Scott Conant Opening Scarpetta at The Montage This Fall!

Scott Conant, celebrated NYC restaurateur and host of 24 Hour Restaurant Battle IS coming to LA! Not only has he chosen to participate in Food & Wine's Taste of Beverly Hills (that was a hint), he plans to open a branch of his popular NYC (and Miami and Toronto) Italian restaurant Scarpetta at the Montage in Beverly Hills this October. We knew that the Montage was undergoing a restaurant revamp, but didn't realize it was on such a huge scale. Also, let's not forget those mid-July rumblings about Conant considering an LA outpost, and now the news is confirmed via PR! Scarpetta LA will introduce several new items inspired by local produce and also feature Scarpetta’s signature dishes such as creamy polenta with fricassee of truffled mushrooms and that splendidly simple spaghetti with tomatoes and basil, both quite tasty.

Studio Gaia (Tao Las Vegas, W Mexico City) has been hired to helm the design of the bar area, main dining room and al fresco courtyard. Old Hollywood was the inspiration (isn't that everybody's inspiration these days?) so expect double-height windows framed by dramatic curtains, unfinished dark wood floors, custom wine cabinetry, and other rustic and natural detailing. Space-wise, the bar area will seat 44 while the main dining room seats 80 and an additional 45 can dine in the outdoor courtyard. Game on! [EaterWire]