Former Longtime Fido Chef John Stephenson Plans New West Nashville Restaurant

Longtime Nashville chef John Stephenson is preparing to jump back in the kitchen, as he is now in the beginning stages of planning for a new restaurant in West Nashville. The project, named Hathorne (his grandmother’s maiden name), will be located at 4708 Charlotte Pike next to the former West Nashville United Methodist Church building. That property was purchased just this week by Dan Cook, owner of event venue Ruby, with Cook selling the adjacent 5,000-square-foot church hall to Stephenson.

“Dan Cook and I have known each other for a while, and I ran into him at a Christmas party this past December and he told me about the property,” says Stephenson. “I’ve always liked that part of Charlotte Pike, and I think there are a lot of great dining options, but just not that ‘neighborhood gem.’ So I think it’s a great time to get in over there.”

Having stepped down from his executive chef position at The Family Wash last October, he says that starting his very first solo venture happened a little quicker than he had imagined, but that he’s “excited to finally have the opportunity to do it from the ground up.”

Stephenson describes the food as New American, stating that there will be things that people recognize from his menus from over the years. The current plan is for the restaurant to be open seven days a week, serving lunch and dinner Monday through Friday, brunch and dinner on Saturdays and brunch on Sundays. A full bar will be offered with 20 brews on tap, split between local and imports, as well as eight wines on tap.

The hall, built in 1947, will be restored, and will include private dining for 16, as well as a 35-foot bar. An outdoor dining space will be located on the street frontage looking out towards Richland Park.

Stephenson hopes to be open by this time next year, so be sure to check back for more updates.