Perfect Chemistry

Interview by Dave Mahanes / Photos Courtesy of Fable Lounge

I had the pleasure of sitting down and speaking with my good friends, Ben Powell, owner of Fable Lounge (one of my favorite places on the planet), and his colleague, Mae James, the Executive Director of Creative Expressions.

Dave Mahanes: Ben, tell me about the concept behind Fable Lounge.

Ben Powell: So essentially, Fable is designed so that there’s something for everyone. So, the ultimate construct is here’s the one place we want to go all the time. And the beauty of Fable is that it’s literally that. From the intimate rendezvous of the dining room to the first-floor bar where you can be seen, to the mezzanine, the lounge itself, and the Scotch and cigar-covered pavilion. We partitioned off different areas, so it always feels like there’s energy and things going on as opposed to one person sitting there and another sitting over there. The prince or the pauper can come in and always feel like royalty. Before John Dibble, my business partner, and I even had a name for the restaurant, it was thought of as a myth, a legend, impossible, a fable. BP: To keep me calm. She lowers my blood pressure.

Mae James: My official title is the Executive Director of Creative Expressions, a fancy way of saying event planner within Fable. I started as a hostess in high school, and then I discovered I could provide a service and create an experience for people. I’ve done a lot of serving and bartending. When you’re a bartender, you’re everybody’s therapist. When you’re a server, you’re developing relationships and contributing to a lasting memory, whether it’s you or the food or the place.

BP: You make them feel good about every bad decision they’re about to make.

MJ: I want to create something that is the first thing people see and the last thing they will never forget. That’s a Mae James event, a magical experience.

DM: What have been some of your favorite events, and where do you get your inspiration?

BP: What’s unique about the events at Fable is that we have this kind of world premiere event, which will never be seen again. So, for the moments that people get to enjoy or see, after that, it’s gone. So, you had a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Some of my favorites are The Emerald Ball and the tasting events, Whiskey and Waffles, in particular.

DM: I really enjoyed the Cinco de Mayo tequila pairing dinner you had last year.

MJ: Prom for Adults was really big.

DM: Tell me about the culinary aspect of Fable. I know they’re a big part your events.

MJ: We have been blessed with chef Jennifer Sanchez. There’s a difference between chefs and cooks. A chef has a creative side; it’s cooking as an art, so Jennifer does that. She has come up with and revamped our menu tenfold. As you’re aware, Fable has an amazing craft cocktail program, and she elevated our food to match that.

DM: How does she do that?

MJ: I think it’s Chef Jennifer’s passion, honestly. She’s got an amazing education from working at Etch. She builds great morale in the kitchen and inspires the staff by encouraging them, teaching them, and letting them try new ideas.

DM: The craft cocktails at Fable are just out of this world. Your extensive list includes many unique cocktails, and your mixologists have designed some cocktails exclusively for some of our events, most recently Steeplechase. How do you come up with those cocktail recipes?

BP: We have so much talent here. The individuals who have been here from the start have an impressive imagination. There are a couple of phrases we use here at Fable, and one is “inspired by imagination, engineering, and tradition.” Part of it is almost scientific—the golden ratio or triptych—in how to design the perfect cocktail. Then they can stack upon the metrics, take a normally three-part cocktail, and transform it into a seventeen-part award-winning cocktail. On top of this, Fable has the one thing you always wanted but never knew until now. We are equal opportunity indulgers of all libations. So, you like vodka, great. You like whiskey, fantastic. There’s no wrong or rhyme. We are here to make you feel good.

MJ: The great part of our cocktail menu is how much research has been done. There’s a reason that we have 15 different types of glassware. There’s a reason why we have four different kinds of ice. It’s about the time and thought put into the creation, whether it’s a tweak on a classic cocktail or a totally new invention. We consider the history of how something was made and why.

DM: Ben, you have such a resonating and theatrical voice. When you speak, it’s absolutely theater, and it’s one of the wonderful things about this place.

MJ: I tell him that all the time. Fable is you.

DM: Talk to me about service at Fable.

BP: I have a unique perspective on what service is and what it is to take care of people. The way that I view service is drastically different than what most people were taught. Once you understand the difference between waiting on a table and anticipating a guest’s needs—some more water, another drink, this or that—suddenly, everything is easy. Our guests can go anywhere they want, but we make it our personal responsibility to ensure that they are never without.

DM: Your attention to detail shows, and your hospitality is next level. Thank you, guys, for your time today and your friendship.Cheers!

Fable Lounge / 114 28th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37203 (615) 645-5150 / fablelounge.com Sunday-Thursday 5:00pm-12:00am, Friday-Saturday 5:00pm-2:00am