Renata Gears Up for Late-Spring, Early-Summer Opening

We've been waiting a long time for the long-delayed opening of Sandra and Nick Arnerich's Renata, and now the opening date is finally coming into sharper focus. Sandra Arnerich says she and her husband plan to open the doors to the 70-plus seat spot between mid-May and mid-June.

Building construction began in December, Arnerich says, but menu construction is just now beginning. So no word yet on specific dishes, but she did say the menus will be defined by what the Pacific Northwest produces (including red and white wines), and will "travel" around Italy as the seasons change: Think southern dishes during warmer months and heartier, northern dishes when the rains return.

She also says Renata will have a cozy outdoor patio, and the large building will share space with a commissary kitchen (from which they can host pasta classes). It's already home to the newly relocated Ancient Heritage Dairy, which will provide the restaurant with all their cheeses, as well as whey for housemade ricotta.

Renata, 626 SE Main St., Portland