After reading about Mason's in a local magazine and seeing their four star rating, we decided to drive there from another hotel. A mason jar wall and mason jars incorporated into one of their appetizers didn't quite fit the rest of the modern ambiance. It was clean, though a little loud from the lounge outside. Maybe it's the reverberation from the smooth surfaces in the restaurant. Upon entering, the only others were a group on their dessert and a solo person in a corner. Another group of 10 came in during our meal. Service was slow, as our table of 4 didn't seem to be a priority. After we placed our order it took a while for our meals to arrive. Bread wasn't served at that time. Actually, the manager served our small bread puck during dinner with tongs. My daughter and I stifled our laughter at his precious puck presentation during dinner, thinking we could have used a whole basket of pucks while we waited for our meals to arrive. The four of us ordered the shrimp and grits. It was an ample serving in a hot cast iron skillet. The shrimp, grits and collard mix was extremely salty. So much so that none of us finished it. We love salty food and never skimp on it, but this was almost inedible. When we left, our parking bill was $21! read more

Pop-up only - Hot Chocolate Affair review. Coming into Nashville parking at the hotel was easy and parking was comped receiving a ticket to scan at exit. Much appreciated! The hot chocolate options were - milk, dark and white chocolate peppermint. All the cocoas were delicious and we drank so much it was hard to tackle the three tier tower of treats. All the scones, macaroons and cakes were exceptional and presented so well we just starred at it. I deducted a star because the service was a bit inattentive, not providing much explanation as to how the event would carry out. And the decorations were underwhelming in the event space. Normally, I wouldn't care as much but for 2 adults and 1 child with gratuity included cost was around $210.00. Can't say I'd attend annually but was definitely a treat! read more

See all

Great service. Waitresses were super friendly and welcoming. I had the chicken wings. Comes with 4 full wings and some ranch. Well prepared. For the Yazoo Hefeweizen, a beer made in TN. It was really good (and I don't drink!) Best part of our night was listening to live country music by Katrina Burgoyne. She was super talented and enjoyed hearing her sing! read more

Mason's - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

See all

I stopped by before check in to kill some time at the bar. The bartender, Tyler, was so attentive and funny. He worked the floor with ease and personality, bartending and serving the floor. While I didn't try any of the food, the drinks options are stellar. An extended wine menu and craft cocktails are sure to please any pallet. I had the what's my sage again and the flavors were superb and the drink was well made. Thank you again, Tyler, for helping time pass by in a blink! read more

Located in the Loews hotel, we had opted to try Mason's for breakfast during our stay. I went in assuming this would be standard mediocre hotel food and I was wrong. We opted for breakfast before hitting the town. I had the French Toast with whiskey pecan butter & my wife had the Rise & Shine (2 eggs your way, selection of meat, & crispy potatoes). We enjoyed it so much we opted for breakfast again the following day & dinner after the hockey game. For dinner I had the smoked french dip & my wife had chicken & dumpling soup with a salad. This was definitely a nice surprise and saved us from really having to wait to dine downtown or search for something in the midtown area. The standouts were the french dip & crispy potatoes. There is some confusion surrounding Mason's though as the restaurant side is open 7am-1pm and the bar is open in the evening. read more

Mason's - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

See all

Mason's is located in the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel and is their house restaurant and bar. During our recent stay, only the bar and lounge area was open, as the full service dining room was closed. With this, they were offering a limited food menu, however they ensured you still had a few choices from salads, sandwiches, burgers, mains, appetizers and desserts. Additionally, you had full bar options! The bar and lounge areas are laid out well, lit perfectly and decorated nicely. The bar is surrounding by a mason jar lighting display that is just bright and dim enough to keep the chill bar atmosphere alive. The lounge area features a mix of lounge seating with side tables, actual tables and high tops, plus you have seats lining the bar as well. Service was good. The Bartender was also the waitress for the entire space, so things were delayed slightly, but she still did a great job keeping up with everyone's needs around the bar and lounge area. We came for dinner and started with the kale and artichoke dip. The first few scoops were great, but the dip became cold really quick, like oddly quick. The fresh chips were great as it was nice to not have plain tortilla chips. For our meals we got the Burger and Smoked Turkey Club. Both were quite enjoyable! I sided my club with a caesar salad and the fries my partner got were thick and crispy. Overall, Mason's is a solid option for dinner when you hit the hotel and aren't really in the mood to get out for the night. They do offer brunch, but we were already out of the hotel by the time they started this service...maybe next time! read more

