DISH: Introducing Arturo's

A view of the bar in Underground, which is downstairs from Arturo's in a spot that was formerly used as a banquet area.

by Nikki M. Mascali
Weekender Editor

INTRODUCING ARTURO’S

After sitting dormant since 2008, 140 Main St. in Dupont will soon be a restaurant again.

Artie Lori plans to open his namesake venture, Arturo’s, sometime in February in the site of the former Mambo Italiano. Before that, Celestino’s called the location home.

Arturo’s is Lori’s first foray into food.

“I was a teacher,” he said, chuckling, as he chatted with Dish at the restaurant on Friday. “I just always wanted to own an Italian restaurant.”

Arturo’s, located upstairs, will have a casual, fine-dining Italian flair courtesy of Chef/Manager Doyle Lewis, who had been a chef at Celestino’s and Mount Airy Casino Resort. Downstairs, Underground Bar & Eatery will offer lighter fare with sandwiches, salads and deep-dish-like pizza, as well as entertainment.

Lori purchased the building in October 2010 and has been working for nearly 14 months to ready the location, putting in new electric, plumbing and heating systems, a state-of-the-art kitchen, redoing the outside fa�ade and building a brand-new patio out back.

He and his father designed and built the bar and stage in Underground, which had previously been used as a banquet facility. In addition, the two built the new fireplace that is sure to be a focal point in Arturo’s, if you can tear your eyes away from the gorgeous woodwork. Lori’s father, a longtime garment-industry worker, is also making Arturo’s tablecloths by hand.

Made up of three rooms, Arturo’s could seat “around 150 people,” Doyle shared as he gave me a tour of the sizable facility. Lori estimated that he will employ 12-15 people.

“I’m glad to see (Lori) bring this back to what it was,” Doyle said about the building.

The complex will be closed on Mondays and open the rest of the week at 3 p.m. While a closing time for Arturo’s hasn’t been established yet, Underground will stay open until 2 a.m.

Having been on a tour of the “new” building, I can say that the soon-to-be-unveiled finished establishment is going to be stellar. And, as a diner who ate at Celestino’s way back when as well as Mambo, I’m excited to see what Arturo’s and Underground has in store for NEPA diners.

MOUNT AIRY GETS ‘REAL’

Ramona Singer of “The Real Housewives of New York City” will host a meet-and-greet Saturday, March 31 from 6-8 p.m. inside Gypsies Nightclub and Lounge at Mount Airy Casino Resort (44 Woodland Road, Mount Pocono).

Singer, who has been on “RHNYC” since it debuted in 2008, will pose for photos and the first 250 people who arrive can have her autograph bottles of her signature Ramona Pinot Grigio; there will also be a tasting table where guests can sample her wine.

Tickets are $20 and are available at mountairycasino.com or 866.468.7619.