Pascal’s Law
Pascal Berthoumieux, a restaurant veteran who most recently worked as the GM at One Sixtyblue, plans to open Bistro Bordeaux, an 80-seat “grass-roots” bistro in the former Le Petite Amelia space (618 Church St., Evanston; 847-424-1483) on December 15th. “We will be all about hospitality,” says Berthoumieux, who is bringing in all the artwork and details from France, including personal items once owned by his grandfathers. “It’s the kind of place where the owner is at the door.” BB’s chef, Frank Mnuk (former sous-chef at NoMI) promises a classic bistro menu (coq au vin, onion soup, croque-madame) and tableside details like carving, flambé, and a cheese cart. But the restaurant will reflect his boss’s vision. “A lot of my best friends are in Paris and have opened up their own little bistros,” says Berthoumieux. “So it’s my turn now. I knew exactly what I wanted to do.”