In Your Dreams by Sarah Adams - 42

Though not a typical culinary hot spot, Rome, Kentucky, experienced an exciting event Sunday: the Greenhouse’s soft opening. And let’s just say it served up more than home-grown food. We’re talking a celebrity sighting, behind-the-scenes meltdowns, and a brawl between two hot brothers. And yes, we were there to catch the chaos.

First up: The pop princess herself, Rae Rose, was spotted out for the first time in months since ending her tour, on-site and dressed to impress. Donning a denim flare miniskirt dress and leather platform sandals, she looked like sexy, Southern royalty, leaving fans to wonder: Is a country album on the horizon? Security kept the press outside, but insiders say Rae was seated at a private table with family, sipping something citrusy and fizzy, enjoying herself with food and boisterous laughter.

As for the restaurant? Reports say it started strong—jalapeño cornbread? Yes, please!—but things went off the rails fast. “The chef was in a tizzy at one point, coming out to give a guest an EpiPen!” claimed one guest who asked to remain anonymous (but he definitely lives for drama). Dishes were delayed, the kitchen was slammed, but nothing compared to the drama cooking outside.

In the parking lot, the main course was served: a full-blown sibling tussle between James Huxley (farm owner) and his brother, Tommy Huxley (owner of SaltHaus) right outside the main Greenhouse doors. Video clips show raised voices, some finger-pointing, and a shouting match that boiled into a fist-throwing brawl. Staff scrambled, guests gawked, and Rae Rose? She reportedly stayed sequestered behind a wall of her security team.

So what sparked the throwdown? No confirmation yet, but we’re hearing rumors of power struggles, long-standing family tension, and maybe—just maybe—a romantic rivalry that’s heating up faster than that skillet chocolate chip cookie guests were raving about. This journalist has to wonder, is it a coincidence the feud took place in the same location where Mrs. Rose was present? Or perhaps—could her marriage to pie shop owner Noah Walker be on the rocks while she’s at the top of a love triangle affair?

No statements have been made, but trust us, the drama’s only getting started. Though the staff may still be finding their rhythm, the Greenhouse is officially the hottest ticket in town. Whether you’re there for the honey butter or the spectacle, one thing’s clear: You won’t leave hungry .

After a flurry of headlines and controversy surrounding the soft launch of a new Southern-inspired restaurant by restaurateur Tommy Huxley, The Gatherer made it a priority to secure a seat at opening night to experience the buzz firsthand. What we discovered? Rome, Kentucky’s culinary scene has officially leveled up with the debut of the Greenhouse—a cozy yet elevated eatery tucked into the heart of Huxley Farm.

Helmed by local chef Madison Walker, the restaurant leans into seasonal ingredients, many harvested from the farm steps from the kitchen. And though TMZ reported high drama during the Greenhouse’s soft opening two weeks ago, what we found on opening night was nothing but Southern comfort at its most delicious.

Guests were treated to cast-iron jalapeño cornbread and buttermilk biscuits accompanied by whipped honey ricotta and house peach preserves, a crispy cornmeal-crusted catfish served over charred scallion grits, and a showstopping heirloom and fried green tomato stack layered with goat cheese mousse and finished with a black pepper molasses drizzle. With greenhouse-style windows, hand-thrown pottery from a local artist, and warm, golden lighting, the space strikes a seamless balance between rustic charm and refined elegance.

What truly sets the Greenhouse apart, though, is its mission: This is food with heart and memory. Chef Walker, who returned home after graduating from culinary school in New York, brings both skill and soul to her menu. Each bite feels personal, almost like a love letter to the town that raised her. The service is warm without being cloying, and the staff’s pride in the restaurant is palpable.

When asked to comment on the gossip surrounding the soft launch the week prior, Chef Walker replied with a knowing smile: “That was a night to remember, and the truth of it will stay buried in the soil of this farm. But to anyone curious for answers, I invite you to book a reservation and come find them for yourself.”

The Gatherer ’s verdict: The Greenhouse isn’t only a new spot to eat—it’s a place to gather, linger, and feel at home. It’s a must-visit hot spot.