The Dani space on Hudson and Charlton has been vacant for six months. It's a nice building, but the area is bad for foot traffic, and there aren't many operators who could make it a destination. But what if Joe Bastianich and Mario Batali were to open there? We heard just such speculation from a rival who had been seeking the same space. Team Bastianich denies the notion, but that's not an unusual response from people negotiating a lease. You’ll know more as we do.

Earlier: Dani Gives Up the Ghost