Yosteria Will Get Total Renovation, Expand Menu

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Yosteria will temporarily close Feb. 18 for a major renovation project that will include the installation of a full-scale commercial kitchen.

The project will take a couple of months, owner Alex Zordich said.

Located in a converted two-story house at 253 Valley St. in the Smoky Hollow neighborhood, Yosteria is currently open to the public on Fridays. Its final two days before the shutdown will be Feb. 10 and 17.

After it reopens, Yosteria will be open to the public on a consistent basis.

The building will be renovated inside and outside.

“The largest addition will be our full-scale kitchen inside,” Zordich said. “We just received permitting for it and will begin work shortly. It will allow us to enhance our menu and include regional Italian items that have long been a part of our plan.”

The menu will be expanded to include a full list of Italian antipasti, small plates and desserts. Yosteria will also have a retail section featuring Fancy meats, YO pizza shells, YO Vino, regional wines and Italian specialties for takeout.

The dining room and bar will get new furniture and lighting. The bar will serve Italian cocktails, local beers, regional wines and YO Vino, the house brand.

Restroom renovations have already been completed.

On the outside, seating will be increased, with a bar setting installed alongside the building. Lighting will be updated, and a pergola and cigar area will be constructed.

The exterior surfaces will get a facelift with new windows, soffit and fascia, a new porch and improved signage.

A parking area will be created in the lot next to the building.

Currently, Yoseria requires reservations, with down payments, menu planning and a head count. When it reopens, those things will no longer be required, as it will operate like any other restaurant, Zordich said.

He plans to be open Thursday through Saturday, with hours to be determined.

“We are progressing to our original vision of a traditional osteria,” he said.

An osteria is a type of simple restaurant found in Italy that has a small menu and serves regional food and wine.

“Traditional osterias were once considered wine bars, known to serve simple food and wine to locals with an emphasis on regional specialties,” he said. “Our vision is to create that sense of community through our food and wine while introducing the public to the beautiful culture of regional Italy.”

Zordich opened Yosteria in 2021.

Pictured at top: Yosteria, in Youngstown’s Smoky Hollow neighborhood, will get a total makeover.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.