Weeks Before Opening, Gavin Kaysen Drops 'Merchant' Name

Just weeks before Gavin Kaysen, previously the executive chef of Cafe Boulud in New York City, was slated to open his first solo restaurant in his hometown of Minneapolis, Minn., the chef has opted to change the name of his restaurant from Merchant to Spoon and Stable.

In a video posted to the restaurant's new website, Kaysen explains that he chose to change the name simply because there were other restaurants named Merchant already in existence.

The new name pays homage to the building's original purpose as a horse stable constructed in 1906, and to Kaysen's self-professed "issue with taking spoons and collecting spoons."

Kaysen says his "spoon kleptomania" stems from the inspiration he derives from being in memorable company and eating memorable meals.

"I take them because I'm really inspired by where I was and who i was with and what i was eating and what i was drinking and what i was surrounded by," says Kaysen.

"This a stable, and I steal spoons. It's as simple as that."