As construction ramps up for the new Bartolotta-managed restaurants at the Mayfair Collection, things are beginning to move quickly, even in the kitchen.

Zachary Espinosa, currently executive chef at Harbor House, will leave his post at the end of March to take over operations at the new restaurant triad, which includes a taqueria, a French cafe and a tavern. Osgood's, already up and running, will not fall under his purview.

"It’s an amazing opportunity," says Espinosa, who will oversee kitchen operations for all three restaurants in a unique shared kitchen atmosphere.

At Harbor House, executive sous chef Andrew Fisher, who has worked with Espinosa at Harbor House for over four years, will assume the role of executive chef.

Espinosa, who grew up in Wauwatosa and attended Wauwatosa West High School says he’s excited by the prospect of getting back to his old stomping grounds.

"It’s going to be a big job, but I’m really looking forward to it," Espinosa says of the new role. "There’s so many challenges ahead, and I’m looking forward to tackling all of them."

Espinosa says he’s been working on menu development for the three restaurants, which will open later this spring. He says he’s excited to see the progress that’s made day to day on the project. He says he’s also impressed with how the development has changed the area where he grew up.

"Phoenix Development has really lived up to their name with this ... essentially reviving this area that was just a bunch of old concrete and the old Roundy’s warehouse."

Espinosa’s last dinner service at Harbor House will be on March 27.