I don’t write very often about new restaurants outside of Davidson County, and that’s my bad — I’m sure there are plenty of Bites readers from the ring counties. I also don’t write frequently about chain restaurant openings, so this is going to be a bit of a departure for me as I tell you about a new curry spot coming to Smyrna.
The reason I’m fudging my own unwritten rules is that Curry Up Now is a small family-owned chain that started up just a few miles from where I lived during the late ’80s, and they currently have a location just around the block from my favorite college hangout. Plus, Smyrna deserves to know that some good curry is coming their way!
Free burritos!
The Smyrna location at 2160 Rock Springs Road will be locally owned and plans to open with a big celebration on Saturday, Aug. 22, at 11 a.m. The party will feature a DJ, henna art and a wheel you can spin to win Curry Up Now swag and even free meals for a year. The first 250 people at the party who sign up for their rewards program will receive a free burrito.
The menu at Curry Up Now is a mishmash of traditional curries, kebabs and rice bowls alongside what they call “Kinda Sorta' Desi-Indo Californian Creations” ranging from an Indian take on poutine to a “Naughty Naan” flatbread topped with jalapeños and caramelized onions. The Smyrna location will also feature a localized “Nash & Three,” a value meal made up of two tandoori-charred chicken chops, masala mac, peri-peri corn, saag paneer and naan.
There will also be a bar in the house, subtitled Mortar and Pestle. Among the promised cocktail options are: the Junkyard Heart, a vodka and apple brandy version of a traditional mule; the Filter Kaapi, a South Indian coffee martini made with chicory coffee and salted coconut milk; and the Mortar and Pestle, torqued up with Tennessee whiskey and rye and served, as expected, in a mortar.
If you get there before I do, save me a place in the free burrito line!
etc.'s beet salad
What do those kitschy kitchen signs say? “In this house we celebrate small things!” Well on this website, we celebrate victories by local independent restaurants whenever we can!
Achievements like the fact that August represents 10 successful years of operation by Deb Paquette, Jess Lambert and the whole team at etc. in Green Hills. I dined there recently, and I swear that the short bar at etc. is like Cheers for bank presidents. The convivial attitude of the longtime loyal staff has made the restaurant a haven for regulars, and staff and guests greet each other like true friends.
etc.'s bar
It doesn’t hurt that the menu is filled with chef Paquette’s style of inventive, deeply flavored food accented with unexpected international flavors and flourishes. As part of the decade celebration throughout August, etc. has put together a special anniversary four-course tasting menu, which includes some of Deb’s favorite dishes from the original menu along with a few surprises for just $65. And I can tell you, it’s a lot of food with big portions, so come hungry! From an opening salvo of Vietnamese short rib to a celebratory birthday cake ice cream dessert, they’re playing the hits at etc.
“When we started looking back at our original menus, it brought back a lot of memories,” said Paquette in the anniversary announcement. “Those dishes tell the story of who we were when we opened, and they’re still a great reflection of how we love to cook today, pulling inspiration from different places, layering unexpected flavors and creating dishes that surprise people in the best way. As we celebrate a decade of etc., it felt right for us to bring those dishes back for the guests who have been with us from the beginning, along with a whole new group discovering them for the first time.”
Those enjoying the tasting menu can also avail themselves of a few drink specials, including wine deals and cocktails. I quite enjoyed a Salt of the Earth cocktail made with Hendrick’s gin, cucumber puree, lime, Chareau aloe liqueur and a salted rim. It was like a boozy spa drink for only 10 bucks.
Chef Paquette is spreading the love throughout the neighborhood that has embraced etc. over the past 10 years by hiding 10 $100 etc. gift cards at local shops and businesses to encourage patrons to go on a bit of a scavenger hunt and patronize some of etc.’s neighbors. Participating businesses include Corzine & Co., Elan, Fleet Feet, Fox’s Donut Den, K. McCarthy, Levy’s, Parnassus Books, Plaid Rabbit, The Perfect Pair and White’s Mercantile. Deb doesn’t know where each business hid their card, so I hope you don’t have to leaf through every book at Parnassus!
Guests can follow @etc.nashville on Instagram for scavenger hunt clues, participating business spotlights and anniversary celebration updates throughout the month.
