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Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Chef David English to open restaurant this summer
by Hannah Jones, published on May 10, 2010 at 6:34 PM
Storyline: Sacramento Updates
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After a brief hiatus, Chef David English is preparing to return to the Sacramento restaurant scene. Of course he will be cooking in his chef's hat, but this time he will also wear the hat of a business owner. On Aug. 1, English plans to open a new restaurant in the Handle District called The Press.
Davis-born and raised, English left the region after high school and didn't return until three years ago when he helped open the restaurant Ella. During his time away, English worked in both France and Spain, gaining knowledge and skills of international cuisine.
"Wherever I go, I always try to cook with local ingredients," English said.
The concept of The Press comes from both foreign and local influences. The dishes will be Mediterranean, derived from English's past work experience and his recent four-month stay in Italy.
"(The food) will be healthy, light, with hints of citrus and, of course, olive oil," English said. The name of the restaurant signifies an olive oil press. While English was in southern Italy, he learned how to pick fresh olives and the art of pressing them for oil.
Although the menu will be European, the restaurant is aiming to fit in with the neighborhood.
"We really want to complement the area," English said. The Press will be near the corner of Capitol and 18th streets, sharing a wall with Zocalo and sitting across from Paesanos.
A unique characteristic of the bistro will be a high-top community table that runs almost the full length space, dividing the dining area with the bar. Like the surrounding restaurants, there will be plenty of outdoor seating.
English is currently working to develop a house red wine that will be served directly out of the barrel. He said he hopes to deliver top-of-the-line food while keeping it affordable.
"Just come and enjoy yourself," said English to his future customers. "We're going to put good stuff in front of you."
Photo:
English in front of his future restaurant The Press.
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B: Who would open a restaurant in these economic times unless they were being subsided and the taxpayers were footing the bill for their building.
C: Who is subsidizing Sac Press? They have a fat office space, lots of staff milling around,are always at events giving away schwag, and constantly writing about new restaurants. Are you guys being subsdized by the City, the Downtown Merchants Association or Paragary's? somethings up.
We are privately owned and have seen not one dollar of city money.
We have never accepted any subsidy of any kind. We pay 100% of our rent ourselves.
Believe it or not Jim some people put their money where their heart is. Many enduring businesses were created during the great depression. Mr. English has a good chance for success since he seams to be very hands on, is clued in to major trends in the industry and is probably getting a good deal on the rent in this economy. One thing he needs to keep in mind is working closely with his residential neighbors, unlike many businesses in the "Handle District."
Kudos to you Ben and the others behind SacramentoPress.com for putting your money where your heart is and where it can do a lot of good.
Other businesses are inclusive of nearby residents as customers and neighbors. These business don't disrupt the residential neighborhood with constant nighttime activity/deliveries or bar/music overkill. They don't want their businesses (or their own residences) disrupted with constant nighttime activity/deliveries or bar/music overkill.
A current series of City/business/neighborhood meetings have potential to bring some some balance to Midtown's "nighttime economy." Already, there have been some results in compliance and enforcement, at businesses that have wreaked havoc on Midtown neighborhoods, under several years of short-sighted City policies (including, some of the same policies that Kerridge and Thomas are under investigation for).
"One thing he needs to keep in mind is working closely with his residential neighbors, unlike many businesses in the "Handle District."
I met Mr. English by chance outside the closed Dragonfly. He was talking building plans with an inspector or contractor. Yet, he took a moment to greet and chat with someone who might be a neighbor and/or commuter customer of his new venue.
He was very friendly and seemed excited about his business. "Mediterranean. That's where I trained." Yum, the best.
In fact, the businesses that have NOT been disruptive to the neighborhood are the ones with a European sensibility. The flashy, loud, party-hardy scenes don't need to be in historic buildings or neighborhoods. They really belong in the downtown core.
I wish David English and his Press well. Here's to a healthy fit into Midtown's mix.
David English
plus the fact that the Scandal District logo chose a leaf and a bird. A central developer in the Scandal group purchased an historic, registered Landmark home near his business and cut down every living thing in the historic back yard, including two rare, Heritage Trees. Tall Camellia bushes and old orange trees. Leaves and birds, Gone.
He also, in front of the business cut down the sidewalk trees that were City property. Well he didn't do it. His crew of guys working early weekend mornings, literally on the run because they know it's illegal, do the dirty work. In the devastated back yard, they even had the huge tree stumps ground out, within two hours.
Like naming suburban sprawl developments for what used to be there.
If Sacramento wants to grow into a "city" it needs people that put money into an area to make it a place that people want to visit. Midtown is a shared space with residents and businesses. I never understood why people live in Midtown and complain about noise. There are plenty of neighborhoods in Sacramento that are quiet and dead.
The City of Sacramento, Midtown Business Association and residents/businesses/neighborhood associations are meeting to work on correcting mismanagement/enforcement issues, encouraging more balanced mixed use and attracting a more diverse clientele than the disruptive drink and drive culture does.
You're welcome to participate and become more informed about the realities of the situation.
People already want to visit Midtown. Allowing certain businesses to damage quality of life and Midtown's European charm for residents and other businesses (some owned by residents) is short-sighted (and illegal).
If you think "Sacramento wants to grow into a "city" " defined by disruptive, iillegal behavior and drinking and driving, then leave the historic buildings to more appropriate uses and go do it in the Downtown.