I heard a very interesting rumor today regarding Tuscany Restaurant in Napa, which may be slated to shut its doors soon. For anyone who is familiar with the Napa dining scene, the closing of a restaurant like Tuscany should not really qualify as news. After all, this place is rarely discussed among locals. Personally, I’ve always held this restaurant in contempt based solely upon its generic Italian name. This shining example of mediocrity has always earned a sneer whenever I’ve passed it.
The interesting part of the story, however, is what may become of the restaurant space if Tuscany is indeed shuttered. My sources have mentioned that Erasto and Pablo Jacinto, brothers who have both worked as executive chefs under Cindy Pawlcyn for years, may acquire the space for a new culinary venture. I’m told that the restaurant would be a tapas-style concept, which actually makes perfect sense, since the Jacinto Brothers helped co-author Pawlcyn’s 2006 cookbook, “Big Small Plates.”
We’ll see if this rumor pans out. At the very least, there’s finally reason to talk about Tuscany, at least while it lasts.
This is indeed going to happen. I was in Cindys Backstreet Kitchen Yesterday 4-23-09 and one of the waiters was telling me about the news. I am looking forward to the change from Tuscanys not so good food.
Woohoo! I’ve lived walking distance to Tuscany for about 6 years…went there once and vowed never to return. New venture sounds and looks promising.