You read that headline right.
Two downtown restaurateurs have formed a partnership that will allow an award-winning chef/owner to open in the heart of Pine Avenue and help a Pine stalwart re-energize his restaurant concept.
Through a deal with Smooth's John Morris, Bouchees Bistro founders Tony Zervas and Milvia Molina are moving their culinary operations from Long Beach Boulevard to Smooth's Sports Bar and Grille on Pine Avenue and renaming it Bouchees Bistro at Smooth's.
Zervas said Monday that he had been looking for a way to open on Pine.
"I know I would do very well there," said the chef, who was awarded the golden scepter award by the Southern California Restaurant Writers four consecutive years. "That's where most of the best restaurants are and I just think we belong there with them."
Morris called the partnership "a perfect marriage," adding that Smooth's will be able to reopen for lunch. (Last April, Morris eliminated lunch service to focus on dinner and nighttime entertainment, citing up and down sales.)
"I knew he had a fabulous product, and I know he's a very hard-working individual," said Morris. "My biggest headache is the food side of this business."
The partnership also will allow Morris to potentially sell his restaurant business to Zervas and perhaps act as landlord and downtown promoter.
"It's an awesome, awesome opportunity for him to really show himself and at the end of 18 months, he has an opportunity to buy me out basically," Morris said. "What's Chapter Three for me? I've got options. ... I'm looking forward to moving forward and staying focused on bringing things to downtown."
"He's given me a golden opportunity," Zervas said of Morris. "It's a great deal for the both of us."
Meanwhile, Zervas and Molina have opened City Taco, a "straight forward, fast, fresh, delicious mix of Mexican/American cuisine," in the former Bouchees Bistro location at 515 Long Beach Blvd.
City Taco, which opens Sept. 1, will have a full bar, private dining room, patio and entertainment.
"It will have basically the same design but accented with urban art, Latin music and new signage," according to a recent mass e-mail announcing the changes.
Two downtown restaurateurs have formed a partnership that will allow an award-winning chef/owner to open in the heart of Pine Avenue and help a Pine stalwart re-energize his restaurant concept.
Through a deal with Smooth's John Morris, Bouchees Bistro founders Tony Zervas and Milvia Molina are moving their culinary operations from Long Beach Boulevard to Smooth's Sports Bar and Grille on Pine Avenue and renaming it Bouchees Bistro at Smooth's.
Zervas said Monday that he had been looking for a way to open on Pine.
"I know I would do very well there," said the chef, who was awarded the golden scepter award by the Southern California Restaurant Writers four consecutive years. "That's where most of the best restaurants are and I just think we belong there with them."
Morris called the partnership "a perfect marriage," adding that Smooth's will be able to reopen for lunch. (Last April, Morris eliminated lunch service to focus on dinner and nighttime entertainment, citing up and down sales.)
"I knew he had a fabulous product, and I know he's a very hard-working individual," said Morris. "My biggest headache is the food side of this business."
The partnership also will allow Morris to potentially sell his restaurant business to Zervas and perhaps act as landlord and downtown promoter.
"It's an awesome, awesome opportunity for him to really show himself and at the end of 18 months, he has an opportunity to buy me out basically," Morris said. "What's Chapter Three for me? I've got options. ... I'm looking forward to moving forward and staying focused on bringing things to downtown."
"He's given me a golden opportunity," Zervas said of Morris. "It's a great deal for the both of us."
Meanwhile, Zervas and Molina have opened City Taco, a "straight forward, fast, fresh, delicious mix of Mexican/American cuisine," in the former Bouchees Bistro location at 515 Long Beach Blvd.
City Taco, which opens Sept. 1, will have a full bar, private dining room, patio and entertainment.
"It will have basically the same design but accented with urban art, Latin music and new signage," according to a recent mass e-mail announcing the changes.
Karen Robes Meeks came to work for the Press-
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