Rick Pitino possibly investor in Azalea replacement?

[Robin Garr]

Word on the street hints that Coach Rick and a group of investors is close to making a deal on the now ex-Azalea property. Sounds believable to me!

It's right around the block from his house. Let's see - do you think Italian (again)? What, pray tell, will happen to his usual haunt: Porcini?

I was actually told the same thing twice today by different vendors.

Either way, GO CARDS!!!!

What, pray tell, will happen to his usual haunt: Porcini?

exactly what i thought when i read the subject line!!!

Maybe, just maybe, Mr. Tim C. a la Porcini's is involved as well??

[Robin Garr]

Maybe, just maybe, Mr. Tim C. a la Porcini's is involved as well??

Speculating or passing along things you've heard, Dan?

By the way, if you see our mutual friend, tell him he ought to call me ... it's getting to be time to start thinking about an encore!

Speculation is only as good as the NYSE. Scary thought. Out for dinner Sat nite for wife's B-Day. Table next to us, lots of chatter.

Speculation is only as reliable as the NYSE

Am I the only one who will be a little disappointed if this is true? I was hoping for something more adventurous, new, and a little out of the mainstream. I think I secretly wanted La Paloma back, but at least something different... I have nothing against Pitino, but I'm sad to think of that spot as something with a big name tied to it. It will likely be busy all the time, even if the food is mediocre. I love that patio, and was hoping for a new culinary adventure all together, not another place to see and be seen. And heaven knows we don't need any more Italian food in this city (despite the fact that was a big complaint of mine when I first moved here!) Thoughts?

[Robin Garr]

Thoughts?

If everything plays out as you speculate, Kim, I'd be disappointed, too. But we're jumping ahead of the game here, it seems to me. This is all still pretty speculative, and maybe we'll get a happy surprise! Am I a Pollyanna or what?

I would think that Coach would have learned his lesson about restaurants after the drama at his Lexington operation and the utter failure of Bravo in downtown Louisville. To be fair, his partner and GM at the Louisville location was a joke. And he is friends with a successful Providence RI restauranteur by the name of DiRaimo, who had an interest in Bravo. Perhaps the two of them are going to try it again.

Robin. It was all but confirmed to me that "The current operators of Porcini" are the leading contenders for the site. My Source: Inside and very close to the owners. We were actually very interested in the location before hearing that the deal was very close to completion. Oh well....wish them the best.

Robin. It was all but confirmed to me that "The current operators of Porcini" are the leading contenders for the site. My Source: Inside and very close to the owners. We were actually very interested in the location before hearing that the deal was very close to completion. Oh well....wish them the best.

It would certainly be believable if the owners of Porcini and Pitino teamed up to start a new venture. Porcini's is one of his haunts.

[Robin Garr]

It would certainly be believable if the owners of Porcini and Pitino teamed up to start a new venture. Porcini's is one of his haunts.

Actually, it's widely rumored that Coach P is a significant investor as well, although of course I can't say that for certain.