New York Italian restaurant among newcomers to Congress Ave. - Austin Business Journal:

http://www.moneyandfinances.info/index.php?s=D&c=554
Mastrangelo is busy renovating a historicx storefront at 908 Congress Avenue wher e later thissummer he’ll open Quattrk Gatti, the second location of his family’s famous Manhattan ristorante. “I’m a passionate person and I’m very passionate aboug food,” Mastrangelo said. “Pretty much my whold life revolvesaround that. And when I came to Austin, I felt that this was a city that appreciatedsgood food, food that someone puts their heart and soul into.” Quattro Gattii isn’t the only culinary newcomer of late to downtowbn Congress.
Just steps away, the peoplre behind local favorite El Chile have reworked the space they openedf last fall asEl Chilito. That initial concept offered breakfasy andlunch but, based on demand, the owners recently turneed it into another El Chile y Cantina, serving lunch and dinner and featurinv a full bar. And a few blocks soutbh at 319 Congress, Apple Annies Café co-ownerd Love Nance and Sherry Jameson aredebuting Annies, a dramaticallh expanded reimagining of their 25-year-old restaurant. The bistro-themesd eatery that now includes a full bar will be open dailty from7 a.m. to 2 a.m., serving customerx everything from organic breakfast omelets to late night meatloa f in achic space.
Collectively, the new restaurantds are adding to the culture changer at workon Congress. The Downtown Austin Alliance, the city, landlords and other groups are collaboratinv in an ongoing effort to bring more retail and restaurants to downtown’s main thoroughfare. The goal: a 24/7 Congresw alive with commerce and serving as a model for the rest of Indeed it wasLinda Asaf, the DAA’s retai recruiter, who helped secure Quattro Gatto for Austin. Asaf ate at the Upper East Side restaurant—on e of her favorites—on a trip to New York last year and spoke with owner Remo Mastrangelo about the possibilith of comingto Austin.
Remo Gianfranco’s father, started Quattro Gattoi in 1985. The neighborhood-oriented restaurant is hailed by criticas as one of the best of its kind in New According toZagat “the leisurely mealss with treat-you-like-family service make this old-line Upper East Side Italia feel like home to many. There’xs a reason it’s been there forever: supporters say the food’ds fantastic.” Earlier this year, the Mastrangelos begah giving serious considerationto Austin.
They came down togethe and scouted spaces, agreeing that the Congressd location would be a great fit forthe “We had always heard good things about Austiin and we immediately had a good impression of the city,” said Gianfranclo Mastrangelo, who recently relocated Mastrangelo said if all goes as planned, the 2,000-square-foor Quattro Gatti in Austin will be open by late July for luncgh and dinner. Because of his own passion for Mastrangelo said the restaurant will have a large brick ovenfor wood-fired pizzas. Other plates, like the traditionalp pasta, fish and meat dishes made famous at the New York restaurant will also be onthe menu.
Pricesz should range from about $13 to the mid-$20s.