Upscale lounge Rambler set to open

Germantown is slated to land a Chinese comfort food restaurant, with an early December opening eyed. 

A group of business partners who are asking to go unnamed will own and operate Steamboys.  The fast-casual restaurant will be located in a 1,850-square-foot space at mixed-used development LC Germantown.  The address is 1226 Second Ave.  N.

One of the partners said the Steamboys menu will focus on dumplings, bao and noodles.  The concept is based on similar fast-casual Asian restaurants located in the Northeast. 

The partner said the team is planning multiple Steamboys locations in the Nashville area. 

The partners have hired Lebanon-based DAV Construction to handle the build-out of the space. 

Columbus-based Lifestyle Communities developed and owns LC Germantown. 

Chad Thompson, LC chief marketing officer, said visitors to the multi-building complex — which has a street that cuts through the various structures and that offers public spaces — can see LC takes a “different approach” to multi-family placemaking. 

“LC is a lifestyle brand determined to bring people together to form meaningful connections,” he said. “ We achieve this through the look and feel of our communities, which includes our social hub, The Goat, and wellness offering CODE.  And in Germantown, it extends into the types of partners we seek to fill our retail spaces.  We are selective in the types of partners we pursue and welcome into our communities.  The new Steamboys concept expresses exactly the type of offering and partner we want to have.” 



Upscale lounge Rambler set to open

Nashville-based restaurateur Austin Ray will open on Tuesday, Sept. 25, subterranean cocktail bar and upscale lounge Rambler in the space below his The Sutler Saloon in Melrose. 



Rambler is being billed as a “standalone space” within the Sutler.  Adjacent to that restaurant/bar is Ray’s Melrose Billiard Parlor.  The address is 2600 Eighth Ave.  S.

Of note, veteran local chef Jason Brumm, developed the Rambler menu, according to a release. 

The release notes the following:

“Rambler’s location is not a secret, but you have to know where you’re going to find it.  Once you’re there, the energy is electric.  There’s an unmistakable ‘wow’ factor when you walk in the door, where groups of all sizes can find plush booths and spaces for gathering in the underground bar.” 

Rambler hours are Tuesdays to Thursdays, 5 p.m. to midnight; and Fridays and Saturdays, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Ray operates his restaurants and bars via A.Ray Hospitality. 

Across Eighth from Rambler sits Ray’s M.L.Rose Craft Beer & Burgers, open now for 10 years. 

In addition to A.Ray Hospitality, Joe Parkes Jr., David Parkes, and Gary Parkes of The Parkes Companies own The Sutler, Rambler and Melrose Billiard Parlor. 

A.Ray Hospitality also owns and operates M.L.Rose Craft Beer & Burgers in Sylvan Park and in Capitol View, and Von Elrod’s Beer Garden & Sausage House in North Capitol near Germantown.