Tantísimo, a farm-to-table restaurant featuring small plates, craft cocktails, and experiences celebrating Latin America, is set to open in Sylvan Park later this year. Ana Aguilar, Josh Cook and Maria Escamilla are the partners behind the new restaurant.
What Now Nashville connected with Aguilar to learn more about the new restaurant.
She shared that Tantísimo developed out of her pandemic pastime creating cakes. Aguilar had attempted a cake business once before in her teens, but with the additional support and expertise from partners Cook and Escamilla, her second go-around of owning a small business has already proven far more successful.
“I attempted a wedding cake business at age 16,” said Aguilar. “When that failed I swore it off completely, but Chef Josh was doing pop ups and I was contributing to them more and more. Working with him leveled up my skills and helped build my confidence. I fell in love with owning my own business and connecting with people through food as a chef. Nashville was incredibly receptive to our concepts, and I went all in.”
Initially, Tantísimo operated at local farmers markets selling pastries and baked goods. Since then, the menu has evolved as the team has grown. During the day Tantísimo will operate as a café with a full espresso program. The space has been designed for people working from home so there will be plenty of outlets throughout the area. Other menu items include flancakes, churrasco steak and pisco sours.
“I’ve done a lot of different things professionally, and I get to use all of my seemingly random skills as a business owner,” said Anguilar. “I think that’s true for all three of us. I met my man working at Husk, and my best friend working at Salsa. Now they’re my business partners too, and I can’t imagine anything more rewarding or meaningful.”
Nashville Business Journal ran a story on the restaurant and shared that Aguilar, Cook and Escamilla also currently operate Mala Vida, a food trailer in East Nashville.
Aguilar shared some thoughts on the 46th Avenue location that is currently being transformed into Tantísimo.
“We were so lucky to land here,” she said. “I love that it’s a building with some history. I love that a lot of the neighborhood already knows us from the Richland Park Farmers’ Market. We got a lot of support for the concept from our neighborhood regulars who are looking forward to visiting the space. We’ve gotten to know more of the Sylvan Park community as we’ve done our due diligence for this project, and it’s great seeing the neighbors engage and care for the community.”
Tantísimo is currently awaiting approval on several permits and hopes to open later this year.
