Diner’s Journal has confirmed earlier rumors about Jonathan Benno’s departure from Per Se — Benno will leave in January to be executive chef of a still-unnamed restaurant that the Patina Group (operators of the Sea Grill, Rock Center Café, Brasserie, La Fonda del Sol, and others) plans to open in the Lincoln Center plaza a year from now. He tells Diner’s Journal that the restaurant will be set up à la Gramercy Tavern, with a café and dining room. Per Se’s sous-chef, Eli Kaimeh, will now become chef de cuisine.
Jonathan Benno Leaving Per Se For New Lincoln Center Restaurant [NYT/Diner’s Journal]