I haven’t heard much from Philip “Phil” Romano lately. The man who created Fuddrucker’s, Cozymel’s, Spageddies, Romano’s Macaroni Grill, eatZi’s Market & Bakery, Nick & Sam’s Steakhouse, Coal Vines, and Who’s Who Burgers kinda disappeared from the local restaurant biz after the closing of Il Mulino. That’s not to say he hasn’t been busy–this guy never stops. It turns out that Romano, an avid art collector and teller of bad jokes, has been busy painting. So when he struck up a friendship over dinner at Nick & Sam’s with painter JD Miller, it will come as little surprise when I tell you the two teamed up to open Samuel Lynne Galleries, an 11,000 square-foot space in the Design District, that will feature both Romano’s and Miller’s art as well as others the duo feel “are important for the world to see.” Hey Phil, got anything to say? “My art is better than my food.”
