A new gathering place from Lebanon locals is charting a path toward opening later this year. John Newman is bringing Hatton’s Steak & Courtyard to 208 East Main St.
“This whole project has been something our family has wanted to do to bring a good spot to our hometown,” Newman told What Now Nashville. “Our entire family has been here for many generations, so we wanted to bring a really good restaurant concept to the town that’s going to be close to the historic square that we have.”
While Newman originally hoped to open the doors at Hatton’s this spring, permit setbacks have pushed his timeline back. Now, he is targeting a late summer or early fall opening.
The menu will center around steak and seafood. Newman and the team are drawing inspiration from their personal dining experiences across the Southeast. The team is planning to release further details about signature dishes closer to opening.
The plans for the design are still in the works, but the restaurant is expected to seat close to 300 guests. Newman is aiming to offer a classic steakhouse atmosphere with some modern and historic elements woven into the design.
“Halls Chophouse in Nashville and The Polo Bar in New York — if you could marry those two together, that’s the aesthetic we’re going for,” Newman said.
There will also be a courtyard for outdoor dining that will offer a Charleston-New Orleans aesthetic.
Newman is hoping that Hatton’s will bring an energy that is distinctly Lebanon-focused and that brings people in the community together.
“Lebanon historically has been a very vibrant town and we have more and more people coming to Lebanon to call it their home,” Newman said. “We wanted to bring a concept to town that is not a chain and that is more hometown-inspired.”
