Chef Tom Gray leaves Bistro Aix, plans new restaurant at St. Johns Town Center

[thelakelander]

“I’m not leaving town. And I have a new project.”

Keep those words in mind, Jacksonville foodies, when you read the next sentence.

After 13 years at Bistro Aix, executive chef and founding partner Tom Gray is leaving the San Marco restaurant he helped to open â€" and to make one of the city’s go-to restaurants for first dates, family nights out, friendly get togethers or simply a Friday lunch.

Gray, who wasn’t ready to talk in-depth about his new endeavor, did offer a couple of details on Monday. He plans to build and open a new restaurant next year at the St. Johns Town Center.

full article: http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/423471/gary-mills/2012-11-26/chef-tom-gray-leaves-bistro-aix-plans-new-restaurant-st

[ChriswUfGator]

Bistro AIX is a mess, and has been for years. The food sucks and the prices range between extortion and highway robbery, but on the bright side at least the service is also deplorable. Hope his amnesia over how to provide even halfway-decent food at a remotely fair price using servers who aren't arrogant cocks is cured by the time the new restaurant opens. Only thing I can think of is that his investors in the new one couldn't possibly have eaten at the old one.

It's like that Danny DeVito movie where he's the slumlord in New York, this guy should be sentenced to eat in his own restauraunt.

[Adam W]

Bistro AIX is a mess, and has been for years. The food sucks and the prices range between extortion and highway robbery, but on the bright side at least the service is also deplorable. Hope his amnesia over how to provide even halfway-decent food at a remotely fair price using servers who aren't arrogant cocks is cured by the time the new restaurant opens. Only thing I can think of is that his investors in the new one couldn't possibly have eaten at the old one.

It's like that Danny DeVito movie where he's the slumlord in New York, this guy should be sentenced to eat in his own restauraunt.

I never got around to eating there, for whatever reason. I think it was mainly due to me being poor when it opened (seriously) and then by the time I was back on my feet, it didn't occur to me, because none of my friends ever ate there.

So... the question I have is - was it ever any good? When it opened was it good and then did it start to suck over time, or was it always how you describe it?

[Dapperdan]

Thats exactly what the Town Center needs, another restaurant.

[BridgeTroll]

My experiences there have been quite the opposite of Chris.  Yea... the prices are a bit high... but I have always found the staff friendly and professional and the food well prepared.  I hope they can find a suitable replacement for Chef Tom...

[copperfiend]

I went a few times to AIX (Thank you Teal Deals) and always had a good experience.

[downtownjag]

Always enjoy my time there.  Ahi dish is excellent, so are the apps.  Not my favorite lunch spot though.

[ChriswUfGator]

Bistro AIX is a mess, and has been for years. The food sucks and the prices range between extortion and highway robbery, but on the bright side at least the service is also deplorable. Hope his amnesia over how to provide even halfway-decent food at a remotely fair price using servers who aren't arrogant cocks is cured by the time the new restaurant opens. Only thing I can think of is that his investors in the new one couldn't possibly have eaten at the old one.

It's like that Danny DeVito movie where he's the slumlord in New York, this guy should be sentenced to eat in his own restauraunt.

I never got around to eating there, for whatever reason. I think it was mainly due to me being poor when it opened (seriously) and then by the time I was back on my feet, it didn't occur to me, because none of my friends ever ate there.

So... the question I have is - was it ever any good? When it opened was it good and then did it start to suck over time, or was it always how you describe it?

It used to be phenomenal, I think that's partly why I'm so critical of it now, because it's fallen so far. And it's the same people who you know could do it right if they wanted to. Back around 2000/2001 through about 2006, it was phenomenal, then it just started declining after that. The last half-dozen times I went, the food was haphazardly prepared (cold fries with a hot sandwich, always something or another wrong like that), the prices have doubled, and they started playing games with the wine list, it used to be solid, now you can't get anything normal there. They've switched over to stocking nothing but those low-volume low-end California producers that yield a high profit margin for them, but are a terrible drinking experience. The servers suck, especially one named Nik, the last time I was there the entrees showed up and he still hadn't gotten silverware, I still got a sigh of disgust when he saw I took a set off another table. The menu is 90% the same as it was 12 years ago. All in all, they've basically quit trying.

If this sounds harsh, sorry, but they chose their market niche, not me. If I'm going to spend $300 on dinner, then it better be worth it. You're better off at other places now, Orsay and Joe's (not the crab shack) at the beach come to mind. Same price point but I've never had bad meals or bad service there.

[Roger904]

No, not the Town Center!  What's wrong with San Marco, St Nicholas, Riverside, Avondale or  Springfield?

If you want me to visit on a regular basis put your new restaurant in one of these areas.  I go to the Town Center only on occasion when I really need some thing from a chain store and only then I may eat at a chain restaurant such as Seasons 52.

[ben says]

Bistro AIX is a mess, and has been for years. The food sucks and the prices range between extortion and highway robbery, but on the bright side at least the service is also deplorable. Hope his amnesia over how to provide even halfway-decent food at a remotely fair price using servers who aren't arrogant cocks is cured by the time the new restaurant opens. Only thing I can think of is that his investors in the new one couldn't possibly have eaten at the old one.

It's like that Danny DeVito movie where he's the slumlord in New York, this guy should be sentenced to eat in his own restauraunt.

