Polly Campbell

pcampbell@enquirer.com

Nino Loreto has run a distinctive stand at Taste of Cincinnati for the last two years. From his food truck, Panino, he served charcuterie he makes himself from heritage-bred meat, combined with locally-grown produce. He handled much larger crowds than you might imagine for such an artisan operation.

Now, he's signed a lease to serve that food in Over-the-Vine's popular and crowded Vine Street dining district. The bricks-and-mortar Panino will be located at 1315 Vine St. The casual deli/restaurant will include a meat counter serving salami and charcuterie, made in an on-site meat-processing room. That deli, said Loreto, will be set up for quick fast-casual-style lunches chosen from a short menu, made to go or to eat on a 58-foot-long patio just next to the building.

There will also be a bar/dining room open in the evening with wines and craft beer. "I want this to be a place people come to socialize, to have a drink and something really good to eat with it," said Loreto. The menu will include charcuterie plates, crostinis and bruschetta, paninis, and a small section of plated entrees.

Paninis might include coppa, Taleggio and heirloom tomato, or nduja, honey, almond and aged goat cheese. Crostini could be with duck confit, peach barbecue sauce and onion hay. And entrees might be along the lines of 24-hour beef shoulder with kettle chips and salsa crudo.

Loreto said that his commitment to buying meat and produce from local farmers is one of the most important things to him. "It's a challenge to me," he said. "I've built a lot of great relationships with farmers. I'm going to see how we can do volume, with local sourcing, while keeping high quality."

Loreto just signed the lease for the building with the Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. (3CDC); he has no idea what opening date to set. Even once the processing facility is set up, many of his products, like salamis, take several months to cure before they can be served. When he does open, his mother and his sister will be part of the business, just as they've helped with the food truck. He has sold the truck to raise money for the restaurant.