Downtown Franklin, Tennessee

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Zolo’s Italian Restaurant: Judy and Brian Holmes

udy Holmes always wanted to open a family restaurant. She knew the kind of place she wanted, and the quality of cuisine she would offer. She thought about it for 20 years while she worked in Italian eateries, learning her way around the business and the food.

In 2007, all of Judy’s dreaming lead to Zolo’s Italian Restaurant on Fifth Avenue North, a place in the heart of Downtown Franklin that serves lunch and dinner in its intimate, dimly lit dining room. She runs the business with her two sons, Brian and Tim Holmes—chef and sous chef, respectively. It’s literally a family affair.

“I’ve got the whole family working here!” Judy says . “One granddaughter is a hostess, and another is a server. My son-in-law helps in the kitchen and with maintenance, and my daughter does a little bit of everything.”

Zolo’s offers all the Roman staples – veal saltimbocca, sautéed picatta, five-layered tortelloni and creamy pastas. Judy’s a mainstay in the back-of-house, making “Mama’s Triple Chocolate”—a cinnamon butter fudge cake soaked in rum sauce—when customers are lucky, or helping whip up her ultra-cheesy lasagna recipe.

Though Brian and Tim man the kitchen, they say the entire family can run the gamut when it comes to restaurant duties.

“We all know the recipes, so we all get back there,” Brian says. “It’s unique, and we thrive off of it because we get to experiment.”

Judy waves the cup of soup she’s holding, a creamy new concoction Brian had been playing with a few minutes before.

“Like this. It needs more rice though, Brian,” she says. “Now Tim makes the best French onion soup I’ve ever had.”

“And Brian’s red sauce is to die for, a little on the sweet side,” Tim adds. “What about our eggplant? I’ll go make some.”

While Tim heats up the skillet, Judy explains how the signature dish draws more customers than anything else on the menu. The secret, she says, is to make sure it’s a little on the crispy side. Thick slices are covered in homemade seasoned breadcrumbs and deep-fried, smothered in provolone cheese and then seeped in Brian’s red sauce. Eccolo!

“We have couples from New York, Florida and Alabama who visit us when they’re in town for the eggplant. We’re the first place they stop,” Judy says. “I’ve never been anywhere that makes it like we do.”

Judy, Brian and Tim have all spent decades in the restaurant business; the Zolo’s menu is made up of dishes they’ve accumulated over the years.

“It’s just old recipes, like my grandmother’s meatballs,” Brian says. “It’s simple, good Italian food.”

Though the Holmeses say they don’t label Zolo’s as “fine dining,” the restaurant certainly exudes a certain date-night appeal. The dining room is cozy, the lighting is low, and the family brings in live music on the weekends.

“We support the local artists,” Judy says. “We had a harp player last weekend, and this weekend it’ll be a jazz artist.”

Though the Holmeses hail from Ohio, they have lived in the area for more than 20 years. They say the neighboring atmosphere extends from the business community to personal relationships.

“When people get here, it’s home,” Judy says. “No matter where you’re from. That’s how we felt, and that’s what we always hear.”

For information about Zolo’s, visit them at 119 5th Avenue North or on their website.