See all

The food was cooked perfectly and the service was great. Wasn't too crowded. I've stayed there several times and this was the first time trying Mason's. Breakfast was around $15 per person. It's just far enough off Broadway and downtown to make it a quick and easily accessible breakfast option when everything else is packed. read more

Mason's - Breakfast burrito and crispy breakfast potatoes - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

See all

(Visit 9:00pm on a Thursday) This bar is located inside the Loews Hotel and is priced accordingly! Lol!! I did see that they have a happy hour. They do have a food menu. Nice relaxed (to scale) bar vibe. read more

Mason's - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

I like to venture out when I'm traveling so eating at the hotel restaurant felt like a compromise, but it's what time allowed. But Mason's checked off three item: 1. They had grits! 2. They had good food and were quick 3. I got to try something new! First off, I have a love for grits. My grandma lived in Mississippi and when we'd visit, she'd always make me cheesy grits and scrambled eggs. Grits, like grandma, weren't fancy or extravagant, but they were warm, simple, filling, and remind me of my sweet grandma. So I splurge every time I'm in the south, in honor of grandma! Mason's cheesy grits didn't disappoint, they were flavorful and had nice texture and a good portion for a side dish. Secondly, Mason's has great breakfast selections and the food is masterfully prepared and tastes great. My only beef is that it's a bit pricey for what you get. But it is a hotel restaurant so that's not super off-putting. Thirdly, the fried green tomato wrap with applewood smoked bacon was awesome. The blend of zing from the green tomatoes, combined with the salty bacon and creamy scrambled eggs was heavenly! And again, the perfect portion to not put me in a food coma for the rest of the morning. The hostess and servers and kind, attentive, give good suggestions and address you by name each time. It adds to the wonderful experience here at Loews Nashville! Well done Mason's! read more

Mason's - Fried Green Tomato wrap - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

See all

This review is only based on the hot chicken we had at Mason's bar as part of our food tour. It was delicious and one of the best snacks we had at the food tour. Would recommend you snack here if you happen to be in the neighborhood. Hot chicken: 8.5/10 read more

Mason's - Hot chicken - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

See all

This restaurant is in with the Loews vanderbilt hotel. This makes it very convenient for people that may be staying at the hotel. The hotel itself has a garage where there were a few short term spots and some charging spots. Otherwise, the upper floors were open. We tried the chicken Cesar flatbread, pimento cheese bites, and tuna tacos. I can say the pimento cheese bites and the tiny tuna tacos were my favorite. The drink Vandy candy was also a very tasty drink, especially for someone such as myself who is a bit particular with dark liquors. Overall, the food was good and I would go back, especially if I were staying in the hotel. The restaurant itself is also very cute and decorated well. read more

Great spot for after work bites and cocktails with friends. IG friendly with super cute decor all over. I can't wait to have dinner here. A Nashville hidden Gem read more

See all

Delicious!! If I lived in Nashville I'd come just to come. Their breakfast is delicious. The crispy potatoes are everything! The staff were so sweet and accommodating too!! read more

