Sue Burnett (right) in her new deli and bar, set to open on Thursday. Photo / Stephen Parker
A new eatery that will bring 20 new jobs to the central city is proof Rotorua's dining precinct is extending from Eat Street.
Sue Burnett is set to open Jubilee Deli and Bar in the old McKenzie Country store on Tutanekai St on Thursday.
It is one of several new food outlets to open in Rotorua in the space of about a week, with Leonardo's owner Leonardo Baldi opening Pizzeria Imperfetto in Pukaki St and Argentinian BBQ and South American tapas bar Che Chorizo opening on Arawa St.
Ms Burnett said taking on the feel of an old-fashioned diner, the Jubilee would employ more than 20 people and be open seven days a week from 8am to 10pm.
Ms Burnett said they'd serve breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as cabinet foods and other good Kiwi food.
The name came from the original name of the building it's housed in, which dates back to 1935.
Meanwhile, Mr Baldi said Pizzeria Imperfetto opened in the old Leonardo's Pure Italian location in Pukaki St on Saturday, following Leonardo's move to Eat Street.
He said it had been a really tough time getting the pizzeria open but he was pleased it had finally opened its doors. It would initially operate from Wednesday to Sunday between 11.30am and 2.30pm, and then again from 4.30pm to late with the plan to move to seven days a week.
Four staff have been employed at the new place.
Mr Baldi said, while it was fantastic to have the pizzeria finally open, he wasn't stopping there.
He has just signed on to run an Italian-themed cafe at the new Te Ngae Junction shopping centre - which is expected to open towards the end of next year.
Che Chorizo, operated by business partners Eduardo Diaz and Cristian Torres, held its grand opening on Friday.
The restaurant is on the site formerly occupied by the Belgian Bar.