What kind of restaurant do you get when you have a French-trained Irish chef who loves American food?

You get Redhound Grille, which chef Shane Magee plans to open mid-May in the Paoli section of northern Willistown. The restaurant will offer American-style dishes “with a twist” at reasonable price points, with daily specials—and some fun surprises like beer specials that include blends created by home brewers.

The restaurant will open at 128 Paoli Pike, where the Big Easy Saloon served cajun fare for four years before closing down in October 2010.

“[Redhound will be] an American grill and a neighborhood restaurant—a place where people can really feel comfortable,” chef and owner Magee said.

In Magee’s 25 years of experience in the food industry, he has lived and worked in France and England. Most recently worked at Places! Bistro at People's Light and Theatre in Malvern, from which many of his staff members will come, he said.

Redhound Grille will offer “American food with a twist,” Magee said.

“There won’t be any cheese steaks or hoagies—but there will be braised short ribs, steaks, lots of fish, risottos … good food like we’ve done at our previous location, but bringing it in at a price point that’s going to be wallet-friendly.”

Almost everything will be made fresh in-house, from the burgers and meats to the bread. Magee will even cure Redhound’s bacon. The restaurant will also offer a number of fresh vegetables each day, bought locally and organically when possible.

“We’ll be trying to buy as much locally as possible … and be more conscious about food: where it’s sourced from, the quality of the product, and the general taste of the product,” Magee said. “Food is one of those things that if you start with a good, fresh ingredient, you can’t really go wrong.”

Entrées will run from about $10 to $22, and appetizers from $6 to $8. Here’s a taste of what Redhound will offer:

• Berkshire Centre Cut Pork Chop (brined in-house) with grain mustard and apple jus
• Classic Mushroom Risotto with Kennett Square mushrooms, white wine and fresh herbs
• Portabella Ravioli with Gorgonzola cream sauce
• Grilled Black Angus Dry-Aged Hanger Steak with sautéed mushrooms, house steak sauce and homemade fries

… and a wine and beer menu featuring over 50 different options. Redhound will offer 30 bottles of wine under $40—including some wines that are offered for over $60 at other local restaurants, Magee said. He’ll be looking to include a number of local beers on his menu, as well as selections by home brewers looking for feedback on their blends.

Community is an important part of Redhound's philosophy. Magee appreciates the welcoming nature of people in the area and wants to bring that feel to his restaurant—“like a 'Cheers,' almost,” he said.

To that end, Magee and his other head chef Owen Marshall will be seeking input from neighbors in the immediate vicinity of the restaurant on Paoli Pike.

“We’ll probably be out knocking on doors soon to introduce ourselves and hand out coupons for discounts on food,” Magee said. Additionally, the Grille owners will likely host a party in June to get to know the neighborhood better, he said.

Marshall is a volunteer firefighter in Lower Merion Township, and both chefs deeply appreciate how volunteers impact the community, Magee said. They’ll be giving back by providing discounts to EMTs and other community members doing important work in the neighborhood. 

Redhound Grille will be open seven days a week at 11 a.m. There is a 60-car parking lot and the dining area seats about 128. Redhound is currently hiring for all positions, and interested applicants should contact Shane Magee at mageeshane@aol.com.

Look for an update from Patch in a few weeks when Redhound officially opens.

Redhound Grille

128 Paoli Pike, Paoli, PA 19341 (Willistown Township)

Scheduled for soft opening in mid-May