The culinary team at Mimo Restaurant and Bar has partnered with Chef Hrant Arakelian and Chef Abbas Al Nakhli of Lyra for two special chef collaboration dinners in February, as part of Dine Nashville: The Music City Way. Mimo will also celebrate Nashville Restaurant Week with a special prix fixe offer available from February 26 through March 3, 2024.
On February 8, Mimo Restaurant and Bar will host visiting Chefs Arakelian and Al Nakhli for “Mimo Welcomes Lyra,” a special four-course dinner celebrating the flavours of Italy and the Middle East. The evening will begin with a special amuse-bouche of Middle Eastern bread and dip and a welcome cocktail or mocktail. Drawing inspiration from Lyra’s mezze-style menu, each of the four courses will include multiple sharable dishes served family-style.
The first course includes small plates of Fermented Cauliflower with Farro Salad, Arugula Emulsion, and Kelp Seaweed; Baked Celery Root in Clay with Truffle Sauce and Shaved Winter Truffle; Carrot “Kibbeh Nayeh” with Lacinato Kale, Toasted Caraway Seeds, Fermented Garlic Molasses, and Juniper Oil; and Ouzi with Wild Rice, Almond, and Cauliflower Tahina Mousse.
In typical Mimo fashion, the second course will highlight the restaurant’s beloved homemade pasta selection with two offerings: Gnocchi served with Mussels, Pecorino Cheese, and Tarragon; and Manti served with Lamb, Matzoon Broth, Pickled Mushrooms, and Aleppo Pepper.
The main course includes sharable servings of slow-cooked Pork Belly glazed with Mustard and Hibiscus accompanied by Heirloom Carrots; Roasted White Cabbage with a Coffee Lemon Yogurt Sauce; Chickpea Miso Marinated Wreck Fish served with Saffron and Olive Oil Poached Rutabaga, Black Olive Toum, and Escarole Salad; and Squash Dolma with Freekeh with Bourbon Mash and Fresh Herbs.
The meal will conclude on a sweet note with an Italian-inspired Millefeuille made with Vanilla and Candied Dates and served with Orange Blossom Water Ice Cream, as well as an Armenian Nine-Layer Ginger Cake served with Whipped Labneh Mousse and Candied Ginger. Guests will also leave with a “sweet goodbye from Lyra” in the form of baklava.
“Since opening Mimo Restaurant and Bar, it’s been our dream to welcome local chefs into our kitchen to create memorable collaborative dining experiences for our guests,” said Dejan Todorovic, Director of Food and Beverage.
“Lyra is one of Nashville’s culinary gems, a truly unique and exquisite restaurant, and we are so honoured to host Chef Hrant and Chef Abbas at Mimo. We look forward to adding some Middle Eastern flair to Mimo’s classic Italian dishes, for this one-night-only dining experience.”
“We are thrilled to join forces with the chefs at Mimo on these menus,” said Chef Hrant Arakelian.
“Lyra’s food showcases the diverse techniques and tastes of the Middle East in a distinctive way. We are eager to create a similar fusion with two amazing chefs who have a deep knowledge of Italian cuisine.”
