Award-winning chef Dan Perron, 35, best known for his celebrated tenure as executive chef at Trummer’s in Clifton, is embarking on a new venture. In mid to late August, Perron will open the doors to Locavore, an upscale casual restaurant in the heart of historic downtown Fredericksburg. And just above it, a rooftop oasis named Folklore promises to be filled with Charleston-inspired charm and frozen cocktails under the stars.
Locavore: Chef-Driven and Seasonally Obsessed
Perron calls Locavore “100 percent chef-driven and owned.” And the restaurant’s name focuses on its local sourcing. “Locavore’s meaning is eating and sourcing locally; it’s something I’ve been doing my whole career,” he says. “I always try to source as local as possible, really trying to utilize things seasonal.”
For his new approximately 45-seat dining room, Perron plans a weekly rotating menu curated around ingredients directly from Mid-Atlantic farms and purveyors. Look for familiar names like Chalet Farm, Autumn Olive Farm, and Anson Mills, alongside lesser-known producers.
“You’re gonna see some touches of my Korean heritage and I think you’re going to see traces of what I did at Trummers,” says Perron, who has been in the restaurant industry for 19 years.
The kitchen’s beating heart will be a large konro grill, chosen for its ability to enhance flavor with intense, focused heat. While specific dishes will rotate constantly, guests can expect a style Perron defines as “seasonal New American, filtered through fire, technique and instinct.” The staff, he notes, will provide “fun yet refined” service.
“I try to cover all the bases, but don’t expect a giant menu with a ton of choices,” Perron notes. “I really try to go for quality over quantity; I really try to hit a home run every time I put a dish on the menu.”
Folklore: Rooftop Escape, Charleston-Style
Just one floor up, Folklore invites guests to unwind in a more relaxed space. Inspired by Perron’s near-annual pilgrimages to Charleston, the rooftop bar will channel Southern hospitality.
“Charleston is somewhere that’s special to me and my family,” he says. “I can very much see something like a low country boil every once in a while where it’s kind of communal seating.”
To round out Folklore’s rooftop menu, think frozen drinks, curated small bites and laid-back vibes designed for after work happy hours and spontaneous date nights. What makes Perron’s concept truly unique is its setting. Locavore and Folklore are taking shape inside a lovingly restored space at 314 William Street in downtown Fredericksburg.
“My goal is to create something of a destination restaurant for DMV diners to get away to,” Perron notes.
Feature image courtesy JJ Multimedia Productions
