Taylor Railwork’s Erik Van Kley IN at Accanto

Just weeks after shuttering their restaurant, Taylor Railworks, chef Erik Van Kley and his partner in business and life, Gabriela Ramos, are now part owners of Belmont’s Italian-influenced bistro, Accanto. Van Kley replaces executive chef Chris Frazier — now chef de cuisine beneath Matt Sigler at Renata — while Ramos will help run the front of the house and overhaul Accanto’s bar program.

Van Kley made his name as Gabriel Rucker’s right-hand man at Le Pigeon, before rocking seafood-forward menus of updated American classics at Taylor Railworks. According to Ramos, the two plan to gradually introduce new elements, starting with bringing in a half a pig a week.

“We’ll begin by making charcuterie and sausages to see where that gets us,” says Ramos.

Accanto will also launch throwback dinners in early 2018, inspired by the now-closed Genoa, one of Portland’s most historically important restaurants, often credited with introducing European-style food and fine dining to the city. Van Kley will work from binders of old Genoa menus that he unearthed in Accanto’s basement.

• Accanto [Official Site]
• All Previous Accanto Coverage [EPDX]