Kennedy Concepts is poised to take a prominent spot in Downtown Knoxville’s dining scene. Already owning/operating The Kennedy that opened in 2024 and Café 4 on Market Square, Kennedy Concepts is announcing two future Gay Street projects and is celebrating the grand opening of Mimosas in South Knoxville this Wednesday, Nov. 5.
This summer, Babalu, a longtime downtown eatery, closed its doors after deciding not to renew its lease. Restaurateur Chad Kennedy saw an opportunity to expand Knoxville’s culinary scene in a new way.
Kennedy Concepts is happy to announce their next venture on Gay Street: MōkuMōku.
“Mōkumōku is a Japanese onomatopoeia that describes continually expanding formations, like clouds or smoke, that puff up and grow with no boundaries. The name connects to the natural beauty of the Tennessee Valley and the Great Smoky Mountains,” says Kennedy.
At MōkuMōku, a modern Japanese restaurant, guests can expect a curated sushi program with an interactive sushi bar, plus an extensive menu of hot dishes—noodles, and other elevated Japanese entrées made to order. The sake program will be served authentically, but if that’s not your vibe, you can order from a unique Japanese-inspired cocktail menu complemented by hand-carved ice or their thoughtful wine list.
The menu takes inspiration from the world-renowned Nobu Restaurant Group, a favorite of Kennedy and his team for its elegance and sophistication. Construction is set to begin in February, with a tentative opening in late summer or early fall 2026.
The space will look completely different once renovations are complete. The atmosphere will be sleek, elegant, and slightly moody, aiming to captivate guests through its design and ambiance. Plans include covering the front patio for all-weather dining and working once again with The Johnson Studio of Atlanta, who have designed several Kennedy Concepts spaces. The restaurant will seat about 160 guests and include private dining or meeting space for up to 35 people, which can also be divided into two smaller rooms.
Kennedy says the vision is to bring Knoxville “something we felt was missing—a world-class modern Japanese restaurant that transports you to another place.”
A Second Act for the Frothy Monkey Space
Babalu wasn’t the only summer closure on Gay Street. Frothy Monkey ended its brief run, citing a desire to focus on its businesses in other cities.
Kennedy Concepts is stepping in here as well, this time with plans for a new steakhouse.
While the concept is still taking shape, the goal is to fill the gap between downtown’s fine-dining establishments and its more casual eateries. The menu is expected to feature prime cuts of beef, fresh seafood, and Italian- and European-inspired dishes, along with a high-energy dining space, a large bar, and a world-class wine list curated by an on-staff wine sommelier.
The vibe will be relaxed but elevated, a place where you can feel just as comfortable stopping in on a random Tuesday after work as you would celebrating a special occasion with friends and family. With an anticipated opening in early 2027, this one will be worth the wait.
Oliver Smith and Will Sims of Oliver Smith Realty & Development Company, the long-standing Knoxville commercial real-estate firm, helped Kennedy Concepts secure both Gay Street properties. The Johnson Group is expected to take the lead on design.
The Wait is Over for Mimosas
On Nov. 5th, Kennedy Concepts is celebrating the Grand Opening of Mimosas on the ground floor of The Davy at 222 E. Blount Avenue, with a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. and doors opening for service at 11. The hubby (Matt) and I went to their soft opening, and this place has staying power.
When I first visited Mimosas in August, the South Knoxville space was buzzing with construction, and they were getting set to begin hiring. The name nods to both brunch culture and nearby Mimosa Avenue, a playful tie to the neighborhood and the drink. The concept from Kennedy Concepts promised a place that shifts from morning coffee to late-night cocktails, and that vision is ready to become reality. The opening adds another anchor to the transforming South Knoxville corridor.
“South Knoxville has so many different communities — college students, families, professionals — and not enough places that bring them all together,” said Kennedy. “We wanted to build a place where everyone feels at home, no matter the time of day.”
Mimosas blends the energy of a café with the comfort of a full-service restaurant. Guests can drop in early for counter service, coffee and breakfast from 7 a.m.-11a.m. on weekdays or settle in with your laptop and latte in the bright, open space. You can order ahead on their website for the quickest service beginning Nov. 6.
“We want people to treat it like their local coffee shop,” said owner Chad Kennedy. “Come in, study, meet friends, or grab a cup on your way to class or work.”
Lunch and dinner follow throughout the day, beginning at 11a.m. On weekends, brunch, featuring a chef selection of raw oysters, Benedicts and seasonal stuffed pancakes, runs 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. Matt and I went to brunch last weekend to check it out. We ordered a cortado that was perfectly done and a vanilla latte to get the morning started. The latte was smooth and well done. Next up came the mimosas. Freshly squeezed OJ really made it stand out.
We took guidance from our server, Troy, on what to choose from the menu and were not disappointed in any of the dishes. The carbonara was creamy and full of flavor, and the breakfast pizza on a perfectly cooked sourdough crust was mouth-watering. Our starter was the Pigs in a Circus-breakfast sausages dipped in funnel cake batter and served with powdered sugar and maple syrup. It was a perfect pop of sweet and savory.
