employees owners photos biographies

Community
Jenny

Jenny Lorella
Asst. Manager/Bartender/Server

Jean

Jean O'Neill
General Manager/Bartender

Jean comes to Grand Cru with years of experience serving the Bellevue drinking community, having managed such fine local institutions such as the Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery and Parlor Billiards.

Jean creates our drinks, manages the kitchen, books the music, and basically does everything necessary to make Grand Cru a great place.

In her own words:

"With twenty plus years in this crazy business I still genuinely care about every guest who comes into The Grand Cru Mixology Lounge. I am very passionate about customer service and if I can put a smile on someone’s face and make him or her feel good for the hour they are in our presence my day was successful. AND I LOVE MUSIC!"

Matt

Matt Branscum
Cook

Matt comes to us from Littlerock, Arkansas, and is a Wazzu fan

Hobbies: Golf, hunting, skiing, and cooking

Favorite food: Thai

Favorite cocktail: Kettle One and soda with lime & olive

Favorite movie: Goodfellas

Tom

Tom Cottrell
Owner/Wine Guy

Tom and his wife Chris have been in the wine business since early Roman times. Before starting Grand Cru, he was the owner of the La Cantina Wine Shop in Bellevue. He was also the Director of Marketing for Apex Cellars.

He is a graduate of the University of Washington, class of '73, where he majored in History.

Favorite wine: Red Burgundy

Favorite Cocktail: Good Scotch, neat; water back

Favorite Book: Underworld by Don DeLillo

Favorite Quote: "We have met the enemy, and he is us" - Pogo

Rob

Robert Reichel
Owner/Computer Guy

Rob is the resident wire-head at Grand Cru, and is responsible for keeping all of the electronic gears turning smoothly. Before opening Grand Cru, he worked for Microsoft from 1985 to 2004, where he was a development lead in the Windows group.

He grew up in New York, and is a proud graduate of Princeton University, class of 1985, where he majored in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. His interest in wine started in 1991, and he has been an avid wine collector ever since, with a great deal of help from Tom. His collection consists mostly of California wines and those from the Rhone region of France.

Rob is happily married to his wife Elizabeth, who lives in Kentucky.

Camille

Camille Donaghue
Bartender/Server

Camille is a long time food service veteran, coming to us from Daniel's Broiler, The Waterfront, Spazzo's, Anthony's Home Port, and Rasario.

A California native, she's a graduate of Juanita High School and Bellevue Community College.

Zodiac sign: Leo

Favorite wine: Amarone

Favorite cocktail: bourbon and ginger-ale

Favorite food: most all asian cuisine

Favorite city: Paris

Steve

Steve Walker
Owner/Business Manager

This space for rent