One of the founders of Bravo! Cucina Italiana is working to bring a new fast-casual restaurant being touted as an Italian version of Chipotle to the region.
Columbus-based Piada Italian Street Food, which bases its name and menu on a sandwich made from a thin Italian bread cooked on a stone with olive oil, is searching for locations in the Pittsburgh market for what could one day total five or six restaurants in the area, said Angela Gillot, a director of retail brokerage for Langholz Wilson Ellis Inc., based downtown.
Ron Sofranko, a Wexford-based restaurant consultant and a part-owner of Il Pizzaiolo in Market Square, said he sees Piada filling a major void of quality Italian food in the fast-casual niche.
“The segment is dying for it,” Sofranko said. “I think it has tremendous potential.”
