MRM Profile: Turning the Tides–25 Years of Food and Friendship

11 Min Watch By Barbara Castiglia and Kevin Freibott

To celebrate Stage Left’s recent 25th anniversary, co-owners Francis Schott and Mark Pascal rebranded the New Brunswick, NJ-mainstay: Stage Left Steak: A Contemporary American Steakhouse.

"This is a steakhouse with 2017 sensibilities," said Pascal. "We believe that all the philosophies of running an ingredient-driven, seasonal restaurant are ready to take over the last bastion of 'old-school' venues, the steakhouse."

Schott and Pascal met at Rutgers University, bonding over meals of bread, cheese and beer. In May of 1992, they opened Stage Left: An American Cafe  and began serving market-driven, contemporary American cuisine. In 2000, following an expansion and renovation, the name evolved into Stage Left Restaurant. The team also owns and operates Catherine Lombardi situated above Stage Left Steak. The 100-seat restaurant and cocktail lounge was named for Pascal's grandmother and has been serving Brooklyn-Italian style fare since late 2005. Executive Chef James…