When popular East Nashville restaurant The Treehouse announced that it would be under new ownership, fans who had enjoyed the food and the vibe at the cozy eatery wondered what changes would be in order. The restaurant had boasted two previous chefs who had been nominated for local Eater Chef of the Year Awards, so the new leader of the kitchen had some big clogs to fill.
It seems as if The Treehouse’s followers shouldn’t have fretted much, because the newly-announced chef seems to be heading in the right direction. Chef Chris Gianino comes to the kitchen with experience working in notable kitchens such as Husk in Nashville and Northern Bell in Brooklyn, and his early work in his new home looks quite promising. As he revamps the menu, Gianino is striving to maintain the restaurant’s dedication to working closely with the local community, including vendors such as Greener Roots Farm, Clean Genes, S & E Daughtery, Nashville Grown, Nashville Farmers Market and Prime South Meats.
Some of the new and updated menu items that are already getting noticed are Gianino’s take on the classic shrimp and grits, made using Royal Red Shrimp over polenta with miso broth, roasted corn, crispy okra and Giffords bacon as well as an attractive dish of coffee-roasted carrots served with bone marrow hollandaise, sorghum, and black walnut.
In addition to announcing a new chef, The Treehouse has implemented a fun new happy hour Monday through Saturday from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Deals during these hours of happiness include $2 oysters, a shrimp cocktail made using those luscious Royal Reds and snacks like potato fritters and black eyed pea hummus. There are also great drink specials offered during happy hour. If you haven’t checked out The Treehouse lately or you’re a long-time fan, it’s worth making the trip over to 1011 Clearview Avenue to see what’s new. The Treehouse opens at 5:00 Monday through Saturday and closes at 11:00 p.m. Monday to Wednesday and at 1:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
