Award-winning Chef/Restaurateur Pascal Oudin, of Coral Gables’ highly-regarded and long-standing, upscale modern French eatery, Pascal’s on Ponce, is gearing-up to open Brasserie Central, a brand new haunt for affordable and authentic French faire, located at The Village of Merrick Park. Slated to open this fall, the 3,000 square-foot, 147-seat indoor/outdoor Parisian style bistro will serve lunch and dinner, with eventual plans to add grab-and-go options, as well as a weekend breakfast and Sunday brunch, later down the road.
Designed to offer the quick inexpensive bite, leisurely afternoon snack, or long celebratory meal, Oudin’s bona fide French menu displays time-honored techniques and traditions, geared to please the palates of the many moods of life. Using high-quality imported and local goods, Brasserie Central will dish out delights such as housemade sausages, pate and charcuterie; artisanal cheeses; full raw bar; traditional hors d’oeuvres, salads, sandwiches, and main plates; classic stove-to-table cocotte stews; and et Patisserie, or dessert. Hand-crafted Old World cocktails, a magnifique oyster Happy Hour, plat du jour, and special afternoon Glacerie menu, featuring treats such as ice creams, crepes, waffles and coffees, will round out the offerings.
“Brasserie Central is a concept I’ve wanted to execute for quite some time,” explains Oudin. “Here, we are true to the authentic Parisian brasserie, making everything from scratch daily, with classic French recipes and methods – much like I used to enjoy in Paris.”
Sporting a casual, rustic elegance, Brasserie Central is Old World meets New World with exposed butcher block tables, bistro chairs, a 14-person communal table, large indoor/outdoor bar (seating 18) and le comptoir – the intimate oyster and raw bar. Along the walls, antiqued mirrors display the 24 regions of France while mammoth chalkboards don chef’s specials and cocktails. Modern lighting fixtures lead the eye down the long room, awash in woods, slates and hints of deep red, to an open kitchen and private dining room for 10. Located under the bridge, across from Yard House, the restaurant will also offer abundant outdoor seating to enjoy Miami’s sweet summer breezes and delightful winters.
Much like the interior, the design of Brasserie Central’s logo and other branding were created to capture the straightforward sensibility of a French brasserie. Tapped by Oudin to make this happen was veteran Venezuelan Graphic Designer Alexandra De Yavorsky of Atelier De Yavorsky, who demonstrates the image of classic French bistros through unpretentious and contemporary typography that is free of noise and communicates little other than crisp, honest French cooking from a French chef.
Brasserie Central, opening late fall 2014, is located in the Level 1 courtyard at The Village of Merrick Park at 320 San Lorenzo Avenue in Coral Gables. Open daily from 11a.m. – 11p.m., they will serve breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon glacerie (2p.m.-6p.m.) Telephone: 786-536-9386 www.BrasserieCentralMiami.com
