Jason Neroni OUT at Saucebox, Alex Diestra to Helm Kitchen

This just in: Jason Neroni is no longer the executive chef at Saucebox. Neroni arrived in Portland — and Bruce Carey's Pan-Asian eatery — just a few months ago following stints at New York City's 10 Downing and 71 Clinton as well as San Diego's Blanca, and upon his arrival, Neroni remade Saucebox's menu into his own vision (to largely positive reviews). According to the following statement released by Bruce Carey Restaurants on Friday afternoon, Carey confirms the change, and it looks like Saucebox's menu may revert to its pre-Neroni era:

Yesterday restaurateur Bruce Carey announced that Chef Jason Neroni will relinquish the helm of the Saucebox kitchen to Sous Chef Alex Diestra (who also worked with Executive Chef Gregory Gourdet). Jason is looking forward to further developing his consulting business, and Chef Diestra is looking forward to restoring some classic Saucebox dishes to the menu. The split was amicable.