Great new seafood/steak restaurant on the marina!

[crystalmmor]

There is a new restuarant called The Black Pearl (at Blackjack Cove). It's grand opening is this Saturday, August 8th, at 11am. It is located on Old Hickory Lake in Old Hickory with inside and outdoor seating with a great view.

The menu consists a little of everything. King Crab Legs, Salmon, fresh fish (every day it ships in from Honolulu and it changes daily), crab cakes, club sandwichs, philly cheesesteaks and a lot more. The prices are great, they are not expensive at all and the food is absolutely awesome.

They are open Sunday-Thursday 11am-midnight, food until 10pm and Friday and Saturday 11-1am, food until 11pm. Sundays actually open at 8am for brunch until 2 and then the normal menu starts then. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

There is also a ship store where you can get breakfast in the mornings (even Mondays and Tuesdays). There is also souveniers, snack food, beer, bait (for fishing of course!), and more.

You can book large parties, there is weekend music, catering, all types of stuff. There is also fishing anywhere right around here except from the dock where the restaurant is. There is even fuel for boats sold here.

Come check it out!
The address is 2001 Riverside Road, Old Hickory, TN, 37138. The phone number is 615-847-4022. The website is blackjackcove.com which has the entire menu listed on it.

I clicked on the link to the blackjack cove website and it said "access restricted." I live in Old Hickory and would love to see what's going on there!

'We were at the grand opening of Black Jack restaurant--got seating and then nothing.
Not an acknowledgement from a waitress, no silverware, no water, no drinks, no menus.
(they -were out of menus)
waited over 30 minutes to get served and decided to leave.

We went on a Wednesday night @6:00pm. Very few people were there.
We ordered at 6:10 pm received our meal at 7:15pm My husband ordered the special SeeBass with an appetizer the appetizer was bigger than the sea bass special. Pasta dishes are so-so. Asked for our tabs and it took another 30 minutes. We finally left the restaurant at 8:30pm/we will not go back. Expensive for the lake and lousy service/when asked about the slow service, they claimed this is how all restaurants are when opening--takes time to learn the ropes. Shame on Blackjack restaurant for not being prepared for their "grand opening" Only go if you want to take over two hours for a dinner and spend lots of money for terrible service and so-so food.

A lake lover who loves to eat at restaurants on the lake.

The mangement won't call you back, went there and the Manager said he is having a hard time getting people to work. Tried to make reservations, and he said he would like to but won't be able to. Hopefully, they get things together before they disappoint the people who will keep them in business in the future.

Not a good experience at all. Problems with getting seated, getting orders placed promptly, food service (dishes served at wrong temp.), servers kept banging into our table and our chairs to move chairs to other parts of the deck, had to send food back because it wasn't cooked as we requested, bread never delivered, wine not delivered until the meal was almost over, etc. It's a great location but they're having a whole lot of growing pains.

We visited the "much celebrated" Black Pearl at Old Hickory Boat Dock this evening. We spent a wonderful afternoon on the lake celebrating my husband and his recent birthday. Due to a recent medical situation he has a slight slur to his speech. Due to this, the waitress, without inquiring with anyone else in our party, decided he was too intoxicated to be served BUT failed to inform us of this. When we asked about our order, much later, we were told he could not be served! The owner, Bart Bagsley got involved and was very threatening and basically told me to "leave and never come back". I was also threatened with jail, I will admit there were some "choice" words out of my mouth but there is absolutely no professionalism to this man and I doubt very seriously, with his attitude and the attitude of his "sidekick" that evening they will be in business very long. I don't think they understand that "word of mouth" can make or break a business. My intention would be the latter! I was LIVID! By this time my husband was so humiliated and embarrassed that he had excused himself and gone to wait in the car.

NOT WORTH THE TIME, THE COST, THE LOUSY SERVICE, (they actually ask you what you had when you ask for your bill, I suggest you try the answer "nothing" so you will then be free to go. The atmosphere, minus the staff, is perfect. I hope someone makes it work.

By the way, if you choose to go, DO NOT get the King Crab Legs! VERY salty and rubbery!

