French bakery and cafe Olala Café will open in April in SoBro.
Mathis Combaluzier
Photo: Olala Café
According to a release, the family-owned business — founded by Arnaud Combaluzier and his son, chef Mathis Combaluzier — will operate at 818 Palmer Place near Cannery Hall and Cummins Station.
The cost to get operational and terms of the lease with the property’s owner, local entrepreneur Keith Maune, were not disclosed.
The release notes the cafe’s menu will feature house-made croissants, pastries, crêpes and other breakfast items prepared daily using traditional French techniques and ingredients.
The cafe’s interior will offer “authentic antique French furnishings and art … that reflect the charm and warmth of a neighborhood café in the south of France.”
Olala Café will operate from the space last occupied by Puerto Rican cuisine restaurant Salsa.
Born and raised in Provence in southeastern France, Mathis Combaluzier pursued formal training at French culinary institution École Nationale Supérieure de Pâtisserie Alain Ducasse, considered by many as ranking among the world’s top pastry schools.
Following graduation, Combaluzier worked at Pierre Hermé in Paris, the Mandarin Oriental in Paris and Mila Restaurant in Miami Beach.
“My love of pastries and community has guided me from Provence to Paris and Miami, and now to Nashville,” Combaluzier said in the release.
“Olala Café is an opportunity to build something unique that reflects my values of authenticity and creativity while sharing the tradition of French pastry and building a community around it. My father and I have been welcomed to Nashville with open arms coming here from France and can’t wait to return the favor.”
Olala Café will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. From 8-11 a.m., parking is free, while from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., parking is $2. An opening date will be announced soon, the release notes.
Dining and Cooking