Two thirty-somethings who grew up in Sacramento's restaurant scene are teaming up to open a French-influenced restaurant next month.
Simon's Bar & Cafe co-owner Alan Chan is opening his second restaurant, Bistro Michel, at 1501 14th St. The bistro will be managed by Richard Macias, who's worked in restaurants all over Sacramento. The two became friends after Macias got a job bartending at Simon's.
Chan, 36 and Macias, 35, plan to open a restaurant that is "simple and classy and not overbearing," offering primarily American food cooked with French techniques and priced for most people, Macias said.
They got fired up about French food while in France a few years ago to celebrate a friend's birthday. The bistro's name was chosen in memory of an incredible side trip they made to Brussels. The name of the city's patron saint, Michel — also known as Saint Michael the Archangel — was plastered all over, Macias said.
"We've been to France many times," Chan said. "We're inspired by the food and we want to do something special ourselves."
The bistro will replace Gaylord Restaurant in the Admail Express building, an infill redevelopment project by the Capitol Area Development Authority.
Chan grew up in the restaurant business. Nearly the same can be said about Macias, who has worked in the industry since he was 14. As teens, they went to rival Sacramento high schools.
Chan's uncle, Simon Chan, and father Johnny Chan opened Simon's more than 20 years ago. Simon owned the bar and Johnny owned the restaurant. Alan Chan took over the restaurant when his dad retired. His uncle still owns the bar.
Macias began working in coffee shops 21 years ago while in high school. He has since worked in many restaurants. He waited tables at The Waterboy, did everything from serving to cooking at The Kitchen, and helped open Selland's Market-Cafe as a manager and the person in charge of wine. Macias has also worked at 55 Degrees and Ella.
"I think I've worked at every restaurant in town," he said. "You get stale. You want to learn something new."
The bistro will offer a tier of service, with approximately $5 sandwiches and $10 sit-down lunches. Wine pricings won't be "inflated," and the restaurant will offer wine tastings and other fun events, he added.
Bistro Michel will focus on farmers' market produce and locally raised meats from Bledsoe Ranch meats, as well as meats from Colorado. Dishes could include a classic rack of lamb with herb crust and potatoes au gratin using a dried truffle cheese, and a New York strip steak with bone marrow butter, French fries and spinach. The food will be prepared with the French technique Macias learned at high-end establishments.
"We just kind of want to do something that's in that style, but caters to the budgets of people who aren't executives," he said. "I don't know that we can call it French."
Chan has looked at many other locations over the years. They both like the location at 14th and O streets because it's in the central business district and close to the Capitol and the offices of many state workers.
"It's an ideal location for us, we feel," Chan said.
They expect to open the restaurant and bar in March. The cafe will open a couple months later. They will add onto the sunroom that was used as a dining room by Gaylord's.
The pair is still working out the interior's design and color scheme. They're starting with a thorough cleaning. They'll replace carpeting with flagstone, tile or nice linoleum. Pastry cases and counters must be built and the seating will be changed. Once they open, they'll seek customer input for other changes, Chan said.
"We want to make everything better and better as we go," he said.
No comments:
Post a Comment