TomKats Inc. Celebrates 25 Years of Culinary Hospitality and Service with New Restaurant Venture

 

For Nashville, TomKats Inc. (www.tomkats.com) is the iconic institution that brought to life the-first-of-its-kind  “Dancin' in the District” event in 1993, established the award-winning Saffire Restaurant in Franklin, Tenn., and engineered the rebirth of the world-famous Loveless Cafe, to name a few of its many local contributions. In January 2012, TomKats Inc. will mark the anniversary of its 25th year in business by opening the southern steak and oyster  at The Pinnacle at Symphony Place. The new restaurant represents the culmination of TomKats’ well earned reputation for culinary excellence and ongoing commitment to its customer-focused philosophy.

 

“The common thread in all that we do has always been a fantastic meal served with genuine Southern hospitality,” said TomKats Inc. CEO and Founder Tom Morales. “As culinary opposites, steak and oyster represent the yin and the yang, the range of foods and service we have been providing on movie and video sets for two and a half decades.  We’re adept at tailoring menus according to distinct palates and dietary restrictions, and the southern's menu and service will reflect that."

 

The southern steak and oyster will honor TomKats Inc.'s long-held mission to provide locals and Nashville visitors a truly unique, non-chain dining experience. Utilizing only the freshest quality, the restaurant will feature direct-sourced oysters and seafood, the finest beef available, and local buying strategies using area farms whenever possible.

 

"With our tag line, ‘South of Somewhere,’ we want the southern steak and oyster to be known as the place where comfort meets culinary, without limitations,” Morales continued.

 

Construction on the 7,000-square-foot restaurant began this month, with completion slated for January 2012.  Located in one of the most vibrant areas of downtown Nashville – just blocks from the Music City Convention Center, The Bridgestone Arena, the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, and the Country Music Hall of Fame ® and Museum – the restaurant will feature an eclectic design that will communicate both warmth and fun.  The front area will include a circular, copper bar along with a New Orleans-style marble oyster bar and strategically placed, unobtrusive televisions for game-day crowds.  The more formal dining area will seat 80 and feature recycled hardwood floors, a beadboard ceiling, and state-of-the-art audio visual capabilities. The open kitchen area, visible from any vantage point within the restaurant, will allow guests the opportunity to watch the creative food preparation.  The dining area can also be transformed into two private areas for special occasions or celebrity guests.

 

“We are delighted Tom Morales chose The Pinnacle at Symphony Place as the site for his newest restaurant,” said Cushman & Wakefield/Cornerstone CEO Warren Smith. “There is strong demand for a top-notch dining experience in the burgeoning SoBro district. With TomKats’ tremendous track record in the restaurant industry, the southern steak and oysteris certain to become another successful Nashville icon.”

 

In keeping with TomKats Inc.'s ongoing commitment to green initiatives, Morales carefully selected the location for the southern steak and oyster at The Pinnacle, as it is the premier LEED Gold certified building in downtown Nashville and offers a host of sustainability practices.  Additionally, Seab Tuck of Tuck/Hinton and David LeFeve of IKON Construction, the restaurant construction team, have been instructed to implement recycled, earth-friendly materials whenever possible. The restaurant will recycle its cooking oils, and the wood-burning grill will feature hickory wood salvaged from a recent tornado in Wayne County, Tenn.

 

Community outreach is a founding tenet of TomKats Inc., as company representatives were among the first on the sight of 9/11, straight from the set of “Sex and the City,” to help feed first responders. The Federal Government then approved TomKats Inc.'s status for disaster relief catering, allowing it to seamlessly commit time and resources when they were needed most. TomKats, soon after, headed to New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina to help feed workers and volunteers and stands at the ready during disasters.  Plans are currently underway for various outreach programs based at the southern steak and oyster, such as feeding the homeless, selective sponsorships, and educational programs involving food and diet.

 

"Giving back to the community and maximizing our ability to be environmentally conscientious are part of our Southern hospitality values at TomKats," Morales explained.  "It only makes sense to incorporate those into our new venture in Nashville."

 

The leasing team of Dick Fleming, Billy Lyell, and Buck Haltiwanger of Cushman & Wakefield/Cornerstone handled this transaction.

 

 

Founded in 1986 by Tom Morales, this small movie and event catering business has grown into an international success.  TomKats Inc. has catered over 750 films, fed countless victims of natural disaster, all while managing three successful restaurants in the Nashville area.  Almost 25 years later, TomKats Inc. has left a lasting impression in the entertainment business with its Southern hospitality and diverse approach to the food it serves on set.  Whether it’s flying in fresh seafood or providing a sushi chef, the TomKats team always goes the extra mile. Projects include: "Sex and the City," "The Devil Wears Prada," "A Beautiful Mind" and most recently "The Help," NBC’s “30 Rock,” CBS’s “Blue Bloods” and more. TomKats Inc. has served celebrities including Gwyneth Paltrow, Meryl Streep, Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, Tom Selleck, Cameron Diaz and more.  In addition to being managing partner of the famed Loveless Cafe and Fontanel Mansion & Farm, TomKats also owns and operates the award-winning Saffire Restaurant & Bar in Franklin, Tenn.  For more information visit www.tomkats.com.

Opened in February, 2010, The Pinnacle at Symphony Place is Nashville’s premier new office tower, located in the SoBro district of downtown Nashville. Designed by Pickard Chilton, an internationally renowned architecture firm, in conjunction with Nashville-based EOA Architects, the $105 million, 29-story glass and concrete structure is the newest landmark in the city skyline and includes 520,000 square feet of office space, 15,000 square feet of ground level retail space and 10 ½ levels of parking. A LEED Gold certified building, The Pinnacle incorporates a number of sustainable features – such as a one-acre green roof terrace garden, improved indoor air quality and maximized day lighting – that create a healthy and enjoyable environment for the employees and visitors of commercial tenants.

 

The Pinnacle is more than 60% leased and houses the headquarters of Bass Berry & Sims,Pinnacle Financial Partners and Sherrard & Roe. Construction is in progress for the offices ofGullett Sanford Robinson & Martin, Insperity and the Omni Nashville Hotel sales office. More information may be found at www.pinnaclesymphonyplace.com.

 

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For The Southern/TomKats Inc. Contact:

Kaleidoscope Media

615-321-3211

Ann Ewing (ann@kaleidoscope-media.com)

Beth Gebhard (beth@kaleidoscope-media.com)

 

For The Pinnacle at Symphony Place Contact:        

Bailey Marketing Strategies

615-356-2055