Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman, the Memphis chef duo behind Chez Philippe and Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen, have expanded their portfolio with two stacked concepts in a single building. Josephine Estelle occupies the ground floor as an Italian-Southern hybrid restaurant, while Rosie's Tavern operates as a cocktail bar on the upper level.
The vertical design creates operational efficiency while allowing each concept to function independently. Josephine Estelle bridges the culinary traditions Ticer and Hudman know best. Their previous work at Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen established their reputation for Northern Italian cooking with Southern ingredients and techniques. The new restaurant applies this philosophy to a casual setting, blending Memphis's food culture with Italian fundamentals.
Rosie's Tavern follows the cocktail-first approach gaining traction in major food cities. The bar sits above Josephine Estelle, creating a natural progression for diners who start with dinner and move upstairs for drinks. This stacking strategy lets the partners maximize real estate while building a neighborhood destination.
The opening reflects Memphis's evolving restaurant landscape. The city's food scene has shifted from meat-and-three comfort food toward more refined concepts without abandoning Southern roots. Ticer and Hudman's restaurants consistently honor this balance. Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen proved that sophisticated Italian cooking resonates with Memphis diners when executed with respect for local ingredients and traditions.
The dual-concept model also addresses labor efficiency. Sharing kitchen infrastructure, storage, and front-of-house resources reduces overhead while maintaining distinct identities for each restaurant. This approach has worked in other markets where chef teams operate multiple brands under one roof.
Josephine Estelle and Rosie's Tavern represent the next phase in Ticer and Hudman's growth. Rather than opening separate standalone restaurants, they've created an integrated dining and drinking experience. The