CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Nicholas Nicoletta, Clarksville’s most well-known chef and owner of Nicoletta’s Catering, recently sat down with Katie Gambill and Charlie Koon for an episode of Clarksville’s Conversation to share the passion behind his tremendous success in the community.

Nicoletta’s most recent endeavor is a pop-up restaurant at the Clarksville Country Club (334 Fairway Drive), known as Nicoletta’s at the Club. This hot new dining experience doesn’t open until Feb. 13, but reservations are already numbering in the hundreds.

“I believe we got about 240 reservations within the first 90 minutes,” Nicoletta said.

He stressed that while the new restaurant is located within the walls of the club, a membership is not required and the restaurant is open to the general public. Reservations must be made through Nicoletta’s. They’re not required, but will likely be necessary for at least the first three months due to high demand.

So what’s on the menu? You can expect some fan favorites with a cool twist.

“We’re all about the hot and trendy,” Nicoletta told Charlie and Katie. “We’re all about the cutting edge, kind of cool and twisted stuff, but elevated a bit.”

The full menu has not yet been released, but Nicoletta did give some hints, including duck and waffles, a vinegar barbecue sauce sandwich named after his uncle Bobby Davis, and a special salad.

Nicoletta’s love of family and history inspired some of his newest creations.

“A lot of it is love for family and culture itself. We’ve lost a lot of that, including eating dinner at home. Where has that gone? Life is so busy,” he said.

Nicoletta takes a very personal approach to naming his dishes. He said one of the favorite items on the brunch menu was adapted from a dish that his wife Virginia fell in love with in Charleston at a restaurant called the Dixie Supply Company that has since closed.

“She found a biscuit that had pulled roasted turkey and herbed cream cheese on it and it was covered in a fried egg. She absolutely loved it and cried when that restaurant closed because now when we go back, she cant get it. I re-created it and put it on the menu and named it after her. It’s called Virginia’s Charleston,” he said.

The lunch and dinner menus will change seasonally to give the public a chance to try new and exciting dishes, but popular items will stick around. The Sunday brunch menu will remain consistent.

At the end of the day, Nicoletta feels he has been successful because of his devotion to his craft and his love for how food makes people feel and react.

“I don’t feed people because I want to make money. I feed people because it makes them happy,” he said. “I take it very personally, feeding people. They work just as hard as I do.”

Want to know more about Nicoletta and why he has the nickname Nicky Bags? Listen to the full podcast on Clarksville’s Conversation.

Nicoletta’s at the Club Dining Hours:
Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday: 11-2 Lunch
Wednesday: 11-2 Lunch
Thursday: 11-2 Lunch / 5-8 Dinner
Friday: 11-2 Lunch / 5-9 Dinner
Saturday: 5-9 Dinner
Sunday: 10-2 Brunch

Find more reservation info and keep up with the latest restaurant news by checking out Nicoletta’s info page on the Clarksville Country Club’s website or follow Nicoletta’s Catering on Facebook, where you’ll also find information about his catering business, located at 820 College Street in downtown Clarksville.

About Clarksville’s Conversation:
The Clarksville’s Conversation podcast, hosted by Katie Gambill and Charlie Koon on Clarksvillenow.com, gives you the opportunity to eavesdrop on interviews with leaders and innovators in Clarksville-Montgomery County who shape our community. Check back every Wednesday for new episodes.