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Kenzie Leigh Photography
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Kenzie Leigh Photography
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Kenzie Leigh Photography
Here’s to the pleasures of a neighborhood restaurant:
Familiarity. Where the staff knows your face, your name, your likes. Who doesn’t relish being asked, “Having the usual tonight?”
Versatility. There’s a level of casual sophistication for date night, a relaxed vibe for meeting friends for drinks, and an approachable menu that works for the whole family: something for everyone.
Community. A hospitable place that fosters the connections we crave, almost as much as its great food and drink.
These qualities are embraced by Up Hospitality Partners (UHP,) who in the past year acquired longtime independents, Germantown Cafe and Park Cafe. Both eateries, launched by different owners in 2003 and 2001 respectively, fit the neighborhood restaurant model that UHP wanted to invest in and continue. In terms of style and service, much about each cafe remains a constant. In updating their menus, UHP wisely kept and tweaked the favorites. To date, both cafes are thriving. Building on that success, the group sought to bring those flavors and vitality to a Williamson County location. Adopting the best of Germantown and Park Cafes, they recently opened Karrington Rowe in Brentwood Place, a major shopping center along Franklin Road.
“We created Karrington Rowe with residents, colleagues, and families in mind,” says Sean Lyons, UHP partner. “We are thrilled to be a part of the Brentwood community as a new neighborhood staple.”
The design of the space has a contemporary yet homey feel. The open dining room is populated with 4-tops, banquettes, and cozy booths. A welcoming and well-stocked bar lines the side wall. Regarding adult beverages, you’ll find a roster of seasonal and classic cocktails, local brews, non-alcoholic drinks, and a small but interesting selection of wines by the glass or bottle.
If the weather’s still a bit cool, you could start with Sweater Weather, Buffalo Trace bourbon stirred with ginger, basil, simple syrup, and lemon. Warmer days call for Tropical Tundra, a rum-based quaff floated with Luxardo apricot liqueur, cherry, and pineapple. Want a crisp white wine? They offer an excellent Albariño. And take note: there’s a lineup of $5 happy hour specials, including an Aperol Spritz and a Hot & Dirty (pepperoncini and olive!) vodka martini.
If you’ve dined at either Park Cafe or Germantown Cafe, you’ll recognize some of their greatest hits as you peruse the menu. From the section of Small Plates, GC’s squash fritters and PC’s chorizo-stuffed, bacon-wrapped dates make terrific shares; the former imparting compelling herbal crunch and the latter sparked with piquant romesco. Other appetizers of note include the Maryland Crab Cake in remoulade and deep-fried calamari dressed with sweet-and-sour peppers and chili plum sauce.
Salads exhibit creativity; ideal as a side to an entree, yet substantial enough to be a meal on its own. The Asian Noodle Salad easily falls into the latter category, layering baby kale and fresh herbs with pulled chicken, rice noodles, cashews, and peanut sauce, drenched in a bright lime-ginger dressing. Smoked apple vinaigrette elevates the arugula salad, strewn with diced tart green apple, chopped dried figs, candied pecans, and crumbled chèvre.