Knife Burger, Sloppy fifths, Mexican as the new standard, and a changing of Darden guards
Celebrity chef John Tesar, whose Knife & Spoon currently resides at the Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes, will open a location of his Plano, Tex., Knife Burger at the neighboring JW Marriott. It’s more of a fast-food concept with an emphasis on high-quality (but affordable) burgers.
If you prefer that your burgers look like they’ve melted, you’ll be glad to know that Sloppy Joe’s has opened at Icon Park. The original Sloppy Joe’s, of course, opened in Key West in 1933 and was known as a hangout for Ernest Hemingway, which is why the restaurant and saloon’s logo boasts a likeness of Papa. Orlando’s SJ is the fifth, including one in Havana.
Añejo Cocina Mexicana will move into the Ravaudage space previously occupied by New Standard and, before that, Dexter’s New Standard. (Yes, they were the same restaurant, but still.) TR Fire Grill held the space before that. Añejo is a small chainlet out of Ponte Vedra Beach.
Gene Lee, 60, is stepping down as CEO at Darden Restaurants. Current president and COO Rick Cardenas, 53, is stepping up.