I never got around to eating there, for whatever reason. I think it was mainly due to me being poor when it opened (seriously) and then by the time I was back on my feet, it didn't occur to me, because none of my friends ever ate there.

So... the question I have is - was it ever any good? When it opened was it good and then did it start to suck over time, or was it always how you describe it?

It used to be phenomenal, I think that's partly why I'm so critical of it now, because it's fallen so far. And it's the same people who you know could do it right if they wanted to. Back around 2000/2001 through about 2006, it was phenomenal, then it just started declining after that. The last half-dozen times I went, the food was haphazardly prepared (cold fries with a hot sandwich, always something or another wrong like that), the prices have doubled, and they started playing games with the wine list, it used to be solid, now you can't get anything normal there. They've switched over to stocking nothing but those low-volume low-end California producers that yield a high profit margin for them, but are a terrible drinking experience. The servers suck, especially one named Nik, the last time I was there the entrees showed up and he still hadn't gotten silverware, I still got a sigh of disgust when he saw I took a set off another table. The menu is 90% the same as it was 12 years ago. All in all, they've basically quit trying.

If this sounds harsh, sorry, but they chose their market niche, not me. If I'm going to spend $300 on dinner, then it better be worth it. You're better off at other places now, Orsay and Joe's (not the crab shack) at the beach come to mind. Same price point but I've never had bad meals or bad service there.

Couldn't agree more.

To their credit, I brought up the same critique Chris just explained to their general manager...and they gave me a $100 dollar gift card. I THOUGHT the card would last 3-4 lunches or 2 or so dinners. Wrong. A dinner for 2 cost me 170 dollars between steaks and wine. Haven't been back since. Place used to rock, went downhill. Last time I went they were using the bathroom area as a storage closet. And the waiters suck.

[Adam W]

Bistro AIX is a mess, and has been for years. The food sucks and the prices range between extortion and highway robbery, but on the bright side at least the service is also deplorable. Hope his amnesia over how to provide even halfway-decent food at a remotely fair price using servers who aren't arrogant cocks is cured by the time the new restaurant opens. Only thing I can think of is that his investors in the new one couldn't possibly have eaten at the old one.

It's like that Danny DeVito movie where he's the slumlord in New York, this guy should be sentenced to eat in his own restauraunt.

I never got around to eating there, for whatever reason. I think it was mainly due to me being poor when it opened (seriously) and then by the time I was back on my feet, it didn't occur to me, because none of my friends ever ate there.

So... the question I have is - was it ever any good? When it opened was it good and then did it start to suck over time, or was it always how you describe it?

It used to be phenomenal, I think that's partly why I'm so critical of it now, because it's fallen so far. And it's the same people who you know could do it right if they wanted to. Back around 2000/2001 through about 2006, it was phenomenal, then it just started declining after that. The last half-dozen times I went, the food was haphazardly prepared (cold fries with a hot sandwich, always something or another wrong like that), the prices have doubled, and they started playing games with the wine list, it used to be solid, now you can't get anything normal there. They've switched over to stocking nothing but those low-volume low-end California producers that yield a high profit margin for them, but are a terrible drinking experience. The servers suck, especially one named Nik, the last time I was there the entrees showed up and he still hadn't gotten silverware, I still got a sigh of disgust when he saw I took a set off another table. The menu is 90% the same as it was 12 years ago. All in all, they've basically quit trying.

If this sounds harsh, sorry, but they chose their market niche, not me. If I'm going to spend $300 on dinner, then it better be worth it. You're better off at other places now, Orsay and Joe's (not the crab shack) at the beach come to mind. Same price point but I've never had bad meals or bad service there.

Well, that's a shame. But the reason I asked was it at least means there is hope the new place will be good. I read the article and it appears he is looking to try a different style of cuisine as well, so that might be interesting.

As far as French restaurants go (I assume Aix is French or French-inspired, based on what I've read), I ate at JJ's Bistro at the Beach a couple years back and it was really good. I went back last year and it wasn't so great - the lamb tasted more like mutton and everything just seemed a lot less impressive (this was before I had switched to a veggie diet). I think maybe the location was suffering due to lack of business. I think maybe he has more than one location, so I don't know how his other place is (or if it is still open).

[Captain Zissou]

It says he plans to build a restaurant.... This better not be some terrible outparcel standalone building.  If he incorporates his place into the existing shops, builds out the first floor of residential, or is part of a new wing of the faux main street, i'm almost ok with it.  If this is another island floating in a sea of parking, you won't catch me there more than twice.

I am glad that he is bringing some local flavor to the TC, but it is a shame that he isn't choosing to build in the in town neighborhoods. I-10 rant starts now....

[MEGATRON]

Couple things I noticed here.  One, who spends $300/meal at Aix???  Were you feeding a family of 5?  Second, why go to Aix for a steak?  Hard to imagine spending $170/couple at Aix.

[Captain Zissou]

Chris has $100 lunches. A $300 dinner is a slow night.  I would say a typical dinner for two there would run you about $130.  I've had far better for less at a handful of restaurants in town.

[JUGrad]

No, not the Town Center!  What's wrong with San Marco, St Nicholas, Riverside, Avondale or  Springfield?

If you want me to visit on a regular basis put your new restaurant in one of these areas.  I go to the Town Center only on occasion when I really need some thing from a chain store and only then I may eat at a chain restaurant such as Seasons 52.

Yes!  Because as we've seen from Mellow Mushroom, opening a restaurant in Avondale is a breeze!