Hanleys0125
Jeff Constance, co-owner of the two Hanley’s Grille & Tap restaurants, has decided to leave to pursue other projects. He reports the separation was amicable and that both Hanley’s remain viable, despite admittedly tough market conditions.
Restaurant followers will remember Constance as the Executive Chef of the eight corporately-owned J Buck’s locations, as well as at Finale restaurant in Clayton. That blanket corporation was restructured in 2008 (leaving but two J. Buck's in town), allowing Constance to install Hanley’s in their former locations, bang-bang style: St. Clair Square opened in September 2009, West County Center followed 10 weeks later.
At the time, right here in Feast, I praised Constance for his chutzpah. Hanley’s target market--the mid-level dining segment--was already in some distress, and was compounded by heavy competition at West County Center (Elephant Bar, McCormick & Schmick’s, Bravo!, and now Primebar).
As timing would have it, Hanley’s received a favorable review from SLM's lead critic Dave Lowry in this month’s issue. I’ve eaten at Hanley’s several times as well…Constance is eminently capable, his resume is deep, and if Buck’s situation is any indicator, chefs under his tutelage pulled their weight as well. It’s my opinion that the Buck’s brouhaha was caused more by poor locations and corporate squabbling (anyone remember the Lake of the Ozarks store that got built but never opened?), rather than food-related issues. (The burger at J. Buck’s is still one of my favorites in town.)
As for Hanley’s, its fate is most likely in the hands of its marketers. As for Jeff Constance, Feast will keep tabs on him. We'll let you know where he lands. – George Mahe
(Above photo courtesy of Jennifer Silverberg.)
