Kayne Prime, Nashville’s Sophisticated Steakhouse

I’m not sure if I’m the last person in Nashville to finally get to Kayne Prime to have one of the legendary steaks. I tend to avoid steakhouses, because the food is usually too big, the rooms too dark, and I feel like I need to be having a business meeting.

Kayne Prime changed all that because although there is a dress code (see below), it’s a very approachable steak house.

Just like every other M Street restaurant, Kayne Prime is mindfully and creatively designed without being too trendy, because the food is always the star.

This might be the first steakhouse I’ve been to that will appeal to a woman (starting with the red glass chandeliers at the entrance) and yet make any man feel man cave comfort with the barn wood walls, and comfortable,  yet stylish, leather booths.

The decor still has lots of wood, but nothing like the old timey paneled walls of yesterday. Lights appear to float in midair, hanging from a wood ceiling in the main dining room part of a design that brings the steakhouse into modernity in a timeless, approachable fashion.

A nice touch is the linen napkin place-mat. It softens the table, and adds a little dressiness to the table. I wish more restaurants would do this, especially, when you can expect to spend $100 per person.

In the 2014 Best of Nashville, Kayne Prime was touted best service and best steakhouse.

Service at Kayne Prime

Service is seamless and attentive, but not uncomfortably so. The food comes front and center with star quality from beginning to end.

Wine and Cocktails

We didn’t order cocktails, only wine,  because we had a long evening ahead of us as we were going to a performance at the Ryman.  Next time, I’m having the Maple Wheat Old Fashioned.

The Starter of all Starters at Kayne Prime, You Must Order

We could have chosen oysters, bone marrow, wagyu tartar to start, all of which would have made me happy.

We took our waiter, Ryan’s suggestion and ordered the house made bacon with maple cotton candy. It’s more like a pork belly and he explained that too so there would be no surprises. This was just enough for the three of us to have a bite of sweet and salty. The presentation is absolutely fabulous, better than what my camera can show you in low light.

We ordered the Caesar salad with black olives. It’s topped with a very crispy crostini in place of crouton, a much better choice. The dressing is very balanced and bright without being garlic heavy. I’m a salad lover, and could have eaten two of these. I’ve already made my own version at home and will be posting that recipe here.

This is the one I made at home (below). Dining out is how I get my biggest inspiration cooking at home. The simple dishes with complex flavors are my favorite thing to copy.

Beef at Kayne Prime

We ordered the Wagyu filet and two sides for our party of three. Cooked perfectly to our medium rare request, and so tender, you could cut the filet with a fork. One of us ordered the blue cheese topping but I opted for no topping, because I think the steak is too good to need anything.

At first Doug was sorry he didn’t order the 10 ounce, but with salad, sides, and popovers, the six ounce is still a lot of steak. I had a hard time finishing and gave him my last two bites. Perhaps it’s so filling because it’s a highly marbled cut of beef, with no waste. There are other cuts of beef such as a bone in rib eye and a bone in tenderloin, for the very hearty appetite. Doug eats beef all over the country and thinks this is the best steak he’s ever had.

Seafood and Vegetarian at Kayne Prime

They also have four fish and seafood dishes for those who aren’t meat eaters and a vegetable platter that makes this the restaurant choice where everyone should be happy. Much of the food is naturally gluten free, dairy free, etc. I like it particularly for it’s clean food, simply prepared, high quality ingredients. I would love to go back and have the wood fired whole  2 pound lobster with three butters, while Doug wants to have the orecchiette with Wagyu Italian sausage, peas and tomato cream.

We left the side choices to our guest. I would have opted for the Brussels sprouts and root vegetables, for these are dishes a bit heavy for me. Haivng said, that, if you’re a scalloped potato fan, these gruyere spinach au gratin potatoes are stellar.  Even though this would never be my choice because I don’t like cheesy dishes, I ate every bite.

The green beans were mildly spicy, and the crispy onions were light and not greasy. None of us had any problems finishing these, and yet we still ordered dessert because it was our guest’s birthday.

The popovers were a great surprise and perhaps one of the best bread choices I’ve seen in any Nashville restaurant. I would have been so disappointed if they served biscuits or cornbread, just because it’s Nashville.  Popovers go wonderfully with beef and they are light enough to enjoy without the heaviness that bread would give. They were so pretty, yet light and airy.

The Desserts at Kayne Prime

We chose an apple tart with ice cream. The pastry was tender, although we wished the apples were sliced thinner and I found them too tart.

The winning dessert was the toasted banana bread with hot toffee sauce and mascarpone gelato, served in cast iron. This is the dessert I will try to copycat in my own kitchen, because it’s not like any banana dessert I’ve had. Extremely moist inside, crispy on top. Even though, it sounds heavy, it’s a great choice to share and ends the meal on a good note.

Kayne Prime has valet parking, and is an upscale steakhouse. Please see the note below regarding their dress code, It’s only for men.

Dress code: Business casual
Please respect: On gentlemen – shorts, hats, sleeveless shirts, jerseys, open toe shoes and flip flops are not permitted.