Operator Patrick Colombo (Ferré, Crú) says he is backing away from launching a restaurant in the former Eccolo space, at least for now. Instead, he hopes to expand his portfolio in NorthPark Center of all places as part of the mall's upcoming $200 million-plus expansion project that will include a Nordstrom department store and a multiscreen theater. Colombo is trying to nail down the space between Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom where he'll open an American tavern concept called Central 75. "If you look at NorthPark, it's mainly focused with a lot of chain operators," he says. "So for them to go at an independent is a little bit of a leap for them." If all goes well, Colombo hopes to open the restaurant before Christmas 2004.