Bistro 19, a new, 1600 square foot restaurant opening this fall at 711 Washington Road in Mt. Lebanon, is undergoing renovation and expansion at its recently acquired site.
Owners Richard Fuchs of Upper St. Clair and Josephine DeFrancis of Baldwin are working with architect Teresa Bucco, a Mount Lebanon native.
“We are shooting for what every neighborhood needs. We want to attract destination diners and locals,” says DeFrancis, who manages
Luma. She describes Bistro 19 as “casual and elegant, featuring smartly affordable and creative American cuisine and a comfortable contemporary design.”
Fuchs and DeFrancis began scouting locations last year. “It was fate; I always thought Café Giovanni would be perfect if it came up for sale,” says DeFrancis, who worked with Specialty Group to purchase the property in July. The bistro will seat 60 in its dining room and 10 at a bar. Folding windows and outdoor seating will create open air dining.
Executive chef Jessica Gibson comes from the
Carlton.Entrées will range from $11-$28 and include grilled vegetable and mozzarella towers, paella, and bistro burgers with red wine-braised mushrooms. Specialties will include house made desserts, a signature "nine-tini," and full wine menu. The non-smoking bistro will carry a children’s menu and serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Writer: Jennifer Baron
Source: Josephine DeFrancis, Bistro 19