Pranzo, which opened in the former Yo! Sushi in late July is also scoring top marks on food review websites.
Google awards it 4.8 stars out of five and TripAdvisor an even better 4.9 stars out of five, ranking it 30 out 745 York restaurants.
York’s is the fourth Pranzo in a family-owned boutique chain of Italian restaurants, which adds to others in Harrogate, Ilkley and Horsforth.
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Owner Marco Greco told the Press: “The opening has been better than we expected, when you open a new restaurant you expect some road bumps but it’s honestly been pretty smooth.
“From front of house to the kitchen, we have a really good, experienced team in place and we’ve been overwhelmed by how welcoming York residents have been.”
The staff at the launch in late July (Image: Pic supplied)
Compared to his other restaurants Marco says lunchtimes are busier in York as people love its homemade pasta, which he says is unavailable elsewhere in the city.
Customers have also enjoyed the £10 lunch offer, which again is all homemade, with diners saying “they can’t get same quality elsewhere for the same price”.
Family Sunday roasts have also been popular.
Owner Marco Greco (Image: Pic supplied)
Summer diners have also particularly enjoyed Seafood Bigoli, especially with a glass of Gavi di Gabi.
But with recent cooler weather, Marco continued: “Over the last week or so we’ve noticed our four-hour beef shin ragu being ordered more and more with autumn on the way.”
The restauranteur, who learnt to cook whilst living in Italy as a child, and inspired by his Nonna or Grandmother, whom he would cook with.
Marco admits that with York having a ‘vibrant’ dining scene with more than 700 restaurants, with good places to eat, it would be a challenge for locals to change their ways and give them a go.
But he said: “Those who have given us a go have loved the Pranzo experience and the word is spreading that we’re well worth a visit.”
The restaurant is preparing an autumn/ winter menu , promising warming homemade pasta and seasonal produce, including Yorkshire meats and other county suppliers.
Some of the famous Pranzo pasta (Image: Pic supplied)
Marco said: “We’re constantly trying to find better ways to improve our dishes and when it comes to produce, the fresher the better which means keeping it as local as possible.
He also hopes to continue the restaurants ‘excellent service’ and Italian authenticity.
Marco said: “Our Harrogate restaurant has an AA rosette and we’d love for York to have one too.”
Such support is confirmed by online reviews, with one recent one calling the restaurant “absolutely phenomenal”.
She said: “The food is incredible, from the flavours to the homemade pasta, you can’t fault it one bit. We are both big foodies and this is by far the best Italian restaurant we have ever been to.”
The reviewer added: “If you’re in York, this is an absolute must!!”
Dining and Cooking