Frederick's Chefs

Chef-owner Frederick Costa has never subscribed to the theory that you can have too many chefs in the kitchen so he shares the culinary spotlight with his brother, Michel.

Frederick and Michel were born in Vietnam and moved to France as children. They grew up working with their parents at their highly acclaimed gourmet restaurants in both countries. They learned early on the secret recipes of their Mother and the need to care for customers from their Father.

Frederick

Frederick has been in San Antonio since 1984 when he helped open L’Etoile in 1985 and began his love affair with his new hometown, San Antonio. He opened Frederick’s in 2000 and in 2009, added a more casual version of his concept, Frederick’s Bistro.

Customers of Frederick's will say that visiting the restaurant is like walking into your best friend's home. You feel completely welcomed and special on every visit.

After working in the family restaurants for many years, Frederick sought formal training at the Flo Brasserie in Paris. From there he came to the United States and to San Antonio. After several years with L'Etoile, Frederick sought to blend the flavors and diverse cultures of the lands he grew up in. His parents operated both French and Indochinese restaurants and the fusion of both cuisines intrigued him. The result has been a dining experience that has become legendary for area residents and visitors.

Michel

The Costa family set the bar pretty high when their Asian restaurant in Paris was the first to win a Michelin star in 1982. It took 26 years – in 2008 -- for another Asian establishment to achieve the same honor.

Michel Costa was part of that award winning team. Michel was born in Vietnam and raised in southwestern France. Michel went to culinary school in Biarritz called the Hotel les Rocailles. His parents made to the move to Paris in 1972 to open a Vietnamese restaurant named La P’tite Tonkinoise. Once his studies were complete he joined them in 1976 and returned to the family restaurant. Together, they worked to build the restaurant’s business and together they earned the prestigious Michelin Guide star.

The awards continued when Michel was in the 2000 Best Chefs of France in 1986. He was elected for the title by then French President J. Chirac.

Michel moved to San Antonio in 1999 to work as the sous chef for Francis Perrin when Frederick opened his first restaurant and moved to the Chef position when Perrin changed kitchens when Frederick’s Bistro was opened.

Michel blends the best of both of French and Asian cuisine on a daily basis and has a passion for perfection. You can taste it in every bite.