I feel that I've faced the same dilemma that most Eliters have faced; we remember the killer Elite event at Mason's and long for that same food, service, and experience. There's just something that has fallen slightly flat though on second go arounds.... Mason's was my first meal of the New Year...unless you count the cold pizza at 2am after celebrating that night, but I digress, I'm gonna count regular ol' Mason's for that. Obviously my BF and I were not feeling in TIP TOP shape; (ie... I somehow managed to throw on a hoodie and brush my teeth, but yesterdays make-up MIGHT have still be on my face.. I cannot confirm or deny. So its around noonish and we walk up to the hostess. She's in a sous chef jacket and was out of her element. Not sure why she was up there greeting customers? But whatever, she told us they'd be serving brunch that day even though it was a Wednesday, and due to our hungover state, we decided to go casual in the bar area. The bartender hands us the regular menu and we ask if she has the brunch menu. "Oh we aren't serving brunch." According to the sous chef you are? So she went and asked and confirmed that they were serving brunch. Ok, cool. I've been raving about the crab cake corn dogs, so we ordered those asap and then had some questions about the menu. The bartender was clueless and had to ask one of the servers. She said that they had recently changed the menu and that was the cause for her lack of knowledge but yikes. It was just rather unprofessional and caused more delays in us ordering our food. I had the shrimp and grits and my BF had a sandwich. My shrimp and grits were decent, but SUPER rich and a bit sweeter than I would have liked. I've had better. The sandwich was great though, and the crab cake corn dogs were heavenly per usual. Overall, just middle of the line really. I understand that there's some transition with a new menu, but your staff should be trained before it's provided to customers. Also, slightly let down with the food this go around. Will have to come back at dinner and give it another shot. read more

See all

Nope nope nope... On one of our first Saturday's back out and about in COVID times, I was browsing Resy so that we could rest assured that we would have our own space and wouldn't have to wait forever for a table somewhere. As time ticked along, reservations became slim for other places, so after checking reviews, I decided to book a table for 3 at Mason's. The menu looked good and the reviews were pretty good. We took a Lyft to the Loews and walked in to the lobby. After a few steps into the lobby, we saw a sign for Mason's on the right with no sign of life in sight, and a bar with a VERY small handful of people on our left -- with a sign that said "Mason's Bar". We were told by one of two people working there that we could sit anywhere -- after all, it was dead in there... on a Saturday evening at 7. After sitting down and waiting a few, we asked the server about Mason's, the restaurant. She said it had been closed for a year. We felt a little bad so we grabbed an app and a round of drinks while we figured out where to go. The whipped goat cheese was lackluster at best -- not to mention overpriced. The crowd in there was just terribly sad. Not at all what we had expected when we booked a table. Overall, I'm very confused about why a restaurant closed for over a year still is getting good enough ratings and/or listed on Resy. Yelper beware, the actual Mason's restaurant is closed, so you'd do best to look elsewhere. read more

Mason's is a viable restaurant for guests staying in the Loew's hotel looking for an easy meal, but it isn't much more than that. The interior is rather dark, and felt wrong while we ate breakfast in the hotel on a gorgeously sunny day. Dark may be okay for a dinner crowd, but for breakfast, I would have preferred a lighter space to enjoy my meal. The breakfast menu contains several egg dishes, as well as cereals, pancakes, waffles, and fruit. The coffee is served piping hot, and was constantly refilled throughout the meal. The food was hit or miss. I ordered the EGG WHITE FRITTATA, and it didn't meet my expectations. The frittata is described as such: "asparagus, blistered tomatoes, goat cheese, arugula salad". First off, it didn't resemble a frit, but rather a lackadaisical, circular omelet. It lacked the firmer consistency of a frittata, complete with the crispier edges, and was very soft. There were 4 whole blistered tomatoes, which were difficult to eat in such big pieces, and very limited asparagus and goat cheese. I only found one little gloop of it right in the center, while most of the dish consisted of me eating scrambled egg whites. All egg dishes come with a meat, and a choice of fruit or potatoes. I went halfsies with my pop on the meat, so I was able to taste both the country ham and the pork sausage, and both were great! The country ham was the perfect texture, perhaps had one sprinkle too much of salt. The pork sausage came as a patty, and was filled with that sausage flavor you crave with your breakfast. The fruit was fresh, and served in a mini skillet, which I thought would have been more appropriate for the frittata. Everyone else ate their entire meal (I mean, I did too, I was hungry), and really enjoyed their order (omelets & rise and shine breakfast). It's not a spot I'd return to if I didn't have family staying at the hotel, but for an easy meal before a flight out of town, it was good enough. read more

