Walking through the doors of CT Provisions, you experience the ambiance of 1930’s glam in the heyday of prohibition. A beautiful dining room adorned with velvet, copper, and vintage décor as well as a bar and tables handcrafted from reclaimed hardwood welcome the guests to stay for a while. This culinary establishment is rooted in the chef-driven, local and sustainable menu with carefully curated cocktails to match.
When speaking with owner/general manager Steven Terry, he states “this project has been a labor of love since the start.” He co-designed and hand-built the space with current partners Jeff Taylor (proprietor), Matt Walker (Bar Manager), and Bryan Gibson (proprietor), as well as former partner Manny Casas. The CT team is comprised of service industry veterans who came together organically in 2020 to develop and construct CT in the middle of a pandemic. While the initial crew of CT involved many wonderful individuals, the remaining owners are dedicated to facilitating growth and evolution on the corner of Louisiana St.
Terry credits the staff for staying loyal during the challenges of a pandemic, opening a new restaurant, changes in ownership, and kitchen leadership. CT has amazing talent from a tireless back-of-house crew, a team of veteran servers, and creative bartenders. Terry speaks of the excitement of bringing a new dining experience to McKinney. He feels they raised the bar when bringing in Executive Chef JP Mancha to elevate our culinary experience.
JP Mancha’s love of food began early in life, inspired by his time in the kitchen with his immediate family. He has worked for the past 10 years with many top names in downtown Dallas. He worked with Scott Gottlich (owner/chef) at Bijoux, which was nominated as one of the top 10 restaurants in America. Mancha was classically trained at Cordon Bleu, worked with chef Andre Natera at the Village Kitchen in Highland Park, and notes time with chef Misty Norris in the opening of Small Brew Pub in Oak Cliff.
Mancha’s culinary vision for CT Provisions combines French and Spanish cuisines with a flair of New Orleans. The menu will change seasonally and on the last Tuesday of each month, CT has a special 5-course meal paired with custom cocktails. Mancha enjoys the creative freedom of these dinners, as they allow him to broaden the patron’s culinary and cocktail knowledge.
When speaking with owner Matt Walker, he details the necessity of having an amazing beverage to partner with the flavorful food. CT Provisions elevates the world of cocktails by carefully crafting a drink that pairs with each item on the menu. Matt Walker is the bar manager/owner and creative vision behind the bar at CT. He started his bartending career in his native Florida and then migrated to Dallas, working at many of the finer establishments in the area. He has been mixing drinks and cocktails for 20+ years and takes great pride in his bar staff. Walker states “we are rooted in the classics but utilize fresh components to create a modern twist.” Conner Hargesheimer worked with Matt at previous venues and is known for his creative mixtures and fast hands behind the bar. Giovanni and Juan round out the bar team, always bringing a smile and creative cocktail that challenges and elevates the palate. These four will delight you with their adaptations of your favorite drink.
Jeff Taylor (owner/proprietor) has been an avid supporter of the downtown McKinney restaurant scene and McKinney resident for over 20 years. During that time, he built relationships with many of the current partners/staff. When approached with the opportunity to create and own a restaurant, he cautiously joined the team. Taylor has had a background in the oil and gas industry for the past forty years, but he was ready to try something new. He initially had concerns regarding his limited experience in the restaurant industry, but his desire to take part in something new and exciting in downtown McKinney with the people he knew helped him jump in. Jeff has been a hands-on owner, actively involved in CT and even helping on the floor when needed.
Bryan Gibson (owner), with a background in construction management, was a very important part of the construction and renovations process of CT. Born and raised in McKinney, he has special ties to the area and is happy to be a part of something like CT.
Steven Terry (owner/general manager) has also been with CT since day one and brought 20 years of restaurant design and management to the project. A transplant from Brooklyn two years ago, Terry migrated to McKinney in search of a new start. “I was hoping to bring some NY flair to the downtown McKinney restaurant scene. Although Terry’s background is rooted in the music industry, having been a multi-platinum recording and touring drummer for Ryan Adams, WhiskeyTown, and The Damnwells. “Touring the country exposed me to restaurants, bars, and clubs from coast to coast. In between tours, I came back to New York and took side jobs bartending and running sound at various venues.” During his 18 years in Brooklyn, he owned and operated both a music venue and restaurant, Southpaw & Salem’s Hour.
If you haven’t had the chance to visit this wonderful new addition to downtown McKinney, consider a visit. There is a chance that you will find one of the owners working the floor with staff to make this dining establishment an experience like no other. Make your reservations online @ www.CTprovisions.com or call (469) 631-0707. Serving lunch Tuesday through Friday and dinner Tuesday through Saturday, in addition to weekend brunch, this growing establishment will continue to challenge and escalate the palate of McKinney for years to come.