There's a new chef in town and he's bringing New Orleans flavor to Juliette's Bistro at the Omni Downtown.
Executive Chef Kyle Gibbs grew up in Mississippi in an Italian family and developed a love for food, both regional and international.
"I've always enjoyed cooking and going to grandma's Sunday dinners. She was Italian and always had a pot of water on the stove in case somebody wanted some pasta," said Gibbs.
After graduating from the Louisiana Culinary Institute, Gibbs worked in steak houses and seafood restaurants before he started on the path of hospitality industry food service.
He worked at the Hilton Hotel in Baton Rouge, La., then joined the Omni chain at the property in New Orleans. Gibbs moved to Jacksonville in February and has some changes in store at Juliette's Bistro, the Omni's upscale-casual restaurant.
"We're debuting a new menu in June that will feature local seafood and produce. If it isn't fresh and sourced from within 300 miles, we won't be serving it," Gibbs said.
He is developing a New Orleans-influenced menu that will include crawfish specialties and alligator ribs, which require quite a bit of preparation.
"We have to braise them for about three hours before we put them on the grill to make them tender, but it's worth it. They are delicious," said Gibbs.
On the seafood side, Gibbs said fresh ingredients do not need complicated preparation.
"My approach is to keep it simple. With really fresh seafood, you don't have to do much and what we'll serve might still have the hook in its mouth," he said.
Juliette's lunch buffet already has been changed.
The Wednesday menu is Cajun-themed and includes traditional Mardi Gras king cake for dessert.
Thursday is Italian day with "big, grandma-style meatballs," Gibbs said.
Friday's buffet is comfort food including Southern fried chicken, meatloaf and fresh green beans.
There's more to a hotel kitchen than the restaurant — with room service, banquets and catering, it's a 24/7, 365-day operation.
"Our kitchen is never closed," Gibbs said.
Gibbs said he plans to add parts of the new restaurant menu selections to the room service menu but will retain most of its existing items.
"You have to have burgers, quesadillas and wings," he said.
Juliette's opens at 6:30 a.m. each day for breakfast; lunch service begins at 11:30 a.m. and the dinner menu is offered from 5:30-10:30 p.m. in the restaurant and until midnight at the bar.
"My philosophy always has been as long as people are coming in the door, we're serving," Gibbs said.
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