Mason's - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

We were staying at the Loews Vanderbilt and decided to give this restaurant a try. We were the only people in the place, which felt a little odd but the server put us at ease and was super friendly. He guided us through the menu and made some helpful suggestions. We ordered the fried oysters for an appetizer and loved them. The presentation was lovely. They came in their shells, on a bed of blue sea salt. Inside each shell was packed with tarter sauce and a small bit of ripened jalapeno. They were delicious. For the entrees, I ordered the Mason's burger - which was not only about a half pound burger, but also pulled pork, bacon, lettuce, tomato, cheese and aioli sauce. It was amazing. I barely touched my fries and still could not finish that beast. Hubby got the grilled cheese, which had brie, goat cheese and black truffle on sourdough bread with fries. He was happy with his sandwich but wanted my burger when he saw it. There is an extensive cocktail and wine list but after the extreme temperatures of the day we were sticking to water. Service was excellent and we really enjoyed our time here. One odd thing though. We looked at the dessert menu and decided to order a to-go sundae for our kids who were back in the room. It was wonderful and beautifully packed... in a "Loews Loves Pets" bag. I couldn't decide if they were being snarky or that was all they genuinely had to use for what may have been an unusual request. read more

See all

Had to downgrade to 3 stars... I had the "Chicken 'N' Dumplins" on my last night there...great concept...not executed well. The coconut curry gravy was awesome...after that...not so much. The biggest disappointment was a key ingredient...the dumplings. The puffed biscuit dough came out like falafel; fried and dense. Nothing "puffy" about them. The other disappointment...serving size. Maybe they downgraded because I took it "to go." Didn't feel like I got my $20 worth. You've been warned. read more

Mason's - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

The food was great. Nice selection of wines too Two people had the shrimp and grits and said it was the best they had ever had. I had the hot fish was quite good and not too too spicy. I have two issues with the restaurant though. First, very hard to find appetizers to split. Our waiter suggested the cobb salad which we split only we then had to ask for serving spoons for it. It was quite good but not really a great appetizer to share for 4 people. Put some descriptions on the food. We had to ask what airline chicken was and what hot fish was. There were descriptions on the appetizers but not on the meals. Also, a couple found it confusing as to what was actually on the menu. As I said though, food was great and will definitely go back. read more

During my first night in town for work, I wanted to grab dinner within walking distance of my hotel. Being by myself, I decided to sit at Mason's Bar (note - the bar has a slightly different menu than Mason's restuarant across the hall). Lois was my bartender and was quick, attentive, and friendly. She immediately started me out with a glass of water and their snack mix. I ordered the Walk The (State) Line which is close to an old fashioned (my favorite) and I loved it. For dinner, I ordered the braised short rib that comes with brussel sprouts. My first couple of bits were delicious and very juicy and tender thanks to the sauce on top. However, after that the short rib was very dry and lacked much pleasant flavor. Additionally, the brussel sprouts were not much to talk about. I've had much better brussel sprouts at many other restaurants. The price for this plate was $28, which based on the above, I thought was way overpriced. I also ordered Blackberry Bourbon Streusel Cobbler with peach ice cream for dessert. It was good, but much more streusel than cobbler. In my opinion, unless you're staying in Loew's Hotel and want dinner without leaving the hotel, I'd pick one of the many other great restaurants in Nashville. If you're in the hotel and looking for a drink and dessert before or after heading out, then the friendly bar staff and cocktail menu here may be an ok choice. read more

We just had coffee and orange juice and bacon and sausage and shrimp & grits and French toast and fresh fruit and deviled eggs and fried green tomatoes and banana jam with some crazy bacon toffee peanut butter crumb chocolate thing. Holy good gracious. Our waitress Corinthia was impeccable and Marcos runs a tight ship. We are grateful for one of the best meals we have ever eaten in Nashville (and we live here!). Delicious. What else can I say? read more

Mason's - Lemon Mascarpone French Toast (or what's left of it, anyway) - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

Tried out the new Fall 2019 menu tonight and I can't wait to go back!! Yes I had 3 Crispy chicken sandwiches yum!! And the apple pie margarita WHAT!!! but really there is so much more I want to try!! The mason bar area is really clean and comfortable. It was not to loud and the bar is gorgeous. Valet was really easy and fast. Chairs comfortable. Five stars much deserved from my experience. read more

