PROSPECT PARK COMMISIONS WORLD-RENOWNED RESTAURATEUR
Luxury Alpharetta Community Furthers its Commitment to Unparalleled Experiences
ALPHARETTA, Ga. (September 7, 2007) – Thomas Enterprises announces the selection of London-based MARC (Marlon Abela Restaurant Corporation) to consult on food and beverage operations for Prospect Park’s Stanbury Manor, the 152 room ultra-luxe hotel, as well as MARC’s award-winning chief operating officer, Patrick Willis, who will lead the consultation project.
MARC leads “the movement towards a redefined dining experience at the heart of civilized living” and will design The Stanbury Manor at Prospect Park’s free-standing restaurant, which will be in MARC’s portfolio of award winning and internationally acclaimed restaurants, such as Umu, the one-Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant in London; A Voce, the one-Michelin-starred Italian restaurant in New York; Greenhouse, the one-Michelin-starred Mayfair restaurant behind the Dorchester Hotel; and Morton’s private members club, overlooking Berkeley Square in London. The vision is to create a free-standing destination restaurant for The Stanbury Manor which will live up to the same standards as others in MARC’s portfolio by bringing Atlanta its only one-Michelin-starred dining establishment, which will include an unparalleled wine list, as world-acclaimed MARC Fine Wines will serve as the wine merchant.
The restaurant at The Stanbury Manor will feature elegant, Southern cuisine. By only using seasonal ingredients, including fresh-cut herbs from Prospect Park’s gardens, viandes (meats) are sure to burst with flavor.
MARC will also consult on other culinary offerings for the 64-acre luxury mixed-use development, such as catering for weddings and other events; The Stanbury Manor’s 24-hour in-room dining; The Stanbury Lounge, which will offer breakfast, lunch, high tea and cocktails; and the community’s international bistro, which will include a globally-acclaimed wine room.
“MARC’s commitment to a luxurious bill of fare and excellent service pairs perfectly with our passion for service and dedication to a sophisticated, quality experience,” said Jean Mestriner, president and COO, Thomas Enterprises Leisure and Lifestyle Division. “With MARC, and Willis specifically, we have a world-class team of restaurant industry experts who will create a culinary destination for Prospect Park that will be on par with some of the best dining destinations in the world – from New York to London to Paris to Milan.”
The Stanbury Residences’ homeowners (who will have access to all aspects of The Stanbury Manor), the Alpharetta community and epicureans alike will be able to partake in a luxury dining experience not currently available in metro-Atlanta.
MARC founder Marlon Abela comments, “There is a common goal for MARC restaurants, which is to set a new standard for the finest quality food, service and wine. This will become MARC’s unique difference. Whatever the style of restaurant, its location, cuisine style or price point, MARC restaurants will provide the highest standard and quality of food, service and environment.”
Willis, who has more than 30 years of experience as a restaurateur and hotelier across five continents, has held senior management positions with industry leaders, such as Hotels of Distinction, Rosewood Hotels and Regent Hotels International, Rafael Hotels and Resorts, and Oberoi Hotels and Resorts. He is a graduate with honors from the American University in Paris and Clark and will be inaugurated into the International Food & Beverage Forum’s Hall of Fame when he is honored as 2007 Restaurateur of the Year during the World Gourmet Summit in November 2007. Willis will also serve as a consultant on food and beverage operations for Thomas Enterprises’ redevelopment of the historic Ten Trinity – which overlooks the famous Tower of London and officially opened in 1922 as the headquarters for the Port of London Authority – into an up-scale residential, hotel, restaurants and international spa destination.
Willis’ dedication to preparing food authentic to Alpharetta is evident by the depth of his research of the community’s history and heritage. “We want to stay true to the community’s Southern roots while at the same time create something inspired,” said Patrick Willis, COO for MARC. “And, we do everything we can to make guests’ dining experiences as exquisite as possible.”
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About Prospect Park
Located in the affluent Atlanta suburb of Alpharetta, Prospect Park (www.ProspectParkOnline.com) is a luxurious mixed-use community where commerce, life and leisure intersect. The development offers residential, upscale retail with international brands and commercial space, as well as a hotel, spa and entertainment venues. This combination of elements and ambiance is unduplicated in the Southeast.
About The Stanbury Residences
The Stanbury Residences (www.TheStanburyResidences.com) will include two- and three-bedroom homes
ranging from 2,600 to 3,600 square feet that will have the same sophisticated detail and architectural features
as The Stanbury Manor, including designer appointments such as kitchens completely outfitted with Viking
appliances, as well as unique features such as outdoor terraces with summer kitchens and Paul Duesing
styled personal spas in the master bath. Residents and their guests will have access to all aspects of The
Stanbury Manor.
About Thomas Enterprises, Inc.
Thomas Enterprises (www.ThomasEnt.com) is a visionary real estate development company that specializes in creating dynamic places where commerce, life and leisure intersect. Capabilities encompass master-planned communities and mixed-used projects, as well as retail, hotel, residential and office developments. The company has developed a portfolio valued at $2 billion, and owns over 20,000 acres of prime, developable land throughout the United States.
