Veterans of the Texas barbecue scene open upscale restaurant in D-FW

Fort Worth is getting a new upscale American restaurant from two restaurateurs who already know the city very well.

Jeff Payne, owner and president of Cousins ​​BBQ, and his business partner Jason Cross are opening The Mont – a seasonal restaurant just outside of Fort Worth’s Montserrat neighborhood.

“I’ve long wanted to open an upscale, chef-driven concept in the Fort Worth area and when we saw this space near the Montserrat neighborhood, I knew this was the right place,” Payne said in a press release. “It’s the perfect setting for a beautiful dining experience inspired by seasonal, fresh ingredients, world travel, nostalgic favorites and our Texas roots in a timeless setting.”

The Mont’s kitchen is headed by chef Michael Duff, who previously worked at Eddie V’s in Fort Worth for eleven years.

“Our approach is refined traditional cuisine inspired by seasonality, using familiar ingredients, modern techniques and global influences,” Duff said of the menu.

The menu will change frequently, he said, but will include handmade pasta, steaks and seafood.

Designed by Fort Worth-based firm Maven, the restaurant is intended to be a modern take on 1960s aesthetics, with generous amounts of mahogany, leather and mid-century elements.

“We hope the community is very proud to say this concept is in their backyard while also being a destination for travelers in the area,” said Payne. “We look forward to adding to Fort Worth’s fine dining landscape while also being an accessible gathering place for the neighborhood.”

The Mont is scheduled to open in winter 2024 at 3729 St. Amand Circle, Fort Worth. It will be open for dinner only, but lunch service will be added later.