See all

Honestly this may have been the best meal I've had in Nashville. Let's start with the food: Fried green tomato's with a corn (salsa?)... It was fantastic. Wife had the shrimp crostini and loved them. She had the scallops as s main course. Scallops on a bed of risotto w/Deep fried prosciutto...(whoever dreamed that up needs a raise!). I had the espresso rubbed tenderloin. It was over $30 ,however...it melted in my mouth. Now the service: Impeccable. From the young lady that sat us to our waiter and the manager ( I assume).. We were treated like royalty. So friendly and so "present". Enjoyed their company. How many times has that EVER been said about staff at a restaurant? Chef Brandon Frohne has really knocked it out of the park. We will 100% without a doubt be back for more!!!! Oh yeah!!!! The GRITS!!! Don't forget to order the grits!!!!! read more

See all

First time really back in Nashville in years brought me to this early evening gem of a restaurant. Mason's is a small space in the Loews Hotel on West End. There's a separate bar area from the main restaurant and it was filled with corporate convention types just after COB on a Thursday. The restaurant sitting area it's else, however, was blank. And I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. We had a few tables come in after we were already seated by Charles, whose memorable attire made him look as if he'd just carved up livestock in the back. The fare is upscale southern "provisions" not unlike several other spots I've frequented and--mainly--enjoyed from Nashville to Atlanta and Charleston. Upon closer inspection, the menu reminded me of a few spots on the Square in nearby Franklin, TN. But here we were at the Loews to which I'd only known because of its almost opulent Sunday brunch. We starred with a "known" quantity--fried green tomatoes--and two unknowns--crab corn dogs and Brussel spouts, which, btw are making a huge showing about the city. More on this later. But the fried green tomatoes were themselves almost a side show to their accoutrements of crab meat and a divine trio of peppers, zucchini and (pickled?) corn. The crab corn dogs were decadent yet simple; it was like taking a visit back to a favorite snack from childhood... if perhaps I was Richie Rich. And now the Brussel sprouts. Perhaps the hallmark of the meal might have been the little ceramic bowl of spouts with peanuts and chiles, currants (golden raisins in our case), and Benton's bacon. I don't know who Benton is, but I'm sure he's sad without this delicious bacon. (note: vegetarians, you too, can have some without the bacon if you smile and ask nicely enough) Now the main entrée (or supper, for locals) for me was 2nd from the top on the "heat" list. You see, Charles presented our dinner options based on their spiciness, savory or sweetness. At the top was the shrimp and grits--which I normally get everywhere applicable. But I wanted different and they delivered. Thr Ancho-spiced Berkshire chop was large and in charge but will balanced by the wonderfully apportioned sea island peas, pulled pork (really? Yes) and mango jicama slaw. Cilantro overtones kept it fresh while the early peas and smoked chili added depth to the heat. My better half isn't nearly as enthused by spice and therefore she chose the Halibut plank, which was probably the prettiest plating of the night, and rightfully so. Shaved zucchini, snap peas and a Romesco sauce worth remembering made me ask the chef for the recipe. Challenge accepted, in other words. If there was anything less than stellar we had was the Rosarita, a rosemary infused pomegranate margarita. Trust me, it wasnt bad... but it was dim compared to my second libation, the Cazerac, a neat pairing of whiskey, cognac and a touch of maple syrup and bitters. The steelist is worth your while, too, if you don't mind em stiff. To wind it all down... Fruit filled but savory crepes and a very assorted chocolate cake. And I hear they do brunch. I'm game. read more

Mason's - Two types of brussels, Berkshire chop and halibut a la plancha. - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

This review is for the bar area only. Note: I love hotel bars, a lot. They remind me of vacation and vacations make me happy. The bar area is fantastic! The seating area is so cozy and I love how it is separated from the restaurant. Left bar, right full service restaurant. Don't be like Zoolander, learn to turn left. The happy hour is where it's at. We got the crab cake corn dogs, wings, and something else that I can't remember. Our trip was December 6th so it's been a minute, plus the drinks were flowing. The crab cake corn dog was massive. To be exact, we received three massive ones. We honestly didn't need anything else. Our waiter was on top of it. Everything came out as it should have and in a timely manner. I honestly can't wait to go back! read more

