Area chefs ride a turntable of changes
It seems this year has seen a larger-than-normal number of name chefs start restaurants that seem to be riding on their reputations and talents, only to leave those venues in a breaktakingly short amount of time.
The latest move is Chef Blake Malatesta leaving M.I.A. Kitchen & Bar, which he worked to open for more than a year. It debuted in February. That was after he left 50 Ocean in Delray Beach, where he gained a large following for his creative menus. His talent moved to M.I.A. with him, and I reviewed the restaurant very favorably in the June Boca magazine issue. He was the main ingredient to its success, or so I thought. But he left late last month, and I hope he turns up again within driving distance!
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Meanwhile, the logo for M.I.A. was just changed to read “by Mamma Mia’s.” The new name in the kitchen there is Chef Jason Binder, formerly of Delray’s popular Brulé Bistro. The new logo addition refers to owner/restaurateur Joey LoGrasso, also owner of Mamma Mia’s Trattoria in Lake Worth.
This latest twist in the “who’s in the kitchen now” series comes after celebrated Chef James King moved from Latitudes to 3800 Ocean in June. Before that, James Beard award-winning Chef Mark Militello left newly opened Prezzo a few months after garnering good reviews there. He’s now working with Josie’s in Boynton Beach.
I’ve got just the thing for that whiplash you’re feeling—a nice rosé or Aperol spritzer will put the pick-up back in your weekend. Head out and catch some specials as part of the Dine Out Downtown Delray week.
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