Legendary 610 Magnolia Opens under New Management
Ed Garber passes torch to innovative chef from New York City

LOUISVILLE (Sept. 18, 2003) -- 610 Magnolia has reopened under the leadership of Edward Lee, a former New York City chef who has studied under Ed Garber, the former chef and proprietor. The restaurant is now open to the public three nights a week.

610 Magnolia will continue to focus on New American cuisine, blending the eclectic with classical European techniques to produce a contemporary and exciting approach to dining that has always been the benchmark of 610 Magnolia. Chef Edward Lee wants to bring to the diners of Louisville a top tier dining experience comparable to the finest restaurants in this country.

“Every layer of the dining experience is crucial: from the food to the lighting, the stemware, even the napkins. All our glassware is Riedel crystal; napkins are by Frette. Everything has been thought out and carefully chosen, even the bathroom soap.” Chef Lee believes that a true dining experience requires an entire evening. So there is only one seating nightly. "Your reserved table is yours for the whole evening,” he said. “That's what it takes to make a dinner memorable."

The five-course prix fixe menu costs $65 per person. A five-course vegetarian menu is $55 per person. The menu will change week-to-week depending on the seasons. The restaurant is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Tables will not turn. Reservations are required. A full bar serving a small a la carte menu opens at 5:30 p.m. 610 Magnolia is also available for private events.

Chef Lee's involvement in the farm-to-table agricultural movement takes up most of his time when he is not behind the stoves. Lee, 31, says Kentucky’s rich array of growers was part of his attraction to Louisville. "The produce and the pork products are some of the best I've ever come across. I'm here to serve the best things possible, and you can't do that if you don’t know where your
products are coming from. "

Lee, who has a degree in English literature from New York University, began working parttime in high-end restaurants in New York City when he was 14. He has been cooking professionally for 10 years in America and Europe. At 25, he opened Clay, a successful Asian-inspired restaurant in the NoLiTa section of Manhattan. "I was the chef, the manager, the dishwasher and the host there. After five years, I was looking to rise to the next level."

Lee discovered 610 Magnolia two years ago while researching the best American restaurants. A regular customer in New York who was also a Louisville native, told him about the restaurant and its eccentric chef, Ed Garber. When Lee visited Garber during Kentucky Derby week 2001, they began a mentor-apprentice relationship that resulted in the passing of the torch from one Ed to another. Garber closed 610 Magnolia in July. Lee, in partnership with businessman Brook Smith, reopened 610 Magnolia on September 11, 2003.