Italian Restaurant Slated for Regent Square

Dino DeFlavio is embarking on his next Regent Square restaurant venture with a new Italian destination slated to open in the next six weeks.

In a space on South Braddock Avenue that is now undergoing its third business transformation in recent years, DeFlavio had just one thing to say.

“Third time’s a charm,” he said.

Earlier this week, neighbors were surprised to find DeFlavio’s Pizzeria’s doors closed, with large signs hanging in the window thanking the community for its support, also noting “Cibo Italian Restaurant Coming Soon.”

“I have been thinking about it for six months,” DeFlavio said. “We were going to go with a little more pasta dishes and we thought we think there’s a market here for a space with Italian flair.”

Right now, the nearest locations for a sit-down Italian restaurant include Shadyside and Squirrel Hill.

“We wanted to do a little something edging on Piccolo Forno,” he said, comparing his vision to the space in Lawrenceville.

DeFlavio is in the process of getting the name of the restaurant approved by the state. “Cibo” is an Italian slang expression for food, he said.

Chef Chuck Page, formerly of the Elbow Room and Girasole, both Shadyside restaurants, along with experience at Point Brugge in Point Breeze, is creating a seasonal menu of fresh dishes that will include fishes handpicked from the markets in the Strip District. The menu could change every day, or weekly, DeFlavio said.

The price range will be between $15 to the high $20s for main entrees. Seating will be available for between 36 and 40 people at a time.

The restaurant will have carpeting, all new softer paint expressions and a completely re-vamped look.

“We will do a selection of eight to 10 appetizers – a tapas, some antipastas, main entrees, fresh pastas,” DeFlavio said. “The chef makes his own pasta and we have the mixings from doing the pizza dough. This will be traditional Italian with contemporary flair.”

The restaurant will open from 4 p.m. to 10 or 11 p.m., while a Sunday brunch also is being planned. Outside seating also will be provided and customers have the option to bring a bottle of wine or other alcoholic beverages.

Flat bread pizzas, whole wheat, gluten-free and vegetarian options also will be regularly available in the menu, DeFlavio said. Decorations will include photographs from the DeFlavio family and more personal touches.

DeFlavio, who also owns the Regent Square staples, , McBroom’s Beer and said “from hot dogs to this,” he is excited about his new venture.

“You have an idea and go with it and if it doesn’t work profit wise, you change,” he said. “It’s just like moving your stocks around.”

DeFlavio said with a good sense of good food, he is simply looking forward to showing his neighbors a good time.

“It’s going to be comfortable, family-oriented, a soft feel, relaxing and entertainment,” he said. “You’re entertaining people.”