As Eater Miami reported almost a year ago, rumors had been swirling that season 13 Top Chef winner Jeremy Ford was leaving his post at Matador Room to partner with Grove Bay Hospitality Group for some new restaurant concepts. Those rumors were confirmed today when the group announced that Ford was tapped to spearhead multiple new projects of theirs.
Details on those new restaurants are still “forthcoming” — but sources close to the deal say that one of those new restaurants will be the Coconut Grove waterfront eatery A-Fish-o-na-do, which Grove Bay Holdings trademarked for restaurant and hotel service last year and already have an website in place for. According to the website it will open sometime this fall. However, reps are staying mum on confirming any details quite yet.
As for Ford he adds in a statement that, “I’m not looking to replicate anything I’ve done in the past. This is an incredible opportunity to create new concepts."
This is just one of the many new restaurants the group has in its ever expanding portfolio including Glass & Vine with Giorgio Rapicavoli; Big Easy Winebar & Grill with golf pro and restaurateur Ernie Els and American Harvest. Also on the horizon fro the group is Stiltsville Fish Bar on Miami Beach with Jeff McInnis and Janine Booth, scheduled to open this summer.