A few years ago, a vacant brick building on the corner of Beverly and Coolidge in Berkley caught the eye of restaurateur Travis Fourmont. It was located just down the street from his house, so he passed by pretty frequently. Where some might have seen an eyesore, he saw opportunity.
“It had a little janky ‘for sale’ sign, crooked on one side,” says Fourmont, who has called Berkley home for about 13 years. “I was like, ‘Man, that would be so incredible for a restaurant.’”
Now, the former car parts shop is being transformed into a new eatery called The Beverly, anticipated to open this November. As Fourmont tells Hour Detroit, his desire to open an eatery in Berkley has been brewing quite a while, even before he opened Detroit’s French-inspired Bar Pigalle in 2022.
Now, his partner from the Brush Park eatery, Chef Norman Valenti, will be along for the ride at The Beverly, overseeing the kitchen. Billed as “New American comfort” fare, the menu will include steaks, cured meats, seafood (such as oysters on the half shell), charcuterie boards, and salads. And yes, guests will be able to order the Bar Pigalle Burger, Fourmont confirms.
“You could come in with shorts on and your hat backwards and get a beer and a shot and a burger, and feel comfortable,” Fourmont says. “Or, you can come in and get a very nice bottle of wine and have a very extensive dining experience.”
Fourmont is a well-versed mixologist, having earned several awards and accolades over the years from national media outlets and competitions. Drinks-wise, he says, The Beverly will focus on classics (think daiquiris, margaritas, and Manhattans). While you won’t find well spirits (AKA the cheap stuff), the menu will steer clear of complicated drinks with “10-12” ingredients, instead focusing on simpler recipes that favor perfectly balanced flavor profiles with fresh juices, quality syrups, and premium liquors.
The building has undergone a significant amount of construction since the lease signing: new plumbing, electrical, and even some wall replacements. The space will be designed by Pink + Wooderson, the firm that gave Bar Pigalle its industrial, almost moody feel: dark wood, exposed brick, and unfinished concrete. But for The Beverly, they’re taking a slightly different direction.
“Aesthetically, the colors are brighter: more like a neighborhood vibe, more family-friendly,” Fourmont says.
The restaurant aims to keep a close working relationship with local businesses — whether that’s serving bread from Crispelli’s, specialty cheeses from Monger’s Provisions, or even some sort of collaboration with the nearby ice cream purveyor Bombshell Treat Bar — a favorite of Fourmont and his nine-year-old daughter. Another likely collaborator will be Berkley’s James Beard-honored Casa Amado Taqueria (Chef Valenti is a good friend of owner Chef Amado Lopez and has occasionally lent a hand in his kitchen over the years).
“We want to be higher end, but we want to be very inviting,” Fourmont says. “We want to be a destination…the other piece of it is we want to be mindful and welcoming to the local community.”
After it opens, The Beverly plans to host a lunch and dinner program, as well as weekend brunches. The dining room will hold 105 seats (20 at the bar), with an additional 52-seat patio (which likely won’t be available until 2026). The restaurant will be located at 3180 Coolidge Highway. For updates, visit beverlyrestaurant.com.
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