First Look: The Finch American Grill replaces former Nashville Flying Saucer spot, here's what's on the menu

Brad Schmitt, Nashville Tennessean
·2 min read

More than two years after The Flying Saucer turned off its beer taps, the opulent, historic baggage building at Union Station has a new restaurant and a new look.

The Finch American Grill, a "casually sophisticated" spot promising "modern spins on American classics," is set to open Friday.

It's owned by Dallas-based hospitality group Milkshake Concepts, which last year opened Harper's Steakhouse near downtown riverfront hot spot Pinewood Social and after two years closed its downtown club/restaurant Layer Cake.

Flying Saucer fans won't recognize the interior — gone are the hundreds of Beerknurd plates and crowded walls, replaced with exposed brick and an industrial look made majestic with marble-topped bars, three massive arched mirrors and bird-feather wallpaper.

The reworked American classics include shrimp & grits, chicken fried steak, roasted herb chicken, short rib, cheeseburger and prime rib dishes.

The honey sriracha glazed salmon at The Finch American Grill in the Union Station building in Nashville during a soft opening March 20, 2024
The honey sriracha glazed salmon at The Finch American Grill in the Union Station building in Nashville during a soft opening March 20, 2024

There are some international offerings on the menu as well — Korean chicken bao buns, szechuan chili chicken, tzatziki and spicy feta and chicken potstickers are included among the starters.

And one of the buzziest entrees at The Finch is the French classic steak frites, being offered with Black Angus New York strip and Famous L’Entrecote sauce, a rich, potent tarragon-forward sauce rarely found in Nashville restaurants.

The Finch American Grill: What to know

What: The Finch American Grill, serving reimagined classics with a surprising number of international offerings for a restaurant with the word "American" in its name

The bar at The Finch American Grill in the Union Station building in Nashville during a soft opening March 20, 2024
The bar at The Finch American Grill in the Union Station building in Nashville during a soft opening March 20, 2024

Where: The old Flying Saucer space in the Baggage Building at Union Station at 111 10th Ave. S.

Hours: Monday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Fridays from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Prices: Starters range from $13 to $24, entrees from $21 to $48

Brunch: Tentative plans to launch April 6

Reservations: TheFinchNashville.com

Parking: Two hours of free self-parking behind and below the restaurant

Reach Brad Schmitt at brad@tennessean.com or 615-259-8384.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Ex-Nashville Flying Saucer spot reopens as The Finch American Grill