When Cussed Seed’s title rang out as a one star recipient, Ford jumped from his seat. Because the workers helped him into his new Michelin-branded chef’s coat, the chef beamed with satisfaction.
Now, simply months after Cussed Seed’s accomplishment, Ford and Grove Bay Hospitality Group are prepared for spherical two with the upcoming opening of Magnificence and the Butcher, a nod to Ford (the “butcher”) and his eldest daughter, Madelynn (the “magnificence”). The restaurant is ready to open in Fall 2022 within the former Public Sq. house in Coral Gables.
Grove Bay Hospitality Group cofounder and CEO Ignacio Garcia-Menocal explains that his workforce and Ford had at all times deliberate on opening a second restaurant collectively (a working title of “Afishionado” was bandied round for a time), however now appeared just like the time to strike whereas the iron was scorching. “We have at all times talked with Jeremy about opening one other restaurant. We have introduced a number of faces, however we have been choosy,” he says, including, “Once we obtained a Michelin star for Cussed Seed, we checked out one another and mentioned, ‘let’s flip Public Sq. right into a Jeremy Ford idea.'”
In accordance with Garcia-Menocal, the thought was a simple promote to Ford. “Jeremy lives in Palmetto Bay. That is his neighborhood, so after we talked to Jeremy about bringing his fashion of eating to people within the South Miami neighborhood, he was excited.”
Garcia-Menocal was fast to level out that Public Sq. was having a profitable run, calling it the “neighborhood Cheers restaurant,” however that the neighborhood was additionally prepared for extra chef-driven eating places within the space. “I believe the restaurant will do higher with Jeremy, for certain. Individuals who dwell in South Miami and Pinecrest have disposable revenue and complicated palates, however they do not go to the seaside all that usually. There’s been a transfer to convey eating to them.”
That being mentioned, Magnificence and the Butcher won’t provide the multiple-course tasting menu that Cussed Seed is thought for. As a substitute, the restaurant will provide a menu of seasonal small plates and a concentrate on totally different meats — what Garcia-Menocal calls an “American grill with Jeremy’s twist on it.” The restaurateur mentioned that his workforce and Ford seemed on the panorama of the world and determined that it ought to stay a neighborhood restaurant. “This space is all about locals, not vacationers. Folks stroll into the restaurant and have associates or neighbors at 4 or 5 totally different tables. It is extra of an extension of a household kitchen.”
The truth that Magnificence and the Butcher will really feel extra like a neighborhood institution doesn’t suggest that will probably be missing in meals or service, says Garcia-Menocal. “Our coaching and requirements for all our eating places are all the identical, it doesn’t matter what the idea is.”
The requirements are additionally excessive for Ford, who continues to try for excellence — particularly after Cussed Seed’s Michelin Star. “Jeremy’s humorous,” says Garcia-Menocal about his chef/accomplice. “Once we opened Cussed Seed, he had no hopes of successful a Michelin star as a result of there was no Florida information. Then he mentioned, ‘as soon as I get a Michelin star, I am achieved.'” Certain sufficient — we win a Michelin star and he is now pushed to get two stars subsequent yr at Cussed Seed and one star right here at Magnificence and the Butcher.”
Magnificence and the Butcher. 6915 Crimson Rd, Coral Gables; grovebaygroup.com. Opening Fall 2022.
