‘MasterChef’ Finalist Jennifer Maune to Open Restaurant at Bob Brooks Justice Building

The Bob R. Brooks Jr. Justice Building and chef Jennifer Maune, who plans to open a French-American restaurant concept on the building's first floor (Photos provided by Moses Tucker Partners and UA-Pulaski Tech)

Little Rock chef Jennifer Maune, a finalist on Fox’s “MasterChef” in 2023, plans to open a French-American restaurant on the first floor of the newly-renovated Bob R. Brooks Jr. Justice Building downtown.

Restaurant Fleur, a lunch and dinner concept, is scheduled to open in January.

The $35 million renovation of the former Boyle Building is substantially complete, but work on the first floor is ongoing.

Attorney General Tim Griffin, who crafted a public-private partnership to renovate and reopen the historic downtown skyscraper, announced the plans for Maune’s restaurant Monday morning.

“Chef Maune, a lifelong Arkansan, has trained at some of the most elite culinary institutions in the world, and her concept for this restaurant will be a fantastic addition to the life of downtown Little Rock,” Griffin said in a statement. “I could not imagine a more perfect tenant for our beautiful building.”

Maune said Restaurant Fleur will offer “gastronomic cuisine rooted in classical technique and seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. Guests can expect “soulful, elevated cooking that merges French elegance with Southern hospitality and cultural richness.”

The restaurant will also offer a craft coffee shop serving fresh pastries, a private dining space for corporate events and gatherings, and a chef’s tasting room.

A second phase of the project includes plans for a European-style pastry.

“This moment is the realization of a dream that began over five years ago,” Maune said. “It’s the culmination of a lifelong passion for food, a dedication to excellence, and a deep love for Arkansas.”