Today we’d like to introduce you to Darla Knight.
Hi Darla, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
In 2016, my daughter and I purchased a small neighborhood coffee shop with a simple vision: create a place where people could gather over thoughtfully prepared food and genuine hospitality. We transformed it into a café that focused on clean, scratch-made food while fostering a sense of community.
Three years later, we outgrew that original space and moved into our current location, expanding from 20 seats to more than 100. With that move came a new name—Yada—inspired by the Yiddish expression “yada yada yada.” To us, it represents the value of meaningful relationships. When you truly know someone, communication isn’t about filling the silence with endless words; connection speaks for itself. That philosophy became the foundation of our brand.
As Yada evolved, we introduced Tennessee’s only Venetian-style cicchetti bar, offering small plates designed for sharing and conversation. We imported many of our ingredients directly from Italy, from 90-pound wheels of Parmigiano Reggiano to a wood-fired pizza oven handcrafted in Tuscany, allowing us to serve certified Neapolitan pizza. Every decision reflected our commitment to authenticity and quality.
Alongside the food, we developed the area’s only true craft cocktail program, creating more than 30 signature cocktails made with the same attention to quality and clean ingredients that defined our kitchen. Over time, Yada became known not just as a restaurant, but as a destination.
That reputation led to an invitation to compete on Food Network’s Best Bite in Town. Our tiramisu earned the winning title, and one of the most meaningful parts of that experience was donating the $5,000 prize to a local women’s shelter.
After nearly a decade of growth, we felt it was time for another evolution. We closed on January 1, 2026, for a complete renovation and reopened two months later as a supper club—a place where exceptional food, handcrafted cocktails, and live music come together to create an experience rather than simply a meal.
Today, our menu blends beloved Yada favorites with elevated steakhouse offerings, including never-frozen, in-house butchered filet, ribeye, and New York strip, alongside fresh seafood and Italian-inspired dishes. Leading the kitchen is our executive chef, whose career includes Delilah, Eataly, and Hell’s Kitchen in Las Vegas, most recently coming from a restaurant nominated for a Michelin Star. His experience has brought an exciting new level of culinary excellence to our community.
While our menu and concept have evolved, our mission has never changed. We believe breaking bread should be meaningful. We don’t rush guests through dinner—we encourage them to stay awhile. Whether they’re sharing a meal, enjoying live music, or pulling out one of our board games or card games, we want people to slow down, connect, and create memories. At the end of the day, Yada is simply the backdrop for the moments that matter most.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all. In fact, one of our biggest milestones was immediately followed by one of the biggest challenges our industry has ever faced.
We relocated from our small café to our current location in 2019, expanding from 20 seats to more than 100. After just three months of full-service operations, the world shut down. Like countless restaurants across the country, we were forced to make heartbreaking decisions almost overnight, reducing our staff from 36 employees to just three.
Those months tested every assumption we had about running a restaurant. We quickly realized that success would require more than serving great food—it would require adaptability, creativity, and a team willing to wear multiple hats. The restaurant industry changed permanently after COVID, and we knew we had to evolve with it.
That experience shaped the way we operate today. It reinforced the importance of staying nimble, listening closely to our guests, and never becoming too attached to “the way we’ve always done things.” Our recent transition into a supper club is a direct result of that mindset. We believe memorable dining experiences are about more than what’s on the plate—they’re about creating an atmosphere people can’t find anywhere else.
Looking back, surviving COVID made every challenge since feel manageable. Our growth has always been a blend of intentional planning, faith, and a willingness to pivot when the moment calls for it. Through every season, our commitment has remained the same: serve exceptional food, offer genuine hospitality, and continually improve the guest experience.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Yada?
When I look back at the evolution of Yada, I see a story of constant growth. Ten years ago, I never could have imagined the restaurant we’ve created today. Every chapter has been built on the same foundation: quality, hospitality, and community.
While people often notice our 140-year-old tin ceilings, exposed brick walls, and thoughtfully designed space, what truly sets Yada apart isn’t the décor—it’s the feeling. We’ve intentionally created an environment where people slow down, stay awhile, and genuinely connect. Whether you’re celebrating with family, meeting colleagues, enjoying date night, or simply unwinding with friends, we want Yada to feel like a place you belong.
We’re proud to offer an experience that’s difficult to find elsewhere in our community: expertly prepared food, world-class craft cocktails, live jazz and other live music, and genuine hospitality under one roof. Every ingredient is selected with intention. Every cocktail is crafted with care. Every dish reflects our commitment to quality rather than convenience.
What I’m most proud of, however, isn’t our menu or our beautiful building—it’s our culture. You’ll still find me on the dining room floor talking with guests on any given night because relationships have always been at the heart of this business. Our team shares that same commitment. We want every guest to understand that behind every meal is a group of people who truly care about the details and about creating an experience worth remembering.
At Yada, we’re not simply serving dinner. We’re creating a place where people gather, celebrate, linger, and make memories. Everything else—the food, the cocktails, the music, and the atmosphere—is simply how we make those moments special.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success isn’t something I measure by revenue, awards, or even how long we’ve been in business—although celebrating ten years in downtown Clarksville is certainly something I’m grateful for. The restaurant industry is incredibly demanding, and longevity is an accomplishment in itself.
But for me, success has always been about people.
It’s reflected in the relationships we’ve built with both our team and our guests over the years. Success is a former employee stopping by just to share what’s happening in their life because Yada still feels like home. It’s guests who have moved away making Yada one of their first stops when they return to Clarksville. It’s watching birthdays become anniversaries, first dates become engagements, and strangers become regulars who know our staff by name.
Those moments remind us that we’re creating something much bigger than a restaurant. We’re creating a place where people feel seen, welcomed, and connected. If our guests leave with full hearts as well as full plates, then I consider that success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://yadaonfranklin.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yadaonfranklin
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17NUZtA6cE/
