My Birthday Dinner at Culaccino in Franklin, TN
- Michael Parise
- Jul 2
- 3 min read
We celebrated my birthday at Culaccino in Franklin, TN—an unforgettable night with incredible Italian dishes, warm bread that brought back childhood memories, great wine, and perfect company. A must-try spot in Middle Tennessee!
Our night at Culaccino in Franklin, Tennessee was absolutely amazing. I’d even go as far as to say it’s one of the best Italian restaurants in Middle Tennessee.
We’d been there before for lunch and always enjoyed it, so for my birthday dinner, it felt like the perfect choice.
Arrival and Atmosphere
We parked nearby and went in for our reservation. While the hostess wasn’t the most personable—just a bit off-setting—the rest of the service was solid. We were quickly seated, water glasses filled, and our bottle of wine ordered.
Wine and Bread – Like being at Home
We chose a bottle of Sandrone “Dolcetto 2021”, a wine we love and highly recommend.
Soon, warm bread was brought to the table—and I have to say, it immediately brought back childhood memories. It tasted exactly like the bread my mother used to make. Truly spot on and wonderfully nostalgic.
Appetizers to Start
We kicked off with two standout starters:
Piedmontese Beef Tartare, Sea salt, extra virgin olive oil, lemon, parmigiano
Asparagus Fritters, Pecorino, lemon, saffron aioli
Both were fantastic. You could taste the quality of the ingredients in every bite—bright, fresh, and expertly prepared.
Our Main Courses
For entrées, we each chose something different:
My wife’s choice: CAPPELLACCI
Sweet corn, milk ricotta, asparagus, speck, dehydrated tomato, spring onion, arugula pesto, parmigiano,
She was wowed by it and said the arugula pesto was to die for.
My daughter’s choice: Ravioli
Veal shoulder, bone marrow, robiola, Brussels sprout leaves, butter sauce, Sangiovese reduction, red wine sorrel,
She called it spectacular.
My choice: Grouper
Served with risotto, haricot verts, heirloom carrot, lemon butter, salsa verde, It was fantastic—so fresh you’d think there was a body of water right outside the kitchen.
No Room for Dessert – But Plenty to Celebrate
We were all so full that we skipped dessert at the restaurant. We already had birthday cake waiting at home from Triple Crown Bakery in Franklin. (Stay tuned—I’ll be writing about them soon!)
Final Thoughts on Culaccino
All in all, it was a great birthday dinner with the most important people in my life. We got to celebrate together in our new town of Franklin, Tennessee, a charming city with deep roots, southern hospitality, and a truly delicious food scene.
We absolutely love calling Franklin home and watching it grow.
If you haven’t yet, make sure to visit Culaccino and savor every bite of this little Italian gem right down the block.
Pro Tip
✨ Pro Tip: Make a reservation in advance—it’s a popular spot, especially on weekends. Ask for one of the cozy indoor tables or the covered patio if the weather is nice.
Culaccino Address and Contact
📍 Culaccino Italian Restaurant + Bar
104 E Main St Suite 101, Franklin, TN 37064
📞 Phone: (615) 538-6021
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i gotta check it out!