All those rumors about a Cheesecake Factory coming to the new Centre of Tallahassee were finally put to rest this Tuesday morning. While Tallahassee may have to wait a while longer for a Cheesecake Factory, it is getting more Italian fare in what was once the Tallahassee Mall.
The complex will instead feature a unique group of Italian eateries, run by real Old Country chefs. Alex Baker, CEO of Blackwater Resources, which is redeveloping the old Tallahassee Mall, says there won’t be anything like the “Urban Food Market”.
“It’s over 15,000 square feet of restaurants, all these restaurants by these incredible chefs,” he said during the announcement event.
The four Italian chefs are led by Mirko Di Giacomantonio who specializes in pasta dishes.
“So everyone of us is very specialized deeply in what we do,” he explained, introducing his colleagues who focus on pizza, gelato and so-called “white tablecloth” upscale cuisines.
Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Sue Dick thinks it’s better than any national chain restaurant.
“We’re creating our own unique setting for entertainment, food and retail and candidly the Bakers know what will work in this market as do most of the new developments that are coming on, so this is very exciting,” she said.
The Urban Food Market will open in the spring next to the Centre of Tallahassee’s amphitheater.
