In the buzzy Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood, among a sea of red brick, a new restaurant with a white-subway-tile exterior and bright red awning stands out. After much anticipation, Pastis, the beloved French brasserie, has opened in Nashville.
Yet once you’re inside the timeless bistro, it feels as if Pastis has always been here. For example, the signature tin ceiling tiles were white when they were first delivered, says general manager Tyler St. Denis. “The amount of time and effort that they took to age the ceiling as if someone’s been chain-smoking here for 200 years is incredible.”
ERIC ENGLAND
In one section of the 170-seat restaurant, designed by Ian McPheely of Paisley Design NYC and famed restaurateur and Pastis founder Keith McNally, red leather curved booths surround dark dining tables. In another area, distressed wood tables paired with Windsor chairs sit atop mosaic floors. The walls are dotted with hand-painted mirrors on a backdrop of white subway tiles. An 18-seat curved zinc bar — a stunning focal point — stands ready for service as guests arrive. Golden-hued globe lights add to the ambience.
A patio with a designated bar, which will seat another 60-70 guests, is slated to open in the next couple of months. “If there’s one thing we’ve learned about Nashville, it’s people love their patios,” says Tyler, with a smile. He says the restaurant has a broad appeal. “You can come in for a burger and a beer, or you can come and celebrate your parents’ birthdays. It has something for everyone.”
ERIC ENGLAND
Founded in 1999 in New York City’s Meatpacking District, Pastis quickly became the place to see and be seen. It’s been mentioned in TV shows like Sex and the City and movies like The Devil Wears Prada, and it’s become a celebrity favorite. Liv Tyler reportedly held her wedding reception at Pastis. Designer Donna Karan even introduced her Spring 2005 collection there. While the restaurant moved from its original location over a decade ago, it’s still in the same neighborhood, just one block away. Pastis is now part of the hospitality group STARR Restaurants.
At 512 Houston St., the Nashville location is housed in an early 1900s building that was part of May Hosiery Mills, a famed sock factory known for making the all-cotton socks worn by astronaut Neil Armstrong when he first walked on the moon. The historic significance appealed to the restaurant group, as did the architecture.
“And with an establishment that’s already stood the test of time, it’s kind of perfect for us,” says Tyler.
ERIC ENGLAND
Classic Fare
With executive chef Mark Coleman at the helm, Pastis will offer Parisian favorites. To start, there’s oysters mignonette, escargots and onion soup. Featured entrées include boeuf bourguignon, duck confit, trout amandine and steak frites. For those feeling a little less adventurous, there’s also a “cheeseburger à l’Américaine.”
Daily specials might feature chicken Kiev, dover sole meunière, and bouillabaisse. For dessert, offerings include a vanilla bean crème brûlée and a dark chocolate mousse. There’s also an extensive list of wine, beer and cocktail options.
ERIC ENGLAND
Daily Bread
The Nashville location is the first Pastis to have an in-house bakery, says Tyler. Soon, he says diners — and even passersby — will be able to buy a baguette or loaf of sourdough to take home. They might walk by and think, “I’m not ready for a full lunch, but a baguette on my little morning stroll would be perfect,” says Tyler.
The restaurant is now open for lunch Wednesday – Friday 11:30am-3pm and weekend brunch Saturday – Sunday: 10am-3pm. Carrie Bradshaw would be proud.
ERIC ENGLAND
In Good Company
AJ Capital, which owns the former May Hosiery Mills, is reimagining it as a mixed-use development called Wedgewood Village. Along with a half-dozen new buildings, it will feature high-end retail, restaurants, residences, and a 4,500-seat concert venue.
“We’re lucky enough to be one of the first projects here — to be part of the building blocks for [the neighborhood],” Tyler says. There will be parking in the coming months, but during construction, he suggests getting a rideshare or taking advantage of valet.
Dining and Cooking