Say it’s not so, Pascal!
But it’s true – after 24 years of serving sensational French cuisine, Pascal Olhats will hang his chef’s coat in the kitchen of his beloved Tradition by Pascal restaurant in Newport Beach for the last time on Feb. 15.
Pascal says he wants to concentrate his efforts on other restaurant business ventures, and spend time pursuing personal interests.
“The Tradition building lease is expiring, so I made a deliberate decision to start another chapter in my life, spending more of my time doing other things I love,” says Olhats. “Tradition has been a dream realized for me, I have thoroughly enjoyed providing my customers with a quality experience these many years, but now it is time for me to apply that experience towards other opportunities.”
To mark the occasion in an upbeat fashion, which is how he wishes Tradition to be remembered, Pascal will offer a special prix fixe menu entitled “The Best of” until Feb. 15.
The menu celebrates the history of Tradition and the popular signature dishes that he institutionalized there such as his famous Sea Bass au Thyme, Dijon-crusted Rack of Lamb, as well as dishes featuring foie gras.
Pascal will be on hand frequently to personally thank patrons for their great support throughout the years.
Though he won’t be in the kitchen at Tradition anymore, Pascal says he will continue to oversee and expand his signature offerings at Pascal Epicerie and Café Jardin, and continue as management consultant for French 75, Brasserie Pascal and Savannah Chop House. He will also be adding new dishesand flair to his flourishing catering business.
On a personal level, Pascal is planning to finish a cookbook of his signature dishes, indulge in his other passion – painting – and spend more quality time with family and friends.
Pascal certainly isn’t tired of the cooking scene and, being freed from the kitchen at Tradition will mean that he can accept more of the countless requests he receives to cook exclusive dinners in private homes.
“I love to cook for private parties, it allows me to be creative while at the same time spending quality time with patrons, it combines the best of the things I love most about cooking,” says Olhats.
For more information about the special culinary offerings available through Feb. 15 at Tradition by Pascal, as well as the regularly scheduled events at the other restaurants, visit pascalnpb.com or call 949-263-9400.
