Batali and Cecchini open Atlantic meat paradise

Celebrity chef Mario Batali and Italian butcher legend Dario Cecchini are planning to open a destination eatery on Flores Island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, according to Krikorian Writes. The restaurant, which is expected to be meat-themed, serves as a good midpoint for the two busy culinary masters, sitting about halfway between Batali's New York and Cecchini's Tuscany headquarters. While neither chef would comment on the reality of the venture, Cecchini's wife reportedly confirmed the project to Krikorian via email. 

The project 
Tentatively to be titled "il Gran Palazzo di Carne," the eatery is slated to make the most of Batali and Cecchini's culinary talents. While the island may seem like an out-of-the-way location, it potentially serves as a good means of breaking up transcontinental flights. Imagine stopping in at the duo's meat palace when traveling from New York to Paris or another European locale. Batali is already an accomplished restaurateur with eateries scattered across the globe, making the Flores Island location seem a bit less farfetched. 

Batali and Cecchini themselves have kept details about the establishment close to the chest, but its believed the restaurant has been in the works since the duo met for lunch last year at Katz's Famous Delicatessen in New York. 

Flores Island is part of the Azores Archipelago and is the closest island to New York in the chain. According the Azores.com, Flores Island is approximately 55 square miles and is home to about 4,000 residents. The island takes its name from its many varieties of wildflowers and has versatile geographical features making it an ideal tourist destination. The island is also part of UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves. 

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