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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.
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.
