Patrick Panella

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Haut cuisine, homestyle: How American Express serves up French flair in South Carolina

Tucked away in a Charleston alley, Chez Nous can take a little time to track down. But since opening in 2014, Patrick Panella has transformed his hidden gem of a restaurant into a beloved destination. The lightly restored 1835 single-family house, with its 36-seat indoor capacity and additional fenced courtyard, offers a unique and unforgettable dining experience for all who find it. Today it’s a cult favorite, drawing a discerning mix of adventurous locals and out-of-towners.

“We don’t get much in the way of walk-by traffic,” Panella says. “Our average customer has already heard about the specific way we do things and what we do.”

In keeping with its homestyle ambiance, Chez Nous has a rotating menu with spare yet thoughtful offerings: just two appetizers, two entrees, and two desserts each day, inspired by the flavors of Northern Italy, Northern Spain, and Southern France. Signature dishes like house-made sourdough, frisee salad, duck with brown butter, and pan-seared flounder highlight Panella and his chef Jill Mathias’s dedication to simplicity and style.

“Our idea for this restaurant came from experiences at our favorite small restaurants in Paris and around France,” Panella explains. “You get these great ingredients, make a menu with them, and that’s it – when it’s gone, it’s gone.”

A key ingredient at Chez Nous is the fire Panella brings to the table – he calls the place his “passion project.” Supporting him in maintaining his high standards are the financial tools and digital solutions that help him keep his finances on track. By using American Express Business Blueprint^™ for support on cash flow management and Resy for elevating service and customer interaction, Panella has been able to rely on trusted backing to help drive the restaurant’s success.

From business concept to reality

Panella, whose accomplishments also include opening wine bar Bin 152 and neighboring restaurant Malagón, has been a force in Charleston’s culinary scene for more than 15 years. He and his French-born wife, Fanny, secured the historic property a decade ago, before they knew the 800-square-foot space would house their latest venture.

“I said to her, ‘Hey, maybe we should put a restaurant in here.’ And she’s like, ‘Absolutely not!’” Panella recalls with a chuckle. “Then six months later, she goes, ‘Hey, we should put a restaurant in there.’ That’s how Chez Nous came to be.”

Joining forces with Mathias and her husband, chef Juan Cassalett, the couple opened Chez Nous in 2014 after a brief renovation. Right on the edge of the downtown historic district, the site played a vital role in the choice of furnishings. Enlisting the help of a local antiques dealer, the Panellas conjured a chic and charming ambiance that feels perfect for an eatery with European roots. Across the dining room, the restaurant preserves original features like wide-plank pine floors and fireplaces, enhanced by antique photographs and handwritten menus, for a personal touch.

“Charleston’s been very good to us,” says Panella. “When we refurbished, we wanted to honor the true identity of the building.”

The added value of Membership

This attention to detail and commitment to authenticity is reflected in Panella’s partnership-driven approach to managing the business side of Chez Nous. The entrepreneur has been an American Express Member since 2009, leveraging various American Express business products to support his endeavors. “I’ve always felt like American Express doesn’t nickel-and-dime you,” he says. “It’s just like, Amex is here to help.”

With an arsenal of American Express^® Cards for his businesses and personal use, Panella appreciates the straightforward terms, customer service, and comprehensive benefits of each Card. For routine expenses, Panella turns to the Blue Business^® Plus Card. “It’s good for every day,” he says. Both his Business Platinum and Delta SkyMiles^® Business Cards offer airline benefits that complement frequent travel. “I travel to France a ton, and my Cards’ travel benefits are incredible,” he says. Depending on the Card, he can redeem Membership Rewards^® points he earns for travel, and he often enjoys a great redemption value on commercial airlines. At the airport, Panella treasures his access to the upscale Global Lounge Collection^®.

“I have my go-to’s for different situations,” Panella says. “Different Cards are good depending on what you’re using them for.”

A toolkit for optimizing operations

Panella has also found significant value in the American Express^® Business Line of Credit. “It’s a no-nonsense line of credit,” he says, adding that he appreciates its flexibility.

