Friday, April 17, 2009

Jean Michel’s, new restaurant going into Mercantile Place on Main, gets hero’s welcome from Dallas bigs

By Pegasus News wire

DALLAS — In an official ceremony, Mayor Tom Leppert, community officials, and Forest City Residential Group, Inc. project developers gathered to celebrate the Grand Opening of Mercantile Place on Main, Dallas' new, dynamic urban district comprised of three upscale apartment buildings - The Merc, The Element, and The Wilson. All three apartment buildings and luxury amenities are now open to residents. Adding to the excitement is the addition of a new restaurant, announced today. Jean Michel's, a modern French restaurant by noted Dallas restaurateur Jean Michel Sakouhi, will overlook Main Street Garden Park and offer the Dallas community a new place to dine and socialize. The restaurant and park will open this fall.

"Mercantile Place offers residents and guests the beauty and character of a historic neighborhood with all the modern, state-of-the-art conveniences they are looking for," said Jim Truitt, vice president of development, Forest City Residential Group and Mercantile Place project manager. "As residents move in, businesses are also seeing the sense of place that Mercantile Place is creating. The addition of Jean Michel's and Main Street Garden Park are significant steps in the historic revitalization of this core area of Downtown Dallas."

Jean Michel's will serve moderately priced European/French modern cuisine in a New York inspired, modern, street-level space inside The Element. With an interior design reflective of the architectural details of The Element, the restaurant will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner and will also offer guests a full-service wine bar with more than 500 different kinds of wine.

Vernon Morales is executive chef for Jean Michel's. He brings an extensive background of international knowledge and experience, having trained with three of the most respected chefs in the world - Ferrán Adria, Martín Berasategui and Daniel Boulud. A graduate of San Francisco's California Culinary Academy, Morales' significant culinary training includes travels abroad and extensive experience at high-profile restaurants, including the celebrated Restaurant Daniel in New York City.

"The Element is a perfect location for this venture and we're excited to be a part of this neighborhood," said Sakouhi, owner, Jean Michel's. " I am confident that the residents of Mercantile Place and the people of Dallas and the surrounding communities will enjoy our offering of delicious cuisine at moderate prices. Our goal is to provide quality service in a comfortable environment where guests will enjoy socializing with family and friends."

With more than 25 years of culinary experience, Sakouhi has created many of Dallas/Fort Worth's most recognized restaurants, including Tramontana, Paris Bistrot, Severine's Dallas, Severine's Southlake, The Balcony and, most recently, The Vault Mediterranean and The Vault Lounge in Fort Worth.

Jean Michel's will overlook Main Street Garden Park, a two-acre public park opening in October. The park will be bordered by St. Paul, Commerce, Harwood, and Main Streets, and provide scenic views to the residents of Mercantile Place. Main Street Garden Park will serve as a place for community gathering, with central open lawn space, two stages for concerts and events, a "Tot Lot" playground for small children, a full-featured urban dog run and a concession area offering lunch and snack items. Individual garden rooms and shade areas, perennial displays and ample seating will provide a picturesque place to escape in the center of downtown.

Source: Mercantile Place on Main

See more stories in:

• Hospitality Industry > Restaurants and Bars
• Real Estate > Residential
• Food and Drink > Dining / Restaurants
• Downtown Dallas > Downtown Renovation

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