The dining room at Stephan Pyles (2013 file)
Big announcement this afternoon from Stephan Pyles: As of Monday, J Chastain will take over the kitchen of Pyles’ flagship as executive chef. It’s an important move, as Pyles will be reimagining his namesake restaurant in the coming year. He has brought Chastain aboard to help him prepare for the transition as he moves the operation to the Halls Arts building late next year.
J Chastain at the Second Floor (The Second Floor)
“I want to pay homage to Routh Street Cafe in terms of its modern, sleek decor and smaller footprint,” says Pyles. “By having half the seating of the current S.P., I can focus on a more precise and personal dining experience. The menu will feature almost exclusively Texas product, and I will call the style of cooking there ‘elevated Texas cooking.’ The wine list will be expanded from 300 bottles currently to 450 bottles.”
The plan is to keep the restaurant in place at 1807 Ross Ave. until the end of the year, when the lease is up
This represents a return to the fold for Chastain, who was opening sous chef when Stephan Pyles opened in 2005. For the past three years, he has served as executive sous chef at the Mansion Restaurant, working closely with executive chef Bruno Davaillon. Prior to that he was executive chef at the Second Floor in the Westin Galleria (now called the Second Floor by Scott Gottlich).
Stephan Pyles also has a new general manager: Camilo Calderon. Previously he was banquet manager at the Adolphus Hotel, and he was on the opening team at Pyles’ erstwhile Samar.