Scottsdale's culinary landscape is gearing up for a fresh twist as Bernie Kantak, the chef behind The Gladly and Citizen Public House, is slated to open a new eatery, Beginner's Luck, by mid-February. The upcoming all-day restaurant will occupy the space left behind by Piccolo Virtù, the now-closed Italian restaurant from chef Gio Osso. According to The Phoenix New Times, Kantak saw an unmet need for a chef-led coffee program in Old Town Scottsdale.
While closing doors last December after an illustrious yet brief stint, Piccolo Virtù made headlines by winning the Phoenix New Times' Best New Restaurant award in 2023. Teetering between closure and a new culinary venture, Osso sold the space to Kantak, drawn by the lure of a larger kitchen, which will enable him to delve into brunch and lunch offerings—a dream constrained by the limited size of Citizen Public House's kitchen. “I’ve wanted to do brunch and lunch (at Citizen Public House) for a while but the kitchen is too small," Kantak told The Phoenix New Times.
Kantak's new restaurant name, Beginner’s Luck, comes from a hopeful notion, but the chef's track record speaks of seasoned expertise rather than serendipity. He plans to roll out a range of crafty offerings, including a Korean-spiced version of shakshuka and an iconic chopped salad so beloved it has its own Facebook identity. Speaking of things to come, he also teased at other potential ventures, suggesting that the growth of In Good Spirits Hospitality Group is far from over, as reported by The Phoenix New Times.
Meanwhile, Gio Osso retains a hopeful stance for Piccolo Virtù's resurgence. Hosting guests until last Saturday, the restaurant bade farewell to regulars with an Instagram post. With the closure, Osso plans to refocus his energies on his remaining restaurants, Pizzeria Virtù and Virtù Honest Craft, offering employment to the staff from Piccolo Virtù. "Hopefully someday it will make a comeback," Osso said, sharing his vision for the restaurant's future in an interview obtained by The Phoenix New Times. The late Piccolo Virtù was praised for its Italian dishes, which included knockouts such as whole sucking pig and various pastas.
