Sunda New Asian - Nashville — Restaurant in Nashville-Davidson

CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP COMING OR DONE (I think)

I’ve been to Sunda maybe 10 times over the past few years. The food has always been excellent: fresh ingredients, interesting flavors and HUGE appetizers. The sake list is varied and of good quality. The service also has always been great, accurate execution, attentive without being intrusive, chill and fun. All this was true as of a couple of months ago.

BUT…

When I went a couple of days ago, there had been important changes, of a kind that signal to me that the restaurant has either recently been acquired; or else the current owners are trying to manage their numbers to make Sunda into a more attractive and lucrative acquisition for next owners.

That said, I’ll start with what hasn’t changed. The service is still absolutely crackerjack. We had a great server who intuitively found the right pacing, and briefly joined the repartee at the table without ever over-staying or over-stepping. Servers like that are rare and yet add a great deal to the experience, at least in our circle.

The sake list is also still very good, though the prices have gone up steeply. For example, Takatenjin is now $23 a glass, while it can still be had for $18 at other great spots around town.

The food is still very good; but the menu, prices, fish quality and fish portion sizing have all shifted so as to increase the business’ top and bottom lines both, that is, increase revenue (higher prices) and increase profits (lower costs per dish). It’s what businesses do to increase their sale price; and what new owners do, when they over-extended to acquire a business, or discover that their projections were too rosy and they over-paid.

Examples I noticed. The Tuna Tataki is gone, which used to have solid large pieces of very exposed tuna that had to be and was always very fresh. It’s been replaced by a Yellowtail “tatare”, meaning the fish is chopped up, can be made from left over bits, and the fish pieces are mixed with plentiful amounts of avocado, which means they can use less fish and the fish quality can be a notch lower. And this dish costs more than the Tuna Tataki did.

I also ordered sashimi. The Unagi was cut differently so that pieces were smaller. The smoked salmon was cut much thinner and was flash-grilled on both sides, making for less of it and again allowing for the quality to be a notch lower. The Otoro was also just a notch lower in quality, the pieces were cut a bit thinner from a block that had a slightly smaller cross-section, and its price had jumped from $40 to $43 per order.

The restaurant, usually packed, was about half full, so maybe other people are noticing what I’m picking up and voting with their feet; or maybe it’s usually quieter early in the week, though Sunda always used to be good enough that I’d expect it used to be packed all week.

Sunda is still a solid 4 for the moment, good setting, great service, food is very good if not quite great as before; but value-wise it’s gone from just a tad pricey to not the best value for the dollar compared to many other excellent venues around town. Before I go back, I’ll be watching reviews to see if they start...

I've went back and forth on posting this review, as after living in Nashville for the last 4 years I am fully aware of how busy & chaotic the restaurant scene can get on a summer Saturday night. However, after reflecting I feel that it is necessary to express my disappointment in my dining experience at Sunda last night. I will not plan to name my server or the manager; as the establishment should be fully aware of who was involved.

The reason that I don't give a lower review as this was not my first time at Sunda and all of my previous experiences were positive. Therefore, when considering where to celebrate my 31st birthday dinner, it was an easy decision to go with Sunda.

Upon arrival, the server greeted us and asked us for any allergy needs- however, did not take our drink order. It took several more minutes before he came back to take our drink order and we didn't even get our drinks until our food came out. Additionally, appetizers came out with entrees..and our drinks, however, this is something minor that I was not bothered by.

The main issue occurred over a birthday cake fiasco. My friend graciously baked me a birthday cake, which Sunda allowed us to bring, but withheld notifying us of the additional $20 cutting fee. This wouldn't have been an issue for me, but when he brought the cake out he put it in front of my friend and when she corrected him on whose birthday it was- he quickly slid it over, causing a nearby bowl of soy sauce on the table to spill all over the table, the cake, my phone, and onto my chair/birthday dress. The server ran off so quickly after bringing the cake to the table that he didn't even realize what he did, understandably so, as I'm sure he was busy. Additionally, unrelated but just to note- when I went to the women's restroom to clean off it was so dark, had fans running with no AC, and there was water all over the toilet seats and floor.

Unfortunately, he never checked on us after this incident. After cutting the cake he quickly brought out the slices but failed to ever ask us if we wanted another drink (which we would've gladly ordered another $18 drink or two..) and never stuck around long enough to know of the soy sauce incident or any of our other concerns. Once we received the bill and after feeling unsettled, my friend upset over the cake cutting fee, decided to seek out a manager to discuss the concern solely relevant to the cake fee and not looking to get a free meal or anything else. After she spoke to the manager, minutes later the server came over to us in an extremely hostile and confrontational manner asking us what our issue was with him, causing even my most quiet and non-confrontational friend to have an issue and feel uncomfortable enough to say something back. This was extremely embarrassing as it drew attention to our table and ruined the entire experience.

(To...

Sunda was nothing short of extraordinary a refined, immersive culinary experience that engaged all the senses and left a lasting impression.

From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed into a beautifully designed space that exuded modern elegance, balanced with vibrant energy. The ambiance set the tone for an evening that was equal parts indulgent and unforgettable.

We began with a variety of cocktails and sake, each one a work of art visually stunning, thoughtfully composed, and perfectly balanced. Every sip reflected the skill and creativity of Sunda’s bar team, offering bold Asian-inspired flavors with a modern twist.

The selection of appetizers was just as impressive. The standout among them was the Crispy Brussels Sprouts, prepared with red cabbage, red onions, carrots, chilies, crispy shallots, minced shrimp, and a vibrant nuoc cham vinaigrette. It was a symphony of texture and flavor crisp, savory, and bright. Each dish that followed was equally compelling, from the sushi to the small plates, all executed with remarkable attention to detail.

To our surprise and great delight, the chef personally visited our table a gracious and generous gesture that elevated the evening even further. As if that weren’t enough, we were presented with a specially crafted Bluefin tuna dish, a true expression of culinary artistry. The tuna was impossibly fresh, precisely sliced, and elegantly plated. It was a moment that perfectly captured Sunda’s dedication to hospitality and excellence.

For our main course, we shared the Kamayan Feast an expansive, celebratory spread of traditional Filipino dishes designed for communal dining. This beautifully curated experience included: Adobo pork belly rich, succulent, and deeply flavorful ,crispy pata golden and crunchy on the outside, tender within chicken inasal perfectly grilled, with notes of citrus and smoke ,garlic shrimp, lumpia egg rolls, and sautéed green beans served with fragrant jasmine rice and a variety of dipping sauces.

It was more than a meal it was a celebration of heritage, culture, and culinary excellence. Generous in both quantity and spirit, the Kamayan Feast was a showstopper, presented with care and pride.

Throughout the evening, the service was impeccable gracious, attentive, and seamlessly coordinated. Every member of the staff contributed to an atmosphere of genuine hospitality and professionalism.

Though we captured moments in photos and video, they simply do not do the experience justice. This is the kind of dining that must be felt each course, each interaction, and each detail came together to create a truly elevated and memorable night.

To the entire team at Sunda New Asian Nashville, thank you for creating such an extraordinary and memorable...