The site is the former Las Americas restaurant that closed July 30. The space previously housed John Henry’s and Blue Moon restaurants.
“It’s a nice space,” Downs said. “And I think it has the best patio in the district.”
Roost Modern Italian’s owners have no intention of closing their 2nd Street Market location.
“We’re doing well at the market, and we don’t want to leave our customer base,” Downs said. And the presence at the public market will serve as a marketing tool for the new restaurant, she said.
The Black Rooster Pasta Bar expanded its offerings at the 2nd Street Market earlier this year, “and we were maxed out there,” Downs said.
The new restaurant will focus on Italian dishes that go beyond traditional pasta and pizza, using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Items on an early sample menu for Roost Modern Italian include an appetizer of Black Sea Salt-Crusted Scallops with Lemon Capers and Anchovy Crumbs, an entree of Bearnaise-Crusted Beef Tournedos with Demi Glace with Spinach Al Forno & Tuscan Fries, and desserts such as Pear and Gorgonzola Crostada, and Chocolate Pot de Creme with Balsamic Berries.
Roost Modern Italian will have a full liquor license. It will be open from 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. It will be closed Mondays.
Downs and Hirschbach also operate a catering company under the name Veritas Foods.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2258 or mfisher@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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