Matt Lightner Leaving Castagna, PDX for New York City

Major, major pre-holiday news courtesy Portland Monthly's Karen Brooks: Castagna chef Matt Lightner, who electrified the local dining scene with his inspired, elegant (and heavily foraged) plates, is moving to New York City in August to open a restaurant in Tribeca. According to Brooks, Lightner found a partner in Jodi Richard, owner of Tribeca's RBC Coffee Roasters, and the as-yet-unnamed new restaurant is tentatively scheduled to open in the fall (Lightner expects the space to be small, with one tasting menu available each night). Lightner — the winner of EaterPDX's 2010 "Chef of the Year" award — will celebrate his last day at Castagna on July 30.

In August, current Castagna second-in-command Justin Woodward will take over the head chef role, Brooks reports. More information as it becomes available...
· Castagna's Matt Lightner Moving to New York [Eat Beat]
· All Previous Matt Lightner Coverage [Eater PDX]