I have not been there yet but how many of you that are beating this plave up ever worked in a restaurant? Or better yet how many have you ever openend up a new restaurant? I give them hats of for doing so in a economy like ours today. Give them a chance be patient. I hear the management out there is the problem but am sure that the owneres wil correct that.
From a
Former Executive Chef

Bart and Angela Bagsby are the owners and he was the rudest of them all on the night we visited. Sorry, the owners will not correct the problem as they are the root of the problem!

I refused the automatic gratuity they tried to charge as the service did not warrant a tip. They charged my card for the full 10% gratuity anyway! THAT IS STEALING!

I took my mother and children to eat here and will never go back. When my daughter took a bite of her chicken it squirted very hot juice on her burning her forehead. My burger was about the same as eating one from Wendy's, and the bill was outrageous.

I also know 2 people that work there and haven't been paid.

DO NOT EAT HERE!!!!

First of all, we moved our boat to the new Blackjack Cove in May of this year and have had nothing but good experiences. Having been an avid boater for over 30 years, the attitude of the owners and staff are the reason we moved to this marina.

Every new restaurant has opening glitches, and I have witnessed the owners go out of their way to make things right for their customers on more than one occasion. People that record the time of their order, and the time of its delivery are looking for something to complain about. That restaurant was a huge investment, and a complicated undertaking and the Bagsbys deserve constructive input to make OUR restaurant a success. They will, and do listen. I've had the SEA BASS, the bacon-wrapped filets, the burgers, the alligator, the bacon wrapped scallops, etc on various occasions since its opening and was satisfied with everything. Who knows, maybe it was our happy attitude that made the service and food better than some that have posted on here. We've had small groups, and parties of 16+ and know what to expect with each....and we have not been disappointed.

This new facility is an asset to not only Old Hickory Lake, but Nashville as a whole. There is not a better atmosphere anywhere to be found. At the Black Pearl at Blackjack Cove, whatever you look for is what you will find. Be optimistic and courteous, and you will not leave disappointed. If you like to complain, please stay away from our peaceful marina and its restaurant.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I refused the automatic gratuity they tried to charge as the service did not warrant a tip. They charged my card for the full 10% gratuity anyway! THAT IS STEALING!

Ten percent gratuity? I haven't seen that on any of my bills there....besides, 20% is customary for gratuity. Why would they do that? I also understand the cash register was not ringing up any charges for drinks with Crown Royal, but haven't heard anyone complaining about that.

I am a restaurant owner and have eatin at this restaurat. My thoughts are that this is a positive link for the community and Nashville as a whole. The idea of a family restaurant / marina on the lake is wonderful. If any of you have opened a business you will understand that there will always be problems for a little while. I am sure they are aware and are working hard to resolve these issue. Lets not beat the heck out of this one so fast. We might all regret giving this place a bad rep.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Ten percent gratuity? I haven't seen that on any of my bills there....besides, 20% is customary for gratuity. Why would they do that? I also understand the cash register was not ringing up any charges for drinks with Crown Royal, but haven't heard anyone complaining about that.

We do generally tip more than 20% when food and service warrant it. I wasn't drinking Crown Royal so I'm not sure about the cash register thing. I was not given the chance to include a tip it was simply added to my bill when it arrived. I asked that I be allowed to tip as I saw fit and was denied that right, and it is my right, that is when management got nasty and slammed another bill down on the table in front of me, STILL with gratuity added and said "Sign That". At that point I marked through the gratuity and put the total for food and drink only on the total line. The next day is when I noticed my bank statement reflecting a charge for more than I had agreed to. I now have VISA involved as well as the BBB. They certainly don't agree that this is correct behavior, I believe the word "fraudulent" was used.

I've posted my personal experience from when I ate there, but I have to complain more about the way the employees are being treated.

2 members of my family put so much time and effort into helping get this place going and in the end after all the heavy lifting was done they were tossed aside and then not paid.

THIS IS NOT THE WAY YOU TREAT PEOPLE.

Went tonight with the family.

