Marcus Samuelsson Flees Philly

By JULIETTE ROSSANT Super chef Marcus Samuelsson is parting ways with Philadelphia restaurateur Stephen Starr with hardly half a year under their belts, according to Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Michael Klein. "Both called the split amicable and mutual," said the article. Both men are incredibly busy. Samuelsson, who also closed a restaurant in Minneapolis this year, can hardly afford the time for once-a-week visits by train, as he is currently in the process of moving his flagship restaurant Aquavit to a new location in New York. Starr is a bit busy, too, with 13 restaurants, including Buddakan and Morimoto, both of which he is also planning to open in New York. Starr's other star chefs include Masaharu Morimoto at Morimoto, Douglas Rodriguez at Alma de Cuba, and Alfred Portale at Striped Bass. Who could imagine being so rich that you could afford to lose one star and still keep three? Previous articles: Jean-Georges Vongerichten in Minneapolis All Hail Alfred Portale Chef Don Pintabona Advises Innovation