Eating at Kase feels like crashing a friend’s bumpin’ dinner party—except this friend can really throw down on some fish. It’s one of the hardest reservations to get in Nashville, mostly due to the quality-to-price ratio: $75 for fourteen courses of exceptional fish flown in from Japan and Spain.
The room is small—it seats 14 people total—but instead of feeling stuffy and pretentious like some other omakase experiences, Kase is approachable. Fun, actually. There’s 2000s hip hop piping through the room, service catering to your every beverage whim, and sushi chefs who are having just as much fun as the diners. It sets the stage for a low-key, relaxed experience that makes some of the more adventurous dishes seem more exciting than daunting.
The 14 courses will change depending on what’s available in some of the top fish markets around the world, but on any given night, you might be treated to a grand tuna tasting of chutoro, otoro, akami, torched slices of salmon, otoro caviar, and custardy uni. It’s almost impossible to decide which is the best bite.
There’s a tightly curated wine and sake menu to accompany the experience, but cocktails are where Kase shines. The Japanese whiskey old-fashioned is clean and balanced, while an ube mocktail walks the line between dessert and piña colada without falling over the edge.
The vibe: An intimate dinner party with a turned-up soundtrack and vivacious chefs that keep the energy (and food) going.
The food: Exceptionally prepared bites of sushi and nigiri with savory twists.
The drink: Wines, sakes, and a crazy good ube mocktail.
Time Out tip: Get there early to enjoy a pre-dinner drink at Kase’s Japanese cocktail bar—it’s officially the smallest bar in Tennessee.