QUICK HITS:
♦ Brickell seems to be the new hot neighborhood for restaurants, with TIKL at 1450 Brickell (from the owner and chef behind Altamare on Lincoln Road) and rumors flying that Eating House’s Giorgio Rapicavoli is eyeing the neighborhood for his first project post pop-up. Short Order reports that two established restaurant brands are opening Miami branches at Icon Brickell. Cipriani and La Cantina No. 20 have inked leases for the trio of towers at the mouth of the Miami River.
♦ Harry’s Pizzeria has a murderer’s row of talented chefs coming to town this summer and fall for their “chef pop-up” series. First up, Toppest Chef Kevin Sbraga from Sbraga in Philadelphia visits on May 22nd. On June 17, Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo of Animal and Son of a Gun in Los Angeles are popping in. In July, it’s Hearth chef Marco Canora and Terroir wine-o Paul Greico (last night’s James Beard award winner for wine and spirits). In August, its another 2012 James Beard award winner, Chris Hastings of Hot and Hot Fish Club in Birmingham, Alabama, who last night received the award for Best Chef: South. And then in September, Hugh Acheson stops by and, you guessed it, he also won a James Beard award last night (co-winner for Best Chef: Southeast).
♦ And while on the topic of James Beard awards, a hearty congratulations to Hedy Goldsmith, representing Miami as a nominee for best pastry chef and, while she didn’t take home the crown this year, certainly a future Beard Award winner.