I think this may be a scam restaurant. Could not find a menu online anywhere, even on their website. We finally found a picture of a menu on yelp I believe, and then when we called to place a to go order... things got weird. I said I wanted the oatmeal parfait... she said they don't have that. I said I wanted a croissant and they said they didn't have that either. "Maybe you're looking at the wrong menu?". Okay, so I asked her where to find a menu and she seemed confused. She said "I can tell you what we have, pancakes eggs bacon fruit". Ending up ordering some stuff because at this point we were desperate to eat and we're so confused. Picked it up and they forgot a bunch of stuff and the food wasn't even good. I think we got scammed. read more

Mothers day brunch was very good. Had an omelet with spinach, ham, and cheddar that was very tasty. Also the service was fast and prompt. read more

Mason's - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

Masons was a last minute decision for carry out and turned out to be one of the best decisions we made while in Nashville. Ordered for 8 and everyone was satisfied. Meatloaf is especially good. read more

I have been to Mason's 4 times and 4 times has the food been inconsistent. The first time was the best. I ordered a turkey avocado club and it was honestly one of the best sandwiches I have had in Nashville. The second time I went the sandwich was a 5/10. The third time I ordered the same thing and it was a 7/10. I don't know why sometimes it's great and sometimes it's mediocre. I went April 25, 2018 for the fourth time and my sandwich was off the menu so I went with the raved about burger. The burger was cooked perfectly medium, however it just lacked flavor. I would say the burger is a 6.5/10 from Nashville burger standards. The fries were ok and the wait staff was good as usual. I would lean to a 4/5 for the restaurant but I'm docking a point for inconsistency. read more

Mason's - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

Just when I thought 2014 couldn't get any better I revisited one of my favorite places to eat in Nashville...and it's in a hotel! Mason's is the brainchild of genius chef Brandon Frohne. This guy has more ideas than a fancy Ivy League college think tank and his execution would put even the most rabid dictators to shame. Too over the top of a description you say? Try the food at Masons and you will see why there are words to describe the flavors. I highly recommend starting with the JARS and the bone marrow beef cheek confit. Then the compressed patty pan and warm goat cheese. The entree is a tough spot to recommend, everything is good. The osso bucco is my favorite right now, but the shrimp and grits is a close second. Get all three desserts. Thank me later. You are welcome. read more

Mason's - The best hump day lunch. $10 burger. - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

Breakfast only. Me and my daughter went there around 8AM, place was almost empty. I've ordered some variation of eggs Benedict with cappuccino, daughter had a pair of pancakes with syrup. While I can't say that food was bad, there was nothing unusual about it. Eggs we a bit undone, pancakes were crumbly and cappuccino milk needed more steaming. Would've been fine for a fast-food chain like Waffle House, but this restaurant is located in Loews Hotel. So while expensive breakfast is kinda expected in this place, I also expect to pay for the meal quality and not just for the name of a hosting hotel. read more

Absolutely outstanding dining experience. The food all the way from the appetizers, the soup, and closing with my main course was phenomenal. Just the right portions with tastes that brought a smile to my face. It's nice to leave comfortably full instead of stuffed or wanting more for a change. The drinks were fresh with great flavors. I wasn't left breathing fire or wondering if they made the drink out of water. They were expertly made. Finally, the service and ambience were top notch. I was asked more than once if everything was perfect. The wait staff was timely and if the waiter was busy then the manager took care of things without even being asked. Overall a definite 5-star in my book. I look forward to returning for another great meal. read more

Mason's - Ladies and gentlemen, the amazing scallops. Boom. - Southern Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

See all

I wish I'd known about Tennessee 15% LBTG (liquor by the glass) tax. The drinks were pretty good. The food was also pretty good. Not sure I would choose to eat here again if I stayed at Loews Vanderbilt (which was an exceptional hotel by the way) I had the burger. I was told it was voted highly. It was average. read more

They are open late and have a late night menu if you miss the dinner cutoff around 1030pm/11pm or so. Great service and cool environment. Don't be thrown by the address. It's located inside the hotel, and you should be able to get your valet parking comp'ed. read more

