Top Cheffer Rich Sweeney to Open R Gang Eatery

Well, the day is finally here. You've heard me hint to it. You've read blog post, after status update, after Tweet about the 'big announcement' coming from one of my all-time BFFs, out and proud local celeb chef Rich Sweeney. 

Now, the secret can be revealed. He chatted with me and a big crowd of friends and fans at The Center during this month's Two Cents event where he was the guest of honor and shared with everyone what we've been dying to know: yes, he's opening a restaurant. And that restaurant is right in the gayborhood, his location of choice. What will the restaurant be called? R Gang Eatery. Where will it be? 3683 Fifth Avenue, between The Tractor Room and Celedon in the Busalacchi's on Fifth restaurant space (they're closing after 24 years on April 30.) When will it open? Tuesday, June 1st.

Whew, it's out!

Now, here's the skinny...direct from the horse's mouth.

After a year of searching, sourcing, planning and modifying the ideal location for his first signature restaurant in San Diego, Rich, the beloved cuddly bear contestant from Season 5 of Bravo TV’s Emmy®-winning hit show Top Chef, announced to a packed house during Two Cents at The Center, the opening of R Gang Eatery in Hillcrest.

What has become a ‘hot topic’ among local culinarians and ‘food’ for the rumor mill in social media circles, R Gang Eatery comes to fruition during a soft opening the first week of June 2010 with a grand opening event planned for mid-summer. Rich’s highly anticipated culinary venture will take shape in the iconic Busalacchi’s on Fifth space when the restaurant’s owners close its doors April 30 after 24 years in business and move on to a new location and concept in the neighborhood later this summer.

Speculation surrounding Rich’s first endeavor surfaced shortly after he left his post as Executive Chef at downtown hot spot Confidential Restaurant + Loft. Not willing to settle for less than what he truly wanted, restaurant plans changed and evolved over time and, in the course of development, he started WannaBChef.com, a catering, personal chef, special events and entertainment lifestyle company that showcases his signature style of food and fun. Rich spent time working, cooking, teaching, creating recipes, traveling the US attending culinary events and consulting on international restaurant openings while simultaneously continuing to search for that one location he felt was right. When he learned of Busalacchi’s availability, he jumped at the opportunity. After Busalacchi’s closes April 30, Rich will spend the month of May modifying the restaurant’s interiors and prepping for a soft opening on Tuesday, June 1, exactly one year to the day he departed Confidential.

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