Faces of Franklin

  • 339 Main: Tom Taylor
  • Anderson Benson Insurance and Risk Management: Darla Bousselot
  • Arbor Antique Mall: Micki Goetsch
  • Avec Moi: Bob Roethemeyer
  • Barn Door: Kevin King
  • Baskin-Robbins: Brandon Anglin
  • Bathos: Paul Barrett
  • Battle Ground Academy: Will Kesler
  • Bittersweet Primitives: Debbie Miller
  • Boutique MMM: Maria Magdalena Molnar
  • Brandon Binkley: Bink’s Outfitters
  • Carnivore Market: SJ and Virginia Botha
  • Chick-Fil-A: Jeanne Hammontree
  • City Farmhouse: Kim and David Leggett
  • Classic Sports Barber Shop: Tony Steele
  • Coffee House on Second and Bridge: Barbara Spierto
  • Craft Love: Deb Chambers
  • Damico Frame & Art Gallery: Michael Damico
  • Daniel-Christian Real Estate: Dianne Christian and Matt Daniel
  • Early’s Honey Stand: Curtis Gibbs
  • ECCO SALON ON MAIN: Lisa Asselin
  • Finnleys Good Findings: Dawn Craig
  • First Tennessee Bank: Tina Lilly
  • For Every Child: Karen Tucker
  • Foyers and Beyond Custom Flooring: Donna Bishop
  • Franklin Antique Mall: Amanda Pitts
  • Franklin Art Scene: J. Edward and Brenda Campbell
  • Franklin Flower & Gift Gallery: Debbie Burns
  • Franklin Glassblowing Studio: Jose Santisteban
  • Franklin Hair Company: Alison Wolf
  • Franklin Mercantile Deli: Graeme Asch
  • Franklin On Foot: Margie Thessin
  • Frothy Monkey: Chase Ingalls
  • Gallery 202: Kelly Harwood
  • GEAR Foundation, Our Thrift Store: Dave Krikac
  • GLOW Medspa: Gail Hayes and Tonia Gibson
  • GRAY’S on Main: Joni Cole
  • Handy Hardware: Donna O’Neil
  • Haven Sanctuary of Style: Claudia Fowler
  • Heart and Hands: Carol Bennington
  • Heylee B.: Heylee Achten
  • I Love Juice Bar: Jason Collins
  • Imago Dei: Sarah Tucker
  • Inspirations on Main: Jerry and Robbie Hembree
  • Iron Tribe Fitness: Austin Dubberly
  • It’s Vintage Baby: Amy Zongor
  • IveyCake: Ivey Childers
  • Jack Yacoubian Jewelers: Jack Yacoubian
  • JJ’s Wine Bar: Jessie Myhre, Spencer and Jill Pittman
  • Johnnie Q: Brooklyn Byrd
  • JONDIE: Rebecca and Jondie Davis
  • Kelly Spalding Designs: Kelly Spalding
  • Kimbro’s Cafe and Carpe Diem: Will Jordan
  • Landmark Booksellers: Joel and Carol Tomlin
  • Lillie Belle’s: Bud and Barbara Carman
  • Lotz House Museum: J.T. Thompson
  • LuLu: Teresa Ofman
  • Mantra Artisan Ales: Derrick Morse
  • McCreary’s Irish Pub: Natasha Hendrix
  • Mellow Mushroom: Mark Clark
  • Music City Roots: Laurie Gregory and Craig Havighurst
  • New Day Photography: Misty and Bruce Westebbe
  • Nice Branding Agency: Amy Dennis
  • Olivia Olive Oil: Christi Lassen
  • Outdoor Classic Structures: Ernie Reynolds
  • Papa Boudreaux’s: Guy Bader, Erin Wingler, Brad Bader
  • Papa C Pies: Chad and Gary Collier
  • Parks Realty: Danny Anderson
  • Philanthropy: Christina Martin
  • Puckett’s Boat House: J.T. Ward
  • Rebecca’s Furniture and Design: Rebecca Burns
  • Red Dog Wine and Spirits: Bard Quillman Jr.
  • Red Pony, 55 South, McConnell House, Cork & Cow: Jason McConnell
  • ReDo Home & Design: Mitzi Maynard
  • Riverside Antiques: Lynda McGuire
  • Saddlecreek Design: Scott Moore
  • Saffire Restaurant: Tom Morales
  • Savory Spice Shop: Hollie Rollins
  • Scarlett Scales Antiques: Scarlett Scales
  • Shannon Eye Care: Shannon Zingle
  • Shuff’s Music: Ron Shuff
  • Stoveworks Restaurant & Catering: Patricia McCracken
  • Superior Roofing: Mark Black
  • Sweet CeCe’s Frozen Yogurt and Treats: CeCe Moore and Mike Hissong
  • T. Nesbitt and Co.: Trisha Nesbitt
  • Tanya Hembree Designs: Tanya Hembree
  • Taylor Made Smiles: Missy and Court Burton
  • TBH Franklin: Travis Anderson and Taylor Irwin
  • The Bunganut Pig: Mark and Amy Goodson
  • The Cellar On Main: Janice Swartz
  • The Heirloom Shop: Elaine Thompson
  • The Red House: Bethe Smith and Kay O’Connell
  • The Shop Around The Corner: Teresa Powers
  • The Shoppes on Main: Janis Gaudette
  • Tin Cottage: Marianne DeMeyers
  • Triple Crown Bakery: Alena Vaughn
  • Twine Graphics: John Bond and Brandon Hagan
  • Vue Optique: David and Wendy Shen
  • Walton’s Jewelry: Julie Walton
  • William Powell Co. Home & Garden: Bill Powell
  • Williamson County CASA: Marianne Schroer
  • Winchester Antique Mall: Kim Tuzzio
  • Yarrow Acres: Sheri Gramer
  • Zolo’s Italian Restaurant: Judy and Brian Holmes

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