Gretel Y.
Yelp
Our experience was just A-OK.
My husband and I needed a quick breakfast before leaving Nashville. Many restaurants we wanted to try had long lines, but we noticed that The Diner did not. We walked in and were directed to the sixth floor for additional seating. The sixth floor is open-air, offering a fantastic view! Most tables were occupied, so we settled into a couple of seats at the bar.
There was only one bartender on duty. Although she was friendly, she seemed a bit overwhelmed. We later learned that she was filling in for the original bartender who had called out.
We ordered the following dishes from her:
California breakfast sandwich: $15
Shrimp and grits: $26
The California breakfast sandwich featured grilled tomato, avocado, gruyere cheese, bacon, and egg on sourdough, accompanied by a side of homestyle potatoes. The shrimp and grits came with spicy jumbo shrimp topped with BBQ butter sauce, served over smoked gouda grits. Both dishes were decent, but neither was particularly remarkable or disappointing.
We also ordered coffee alongside our meals. The bartender brought me a cup and informed my husband that a fresh pot was brewing and would be available shortly. Unfortunately, my coffee was cold, so I requested a cup from the fresh batch. By the time we finished our meals, the fresh pot was still not ready, so we decided to cancel the coffees. Though it wasn't her fault, the bartender did apologize. She did best that she could. On our way out, we grabbed lattes from the cafe on the first floor, which were also just average.
If you're seeking brunch with a lovely view and no wait, The Diner might be a good option.