Restaurateur Ernie Vallozzi and his son, Julian, will open a Vallozzi's Restaurant in the Market Square Place complex, Downtown.

The well-known operator of Vallozzi's in Hempfield signed a lease with developer Millcraft Industries Inc. of Washington County, said Herky Pollock, executive vice president of commerical real estate firm CB Richard Ellis.

Pollock brought Vallozzi and Louis Piatt of Millcraft together and within six weeks, a 10-year lease with a five-year option was signed, Vallozzi said.

"We're very excited to be part of Pittsburgh, and we are currently in design stage for the restaurant, hoping construction can begin within eight weeks," he said.

Plans are to open by late spring and provide about 200 seats, with a high-end Italian menu with a large selection of wines, and employing about 85.

"The addition of the Vallozzi family to the downtown restaurant landscape further validates the success of the Fifth and Forbes corridor," Pollock said.

"We're extremely happy Ernie and Julian will be part of our development Downtown," said Piatt, Millcraft's chief operating officer. "The Vallozzi's will enjoy the sustainability and vitality of Downtown's restaurant scene."

In addition to the main restaurant, plans are to have three small rooms seating up to 45 for meetings, banquets and dinners, he said. One will be the wine cellar.

The restaurant -- to be called Vallozzi's Pittsburgh -- will be opened seven days a week, serving lunches and dinners Monday through Saturday, with Sunday hours still to be determined.

Julian will be in charge of the Downtown restaurant, Vallozzi said.

Already in Market Square Place is Chipotle Mexican Grill, which opened Wednesday.

Vallozzi has operated a well-known upscale Italian restaurant outside Greensburg for more than 33 years. He also formerly operated the now-closed Red Star Agave Grille, a restaurant at the renovated Greensburg Train Station. It was replaced by the The Supper Club at the Greensburg Train Station, which opened in June.

Vallozzi previously operated the Pi Restaurant in Squirrel Hill, but lack of sufficient dining space and parking led to its closing in 2006, Vallozzi said.

Last year, Vallozzi's announced plans to open a restaurant in the city's East Liberty area.

"The deal took too long and the longer it took, we saw very little time to operate there," he said.

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