After nearly seven years, Saffire will reopen its doors at a new location inside The Factory at Franklin on Tuesday, October 22 at 11:00 a.m. A go-to gem for nearly 17 years, Saffire has come full circle with its reopening by embracing its culinary roots.

Renowned for its bold approach to blending classic Southern cuisine with global influences, the acclaimed eatery will begin its next chapter by offering inventive new dishes alongside familiar favorites that still inspire loyalty among regular diners and played a major role in jumpstarting Nashville’s emergence as a culinary destination.

Celebrated chef and restaurateur Tom Morales originally opened Saffire in 2001 with the combined goals of bringing elevated and accessible cuisine to Williamson County and providing a reliable base of operations for his movie catering business, TomKats Hospitality.

Saffire ended its 16-year run in January 2018, allowing Morales and his team to focus on several new restaurant ventures, including ACME Feed and Seed, The Southern Steak & Oyster, Southernaire Market and Deli, and The Loveless Cafe.

“It feels like a homecoming,” said Lauren Morales, who began her own hospitality career as a host at Saffire and now co-owns TomKats Hospitality with her sister, Kendall. Chef Matt Farley and Controller Ryan McLean also play an integral part in the ownership team of TomKats Hospitality, and they have continued to uphold its vision.

“Whether you were there for a business lunch, prom night, or a lingering dinner with friends, Saffire built its legacy as a restaurant serving incredible food with a genuine sense of belonging, regardless of who you are or the occasion that brought you in,” added Lauren Morales. “That’s the story we’ll be building on in our new space—fine dining without the pretense.”

Returning menu items include the house-smoked prime rib, beef tenderloin and bleu cheese biscuit, chili peach-glazed pork chop, and raw oyster bar.

Highlights among the menu’s newest selections include seared halibut with lemon-smoked feta grits and wood-fired filet mignon.

One of Saffire’s most iconic elements, a 300-year-old bar carved out of solid wood, has been carefully preserved over the years and will resume its service as both a vibrant social venue and a well-worn symbol of the restaurant’s rich hospitality tradition.

Bar offerings will include a wide range of local craft beers, an extensive selection of wines, non-alcoholic drinks, and a signature cocktail menu created by award-winning mixologist Carley Hansen.

Live music, another Saffire hallmark, will enjoy a reprise in the coming weeks featuring a baby grand piano, including plans to host jazz ensemble performances in the restaurant’s spacious outdoor seating area near The Factory’s historic water tower.

The Blue Room, a private dining space with a capacity for up to 60 guests, will be available to rent for private functions and will also serve as a venue for quarterly tasting events led by Matt Farley, executive chef of the TomKats Hospitality portfolio of restaurants.

“It’s exciting to go full circle, to start over where we began. Seventeen years of friendships to be renewed. This will be fun,” said Tom Morales.

Starting on October 22, Tuesday through Friday at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday and Sunday for brunch at 10:00 a.m., and on Monday at 5:00 p.m. To book a reservation online, visit Saffire’s website at saffirerestaurant.com.