And no, it's not an outpost of chef/celebrity Eric Ripert's Le Bernardin in New York. Chef-owner Freddy Lee, who's opening this second location of his Winston-Salem restaurant, did cook for awhile at Le Bernardin - but that was back in the mid-80s, when Gilbert and Maguy Le Coze had the place. "I don't know Eric Ripert," says Lee. "He came way after that."
Lee, 44, has owned the Winston-Salem restaurant - whose name he and staff pronounce "ber-NAR-din's" - with his brother Terry since 1992. "We've been down here a long time." About a year and a half ago, they moved it from its original site to the historic Zevely House. That's why, he says, the uptown spot at 435 S. Tryon St., formerly the Ratcliffe Florist building, was so attractive. "It's a historic house, like ours in Winston-Salem." They signed the lease with Wells Fargo two or three months ago, he said, and did some renovation. The menu at first will be very similar to his original, which he says is contemporary American with Asian influences, and "completely different" from Ripert's. His family came from Hong Kong and he spent time in India, as well as some months cooking in New York City. He is a Culinary Institute of America grad and says he spent time with Le Coze, as well as with Steven Mellina at Manhattan Ocean Club and at Tribeca Grill.
Lee hopes to open in three weeks or so - which will be about a week before Ripert, interestingly, comes to Charlotte for an Oct. 26 appearance with chef/celeb Anthony Bourdain. Twitter was alive with comments, with people suggesting to Ripert that he rename his place "Le Original Bernardin" and that he send Lee a dead fish wrapped in a Le Bernardin menu. (Ah, Twitter. A subtle place.) Ripert tweeted that "They will deal w MLC my business partner," then clarified that was Maguy Le Coze.
Asked if he'd heard from anyone from Le Bernardin's yet, Lee said, "Why would they call me? I pronounce it 'ber-NAR-din's'."
Monday, September 26, 2011
Bernardin's coming to Uptown
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11 comments:
Very interesting. I'm not sure how the guy gets away with naming a restuarant the same as an established and well known one in NYC, especially when he worked there at one time. I suspect there is a copyright issue that will likely need to be addressed especially since he is being so public about it!
Maybe he should just call it Bernie's and be done with it.
Ber NAR din? Bear nah DEEN?
Silly drama.
and just WHY are Bourdain and Ripert coming to Charlotte on October 26?
I wish him the best. But a real stupid PR thing naming the restaurant as almost the same as one of the world's best restaurtants. STUPID!
This is BS. Period.
Who cares about the name, they have a great restaurant.
I honestly don't believe that Le Bernardin management will ever hear about this. This just is not news for a New York City establishment like LB. Charlotte wannabes just don't hit the radar screen in NYC.
Take my word for it, Le Bernardin management knows .. and will act.
@Anon 9:21 PM: Ripert and Bourdain are on a speaking tour. They are scheduled to speak at Belk Theater @ Blumenthal that day.
It's amazing how stupid some people are commenting on something they know nothing about . It's great to have this restaurant in Uptown Charlotte its about time we got a great non chain locally owned restaurant here that is affordable and great food.
Steve K
Welcome to Charlotte! I took a group of friends after Jazz at the Bechtler Friday and had an enjoyable experience. Decor, lighting service and most importantly the food was impeccable! You can enjoy the global culinary influences in a subtle way that is very successful. We will return!
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