An upscale New American concept is coming to Fort Worth called The Mont, from Cousin's BBQ owner Jeff Payne and Jason Cross, who is Cousin's VP of operations.

The restaurant is at 3729 Saint Amand Cir. — new construction in the Montserrat neighborhood in southwest Fort Worth, near the intersection of 20 and 820. According to a release, it'll open in winter.

Cousin’s BBQ is the classic Texas BBQ joint started in 1983 by Jeff Payne's parents: Calvin (aka “Boots”) and Beverly Payne. Today, Jeff serves as president/owner, and Cousin's BBQ has five locations in DFW with two in DFW Airport.

But Payne had a hankering for something more.

"I’ve wanted to open an upscale, chef-driven concept in the Fort Worth area for a long time and when we saw this space near the Montserrat neighborhood I knew this was the spot," he says in a statement. "It’s the perfect backdrop to have a beautiful dining experience inspired by seasonal, fresh ingredients, world travel, nostalgic favorites and our Texas roots in a timeless setting.”

Food
The Mont will feature chef-driven, seasonally inspired cuisine from acclaimed Chef Michael Duff, who worked at Eddie V’s Fort Worth for more than a decade, and who will be working with consulting chef Michael Arlt (Emeril Lagasse's E2 Emeril’s Eatery, Fish Out of Water, the Toyota Center in Houston, The Beast & Company in Fort Worth, Hotel Swexan in the Harwood District).

The menu will combine traditional and familiar dishes made with a contemporary take and an elevated technique with a flair that pays homage to the golden age of dining. Those words came straight from the press release, and they are perfect as is.

"Our approach is refined traditional cuisine inspired by seasonality using familiar ingredients, modern technique and global influence," Duff says.

Menu highlights include house-made pasta, Wagyu steak, and seafood, based on what produce, meat, and seafood is in-season and therefore constantly evolving.

Decor
The 7,400-square-foot space is designed by Fort Worth interior design firm Maven, who was inspired by the glamorous era of Mad Men: mahogany wood, leather seating, and ambient lighting, with a centerpiece bar that exudes mid-century charm and is stocked with top-shelf spirits for classic cocktails and inventive new concoctions.

“We hope to make the community extremely proud to say this concept is in their backyard as well as a destination to travelers in the area," Payne says. "We’re looking forward to adding to the fine dining landscape of Fort Worth while also being an approachable, neighborhood spot.”