Urban Food Group will close South at North Hills on June 7th to open a French brasserie style restaurant in early Fall 2008. Owners Kevin and Stacey Jennings have had plans to open a French brasserie, and recently determined this is the ideal location and time for such a restaurant. “A French brasserie has always been part of our long term plans; this is a fabulous location, situated in the heart of North Hills, and has the perfect floor plan for a lively French restaurant with a sidewalk café and patio,” explained owner Kevin Jennings.

When South opened, the Jennings kept the general decor from the previous Restaurant Savannah, as the restaurant’s theme shift was minor. This time, though, the restaurant will receive an overhaul. UFG has employed The Johnson Studio, who designed Vivace‘s interior. The plans call for replacing the floor-to-ceiling windows with accordion style folding doors opening each side of the restaurant to the street, adding a patio area with seating for 30, installing a white Carrera marble top in the bar and in the center of the dining room for the bread display, and installing a black and white hexagon tile floor, mahogany paneling, and bistro mirrors throughout.

Executive Chef Jeremy Sabo will lend his classic French training, as well as his success at European focused Urban Foods Group restaurants Frazier’s and Vivace, while Chef de Cuisine Rob Bland brings experience from one of the most well known French brasseries in the country, Les Halles. The menu will offer classic French brasserie fare – Gougères to start, Moules Frites three ways, Plats du Jour featuring Cassoulet and Steak au Poivre, as well as Sole Meunière, Coq au Vin, and Plateaux de Fruits de Mer. The UFG’s Pastry Chef Eric Akbari will round out the menu with his house made baguettes and other crusty European breads, traditional French desserts such as Tart Tatin, and more. Director of Operations and Sommelier Scott Lutgenau has an extensive all-French wine list planned, a cocktail list full of French classics, and hard to find beers. In the spirit of a true brasserie, this restaurant will be open throughout the day, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The last day of full service at South will be June 7th. On June 8th the Urban Food Group will close for renovations. They will open their French brasserie in early Fall 2008.