4 days Ago By Chris Chamberlain
After a few months of speculation, hiring and training, Sean Brock’s next restaurant project is almost ready to welcome guests for the first time. ShowBiz Pizza Place — ahem, sorry — I mean Sho Pizza Bar will officially open on Monday, April 14, in Riverside Village at 1309 McGavock Pike. Brock will be joined by Nashville natives Mary Carlisle and Ben Gambill in operating the restaurant, which offers a unique take on what Brock calls a neo-Neapolitan pizza.
Brock and his team have spent a long time perfecting the special dough, and the name of the restaurant refers to the Japanese word "shokunin," or full commitment to a craft. So early references to “ a Japanese pizza bar ” might not have been the most complete descriptor, and that’s partially my fault. The Japanese element of the operation is more of a vibe of creative dedication rather than a specific cooking style or technique.
Indeed, the pies will represent a combination of many cultures, with mozzarella imported from Italy, produce and meat toppings sourced from local farmers, and a handmade wood-fired oven stoked with hickory and oak for a nod to the region’s barbecue culture. Brock promises traditional pizzas like m argherita, marinara and bianca along with daily pizza specials called Sho Stoppers. The kitchen will also offer fresh salads, small plates like tuna crudo and cured meats, plus “foldie” sandwiches made from Sho’s dough, which undergoes a three-day fermentation process in the restaurant’s temperature-controlled dough room to add complexity to the flavors.
Brock has worked with chefs Trey Tench and John “Woody” Woodward to perfect the dough and tame the infernal wood oven to create what Carlisle and Gambill promise will be “a place that reflects the welcoming nature of Nashville but also the best ingredients and techniques that the pizza world has to offer. In partnership with Sean, Trey and the rest of the Sho team, we believe we are creating something truly unique with an amazingly talented team. From our carefully selected seasonal ingredients to our intimate open kitchen, we care about every detail of the Sho experience.
” In addition to a 30-seat dining room, a lucky dozen diners will be able to sit at a chef’s counter for a front row seat of the action. The dining room will be seated by reservation, but the bar is for walk-ups only. Sho will also feature a full bar with beer, cocktails and natural wines.
Let the Sho begin!.