The revolving Business Line of Credit offers Panella flexible access to short-term funding, enabling him to address cash flow issues and fund new projects. He hopes to use the line of credit to cover expenses for his new wine bar, La Bonbonnette, in the Marais district of Paris. “We have expenses with the build-out, and if suddenly the architect tells me we’re going over budget, I could consider using my available line.”

American Express^® Business Checking has a competitive APY, zero monthly maintenance fees, and the ability to earn Membership Rewards^® points with a Debit Card. Membership Rewards^® points can be redeemed for deposits into an American Express^® Business Checking account. Panella started using this digital banking product for his business finances in late 2023. The convenience of online banking services furthers the appeal. “I love the way American Express operates now,” Panella says, emphasizing the newfound efficiency of going digital. Managing finances online allows him to take banking with him, wherever he goes.

A toolkit for optimizing operations

Panella has also found significant value in the American Express^® Business Line of Credit. “It’s a no-nonsense line of credit,” he says, adding that he appreciates its flexibility.

The revolving Business Line of Credit offers Panella flexible access to short-term funding, enabling him to address cash flow issues and fund new projects. He hopes to use the line of credit to cover expenses for his new wine bar, La Bonbonnette, in the Marais district of Paris. “We have expenses with the build-out, and if suddenly the architect tells me we’re going over budget, I could consider using my available line.”

American Express^® Business Checking has a competitive APY, zero monthly maintenance fees, and the ability to earn Membership Rewards^® points with a Debit Card. Membership Rewards^® points can be redeemed for deposits into an American Express^® Business Checking account. Panella started using this digital banking product for his business finances in late 2023. The convenience of online banking services furthers the appeal. “I love the way American Express operates now,” Panella says, emphasizing the newfound efficiency of going digital. Managing finances online allows him to take banking with him, wherever he goes.

Comprehensive cash flow management

Panella’s positive experience with American Express extends beyond financial tools. He values the ease of viewing his select American Express business products and linked external business card and bank accounts in one location. Designed to make cash flow management more seamless and user-friendly, American Express Business Blueprint^™ offers a detailed snapshot of account balances across Business Cards, Business Checking, and Business Line of Credit. With this free online platform, business owners can link eligible external business cards and bank accounts to the dashboard for a more detailed picture of their cash flow, and access free personalized insights to help them make more informed cash flow management decisions.

“To see everything in one place online is fantastic,” says Panella. This integrated approach to cash flow management has made Business Blueprint an important backdrop to his business journey.

Enhancing guest experience with Resy

In addition to streamlined financial management, Panella relies on other innovative products from American Express to help enhance his customer relationships. Since adopting Resy in 2016, he has found the reservation and table management tool indispensable for managing reservations and enhancing the guest experience. “Resy revolutionized the reservation system,” Panella says. As one of the first to implement Resy in Charleston, Panella appreciates its user-friendly interface, which allows his team to manage bookings from their phones or iPads. The system’s flexibility allows Panella to accommodate VIP guests easily, making reservations or adjustments on the go. “It’s very user-friendly. And American Express has always been very responsive and supportive.”

Resy’s features extend beyond simple reservation management, however, offering valuable insights through its review system and guest notes. “It’s just an incredible tool,” Panella says, “the best on the market. I like how compact it is, and how many different things it helps us do.” Resy helps Chez Nous maintain high standards of service by recording guest preferences, allergies, and feedback, ensuring a personalized and consistent dining experience.

“I think it’s helpful that people can provide reviews,” he explains. “We’re allowed to see what happened at a table if things didn’t go well.” Panella says Resy has become a vital component of Chez Nous’ operations, contributing significantly to customer satisfaction.

A symbol of success

At Chez Nous, using American Express and Resy isn’t just about efficiency: it’s about belonging to an elite community of restaurateurs who prioritize excellence. This collaboration has empowered Panella to seamlessly integrate French tradition with physical renovation, helping his business run smoothly. “It’s been great working with Amex,” he says. “I really love the company.”​​

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