And Serendipity American Bistro is scheduled to open “softly” around Christmas, and more fully in January, at 23 S. St. Clair St. in the St. Clair Lofts, owner James Harris said this morning. Harris is the former chief operating officer of the Dayton Public Schools, and he operated restaurants and an art gallery in Evansville, Indiana before coming to Dayton more than two years ago.
Rev. Willie Barnes-Jackson and Rev. Pamela Barnes-Jackson of Clayton and Garryon McClure of Dayton co-own the Downtown Grill & Cafe. McClure has worked in several chef and food-service positions over more than three decades at venues such as the Wright State University Nutter Center, Dayton Country Club, Sycamore Country Club and Mandalay Banquet Center, and operated McClure’s Catering. The Barnes-Jacksons have experience in business administration, sales, marketing and human resources.
Rev. Willie Barnes Jackson said the co-owners shared a desire to operate their own business and were attracted by the prime location in downtown Dayton and by the “turn-key” facilities at the former Bourbon Street Grill location.
Plans call for opening as a weekday lunch-only restaurant initially, then to expand to include breakfast hours early next year, the owners said. The restaurant seats 76, and carryout will be available, with delivery to downtown Dayton addresses scheduled to be added in the coming months. Catering and banquet/reception services also will be available.
The restaurant’s menu will include wraps, soups, salads and desserts, as well as items such as Beer-Battered Cod, Moroccan Broccoli Salad and Chicken Tikka Masala. An extensive list of vegetarian options will be available, including a Grilled Veggie Wrap and Roasted Red Pepper Salad, the owners said.
The restaurant will open with 11 employees, the owners said. The restaurant’s initial hours starting Dec. 3 will be Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., closed Saturday and Sunday. For more information, call (937) 723-9981.
Serendipity American Bistro will seat 66 and will serve gourmet pizzas, sandwiches, pastries, coffee, tea, wine and beer, Harris said. It will be an after-theater, after-movie destination, he said. Plans call for adding an outdoor patio. Serendipity will sell wine at retail and will host wine tastings, its owner said. It will be open for lunch and dinner six days a week, closed Sunday.
The bistro will open with five to seven employees, Harris said.
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