High Concept Counter 3.Five.VII Fills Out Key Staff

Counter 3.Five.VII, the downtown restaurant that is one of Eater’s most anticipated restaurants of the year, hired three new staffers today. Jason Huerta, who previously worked at Pappas Brothers Steakhouse in Dallas and was the director of education at the Dallas Sommelier Society, will be the sommelier. Allison Welsh is the new floor manager. She most recently was the events coordinator at ELM Group, and worked at 24 Diner and Arro as well. Damien Brockway will come on as the chef de cuisine. His past jobs include chef tournant at Qui and chef de cuisine at Uchiko .

The tasting menu-only restaurant helmed Lawrence Kocurek and Eric Earthman will serve only three, five, and seven course meals to diners seated in the small 26-seat only chef's table. The exact opening date isn’t set yet, but it is expected to open this winter.