Nashville Lifestyles
After a much-anticipated wait, the Optimist will finally open its doors to the public with social distancing measures and sanitation policies in place on Monday, June 22. The fish camp experience by chef and restauranteur Ford Fry will occupy the historic former Hammermill warehouse at 1400 Adams Street in Nashville's Germantown neighborhood.
First introduced to Atlanta in 2012, the Optimist quickly became a must-visit eatery for locals and tourists alike, earning a spot on Bon Appetit's Hot 10 list and taking home Esquire's coveted title of 'Best New Restaurant of the Year.' The restaurant's overwhelming success has led to the opening of its second location here in Nashville, and although it will not be an exact replica of the original Atlanta outpost, it will harbor the same spirit.
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Nashville Lifestyles
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In the kitchen you'll find executive chef Ryder Zetts. A native of the south, Zetts will express his creativity through a timeless presentation of wood-grilled seafood and southern-sourced ingredients. The menu will highlight parallels of classic technique and Zetts' contemporary flair featuring items like yellowfin tuna carpaccio with crispy sweetbreads, black trumpet mushrooms, and fava beans, and seared scallops with braised bacon, corn, and charred okra. More playful dishes include chicken and dumplings with potato gnocchi, swiss chard, and pearl onions, and corn milk hushpuppies, beignet style, with a side of cane syrup butter.
Designed by New York City-based design house Reunion Goods & Sevices, the Nashville space will evoke a moody yet luxe take on a classic Gloucester fishing village, set in a reclaimed warehouse and anchored by an impressive open kitchen with endless concrete countertops.
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Nashville Lifestyles
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Nashville Lifestyles
Step outside and an expansive bar affectionally known as "Jacqueline" will transport you beachside and offer an air of fun with bright accents, lawn games, shaved ice cocktails, and a selection of beverage manager Tracy Ardoin-Jenkins' take on a variety of classics. A trained pastry chef turned master behind the bar, Ardoin-Jenkins has worked closely with beverage director Eduardo Porto Carreiro to conceptualize cocktail, beer, and wine lists that complement the individual Optimist experience.
The Optimist will be open for dinner Sunday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The Optimist, 1400 Adams Street; theoptimistrestaurant.com