Pop-Up Pro’s South Asian Restaurant Opens Soon With Bourbon-Spiked Fruit Tea

One of Nashville’s favorite pop-up chefs, VEA Supper Club’s founder Vivek Surti is opening his highly-anticipated first restaurant, Tailor Nashville on December 6. The South Asian American dinner-party-inspired restaurant, located at 1300B 3rd Ave North in Germantown, starts accepting reservations online on November 27.

Expect a rotating menu featuring Western Indian Gujarati dishes that Surti — a first-generation American of Indian descent — grew up eating. Surti describes two types of cooking from that region — the version that people eat in restaurants and the kind they eat at home. He says Tailor will showcase the at-home dining experience, and plans to welcome guests to his restaurants as if they’re arriving into his own home, greeting them with a story, a unique bite, and serving plenty of drinks.

Whispering a taste of Music City into the drink menu, Surti plans to serve a spiked signature punch that’s a nod to Nashville’s beloved fruit tea — with notes of black tea, pineapple, orange, lemon, and bourbon. This tradition of punch is yet another nod to Surti’s roots, as the word “punch” is a loanword from the Hindi word “panch” (meaning five), as the drink is made with five ingredients.

Nods to Surti’s heritage extend throughout the space — from the large 64-bulb crystal chandelier centerpiece from his childhood home to glass jars passed down from his grandmother displayed on shelves. The chef’s table is named after Surti’s sister, Zarna, and is referred to as Zarna’s table. The siblings are very close, and Surti says she has served as the creative director behind Tailor. He says the chef’s table is reflective of his sister’s “one-of-a-kind personality and ultra-luxe taste.” Zarna’s Table will be offered to parties of six or more and add special benefits, like a welcome drinks and a few extra courses.

The 40-seat restaurant will offer two seatings at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Thursday – Sunday, and dinners will span between eight to ten dishes, starting with snacks on the table. Surti will share stories between courses, providing guests context to the chosen dishes. Heather Southerland, an owner/partner of Frothy Monkey, is partnering with Surti, adding her front-of-house expertise to Tailor.

Reservations must be made in advance online at www.TailorNashville.com. Reservations will be available on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018; then guests can book reservations from December 6-30. Dinner costs $60 per person with upgrades, like drink pairings, available.

• One of Nashville’s Favorite Pop-Up Chefs Is Launching a Restaurant [ENASH]
• Tailor Nashville [Official Website]