Mercuri Rising: veteran restaurateur finds a home at P.F. Chang's

There are a lot of reasons to explain the incredible success of the PFChang’s China Bistro locations at the central Decarie/Jean Talon location and at Carrefour Laval. Michael Aronovici, the president of Interaction Restaurants and the man who brought this popular chain to Canada, knows how to pick his operating partners: Louie Mercuri at Decarie and Elie Sucar in Laval.

Mercuri is indeed an experienced restaurateur. In 1993 he opened a Nickels Deli in St. Léonard and followed that up eight years later with a fine dining Italian restaurant in the Plateau area called Giorno e Sera. In 2004 he was hired as regional director for Les 3 Brasseurs,  moving on in 2008 as general manager for St-Hubert Rotisseries Corporate Division. When the opportunity came about to join the prestigious PF Chang’s brand just over a year ago he jumped at it.

 

Louie Mercuri

“I was familiar with the American Brand from my travels in the southern states,” Mercuri says. “I received a call from a couple of contacts within the restaurant industry who referred me to Michael Aronovici and after a couple of meetings I was onboard this wonderful journey!”

Mercuri was born and raised in St-Léonard to a tradional Italian family. He attended Pierre de Coubertin Elementary School and  Laurier Macdonald High School.   

P.F. Chang's, of course,  is an international brand that features a unique dining experience within an elegant, contemporary and family-friendly setting.  With over 230 restaurants globally, each P.F. Chang's restaurant is a culinary journey inspired by the cuisine of the five regions of China, from Mongolia and Sichuan, to Beijing, Shanghai and Hunan.  Each restaurant also features a variety of signature cocktails and unique desserts. 

P.F. Chang's menu items are cooked-to-order in traditional Chinese woks, using only the freshest ingredients delivered to the restaurant every day.   The won ton and egg drop soups are traditional starters. But the chicken lettuce wraps remain the true signature dish. The Mongolian beef, crispy honey shrimp and chicken and double pan-fried noodles are house favorites.

At P.F. Chang’s,  big celebrations are planned  for the Chinese New Year, which begins January 30 . There will be $30,000 in prizes given away at the two locales. Folks need to look out for the lucky red envelopes.