Jamie McFadden, the much celebrated chef and co-owner of Cuisiniers Catering, will open a new dining experience next month called barJme (pronounce it bar Jamie).  will be a 10-seat interactive food counter in the kitchens of Cuisiniers facilities at 5470 Lake Howell Road, Winter Park. McFadden says the inspiration for the concept was Joel Robuchon’s L’Atelier in New York. After what he describes as an “amazing” evening, McFadden began planning to bring the tasting bar concept to Orlando.

“There were many considerations for this undertaking,” says McFaddne, “especially with a struggling economy, however, barJme gives our culinary team another outlet to expand their creativity, research unique food trends, and interact with other ‘foodies.’” McFadden will cook and interact with the guests, who will be seated at a food bar overlooking the kitchen. He’ll be joined in the kitchen by Harold Henderson, formerly of K restaurant.

Besides the limit of 10 seats, barJme will have another facet of exclusivity: it will be open a limited number of days each month, with those dates announced on the first of the month.

The experience will include an eight-course tasting menu for $75 per person. That fee includes the service charge but not beverages. The first opportunities will be for Tuesday March 15 and Wednesday March 16 for a 7:15 p.m. seating. Prepaid reservations are mandatory and can be made by calling 407-975-8763 or visiting jamiemcfadden.com.

McFadden, who is considered one of the area’s preeminent chefs, is not new to running a restaurant. In 1992 he opened MiMi’s in Longwood. It was critically acclaimed but, perhaps due to a low-profile location, short-lived. McFadden has cooked at the prestigious James Beard House in New York more than once, most recently last June with other Central Florida chefs.

BarJme is sure to become one of the most sought-after seats in town.

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