I had the pleasure of staying at the Loews Vanderbilt hotel in Nashville, TN in March of 2019. During this time, I attended a company banquet where the chef, Gavin Pera demonstrated his exceptional culinary skills. He prepared the most delicious combination of three of my favorite foods: collard greens, grits and pork belly. He nailed it!!! You don't find this good soul cooking anywhere that I live in Southern California. I will definitely be back! read more

Full disclosure here, my wife works for the hotel in which this fine restaurant resides. That said, I always strive to provide unbiased and fun reviews and I intend to do so here. So, Mason's. Ever wonder what cool looks like? Well look no further. Mason's does something that so many new Nashville eateries have failed to do: be cool without screaming it from the roof tops. The whimsy of its theme is immediately apparent when you first arrive, with the different mason jars turned into lights and wall treatments. That's not where the fun ends, as the food has fun playing with french takes on very southern foods. Lets talk about the service. I have been twice now for the soft opening. Service was flawless in both the bar service and restaurant. Our servers in both places (Ashley P. in the bar and Larry in the restaurant) were not just well equipped for their roles, they were also warm, bright and engaging. They responded to questions quickly and when they were not familiar with the answer they asked. I really appreciate that last part. Food was amazing. Creative, delicious and colorful. In the interest of brevity I will mention only a few of my favorites. The Bone Marrow appetizer was delightful. I love marrow, but this had an etherial quality I can't quite put my finger on. The popovers are wildly good with their accompanying bacon butter. I had the Fried Chicken Galantine and it was quite good, but what it sat on was divine. A turnip puree that was nearly life changing and greens that were among the best I have had. My wife had a Kale Squash and Mushroom stew. It was sooooooo good. I would eat that stew at every meal were I given the opportunity. My wife also had a soup of Corn Bisque that was delightful. We shared a delicious Chocolate Cremeaux that was great with an Almond Tuile and it was a perfect ending. In the bar, I had a twist on the BLT. It was fried green tomatoes, bacon, lettuce and house made pimento cheese. I am a pimento cheese fanatic. If I saw a sign that said "free pimento cheese" across a room full of children, I likely would push and shove my way through them to get there so when I say this was good, I am not kidding around. It was beyond good, it was awesome. The pickles (okra and traditional cucumber) are house made also and are absolutely great. If I had my druthers I would want them to have a little heat to them, but they are really good as is. The crab corn dogs are fun too. They don't eat like a corn dog, but they have flavor unlike much I have had before, in a good way. Mason's is making their own hot sauce in an old whiskey barrel. While I didn't try it on anything, I did have a nice spoonful of the stuff. It is really good. I love hot sauce, and this stuff has flavor and just enough heat to make it worth using. To conclude, this place might be the best restaurant in a hotel I have been to. Better yet, it is now one of my favorites in Nashville. I see it quickly becoming the new hot Power Lunch or breakfast spot and a destination for dinner. read more

See all

Wow. Just Wow. Short rib and Quail Egg Bone marrow!? Get the fuck outta town. If you put this plate in front of me, and told me that if I ate it, a stranger on the street would immediately drop dead....pfffffffft, sorry stranger...I'll send flowers... Shrimp & Ricotta Crostini. Bomb. Crab Corn Dogs. Bomb. Fried Green Tomatoes. Bomb. Brussel Sprouts. BOMB. Free Range Chicken. Bomb. Scallops. Bomb. & oh yea...The bone marrow dish. Bomb, Bomb,Bomb,Bomb Bomb, Ba-bomb. Service was awesome. Dessert was complimentary. Loved this place from start to finish. P.S. - I'm aware I just gave a 5 star review to a restaurant using no adjective other than "bomb". Sorry food snobs. That's how I roll. read more

