Natalie Renda and Ken Kuczwaj welcome the community to Patrizio Osteria
Upon first entering Patrizio, Southlake's newest Italianbrrestaurant, the impression is one of sophisticated elegance coupled with anbrunexpected, yet very welcome sense of family familiarity. The sophistication exudes through immensebrslabs of richly colored granite, which encompasses the front bar – while thebrmain dining room showcases black marble tables and sumptuous cream-coloredbrleather chairs. Welcoming you to the table are Westlake residents and thebrrestaurant's owners, Oscar Renda and his daughter Natalie. Together the two teamed with famed Dallasbrrestaurateur Ed Bailey and built a spectacular signature restaurant worthy ofbrits prized location.
The October 15th opening of Patrizio marks notbronly another successful restaurant venture from Bailey, but also thebrculmination of a lifelong dream for the Rendas. Oscar Renda owned the land atbrthe corner of Carroll Avenue and the 114 in the shadows of the Southlake DPSbrbuilding where Patrizio now sits. Close to Southlake Town Square yet completelybrindependent of the city’s retail mecca Patrizio Southlake marks the seventh andbrmost opulent opening of the prized north Texas Italian eatery which has becomebra staple in both Fort Worth and Highland Park Village.
Friends with Bailey, Oscar and Natalie agreed the best waybrto make their dream of a restaurant into a reality was to partner with Patriziobrand from partners to patrons the result is a win-win for all concerned. Oscar admitted, “I'm a food guy. If I'm goingbrto eat Italian food, it's got to be good. All natural ingredients, quality isbreverything for us.” Natalie agreed, “Dad is definitely our foodie.”
Making this particular foodie smile is the task of ExecutivebrChef, Luciano Salvadore, originally from Venezia (Venice), Italy. Luciano came to befriend the Rendas over sixbryears ago as they followed him from restaurant to restaurant. Luciano has beenbrwith Bailey's organization for the last two years and with this Patriziobrlocation he has introduced the Osteria concept of simple menus that embracebrlocal specialties to the restaurant chain.
In keeping with the Osteria concept the restaurant deliversbra full menu of high quality dishes with monthly specials made from naturalbringredients imported direct from Italy. Luciano made note, “We encourage ourbrpatrons to take part in our recipe of the month contest where diners can submitbrtheir favorites to be chosen as a feature on our menu.” The prize-winning dishbrwill then be named in honor of the lucky local chef. “If they would like,”brLuciano adds, “they can spend an evening in my kitchen cooking alongside me.”brLuciano's kitchen is a dream workspace; large and well equipped the space evenbrincludes a staff elevator for quick and convenient access to the second floor.
Both Natalie Renda and Ken Kruczwaj, Vice President of BrandbrDevelopment of ECB Enterprises, are excited about the Osteria concept and aimbrto be completely hands on and readily available at the restaurant every night. Withbrexcellent food and stunning architecture to match Ken adds, “Patrizio is a familybrneighborhood restaurant that is also kid friendly with a kids menu full ofbrkid-sized selections.”
From a private dining room featuring a stunning handcraftedbrwood table paired with chairs in soft gold leather to a glass sculpture thatbrseems to float in mid-air from the second floor ceiling high above floating downbrinto the main dining room - every aspect of design at Patrizio was carefullybrthought out to the smallest detail. FrombrLuciano's kitchen to the elegant black and gold glass tiles in the restrooms tobrthe stunning chandelier in the glass enclosed circular staircase, TurnerbrDuncan, the architect from Duncan Miller Design, brought Natalie's and Oscar'sbrdream to life in the greatest detail.
If you climb the marble staircase to the second floor you'rebrgreeted by an upscale bar area with infinity mirrors that invites you to relaxbrand share conversation with friends. Your drinks will be custom crafted by abrcocktail specialist who comes to Patrizio from another Bailey's facility, ThebrChesterfield. Whether you chose to have a drink upstairs, in the main bar, orbron the huge patio that wraps two sides of the building complete with a hugebrfireplace Patrizio is sure to become a popular gathering place for friends.
Attention to detail doesn't end at the wine list either-brfamiliar Italian favorites rest alongside new and unfamiliar vintages many maybrnot be familiar with – but will be glad they tried. Fresh foods made with freshbringredients, even espresso pots that will be brewed tableside. And even mombrwould be proud to attend Sunday nights better known as “Gravy” night with abrselection of mouth-watering sauces paired with a wide variety of pastas. Kenbrsaid, “Gravy night is just another way for us to show that when you eat atbrPatrizio we want you to feel like you're eating with family.”
Currently serving lunch and dinner, with an Italian stylebrSunday brunch soon to follow, Patrizio Southlake has reserved area diners abrseat at what is already one of the head tables in town.