Posts Tagged ‘Bertrand Chemel’
Just In: 2941 Opens Monday, January 30th
Posted by Stefanie Gans / Wednesday, January 25th, 2012
After passing all of its inspections, 2941 will start serving its new upper-scale Mediterranean menu in the renovated space this coming Monday.
Look for more details later today (menu items!) and check out NVM’s interview with Chef Bertrand Chemel about the economy’s impact on losing its French fine dining label.
Photo by Sally Traynham
First Look at Renovated 2941: Battered Economy Led to Dismissal of Fancy French Restaurant
Posted by Stefanie Gans / Wednesday, January 18th, 2012
“The French isn’t going to die. It’s still me cooking,” Chef Bertrand Chemel says, defending his menu change at 2941. The Falls Church restaurant closed last year to renovate the kitchen and to rework the entire menu, turning from fancy French to upper-scale Mediterranean. Chemel expects 2941 to reopen next week.
“For about four years we tried to change the perception,” the French chef admits about his struggling high-end restaurant. “People come here for celebrations and at the end of it, their check was high and that was the only thing they remembered.”
The economy played a role in Chemel’s decision to temporarily shutter the restaurant, acknowledging that selling a tasting menu in this climate–and in Falls Church–wasn’t working any longer. But the dramatic act of closing also let him finally shift attitudes. “We tried to do so many different types of menus and different types of advertisements, but it never changed,” Chemel says, adding, “We do run a business and it shows over the years that the percentage of tasting menu we used to sell, to now, declined a lot.”
With his kitchen equipment starting to break about two years ago, and the battered economy impacting sales about a year ago, Chemel used the opportunity to campaign for his updated restaurant.
Although, the menu won’t reveal a complete change as Chemel has been showcasing pasta dishes for years. The new 2941 will unveil different types of pasta, including buckwheat and chickpea. Another shift stems from ingredients. Before the renovation, only 20 percent of 2941′s ingredients came from local sources. That number will now jump to 50-60 percent.
Local sourcing, however, doesn’t translate to local drinking. Chemel hasn’t warmed to Virginia wines. “It’s very hard to sell to a guest a Virginia wine that we [buy at] $40 a bottle, and after we do the mark-up, they can have another one that comes from California and the quality will be much better,” says Chemel.
Creativity still reigns in 2941′s blended Italian-Spanish-South of France-American restaurant. ”If they like the dishes I used to make on the tasting menu, I think they will enjoy it as a la carte size or appetizer size,” says Chemel, noting he’ll transfer some of his tasting menu dishes to the standing menu. “What I think those people are looking [for] is to come to a beautiful place, but still to have the same quality food.”
But that doesn’t mean white tablecloths and what New Times food critic Melissa McCart terms, “dinner prison.” “People don’t want to stay two or three hours at the table,” Chemel observes, “and that’s the thing that changed from a long time ago.” Of course though, it will all circle back. “I think food is like cosmetics and clothing,” Chemel opines, ” it’s always going to come back.”
Chemel’s not too saddened about the change though,”I try to make myself happy to make my guests happy. I will still do fine dining, but in a more casual way [with] more friendly service, not surly service…” The native French-speaking chef then quickly chimes in, “I’m not sure about the exact wording.”
View the photos here.
Photos by Sally Traynham
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Posted by ryan / Monday, March 21st, 2011
The James Beard Foundation Awards have been called “the Oscars of the Food World” by Time magazine. It honors the country’s best chefs, restaurateurs, designers, and journalists for their creativity and professionalism. This year’s nominees were recently announced. Looking closely at the list of semifinalists, I found several deserving locals up for consideration.
Restaurant Eve of Old Town Alexandria is an Irish-themed restaurant that can be found in the Outstanding Service category. Co-owner Cathal Armstrong could realistically win the award for the best chef in the Mid-Atlantic region. Head Sommelier Todd Thrasher has been nominated for the most outstanding wine and spirit professional in the country. Both have been honored several times in the past. Numerous publications like the Washingtonian, Food & Wine, and even Playboy have praised these men for what they do. This is Armstrong’s fourth nomination and Thrasher’s second at the JBF Awards.
Cathal, an Irish native and his wife Meshelle may very well be the most distinguished restaurateurs in the Metropolitan area. Eamonn’s, PX, and The Majestic are all a part of their EatGoodFood, LLC. Success has allowed them to give back to the community often. They’ve put a lot of time and effort into protecting our nation’s agricultural resources and eradicating hunger among children. In fact, The National Restaurant Association awarded them the The Neighborhood Community Award for their charitable works in 2006.
Bertrand Chemel of the 2941 Restaurant in Falls Church is also in the running for the best chef in the Mid-Atlantic. The executive chef from the south of France has made quite a name for himself since he took over. The Wine Spectator recently gave 2491 the “Best of the Best” Award for its extensive selection. The innovative menu changes seasonally, the tasting menu changes nightly, and an unforgettable culinary experience is practically ensured.
