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Chef Richard Blais and Concentrics Restaurants have announced the name of the new restaurant concept they are developing: The Spence. Blais, who recently won Top Chef All-Stars, credits his wife, Jazmin, with finding the ultimate inspiration behind the name:
We were looking for a word that would describe the spirit of the design and offerings. We all landed on the word ‘larder’ simultaneously. After some research, my wife Jazmin stumbled upon the word ‘spence,’ a synonym for larder. We loved that it refers to a place where families would sit and eat together. In keeping with its many meanings, The Spence will be about the contents of our pantry and coolers, our fantastic purveyors and specialized ingredient sources and sitting down to eat with family and friends.There won't be any ten-course tasting menus, but diners can expect dishes such as Dover Sole with Brown Butter Foam and Kumquat Chutney, a Prime Steak cooked sous vide and finished on a wood burning rotisserie, a bowl of handmade pasta or a cheeseburger.
Blais and Concentrics have enlisted the design skills of Atlanta powerhouse, The Johnson Studio, the award-winning architecture firm that is known for its unique designs of Atlanta’s TWO urban licks, Chicago’s TRU restaurant, New York’s Del Frisco’s Grille, and Fearing’s in Dallas. Its Senior Principal, Bill Johnson, on working with Blais: "I’ve been a fan of Richard’s for almost 10 years and I am really excited about being involved with him and Bob in this new venture. We are working on a unique design that echoes the creativity of these 2 guys and yet feels as comfortable as home.”
The Spence is slated to open in the former location of The Globe sometime in the Winter of 2012.
· Richard Blais [Official Site]
· Concentrics Restaurant [Official Site]
· All Richard Blais Coverage On Eater Atlanta [-EATL-]
· All Richard Blais Coverage On Eater National [-E-]
[Photo courtesy of Concentrics Restaurants]
