More from our conversation with Salt chef-owner Wes Johnson

In this month’s Chef Talk column, Whimsically Serious, chef Wes Johnson spoke with us about Salt, his new restaurant opening today in the Central West End. From the menu to the unique space to the atmosphere, Johnson revealed what owning his own restaurant means to him. Now, in the second part of this interview, Johnson discusses his decision to leave Eclipse, what he considers to be the biggest risk in his new venture and the man he’s learned the most from. Salt opens today at 4356 Lindell Blvd., at 5 p.m. Is it hard to leave a place like Eclipse? I needed to move on to my own project. I could be there another five years, and there would still be more I want to do. It takes time to build a project. Look at Joe Edwards and Blueberry Hill. He’s been open 38 years or so and he’s still adding stuff. What do you consider to be the biggest risks in opening your own place? Letting people know that we are here. I’ve seen that as a big challenge for a lot of restaurants. They open and have a great product, but they just couldn’t get the word out. I think getting people to come in and try it for the first time is going to be our biggest challenge. What have you learned in your culinary journey that will be the biggest asset to you as you move into this next phase in your career? The stuff I learned from Joe Edwards. He took a big risk. He stepped out and tried to be a leader in his community. Instead of waiting for someone else to do something, he started his own business and helped redo an entire section of the city. Joe doesn’t seem as concerned about the success of his restaurants as he is about the success of the community. I think when people look at the bigger picture, it’ll trickle down. Like if I can help make the farm community be more successful, it will help make me more successful. Why will Salt be open on Mondays? We have a big restaurant industry in this town. Generally, that’s their weekend. I want to allow that audience to come out and enjoy dining. So many people close, but I think it’s a great day to be open. You don’t do much volume on Mondays, but you do a quality clientele on Mondays. And in this day and age, there are a lot of people off on odd hours and odd days. You know that this space was at one time a mortuary. That’s my theme. So was Eclipse. Now Salt. It’s my shtick. I’m looking for a mausoleum next.