With Forbici in Hyde Park Village, Ciccio's Jeff Gigante renews his love of hospitality
With Forbici in Hyde Park Village, Ciccio's Jeff Gigante renews his love of hospitality
For Tampa restaurateur Jeff Gigante, the opening of Forbici Modern Italian in Hyde Park Village is like starting over — in the best possible way.
Gigante is the co-founder of Tampa-based Ciccio Restaurant Group, the parent company of Fresh Kitchen, Green Lemon, Taco Dirty, Ciccio Cali, Daily Eats, Better Byrd, Sweet Soul and fitness studio Camp Tampa. But with Forbici, Gigante is creating his own Gigante Hospitality Group.
He's still a partner in CRG and a member of the board of directors, but he's transitioned to a more passive role with the company as he focuses on Forbici.
"I've wound down my duties because we have amazing youthful leadership," Gigante said on the eve of the restaurant's opening. "I'm very, very happy marching to the tune of this own drum."
Forbici, an investment upward of $2 million, opened in early June in the 5,800-square-foot space previously occupied by French restaurant Piquant. CRG partners James Lanza and Luis Flores are investors in Forbici, and Flores, the executive chef at CRG, oversaw menu development at Forbici.