Chef Shuffle

David Santos Follows Ryan Skeen in Leaving 5 & Diamond

Photo: Melissa Hom

A source tells us David Santos, the chef who took over for Ryan Skeen at the troubled 5 & Diamond, has left the restaurant, and Santos (who had just installed his brother as GM) confirms it in an e-mail:

As of Sunday the 22nd of August I have parted ways with the 5 & Diamond. The owners and I had different ideas about what to do there and what needed to be done as far as the direction of the restaurant was concerned. So I decided the best thing I could do was to move on. I wish the restaurant the best, and that’s all I have to say about the situation. As far as what I’m going to do next, while I was there, I had a few people love the food so much that they made some offers. Now it’s just a matter of finding out how serious any of them really were.

The good news, Harlem residents, is that Marcus Samuelsson’s place is coming along.

Update: 5 & Diamond owners Lia Sanfilippo and Selene Martinez While have issued a statement: “We are sad that Chef David Santos chose to leave our 5 & Diamond family we agree that it was for the best. It also gives us the opportunity to put the past behind us and start with a new chef who has no history in the restaurant. We wish David all the best. We will announce our new chef shortly.”

David Santos Follows Ryan Skeen in Leaving 5 & Diamond