Don Soenen springs out of his chair like a spry teenager with a huge smile on his face and excitedly takes his guest for a tour around his amazing new restaurant, Chicane, in Old Village Plymouth. First stop, the incredible dining room at the front – with a train rolling by the giant windows, as if right on cue.

There were plenty of other stops along the way.

“Let me show you the lighting on the stage, take a look at these bathrooms with custom-made sinks, here is the kitchen perfectly designed to run at top efficiency and the other kitchen.”

Soenen also showed off the huge refrigerator/freezer area, the front of the house entryway and even the amazing electrical work in the very back of the building that he described as a “piece of art.”

Soenen admits at one point, not too long ago, he never envisioned building or running a restaurant. Closer to 80 than 70, it just didn’t seem practical, but with every step came another brick in the wall of creating something special for Plymouth. And for all those who know Donald M. Soenen, he spares no expense when it comes to his beloved Plymouth.

“I believe that if you have lived in a place for a long time (55 years for Soenen) you have an obligation to leave the place better than you found it,” he said. “We have all those people who came before us who did exactly that and we have benefited from all they did for this community. Those that can really need to step up for the betterment of the entire community and I feel like I’m doing that.”

Soenen’s impressive resumé includes building his own personal career through owning and running several successful tech companies, and at the same time building a reputation in the community as a true savior by revitalizing the Penn Theater, saving Central Middle School, creating Plymouth Arts and Recreation Center (PARC) and being a true advocate for local charity endeavors.

“It’s not that hard to step up and support things you believe in,” Soenen said. “We put the money together in a few days to save the Penn Theater. If we don’t do that it’s gone forever.”

His latest venture isn’t about saving, but creating something special and unique with Chicane, a family-owned luxury dining and social venue.

“We celebrate the past, and a time when going to a supper club, or experiencing an energetic cabaret was the perfect night out,” he said. “It’s fine-tuned through a sense of the boldly modern and a sophisticated style, set in a place you can call your own for your very own night with us. Our food will leave you breathless, our cocktails will ignite the senses and our diverse entertainment will re-energize your soul.”

Mia Odeh, a managing partner for Chicane, has been part of the project since the very beginning, working closely with the architect on the interior and exterior design features. She was instrumental in creating the unique style that clearly makes Chicane different from other restaurant venues.

“For the banquet room, I wanted to create a space that was neutral and inviting, so when people added their own decor for say, a wedding, it made the room special for them,” she said. “It feels simple yet elegant at the same time.”
The entire restaurant has that “simple yet elegant” vibe.

“I have always liked waterfalls so I wanted to have one in the dining room, and the lights around the stage, I feel, bring a relaxing feeling to the room,” Odeh said. “The windows offer a very inviting look from the outside and the big chandelier around the waterfall adds a nice touch to the room.”

Executive Chef Scott Breazeale didn’t need Google to find the new restaurant. A 1988 graduate of Canton High School, he worked for the family that owned Station 885 and spent time in the kitchen during his early days as a chef. Breazeale, who sharpened his craft at places such as La Bistecca, Greektown Casino, Vinology, and Novi Chophouse, is extremely proud of the unique wood-fire grill that he calls a “big signature piece” for Chicane.

“We use only Michigan-sourced hardwood and it imparts a lot of flavor with the steaks, gets a good char on it and I think it really makes a big difference,” he said. “The grill gets insanely hot so you get that smokiness of the wood and a really nice sear.”

Breazeale said Chicane, which also offers handmade pasta, artisanal bread and sophisticated yet approachable desserts, has a “steakhouse vibe.”

“It’s a modern superclub that is a pretty traditional American restaurant with really good food, exceptional service and a warm and welcoming atmosphere,” he said.

Chicane, located at 885 Starkweather St., in Plymouth, is open from 4-10 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday and 4-11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday (closed Sunday-Monday). Live music begins at 7 p.m. For more information or to make reservations, log onto chicane.com