Hotel chefs rarely receive enough praise for what they do, managing huge staffs and providing food at all hours of the day or night to sometimes prickly business travelers. These chefs are definitely a different breed, and you rarely see hospitality chefs jump into the regular restaurant world or vice-versa.
But the Renaissance Nashville Hotel downtown has scored a new exec chef for its impending restaurant project — someone who comes with some pretty impressive credentials. James Kerwin will helm the kitchen at Little Fib, a lobby eatery opening later this month with plans to offer American retro-themed food that acknowledges the rich history of Nashville through Southern cuisine, live music and specialty drinks.
The restaurant will be accompanied by a bar with a dozen draft handles, an extensive cocktail menu and specialty drinks. The new restaurant will feature a 26-seat bar in the center of the restaurant, two private dining tables plus all sorts of booths and side tables to provide a total seating capacity of 185 people.
The name of the restaurant comes from a music industry quip. You're probably familiar with the first part, which says country music “starts with three chords and the truth." But another version of the saying continues, "before it moves to five chords and a little fib, to eight chords and an outright lie.” Kerwin describes the new restaurant thusly: “We expect Little Fib to become a popular spot for business lunches and a dinner destination prior to shows at the Ryman Auditorium, Bridgestone Arena and other downtown venues. Nashville has such a vibrant food scene, and it is an honor to be a part of it. We can’t wait to share Little Fib with everyone.”
Detroit-born Kerwin has been a part of the culinary team at other Renaissance properties, opening RAISED, an urban rooftop, as well being a part of the team that earned a Michelin star for their work at Bonsoiree. In his most recent gig, Kerwin opened the Showroom Food Hall and Woven & Bound restaurants at the Chicago Marriott Marquis.
Little Fib will open later this month with an official launch party slated for mid-October.
Little Fib
Renaissance Nashville Hotel
611 Commerce St.
