A former operator of Pearl on the River is set to open a modern american steak and seafood restaurant with an emphasis on regional Wine Country cuisine in the space left vacant by Bistro Michel, Cowtown Eats has learned.

A lease has yet to be signed, but in an unusual step, a notice for required by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control has already been posted, Dan Sneed told Cowtown Eats in an interview on Monday evening.

The restaurant has yet to be named, and a Sneed is not quite ready to name the chef yet, but he intends to serve the clientele south of the State Capitol, which tends to have fewer fancy lobbyists and more rank and file state workers. He's aiming to hit a $20 price point for the dinner crowd and emphasize service.

In addition to Pearl on the River, Sneed has worked at Ella from 2008 to 2010, The Park from 2005 to 2007, San Francisco's Gary Danko from 1999 to 2005 and The Dining Room at The Ritz-Carlton in San Francisco from 2000 to 2001. 

Strong Tower Management, owned by Steed, purchased Pearl on the River in 2012 and sold it in 2014. Since then, he's been searching for a new restaurant opportunity.

Sneed intends to "lighten up the space so that you feel as though you are in a wine country living room," and hopes to open the restaurant in November. Bistro Michel closed back in April.

When it opens, the new restaurant will be located at 1501 14th St. Stay tuned to Cowtown Eats for more details.

More News:

Stone Brewing’s Greg Koch taking West Coast IPAs global - What’s more, those West Coast IPAs and hop-forward pale ales are becoming known to the rest of the world as APAs – American pale ales. “We literally went from 35 years ago being the country that the rest of the world laughed at – mocked – when it comes to beer, to becoming the country where all eyes are on us and they’re emulating what we do,” Koch told me. Blair Anthony Robertson in the Sac Bee.

Yes, these local restaurant and retail projects are still happening - But these three businesses still plan to become a reality, just a little later than expected. Here's an update on Cheese Louise Diner & Grille (next two months), Save Point Tavern (hoping for November) and Vela Cafe (early October). Good things come to those who wait, right? Sonya Sorich in Sac Biz Journal.

Hot Italian to open Davis pizzeria this fall - The Davis location of the popular pizza and panini bar, which is scheduled to open in late November or early December, will be slightly smaller than its midtown Sacramento and Emeryville locations at 1,500 square feet, with both indoor seating available for 50 and an outdoor patio that can seat up to 60. Patrons will recognize the minimalist black-and-white style and Italian design throughout the new space. Dani Anguiano in Sactown Mag.

New Restaurant Coming to Former Blockbuster Location - A lease has been signed for an Asian style restaurant with a “hot pot” concept. It’s definitely a crowded field when it comes to Asian style restaurants on Freeport Blvd. There’s a restaurant off Broadway on 18th street called Heat Shabu Bara that is similar to the concept the new restaurant will offer. A name has been picked out, but it’s not official yet. Greg Brown on SacramentoLand.

Sacramento police need help finding Thai Canteen assault suspects - Sacramento police need help in finding the suspects involved in an assault which left a Good Samaritan with serious injuries. The assault happened at Thai Canteen on 16th Street on March 5. On News 10.