Ritz Carlton Paris

Daniel Boulud on Vancouver, Montreal, and His Dream Diner

You're going to open in Montreal? Why Montreal? It's a historical hotel, the Ritz-Carlton. They've gutted the place in the last four years, and they have 130 rooms, so it's a small hotel. The restaurant used to be called Café de Paris—it was famous for being famous but not so famous for the food. That's where Maison Boulud is going to go. What's the concept? I feel I can take dishes and things from Daniel, but mostly Cafe Boulud, DB, and Bar Boulud and take aspects of each one. Upscale casual, but a little more casual than Cafe Bolud.

You recently decided to close in Vancouver. When do you know it's time to close a restaurant? In New York, it's my own investment. We build our restaurant based on own earnings and savings. The best partnership is also with hotels, with a management group where there's already a synergy. There, I wanted to make a friend happy and maybe I said yes when maybe I should have said no. Vancouver was very nice but I don't think it was for me. I felt that if the restaurant wasn't profitable, why bother?

Boulud Sud just opened. Will there be more Upper West Side projects to come? Non. Three is enough. How about more expansions outside the NYC area? Yes, but not too many. If it's one restaurant every year—I have the staff, support and structure to do that. I just want to make sure I will have a life too. [laughs]

We're asking everyone we interview today to pose a question to the next person being interviewed. Danny Meyer had a question for you: Would you ever team up with him and open Danny & Daniel? [laughs] I think so! I have this idea of doing a diner and calling it Paris, Texas . If Danny wants to be my partner, I think we'd do very well. I always felt, in France, we don't have diners, but we do have bouchon, or bistro — depends on the region, but generally, you can hang out all day, and it's for all generations.

What would be on this menu, if you did do Paris, Texas? The menu would have two sides. Soup a l'onion on one side, clam chowder on the other. Steak frites on one side, barbecue on the other. In other words, one side is old classic French basics, and the other side is the Americana. [pauses] Maybe that would be good for Queens. [laughter] You want a place where everyone can afford it all day.

ROK-IT! | Entertainment Unlimited

He has performed personally at more than 600 weddings including wedding receptions held  at Bellagio, Bally’s, Excalibur, Ritz Carlton, MGM, Victoria’s, Luxor, Venetian, Paris, and Caesar’s Palace.

He also has experience performing for Philippine, Japanese, Chinese, Jewish, Arabic, Russian, English, Irish, Italian, and Hispanic nationalities.

**In 2009 ROK-IT! was featured performing a wedding reception for a pilot series for TLC Networks.

*In 1994 started his DJ career in Indianapolis, IN.

*1994–1996 He became a regular DJ in several Nightclubs in the Chicago & Indianapolis Areas.

*1996-1997 was hired by Graham Brothers Entertainment as a DJ and Director for their Nashville and Texas Clubs including Dallas Ally, and Park Place in San Antonio.

*1997- was offered a position @ The World Famous Beach Nightclub in Las Vegas, Nevada.

*1999- accepted a contract to DJ @ The Monte Carlo Resort and Casino. He excelled and became one of the most sought after DJ’s in Las Vegas. He performed regularly at Studio 54, Utopia, Club Rio, Station Casinos and several other hotels on the Las Vegas Strip.

*ROK-IT is very diverse and held positions at Scores Gentlemen’s Club and Sapphire “The World’s Largest Gentlemen’s Club”.

* opened The Sterling Club @ Turnberry where he performed for celebrities Jack Nicholson, Al Pacino, Leonardo DiCaprio, and several of Hollywood’s elite.

*performed regularly for corporate events and company parties. He performed for Nevada Power, Continental Airlines, Las Vegas City Council, AVN Awards, Hard Rock Hotel, Sahara Hotel, and MGM properties.

* has performed personally at more than 600 weddings including wedding receptions held  at Bellagio, Bally’s, Excalibur, Ritz Carlton, MGM, Victoria’s, Luxor, Venetian, Paris, and Caesar’s Palace.

* has experience performing for Philippine, Japanese, Chinese, Jewish, Arabic, Russian, English, Irish, Italian, and Hispanic nationalities.

*In 2006  was featured on E-TV @ Gipsy Nightclub.

*In 2009 was featured performing a wedding reception for a pilot series for TLC Networks.

*has performed during filming for Spike, and HBO Networks.

* has been featured in numerous publications.

*Most recently, ROK-IT! was the resident DJ @ The Luxor Pool in Las Vegas. He also was performing events for Victoria’s and MGM Entertainment at the Excalibur.

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