YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Prima Cucina Ristorante will return to downtown, with an opening expected within the next few weeks.
The modern Italian restaurant will return to its original location at 103 W. Federal St., said owner-chef Josh Santangelo. It will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and also late nights on weekends.
Prima Cucina closed its downtown location last year and moved to 4500 Mahoning Ave. in Austintown. But sales have been disappointing at the site, and the location closed this week.
Santangelo believes Prima Cucina might not be a good fit for the township.
“We had lots of regulars, but maybe [other people] thought we were too fancy and expensive,” Santangelo said, adding that is not true.
The dishes on his menu were in the style found in Italy, he said, but the prices were similar to the traditional Italian restaurants that exist in Austintown.
Santangelo still plans to reopen the upstairs part of the Austintown site, which will feature a large deck, a bar and brick oven pizza.
“If we ever reopen the downstairs restaurant, it will be more of a casual place,” he said.
Santangelo always intended to reopen the downtown site but as a more casual place. That is still the plan.
“It will be a simpler menu, but all the greatest hits will be there,” he said. “The eggplant, the skirt steak …”
The lunch menu will include a burger, paninis and some lighter fare. The restaurant will also be open early for breakfast.
On Thursday, Friday and Saturdays, it will stay open until about 2 a.m., with the kitchen open very late and serving the lunch menu.
“If people want us to stay open late, we will,” Santangelo said.
Pictured at top: Prima Cucina Ristorante will reopen its downtown location within the next few weeks.