The constructing at 1500 Gallatin Pike S. in Madiston might home essentially the most thrilling trio of eating places on the town. The latest addition to the positioning is Vega Shawarma, becoming a member of the relocated Shotgun Willie’s BBQ and the newest iteration of Daddy’s Canines, making it a worthwhile journey to the far north of Gallatin.
Vega is the newest idea from Hrant and Elizabeth Arakelian, longtime restaurant professionals on the town who’ve been delighting diners since their days working for Deb Paquette at Zola. Their first solo restaurant undertaking was Lyra, a Center Japanese revelation in East Nashville’s Greenwood neighborhood.
Eagle-eyed clients would possibly discover a small star within the “a” of Vega’s brand — Vega is certainly the brightest star within the constellation Lyra, a enjoyable little astronomical Easter egg. The eating house is about as engaging as you may hope for in a strip-mall location. Hrant and Liz have painted the partitions in pale greens and lotions to melt the uncovered ductwork and girders, and hanging rattan lighting fixtures full the comfortable vibe.
Ordering on the counter permits workers to clarify day by day specials and perhaps encourage diners to look past the anticipated rooster and beef shawarma choices. (However I did strive each of them, and so they had been glorious. The carved meats had been moist and scrumptious, and the aggressively pickled greens added a pleasant little bit of punch to the get together.)
I didn’t order the particular as a result of I didn’t need you all to be disillusioned for those who couldn’t strive it in your subsequent go to. However what I did order was certainly fairly particular! On Liz’s advice, I went with the lamb arayes, a spiced floor lamb patty in a recent pita accompanied by mint and pickled crimson onion and served with a house-made harissa labneh for dipping.
May Vega’s lamb arayes be the most effective burger in Nashville?
Admittedly, it’s laborious to make such a easy dish look spectacular. I imply, it’s mainly a lamb burger in a pita pocket. However y’all, it would simply have been the most effective burger I’ve eaten all 12 months! The lamb was crispy with out being in any respect dry. All the concoction had been griddled like a correct smashburger, and the aromas it gave off as I hungrily ripped open the paper that cradled it had been intoxicating.
The very slight gaminess of the lamb served because the spine for the spice mix, and the sharp pickled onions minimize by means of any little bit of fattiness. Mixed, it was the proper chew that I solely want I’d taken extra time to savor. However I’ll undoubtedly be again, and that arayes will likely be mine once more quickly!
One other enjoyable discovery for me was that along with beer, Vega affords a nonalcoholic malt beverage known as Barbican. Initially brewed for the Center Japanese market by the British imperialists at Bass Brewery, it’s now made by a division of Coca-Cola at vegetation in Saudi Arabia and Dubai. Licensed halal and nonalcoholic so the Muslim world can take pleasure in it, Barbican is available in a number of flavors. I opted for the apple, and the refined sweetness of the malted barley and the crisp apple flavors made it a pleasant accompaniment for the meal. There are different choices on supply at Vega, so you’ll be able to determine your personal pairings.
However most of all, go to Vega! Enterprise has been somewhat gradual to select up, however Liz mentioned it’s laborious to guage as a result of service is so fast — many individuals take a shawarma to go or pound it down at a desk in 10 minutes. Generally it will possibly really feel just like the eating room is empty when in truth they’re simply turning their clients very effectively.
Benefit from that fast service to perhaps drive an additional couple of minutes north for a sandwich or a salad which are not like anything in Nashville. Additionally, deal with your self to a slice of candy pistachio baklava to take pleasure in later. You gained’t be disillusioned!
