Yolan’s Tasting Menu: A First-Class Ticket to Italy (No Passport Required)
Yolan | Stuzzi Tower | Marinated Puglia Olives + Cannoli Al Fegato Grasso + Arancini Al Ragù + Calvisius Caviar Bomboloni + Compressed Farm & Fiddle Watermelon Tower + Eggplant Parmigiana + Fried Castelvetrano Olives
Nashville’s food scene continues to evolve. The hot chicken still sizzles, the biscuit joints still draw lines, but there’s a new undercurrent rising: refined, global, and quietly confident. It’s not about Instagrammable cocktails or overhyped openings (although LaLa Land seems to have taken Nashville by storm). It’s about substance. Craft. Intention. And Yolan, nestled inside The Joseph Hotel, is leading that charge. This isn’t Italian food for the masses, it’s Italian food for those paying attention.
Here, pasta is sacred. Wine is a dialogue, not a prop. And the service? Discreet, dialed in, and refreshingly unpretentious. Yolan doesn’t chase trends; it builds trust with each guest, one perfectly layered bite at a time. You don’t stumble in here. You arrive. With purpose nonetheless. And if you’re lucky, with a healthy appetite and just enough curiosity to surrender to the experience.
I was thrilled when Yolan invited me to try their new menu, which was inspired by the flavors of Puglia, the charming heel of Italy’s boot. But I’ll admit, I was even more excited to hear that they’re bringing back their tasting menu.
Now, tasting menus can be a bit divisive. Some love the idea of surrendering to the chef’s vision; others miss the freedom of à la carte. Personally, I am all in on the experience. There’s something magical about sitting back and letting the kitchen take you on a journey, often seasonal, sometimes surprising, but always intentional. No decision fatigue here (aside from choosing whether to add a beverage pairing…which you absolutely should).
Bonus? These menus often include experimental dishes you won’t find elsewhere. For the adventurous eater, it’s a golden ticket. In Nashville, spots like The Catbird Seat, Bastion, and Tailor have built their reputations on exactly this kind of curated experience, turning dinner into a destination.
Yolan’s tasting menu featured five courses, and yes, the entire table needs to participate. ( Commitment is sexy after all)
The meal kicks off with the Stuzzi Tower, a whimsical stack of savory delights that’s bound to make you smile. Highlights include the Arancini al Ragù (tiny crispy flavor bombs) and the Calvisius Caviar Bomboloni (just let that sink in). While the tower is included in the tasting menu, you can also order it à la carte for $32.00 per person. Pair it with a glass of bubbles and voilà: the chickest “ girl dinner” in town.
Next up: bread lovers, rejoice.
Yolan’s signature sourdough focaccia is baked fresh daily and served with a trio of spreads: whipped butter, whipped ricotta with fermented garlic honey ( yes, really), and warm ‘nduja. If you, like me, are always chasing “ the perfect bite,” try a smear of ricotta topped with a bit of ‘nduja. Trust me. It’s transcendent.
Yolan | Focaccia | Custom Blend EVOO + Yolan Balsamico
For the second course, guests can choose between two standouts: Acquasala, Puglia’s rustic answer to panzanella, or Tonno e Melone di Puglia, a dish that feels like a vacation on a plate. Both are solid choices, but for me, the tuna stole the show.
Delicate slices of Bluefin Tuna are paired with cantaloupe and a bright, citrusy kumquat granita. It’s light, refreshing, and tastes exactly like summer, if summer wore linen and sipped Aperol by the sea.
Yolan | Tonno E Melone Di Puglia | Bluefin Tuna + Cantaloupe + Kumquat
Yolan | Acquasala | Sungold Cherry Tomatoes + Focaccia +Ramps + Basil
The third course is where things get tricky, especially if you’re a pasta devotee like me. You’ll be asked to choose between two very tempting options: Spaghetti alla Chitarra or Risotto all’Assassina. It’s a delicious dilemma.
While I have a soft spot for a well-executed risotto, the spaghetti won my heart (and my fork). The flavors were just shy of sublime, and the mix of textures added a beautiful complexity to the dish. It was comforting but elevated, the kind of pasta that makes you pause mid-bite, close your eyes, and silently thank the chef.
That said, if you’re a fan of bold, smoky tomato flavors with a hearty edge, go for the Risotto all’Assassina. It's rich, dramatic, and just a little bit dangerous, in the best possible way.
Yolan | Spaghetti Alla Chitarra | Broccolini + Pecorino Romano + Calabrian Chili
Yolan | Risotto All’Assassina | Heirloom Tomatoes + Basil + Parmigiano Reggiano
By the fourth course, it’s all about the protein, and trust me, the stars are out. Guests choose between two heavy hitters: Fave e Pesce Spada (swordfish) or a 6-oz center-cut filet.
If you’ve been following Blonde Voyage Nashville for a while, you probably already know how this went. I took one look at the swordfish... and politely waved as I headed straight for the filet. No regrets. Tender, perfectly cooked, and seasoned to let the quality of the meat shine. It was a classic done exceptionally well.
Yolan | 6oz Center Cut Filet Mignon
Of course, the fifth and final course is the sweetest of farewells. Guests are faced with one last delicious dilemma: Gooey Butter Cake Gelato (yes, it’s as decadent as it sounds), topped with warm butterscotch, or Bacche e Grana, a refined finish featuring toasted rice pudding and a stunning blackberry chip sherbet.
Honestly, this might’ve been the toughest choice of the night. I’m an unapologetic sucker for anything with “Gooey Butter Cake” in the name, so that was my obvious first pick. But the Bacche e Grana? Also dreamy. Light, elegant, and a perfect contrast to the melt-in-your-mouth sherbet.
Yolan | Gooey Butter Cake Gelato | Toasted Vanilla Meringue + Miso Butterscotch
Yolan | Bacche E Grana | Orange Blossom + Chocolate +Toasted Rice Pudding + Blackberry-Chip Sherbet
If you’re looking to feel fancy without hopping a flight to Italy, Yolan’s tasting menu is your golden ticket. It’s the kind of dinner that makes you want to cancel your after-dinner plans, lean back in your chair, and say “Mamma Mia” with zero irony.
Every course feels like a love letter from Italy: thoughtful, seasonal, and unapologetically indulgent. Whether you’re celebrating something special or just pretending you’re on an episode of Chef’s Table, this is one meal that will leave you full, happy, and already dreaming of your next visit.
Until Next Time!
