Red Pony Restaurant has been a favorite among locals, since 2006. I personally can recall many occasions celebrated over the years at Red Pony with family and friends. "Pony," as it's affectionately known by locals, is part of a group of sister restaurants, including 55 South and Cork & Cow, and all dining establishments are located in the heart of downtown Franklin.

 

Jason McConnell, Founder and Owner of McConnell Hospitality Group, thrives on offering guests a menu of sophisticated southern foods. His passion began in college and, after graduating from Ole Miss with a Political Science degree, he went to New York and earned a degree in Culinary Arts from CIA. He then moved back to middle Tennessee and worked at F. Scott’s in Green Hills. When he saw a lease sign in a window in downtown Franklin, he decided to bring his vision locally. “Williamson County is a great place, and still there is something very special about the downtown Franklin community. It is beautiful and historic, and the culture among merchants and residents is unique."

 

Jason then made it his mission to make an establishment that was special but not fussy. “I’m glad to have created a place where my team has the framework they need to allow their freedom to be creative in the parameters of what is viable. I think this helps in keeping us relevant after seventeen years. Our menu changes every six to eight weeks and that constant change can be frustrating for a guest who is returning for something they loved, but it is a selfish measure that keeps things exciting and challenging in an important way.”

 

Jason also says that hospitality is at the core of every decision. “We want to be a reliable place where guests feel comfortable, celebrated and excited. There is no V.I.P. as each guest is as valuable as the other. Whether it’s an after work drink at the bar, an anniversary or typical date night –Red Pony can be whatever you want it to be.”

 

“I couldn’t do any of this without the team around me,” says Jason. One of those team members is Mike Moranski, Corporate Chef of McConnell Hospitality Group, and he has been with Red Pony since 2018. Mike was inspired to be a chef through his fascination with the process and his background is rooted in American cuisine –inspired by Italian, French and the American South. “I always looked up to Jacques Pepin. His shows on PBS always made cooking feel approachable and second nature growing up. I never felt intimidated about cooking for myself or others and I think a lot of the approach of early food personalities, like him, is responsible for that.” 

For dessert, I tried the Chocolate Cremux with graham cracker, almond butter, bourbon toffee, brown butter and sarsaparilla meringue. This was remarkable and so beautifully served. All of the textures made this sweet treat unique, yet they balanced out the entire dish. 

 

I was also able to enjoy the Loving Cup cocktail. It is mixed with Averna amaro, house blackberry-ginger liqueur and sparkling Sicilian lemonade. This one was tasty, as well as clever. The ingredients were mixed so well that you may not even realize you are sipping on a cocktail!

 

Red Pony has been a part of our community for many years and for good reason. They continue to offer a place that people feel comfortable in, but also special. They continue to cultivate a menu that sparks both genius and the familiar. When I asked Jason if there were plans for another dinning establishment opening in the area, he replied: "We don’t have anything in the works –but never say never.”