Hotel restaurants tend to get a bad rap in the food world, but if you find yourself staying at the Lowes Vanderbilt Hotel, you will be in for a treat. I decided to dine here for a birthday celebration due to the good press Mason's consistently recieves in the greater Nashville area. If you are not staying at the hotel, you can valet your car. Do not forget to ask your server for a vocher. This is a big bonus in my book because it is always gracious of a hotel to pick up the valet tab for their customers. The menu and decor both celebrates traditional Southern cuisine, however it didn't come off as upscale to me. The menu and decor comes off as thoughtful, well planned with a side of kitsch. Mason jars make up a majority of the decor. The rich browns and clean lines make for a relaxing dinning room. There is a private dining area on the side for larger groups (so keep that in mind yelpers if you are hosting a fun event). I loved the bar menu, it was a leather bound booklet with a very beautiful picture of a rabbit on it. I started with the Peach Old Fashioned. They infuse makers mark with peaches. The house made hop bitters cut through the sweetness of the peaches making for a well balanced drink. My friend tried the House Made tonic and gin. The tonic had a bit of an earthy taste to it. Once the cocktail was completed, the biggest win was it was Wine Wednesday. Half price bottles of wine (yes please). The appetizer selection was good. They were out of oysters, but I lived! The crab corndogs are so good and the jars were a great complement. I loved the pimento cheese and pepper jelly. For dinner, I had the Chicken Gallatine with spicy collard greens and a turnip green puree. All the flavors blended together beautifully and the chicken was very tender. The Halibut and the Mason's burger were all enjoyed at the table. Lastly, the Elivs dessert was the best. I am of firm belief that dinner should be chocolate, upon more chocolate with chocolate and chocolate, plus some ofther stuff. So that being said, dark chocolate mousse, with a bacon white chocolate brittle, peanut butter and bananna jam could have been my 1st, 2nd and 3rd course. read more

This is certainly not your average hotel restaurant. The bar area is very cool-looking with Mason jar lights surrounding the bar, but we bypassed it to head to the dining room. The hostess was friendly and sat us immediately even though we were early for our reservation. For a Saturday night, I imagined it might be a little more full. We started off with cocktails - me with a Peach Ol' Fashioned and my husband with the Canna Manhattan. My drink was perfect - not too sweet with a little kick of bitterness on the end from the hop bitters. The Canna Manhattan had just the right touch of cinnamon, though it wasn't really what I was in the mood for on a warm July evening. I was looking forward to the starters the most, and we ordered in waves. First the jars of pimento cheese, pepper jelly, and lima bean hummus. Then the Devil of an Egg, which is a must-order. The crunch of the mustard seeds and smokiness from the bacon jam complemented the creaminess of the deviled egg. My husband nearly licked the jar of pimento cheese. We did have to request more crackers to go with the jars. Next up were the crab corn dogs and the fried green tomato. The presentation was stunning, but they didn't have the same wow factor of the previous order. The crab in both dishes didn't seem very fresh, and the taste of the oil from the fryer came on a little strong. By this time, I was getting full, so I ordered the sweet corn bisque instead of a full entree, and my husband selected the smoked pork and huitlacoche tacos. My soup was fabulous, obviously very fresh corn and the slight sogginess of the shrimp fritter added some texture. I had a bite of the tacos and was very impressed by the taste of the pork. Naturally, we couldn't skip dessert, and the TN Bombe caught our eye. Some of the best peach ice cream I've had on a base of buttermilk cake encased in Italian meringue with a slight char from flames. Despite our full stomachs, we polished that baby off in no time. The one glitch in our visit was our server. He seemed to disappear for stretches, and it took him an inordinately long time to bring the glass of wine I ordered after finishing my cocktail. I witnessed one of the other servers being much more attentive to his table, answering questions, and engaging with the customers, and I wished that he would switch with our server. I'm not sure if our server was simply inexperienced or having an off night. read more

This place was excellent. Although oddly located in the Loews, in a hotel-bar-looking area, the food, drink and service was stellar. We were visiting from NYC, basically saw a picture of the beefcheeck bone marrow in a Nashville magazine, and immediately booked a table. We ordered that first off, and it lived way up to expectations. We also polished off sriracha collards, which taste heavenly with the cheese grits, and ordered some beef cheek truffle poutine (from the bar menu) and fried green tomatoes with crab. So good we wrapped up what we couldn't finish and had as a souvenir meal when we got back home to NYC. read more