Chardonnay to anchor French Quarter

Double cut, extra-thick pork chops, certified Angus beef steaks, seafood and vegetarian dishes are some of the items that will be available on the menu at Chardonnay, an "ultimate casual dining" restaurant slated to open Oct. 2, according to Don Grimes, co-owner of the restaurant at 1620 E. Republic Road.

Grimes is new to Springfield. He moved here to help run the restaurant with Bill Jester. Grimes has known Bill and his wife, Nancy, for more than a year. Chardonnay is 8,500 square feet and consists of two stories. The main floor will be used for dining and is where the kitchen is located. The top floor also will be used for dining but it will include a place for outdoor dining and a stage where local bands can perform.

"We want the local bands to play here," Grimes said. "There aren't a lot of places for them to play on the south side of town."

Grimes said they decided to build Chardonnay on the south side of town because there's a need for restaurants in the area.

The decor is what Grimes calls "a contemporary design." The main dining room has a 25-foot ceiling. The tables and chairs are made of mahogany. The booths are covered with cobalt blue fabric. The light fixtures are imported from Italy. Local interior designers Joyce Buxton and Diana Werner did the design work.

Prices for a meal range from $7 to $19. The chef has worked at Buckingham's, at an African-themed restaurant in Branson, and at Patrick's, a restaurant formerly located on Republic Road.

Chardonnay offers a fully stocked bar and a wine list with 60 different choices.

Chardonnay's business hours are 4-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4-11 p.m. Friday, 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday.

Kids' menus and high chairs are available. Chardonnay is one of several businesses going into the new French Quarter Plaza at 1602-1638 E. Republic Road.

Grimes said the center was built with the plan of having a restaurant as its anchor tenant.

In addition to the Chardonnay, two children's clothing stores and a salon and spa are going into the French Quarter.

Jelly Beans Children's Wear is moving from the Brentwood Center to the French Quarter and will open this month. A new store, called M B Tweens, is a store selling clothes for girls sizes 7-14. It will open sometime this month, as well. The French Quarter Salon and Spa is expected to open in November.

Leasing agent Teresa Schwab, a commercial Realtor for Wilhoit Properties, said there's still space available in the business center 1,600 square feet at the east end and 5,100 at the west end.

Schwab added that additional space at the back of the French Quarter will be designed for office use.

Each space will be 5,000 square feet and will be located on the south side of the business center.