While Nashville seems to be constantly buzzing with new restaurants, few have had as much excitement as famed chef Sean Brock’s new restaurant, The Continental. Located inside the swanky brand-new Grand Hyatt Nashville, the restaurant combines his “passion for culinary history” along with the “traditional elegance of fine dining at The Continental, a reimagined take on continental cuisine and classic American fare.”
While we (not so) patiently wait for the official grand opening, we did a little internet sleuthing, along with some great information shared by Eater Nashville, to find five reasons The Continental is bound to be one of Nashville’s most popular places to dine.
1. Chef Sean Brock
Chef Brock’s name alone is synonymous with great food. Although in his low 40s, he has accomplished more than most chefs do in a lifetime. In addition to being the mastermind behind Nashville’s creative Husk restaurant, he also was the chef of the popular McCrady’s in Charleston, South Carolina. Chef Brock also won the James Beard Award for Best Chef, Southeast, and is a four-time finalist for Outstanding Chef, as well as a three-time finalist for Rising Star Chef.
In 2015, Chef Brock’s Heritage cookbook was a New York Times best-seller, which won the 2015 James Beard Award for American Cooking. He is currently featured on the popular Netflix show, Chef’s Table.
2. Unique Menu Items
According to Eater Nashville, The Continental will include a 10-ounce prime rib, a game bird Pithivier, which is Rohan duck with mushroom duxelles, citrus marmalade, and chestnut, a stuffed chicken breast with confit leg presse, butternut squash and Alfubera sauce. An autumn vegetable tarte tatin is available for vegetarians, with sides including pommes puree and herb butter, and Parker house rolls.
Dessert options include a dark chocolate tart, and an oat-infused maple sweet potato ice cream.
3. Award-winning Staff
The name Sean Brock is enough to draw foodies from all over the world, but his staff are also accomplished in their own right. Chef de Cuisine Colin Shane is a two-time semifinalist for the James Beard Foundation’s Rising Star Chef award, and alum of the three-Michelin-starred SingleThread. Pastry Chef Keaton Vasek boasts an impressive resume that includes being the Pastry Sous Chef at The NoMad Hotel New York (which earned one Michelin star), as well as the Senior Pastry Cook at Eleven Madison Park, both in New York City.
Wine Director Pat Wert was a captain at Eleven Madison Park, and also worked at Major Food Group’s The Seagram Building in New York City.
4. Carry Out, Curbside Pick-Up and Delivery Will Be Available
Beginning on October 8, menu items will be available for carry out, curbside pick-up and delivery, via Toast Now. Guests staying at the Grand Hyatt will also be able to order room service from The Continental. The Continental is planning on being open for a limited number of guests by November 18, although reservations will be required.
5. The Continental Combines Old and New
If you’ve longed to time travel to an earlier era, this is your chance. Chef Brock vows to bring back some of the best parts about dining in the former century, combined with everything there is to love about the culinary scene today.
According to TheContinentalNashville.com, the new restaurant will offer a “lively and welcoming atmosphere, sophisticated design, timeless cuisine, and impeccable service. Expect contemporary renditions of luxury favorites from the 19th and 20th centuries as well as traditional gueridon service offering tableside presentations.”
Updates will be posted at The Continental’s website as available.
