The latest food venture for Tampa restaurateur and industry vet Jeff Gigante? A modern Italian eatery called Forbici.
The Ciccio Restaurant Group co-founder and partner plans to open the upscale-meets-casual Forbici — a name that means “scissors” in Italian — alongside Brunetti Pizza owner Jason Brunetti at Hyde Park Village.
Located in the anchor spot of the Village where CRG’s betterBYRD was originally planned at 1633 W. Snow Ave., the 5,800-square-foot, full-service restaurant is slated to premiere in early August. Gigante will oversee Forbici under the umbrella of CRG, while Brunetti — whose pizzerias are located in New York City and the Hamptons — acts as managing partner.
Brunetti has been developing a new Roman-style pizza for Forbici over the past several months. The menu has a number of pie varieties planned, and their crust is based on a one-of-a-kind fermentation process.
Diners can also look forward to Italian tapas, salads, grain bowls (because of course) and entrees — in addition to house cocktails, craft beer and a full wine list, plus cocktails and wines on tap.
Luckily, guests in search of a quick bite rather than a sit-down meal won’t have to wander too far, either. That’s because Forbici will be adjoined with a small grab-and-go pizzeria specializing in takeout and delivery.
“Our goal is to create a high energy, casual and family friendly restaurant with incredible flavors from Italy,” Gigante said in a statement. “Similar to what CRG has become so famous for, at Forbici, we also intend to create delicious modern interpretations of Italian favorites.”
