Over the decades, Fresno has grown enough wealth to support a Michelin-star restaurant, says Gilbert Quesada, director of operations for the PM Lounge.

“This is generations of wealth. Their family businesses are now companies and corporations,” Quesada said.

Instead of Fresno’s top earners turning to places such as Las Vegas, New York, or Miami for a high-end experience, they’ll be able to find it at home when the lounge opens next month.

And while the members-only social club can never get a Michelin Star or a Forbes Star — to earn that accolade one must be open to the public — that level of orchestrated, elevated service is what the PM Lounge is aiming to achieve, Quesada said.

It will have a three-day grand opening Nov. 13 through Nov. 15. The PM Lounge is at Cedar and Nees avenues.

The experience goes beyond food, including a golf simulator, a stage for entertainers, a wine room, and space for meetings or wellness.

The menu is that of a steakhouse, Quesada said. The focus, though, is what members want, so if they have the ingredients, they’ll make it.

“We’re in Fresno, it’s number-one-ag in the world. Because it’s number-one-ag in the world, we also understand our client base, and they like meat and potatoes,” Quesada said.

“But we also understand that they travel outside the area and they are traveling to New York. They’re traveling outside the country. They’re going to France, they’re going to Italy. When you have that and their exposure to different cuisines, that’s what we want to give them.”

‘Everything Is Orchestrated’

The PM Lounge will be accredited through Forbes on its standards, Quesada said.

That starts with getting a chef with a Michelin or Forbes background. Beyond the quality of the food, the staff also needs to be familiar with how to serve guests.

“Are you smiling too much? Are you not smiling enough? Are you making eye contact? Are you intrusive? How are you standing?” Quesada said.

They are currently hiring, but applicants don’t need Forbes certification. They will train employees for that.

Quesada remodeled the 15,000-square-foot former grocery store and Lost Realms Pet Store around efficient service.

Servers taking dishes to members follow one hallway while those taking dishes away go by another. For coffees, it can take five minutes out of a team members’ time to make a cappuccino, he said. They will bring on a dedicated barista to pull espresso shots.

A VIP entrance for entertainers allows them to bring their music equipment through the back outside the view of guests. The raised platform for dining allows guests in the back to see the stage.

They couldn’t replace four structural beams, so custom brass palm trees were built around them, giving the space its art deco finish.

“When you’re talking about elevated service, everything is orchestrated,” Quesada said.

A Country Club Without the Golf Course: Quesada

Membership means more than food, Quesada said. Two golf simulators will feature PGA courses. A survey of prospective members showed a high interest in wellness. Quesada wants to bring in red light therapy and yoga instructors for members.

“It’s kind of like a country club, but we don’t have the golf course,” Quesada said. “So we have the golf simulators.”

The wine room can house nearly 900 bottles, which will be selected based upon members’ wishes. Private suites can also host business meetings.

Entertainers, whether they be comedians or musical acts will be brought on based on members’ suggestions.

Major country stars have been coming to the Central Valley more often. The PM Lounge stage offers a more private venue for major stars, he said.

Quesada laughingly denied social media rumors that the private lounge will be a “gentleman’s club.”