Italian Restaurant Coming to Former Papadakis Space

A new Italian restaurant is headed to the former Limani Taverna location in downtown. (photo: Megan Barnes)

San Pedrans were surprised last month when Limani Taverna closed its doors after two years on the corner of Sixth and Centre streets — but the historic former Papadakis Taverna space won’t be vacant for long. In a couple of months, it will reopen as a new Italian restaurant managed by Bob Trusela.

“We’re excited about opening, I can’t wait,” Trusela told the Beacon. “But we won’t open before it’s absolutely ready.”

The new restaurant — whose name is to be announced — will feature many of the same Sicilian dishes that were offered at his award-winning Western Avenue restaurant Trusela’s, as well as some of the classic dishes of his longtime friend and mentor John Papadakis.

“San Pedro is our home and I really believe in the downtown redevelopment,” Trusela said. “In a few years this is going to be the place to be.”

The space can hold more than 100 people, and has banquet rooms that can also accommodate up to 80. Trusela said there will be a beer and wine bar, a happy hour menu and top-notch live entertainment.

Changes including a warmer color scheme on the exterior and interior of the building will begin in the coming weeks.

“One thing I’ve learned in this business is this is Los Angeles; there are 10,000 four-star restaurants in this city, you can eat anywhere you want and have a phenomenal meal,” Trusela said. “But most of them don’t have a soul. That’s what we have to have. It has to have a feeling, a soul, a heartbeat when you walk through the door.”