Mike Faille passed away today, the result of complications from a heart attack he suffered on Sunday. Faille was 73.
As reported here shortly thereafter, the pre-opening events for Faille's new restaurant, the Frontenac Grill, went on this week as planned.
And we are glad to report that the restaurant will open to the public as scheduled, according to Exec Chef Andrew Ladlie.
Ladlie feels an obligation to "stay on track and see the place though," as Faille would have done, and has chosen to pay an interesting tribute. Apparently, members of Faille's family (with many years of experience at Faille's Talayna's pizza stores) were on board to run "the pizza end of the operation," according to Ladlie. And instead of firing up the pizza ovens with an inexperienced and unfamilar crew, Ladlie has elected to open up "with the pizza ovens silenced in his honor," until family members return to do them justice.
Ladlie reflected on what was mentioned in a Q&A with Faille, from the November 2011 issue of SLM, "It was true that Mike believed in angels. We hope he will be our angel here."
The Frontenac Grill will open at 4 p.m. tomorrow evening.
Photo of Mike Faille from one month ago, by Kevin A. Roberts
