Back in 2023, our sister publication the Nashville Post reported that Austin Ray had purchased a World War II-era building at 3701 Gallatin Pike in Inglewood with the intention of opening the seventh iteration of his successful neighborhood restaurant chain M.L.Rose Craft Beer & Burgers. Very soon, that plan will come to fruition: The opening of the restaurant is set for July 14.
Ray always planned to share the space with other retail tenants, and Club Pilates has already opened in the 12,500-square-foot building if you’re looking for a place to burn off some of those M.L. calories. Alternatively, if you’re not on the diet train, Crieve Hall Bagel and Nick the Greek will soon join M.L.Rose as restaurant tenants.
Austin Ray pays $2.25M for Gallatin Pike building in Inglewood
Ray spent a long time searching for property in East Nashville, and the shotgun-style pub space reminded him a lot of his original location in Melrose. Plus, he’s a big fan of opening in established neighborhoods where he feels he can add value to the community. In the official announcement of the opening, Ray says: “Gallatin Road is a bustling corridor that’s evolving fast, but the neighborhood around it is very established. Many of our neighbors have told us they are excited for more options, and we’re ready to welcome them into a space where they can relax and be themselves.”Â
Patrons can expect the requisite 36 taps of craft beer and beverage options, a large, covered dog-friendly patio and custom murals designed by Inglewood artist and resident Jeff Stamper, who also designed the cowboy boot installation that adorned The Sutler and other M.L. locations.
Jeff Stamper's "Inglewould" mural
The opening will coincide with a seasonal menu refresh, so look for new items like barbecue chopped chicken salad, fried chicken BLTacos, deluxe turkey sandwich and a Klondike chocolate brownie. Weekly specials will include Tuesday Team Trivia at 7 p.m. and 2-for-1 craft beer and cocktails on Thursdays from 3 p.m. until close.
I’m 99 percent certain that Austin didn’t take numerology into consideration, but the 7/14 opening date brought some chuckles to this overgrown Gen-X adolescent the same way that 4/20 would to the generation after me. What does 714 represent, you might ask?
Most famously, 714 was the serial number imprinted on a Quaalude pill, the favorite downer of the 1970s. It also turns up in some funny coincidental places. It's is the area code for a large swath of Southern California. Yeah, that tracks. The Doors' “Riders on the Storm” is a fine song to listen to while your reality might be a little dulled, and it happens to clock in at seven minutes and 14 seconds. The number was also Joe Friday’s badge number on Dragnet, and 714 is the number of home runs Babe Ruth hit in his career.
So maybe I need to sign up for Tuesday Team Trivia at M.L.Rose. Anybody know the ’90s through today as well as I sorta remember the ’70s and ’80s?
