The opening of a new Italian restaurant in York has moved a step closer following the approval of a planning application.
Plans to convert the vacant YO! Sushi restaurant, in Church Street, into Pranzo Italian have been approved by York Council after being lodged in October.
Pranzo stated on their website that their new restaurant is set to open this spring.
It follows the closure of YO! Sushi, which had been in Church Street since 2012, in November.
Pranzo’s plans stated the conversion would see the shop front of the Grade II-listed building repainted in their brand colours with the inside layout also changed.
Diners are set to be seated across its ground and first floors and new extraction fans are also set to be installed.
The York restaurant will be Pranzo’s fourth after first opening in Ilkley in 2018.
The chain now has restaurants in Harrogate and Horsforth, near Leeds.
Dishes on offer include ragu di manzo pasta, lobster ravioli al’ aragosta, lasagne al forno and a seafood scoglio.
The restaurant also serves cocktails such as an after eight espresso martini, an amaretto sour and pistachio martini.
Its website stated the restaurants are inspired by founder Marco Greco’s grandmother’s traditional southern Italian cooking which he experienced in his youth.
It added Pranzo’s dishes take her recipes and add a modern twist.
Pranzo has since been awarded an AA Rosette in culinary excellent as well as being ranked as one of the best Italian restaurants in the north by Tripadvisor.
The website stated: “In spring 2025 we’ll be opening our fourth Italian restaurant in York.
“We can’t wait to bring our homemade pasta to this wonderful city.
“Thanks to the dedication of Marco, his family and our staff, Pranzo has forged ahead and is spreading the joy of authentic Italian food in Yorkshire.”