Anoosh Shariat headed for Charlotte!

[Robin Garr]

Just got this news release from a pal in Charlotte ... the news release, which I've left un-edited for the full effect , is from a Louisville firm ...

Mez Announces New Chef and Menu
Nationally Acclaimed Chef Anoosh Shariat Joins the Staff at Charlotte’s Contemporary Dining Destination

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (July 13, 2010)---Mez is pleased to introduce its new chef Anoosh Shariat along with a new menu of contemporary fare with global influences. Shariat comes to Charlotte from Louisville, where he has garnered a stellar reputation. He has been honored with a “best chef” recognition by Louisville Magazine and his food has been described as a “flawless delight” by The Courier-Journal food critic who gave his restaurant her highest rating, four stars. In addition, Anoosh has been featured in Food Arts, USA Today, Gourmet, Food and Wine, The New York Daily News and Southern Living. He was also the first chef from Kentucky to appear on the Food Network.

“I’m so looking forward to joining the Charlotte restaurant community,” says Shariat. The Queen City has such a diverse culinary scene, and its reputation on the national level is increasing at an exciting rate. It’s a great time to be here.”

Debuting his new menu during the height of summer, Chef Anoosh will be making it a priority to use the local bounty of seasonal produce. New dishes include such small plates as Summer Gazpacho with cucumber and avocado relish ($5/7); Seared Tuna with ginger and lemongrass French toast, citrus honey and chili oil ($12); and a variety of flatbreads ($11), including roasted mushroom, arugula and truffle oil. Signature entrées include Herb Roasted Lamb Chops with slow roasted baby potatoes, eggplant caponata and plum jus ($30); Grilled Scottish Salmon with asparagus, oyster mushrooms, fennel ragoût and dill butter ($28); and Pan Roasted Ashley Farms Chicken with summer succotash, saffron orzo and pomegranate glaze ($19). The menu also includes a selection of creative salads and pastas and a variety of steaks.

Chef Anoosh has a unique style of fusion that can be best described as “global cuisine.” In addition to his culinary efforts in Derby City, Anoosh spent years cooking in Germany, Switzerland and in the American Southwest before moving to Louisville. He has a particular affinity for combining Middle Eastern ingredients with classic cooking techniques and the indigenous foods of the South, and his cooking methods have been shown on the Discovery Channel’s “Great Chefs of the South.” In addition, Anoosh has cooked at the James Beard House in New York four times, and he was a featured chef at the 2005 Culinary Institute of America’s World of Flavor Conference in Napa, Calif. He has also taught a master class for the International Association of Culinary Professionals in San Antonio, Texas.

Voted Best New Restaurant and Bar by Charlotte Magazine in 2009, Mez is a contemporary dining experience that entertains the palate with global fare. The restaurant is located at 210 East Trade Street in Charlotte and serves lunch and dinner daily. For more information, visit www.mezcharlotte.com.

Wow, what does this do to Brownings?

While we all wish Anoosh nothing but the best it is certainly a great loss for Louisville as well as a huge gain for Charlotte! I wonder what will happen to Browning's now?

[Robin Garr]

While we all wish Anoosh nothing but the best it is certainly a great loss for Louisville as well as a huge gain for Charlotte! I wonder what will happen to Browning's now?

I think it's unfortunate the way they announced it in Charlotte before they told Louisville, but of course in the age of the Internet, we see how well that works!

I'd love it if turns out that he's commuting and serving restaurants in both cities in an executive capacity, but frankly, it's kind of hard to see doing that and giving either full benefit of his considerable skill. More will be told, I'm sure. For now, this is what we've got.

[Robin Garr]

I'm informed that Paula is still here in Louisville running Browning's, as is the rest of their management staff. Since Paula is active on the forum and often posts here, and Anoosh is not unknown in these quarters, I hope they'll be along soon to clear everything up.

I want to assure you all that Brownings is alive and thriving, and we hope that you continue to support us and the employees of Brownings. Yes, Anoosh is back & forth between Louisville & Charlotte. Opportunities present themselves, and in this case a friend of Anoosh's needed a creative genius to revamp their menu. Who better than Anoosh? He gets to be creative, and come back & forth to supervise Brownings, which is not a chef driven menu, nor was it ever meant to be. We have a great staff both in the kitchen & foh, and they are extremely capable of putting out great food consistently. As he continues to help the Louisville Community by donating his time & talent here for charity events-- I ask that you all to continue to support us, and all local venues--- and not assume that we are done, as there is lots of beer to continue to be brewed, and burgers served. So, please help us to continue to thrive. Thanks in advance for your support.
Paula Barmore

[Robin Garr]

I want to assure you all that Brownings is alive and thriving, and we hope that you continue to support us and the employees of Brownings.

