Blue Aster’s Chef Andrew Rodriguez

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither was Chef Andrew Rodriguez’s 30-layer lasagna, currently on the menu at Blue Aster in the Conrad Nashville Hotel. Inspired by the 100-layer lasagna served at Del Posto in New York City, Rodriguez and his team tested and retested recipes until they met their own high expectations, which meant building layers of fresh local pasta, creamy béchamel, ricotta, mozzarella and a two-day braised lamb ragù — constructing a tower of flavor and texture to slice thick and serve on its side in a pool of tomato sauce. 

Growing up in New York and spending summers in Sicily with his uncle, Rodriguez learned the meaning of family, feeding community and creating fresh, real food with heart. He sources as many ingredients from local farmers as possible, including fresh pasta from Mr. Aaron’s Goods, produce from Farmer Dave and Nashville Grown, mushrooms from Henosis, lamb from Freedom Run Farm and beef from Bear Creek Farm. 

With a fine-dining résumé that winds through local landmarks Adele’s and Pinewood Social, Rodriguez wanted to merge his Italian repertoire with a coastal vibe and flavor profiles that span the Mediterranean. Blue Aster’s menu ventures beyond Italy, with new dishes reflecting influences from Spain, France, Greece and Israel. Dishes include:

• Green Garlic Hummus: Preserved onion, white tahini, fried garlic, habanero oil, crudité, semolina crisps and the option of grilled kofta 
• Duck and Foie Gras Cigars: Duck confit, foie ganache, fermented chili and za’atar 
• Mezze Platter: Hummus, baba ghanoush, whipped ricotta, warm pita, crudité and semolina crisp
• Tableside Mozzarella: Heirloom tomato, lemon agrumato and torn basil
• Ibérico Pork Schnitzel: Peppadew romesco, koji butter, endive and wild onion
• Whole Branzini a la Cazuela: Sauce supreme, shrimp mousse, nettle butter, little neck clam and fried leek 

Blue Aster in the Conrad Nashville Hotel on West End is open daily with breakfast, lunch and dinner. Brunch available on the weekends. Information and reservations at blueasternashville.com
Follow them on Instagram @blueasternashville