The Boston Globe is reporting that Michael Leviton will be selling Lumiere in West Newton to Jordan Bailey, who is the chef de cuisine at the Washington Street dining spot. The article says that Leviton, who had also sold his stake in Area Four in Cambridge and the now-closed A4 Pizza in Somerville in June, will remain at Lumiere through the end of February, at which point he will be looking forward to "the prospect of a more 'normal' existence with my very patient family." (He also indicates that he doesn't have any specific plans on what's coming next for him.)
[February 8, 2016 update: As Michael Leviton gets ready to leave Lumiere, his restaurant will be hosting a special prix fixe three-course Valentine's Night dinner at $95 per person with $42 extra for an optional wine pairing, and it appears there may be a farewell dinner at the end of the month as well (we will post an update on this as soon as we get more information). In addition, an earlier article from Boston Magazine states that Lumiere will continue to operate come next month with some renovations made to the space--including cosmetic changes to the dining room and the addition of a more casual lounge section.]
[February 14 update: The Tables section of The Boston Globe states that Michael Leviton leaves Lumiere for good on February 27, and that he will turn to doing work on a new cookbook and working as a consultant in the restaurant industry, while also "looking forward to just being a husband and dad."]
Lumiere first opened in 1999 and became a favorite among diners and critics alike, winning multiple "Best of Boston" awards from Boston Magazine along with Bon Appetit calling it the best new restaurant to open in 1999 and Gourmet Magazine awarding it best restaurant in America in 2002. (Leviton is also an eight-time James Beard Foundation Award nominee.)
The address for Lumiere is 1293 Washington Street, West Newton, MA, 02465.
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[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Romantic Restaurants in the Greater Boston Area]
