The chef behind Annex Kitchen and Annesso Pizzeria recently opened his third local restaurant — this time, a more traditional take on Italian cuisine.

Jimmy Pardini told GV Wire that guests wanting a table at Willow Osteria have their best chance with a reservation considering the restaurant has been go-go-go since its opening on Friday.

Pardini said the menu is similar to that of Annex Kitchen, just a little more focused on regional Italian dishes.

“We’re going a little deeper into Italian culture with this one on the menu,” Pardini said. “It’s what we already love and do. It’s just in a new part of town with a new menu and a new vibe.”

Willow Osteria Already Establishing Fan Favorites

One of the more popular dishes that’s caught guests attention has been the cotoletta alla bolognese, Pardini said.

“It’s a breaded, crispy pork chop finished with prosciutto and melted fontina cheese and a demiglaze. A lot of work that goes into it and we’ve gotten a lot of great reception on that one so far,” Pardini said.

Ravioli lovers can get their fill with a single raviolo di ricotta, stuffed with egg yolk and ricotta.

“It’s got that egg that would be oozing out with the ricotta. We finish it with brown butter and sage. That one’s been talked about quite a bit already,” he said.

Right now, the restaurant is closed on Mondays, but they will soon be open seven days a week.

The restaurant has about 15 tables at the bar specifically for walk-ins, but those wanting a guaranteed spot should make a reservation, he said.

That can be done over the phone or at the website.

“The reception desk opens at 3 p.m. So if you’re trying to call, we’re more likely to pick up the phone after 3 o’clock,” Pardini said.

Up-and-Coming Avenue at Heritage Grove a Unique Concept

Willow Osteria isn’t the only new business at the Avenue at Heritage Grove. Recently, Enzo’s Table also opened at the unique mixed-use development at the southeast corner of Willow and Shepherd avenues.

The shop and cafe, together with the Italian restaurant, together bookend the combined office and retail space.

The Ricchiuti family behind Enzo’s led development of the Avenue. Leases have been signed for Poké House, Quesadilla Gorilla, and Core Pilates, property retail broker Michael Kennedy said.

A nail salon and a clothing/home goods store will also soon open, Kennedy said.

“In this part of town, in these newer development areas, we haven’t seen much mixed-use in this sense,” Kennedy said. “We want to do it a little differently.”

That will be only the beginning for that corner.

“It’s not going to be something you’ve never seen before, but it’s a little higher end, a little more of a live-work-play type of an atmosphere and develop a community as opposed to just a shopping center,” Kennedy said.