Forbici Modern Italian Is Coming to Wesley Chapel — CEO Confirms Third Location Near Wiregrass Within 18 Months

WESLEY CHAPEL, FL — One of Tampa Bay's most acclaimed upscale Italian restaurants is heading to Wesley Chapel, and the timeline is now officially on the record. Forbici Modern Italian founder and CEO Jeff Gigante confirmed that a third Forbici location is planned near Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel within the next year to year and a half.

The announcement came on the heels of Forbici's explosive opening night at its brand-new Sundial location in downtown St. Petersburg — where the restaurant served nearly 600 meals, drew around 200 walk-in diners, and filled its 100-seat bar throughout the evening on June 25, 2026. Reservations for the second night were already stronger than opening day, even though late June is typically one of the slower periods for Tampa Bay restaurants.

The Brand Behind the Buzz

Forbici Modern Italian started at its original Hyde Park Village location in Tampa — one of the most celebrated restaurant openings in recent Tampa history. The St. Pete Sundial location is the brand's second home, occupying the former Sea Salt space in a 12,300-square-foot footprint with seating for nearly 400 guests, private dining, live music, and indoor and outdoor bars.

Wesley Chapel will be location number three — and if the first three perform to expectations, the vision goes far beyond the Tampa Bay area.

"We believe there can be anywhere between 20 and 40 of these concepts throughout the Southeast United States," Gigante said.

The Wiregrass area is one of the most active restaurant and retail development corridors in all of Florida right now — with the Legacy Wiregrass Ranch downtown project, the new Orlando Health hospital, and thousands of new rooftops all converging within a few miles of each other. For an upscale Italian concept looking to expand into high-income, high-growth markets, Wesley Chapel checks every box.

What to Expect

Forbici is not a casual Italian chain. Think seasonal menus, premium ingredients, a serious wine and cocktail program, and a dining room designed to feel like an occasion. The Hyde Park and St. Pete locations have built a following around exactly that experience — and the Wesley Chapel version will bring it to one of the region's most underserved fine dining markets.