Donnie Glass is a firm believer that the restaurant experience should be fun for everyone. That includes the patrons, the front-of-house and the kitchen crew. What may sound like a simple concept is working.
His first restaurant, Grisette French bistro, turned 5 this year. His combination wine shop and bar Jardin that opened in late 2021 is expanding to include a bakery to serve his three restaurants. And, his third restaurant, Beaucoup oyster hall and bar, opened early this year.
Most recently, Jardin is expanding into a former retail space next door and adding a dedicated bakery that will serve all three restaurants with fresh bread, pastries and desserts. The conversion has just begun, but this will eventually also mean morning hours and espresso service at Jardin.
Starting out in the restaurant industry, Glass thought he’d eventually work at a top fine dining spot, but as he witnessed the grind and low pay many chefs experience, he started working at bistros and brasseries because it was more enjoyable.
“I started to become fascinated with more of the restaurant world than just learning perfect sauces,” he says. “My curiosity ended up taking me down the wine rabbit hole, and down the personnel management rabbit hole, and the guest-facing rabbit hole. I think chefs can lose track of what they’re actually there for, which is to show people a good time.”
The underlying concept behind all three of Glass’s spots is “a fun restaurant where you treat everyone nicely and it’s not stupid expensive.” He focuses on ensuring his team members make a living wage and experiences like wine education trips where the staff gets to bond, expand their horizons and gain fresh inspiration.
For the coming years, Glass won’t completely rule out more spots, but he says his main goal is to ensure his family, his staff and his current businesses thrive. “It’s my turn to be supportive of other people, instead of other people supporting my dream,” he says. “What happens when the dog that chases the car catches the car it’s been chasing its whole life? You try to enjoy it, right?”
