Salento Italia

My boyfriend and I went to Salento Italia last night for about the 5th time...we are obsessed! Not only is the modern upscale yet casual design refreshing and exciting, the servers are extremely kind. I always feel so comfortable every time I walk in. We have loved EVERYTHING we've gotten, especially the specials! Last night we split a delicious, creamy tortellini and the spaghetti and meatballs. The tortellini was smooth and bright, with a delicious speck undertone. The meatballs were garlicky and delicious (definitely would get as an appetizer too), while the spaghetti sauce was classic and flavorful. We ended the meal with a cannoli each and double shot of espresso...absolutely divine! I used to live in Boston and would rate the cannoli here better than any I've had in the North End. This is our favorite restaurant!

Good: arancini- never had it with a sweetness before- since they put honey in theirs. I liked it! Desserts- (actually the best food items we are) Affogato, tiramisu and budino were all good!Hugo spritz- tasty, refreshing, great on a hot night. Needs work: focaccia- half the pieces were burnt Mushroom orecchiette with chicken- not seasoned at all. No flavor profiles other than cream (didn't even taste the truffle)...needed to salt it. Also, the chicken seemed like an afterthought, not cooked with the pasta sauce, but blackened, dry, sliced and put on top (reminded me more of chicken you would add to a salad). My companions said their pasta dishes were also unseasoned and one said the gnocchi was just ok. Nashville has amazing food, need a little more from Salento. I won't be deterred though, it's lovely inside and will be back to try other menu items (fingers crossed).

Ordered for delivery so maybe the dine in experience is better.I had a taste for Italian so I ordered a few things that looked good. I liked that had small sizes for sharing or for a single person to get a taste for multiple things. Ordered the arancini, cheese and shrimp tortellini, and papparadelle bolognese. Food was very bland except for the arancini. A bit of salt and pepper helped the tortellini but such a lack of basic and fresh seasoning was disappointing. I never give a solid bad review from one visit so for now this gets three stars because it wasn't bad just bland. I'll try another time and update my rating

Absolutely loved this place. The ambiance is a perfect crossover between upscale and casual. It's a great option for a date night. We started off with the focaccia and arancini. You MUST get both. This was incredibly and packed so much good flavor. For our mains, we got the pappardelle bolognese and margarita pizza. You can tell how fresh the food is when enjoying these main courses. The pizza was perfectly cooked in the brick oven. We ended our meal with to-go tiramisu which did not disappoint. If you are looking to get out of Nashville's craziness you should 100% check this place out. The service is great and plenty of parking!

Tonight was my second time to come to Salento and I absolutely love it! My friend and I shared the Calamari and she got the orecchiette and I got the bolognese. And we shared the tiramisu. I love that you can get smaller portions...when I went with my friend the first time, we both got a small portion of a pasta and shared them together! My friend loved her orecchiette and I liked my bolognese (I did think it could've used a little more seasoning.) But the noodles, themselves, were great! I asked for a side of their marinara sauce and it was delicious! I saw a few dishes of their chicken Parmesan served with that sauce, so I think that will definitely be the next dish I try! The ambiance is warm and inviting...the opened up the shades around sunset, which added a delightful layer to the atmosphere. Service was attentive and kind! Can't wait to be back again soon!

Overall a good experience. A few nit picky things and one bad. The pasta doesn't have enough salt when preparing but that is typical of restaurant pasta everywhere. I understand why.Let me start with the bad. My wife had the roasted cauliflower spaghetti had way too much lemon and three of said the same thing.The appetizers were very good. The chicken part was very good as well. One of our friends had the Gnocchi that I didn't get a picture of and she loved it. Let me say the cocktails were amazing. They do not hold back on the booze.We want to come back for pizza.

I cannot speak highly enough about this place. First I'm thankful I'm able to walk here. But secondly, the environment is phenomenal. You have such a wonderful vibe in an area you would never expect it. The wonderful views and they raise the windows at sunset. I was so surprised by the attention to detail by the staff both times I've been. Once for a quick dinner and another for my birthday. This has quickly become a favorite hotspot of mine. The food is absolutely out of this world. The mushroom pasta dish is my fav but there has not been a complaint from anyone of my friend group and we all have a variety of appetites. A wonderful appetizers is the charcuterie board for a group. The espresso martini is honestly to die for. I cannot rave enough about to food, ambiance and service. This is my go to place.

Our family enjoyed our first time visit to Salento Italia Restaurant. Dining is screened outdoor patio, main level/bar level, and upstairs. We chose upstairs for more quiet conversation. Bright, modern, hip décor.Friendly, attentive service. Brothers Bill and Sam Darsinos continue to excel as restaurant operators. We made a reservation and seated on time. Large groups are accommodated with notice.Enjoyed small Caesar Salad, Mista Salad, Mussels over bed of Spaghetti, Braised Short Ribs with Gnocchi, Lasagna Bolognese, and sauteed spinach Italian-style. Washed down with a few Moretti lager beers. Everyone in our party would order their dish again.Menu is simple and something for everyone.I suspect that the staff assigned to the upper dining room are worn out tired by the end of the evening.Private parking lot. Pluses:* Every dish was delightful* Open for lunch, Mon-Fri* Beer, wine and drink menu with prices* While a small selection, the Happy Hour menu is honored in the dining rooms, 3:00 - 5:30 PM every daySmall Gripes:* Most disappointed no draught brewskies* How could this classic dish be missing from the menu: Linguine with White Clam Sauce / Linguine alle Vongole???

Favorite Dishes: Gnocchi & Short Rib, Burrata Salad with Golden Beets, Affogato, Arancini

I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Salento Italia...and it would have been even better if I'd gone with folks who enjoy fine cuisine (unfortunately I did not).On 3/9 I was in a group of 9 eating at this restaurant for my mother's birthday. I was at once taken with how cute the restaurant was. The lower level featured an open floor plan, and a large bar area. The upstairs was smaller but well lit with a bunch of tables, chairs, and booths. The only downsides were the bathrooms are all on the first floor and all the food had to be carried up the stairs 2 plates at a time. We were seated on the 2nd floor of course.Our waitress was great, attentive and unfailingly polite despite many in my party being annoying and basic AF.Ordering took forever but that was due to us, not to the wait staff. I ordered a beer, which was very good, and the filet mignon. I didn't order my own appetizer but sampled all the appetizers folks around me ordered. The focaccia, calamari, and bruschetta were fabulous. And my steak was amazing! I cleaned my plate! Unfortunately, a lot of the people in my party ordered the chicken pasta dish, then complained it was too dry when it arrived. They're likely used to Americanized takes on food, which includes too much sauce and portions that are too large.Dessert was gelato, pistachio was the absolute best! I'd definitely return next time I'm in the Nashville area!