Greer's OC

There's no doubt the restaurant industry has been hit hard by the pandemic. Chef Jonathan Blackford, formerly at the A Restaurant and CdM Restaurant, is opening a new concept to accommodate the changes with Fork & Knife, set to debut October that will not include a dining room or formal seating for dine-in business, but rather focus on family meals for daily pick-up, grab-and-go prepared foods and a high-end market with many house-made items.

Fork & Knife will offer inspired, seasonal, from-scratch fully prepared dishes, as well as retail-focused items such as fresh-made pasta, jams, sauces, dressings, and more. The market will also feature many of Chef Blackford’s favorite artisan products, from a selection of olive oils to vinegar and grains. The kitchen will offer freshly made grab-and-go items daily, ranging from sandwiches, prepared pasta, and easy-to-eat-on-the-go dishes. 

The culinary focus of Fork & Knife will be a daily Hot Menu that can be ordered by the person, online or via phone, with 24 hours advance notice. Changing weekly, the menu will consist of rolls, salad, protein, and dessert. Chef Blackford’s masterful way with steaks will be seen in his hand-picked selections from the best ranches around the world, which will be complemented with fresh seafood options.

“I want to serve as an extension to the home kitchen by providing the freshest and most flavorful meals and dishes,” said Chef Blackford. “There is nothing more comforting than a home-cooked meal enjoyed with family and friends, but with time being the biggest challenge in our lives, we’re handling the heavy lifting so those in our community don’t have to sacrifice quality.”

Fork & Knife is expected to open October 1 and will be located at 401 E. 17^th Street, Suite A2, in Costa Mesa.