A new whiskey-driven destination unveiled in Wedgewood Village

Nashville’s Wedgewood-Houston district is about to land a three-concept culinary destination as Boka Restaurant Group prepares to debut Middleman alongside Alla Vita and Momotaro this spring.

Image courtesy of AJ Capital Partners

Positioned between Chef Lee Wolen’s Italian restaurant Alla Vita and Chef Gene Kato’s Japanese concept Momotaro, Middleman is designed as both a physical and cultural connector—an 83-seat cocktail-focused space rooted in Tennessee’s whiskey heritage. The concept draws inspiration from the “middlemen” of the historic bourbon trade while also referencing Nashville’s broader identity as a city built on connection, from its infrastructure to its music legacy. Designed by AvroKO, the space takes cues from European arcades, featuring symmetrical walkways, layered architectural detailing, and a glass-covered atrium that creates a light-filled, solarium-style environment.

Image courtesy of AJ Capital Partners

The beverage program, led by Boka Restaurant Group’s Director of Beverage Ashley Santoro, centers on Tennessee whiskey and global spirits, with cocktails incorporating Southern elements like dry rub spices and pickled ingredients. A curated selection of small-batch and reserve whiskies, agave spirits, and vintage liqueurs will anchor the experience, with an emphasis on discovery through off-menu pours and storytelling.

All three concepts will open within a 170,000-square-foot building at Houston and Martin Streets, part of AJ Capital Partners’ 18-acre Wedgewood Village development—one of the most ambitious mixed-use projects reshaping the neighborhood’s growth.