Manresa's former chef David Kinch closed the restaurant at the end of 2022 and now plans to open three new Los Gatos restaurants with partners Avery Ruzicka and Andrew Burnham. (Photo courtesy Crystal Birns)

By Kate Bradshaw

Before Chef David Kinch left Manresa, the fine-dining restaurant with three Michelin stars in Los Gatos that closed at the end of 2022, he cryptically told the audience at California's Michelin awards "you haven't seen the last from me yet."

What he's up to now has been revealed: Kinch, along with baker Avery Ruzicka (the founder of Manresa Bread) and entrepreneur Andrew Burnham constitute the heads of MB Partners, the entity that has leased space to open three new restaurants in Los Gatos, according to a recent announcement from the developer, Harmonie Park.

The space, a new 7,100-square-foot building that's part of a development called the Junction, is slated to include a sister location of Kinch’s Aptos restaurant Mentone, a French, Mediterranean and Italian restaurant, and a third restaurant concept still under development.

In all, the Junction is expected to cover 66,000 square feet and include a total of 20,000 square feet of room for food and beverage offerings.

"Not only are MB Partners industry luminaries, but more importantly they were home grown right here in Los Gatos. They represent the artisanal ethos we are cultivating at The Junction. We are delighted to partner with them,” said Don Capobres, principal and CEO of Harmonie Park Development in a press statement.

Mentone's first location opened in 2020 and has been highlighted in the Michelin Guide to California as a Bib Gourmand pick, meaning it offers good quality and good value.

Kinch announced his departure from Manresa in August, effective at the end of 2022, to focus on his more casual-concept eateries. Following Kinch’s decision, Manresa announced that it would permanently close Jan. 1.

The Junction, 15011 Los Gatos Blvd., Los Gatos; Instagram: @junctionlosgatos.