Not even a week ago we learned that Roberto Leoci’s ‘Mercato Italiano’ was set to close its door Midtown Savannah. The Italian eatery had only been open since January. Those that enjoyed it were surprised. Those that did not, weren’t. That’ll happen any time a restaurant closes.
What we didn’t know, and it was the question I was most asked on the street this week was why? And now we know.
Leoci took to social media Wednesday evening to attempt to set the record straight ahead of his next move. He will be Executive Chef at Green Fire Pizza downtown Savannah. That will include overseeing that restaurant’s expansion to Pooler Parkway in the near future.
“For two years, I had been working on a beautiful restaurant in Florida.” Leoci said via Facebook. “Same owners as Leoci’s Mercato.”
The plan had always been for Roberto to move to Florida when that restaurant was ready to roll out. It’s now ready, but Roberto says his circumstances have changed.
Last year he became a father for the first time. A second child is due in December. The desire to relocate to South Florida just isn’t there anymore.”
“My decision to stay in Savannah was easy.” Leoci says. “My family is growing quickly. Luca Giovanni is due in December.”
He knows the rumor mill is going to spin. That’s what it does.
“I keep getting texts from people saying they heard I am opening a bar.” he told me. “That’s not even close to true.”
The bar in question is the sports bar that is planned for the space in the Twelve Oaks Shopping Center. The ownership group owns several bars in the city including Saddlebags on River Street..
“They are accustomed to the bar business” he says.
And bar revenues, I’m sure.
Roberto insists the restaurant was doing well. Not great, but good enough considering it had been open less than a year.
“If I wasn’t making any money,” he says “Why would they want me to take over a much larger restaurant and investment in Florida? I just want to stay here.”
Meanwhile, the pizza game continues to heat up in town. Green Fire could use a heavy dose of consistency, in a number of areas. Getting that on track will be an uphill battle with the locals considering Squirrel’s and Pizzeria Vittoria are now both open in Starland and doing very well.
We will see.
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