New restaurant launched at FivePine

There's little fanfare, but excitement has already started building for the opening of Chloe at FivePine. The new restaurant is scheduled to open Wednesday, January 14, at the site of the former Pleaides Restaurant on the FivePine campus.

Restaurant owners Jerry Phaisavath and his wife Elaine Larson own the successful Chloe's restaurant in Redmond. They are not restarting Pleaides in a different name; it is an entirely new endeavor with a different ambiance. They plan a completely different menu and a relaxed, casual atmosphere at their FivePine restaurant.

"We will be on location," Larson said. "That will be different."

Tate Metcalf, one of the investors in the restaurant, said that the original vision for the campus' restaurant was to have a husband-wife, owner-operator team on site.

"The model that is successful is when it's owner operated," Metcalf said.

Phaisavath, a native of Laos, is a master at creating fine food at reasonable prices, according to Larson.

"My husband is able to target his market very well," she said. "It's not about 'look at me; look at how beautiful my plates look.'"

The menu is extensive and features entrees ranging from Gnocchi Romano to Pan Roasted Breast of Chicken to Mediterranean Braised Lamb Shank. Prices range from $17 to $26 for entrees.

Metcalf said the investors are excited to reboot the restaurant and believe Chloe is more in line with the original vision.

"After reviewing the menu, it's more value-oriented in a great atmosphere that's not pretentious," Metcalf said.

There will be no sense of formality, of whispering diners and silent servers at Chloe, Larson said. She and Phaisavath want to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere where people linger and enjoy the food and each other's company. That kind of atmosphere, Larson said, is what drew the restaurant investors to Chloe in Redmond.

"There were a lot of Sisters guys that were coming into our restaurant and they liked it there," Larson said.

Larson and Phaisavath enjoy cultivating relaxed and friendly relationships.

"These were people we've known and loved for a long time and we could let them relax and enjoy themselves," Larson said.

Larson and Phaisavath met at Black Butte Ranch and were married in 2003. Phaisavath began his career after political turmoil in his native country left him stranded in the United States, with political asylum but no money and no job skills.

He took a job as a dishwasher while he went to school, then started as a cook at the Hyatt Regency Union Square in San Francisco. He was promoted to Sous Chef while he was attending the California Culinary Academy.

He eventually began working for golf resorts, a career path that brought him to Black Butte Ranch. He and Larson opened Chloe in Redmond in May 2007 and named the restaurant after Phaisavath's new granddaughter.

The restaurant is taking reservations at 588-6151 and Metcalf noted that childcare is available at the adjacent Sisters Athletic Club's Kids Club.

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.

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