STEPH DEROSA: HAVE TO WAIT ANOTHER WEEK FOR ITALIAN >>>
I ran into uber-fantastic co-owner of Merende, Ian Lombardi, today at about 11 a.m. I've been anxiously awaiting their grand opening and dying to grub on the fruit of Lombardi's culinary labor.
Apparently the opening is set for (hopefully) Sept. 22. Lombardi was nothing but patient and kind as I asked him to give me the Merende lowdown. This proves his outstanding ability to be nice to even the sweatiest and smelliest of guests, seeing as how I had just left the gym.
Or maybe he really is open, and it was my body odor that made the place "not open until Sept. 22."
Hmmmm. I'm onto you Ian Lombardi!