up the phone and "order from traffic" on my way home without risking life and limb to "order digitally." (No phone in orders are accepted). I want to talk to someone when I call bc plastic is in my food and the kale is brown. I HATE leaving google reviews but it was the option and that was...

Nicolettos is one of those places that makes you go "dang I should have thought of that" they take such a simple premise of making a fast food style assembly line pasta dish but execute it so perfectly that you feel you are taking home a dish from your favorite white table cloth joint in downtown. All the pasta is home made and you start your selection from their rotating case of pasta creations. Recent examples include red pepper fettuccine, basil angle hair, spinach and kale penne, and my favorite any type of gnocchi. Add your sauce, Alfredo and red sauce is always on tap the Alfredo in particular is thick creamy and delicious. You will also find specialty sauces like walnut pesto. Finally add your protein rosemary chicken or Italian sausage and peppers are two favorites of mine. And there you have it. Your pasta dish will be ready in a few minutes. Get some delicious thick crusty bread with it and it's probably the only meal you need for the day. As a bonus you can take your pasta next door to Mickeys for a drink, or trek home lay out a table cloth and wine transfer the pasta to a plate and no one will ever know you got this delicious meal for 12 or 13 bucks and in just a few minutes. They also now carry sandwiches, but really at least give those delicious homemade noodles a try before going off script you will...