Wednesday, January 6, 2010
News / Restaurant openings Sol's Hot New Sister Restaurant Has a Southern Twist
Posted by Dana Kopp Franklin on Wed, Jan 6, 2010 at 3:54 PM
Jason McConnell, the chef who's made a huge mark on downtown Franklin with Red Pony (casual, Southern-influenced fine dining) and Sol (colorful, authentic Mexican cuisine) is about to bring a new concept to the downtown square.
McConnell (who has a degree from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y., and spent five years at F. Scott's in Nashville) said that despite Sol's popularity, it's been a challenge to run a single restaurant in such a large, sprawling space.
"We are bringing the building back to the true essence and character of downtown Franklin, offering two intimate, quaint and charming options," he said in a release Wednesday.
The new restaurant will occupy the part of the building that faces Main Street. The cafe's name, 55 South, refers to the highway that connects Memphis and New Orleans, and McConnell is giving the room a rustic Southern makeover, with weathered wood and reclaimed materials.
Fresh oysters will be a big part of the menu, along with Southern-inspired bar snacks (fried green tomatoes with shrimp remoulade) and New Orleans cuisine (gumbo, crawfish étouffée, spice-dusted redfish). Check the restaurant's site to get a PDF of the menu.
After the renovation, meanwhile, Sol will reopen in the part of the building that faces Fourth Avenue. In its new, more intimate form, it will seat 65 diners. The menu of fresh, upscale Mexican fare and lineup of premium wines and tequila drinks won't change.
Comments (6)
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What is the website address for viewing their menu? I've heard about the other restaurants Jason has but haven't ventured out to Franklin to visit them.
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Blake...you really should check out Red Pony If nothing else order the Pony BLT...Sautéed Lobster, Bacon, Tomato over Truffled Yukon Gold Ravioli with Corn Cream. It's been two years, but this dish is still in my head.
Looking forward to visiting the newer digs.
menu is at www.redponyrestaurant.com
Oops. I just fixed the story to add the link to the 55 South website. It is: www.eat55.com.
It's been a few years since I had it, but I agree that Red Pony's ravioli version of BLT is fantastic. Red Pony and Sol are both well worth visiting.
I'm looking forward to this new place.
I know good food when I see it, and Jason does a great job at Red Pony! It's good to know that downtown will now have a New Orleans connection through its food! Congratulations Jason and Staff!
Simply put...Jason and his staff rock. He is passionate about food and only accepts the highest quality and standards for his restaurants. Red Pony and Sol are fabulous and 55 South looks to carry on that tradition in the way only a true Southerner could accomplish. I'll be there on opening day...you should too.
