The “Infusion Investment Group” has filed a liquor license permit for the space recently vacated at 903 N.W. Everett St., on the southest corner of the Elizabeth condominiums in the Pearl District. Most recently it housed Mr. Jolly’s Coffee Bar.
The investment group was established in 2009; other than that, I was unable to find any more information. However, a tipster tells me that the new restaurant, Gallo Nero, is the brainchild of a doctor and two other investors. The menu will be Italian trattoria in style. The chef will be Italian immigrant Davide, who, according to rumor, once owned a restaurant in Florence, came to Portland in 1998, and has worked at Cafe Allora, and Mr. Jolly’s. I’m not sure if he is the same “Davide Mulone” who was a co-owner of Noli in Eugene. Nor do I know if there is any connection to Gallo Nero in NYC, though I would be surprised if that is the case. I’m happy to speculate and play detective all night, but the laundry needs folding.
PDX2CDG says
This place needs a COMPLETE overhaul. Interiors are dark and uninviting. A real mismatch of design elements. Original design by Chris Soderberg Interiors for Trust Lounge, It had the makings of a sleazy bordello gone awry. It changed over to Mr. Jollys, a gathering place for morning coffee but not much else. Dark, dingy and and in need over major clean up.
Let’s hope third times the charm.
ind a dirty.
Randy Sasich says
@PDX2CDG-
We have hired Rick Potestio (most recent project he was involved with was the conversion of Bella Joya to Oven and Shaker in the Pearl District) to help with changing the interior. It will be much brighter inside in keeping with a Tuscan trattoria. Remodeling should start next week. We hope you come check Gallo Nero out when we open.
Sincerely,
Randy Sasich, owner
Davide Filippini, owner and chef
Andrea Bartoloni, owner
Giacomo Rinaldi, owner
Food Dude says
How they could have taken such a new space and made if feel so dingy baffles me, but they did.
Randy Sasich says
@Food Dude-
No changes have been made yet to the old interior of Jolly’s/Nostro Cafe. We will be starting the remodeling of the restaurant next week.
Sincerely,
Randy Sasich, owner
Davide Filippini, owner and chef
Andrea Bartoloni, owner
Giacomo Rinaldi, owner
Randy Sasich says
Greetings Food Dude,
Thank you for the interest in Gallo Nero. I’m posting to give you information on what is happening in the old Mr. Jolly’s space (actually renamed Nostro Cafe most recently under the same ownership). I and my three partners will be opening Gallo Nero in late April of this year as Gallo Nero, LLC (Infusion Investment Group was the owner of Mr. Jolly’s and is not associated with the new restaurant).
Part-owner and chef Davide Filippini is from Florence, Italy and came to the Portland area in 2007. Davide did own and cook at a successful restaurant in Italy prior to coming to the U.S. and previously was the chef at Cafe Allora and Mr. Jolly’s/Nostro Cafe.
We do not have any connection to the Gallo Nero in NYC.
Davide will be offering authentic Tuscan dishes with a menu utilizing fresh local foods. The wine selection will be focused on northern Italian wines but will include wines from all over Italy.
Thank you again,
Randy Sasich, owner
Davide Filippini, owner and chef
Andrea Bartoloni, owner
Giacomo Rinaldi, owner