Bavaro's Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria founder Dan Bavaro and Front Burner Brands restaurant group (Melting Pot) are joining forced to bring Oronzo to life which, according to the Tampa Bay Business Journal, is set to specialize in "made-from-scratch recipes with origins dating back to the 1800s in Rimini, Italy, a city on the Adriatic coast in the Emilia-Romagna region." That means homemade pasta while incorporating options for all dietary preferences like gluten-free zucchini noodles and vegan options.
We can also expect to taste Italian soups and salads, fat dishes featuring steak, chicken, and hand-rolled meatballs. On the fast-casual wave, and catering to commuters and business professionals, Oronzo will feature technology to assist with online ordering for takeout and delivery.
Bavaro told TBBJ that not only does this business plan work for locals, but it also reminds him of grabbing a slice during his childhood, "Italian, back when I grew up, was always fast casual. You walk up, order a slice of pizza, you eat and leave. But as far as bringing it into this day and age — it's about efficiency and technology. A lot of this concept is technology driven, and there’s a void in the fast-casual segment for Italian."
Bavaro is shooting for a late April opening and the duo has their sights on more locations in the near future. Oronzo will join the lineup of fellow Italian joints like DeVito's Italian Specialties, Olivia and Rocca.
More details to come as construction continues and the official opening date is announced.
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This article appears in Jan 23-30, 2020.