NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Aba, the Mediterranean restaurant from Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants, will open on Monday, September 15 in Nashville’s Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood. With existing locations in Austin, TX and Chicago, IL this will be Aba’s largest space to date and Lettuce’s first restaurant in Tennessee. Led by Executive Partner and Divisional President Marc Jacobs, alongside Chef Partner and Top Chef alum CJ Jacobson, Aba introduces a fresh, modern approach to Mediterranean cooking with a California influence to Music City.
"We are thrilled to join the creative, up and coming neighborhood of Wedgewood-Houston," shared Jacobs. "The innovative food scene in Nashville continues to grow, and we are excited to be a part of the restaurant community."
Located at 435 Houston Street, Aba – meaning “father” in Hebrew – draws influence from the Mediterranean, while also incorporating Chef CJ’s culinary roots from California. Guests will be transported to summer in the Mediterranean year-round as they enjoy house-made hummus and spreads, hot and cold mezze selections, kebabs, butcher cuts and seasonal desserts.
Menu highlights include iconic Aba favorites like Whipped Feta Spread, Muhammara, Crispy Short Rib Hummus, Greek Village Salad, and Green Chili Shrimp, along with dishes exclusive to the Nashville location including Hummus w/ Chicken Ragu, Smoked Cheddar Labneh, Hot Honey Halloumi, Grilled Beet Steak, Pork Tenderloin Kebab and Frozen Lemon Meringue Bar.
The beverage program at Aba is designed to balance old-world traditions with modern discoveries, highlighting spirits and wines from boutique, family-owned producers and lesser-known regions across the Mediterranean. The extensive wine list, curated by Sommelier John C. Slatter is largely made up of Mediterranean wines, with many from women and minority-owned producers. The vast majority of the selection – both by the bottle and by the glass – comes from winemakers who are certified in sustainable practices and organic sourcing. Complementing the wine selection, Aba also features an inventive cocktail program including zero-proof creations that incorporate Mediterranean flavors and Middle Eastern spices. In addition, Aba Nashville will feature neighborhood partners like Jackalope Brewing Co. and Diskin Cider to bring exclusive offerings to the community.
The two-story, 12,000-square-foot restaurant accommodates up to 340 guests, including multiple semi-private dining spaces and a private dining room accommodating up to 80 guests. Known for its signature indoor-outdoor dining, Aba Nashville features a multi-level large wraparound patio that connects seamlessly with the restaurant’s interiors.
The restaurant was designed by Lettuce Entertain You’s In-House Director of Interior Design Avril Zayas, in collaboration with Executive Partner and Divisional President Marc Jacobs. The interior boasts high ceilings and steel doors that give nod to the neighborhood’s warehouse roots, complimented by found vintage pieces, refined millwork and curated artifacts. Rich tones of leather and stone, mosaic floor tiles and antique mirrors fill the space. The tree and plant filled main dining room is anchored by Italian Murano chandeliers that hang below the expansive skylight.
Since opening its first location in Chicago’s historic Fulton Market District in June 2018, Aba has been named one of “Chicago’s Best New Restaurants” by the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Magazine, one of the “Most Beautiful Chicago Restaurants” by Eater Chicago, and was a nominee for Boutique Design’s “Gold Key Award for Excellence in Hospitality Design.” The Austin location, which opened October 2020, was the 2021 winner of the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards – Americas Alfresco & Biophilic Design and was named “Best of ATX: Reader’s Choice” by Austin Monthly.
Aba Nashville will open for dinner service seven nights a week, with delivery and carryout coming soon. Brunch and lunch service will follow. Reservations are available beginning today at abarestaurants.com and on OpenTable. For more information about Aba, follow @abarestaurant on Instagram.
Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants looks forward to continuing to expand in Nashville with the opening of Sushi-san in the 12 South neighborhood later this year.
Hours
Monday-Thursday 4:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Friday & Saturday 4:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Sunday 4:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Address:
435 Houston Street, Nashville, TN 37203
ABOUT LETTUCE ENTERTAIN YOU RESTAURANTS
Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants is an independent, family-owned restaurant group based in Chicago that owns, manages and licenses more than 100 restaurants in Illinois, Minnesota, Maryland, Nevada, Texas, Virginia, Florida, and Washington, D.C., and Tennessee. We were founded in June 1971 by Richard Melman and Jerry A. Orzoff with the opening of R.J. Grunts and today, thanks to the creativity of our partners, we proudly serve guests at more than 50 concepts ranging from fast casual to fine dining restaurants. For more information, visit www.lettuce.com or follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
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