Two years ago Bistro By The Tracks moved temporarily to Happy Holler as the group awaited the next intended location, at the site of the former Orangery, to be ready for their move there. The intention all along was to have restaurants in both spaces and when the Orangery location opened (in February of this year), there remained two locations with the same name. It lead to some inevitable confusion, particularly with online reservations. After much deliberation, the Happy Holler location became The Marlowe this week. I met with everyone involved to learn more.
Randy Burleson, owner of both restaurants, as well as Sunspot, Aubrey’s, and Fieldhouse Social, said the restaurant is his wife Melissa’s favorite of all the restaurants where they eat. Melissa was involved in both the interior design of the restaurant, as well as its new branding. The restaurant developed a devoted following from the beginning, including a blend of customers from the first location and new customers from the Old North Knoxville and Fourth and Gill neighborhoods.
The new name went through a long period of conversation. GM Lana Shackelford and Chef Robert McDonald, both of whom have been at the restaurant from the beginning and will remain so, and others tried out a range of names. They pitched names to the regulars. Eventually The Marlowe seemed to please most everyone. It is a reference both to Aubrey Jaye Marlowe Burleson’s middle name, as well as the writer Christopher Marlowe. The name is intended to be a little bit elegant, while not stuffy.
I asked if the menu has evolved at the restaurant and whether changes would be on the way. Chef McDonald said the original location maintained a seasonal menu and that continued at the Happy Holler location, but eventually shifted to a “Winter menu and a Spring/Summer menu.” They’ve tracked what has remained popular and discovered that tastes shifted between the two locations. They adjusted the menu accordingly.
Lana has been with Bistro by the Tracks — and now The Marlowe — longer than anyone, as she worked there before it was purchased by Burleson. She’s now worked with the company for twenty-two years. She’s delighted that the new restaurant location because North Knoxville has been her neighborhood for over fifteen years. She’s loved watching the development in the area. “I love that this is a neighborhood restaurant. Everyone has embraced (it).”
Chef Robert said, “When devising the menu for the Marlowe, I went back to all the menus we’ve done at this location . . . and picked the top seller of that particular item. The opening menu will be the ‘greatest hits of Happy Holler.'” First on the list will be the “salmon dish that won us Top Chef 2024. It’s miso-cured salmon with strawberries, mushrooms, and tomatoes with ginger butter and a strawberry vinegar reduction.”
He said it was easily the most popular salmon dish. He added that he loves doing the Top Chef event as it is a fund raiser for Children’s Hospital. “Whether we win or lose, as long as people come in and have a good time, buy their ticket and it goes to Children’s Hospital, then I know that I’ve done a good job, and it goes to a good place.”
Another dish he’s excited to have on the menu is the duck recipe which proved the most popular over the last two years. “The duck has gone back to an all-time favorite with a cherry bordelaise. We’ve bumped it up to include the duck quarter that is going to be confit and fried. So, you’re going to get a nice crispy confit duck leg and then grilled breast with rice pilaf, grilled asparagus, with a cherry bordelaise . . . It’s very New York-French is how I like to think of it.” Randy chimed in pointing out it is his favorite dish.
As for what a first-time person might expect from The Marlowe, Lana said, “When people ask about a dress-code, I always tell them, ‘It’s your occasion, dress for that.’ Everyone walks through the door, and they are comfortable . . . Our service is always personable. We genuinely care about our guests, and we have great guests and regulars . . . Our staff genuinely wants you to have a great experience and come back.”
Randy added, “People kept asking, ‘Are you going to leave when Bistro moves to Bearden. This is our commitment to staying here.
Signage should be up anytime, and the transformation will be complete. The name has changed, but it’s the same great place. The restaurant will continue its normal hours: Monday through Thursday 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm, and Friday/Saturday, 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm, Closed on Sunday.