Briar Patch to open in Congress Park, replacing Crepes ‘n Crepes

Kent Dawson is opening a new restaurant called Briar Patch at 1222 Madison St., replacing Crepes ‘n Crepes, which closed last summer. Briar Patch will serve beer exclusively from Dawson's Jefferson Park brewpub, Briar Common. The menu will feature popular items like buffalo cauliflower and burgers, with about 25 percent overlap from Briar Common. Dawson aims to create a neighborhood gathering place, with plans to open in April. City Street Investors, the landlord, is pursuing a lawsuit against Crepes ‘n Crepes for $132,000 in unpaid rent and charges. Dawson's local experience helped him secure the space over other potential tenants.