Marcel, a European bistro with a french influence, will open in the former Left Bank Bistro space on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street North | Costar

A well-known local restaurateur is bringing French food back to St. Pete's Historic Uptown neighborhood.

Chef Jeremy Duclut is opening a second location of Marcel, his Sarasota-based European bistro with a French influence, at 1225 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street North.

The restaurant will take over the former Left Bank Bistro space, which closed last fall after seven years in operation.

Unlike his other restaurant ventures, Duclut purchased the property rather than leasing it.

"This is the first restaurant I've owned the building for," Duclut said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. "Everything else, I'm a tenant."

Duclut, who also owns Wooden Rooster in downtown St. Pete, knew he wanted his next restaurant to be in St. Pete, but preferred a neighborhood setting over downtown.

Executive Chef and owner of Marcel, Jeremy Duclut | Marcel

"I'm a St. Pete guy; I've always liked Left Bank and this location. I like the idea of being off the beaten path," Duclut said. "I've been there many times, and literally live a few minutes away from the place."

"I want to create a place where people can get good food without having to go downtown and find parking," he added.

Marcel's St. Pete location is slated to open this September following a series of cosmetic upgrades to the building.

Duclut said the restaurant will offer roughly 25 dishes.

While the St. Pete menu will not mirror Sarasota's exactly, many of the dishes will overlap, including its cacio e pepe and hanger steak frites with roasted shallots, maître d' butter, and red wine sauce.

"The menu won't be exactly the same, but it will be very similar," Duclut said. "I can take more risks on this menu, but I have to see what people in St. Pete will want."

Other dishes expected to carry over from Sarasota include branzino served with lobster, zucchini, basil, and almond aillade; grilled octopus with paprika, saffron, and Galician potatoes; and vegetarian meatballs with fresh burrata.

Marcel’s Branzino with Lobster, zucchini, almond aillade, and basil | Marcel

Beef bourguignon, a hearty wine-based stew with onions, carrots, and mushrooms, is expected to make a return at Marcel's St. Pete location after previously appearing on the menu in Sarasota.

Another dish planned for St. Pete is a honey-baked croissant toast topped with mortadella, pistachios, olive oil, and burrata.

For dessert, guests can expect crème brûlée, bread pudding, and cherry cobbler with caramel ice cream.

The beverage program will include wines, champagne, and craft cocktails.

The longtime chef and restaurateur got his start as part-owner and executive chef of Cassis, the Beach Drive brasserie and bakery that opened in 2010.

Originally from Burgundy, France, Duclut is a classically trained chef who moved to the United States nearly 30 years ago.

Marcel’s Vegetarian meatballs with Zucchini, tomato, basil, and buratta mozzarella | Marcel

"I'm very comfortable cooking French food for American people," Duclut said. "It's the dream from every chef's point of view to cook in a smaller restaurant."

Marcel St. Pete will feature approximately 50 seats inside and another 30 seats on its outdoor patio.

When Marcel debuts later this year, it will join a growing collection of restaurants and bars along Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street North, including Violet Stone Pizzeria, Golden Isles Brewing Co., 86 Wine Bar, Calida Kitchen & Wine, alongside longtime neighborhood staples such as Flamingo Bar, Nitallys ThaiMex, and Trip’s Diner.

Duclut said he sees the corridor as an ideal location for the kind of neighborhood restaurant he wants Marcel to become.

Initially, Marcel will open for dinner service before eventually expanding into brunch and lunch.

Follow the restaurant on Facebook and Instagram for updates on its opening timeline in St. Pete.