PHOTO VIA PRATO WP FACEBOOK PAGE
Prato (Website), the popular Michelin-recognized Italian restaurant on Winter Park’s Park Avenue, will temporarily close this fall for a long-planned refresh.
Beginning Monday, September 29, the restaurant will pause service and guest reservations for the month of October to complete a series of upgrades. According to Park Lights Hospitality Group, which owns Prato, the improvements will include an enhanced bar and dining room, refreshed branding elements, and back-of-house upgrades.
“We’re a very busy restaurant, and over the last year we identified key areas to improve to give Prato the firepower it needs for the next 14 years and beyond,” said Scott Bowman, president of Park Lights Hospitality Group. “We are lovingly referring to this pause as a riposo, which is the Italian concept of taking a break before returning refreshed.”
According to Parto’s outreach team, they will take the time during the closure to work on new dishes, elevate its cocktail and wine programs, participate in community-service events, strengthen relationships with local farmers, and continue staff training. Bowman emphasized that the restaurant will “maintain the soul” of its menu while introducing seasonal, vibrant, and eclectic dishes that “slightly evolve guest favorites.”
To keep loyal diners connected, Prato will collaborate with its sister restaurant, Luke’s, to offer a special Riposo Menu throughout October. Iconic Prato items like the Mustard Spaghettini, Prato Meatballs, and the Cetriolo cocktail will be served at Luke’s during the break. “Prato at Luke’s will be a fun way for our teams to collaborate and, most importantly, ensure loyal Prato fans can still enjoy their Spaghettini,” Bowman said.
The last day of reservations at Prato will be Sunday, September 28, with plans to reopen by the end of October. Before reopening, the restaurant plans a community celebration with staff, guests, friends, and family to mark its refreshed return to Park Avenue. Updates about the Riposo and the special menu at Luke’s are available on Prato and Luke’s Instagram accounts and via the Prato email list.
