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What to Try:
Famous Mac-n-Cheese, $8 Famous Mac-n-Cheese, $8Chicken Divan Crepe, $10Pie of the Day, $7
If you're familiar with Mack & Kate's or Macke's, you'll feel right at home at Kate's Kitchen. The newest member of the Strawn family empire, Kate's opened in December in Cool Springs, offering the same shabby-chic vibe that you'll find at their other spots. There are mismatched tables and chairs, mini candelabras on the tables, and chalkboards announcing daily specials. And the food hereFrench café casualplays a starring role.
A variety of specialty coffee drinks and breakfast and lunch items draws a full house most days. From quiches and omelets in the morning to an ever-changing selection of soups at lunch, the menu is a mix of French and Southern favorites. A massive and steaming skillet of macaroni and cheese is the ultimate midday treat, but the sandwiches are also exceptional; go for the pastrami Reuben or the Southern burger, which features a dollop of pimento cheese. On Saturdays, you can get a taste of their house-made beignetsbut get there early since they disappear quickly.
From Thursday through Sunday, they also offer a full-service dinner menu featuring heartier fare, like wild mushroom risotto, chicken divan crepes, and chicken coq au vin, along with wine and beer. Other nights, they open up the space for cooking classes, taught by the pros in the kitchen, like pastry chef Tracy Treville, who spent the past 11 years working in France. Topics range from a 'junior chef” class for the kiddos to a soup-making option for adults. Each class includes a bit of hands-on time in the kitchen, a few items to take home, and a handful of recipes.
Already a hit with the locals, this welcoming spot might be a trek from downtown, but one bite of Treville's strawberry cake or chess pie is worth the journey.
3301 Aspen Grove, Franklin; 615-472-1390; facebook.com/kateskitchencoolsprings