From the press release –
Most recently, Adam Kekahuna was the executive chef for Outrigger Canoe Club in Honolulu, Hawaii. Previously, he was the chef/owner of Loca Luna Restaurant in Corvallis, Oregon, and prior to that served as executive chef and partner in other Corvallis restaurant projects including Aqua Seafood Restaurant and Bar, and Terzo Italian Restaurant. Both restaurants became ‘best’ eateries in Corvallis shortly after opening, and Adam the “best chef.’ Prior to that, Adam was executive chef at Bruce Carey’s Saucebox Restaurant & Bar in Portland from 2003-2005, and executive chef sous at the Pearl District’s Oba! Early in his career, he worked with Roy Yamaguchi at Roy’s in Maui, Hawaii as executive sous chef.
Chef Kekahuna graduated with a degree in Culinary Arts/Restaurant & Hospitality Management from Western Culinary Institute/Le Cordon Bleu, in Portland, with honors. He has more than fifteen years in the culinary/ hospitality industry, during which time he has opened eight restaurants. He was Iron Chef in Portland in 2005, New Rising Chef of Honolulu in 2001, 2002 and 2003, and Best Chef in Corvallis in 2008-2010, and has been featured in articles, reviews and news stories in local and national food publications.
At Quartet, Adam Kekahuna will create a menu featuring Pacific Northwest cuisine with regional southern influences. He will oversee a kitchen staff of 30 employees. Currently, the management team and Chef Adam are in the process of hiring kitchen and wait staff. “We are impressed and overwhelmed by the response to Quartet by the industry, and look forward to announcing our menu and food and beverage team in the next few weeks,” stated Frank Taylor, managing partner. Taylor is also working on a few interior design changes at the former luxe Lucier. The gold ball has been removed from the bar area, the front entry door will be replaced, the collection of contemporary art glass is gone with the exception of a few select pieces, and a grand piano has been placed in the dining room near the entry.
“Previously, while operating as Lucier, many people were unable to experience the restaurant, and enjoy the superb waterfront ambiance,” states Greg Gonzales, general manager. “We want to change that. Quartet will be accessible to everyone, with a menu that appeals to a broad audience. We like to think of Quartet as an accessible, affordable restaurant in an elegant setting.”
Quartet will open Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2013 for dinner. Quartet is open seven nights a week for dinner beginning at 5pm, with Happy Hour at 3pm daily. Brunch will open in late spring, on Sunday only. A live music program will be announced closer to opening. Quartet is located at 1910 SW River Drive, Portland, 97201, on Portland’s waterfront between RiverPlace and the South Waterfront development.
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