Robert Passon Becomes Giuliano; Murray's goes Supermarket

HELL'S KITCHEN— Grub Street reports that chef Robert Passon is leaving his eponymous and recommendable Theater District restaurant. Chef Giuliano Matarese will be taking over as toque and the restaurant will be renamed Giuliano. A new, lower priced menu will debut on December 7. [GS]

MIDDLE AMERICA— The Times brings the news that beloved Village cheesemonger Murray's Cheese Shop will open 50 mini locations in Kroger supermarkets across the country. [Diner's Journal]

EAST VILLAGE— Fork in the Road checks in on the new location of Luca Lounge and learns they're having trouble figuring how to cook without gas. For now, they're tweaking things and plan on having a "proper reopening early next year, complete with a menu of square pizzas (somehow square is easier with electric), charcuterie, sandwiches, salads, a gourmet cheese platter." [FitR]

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