For well over a year, one of the most highly anticipated restaurant openings in the city has been Pano’s in the St. Regis Hotel — the reboot of Atlanta classic Pano’s & Paul’s, which closed a year ago.

But according to hotel sources, it is anything but a done deal.

“There is nothing under contract,” said St. Regis marketing manager Kimberly Murdock. “Right now, it’s just an empty space.”

In February of last year the Buckhead Life Restaurant Group announced that Pano’s would open in the St. Regis by November 2009. That date came and passed without any construction.

But according to Buckhead Life marketing manager Jennifer Boozer, Pano’s will eventually open. “We are working on plans for the restaurant and are looking forward being able to hit the ground running on the new Pano’s in the St. Regis. While it’s taking a little longer than everyone wanted, it’s definitely happening.”

Stay tuned.