Italian eatery moves into Eat Streat

SPACE ISSUE: Leonard Baldi and Yuka Nakamori prepare for Leonardo's Pure Italian's move to Eat Streat. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

After almost two years of turning away customers, Leonardo Baldi has discovered that bigger sometimes is better.

It is with that in mind, and a bit of luck, that Mr Baldi has taken over the Jazzed premises at the lake end of the dining precinct, and is preparing to move Leonardo's Pure Italian "on to the Streat".

After a whirlwind month or so, he and partner Yuka Nakamori were yesterday set to take over the restaurant which was Jazzed and before that, Lewishams - the place both of them worked before starting up Leonardo's.

He said it was extra special to be going back there.

Over the next two months, they plan to transform the site into a new home for Leonardo's Pure Italian, giving them more than double the number of seats and, hopefully, meaning they will not have to turn away the dozens of customers each night like they do now.

"On Valentine's Day, we turned away about 80 people that night."

It will also allow them to get stuck into a new venture, opening a pizzeria in the current Pukaki St restaurant once they've moved.

Leonardo's has become a local favourite since it opened almost two years ago, most recently hitting the headlines after hosting international film star Robert Redford.

From left, Leonardo Baldi, Robert Redford, and Mike Robb in Rotorua restaurant Leonardo's.

Mr Baldi said they planned to spend about two months refurbishing the new premises, trying to keep the same intimate feel.

Mr Baldi said the move was "scary" but they felt ready for it and had learned plenty in the current location.

They also plan to expand the menu a little, while keeping it traditional.

Details of the pizzeria are still being worked on but Ms Nakamori said it would be more of a casual venue with a focus on takeaway and no table service.