After a semi-scathing review here in CL and another in the St. Petersburg Times, restaurateur and nightclub impresario Doug Illman of DeSanto Latin American Bistro and closed up shop. Temporarily. It was a gutsy play, sacrificing a month of revenue in order to show a dedication to better food. Even ballsier was bringing in the newly unemployed Jeannie Pierola for a three-month consultation — to revamp the menu and work the kitchen staff as only she can. After almost two months, Pierola left. Post-Pierola reports were not glowing, and DeSanto closed at the beginning of September (the adjacent Push Ultralounge remains open). Still, big balls, Illman. Big balls.
This article appears in Sep 10-16, 2008.
