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Ever since Legume left South Braddock Avenue to move to Oakland, I’ve been hopeful that a chef with vision and a sense of culinary adventure would occupy the vacated space. Chef Keith Fuller, formerly of Six Penn Kitchen, jumped at the opportunity to open his own restaurant, Root 174 on the popular east end street.
There have been many additions to the Regent Square dining scene over the past few years. For the most part, the private business owners who have chosen to start a restaurant in the east end have been successful. So, what does it take to be a restaurant owner?
Opening a public business, especially a restaurant can be a complicated process, and risky endeavor. There are many factors to consider; let’s examine a few.
Girasole is an authentic Italian restaurant off the beaten path. During the summer they have outside seating, if you prefer. When we arrived, Girasole was half-full. The space isn’t large, and the wait staff, and patrons had a difficult time moving about the restaurant because of the closeness of the tables. We were seated near a wall with small floor fans (it was muy hot) and began to look over the menu.
My friend told me about a yogurt shop that popped up in Squirrel Hill next to Rita’s by the name of Tutti-Frutti. It’s been years since I’ve had the stuff, so I stopped by on my way home from dinner in Shadyside. It had been a hot day, so I expected to see a crowd when I entered the store. There were only two other people in front of me… not a good sign.
I arrived a few minutes early, and was taken to a seat by the window. The décor at Dinette might be described as modern, with the polished stainless steel tables and contemporary-styled orange chairs. It’s not a large establishment, and probably seats approximately 50 people; 15 or so extra in the summer with the outside tables. Large windows provide a view of Penn Circle.
Cibo, in Regent Square is the owned by Dino DeFlaviao. If you live in the east end, and don’t know who Dino is, you must not know the areas as well as you think. Prior to being Cibo, DeFlavio’s Pizza occupied the space that is now the new Italian restaurant. Cibo has only been open a few days, but so far the food has been received well by the East End crowd.
There are plenty of family-oriented restaurants in Regent Square; all types of food can be had. Unfortunately, very seldom do we see fresh fish on local restaurant’s menus. I’m sure the patrons that live in Regent Square would enjoy a good piece of fresh salmon, tuna, or halibut. Hopefully, the chefs at Regent Square’s soon-to-open restaurants, Cibo, and Root 174, will embrace the inner-fishes, and provide residents with an adequate sampling of fresh sea fare. Until that happens, here are a few suggestions on finding, and cooking fish.
