In the critically-acclaimed cable series “Mad Men,” protagonist Don Draper frequented many of the restaurants along Madison Avenue in 1960s New York – with a particular fondness for those adorned with mahogany wood panels and a vibe of professional elegance and sophistication. That’s exactly the atmosphere the powers-that-be of Fort Worth’s newest restaurant, The Mont, hope to capture when the eatery opens later this spring.
The Mont is the brainchild of owner Jeff Payne, vice president of operations Jason Cross, and executive chef Michaell Duff. “I’ve wanted to open an upscale, chef-driven concept in the Fort Worth area for a long time,” said Payne. “We wanted a beautiful dining experience inspired by seasonality, fresh ingredients, world travel and our Texas roots.”
Amidst the dark wood paneling and intimate lighting, courtesy of Maven Interior Designs, the Mont will offer a menu featuring oysters, handmade pasta, woodfired fish and beef, of course – this is Cowtown, after all. The Mont team was intentional about adding a restaurant to Fort Worth that would fit with the city’s “food scene” – not to mention a scene from a Jon Hamm drama.
The trio’s goal is for a constantly evolving menu that is updated at least four times a year. “The menu will be based on what produce, meat and seafood is in-season,” Duff said. “Our approach is refined traditional cuisine inspired by seasonality using familiar ingredients, modern technique and global influence.”
One dish The Mont team is especially excited about is the beef tartare, which Cross said will be prepared with a “fresh spin.” The egg used in the dish will be transformed into a decadent sabayon sauce, and the steak will be seasoned with a truffle vinaigrette.
“We wanted to keep some classic flavor elements [in the beef tartare] and also lighten some ingredients up,” he said. “Seasonally we can change the flavors of the sabayon. We want the flavors to be intense, yet sharp.”
Or, as Draper said to his advertising underlyings: “Make it simple, yet powerful.”
The Mont
3729 Saint Amand Circle
Fort Worth
TheMontFW.com