BANK ON IT: Soon-to-open ‘The Ledger’ will be desirable destination
The Ledger owners Jimmy Merdani and Stefan Stefanakis; and chef Greg Alexiev are pictured outside the soon-to-open restaurant in downtown Plymouth.
It’s fitting that downtown Plymouth’s soon-to-open fine-dining restaurant, The Ledger, has a bank-themed name because beginning later next month (or early January), it’s going to be drawing a lot of interest.
Set to open in December or early-January on the southwest corner of Main and Penniman (the former home of The Greek Islands, a popular DTP coney island-esque eatery for over a decade), The Ledger is destined to become a mainstay for people hungry for high-end meals and drinks, without the uppity vibe that gravitates through some upscale restaurants, said owner Stefan Stefanakis.
Stefanakis, who also owns The Ebenezer, the classy, speakeasy-themed establishment located directly below The Ledger, said the goal for his newest venture is “to bring a new experience to downtown Plymouth.”
High-end food, humble service
“Our plan is to elevate the upstairs to coincide with what we have going on down here,” Stefanakis said, one early evening last week, while sitting in an Ebenezer booth with business partner Jimmy Merdani and head chef Greg Alexiev.
“The Ledger is obviously going to be brighter than it is down here thanks to its big windows. It will have elevated culinary options, but humble hospitality. We will be offering high-end food, high-end drinks and high-end hospitality, but without the stuffy attitude you find at some restaurants.”
Stefanakis dipped into the history vault to secure a name for his new restaurant.
Construction was completed in 1920 on the structure at 306 S. Main Street, which was originally the Plymouth United Savings Bank.
“The Ledger is a play on the bank theme,” he said. “We thought it had a nice ring to it and it connects to the history of this building.”
Salivating menu
The Ledger’s menu will be eclectic, assured Alexiev, a widely-respected chef who is a native of Houston, graduated from Farmington High School and currently resides in Canton.
“I draw inspiration from everyone and everywhere,” Alexiev said. “My goal is to deliver an experience that takes our customers on a memorable ride. Most people only eat two or three meals a day, so eating should be fun.
“When I go out, I order food that I’ve never had before or food that you can’t find easily at Kroger, Busch’s or Meijer.”
Alexiev added he embraces how southeast Michigan is such melting pot of cultures.
“There are so many influences in our community that I like to add to our kitchen and menu,” he said.
Total renovation
Stefanakis said regulars of the Greek Islands who visit The Ledger once it opens won’t recognize the decor.
“We ripped everything out,” he said. “I’m confident people are going to love what our designers have planned for the space.”
A recent quick walk-through of the airy, still-under-construction property delivered hints of the classy atmosphere that will welcome visitors to the new restaurant, including stylish wall mountings and eye-catching light fixtures.
Buzz is building
“There is definitely a buzz building around town about our opening,” Stefanakis said. “I can’t walk around downtown without someone asking me when we’re opening, how things are coming along — but I love it because it shows that people are as excited about us opening as we are.”
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
