July 31st, 2009
Grano moves, Cuban moves in
Gino Troia’s Grano Pasta Bar is staying in Hampden but is moving around the corner to 3547 Chestnut Ave., where Dangerously Delicious Pies Savory House used to be. The transition should take place by mid-September.
“We turned away so many people,” Gino said of the current tiny space at 36th Street and Hickory Avenue. “We’ll have the same name, same menu, and same prices.”
He added that there will be some specialties on the menu like osso buco and fish dishes for patrons who want more protein in their diets.
But the old location won’t stay empty for long. A new Cuban restaurant, Havana Road, with a chef from Cuba (Marta Quintana, who now lives in Lutherville) will move in, offering authentic fare, like ropa viejo sandwiches, and Cuban coffee, Gino said.
I also got an e-mail from Marta’s business partner, Susan Yannetti, letting me know that, in addition to the take-out restaurant, she and the chef are also launching an artisanal foods company that will retail products through Whole Foods in the mid-Atlantic region.
Hampden dining just gets more and more interesting.
8:37 am
Categories: chefs, restaurants, what's new
Yay, that sounds like good news on both counts! Grano really was teeny-tiny. Maybe the Cuban spot will be more of a take-out place, so seating will be less of an issue. Plus it's always nice to see businesses opening up. I hope Grano's move will get restaurants to creep a bit further off the Avenue. Rocket to Venus seems to be thriving, and I would so love for SOMEONE to do SOMETHING with the big empty building on the corner of 33rd and Keswick. I heard it was going to be a brew pub about a year ago, but then nothing happened. It was probably just a rumor.
That-a sounds-a so---a good-a !!
Can soon grab a fine Pasta dish at night... then a gordo cup Cuban coffee in the morning.
hey,anybody seen Mario down on 36th. st. lately?
Grano is a fantastic addition to the avenue although I will miss them on my street! I welcome the Cuban place though.
GOOD NEWS!
We love Grano...but it will be fabulous to have a larger space. We look forward to this!
Barb and Marty
The food, family, and menu at Grano reminds one of the true Italian family~addictive, crazy, and delicious. Try the gnocchi with carbonara. Wonderful. Go to Little Italy to meet and greet; go to Grano to feel what you eat.
If your cell rings when I'm there, my grandmother and I will beat you. Enjoy!
ebruno