James Beard Award-Winning Chef RJ Cooper Opens New Germantown Restaurant

OUTvoices
04 March 2019

James Beard Award-Winning chef RJ Cooper is pleased to announce the opening of his new Germantown concept, Saint Stephen. The restaurant, which is taking over the former space of Mop/Broom will soft open on Wednesday, March 6th, with full service beginning Friday, March 8th.

Saint Stephen, which draws its name from a song title by the Grateful Dead, will straddle the line between elevated gastronomic cuisine and casual Brooklyn bar fare. Guests can expect nightly dinner service, Saturday and Sunday brunch, as well as exciting new additions to include a Ham & Oyster happy hour bar, a late night menu, patio service and a greater focus on the beverage program.

Cooper will maintain Mop/Broom’s current staff and space, adding a few romantic design touches to the existing aesthetic. Saint Stephen will offer a more intimate environment with dimmed overhead lights, dripping candles, darker coats of paint and large curtains to section off private dining. The branding, created by BRND House, will offer a playful commentary on Cooper’s attraction to rock n’ roll, motorcycles, and tattoos. The restaurant’s large outdoor patio, which Cooper intends to activate with musician rounds, crawfish boils and large-format beverages this summer will also receive upgraded lighting, furniture, a new mural, and a central bonfire pit.

“I am excited to join the growing Germantown neighborhood. There are a ton of events we plan to launch with Saint Stephen that I think will compliment the already vibrant community. I want to put out quality dishes, keep my focus in the kitchen and let the incredible team here introduce a cocktail program that Nashville can get excited about again.” – RJ Cooper

Formerly the Executive Chef of Nashville’s Henley, Chef RJ Cooper’s impressive career includes working under some of the nation’s most prominent chefs like Gunter Seeger at The Dining Room at The Ritz-Carlton and Eric Ripert at Le Bernardin in New York City. Upon moving to Washington D.C., Cooper ran the kitchen at Vidalia. 2007 was one of his most accomplished years having won the James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic in 2007. In 2011, he opened Rogue 24 in Washington D.C., using a wide range of high tech equipment and modern cooking techniques. Chef RJ Cooper also opened Gypsy Soul in 2013 in Fairfax, VA, which had an interactive farm-to-table approach. He then moved on to brief stints running kitchens in Charlotte and Atlanta before calling Nashville home.

St Stephen Hours:

Dinner Service - Monday through Saturday from 4PM until 10PM and Sunday from 4PM until 9PM.

Brunch - Saturday and Sunday from 10:30AM until 2:30PM.

Social Handle: @Saintstephennash