Chef Julia Jaksic, owner of Cafe Roze and Roze Pony, learned a lot about cooking from her father, a butcher who immigrated from Croatia in the 1970s. Jaksic doesn’t make the food of her childhood in her restaurants, but for one night, Nashvillians will be able to enjoy something different from her.
On Thursday, Feb. 22, Jaksic will team up with chef Tony Mantuano of Yolan for a collaborative dinner as part of Dine Nashville, the citywide series organized by the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp.
“Doing pop-ups in the city you are in seems a little silly," says Jaksic. "Is it a little redundant to serve Roze items that you can get in town?” But she was intrigued by the opportunity to work on something different with Mantuano. Italy and Croatia share many flavors and techniques, as both countries have coastlines along the Adriatic Sea. So the two developed a menu that speaks to that overlap.
The menu will include pljukanci pasta with wild mushroom ragu and black winter truffle, and brudet, a traditional Croatian seafood stew with scallops and langoustine. Yolan pastry chef Noelle Marchetti will offer kremšnita, a caramelized puff pastry dessert with vanilla bean and whipped sweet cheese to end the meal. Some ingredients are being brought in specifically for the dinner, including Croatian cheeses and sausages.
Jaksic and Mantuano considered taking turns on courses, which often happens at pop-ups, but the two decided it would be more fun to collaborate on each dish. In addition to working with Mantuano, Jaksic is looking forward to cooking in the large Yolan kitchen, preparing a fine-dining meal, both of which are departures from her work at Cafe Roze in East Nashville and Roze Pony in Belle Meade.
Jaksic’s father is flying into town for the events. If you want to join him, reservations can be made online.
Tickets to the dinner, which benefits the Music City Inc. foundation in support of The Giving Kitchen and Big Table, are $125, with wine pairings $205. Modifications for allergies, vegetarians and vegans are not available, but gluten-free and pescatarian options will be available.