When we are on vacation and eating out every meal, I always research and try to find the best locally owned, highly rated places in town. Mimosas will be that place for Knoxville tourists, but will also be a spot that locals will return to over and over. As a local, it gave me the feeling of a Saturday morning away with no plans but to relax and enjoy the day. The brunch menu pairs a thoughtful breakfast menu with an undeniably talented culinary team to bring a brunch menu to town that isn’t traditional, but is familiar enough that everyone will find something to love.
Executive Chef Alan Hernandez (you may recognize him from OliBea, a Knoxville favorite gone too soon) leads the kitchen with culinary directors Wyatt Lash and Chris Painter. Wyatt comes to Knoxville with a long and rather impressive culinary resume, and we’ll be seeing his influence as the menus and plans for MōkuMōku and the steakhouse on Gay Street evolve from plans to reality.
Early highlights on the Mimosas menu from the staff include the short-rib hummus, ricotta toast, avocado toast, crab fries tossed in Old Bay, sourdough pizzas (10 out of 10 for us), and a sticky toffee pudding with vanilla gelato.
The beverage menu mirrors the team’s signature creativity in other Kennedy Concepts restaurants. In addition to a full cocktail program, Mimosas will feature something brand new: “Knoxie,” a proprietary sparkling wine and rosé currently being produced through a partnership with a winery in Sevierville. They will have many other wine options as well. A robust coffee program rounds out the beverage offerings. We tried the Strawberry Blonde and the Birds of a Feather to get a feel for the variety they have on the menu. Birds of a Feather was like a tropical vacation while the Strawberry Blonde tasted like a bright summer day.
Matt Leonard, beverage director for Kennedy Concepts, tells me, “At Mimosas, the spectrum of beverage options reaches from classic mimosas to prosecco air topping the All Gussied Up cocktail, and a Japanese-inspired Mai Tai served in a Flamingo. We wanted everyone from ‘suits to jerseys’ to enjoy something familiar, but unique at Mimosas.”
Kennedy Concepts is known for bringing nightlife energy to its restaurants, and Mimosas continues that tradition. Wednesday through Saturday, the restaurant stays open late with themed evenings, drink specials nightly, and music.
Hours and Weekly Rhythm:
Monday–Tuesday: 7 a.m.-11 a.m., Coffee/Breakfast counter service
11 a.m.–10 p.m. Lunch/Dinner
Wednesday: 7 a.m.-11 a.m., Coffee/Breakfast counter service
11 a.m.–midnight, WednesDAZED with THC-infused cocktails
Thursday: 7 a.m.-11 a.m., Coffee/ Breakfast counter service
11 a.m.–2 a.m., half-off wine bottles 9 p.m.–2 a.m.
Friday: 7 a.m.-11 a.m., Coffee/ Breakfast counter service
11 a.m.–2 a.m.- Frozen Fridays with half-off frozen rosé, and “Frozen OnlyFans” cocktails, DJ sets 10 p.m.–2 a.m.
Saturday: Brunch 9 a.m.–3 p.m. with bottomless mimosas
Dinner to 10 p.m., DJ 10 p.m.–2 a.m.
Sunday: Brunch 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Dinner 3–10 p.m., bottomless mimosas all day, beer/cocktail specials, and all the games on the big screens
A late-night food menu runs until one hour before close on Wednesday through Saturday, and every night will have beer and cocktail specials. You’ll likely never find this middle-aged mom of four enjoying the late-night menu, but I can only assume it is as tasty as all the other things we tried. Sports fans will find college football, NFL, and pay-per-view events on multiple screens, including a 14-foot display in the heart of the restaurant.
Indoors seats about 145. Outside, a 100-seat patio still under construction will feature fire pits, couches, umbrellas, TVs, speakers, and cornhole with a pretty great view toward campus. A private dining room seats up to 22 inside and connects to a private patio that expands the capacity to 35 for events.
Despite delays in getting their handpicked chairs for the dining room delivered, the opening must go on. Final furniture shipments are expected in December, but Kennedy said the space is fully operational and ready for guests. “We’ve been working toward this for a long time. South Knoxville deserves a place like this—bright, fun, and full of life.”
The design balances modern finishes with a relaxed, comfortable feel suited to South Knoxville’s growing dining scene. Johnson Architecture provided architectural and interior design, furnishings were sourced by Lauderdale Design Group, and Horner Building Co. handled construction.
Parking has been top of mind in this corridor. There are 47 dedicated covered spaces in the parking garage attached to Mimosas, free access to a nearby city garage on nights and weekends, and additional surface lots next to the Kerbela Shriners building. They have bright signs to direct guests to the parking garage and to the additional parking a short walk away.
Grand Opening Details:
Mimosas
222 E. Blount Avenue, Knoxville
Ribbon Cutting: Wednesday, Nov. 5, 10 a.m.
Doors Open: 11 a.m.
Reservations: Available now on Resy
Kennedy Concepts is invested in the best of Knoxville and filling gaps in the dining scene that they would like to see in our fair city. So far, I’m impressed. Knoxville foodies have a lot to look forward to.
