With so many great places to eat in Nashville these days, dining out is definitely making our jeans a wee bit tighter. But, ohhhh, we can’t help but continue to revel in what fabulous food Nashville’s restaurants continue to provide. Add Moto Cucina • Enoteca to the list of places to linger over cocktails and wine with some tasty Italian food, attentive service and beautiful space. We gathered together, ordering many starters, sides and a few entrees and watched everyone pitch in to clean up every last bite!
Moto is the newest creation of M Street Entertainment founder Chris Hyndman. Located on the “M Street” block between Virago and Saint Anejo, Moto features rustic-modern Italian cuisine with a seasonal menu. Executive Chef Andy Hayes has purposefully and beautifully balanced locally sourced items and premium products from Italy. With pasta dishes, seafood and pizzas on the menu, fans of Kayne Prime (I know, that means just about everyone reading today) will be happy to know that this sister restaurant also has a comprehensive steak and chop section.
For wine and cocktails, the bar at Moto is ample in size and proves to be a great place to meet for drinks or small bites. We were impressed by the list of over 30 wines available by the glass and 250 labels in total. The wine list is decidedly Italian-heavy, compromising about 50% of the selections. Intentional focus is obvious in the selection of wines from boutique wineries, as well. For those who like to stick with cocktails, the couture cocktail list proved to be everyone’s first (and second!) drink on our visit.
Here’s what we ordered off the seasonal menu:
I would be remiss if I did not mention the private rooms that are available for parties of up to 14 in the chef’s room and up to 36 in the private ‘speakeasy’ bar and dining room near the back of the building. The private space is open to the kitchen and has a private bar area, which allows for a true interaction of guests with chefs and bartenders during private events. Anyone planning large gatherings or a special birthday needs to consider this as an option as the added culinary elements make for built-in entertainment.
The Gulch keeps getting better and better. It’s hard to believe how much has changed in this neighborhood in just the past 5 years. Grab some friends and enjoy the music, shopping and the food. For dinner plans, consider Moto. It’s delicious.
For more details on Moto, and to make reservations, click here.
