Friday, February 12, 2010
Restaurant News Cooper-Young's Coming Attractions
Posted by Susan Ellis on Fri, Feb 12, 2010 at 10:46 AM
The Cooper-Young neighborhood was dealt a one-two punch recently when Dish closed, followed by the Blue Fish soon after.
But don’t count 'em out yet. The Blue Fish is being re-opened today as the Reef, and coming soon are the Grace breakfast and lunch spin-off Au Fond and the low country restaurant Sweet Grass.
The seafood restaurant the Reef is being opened by former Blue Fish manager David Meredith. Blue Fish chef Tim Foley is staying on, and the restaurant’s menu will include new dishes as well as carrying over some dishes from Blue Fish. One difference between Blue Fish and the Reef: Prices will be lower.
Au Fond, which is next-door to Grace and may open as soon as next week, will have a coffee bar and offer breakfast and lunch from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will also be a small market with local produce and an extensive cheese selection that will be open until 7 p.m.
According to Au Fond manager Chey Fulgham, the name of the restaurant comes from a cooking term that means the essence or core of a dish.
Fulgham says that while this French bistro is much more casual than Grace, Grace’s influence will be apparent. “It’s the same philosophy of food — the highest quality — just transferred,” he says.
Sweet Grass, which will be in the former Square Foods site, is being opened by former Grove Grill sous chef Ryan Trimm and Café 1912 owners Glenn and Martha Hays.
Trimm says they hope to be open by mid-March and the restaurant will serve Carolina coastal food (think: shrimp and grits) with a little bit of a French touch.
The restaurant will seat about 85 and will be nice but still casual. Prices, says Trimm, will be reasonable.
“It’s a neighborhood restaurant,” he says. “You’ll be able to get a good meal without tapping into your savings.”
As for the Dish site, Tamara Walker, director of the Cooper-Young Business Association, says she expects a new business will open there soon.
And those Mellow Mushroom rumors? Walker doesn’t see that happening. “We’re trying to keep franchises out of Cooper-Young,” she says. “We’re kind of hippie-dippy and quaint. I could be surprised, though.”
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Mellow Mushroom is known for being "hippie-dippy." I would think in this economy, the leader of a business association would be courting successful business, rather than discouraging them. The MM in Gtown has been slammed with customers since it opened it's doora: lengthly waits for tables are the norm. Perhaps Walker should send her reaume to June West.
Either MM or get Pizze Stone to move to C-Y from V-E, at least that is LOCAL. I say that even as a BIG fan of MM.
Great to hear, and I'm excited to try C/Y's new offerings.
Although I'm skeptical about the possibility of anything popping up at 948 anytime soon. That place needs some pretty heavy-duty renovation – hopefully the landlord will be more cooperative.
awculv it doesn't seem C/Y is having trouble attracting local business, so why ruin a good thing by pursuing a chain? What works in Germantown does not work in Midtown, at any rate.
mellow mushroom is exactly what needs to be there, its not like its a Texas Road House or Hooters. Its a franchise, not exactly a chain, most have there own local themes like the new one in Germantown.
Tamara, why is Cafe Ole OK? that place went downhill years ago, Im not sure how it stays in business in the cold months without the patio.
You would think with 2 places closing,the CYBA would be looking at it's self and figuring out how the 4 new places are going to stay open. It's not like the economy or people's disposal cash has gone up in the last month.
Cafe Ole, does well b/c first, the business has been paid for, second some of the business partners in it are DR's and have outside income, and it gets a drinking crowd in it. Dish and Blue Fin weren't exactly drinking joints. I never had a friend say, lets meet at dish or blue finn for drinks.
Very excited about the new businesses coming into my neighborhood -- can't wait to try them all! I do hate to see the CYBA say that they're trying to keep any viable business (especially Mellow Mushroom!) OUT of Cooper Young. Just doesn't seem to reflect the openness of our community. Outback Steakhouse, though not technically in CY, has been a valuable partner in both our annual Four Miler race and our National Night Out parties. Though I tend to prefer locally-owned restaurants myself, I don't think any neighborhood is in a position to be discouraging tenants in empty storefronts right now. I say bring 'em on!
Reports of Cooper Young's demise are greatly exaggerated. While it's a tough time for restaurants, there is good group of excellent eating and drinking options in the area, all within walking/biking distance of the local residents. Good luck to all these businesses, new and old.
who's gonna go to MM with pizza cafe down the street? I sure wont. and there is nothing about G-town thats "hippie-dippy" G-town is the antithesis of hippie-dippy. The important thing for cooper/young is to keep prices low and have a good bartender and beer selection, its a young crowd a lot of students, no one want to go broke trying to have a fun night out.
I much prefer local. I can go to any other part of this city if I want corporate food and to send my dollars to some coporate headquarters God knows where.
Keep our money local. I've never seen an article promoting Memphis that said they had BEST burger ever at MM but ONLY at this Memphis location.
MM just looks cool. It's same ol' coporate crap. Out Easters just don't know any better.
Local IS Memphis. Midtown IS Memphis.
Let's keep it that way.
Sunday brunch at The Reef was super tasty, and very reasonable.
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