Thought it was bizarre that Kellogg’s Diner was working with a mixologist from Apothéke? Well, so did Apothéke! Owner Heather Tierney tells us that although her barman, Orson Salicetti, knows the new manager at Kellogg’s, Jay Espinal, he hasn’t spoken to him in over a year, and hasn’t even heard of Kellogg’s. But Espinal insists to us that he was in conversation with Salicetti, and has the phone records to prove it. “He was developing the drinks list,” Espinal assures. Negotiations (if they were ever on) are now most certainly off, but Espinal is still aiming for a top-of-the-line cocktail program. “I will not give you the name until we have a signed contract, but we’re working with someone else who’s top-line and more well-known than Orson.” More on that when it comes.

Earlier: A First Look at Kellogg’s Diner, Reopening Today With Apothéke and el Bulli (!!) Protégés at the Helm