Chef Ron Siegel, who in his time as executive chef at the Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton earned four stars from the Chronicle and many other accolades, and who later would take over the kitchen at Michael Mina when Mina himself decided to step back into a management role, earning raves there as well, has emerged yet again and this time he's opening his very own solo operation in San Anselmo. Inside Scoop has the news, and the name of the project, which is he hopes to open by mid-summer, is Madcap.

It's taking shape in the former Lincoln Park Wine Bar space at 198 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, and Siegel tells the Scoop that, as has been his signature in the past, his plans are for a menu of American and Japanese-influenced fare with a focus on vegetables, simply because of the abundance that surrounds him in Marin. He's also promising several fish dishes on the menu, as well as handmade pastas.

Most recently, Siegel had been heading up the Western Room at Rancho Nicasio, a position he left in December, just six months after Michael Bauer had given the place a rave review. Siegel says he wishes the arrangement had worked out, but now he's getting to do what he's always dreamed of doing, right in the town he lives in, building out his own, personal restaurant.

He doesn't offer an explanation for the name, Madcap, but just says it's something he's had in mind for a number of years — and he thinks it feels "pretentious" to name a restaurant after oneself.

Stay tuned for more details as the opening approaches.

Madcap - 98 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, San Anselmo - Scheduled to open by mid-summer.