SF Expats to Open Italian Restaurant, Renata, in SE

Photo of Perbacco courtesy Facebook

Two former chefs from "one of the best Italian restaurants" in San Francisco will soon open a new regional Italian spot in Southeast Portland. Eat Beat reports the 80-seat Italian restaurant Renata is slated for a 4,000-square-foot space on SE Main Street, featuring Perbacco Ristorante alums Karl Holl and James Serlin in the kitchen, and Portland native (and French Laundry alum) Nick Arnerich working front-of-house.

Per Eat Beat, the "ambitious" menu will focus on different regions of Italy with the changing of the seasons, with plans for house-made charcuterie, a couple pizzas, and a menu generally "heavy on the pasta" (and cheese). The concept has been quietly testing its menu as part of the "Project Grace" pop-up dinner series, which has held evening events at SE's brunch spot Trinket. (Among the menu items served at Project Grace: salt cod fritters, veal tartare, and saffron potato gnocchi.) Renata is planning a summer 2014 opening; more as it becomes available.
· Promising New Italian Eatery Renata to Open in Southeast [Eat Beat]
· All Perbacco Coverage [Eater SF]