Thanks for the detailed and candid report, Paula. It's easy to support an eatery that has excellent food and local beer, and you can bet a lot of the forumites will be there.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Paula, for this report! I love this city and really hate the thought of losing Anoosh. I wish you all the best success! And I'm truly happy he has the opportunity to get creative in a fresh market, chef driven. Good news on all fronts. Hugs and kisses !

II ask that you all to continue to support us, and all local venues--- and not assume that we are done, as there is lots of beer to continue to be brewed, and burgers served. So, please help us to continue to thrive. Thanks in advance for your support.
Paula Barmore

Thanks for the update Paula, you know you can count on our support!

I want to assure you all that Brownings is alive and thriving, and we hope that you continue to support us and the employees of Brownings. Yes, Anoosh is back & forth between Louisville & Charlotte. Opportunities present themselves, and in this case a friend of Anoosh's needed a creative genius to revamp their menu. Who better than Anoosh? He gets to be creative, and come back & forth to supervise Brownings, which is not a chef driven menu, nor was it ever meant to be. We have a great staff both in the kitchen & foh, and they are extremely capable of putting out great food consistently. As he continues to help the Louisville Community by donating his time & talent here for charity events-- I ask that you all to continue to support us, and all local venues--- and not assume that we are done, as there is lots of beer to continue to be brewed, and burgers served. So, please help us to continue to thrive. Thanks in advance for your support.
Paula Barmore

I hate to see him go. I met Anoosh while remodeling his kitchen at Remington's.

On another note, the Brain Trust of the forth coming Louisville Craft Beer Week has been trying to involve Browning's in the planning. If you have an interest PM me your email address and I'll add you to our mailing list.

Been to Mez in Charlotte, It is in the EpiCenter (our Fourth street live)! Like the concept
It's attached to a fabulous movie theater, in which you can see a movie, and have your drink and dinner at the seat! There is a beautiful bar area, and I am trying to recall the dining area?
It's all very Chic! Good luck to Anoosh!

I will probably get to see more of Anoosh now that he is going to Charlotte, then when he was at Brownings. My son is a third year culinary student down the street at Johnson and Wales, and of course as mom you want to see your kid as often as possible!

Just so everyone is clear, Chef Anoosh is in Charlotte doing a consulting job and is in Louisville every few weeks to assist Paula in making sure Brownings is at the top of it's game. I know they both have some really great events in the fall at Park Place as well. He is still a Louisville chef folks and we are lucky to have him. This is a really good pal of his in Charlotte and he is just helping him get on track for a bit, then back to the ville!

[Robin Garr]

Just so everyone is clear, Chef Anoosh is in Charlotte doing a consulting job and is in Louisville every few weeks to assist Paula in making sure Brownings is at the top of it's game. I know they both have some really great events in the fall at Park Place as well. He is still a Louisville chef folks and we are lucky to have him. This is a really good pal of his in Charlotte and he is just helping him get on track for a bit, then back to the ville!

Thanks, Dean. Since the news release intended for Charlotte came from a Louisville PR firm, I figured it was accurate.

[Robin Garr]

He is still a Louisville chef folks and we are lucky to have him.

Let me re-emphasize that I couldn't agree with you more, Deano. I'm extremely grateful to know that the press release was misleading at best. I assume the agency wrote it to impress editors in Charlotte, without really understanding that it's just not professional to put out one message in one town that you don't want people in another town to see.

Just so everyone is clear, Chef Anoosh is in Charlotte doing a consulting job and is in Louisville every few weeks to assist Paula in making sure Brownings is at the top of it's game. I know they both have some really great events in the fall at Park Place as well. He is still a Louisville chef folks and we are lucky to have him. This is a really good pal of his in Charlotte and he is just helping him get on track for a bit, then back to the ville!

Thanks, Dean. Since the news release intended for Charlotte came from a Louisville PR firm, I figured it was accurate.

Should the threat title be amended. "Anoosh Shariat temporarily consulting in Charlotte!" perhaps?