Deep Dish: Americano, new Italian restaurant, will replace Charlie Palmer at the Joule Hotel this fall

First it was Charlie Palmer. Then, once abandoned, it was to become Grasslands, a F2T venue. Now, the still-shuttered space in the downtown Dallas Joule Hotel has another name and another focus — but this one should stick.

To be called Americano, well-placed sources say the hotel’s marquee restaurant will be a bold mix of modern, classic and rustic Italian.

Matt Ford, originally pegged to be the chef of Grasslands with Greg Bussey, will lead the kitchen at Americano. (Bussey now co-owns BBBop.)

I’m told that a talented former Charlie Palmer sous chef will return to assist Ford on the line.

Americano is working toward an early fall opening, possibly even September.