Small tables and small plate; usually a recipe for an uncomfortable evening, Not the case at Butcher & Bee. Once you start sharing food at this delightful new place in East Nashville, it becomes a wonderfully intimate dining experience. We started with 6 "mezze" dishes (bacon wrapped dates, kale slaw, fire roasted carrots, greek grains, hummus and the to-die-for whipped feta), all super delicious. That honestly could have been enough but we'd heard great things about the butternut squash "custard" soup and weren't disappointed. Everything was bright, fresh and bold. The hostess greeted us warmly and our server was helpful and right on with her suggestions. We'll be back!

Thanks to the delightful bartender Bryson. We enjoyed a taste of the appetizers and a different spin on the vegetable. The hummus and whipped feta were out of this world. Craft cocktails are unique and tasty. Definitely will be back to further our palate. A " thank you for coming in" from the resident manager walking by was a perfect delivery for an enjoyable evening.

We stopped by after leaving a local brewery. Had a cocktail, glass of wine, and meatball appetizer between the two of us. We're able to sit at the chefs bar/table looking into the kitchen. It's always fun to watch them preparing the food. This place is awesome and I highly recommend it. They have a Charleston location too, now I need to try that one also! Go here, you won't be disappointed!

Full disclosure - I don't like sharing my food! That said this was a spectacular dining experience..
We shared plates for starters than each of the three of us had our own teeny tiny entrée. If you want big servings this is not your place. If you want big bold flavors with creative pairings get over there!! While the servings were small we left totally satisfied and happy with our choices. Our waiter was a character, helpful and happy.

We visited Butcher & Bee on Thursday 01.28.16 around 5:45 pm Central. We sat at the chef's table (in front of the open kitchen).

Eats & Drinks - 4 out of 5 stars
To start, we ordered the Blackeberry Beret (Blackberry Brandy, lemon, sage, bubbles). The drink was sweet and refreshing. It is, however, in our opinion or 'summer-time' drink and doesn't fit well on a seasonal winter menu.

For food, we started with the roasted beets. They were served in lime yogurt and fermented honey. We were a little disappointed as we were expecting the beets to be served warm (considering it's January and the menu mentioned 'roasted'), however, this is a cold dish. Nonetheless, the flavors were well balanced.

Next we tried the hummus. The pita bread was great - soft, warm, and just the right consistency.

Out came the "tiger" brussel sprouts in a fish sauce. Fresh, large brussels lightly coated in a dipping sauce with a surprising and delightful burst of fresh mint and cilantro. We requested some coarse sea salt, which the chef graciously provided, and voila! all the flavors came to life.

The main course was the lamb and grits. Be prepared for a very rich, but excellent dish. The soft, delicate lamb was perfectly garnished with fresh chives.

To finish, we ordered the banana pudding pie with freshly torched meringue. This was one of the highlights of all the courses and was a perfect sweet ending to the meal.

Service - 3 out of 5 stars
The chefs and cooking staff seemed at ease and not stressed. We assumed this was likely due to it being earlier in the night on a Thursday and the restaurant not being too busy.

The host and wait staff were polite and helpful. While this was the case, we also didn't get the feeling that they were overly friendly either.

Value - 3 out of 5 stars
As the waitress had mentioned, the courses are meant to share. However, the portion sizes are smaller and for the amount of food you receive, the price is a bit steep.

Atmosphere - 4 out of 5 stars
The restaurant is larger than we imagined and we appreciate the choices for selecting a seat - chef's high top table, bar, private tables, booths, etc. We would classify the space exhibiting a modern casual vibe.

Miscellaneous
The restaurant is located on the cusp of East Nashville, a few minutes away from the Five Points area. We were lucky to find a parking spot in the lot close to the restaurant, however, are unaware of other parking options.