Old Town Square getting a new restaurant specializing in the flavors of Italy, Brazil
Old Town Square in Wichita is about to get a new restaurant — its first in years.
Bocatto: Eatery and Pasta is taking over the space at 321 N. Mead that Mimi’s Old Town Mexican Restaurant vacated in January of 2020. A sign recently appeared in the window of the space, which sits just to the south of Hana Cafe.
Owner Arnulfo Garcia, who has made his career working in restaurant kitchens across the country — including at Chester’s Chophouse in Wichita — said he has long wanted to open his own place and finally found the right spot. He hopes to have the restaurant open sometime in June.
Bocatto, which will be open for lunch and dinner and will have a full bar, will offer food with both Italian and Brazilian flavors, he said. He’ll serve Italian pasta dishes but also will have steaks served with Brazilian-style sauces.
Garcia is just starting on construction in the space but says he’s adding a bar and will have seating for about 40 or 50 people.
Bocatto — the name he chose for the restaurant — is an Italian expression used when something is delicious.
Initially, Garcia said, he looked at the old Molino’s building near 37th and Rock but then found the spot in Old Town Square and preferred the location.
Late last year, the owners of Kiko’s at 2800 E. Central hinted that they’d be opening a tequila bar in the old Mimi’s space, but nothing materialized. Kiko’s closed its Central restaurant in April.
I’ll keep you posted on an opening date for Bocatto.
This story was originally published May 24, 2022 at 2:24 PM.
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