Otaku Ramen Turns to Sake Bombs and Karaoke for Its Nightly Izakaya Makeover

One of Otaku Ramen’s locations is getting a bit of a rebrand. Starting today, April 15, the East Nashville location of the local ramen chain officially turns into Otaku Ramen Izakaya from 4 to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

According to owner Sarah Gavigan, the new iteration will channel the spirit of the Japanese “yokocho” (or, alleyway) in the Golden Gai district of Shinjuku in Tokyo. What that means in terms of the experience is a return to the Bar Otaku menu circa 2019: okonomiyaki, skewers from the Japanese grill, sesame green beans, and the blue crab hand roll, with all items priced between $3-$12. (Otaku Ramen’s usual menu will be available for lunch and dinner as well.)

An expanded drink menu will include beer, sake, whiskey highballs, sake bombs, batch cocktails, frozen drinks, and pours from the Kirin Ichiban frozen beer machine. Guests can expect soundtrack playlists created by a local artist, as well as DJ and karaoke nights throughout the summer, pushing the boundaries between dinner and dancing nightly.

“This expression of Izakaya is the Golden Gai down and dirty kinda vibe. Simple and affordable for every day with a healthy dose of beer, sake, and loud music,” says Gavigan. “In other words, it’s about to become a party.”

Smokehouse Sips returns to Loveless Cafe

Loveless Cafe’s seasonal outdoor patio bar is back — this past weekend, Smokehouse Sips officially opened for the spring and summer season. With covered picnic tables and bar service, Loveless’ temporary bar is churning out specialty-crafted cocktails and mocktails, including a signature drink in honor of the Nashville Kats that utilizes Loveless’ Blue Lightnin’ Moonshine Mixer. Smokehouse Sips will also feature its own signature menu.

Smokehouse Sips is open on Saturdays and Sundays, beginning at 9 a.m.

Sean Brock hosts a cooking demo and tasting at the Frist Art Museum

On Friday, April 19, chef Sean Brock will help the Frist Art Museum close out its Southern/Modern exhibition with “Food of the South,” a presentation, cooking demonstration, and tasting that shows how food creates a sense of place and helps shape Southern identity.

Tickets for the event are $150 for Frist Art Museum members and $175 for general admission (parking and gallery admission included) and can be purchased here.

Tailor joins forces with Chicago’s Coach House for one night

Vivek Surti of Tailor Nashville will host chef Zubair Mohajir of Chicago’s Coach House for a special collaboration dinner on Thursday, April 18. Both James Beard Award semifinalists, Surti and Zubair met in Chicago and realized they share the same cultural heritage and dinner party-style service. Their collaboration will feature a five-course menu that shines a light on that connection. Tickets are still available for the 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. seatings and can be purchased here.

Quick Hitters

• Ophelia’s Pizza + Bar launches lunch service: After a successful run with lunch takeout and delivery, Ophelia’s downtown is now offering dine-in lunch service Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., followed by a midday menu Monday through Thursday from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• The Finch launches brunch service: Union Station’s newest dining option has launched its weekend brunch service. On Saturdays and Sundays, the Finch is dishing up brûléed bananas French toast, brunch tacos, jumbo shrimp and grits, and specialty brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Wandering Cask is back at the Loews: On April 19 at 6:30 p.m., Mason’s at the Loews Nashville Hotel will host its semi-monthly dinner experience. This time around, chef Sean Strolle will be exploring rosés from around the world through a five-course tasting menu. Tickets are $150 per person and can be purchased here.
• The Catbird Seat cookbook is out now: Chef Brian Baxter’s tenure at the Catbird Seat has inspired him to look back on his time there with a memoir/cookbook featuring 470 recipes from Baxter’s time there, including the Redneck Sushi, hay-smoked mussels with sauce poulette, and burnt banana bread. The limited edition run is capped at 500 copies and is priced at $199.99. Place your pre-order here.