Florida is a multifaceted kind of place. On the one hand, it provides the world with enough crazy news stories to base a whole video game on. On the other, it’s the home of Ford dealerships that are doing so well they can open a restaurant with a Michelin Star chef.
That’s right, Sarasota Ford, located south of Tampa, Florida, has announced that it will open a restaurant with Chef Jose Martinez, who has received three Michelin stars in his impressive career. Dubbed the Le Mans Kitchen, the name is a reference to Ford’s success at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race.
“Not only did we want to create something that was unlike anything anyone has ever imagined and turn the dealership experience completely upside down, but we also wanted to show appreciation to our loyal customers with a world-class experience,” Matthew Buchanan, president of Buchanan Automotive Group, said.
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Photos Sarasota Ford / Facebook
It’s only appropriate, then, that 3,367-square-foot, 38-seat fine dining restaurant will serve American-inspired cuisine, with a French twist, according to the Miami Herald. Among the offerings, there will be pillow pancakes, crème brûlée French toast, prime burgers, milkshakes, made-to-order coffee, and mocktails — it is still a car dealership, after all.
“When I first met with Matt Buchanan about this, I told him this was a crazy idea but that I am up for the challenge,” said Martinez. “I love cooking with any ingredients, and as long as it is with good technique, is well-seasoned and at the perfect temperature, you can achieve a lot of things.”
Le Mans Kitchen will offer a morning menu and a midday menu, but no dinner menu, since it closes at 5:00 p.m. The food isn’t exactly cheap, with prices for an open-faced avocado toast starting at $13, but they aren’t over-the-top extravagant, either, with prices topping out at $18 for the burger.
Oddly, this isn’t even the Ford dealership’s wildest offering. Customers can also watch a movie at its 11-seat theater, or get the spa treatment in the relaxation room, which features hydro massage chairs.
Le Mans Kitchen opens on Monday, December 11, and will only be open on weekdays.