Peas & Carrots Hospitality will open two restaurants in the former Chen Chow Brasserie space, located at 260 N Old Woodward Avenue, in downtown Birmingham, Michigan in summer 2015.
The company, which is owned by partners Zack Sklar, Josh Humphrey, and Jim Bellinson, also operates Social Kitchen & Bar in Birmingham, MEX, and Beau’s Grillery in Bloomfield Hills.
Au Cochon will be a French brasserie with seating for 80 diners. Classic menu items including sandwiches, duck fat French fries, and burgers will be prepared primarily in the open kitchen at the front of the restaurant. Open kitchens are a focal point in Peas & Carrots restaurants so patrons can enjoy the entire culinary experience.
An Italian restaurant with a name inspired by the Bronx street that is home to numerous Italian eateries, Arthur Avenue, will seat 120 and have a separate entrance on Old Woodward. Dishes will be approachable and include pastas, subs, and cannolis. Lunch orders will be taken at a counter, individually prepared, then served tableside on wax paper in a red basket.
In the evening, the restaurant will turn into a full-service dining destination, with the space evoking an elegant feel with white tablecloths, increased food and beverage selections, and dimmed lighting.
The dining room will feature a semi-private area and a long communal table for larger parties. Wine will be available by the glass or bottle, as well as on tap.
Construction on the two restaurants will begin in the coming weeks. Both concepts will feature luxurious booths, raised dining areas, and increased outdoor patio seating.
They also will share one kitchen, with the exception of the dishes made in the brasserie’s open space.
In addition to the two Birmingham concepts, Peas & Carrots Hospitality will be opening more restaurants later this year, expanding beyond the metro Detroit area. Bernie’s Lunch & Supper will serve eclectic comfort food in Chicago and a second Social Kitchen & Bar will open in Grand Rapids, Michigan this summer.
“We are passionate about continuing to grow our company and introducing innovative restaurant concepts across metro Detroit and beyond,” Sklar says. “As part of Peas & Carrots growth strategy, we are planning to open five restaurants this year and we’re delighted to announce that we plan to open two restaurants in the City of Detroit in 2016.”
Announcements about Arthur Avenue and Au Cochon’s executive chef and general manager, as well as the hiring of 150 employees, are forthcoming.
