Is Scarpetta Headed to Philly?

The high-profile vacancy at the Rittenhouse Hotel could possibly be filled next year by an outpost of upscale Italian restaurant Scarpetta, according to rumors reported by Philly.com and attributed to real estate insiders. So far, however, reps for the restaurant group and for the hotel are not confirming anything.

The original Scarpetta was opened by celeb chef Scott Conant in 2008 in NYC's Meatpacking District, though the chef split from the company last fall and is no longer involved. The brand has additional locations in Miami, Las Vegas, Beverly Hills, and Montauk, all operated by LDV Hospitality.

The space in question was previously occupied by steakhouse Smith & Wollensky, which shuttered in May.