Jun 11, 2024 - Food and Drink

James Beard Award for best new restaurant eludes Kisser

Nate Rau

A salad from Kisser — The chopped salad from Kisser. Photo: Courtesy of Alison Carmona Rau

Kisser, the small Japanese comfort food cafe located in East Nashville, did not win the James Beard Award on Monday for best new restaurant.

Kisser was the first Nashville restaurant to ever be nominated for the prestigious award, given to just one eatery.

Yes, but: To even be nominated alongside the most critically acclaimed restaurants in the U.S. was a tremendous honor for the restaurant founded by the husband-wife team of Brian Lea and Leina Horii.

Flashback: Kisser attracted national acclaim in the last year. Before serving its first customer, Kisser was touted as one of the most anticipated new restaurants by Bon Appétit.

It was named one of the nation's best new restaurants by the New York Times and received a rave review from Condé Nast.

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James Beard Award for best new restaurant eludes Kisser

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