New York chef and cookbook author Roberto Santibañez will open Mexican cuisine restaurant Fonda 12 South on Thursday in the 12South building, Joséphine’s final resting place.
Roberto Santibañez and Howard Greenstone
The interior of Fonda 12 South
According to a release, Santibañez, a Mexico City native, will own and operate the restaurant with his friends and business partners Howard Greenstone, founder of Red Pebbles Hospitality, and Pennington Pribbenow, the company’s chief operating officer. The three work as partners in the business that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Santibañez unveiled Fonda in Brooklyn in 2009 and later opened branches in New York, Chelsea and Tribeca.
The 12South Fonda menu includes duck zarape, soft corn tortillas with braised duck and roasted tomato-habanero cream sauce; tuna toasties; and made-to-order guacamole with corn chips. Additionally, Fonda offers build-your-own tacos, with customers able to order carnitas or barbacoa served on prop-reinforced boards.
“For most of my career, I have focused on bringing family and neighbors together to enjoy great food in the traditions and style of my home in Mexico,” Santibañez said in the release. “I’m excited to bring the Fonda concept to 12 South. I look forward to getting to know everyone and introducing Nashville to our interpretation of modern Mexican cuisine.
Fonda 12 South hours are Wednesdays and Thursdays, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sunday, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. The adress is 2316 12th Avenue S.
Joséphine ceased its activities at the end of 2023 after approximately 10 years of activity.
East Nashville’s Lipstick Lounge moves into sister bar
East Nashville restaurant and bar The Lipstick Lounge plans to open a sister operation by the end of the year, which will be called Chapstick and focus on women’s sports.
Nashville Business Journal reports that LGBTQ+ business owners Christa Suppan and Jonda Valentine will operate Chapstick out of a 1,500-square-foot structure that will be built in the back of Lipstick Lounge, located in 1400 Woodland Street Chapstick will also offer patio space (learn more here).
Nashville-based Remick Architecture is designing the building.
Suppan and a business partner acquired the property in 2003 for $450,000, according to Metro records.
