Fireman Takes Wildwood; Pickard/Carmellini IN at Peels

Shelly Fireman, the hit-making restaurateur behind Trattoria Del'Arte and Redeye Grill, just signed the lease on the massive Park Avenue space that housed BR Guest's Wildwood until earlier this month. Steve Cuozzo reports that Fireman Hospitality Group will open a new Italian restaurant in the space later this year, tentatively called Floriana. The restaurateur is currently in Italy gathering ideas for the new project.

Steve Cuozzo also reports that, as rumored, Josh Pickard and Andrew Carmellini have indeed signed the lease on the Peels space. Although Pickard recently told the Post that the deal was "not done," Cuozzo writes: "We don't know why he and Carmellini were being coy — the deal's signed, sealed and delivered, and brokered on both sides by Robert K. Futterman, who declined to comment." The rumor is that Carmellini and Pickard are planning an Italian restaurant similar to Locanda Verde. More details on the project as they become available.
· Fireman's New Hot property [NYP]
· All Coverage of New York's Coming Attractions [~EN~]
[Wildwood photo: Krieger]