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Ben Anderson (left) is a bit of a tease.
When the owner and executive chef of Gist Bistro closed the restaurant (one we liked a lot) late last month, a cryptic note—"Due to unexpected circumstances, we're closed..."—was left on the door. Then, a few days later, a more revelatory note (see below) announced Anderson and Gist partner Mike Miller were parting ways. Ian Froeb reported the closing and mentioned that Anderson was planning to open a new venture somewhere else. At the time, though, Anderson wasn't discussing details.
Today, we have details.
The new restaurant will be called Grapeseed. Anderson has purchased a building at 5400 Nottingham, near the intersection of Macklind Avenue, in Southampton. He will own and operate the restaurant. Joining him in the venture will be Jonathan Olson, Anderson's former sous-chef at Gist who will be the executive chef at Grapeseed. Followers of the food scene will remember Olson from Market Street Grill in Soulard and Erato on Main in Edwardsville, Ill.
Grapeseed will be rooted in small plates ("Jon's wheelhouse," according to Anderson), although there will be more substantial fare available as well. The menu, which also will include options for kids, will be priced from $5 to $15.
A plot of land in front of the restaurant will be converted to a small patio, and there's a larger area in back for the same, boosting seating from 80 to 130. Anderson likened the atmosphere to "a wine-bar feel with old-city touches"—meaning lots of brick and reclaimed wood.
Construction will begin shortly, and Grapeseed should sprout in late January.
Editor's Note: A hat tip to SLM's newest contributor, Joe Bonwich, who provided the lead for this story.
