Mario Batali, Joe Bastianich, Nancy Silverton Opening chi SPACCA on February 4

Mario Batali, Joe Bastianich, and Nancy Silverton — the Italian dream team that unleashed some of the best Italian cuisine in Los Angeles via Pizzeria Mozza, Osteria Mozza, and Mozza 2Go — are opening chi SPACCA on February 4 in place of their Scuola di Pizza. Right now details are scarce but it seems likely that chi SPACCA, or "cleaver" in Italian, relates to chef Chad Colby's wildly successful Salumi Bar nights which take place inside the Scuola. Back in May, Colby launched the first certified salumi program in Los Angeles (menu) available only Thursday nights, but overwhelming popularity encouraged the chef to serve on a more regular basis.

Colby told Eater not too long ago that one day he hoped "that the Salumi Bar can one day stand alone, and be open every night for casual groups of diners." That day might soon arrive. Developing ... [EaterWire]