The Majestic Restaurant
It has almost the same name and is in the same spot, but that’s almost where the similarities end between The Majestic Restaurant and the former New Majestic Steakhouse.
The Majestic Restaurant will open at 931 Broadway on Nov. 9 as a bistro with a new menu and new owners, Frank and Jolyn Sebree, who also own the building.
The Sebrees had both grown up in restaurant families — Frank with his mother’s Le Picnique in Sebree Galleries and Jolyn’s father’s South Dakota operations — and had long considered opening their own place.
Frank Sebree
The couple purchased the former Fitzpatrick’s Saloon & Café building (circa 1916) two years ago from Frank’s parents and James B. Nutter Sr. who had done an historic renovation on the three story building.
So when their tenant, the New Majestic, closed in June they considered other tenants but then took the opportunity themselves.
Jolyn’s father, Jerry Jenssen, is serving as a consultant.
David Hawk, formerly with The Classic Cup and McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant, is the manager.
The operation will still offer steaks but on a mid-level priced menu that will include lamb burger with Boursin cheese crumbles, red onion, roasted red pepper and garlic aioli, Caesar salad, grilled salmon with Beurre Blanc, fish of the day, steak burgers, tuna salad, cheesecake with Nutella sauce and fresh berries.
Hours will be 11 a.m. to close (9:30 to 10 p.m.) Monday through Friday, and Saturday from 5:30 to 11:30 p.m. It also will be available for private events.
The Sebrees put a 1910 piano in the dining room for live jazz during happy hour. The basement jazz club will be open on Friday and Saturday nights.
As for some former New Majestic Steakhouse customers who were left holding gift certificates, the Sebrees said that’s a “difficult issue” for them.
They didn’t purchase the business and actual lost money when their tenant went out of business with more than eight years left on the lease. They don’t know how many gift certificates are outstanding so honoring them could put them out of business before the business gets going.
Still, they wanted to do something, so until the end of the year they will offer a percentage off the bill for New Majestic gift card holders.
We ate there last night. The steak served would have made the previous owners cry. On the other hand the music was good and nice ambiance.
Neil Breslow