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Jim Emad
Jim Emad is the sole proprietor of Bentley’s on 27. He’s been working in Charlotte for over 25 years. Most recently, he was the General Manager at Lavecchia's Seafood Grille.  Prior to that, he worked for 17 years at The Fish Market Restaurant, formerly on Morrison Blvd., in South Park. Jim Emad is a seasoned restaurant operator who now has his own dining room in which to display his style of food, wine, and service.

Bentley’s on 27, his first restaurant, has been in development for almost two years. In December 2003 he located the unique space at 201 South College Street atop the Charlotte Plaza Building. In one month’s time he formed Lauren Taylor, Inc. (the names of his daughter and son) in order to bring Bentley’s (the family name of his wife, Kay) to fruition.

Jim’s vision includes classic French dishes prepared and presented at the table with the use of a gueridon. The gueridon, a mobile cooking cart used in French tableside service, is rarely seen in dining rooms today. In response to the casual bistro style, now ubiquitous in restaurants, Jim wanted to bring some excitement and theater back to the dining room. French tableside, a service style close to Jim’s heart, was the obvious choice.

Chef William Schutz

The Executive Chef at Bentley’s on 27 is William Schutz. Chef Schutz, a Long Island, NY native, has come to the Queen City after a decade’s tenure in the kitchens of Manhattan. After some initial training at the New York Restaurant School, Chef Schutz went to Tribeca Grill (co-owned by NY restauranteur Drew Nieporent and actor Robert DeNiro). He was quickly picked up by NY Chef David Bouley with whom he cooked for three years at Bouley’s namesake restaurant (rated #1 by Zagat’s for 5 years). After leaving Bouley, his mentor sent him to “stage” at a couple of Michelin three star restaurants in France (Arpege, Paris and La Cote St. Jacques, Burgundy). Chef Schutz returned to New York and signed on under Cyril Renaud at La Caravelle as the Executive Sous Chef. After two years William was again called upon by his mentor, David Bouley, to run the kitchen at his second restaurant, Bouley Bakery. As Chef de Cuisine, William had operational control of the kitchen and prepared to initiate his own projects. He did so in February of ’99 as Executive Chef and Owner of Waterloo Brasserie.

Chef Schutz continued to work as an Executive Chef at restaurants in New York, until a trip to Charlotte had him “checking out the seen” and happening upon an employment opportunity with Bentley’s on 27. After weeks of telephone interviews and a tasting here in Charlotte, he and Jim Emad shook hands in agreement. Chef William Schutz will help Jim Emad create his “Visionary Dining Experience”.

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Bentley’s on 27
A Visionary Dining Experience

27th Floor Charlotte Plaza
201 South College Street
Charlotte, NC 28244
(704) 343-9201

®2004 BENTLEY'S ON 27. All rights reserved.