Celina Tio, the chef-owner of Julian, just sent out a tweet to her customers telling them that tonight might be the last balmy, beautiful night to eat outside on the patio of her 13-month-old Brookside restaurant.
"Last year we shut down patio service on October 31," Tio said. "This year we've had some wonderful November nights. But it can't last."
Until recently, Tio tried to take Monday and Tuesday nights off. But last night she raced back to the restaurant immediately after putting her four-year-old daughter Maia to bed. A party of 15 out-of-towners were coming in to eat and they wanted to see Celina. She is, after all, a star.
A party of eleven guests from Chicago is coming to dine at Julian tonight. And yes, Celina will be in the kitchen. Tio, one of the youngest chefs to win the James Beard Award, has become much more high-profile since she's been steadily advancing on this season's Next Iron Chef TV series. But her reputation as a celebrity chef long precedes her TV appearances. Before opening Julian in September of 2009, Tio was the executive chef at The American restaurant
The intimate restaurant, Tio says, has "totally met my expectations." Discussing her success with Fat City, Celina Tio laughed when she recalled that four days after she opened Julian, a customer looked around the small dining room and asked when she planned to expand. "I told her that I didn't plan to expand. I love my restaurant just the way it is."
Is it true that your family-style Sunday dinners are becoming the busiest nights of the week for you?
Yes. It's interesting, because it's a chef's choice night. There's only one entree and I choose what it is. But my customers trust me and it's been very successful. I do make accommodations for customers with dietary restrictions -- we've had vegans come in and get a great meal -- but it's easier when those patrons make a reservation in advance so we can be prepared for their needs. Sometimes Sundays are busier than a really bustling Friday or Saturday night.
You haven't been taking much time off lately.
I have customers who worry about me and tell me that I have to take more time off. But don't pity me, I love what I do.
When you first opened the restaurant, you would bring Maia to work with you in the mornings.
She's in school now, which makes it easier. But I make time to be at home with her.
Is she a fussy eater?
Not at all. I mean, she has her days, like all little children. But we'll take her to Extra Virgin and she'll tell the server she wants the pig ear salad. She loves caviar, sushi, duck gizzards.
Do you know what creates fussy children? Parents who are hesitant to let their children sample new things and even make a face before letting their kids taste something.
There was some concern, before you opened Julian, that it wasn't the right location for what you wanted to create. Any regrets about the old Joe D's location?
No. I love this location.
Speaking of fussy tastes, do you have a guilty pleasure food, something you might crave late at night, after the restaurant closes?
Yes. French fries! I love them. I could be totally full after eating a great meal and I'll still desire french fries. I love them.
Who makes the best fries in Kansas City?
Honestly? We do here. We hand-cut them, we do it all here. They're wonderful.
Would you like to open another restaurant?
Absolutely! I like to keep moving!
like
dislike
