A South Florida family-run establishment, Lynora's Restaurant, has passed the torch to the next generation this month with the opening of downtown West Palm Beach's newest restaurant, Lynora's Osteria.
In the early 1970s, Ralph and Maria Abbenante moved to New York from Italy, looking to start a new life. They began working at a nearby pizza parlor and eventually relocated to South Florida to help open a restaurant.
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In 1976, with the help of Maria's mother, Lynora, the couple opened their own establishment: a well-known Lake Worth eatery they named Lynora's Italian Restaurant. After changing locations several times to accommodate the growth due to their success -- and more than three decades in business -- the Abbenantes retired and closed the doors to Lynora's in 2004.
Today, Angelo Abbenante is following in his parents' footsteps; he's bringing Lynora's back to life with his own version of the family business in a new location off Clematis Street in West Palm Beach.
Abbenante has partnered with Sascha Bennemann (formerly of Pistache French Bistro, PB Catch, and Bice Ristorante) to create Lynora's Osteria, a modern Italian concept that also honors the original Lynora's' more traditional elements. The osteria -- the Italian word for a casual establishment that focuses on wine and small plates -- will have a farm-to-table menu based on classic Italian favorites as well as dishes with a new-age twist.
"Most Italian restaurants are either old school or new school," said Abbenante. "Here, we will be doing a combination of both. We want to offer something for everyone."
According to Abbenante and Bennemann, the menu will be short, with an emphasis on local specialties, as well as house-made pasta, grilled meats, and fish. In addition to traditional fare and homemade pastas, the osteria will offer small plates to be shared and wood-oven pizzas prepared in a brick oven, which serves as a focal point in the center of the dining room.
For those looking for a taste of the old days, don't fear: The menu also features a special section for those who remember the original Lynora's menu, where you can find several of Maria's actual dishes built from her own recipes.
Lynora's is located at 207 Clematis St., West Palm Beach. Visit www.lynoras.com, or call 561-899-3117.
Nicole Danna is a food blogger covering Broward and Palm Beach counties. To get the latest in food and drink news in South Florida, follow her @SoFloNicole or find her latest food pics on Clean Plate's Instagram.
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