That was in 1979. Today, Pleau and maitre d'/manager/wine master George Miliotes, his partner at California Grill, are at Darden Restaurants, charged with developing new concepts to join the family of Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Bahama Breeze and Smokey Bones BBQ.
Darden is the world's largest casual dining chain, dwarfing competitors like the eight-link Stonewood Tavern & Grill -- six in Florida -- a relatively new arrival on the scene. Stonewood's menu includes such comforters as chicken potpie and pot roast. The half-dozen chef's specialties range from $13 to $22. The chain is planning to open its next outlet in Tampa Palms in 2003. The others are:
Stonewood Tavern & Grill
Fort Myers: 7091-9 College Parkway 941/936-0143
Gainesville: 3812 Newberry Road 352/379-5982
Heathrow (Shoppes at Oakmonte): 1210 International Parkway S. 407/333-3292
Jacksonville: 3832-03 Baymeadows Road 904/739-7206
Naples: 7935 Airport-Pulling Road 941/593-0001
Ormond Beach: 100 S. Atlantic Ave. 386/671-1200
The breakfast/brunch/lunch market has been tapped quite successfully by First Watch, a Sarasota-based chain that has exploded from its first restaurant -- in California -- in 1983, into a 44-link collection, the largest privately held daytime-only chain in the country. The menu starts off the day with basic omelets and quickly gets a bit wild with Killer Cajun and Greek Fetish. For lunch, I like the Turkey Grill along with the veggie quesadilla, the Reuben or Al B. Core -- white tuna layered with water chestnuts, celery and a dab of mayo on whole wheat ($5.25 to $5.95). In the health department, there's a Siesta Key Cocktail that translates to a parfait mish-mash granola, fresh fruit and nuts in low-fat yogurt presented with a muffin of the day. Fourteen of the 44 First Watch family are in Florida (a 15th is planned for Naples):
First Watch
Altamonte Springs: 249 W. State Road 436 407/682-2315
Bradenton: 8306 Market St. 941/907-6657
Clearwater: 2569 Countryside Blvd., Suite 8 727/712-8769
Fort Myers: 7091 College Parkway 941/274-5551, 13211 McGregor Blvd. 941/437-0020
Longwood: 2425 W. State Road 434 407/774-1830
Maitland: 1221 S. Orlando Ave. 407/740-7437
Naples: 1400 Gulfshore Blvd. 941/434-0005
Orlando: 7500 Sand Lake Road 407/363-5622
Sarasota: 1395 Main St. 941/954-1395, 8383 S. Tamiami Trail 941/923-6754
Tampa: 520 Tampa St. 813/307-9006, 2726 E. Fowler Ave. 813/975-1718 and 11610 N. Dale Mabry 813/961-4947
A restaurant chainlet that never intends to serve breakfast, brunch or lunch is the eight-link Kobe Japanese Steak House based in Orlando. Founder/entrepreneur/chairman of the board Chau Nguyen opened the first in 1984 and soon after added a sushi bar and developed the kind of flash and flame that Rocky Aoki was exploiting in his successful Benihana phenomenon. The quality of the fare is outstanding. An evening at Chau's teppanyaki table is definitely a celebration, and unless you order that special Kobe beef, the expense will not break the bank; entrees are $15 to $25. The eight links are in the central Florida area:
Kobe Japanese Steak House
Altamonte Springs: 468 W. State Road 436, 407/862-2888
Clearwater: 28775 U.S. 19 727/791-1888
Kissimmee: 2901 Parkway Blvd. 407/396-8088
Lake Buena Vista: 8460 Palm Parkway 407/239-1119
Orlando: 8350 International Drive 407/352-1811, 2110 E. Colonial Drive 407/895-6868 and 5605 S. Kirkman Road (Universal Studios) 407/248-1978
Tampa: 14401 N. Dale Mabry (Grand Plaza) 813/908-8909
At The Prawnbroker, a 10-link Florida-based chainlet where fish is the specialty, owners Kipp and Jim Foster, Ed and Michael Schilling and Matt Asen quickly established a reputation for reliability and consistency in each of their outlets on the Treasure Coast as well as Fort Myers and Sanibel.
The Prawnbroker Group
Fort Myers: The Prawnbroker Restaurant, 13451-16 McGregor Blvd. 941/489-2226 and University Grill, 7790 Cypress Lake Drive 941/437-4377
Palm City: Palm City Grill I, 3208 S.W. Martin Downs Blvd. 561/220-4745
Port St. Lucie: Palm City Grill II, 1347 St. Lucie West Blvd. 561/343-8180
Sanibel: The Timbers Restaurant and Sanibel Grill, 703 Tarpon Road 941/395-2722 & 941/472-4453 and Matzaluna, 1200 Periwinkle Way 941/472-1998
Stuart: The Prawnbroker Grill, 3754 S.E. Ocean Blvd. 561/288-1222, Shrimpers Grill & Raw Bar, 4903 S.E. Dixie Highway 561/220-3287 and The Black Marlin, 53 W. Osceola St. 561/286-3126