District nominees include Kushi Izakaya & Sushi, Palena, and Knightsbridge Restaurant Group.
Winners will be announced at the Lincoln Center in New York City on Monday, May 9 at 6 p.m.
Good luck to them all!
-Ryan Robertson
(image: James Beard Awards)
“I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship”
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Monday, June 7th, 2010
The 2010 RAMMYS kicked off with a strong start last night, glammed up for the evening with its Casablanca theme based on their own version of the famous line “We’ll always have…restaurants.” Northern Virginia made a respectable showing – with 2941 taking the award for Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year and the Pastry Chef of the Year to its Anthony Chavez. Vermilion claimed the trophy for Best Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year.
Anthony Chavez of 2941 accepts his award as Pastry Chef of the Year
In the past, the awards ceremony took place during a seated dinner. But the 2010 RAMMYS is introducing a new format with a theatre-style ceremony followed by buffet-style dinner in the main ballroom. Chef Liam LaCivita of Liberty Tavern (and nominee as Rising Culinary Star) says yes to the latest changes. It was quick, he says. LaCivita is currently busy with the recent opening of Northside Social, a coffee and wine bar in Clarendon.
Theatre style seating for the new RAMMYS format
The table of 2941 also reports glowing praise of the new format. Executive Chef Bertrand Chemel says the RAMMYS of 2009 had been a disaster as it seemed like people didn’t care. But he found this year’s set-up to be much more “tasteful.” (Yes, he did use that exact word, but I don’t think he knew how much his unexpected pun delighted me!) Chemel says that the new format shows that it is more about the event than the party.
However, Anthony Chittum, Executive Chef of Vermilion might disagree. He was not a fan of the changes, saying it was too chaotic. I was surprised when he told me that he had to stand during the ceremony as there were not enough seats.
Miles Vaden, Executive Chef of Eventide, had the same problem. I’ll attest to that as I was standing on the side of the show right next to him.
I didn’t have the chance to survey every guest, but from the handful of reactions I gleamed, I may have recognized a pattern. Those nominees left without a chair in the house were less inclined to embrace the new style.
RAMW President Lynne Breaux absolutely loves the theatre-style format and reports a positive consensus. She concedes that with any new thing, we will have to tweak it to make it better in the coming years. For RAMMYS 2010, she says people paid attention to what was important.
Scott Drewno, recipient of the Chef of the Year title, especially appreciates not having to worry about going up on stage with spinach in his teeth.
Anthony Chittum and his girlfriend, Dominique
In other exciting news, Anthony Chittum tells me he is headed to Crete for some culinary research. I hope we get to see some of that Greek influence in their next Outstanding in the Field dinner, an evening of al fresco dining set for September 12th. (Opa!) In the meantime, Chittum and his girlfriend, Dominique recommend we try Duangrat’s Thai Restaurant in Falls Church, a traditional family restaurant which they say is not recognized enough.
- photos and story by Jamel Daugherty
NoVA Well Represented in 2010 RAMMY Race
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010
(Image: RAMW)
Restaurant awards season is now officially underway, with the James Beard Foundation unveiling its 2010 finalists yesterday and the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington shining a light on the D.C.-Metro area’s culinary superstars today.
Though they are two very different competitions, there are at least one pair of hometown hopefuls in the running for both the national Beard Awards and local honors: restaurateur Jose Andres–whose minibar has him in contention for a Fine Dining RAMMY and Beard’s Outstanding Chef award–and CityZen pastry chef Amanda Cook (nominated for her delectable sweets by both hospitality scrutinizing bodies).
Meanwhile, Northern Virginia restaurants figure prominently in nine of the 14 RAMMY categories, including:
* Fine Dining: 2941
*Upscale Casual: Liberty Tavern, Vermilion
* Neighborhood Gathering Place: EatBar
* New Restaurant: Eventide, Inox
* Chef: Bertrand Chemel/2941
* Rising Culinary Star: Liam LaCivita/Liberty Tavern, Shannon Overmiller/The Majestic, Jon Mathieson/Inox
* Pastry Chef: Anthony Chavez/2941, Josh Short/Buzz (Neighborhood Restaurant Group)
* Wine Program: 2941
* Beverage/Mixology Program: EatGoodFood Group (AKA Todd Thrasher of Restaurant Eve/PX/The Majestic fame)
You can browse the full list of 2010 RAMMY nominees here. The winners will be feted June 6th during an awards gala at the Marriott Wardman Park.
Northern Virginia Magazine would like to congratulate all the nominees–yes, even you D.C. restos–and wish you all the best of luck on awards night!
–Warren
