The Grilled Cheeserie takes over the museum’s cafe, but is a reimagined, upscale version of the popular Nashville eatery, with charcuterie and more
First look at the Café Cheeserie at the Frist Art Museum
Try the unusual dishes in a modified version of The Grilled Cheeserie
Popular Nashville hangout The Grilled Cheeserie is taking over the restaurant space of the Frist Art Museum, which is reopening four years after the museum closed at the start of the COVID pandemic.
But it’s not your average joint selling milkshakes and gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches that draws college kids and Hillsboro Village hipsters in droves.
No, instead the “Cafe Cheeserie” has switched to high-class. Yes, there is one grilled cheese sandwich on the menu. But customers will also find charcuterie boards, cheese boards, bruschetta, baguettes, crudités and even coffee espresso drinks on the menu.
“Originally it was going to be a grilled cheese shop, with the exact same menu,” said Joseph Bogan, who owns the franchise with his wife, Crystal De Luna-Bogan.
“But when Crystal and I spent time here at the Frist Art Museum and met with the team, we realized we wanted to do something different,” he said. “We decided to take the exact same approach, but expand on it and make it more tailored to the Frist and its clientele.”
The reopening of a restaurant was important to those responsible for the museum.
“People need places here where they can come together, talk about art and meet friends,” said Frist Communications Director Ellen Jones Pryor.
“And we love the attitude of The Grilled Cheeserie, playful and professional,” she said, smiling. “It’s fromage-oriented.”
The restaurant will host music groups from time to time, Pryor said.
Prices will range from $12 to $20, Brogan said. Customers will order at the counter and staff will bring the food to their table, he said.
The official opening of Cafe Cheeserie is on September 5th, but food is already being served in the meantime as part of its “soft opening”.
The opening hours are the same as those of the museum: Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.
Customers can eat at Café Cheeserie without purchasing a ticket to the museum.
Reach Brad Schmitt at [email protected] or 615-259-8384.
