In a breaking news story, it seems that Fontleroy’s, the much-touted restaurant run by Allan Rosenberg, will close soon at 2011 Grinstead Dr., and the space will be taken over by Dallas McGarity, currently executive chef at Marketplace at Theater Square. There, at the corner of Grinstead and Bardstown Rd., McGarity will open his own restaurant, which he will call The Fat Lamb.
McGarity’s career in Louisville has included stints at Volare, Z’s Oyster Bar and Steakhouse and, Marketplace Restaurant on S.Fourth Street. He has recently closed on the details of his taking over of the Fontleroy’s space, and hopes to have occupancy by Oct. 1, and open before the end of that month. “There’s not too much to do,” he said in a phone interview.
McGarity’s training and professional experience have been with Southern and Italian cuisine, two influences he wants to combine in The Fat Lamb. “I want to lean into a comfort food feel, with a more modern preparation,” he explained. “I hope to rely on smaller platings and lower prices, and go toward Italian and Southern flavors kind of combined.”
McGarity will bring with him his sous chef at Marketplace, Brad Menear. “He’s been with me for 8 years,” McGarity said, “and he knows how things are done.” Zack Young, who is currently chef de cuisine at Ward 426 will take over at Marketplace, McGarity said.
The name The Fat Lamb was inspired by the lamb McGarity obtains from a farmer in Virginia. “I wanted a name that sticks out a little bit. He has such happy lambs, and they are fat. A fat lamb is a happy lamb, well taken care of. Not to say we will serve a lot of lamb, there will be some, but lots of other things, including vegetarian.”