Service was exceptional. My wife had the Blue Mahi special and it was very good. My daughter had pasta that she enjoyed, and the two little ones enjoyed their kid meals.

I had the blackened grouper. There's a fine line between blackened and burned, and my fish crossed it. It was cold and tough when the server brought it.

We'll go back. There's a few kinks to be worked out, but we'll go back in a month or so to see if they've gotten their act together.

We've eaten dinner on each of the weekends that the restaurant has been open. Tonight was a huge improvement. Our drinks at the bar were very good and priced appropriately. At dinner, the appetizer arrived promptly and was freshly made. The steaks were cooked perfectly. The server suggested a nice wine pairing with the steaks. It appears that the restaurant is finding its legs. Each of the things that we'd had problems with previously had been addressed. Sounds like the management has been listening and working out the kinks. We were very pleased with our experience.

Went yesterday for lunch - August 29. Same problems: trouble finding someone to seat us, drinks brought out late, took a long time for food, food was cold, service was terrible - server never came to check on us - great location, nice decor but service is truly bad.

I almost can't help but laugh reading this. We were at the restaurant the night this lady is talking about. They were clearly indulging in quite a few drinks and their behavior was nothing short of appauling.

Really, you should be embarrased by the way you behaved. Does swearing like a sailor usually help you get your point across? The staff there did the best they could to clean up after your scene and the owner personally visited each table with an apology for what were had to sit through while trying to enjoy a nice night out on the lake.

By the way, legally, it is the bartenders responsibility to keep track of drinks and cut off individuals that have had to much...IT IS FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY and for the rest of us on the road!


I do not work for this restaurant or know anybody that does....just a patron who happen to bear witness to this ridiculous scene brought on by too much alcohol.

Stop blaming others for your own poor choices and give these people a chance to succeed.

I don't know if all these other patrons went the first night they opened but 4 of us were there on a Saturday evening at 6 and it was lovely. The sea bass, salad, blackened grouper? the other 3 had was all excellent. They have THE BEST fruit tea. The desserts were to die for. We will definitely be back.

My wife and I have eaten at the Black Pearl well over ten times since it opened last month. Yes we were there the grand opening night, and the service was not up to par... but from our experience since then the service has gotten progressively better. This is not unlike any other new Nashville restaurant - I recall similar experiences when The Palm, Watermark, Radius 10, and Sunset all opened.

What I can certainly brag about is the food and place itself! What an overdue welcome addition to Old Hickory! We have tried many of the items on the menu and in all cases we have been very pleased with our food. We eat out frequently, and the prices are all very competitive if not below what other restaurants charge for similar menu options.

Enjoy!

I have been to The Black Pearl twice and have had bad experiences both times. I am in the hospitality business and have opened many restaurants, so I do know what it's like, and never before have I witnessed such an unorganized mess. Things will have to drastically change before I spend any more money there.

I ate lunch at the Black Pearl on Friday, Sep 4. While the food was excellent, the waitress was an idiot. She never wrote anything down, claimed she didn't need to because she'd done this for years, then forgot/screwed up everything from that point onward. The place was not very busy, but we finally had to get up and head for the door in order to get our bill so we could pay. The waitress received a tip that was less than a dollar, and I was 45 minutes late getting back to the office.

On Saturday, Sep 5, I took two more people there for lunch. The first thing I did was ask if the waitress from the day before was working that day. She was not, or I would have asked to be seated in another area. Not only was the food excellent, the service was as well. That waitress received 20%.

On Labor Day, I took my mom there for lunch. The food was excellent, the service was friendly and accurate, but the place was packed so the service was a bit slow. I tipped 20% because the music wasn't the fault of the waitess (more on that later).

I intend to take my out-of-state co-workers there whenever they come to my office.

There are many positives (location, food, dining area, relaxing atmosphere, the big boats, etc.), but there are two negatives: the music from the dock next to us was deafening and uncomfortable on Labor Day (there was no live music the other two days), and even though I ordered the same things on each of the three visits, each day the dishes were prepared differently. I prefer to know what I'm getting when I order it, and although the changes weren't necessarily bad ones, I didn't expect or appreciate them.

