Piatti Ristorante at the Pavilions center is back in business after a four-month closure for a makeover. What took so long?
"We were going to do a small facelift, but instead we decided to completely expand the scope and redo everything," said Nick Dedier on the phone today. He's the Italian-themed restaurant's director of operations. His resume includes more than five years with the Thomas Keller Restaurant Group in Yountville. During that time, he ran Bouchon for a year and Ad Hoc for four years.
Piatti certainly has a brighter, cleaner look.
For starters, the flooring, ceiling, lighting, bar top and furniture have been replaced. The atrium area has been opened up, and the booths near the bar have become a high-top dining area. The courtyard/patio is newly populated with classy furniture and permanent heaters. The banquet space was doubled by expanding into a vacant storefront next door.
How has the menu changed? "All the favorites are still there," Dedier said. "We've refined things and updated the recipes. (The dishes) have gotten a lot simpler and much more flavorful. Our new chef is Lance Carlini, who was a chef at Scott's Seafood Grill and at High Steaks steakhouse at Thunder Valley Casino Resort."
As for the wine list, "There are over 90 esoteric (entries) from everywhere (including) Italy, South Africa and Argentina," Dedier said. "We spent a lot of time putting it together. It's not a cheap happy hour wine list. Everything on there is of amazing quality at whatever price you decide to buy at."
In May, Piatti marked its 20th year of serving a loyal clientele at the upscale Pavilions center. Will there be a celebration?
"We'll do a giant cocktail party and silent auction in January, tied to a local charity," Dedier said.
Piatti in Pavilions is one of eight restaurants in the California-based group, and the only one in the Sacramento area. Pavilions is on Fair Oaks Avenue, near Howe Avenue, in Sacramento.
For more information: (916) 649-8885, www.piatti.com.
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