Wednesday, May 14, 2008

THE FARM REPORT: The former managing partner of Bonefish Grill in Centreville is striking out on his own with a restaurant in Cambridge, Md., that he hopes will complement the mix of crab houses and mom-and-pop joints in the area. Tony Stafford says he expects to open 450 Race, a "rustic American bistro," in early November. The venue, halfway between Easton and Salisbury, takes the name of its address. "People won't be able to forget us!" figures Stafford, who will serve as chef there.

The restaurateur has tapped architect Leon Chatelain, who has created dramatic spaces for Clyde's and Great American Restaurants, to transform a former five-and-dime into a place that resembles a farmhouse (a big farmhouse; 450 Race will cover 7,000 square feet and seat 130 customers). Chatelain already has procured milk jugs to serve as water pitchers and seltzer bottles that will be turned into pendant lights.

For his part, Stafford plans to serve "fun stuff," including mussels roasted over a wood fire, roasted chicken, flat-iron steak and fruit cobblers cooked in cast-iron skillets. Watching over the front of the house will be his wife, Ana. Their commute will be an easy one; the couple and their 3-year-old son, Danny, recently relocated to an apartment right above the future workplace.

-- Tom Sietsema