Jonathan Insetta has plans for two new Restaurants.

[stephendare]

Insetta, the man behind both Chew and Orsay, is presently renovating his third restaurant, this time in San Marco.

A brief chat with him at Starbucks about a week ago revealed that he is also planning the opening of a fourth restaurant right in the middle of the Bay Street Nightclub District, next door to Mark's.

Insetta already owns both buildings, so its merely a question of timing.

If either is as high quality as his first two, this is a great development.

[copperfiend]

Good news

[alta]

A quality restaurant in the Bay Street Nightclub District is much needed.  Is that going to be on the first floor of the Churchwell Lofts?

[alta]

What type of food will they serve?

[alta]

Is there a timeframe on the Bay Street project?

[alta]

Hopefully there will be a few more bars restaurants by then that make this a gathering point in downtown.

[tufsu1]

A quality restaurant downtown period is much needed.  Chew is there, and Koja.  But with the exception of Casadora, there isnt another decent restaurant downtown.

umm...Cafe Nola, La Cena (although I'll never eat there), Benny's, Plaza 3 (Hyatt), Jillian's (Omni)

[thebruteman]

La Cena (although I'll never eat there)

I've had some terrific food at LaCena, and the service is usually pretty good too.  Did something happen or not happen to you at the place?  Did you have a bad experience there? Do tell us...

[blizz01]

Where do the upper end chain Steakhouses fit in?

[tufsu1]

La Cena (although I'll never eat there)

I've had some terrific food at LaCena, and the service is usually pretty good too.  Did something happen or not happen to you at the place?  Did you have a bad experience there? Do tell us...

its purely the attitude of the owner and how he's operated in the downtown circles...I refuse to give him my $

[thelakelander]

Where will the San Marco restaurant be located?  It seems the the lowering of property values/construction costs, during rough economic times, is creating expansion opportunity for Insetta.  Good stuff.

Btw, I love TSI's sign on Bay Street.

[duvalbill]

I'm pretty sure the San Marco restaurant is going to be either next to Reddi Arts or about a block away.   He's mentioned that he owns that building too, and was just waiting to do something with it.

[thebruteman]

its purely the attitude of the owner and how he's operated in the downtown circles...I refuse to give him my $

Seriously, Tufsu1, is there something I need to know about La Cena or it's owner?  I relocated from Southern CA to Jacksonville about 6 months ago (I'm with FNF).  The first week I was here, senior management hosted a dinner party at La Cena, and my partner and I were blown away by the food, and being from San Diego, it takes a lot to impress us.  I've been back to the restaurant many times since on my own, and have always had a good experience.  In fact, it's about the only establishment in Jacksonville where I have consistently had a great meal.

Since I'm new to the community, I don't know the history of the place.  Good food and service aside, I won't patronize a restaurant, or any other business for that matter, if it violates public policy or community standards.

[RiversideGator]

Tufsu really should keep his thoughts to himself to avoid harming another man's livelihood.  Jerry is a great guy (actually from New York, not Boston) who serves excellent Italian food in a nice setting.  He is the best in town IMO.  Do not be deterred from visiting his fine restaurant, La Cena.

[Steve]

I'm sure Jerry will not be shy to share an opinion.  His food is phenominal - I had my rehersalk dinner there, and everyone was blown away.  He did a hell of a job.

Regarding Insetta, his ventures are VERY welcome.  I'd rather he do the one downtown first, but alas, I'll take what I can get.  Chew is awesome, and Orsay is unbelieveable.  Insetta might be the next big restaraunteur in Jacksonville, and I appreciate the fact that he gets the "in town thing"