A developer will submit a letter of intent to open an Italian restaurant in a portion of the first-floor commercial space available at the Dahlia in downtown Canby, a source confirmed to the Canby Now Podcast this week.
The source described the proposed restaurant as a “Neapolitan, East Coast concept” with a large wine selection and select pastries like cannoli. Neapolitan cuisine originated on the coast of southern Italy, but it includes many of the pastas, salads and other dishes you’d recognize.
This restaurant’s menu would include fried zucchini, mozzarella and calamari, Italian soups and salads, spaghetti, gnocchi, lasagna, beef braciole, chicken parmigiana, acqua pazza, bistecca and much more — all family recipes. Asked for a comparison, the source offered Maggiano’s Little Italy, a chain of casual-dining restaurants known for their Italian-American staples, generous portions and relaxed, family-style atmosphere.
The source spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to share publicly at this stage of the negotiations. They expect that the letter of intent will be submitted next week. The owner of the Dahlia, Hanlon Development, will then make the decision to accept or reject it.
An Italian restaurant has been at or near the top of the wish list for Canby residents for some time, including a literal wish list that was completed during a downtown visioning forum held at the Dahlia in October.
