“Being here for 15 years, we’ve created a lot of staples, so whenever we do a menu change, it’s somewhat challenging,” said Michelle Brown, who has worked as chef at the restaurant since its inception and became its majority owner in 2015.
The new menu will introduce a dry-aged beef program, with the restaurant carrying three dry-aged products, plus three new sushi rolls, a never-before-offered veal chop and farm-raised, sustainable Ora King salmon.
“It’s more about taking the quality of the product to a higher level,” Brown said. “I’ve taken a look at the core proteins and done a lot of samples, tastings. We’ve always prided ourself on giving the guest the best quality that we could give, from scallops to the sea bass to the beef program.”
The renovations to Jag’s Steak & Seafood and Piano Bar are the first major overhaul for the restaurant, one of the region’s best-known fine dining restaurants.
“We’ve gotten almost 15 good years out of the initial design, which is a long time in any industry,” Brown said. “It was just time to freshen up, get current, put my footprint on the building.”
MORE: Butler County’s Jag’s ranked best steakhouse in Ohio
The renovation project aims to create an elegant and modern statement on the traditional steakhouse concept, replacing wall coverings, repainting throughout the building, replacing lighting and other fixtures and adding new crystal chandeliers, she said.
“We really wanted to use geometric patters, luxurious textures and lighter colors to create an atmosphere that will put an elegant and modern twist on the traditional steakhouse concept,” she said. “I truly believe that creating a perfect dining experience should entertain all the senses.”
Brown declined to disclose how much the renovation would cost.
The restaurant will remain open throughout the renovation, which is expected to be finished at the end of October, Brown said.
A revamped website is also in the works.
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Jag’s Steak & Seafood has won Restaurant Marketer of the Year from Certified Angus Beef; Best Steakhouse in Ohio from MSN, Business Insider and Foursquare; and numerous awards from OpenTable and other outlets. The restaurant, which boasts more than 3,000 bottles in its cellars, also has won the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence every year since 2006.
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