I expect that the two negatives are bugs that will be worked out. If they're not, I'll just stop going there. I expect Codes or Zoning to put a lid on the music volume, and once they get a good routine in the kitchen, the cooks will stop experimenting with the dishes.

It sure is nice to have a real restaurant in Old Hickory at last.

[WLE]

This place is coming together well. The service is improving everyday and our dinner tonight was absolutely perfect. Perfect taste, quantity and atmosphere. The service was exceptional as it seems like any bugs that were present were fixed and running like a well oiled machine.

BlackJack Cove is a well kept secret, less than 2 months old but a great place for a terrific meal and hang out on the lake.

I have read the negative comments on the thread and shocked about some of the comments, seems like some of the old timers or ex employees that can not change with the times are not giving it a fair shake.

Candidly, this is shaping up to be the best place to eat in the Nashville area. try it you will like it! Trust me, I have eaten at just about every place in Nashville and now this is my favorite!

I ate there again last night and wow. Awesome. The food was terrific and service the best ever. I inquired and they are under new management. It seems like the staff is motivated, focused and working to give a great experience. We are going back tonight for some fresh flown in seafood they are getting.

Try it, you'll like it. It seems like the new management is getting things right. What a refreshing place to eat!

My wife, sister, brother-in-law and I visited the Black Pearl on Labor Day, giving them some time to get their routine in order. I've often wondered why anyone but close friends or relatives would take the time for a "grand opening". You are a human guinea pig, for gosh sakes.

Anyway, there were quite a few people present and the service was somewhat slow, but not intolerable. Everyone at our table had great reviews on the amount and quality of our food. The wife and I went back yesterday (Saturday). The place was full and the service was much better. The restaurant serves a very good cheeseburger. The view from within is superb. Old Hickory is in terrible need of a good restaurant such as the Black Pearl. Every Thursday, I dine with ten to fifteen NMPD retirees, at different restaurants all over the city. Come in this Thursday, around 11 AM, and give us a "hello". I don't know the marina owner or the restaurant manager. I'm glad to see someone make a huge investment in the area. My wife and I are glad to help.

And BTW, isn't it good that we have a good bar manager who doesnt sell to those who are inebriated or recovering from " a recent medical situation". At least someone was looking out for the health of the previous posters husband.

I accidentally went to BJ Cove/Black Pearl on opening day. Took an hour to get served. Food was so-so. Ambiance was just ok. Not enough space for boats to tie up. No way to trailer your boat after eating if there's a crowd as other boats block the ramp. (Is that legal?)

The owners wife screeched at me on the phone recently when I asked a question about a slip. I won't go back for any reason. The Hendersonville side of the lake is much better. And any marina at Center Hill beats BJ Cove on slips, price, food, service and most of all ATTITUDE.

Maybe they'll fill they're slips with high rollers and then when the Wolf Creek Dam work is finished and Lake Cumberland is brought back to normal pool they'll be left sitting in the mud. It's shallow there and the lake is high now. Just something to ponder.

I have eaten here twice. The first time was shortly after they opened and it was barely mediocre, but decided to give it another try. Again the result was the same. Both times the service was slow and inattentive. The grit cakes were good, the boursin mac & cheese was good, the fish my husband ordered didn't taste fresh, the scallops wrapped in bacon were over cooked and you can get way better shrimp enchiladas at any local Mexican place. Anchor High is about ten times better so I don't know if I'll bother with this place again. If they don't do something to improve the preparation and quality of the food and their service, they'll never make it through another summer. They might as well stop all the building.

For those of you who weren't in the know or to those who chose not to attend, you missed a great time had by all. Although costumes were optional, over 100 peeps dressed in an array of elaborate costumes. All ages ranges were present & mixed well, with child care provided in a separate area for those who chose not to exclude the little ones. They, as well, seemed to be having a great time with treats & goodies galore.

Bart & Angela were great hosts but people make the party. Thanks to all of you who took part in making this Halloween most memorable. What a blast!!