Nashville | First Look At Ophelia's
It's officially that time of year again when I scroll through Instagram and think, "You're on vacation….again?" While my feed is filled with friends sipping on Aperol Spritzes, wandering through cobblestone streets, and learning to make the perfect pasta, I've discovered a little taste of Italy a little closer to home at Ophelia's Pizza + Bar.
Brought to you by the team from Church and Union, Ophelia's Pizza +Bar is located in the heart of downtown Nashville, below the historical L&C Tower. You are immediately transported outside of Nashville as soon as you enter the restaurant. Admittedly, I was easily distracted by the gallery wall, which features more than 600 hand-selected pieces of art, several highlight team members' European vacations, and photos taken by Patrick Whalen, co-owner of the 5th Street Group, grandfather.
The restaurant has an intimate ten-person bar where guests can relax and partake in classic cocktails or choose from a wide selection of wine. For those who prefer to dine al fresco, Ophelia's Pizza + Bar has a lovely patio filled with greenery and umbrellas that give you enough privacy for dinner but allow you to enjoy the views and excitement of downtown.
Ophelia’s Pizza + Bar Menu
Let's jump into the delicious details, shall we?
The menu at Ophelia's focuses on Italian-inspired cuisine. Chef Partners Jamie Lynch (Season 14-Top Chef) and Adam Hodgson (Season 23-Beat Bobby Flay) not only import many ingredients directly from Italy but also source locally when possible.
Meatballs | Tomato Sauce + Cold-Pressed Olive Oil + Parmesan Reggiano + Toasted Crumbs
Guests can expect an assortment of antipasti, including Salumi e Formaggio and Neapolitan-style pizza that can be dressed up with freshly shaved truffles or made to be “Nashville Hot.” The entrees include classic dishes like the Lasagna Bolognese, and if you are looking for something a little on the lighter side, there’s a Branzino served with garlic confit, shrimp, and a warm lemon vinaigrette.
To start our evening, we ordered Meatballs, which were highly recommended by the staff. Of course, they were perfection, and the tomato sauce was chef's kiss.
I don't know about you, but I always order a salad whenever I realize I may overindulge. It's as if those four fork fulls of greens will balance out the other 5,000 calories I'll have throughout the evening. I was intrigued by the Ophelia's Salad which was topped with crispy pepperoni and dressed with White Balsamic Vinaigrette. We were definitely in the minority as most of the other guests enjoyed the Caesar Salad, which looked amazing and something I will order during my next visit.
Ophelia’s Salad | Arugula + Chicories + Crispy Pepperoni + Cherry Tomato + Radish + White Balsamic Vinaigrette
The absolute standout of the evening was the Lasagna Bolognese. It's easily one of the best dishes I've had all year, and you know I eat a lot! This dish is not for the faint of heart and should be shared as it weighs in right around two pounds. This dish is topped with a bechamel sauce which adds a rich, creamy flavor and blends the flavors together nicely.
Lasagna Bolognese | Bechamel + Fior di Latte + Parmesan Reggiano + Ricotta + Meat Sauce
Lasagna Bolognese | Bechamel + Fior di Latte + Parmesan Reggiano + Ricotta + Meat Sauce
When it came to ordering a pizza, I was incredibly torn as there were so many incredible selections. Naturally, I gravitated immediately towards the Truffle pizza, which includes tomato-truffle sauce and freshly shaved truffle. Still, overwhelmingly the crowd favorite was the Funghi, so of course, we wanted to see what all the hype was about.
What can I say? They did not steer us wrong! If you are a mushroom lover, this is the pizza for you, and remember to top it off with some freshly grated parmesan.
Funghi Pizza + Crema Acida + Duxelles + Button Mushrooms + Fior di Latte + Black Truffle Oil + Arugula
As if we had not eaten enough that evening, we were coerced into sampling not one but two of Ophelia's dessert offerings. Twist my arm, right?? Ophelia's currently offers three desserts: Tiramisu, Cannoli Sundae, and a Big Fat Cream Puff. Anytime I see Tiramisu on the menu, there's a 99.5% chance that I will be ordering it, and y'all, this did not disappoint. I can't say that I've had candied hazelnuts in Tiramisu before, but I love added texture and crunch. Talk about an OMG moment.
Tiramisu | Black Cocoa + Frangelico + Candied Hazelnuts
If you want a flashy dessert, I recommend ordering the Big Fat Cream Puff. It's dressed tableside with bittersweet chocolate ganache and topped with powdered sugar.
Big Fat Cream Puff | Demerara Craqueline + Whipped Vanilla Bean Cheesecake Mousse + Bittersweet Chocolate Ganache
You’ve enjoyed an incredible meal… now what?
On Fridays and Saturdays, the space transforms into The After Dinner Party. From 10:30 p.m.-3:00 a.m., guests can enjoy VIP table service and dance into the wee hours of the morning. The ultimate way to work off the carbs!
Welcome to Nashville, Ophelia’s Pizza+ Bar. I know I’ll be seeing lots of you in the future!
Tariff: Antipasti ranges from $9.00-$55.00, while pizzas and entrees vary from $19.00-$34.00. Desserts are between $13.00-$15.00. Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity to look at a wine or cocktail list.
Can’t Miss: Hear me say, DO NOT LEAVE WITHOUT ORDERING THE LASAGNA BOLOGNESE. Before I left the restaurant, I decided that this was easily one of the best dishes I’ve had in 2023. It’s incredibly hearty, packed with flavor, and can easily be shared.
Potential Pass: If I had to do it all over again, I’d pass on Ophelia’s Salad and order the Caesar. Maybe it was FOMO, but that salad looked incredible.
Parking: While rideshare is recommended, there is a garage less than a block away from the restaurant.
Until Next Time!