French restaurant June BYOB joins East Passyunk Avenue

Chef Rich Cusack is completing the finishing touches and renovations at June BYOB, the new restaurant at 1911 E. Passyunk Ave. 

"I put up my fandeliers I'm really proud of. I really wanted chandeliers, but I needed fans," he said of the decor.

The French restaurant opens Wednesday in the former site of Will BYOB. Cusack said he named it after his mother.

"It's kind of cliche, like every chef is inspired by cooking with their mom but I don't know, that's what I remember most," he said, "just hanging with my mom in the kitchen making chicken cutlets."

Cusack has come a long way since his chicken cutlet days. After culinary school, he worked at Bibou.

"It was intense," he recalled. "I worked next to Pierre Calmels and Ron Fougeray, and I'll be honest with you, those two taught me way more than anyone."

Cusack's Philly resume also includes The Dandelion, Le Bec-Fin, Parc, and Le Cheri.

Dishes from our upcoming menu: Braised rabbit leg, chanterelle mushrooms, fava beans, leeks, spaghetti alla chiatarra Seared foie gras, peach jam, honey crepe, toasted walnut, duck jus Salt crusted branzino, white barley, haricot vert, lemon beurre blanc Coupole cheese for two (not pictured - table side champagne poured ontop to create a fudgy texture...great for dipping french baguettes!) #junebyob #rabbitleg #foiegras #fishfortwo #branzino #coupole #menu

A post shared by June BYOB (@junebyob) on Aug 12, 2019 at 10:00am PDT

While he admitted it's a little nerve-racking being responsible for everything and everyone as the owner, it's also exciting.

"It's finally my restaurant and the food is me expressing me," he added.

The menu at June BYOB features fois gras, branzino, steak, a cheese program, and a braised rabbit leg, which Cusack is particularly proud of.