See also: Chef Robert McGrath Leaves Spotted Donkey Cantina
When Matt Taylor said adios to Noca in May, foodistas who'd come to love his elegant spin on Southern classics worried he'd leave the state, just as he did when he left Metro Brasserie for Bellagio in Las Vegas. Lucky for us, he's staying put.
Even better, he's teaming up with James Beard Award-winner and favorite local cowboy-chef-dude Robert McGrath, who plans to open Market Street Kitchen on Market Street (in the former Autostrada space at DC Ranch) come September.
It promises to be a delicious match -- McGrath as executive chef, Taylor as chef de cuisine -- given that both men are known for marrying classic technique with regional ingredients and cooking methods.
During his many years at Roaring Fork, McGrath developed a huge following for his elevated version of rustic Western cooking. Although he'll probably never move far away from that genre and he'll certainly offer some signature McGrath dishes at Market Street Kitchen (you can expect a new interpretation of the original Big Ass Burger, for example), he's not the guy who resorts to rinse and repeat.
He plans to offer rotisserie chicken and plenty of rotisseried meats, house-made charcuterie and an incredible cheese selection, devoted to obscure cheeses from around the world, including Croatia.
In a phone interview, McGrath told Chow Bella that the owners -- Keeler Hospitality Group -- have put in a sandblasted timber ceiling, a wood rotisserie built in Texas, a beautiful charcuterie and cheese station and a stunning floor-to-ceiling wine display made of aged natural iron.
The room, which will have Edison bulb lighting, will capture the history of the old DC Ranch, (originally owned by E.O. Brown and family), offering vintage images of ranch life.
"People always ask me what 'casually elegant' means, and I tell them it's a guy in blue jeans and flip flops getting out of a Range Rover," McGrath says.
Market Street's GM will be Matt Keeler, who's spent 13 years with Hilton Hotels. Its beverage director will be Chris Beelendorfe, who worked with McGrath at Renegade and is putting together a serious cocktail program.
