Moore and Kapitan cook it old school

From left: Ian Kapitan and Brad Moore.

By Kristen Smith

TORONTO — Brad Moore has teamed up with Ian Kapitan for two new projects slated to open this spring.

Chefs Moore and Kapitan met 23 years ago at the Rivoli on Queen Street West in Toronto. From there, Moore opened Monsoon and Ian headed off to New York.

Most recently, Moore was chef and owner at School in Liberty Village, a position he stepped away from in early March.

Taking on 4,000 square feet below the ART Condos at the corner of Sudbury Street and Dovercourt Road and the former Hudson Kitchen space at Dundas and Palmerston, the duo are working on Recess and Old School, respectively.

Originally dubbed Memory Land and Co., the Recess project has occupied Moore for almost two years.

Before Moore went forward with a new project, he wanted to devise a concept that was free from the headaches he has encountered in the past.

He used a business plan creation system to write his 170-page plan in two months. From there he has raised funding and maintained 82 per cent equity.

His advice to chefs and restaurateurs with a great idea: “Treat yourself like a business and write a business plan.”

With two active entrances, Recess is a six-in-one concept with two restaurant areas (Recess Diner and Fountain), two bars (Bar Bronson and Mini Bar), Grocery and Oven Bakery.

The small bar area doubles as the service and packing area for the 152-unit condo. Moore is also negotiating with Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario to allow Recess to serve booze to the residents, like a hotel would.

With a central kitchen and counter to pay, Moore said there will be various price points and an increased number of revenue streams such as wholesale baked goods and retail items such as from-scratch soda. “Every component we see as brandable, we now have a store, or a shelf. Package it, bottle it, whatever it is,” Moore said.  

The classic diner area will have 80 seats, but without servers settling bills, the turnover will be more like 100 seats, he said. In all, Recess will have a capacity for 200 people and the capability to rent out portions for private events.

At Fountain, checks will average between $5 and $15 and $20 and $30 at Recess Diner.

“The idea is approachability, celebrating the most indestructible restaurant model in history, and that’s a diner,” said Moore.

“The diner is just a fun, approachable concept for everybody,” he said. “When I started doing research, it turns out to be a massive trend in the States, too: chef-reinvented diners.”

Calling the 1950s “the last decade of wholesomeness,” Moore said the concept updates classic names and ideas for current and future generations. “Nostalgia only goes so far,” he added.  

Calling himself the “rock-solid guy” behind Moore, who is the driving force behind the projects, Kapitan said they will be using fine-dining technique in a diner setting.

“We’re not doing diner food that is greasy, because there’s the knowledge behind it,” said Kapitan.

Recess pays homage to the creator of the school-day break Amos Bronson Alcott, an educator, vegan and transcendentalist.

While working on this project Moore stumbled across an article in the New York Times about troubled times for recess.

In that spirit, Moore established Recess for Kids, which will receive a portion of sales and money from vendors to encourage social and physical activity by providing funds for league signups and uniforms.

Slated to open in April, Old School and The General Store will focus on regional barbecue from the U.S., a subject Kapitan has become quite familiar with. With a two-ton smoker, Moore called the 90-seat restaurant a “real deal barbecue shop.”  In the summer, there are about 60 more seats on the patio.

At Old School, the menu will feature an extensive seven-day breakfast and brunch menu, sandwiches for lunch and supper dishes that include fried chicken, mid-west spare ribs, platters to share and a selection of sides.

Sunday night dinner will feature a weekly three-course meal for $25.

In the spirit of being neighbourly, residents of Palmerston Avenue receive a discounted check. 

Comments

2 comments

Richard Chase

very cool looking forward to checking old school out ... wishing all the best Richard Chase

Brandy

Really a hip place to hang and get smoked out !!! Had the ribs, briskette, burgers and chicken all from the 2 ton smoker. FANTASTIC and a welcome to DU-WEST. Can't wait for the all day breaky.... Good on you Moore and the staff at OLD SCHOOL... doing it right!!