Word from Mon Bella HQ is that Chef Brian Fowke has come out of a peaceful early retirement to lead the kitchen platoon out of the jungle after the very short-lived reign of Chef Lauren Campbell. According to Colonel Troutman, Fowke’s former drill sergeant at Fort Bragg, he can “eat things that would make a billy goat puke and can rain hellfire from his M-60 with one hand…”, making him perhaps the right man for the job. ~PK
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What’s up with this place? Truly a location of the damned it seems. They did a nice reno, came up with an interesting small plates menu and then changed it, before anyone could try it out, for a new chef and what they said was a demand for full meals! Who asked for it ’cause the place has been dead?
I actually walked by last night and the small selection of mains featured Steak Frits -and they’re just a couple of doors down from Smoking Dog who seem to have that as their trademark.
Hopefully this time round, in this economy they’ll try to carve a niche that makes sense for the space and location.
Good luck Brian.
Their website is still singing the praises of Lauren Campbell.
HKDave…. u might want to hit refresh on your browser
I heard from some who worked there that the chef (Lauren Campbell) was quite difficult and overwhelmed most nights. Despite having no experience as an exec chef and getting a fair shot at running her own kitchen, allegedly had too many ‘diva’ moments and the owner had no choice but to move quickly and concisely.
I for one applaud their move. I think the neighbourhood will enjoy having a dependable, experienced and passionate chef in a such a nice room, and in my one meal there, Brad reminded so much of a young John Bishop that I can see much hope for this new room.
Best of luck guys!
that really is a disturbing photo.
Good luck Brian
is that actually what he looks like without a shirt?
^ Yes. This recent picture was taken while Chef Fowke was in Maui on vacation where he was reluctantly drawn into a violent skirmish to liberate a bunch of hostage boogie-boarders from the New Age cabal known as the “Dolphin Triad” that was trying to seize control of the lucrative crystal trade. Within 12 minutes he had single-handedly wiped out the entire cabal, restored order to the beach, and had prepped a whole hog dinner for the locals. I hear the Luau was ‘off the hook’!
I actually find that picture quite disturbing.
Okay, okay. You’re right, it’s starting to creep me out too. Back to a PR friendly pic. ;-)
But really, Brian is still pretty kick-ass even without the M-60.
Roger,,, obviously your source was a bit confused. She left Mon Bella, not the other way around. As for overwhelmed – by what? The lack of clientele?
Best of luck to Fowke! I look forward to seeing if he can drum up some business and hopefully make a success out of a semingly doomed location.