Chef Vincent Francoual Leaves Minneapolis Restaurant Group

The Departure of a Renowned Chef and the Transformation of Chloe

Vincent Francoual, a celebrated French chef known for his work at Chloe by Vincent and previously at Vincent A Restaurant, is stepping down from his role at Restore Restaurant Holdings. This company owns Chloe and EaTo, two restaurants located in downtown Minneapolis. Francoual made this decision to prioritize spending more time with his family, including his daughter, whose name inspired the bistro that operates within the Canopy by Hilton hotel.

Francoual shared his news on social media, expressing that the decision was not an easy one. “It hasn’t been an easy decision to make, but I’ve chosen to search for different opportunities that will give me the flexibility to spend more time with my family: Brenda, Chloe, and of course, our dog Toby,” he wrote. Since December 2022, he has been serving traditional southwestern French cuisine, which he grew up with.

Changes at Chloe

Chloe, located at 700 S. 3rd St., Mpls., will no longer include the “by Vincent” in its name. While initial changes may not be immediately noticeable, the restaurant will gradually evolve into a neighborhood American bistro. Matt Monroe, who co-founded Restore Restaurant Holdings with his father, Dennis Monroe, explained that popular dishes such as French onion soup and beef bourguignon will remain on the menu.

This shift in direction aims to move Chloe away from being a special-occasion fine dining spot and toward a more casual, neighborhood-focused establishment. “It’s hard to be a French restaurant in a hotel in Minneapolis,” Monroe said. “We need to reposition to have a broader appeal and also really speak to the neighborhood, like we did at EaTo.”

EaTo, another restaurant under the same company, primarily serves locals and regulars. Monroe believes that Chloe has the potential to do the same but currently faces challenges due to the association with Francoual's name, which brings with it a stigma of fine dining and white tablecloth service.

New Leadership and Future Plans

The company is currently searching for a new executive chef to oversee the culinary operations at both Chloe and EaTo. They are also collaborating with Serge Smith, formerly of Terzo, to revamp the menus at the cafeteria at the Northstar Center in downtown Minneapolis. The company recently took over the management of food concepts there.

Monroe sees the Northstar deal as an opportunity to diversify their business and add stability to their operations. “It was really a way of diversifying our business a little bit, adding some gas to the fuel to help expand our restaurants,” he said. One of his goals is to install a patio at Chloe, further enhancing the dining experience.

A Farewell and Gratitude

Francoual’s tenure at Chloe will come to an end on July 26. In his farewell message, he expressed deep gratitude to the staff at Restore for their dedication and commitment. “The camaraderie forged in professional kitchens is intense and memorable, so I also want to sincerely thank all the staff at Restore for their skill, support, and commitment to creating a top-quality dining experience for our customers,” he wrote. He also apologized for any inconvenience or unexpected changes his decision might bring to their lives.

As Chloe transitions into a new phase, the future looks promising for both the restaurant and the community it serves. The goal is to create a space where residents can enjoy quality meals without the formality of fine dining, making it a true neighborhood staple.