Nashville restaurant owners named ‘Best New Chefs’ in the country

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The owners of an East Nashville Japanese restaurant have been named two of the best new chefs in the country.

Food & Wine Magazine released a lineup of “Best New Chefs” in September, featuring 13 chefs from restaurants across the United States.

Restaurateur husband-wife duo Leina Horii and Brian Lea from “Kisser” were titled, with the magazine calling their housemade udon noodles “some of the greatest in the United States.”

Kisser is the couple’s first restaurant together, though both have strong ties to the food industry.

Located in East Nashville, the restaurant is an “homage to a Japanese kissaten,” according to their website. A kissaten is similar to a café, providing a space for visitors to eat, drink and relax.

In April 2024, Kisser was nominated for Most Outstanding Restaurant in the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards, a prestigious nomination in the food world.

The menu features a variety of small and large plate dishes inspired by traditional Japanese cuisine. Kisser is open for breakfast and lunch on Mondays, Fridays and weekends.

For more information on the restaurant, visit kisserrestaurant.com.