In this week's issue of the Scene,
restaurant critic Carrington Fox visits Epice, the new
Lebanese bistroin the 12South neighborhood.
The name derives from epice, the French word for spice, and it's the cherished project of veteran Nashville restaurateur Maher Fawaz, a native of Lebanon.
"Maher Fawaz calls it his vision of a street scene in Europe or the Middle East," Fox writes. "Fawaz would know. He lived in both places before settling in Nashville 30 years ago and launching the beloved Kalamatas restaurants in Green Hills, Brentwood and Belmont."
Fox is impressed by Epice's sleek but intimate interior, designed architect by Patrick Avice du Buisson to "showcase, not compete with," the vibrant flavors of the traditional cuisine. She adds, "And Epice's culinary team — comprising several Fawaz family members — also surpasses expectations."
That's right, in addition to its comfortable elegance, Epice is a true family-owned restaurant.
"Dining at Epice can feel like a family affair, with Maher and his sister Ghada circulating the dining room; Ghada's husband, chef Will Zaitz, and Maher's wife, Kitty, preparing dinners and desserts based on Fawaz family recipes; and Kalamatas co-owner Beth Collins (Fawaz considers her as family) chipping in with rice pudding and fig vinaigrette."
Read the full review here.
