Tom Miller, who is opening Bulle with his wife Davita Miller, stands behind the bar of the restaurant Wednesday, the day before its soft opening. Photo by Frank Lopez
The highly-anticipated Bulle restaurant is scheduled to open its doors to friends and family Thursday evening, unveiling a dining concept years in the making.
Founders Tom and Davita Miller describe the cuisine as California modern, with seasonal menus designed by Chef Max McCarthy, who worked for Le Jardinière in Miami when the French eatery earned its Michelin star in 2019.
Fresno’s newest fine dining establishment was originally intended to be a steakhouse, but the business concept evolved after a visit to the Millers’ favorite French restaurant.
The dining room at Bulle awaits customers for the Thursday soft opening. The French-inspired restaurant at Herndon and Marks avenues has been under development for three years. Photo by Frank Lopez
The couple also found inspiration while touring Europe and dining at Michelin-starred eateries across the continent.
It was Davita’s dream to branch out into fine dining and open Bulle. The Miller’s own and operate three Press Box Sports Grill locations. Tom Miller founded the sports bar in 2009. Davita became an owner in 2021.
Backed by her five years of experience as a high-ranking restaurant executive and her eye for design, Davita collected vintage and antique decor and hired a local interior decorator to help bring her vision to life.
She and several close friends spent hours restoring the one-of-a-kind pieces that adorn the walls of the restaurant’s 6,500 square-foot, French-inspired dining room. A lighted tree wrapped in decorative moss is centered in the main dining room, which includes booths upholstered in lavender-colored crushed velvet.
Bulle’s liver donut dish, Photo via Bulle
Every item — down to the wines and spirits — is organic and free of GMOs and additives, said Bulle’s Wine Director and General Manager Devon Carabajal.
Even the wood for smoking and grilling is organic.
“As silly as it sounds … if you’re spraying pesticides on the firewood, the firewood’s been soaking it up, it’s going to go right into your meat,” Tom Miller said.
Originally from Ventura, Carabajal has been in the restaurant business since he was 16, and has run and managed bar programs for nearly 20 years.
Tom and Davita Miller signed the lease for their new restaurant back in March of 2023. Almost three years to the day of the soft opening, Tom Miller said.
In addition to running four restaurants, the married couple have a combined total of 41 years of experience in the real estate industry.
Despite the fine dining label, Tom and Davita say that Bulle is for everyone.
“We want everybody to be welcomed here,” she said.
Bulle’s roasted eggplant dish. Photo by Bulle