LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A new Italian-Cuban dinner spot is coming to the Highlands this spring, according to our partners at Louisville Business First.
Prado 264 is set to open its doors at 1514 Bardstown Road, the space formerly occupied by Mark's Feed Store.
The restaurant owners are husband-and-wife duo Luis Gonzalez and Lisanne Garcia, whose Cuban roots inspired the concept.
While Gonzalez and Garcia originally chose West Florida for Prado 264's home — the couple lived in Miami for 14 years after immigrating from Cuba — a visit to Louisville changed their plans.
"My father, he's been living here for like 12 years," Gonzalez said. "I never visited before, because most of the time he was complaining about the winter and everything. However, last year we were invited here for the Cuban carnival on Fourth Street. So, we came here and we loved the place. I saw the people here are foodies and they love Cuban food."
Prado 264 is named for Parado Restaurante 264 in Havana, Cuba, a once-popular restaurant that fell into decline in the 1970s before Gonzalez's father helped revive it in the early 1990s.
The restaurant's Italian-Cuban cuisine may seem like a strange combination for American customers, but Gonzalez said it's very common in Cuba because of the influx of Italian immigration to Havana and other parts of South America.
"I think in the '20s or the '30s, they started opening the first Italian restaurants in Havana, especially in a very iconic place in Havana called Paseo del Prado," he said. "They started mixing their Italian flavors with Cuban flavors and techniques, with Cuban spices — like the sweet peppers, or the spices that we use for our kitchen."
Gonzalez said he and his wife will pay homage to the unique flavors and recipes from Prado 264's namesake. A popular Miami chef, Michael Garcia, will move to Louisville to run the kitchen.
"It's Italian roots with Cuban fire," Gonzalez said. "We are doing a full remodel in the building. We brought a famous interior designer who is very well-known for a lot of restaurants in Miami. He created a popular Cuban restaurant in Miami, Havana 1957."
The 3,500-square-foot property is still owned by Mark's Feed Store founder Mark Erwin. Gonzalez and Garcia worked with real estate agent Dawn Lawrence to secure the space.
Gonzalez and his wife plan to invest about $400,000 renovating the first floor and adding an outdoor patio area called Garden Di Lisa, a space Garcia said reflects her love of nature and art.
"Everyone around me knows how much I love nature and art," Garcia said. "I wanted to bring a piece of myself into the restaurant. We will have salsa and different types of music. It's to be interactive. The performers they will be dancing around, interacting with people."
Gonzalez and Garcia plan to open the first floor of Prado 264 in May. The second floor will eventually become a speakeasy and event space.
The restaurant plans to employ about 20 people and will serve dinner daily, with lunch available on weekends.
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