Christopher Blumlo, managing partner of “Iron Chef” Marc Forgione’s eponymous Restaurant Marc Forgione and Morimoto, and famed West Coast chef Michael Mina are in a competition of their own — to operate a massive marketplace in lower Manhattan.
Plans just released by the owner, Brookfield Office Properties, detail a 25,000-square-foot market with fresh produce, prepared foods and wines modeled in part on the success of Mario Batali’s Eataly and Todd English’s Harrod’s-inspired Food Hall in the basement of the Plaza Hotel.
Sources tell Side Dish that Forgione is the lead candidate to take over the space. Restaurant Marc Forgione at 134 Reade St. is housed in a 19th-century butter warehouse that was once part of Washington Market, the historic wholesale produce market.
Developer Ross Morgan of the Carriage House luxury development in NoLita is working on a similar, smaller-scale European-style farm-to-table market.
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Caffe Cielo, a favorite of “Late Show” talent and staff, including David Letterman’s longtime musical director Paul Shaffer, is closing on June 24.
But don’t fret, “Late Show”ers. Joe Gambuto’s popular eatery in Hell’s Kitchen is moving just a bit east to the theater district. Caffe Ciello is slated to re-open in the boutique Mayfair New York Hotel at 242 W. 49th St. later this year.
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WE HEAR . . . that as Grand Central Terminal continues its search for restaurateurs to operate two new spaces, it is opening an outdoor kiosk operated by Michael Jordan’s The Steak House starting June 20.