Gerard Craft's Pastaria Popping Up at Otaku Ramen; Mission BBQ Headed for Opry Mills

THE GULCH - Before opening Pastaria here later this summer, St. Louis chef and 2015 James Beard Award winner Gerard Craft wants to kick Nashville's tires first via a series of pop-up events. First up is a preview at Otaku Ramen on Monday, Feb. 22. Taking place from 6 to 9 p.m. with seating first come, first serve, guests can try dishes such as bucatini all’amatriciana and canestri cacio e pepe. [Eaterwire]

OPRY MILLS - Maryland-based barbecue chain Mission BBQ plans to open their first restaurant in Tennessee this spring at Opry Mills. Serving up Texas-inspired beef brisket and North Carolina-style pulled pork along with a healthy side of patriotism, the restaurant's owners support a range of first responder and military non-profits, including the USO and the Wounded Warrior Project. [Eaterwire]

NASHVILLE - Music City's own Matt Bolus, executive chef at The 404 Kitchen, will be appearing as a contestant on the new Bravo cooking competition show Recipe for Deception this Thursday, Feb. 11. Hosted by former Eater Top Chef recapper Max Silvestri and including chef Jonathan Waxman (Adele's, Bajo Sexto) as one of the judges, the episode will air at 10 p.m. EST/PST. [Eaterwire]