A RESTAURANT in the heart of York, which comes with its own ghost, has reopened with a fresh new look.

It's taken two long years and lots of hard work, but the duo behind La Piazza Antica in Goodramgate opened their Italian restaurant at the weekend.

Decio Franca and Arjan Boci say the menu, which is classic Italian with some twists, has gone down well with diners.

Read next:

Arjan said: "The whole place looks fantastic - it's all fresh and new.

"We had a very good Friday and a great weekend and we're hoping for good bookings over the Coronation Bank Holiday."

Gazette & Herald: Arjan Boci, right, with La Piazza general manager, Dennis Zeka, at the new look restaurantArjan Boci, right, with La Piazza general manager, Dennis Zeka, at the new look restaurant (Image: Haydn Lewis)

The business will employ between 15 and 20 people with a maximum of 110 covers and open from noon-10pm seven days a week.

Decio said: "Given its history we didn't want to change much about the building, but we have a completely new kitchen and there is a brand new bar at the rear of the restaurant - in terms of the equipment it's all brand new.

"It's been a long road - when we took it on we thought it would just be a case of bringing it up to regulations, but there has been a lot to do, and we're now almost there.

"We also haven't had the pleasure of meeting the ghost just yet!"

Arjan worked for Decio for ten years at one of Decio's other York businesses, La Vecchia Scuola at 62 Low Petergate, and says the old La Piazza restaurant has a personal connection for him as it's where he met his wife, Anna, when he worked there for a brief time alongside her.

As The Press reported at the time, back in 2020, the leasehold of the Grade I listed building went on the market then at an asking price of £150,000.

And at that time the business had been owned and operated for 25 years by Emilio Comito and his family who were selling in order to enjoy their retirement. 

The late-medieval half-timbered building dates back to the late 15th or early 16th century.

Gazette & Herald: Inside the new look restaurantInside the new look restaurant (Image: Haydn Lewis)

It is owned by York Conservation Trust due to its age and history, which includes an intriguing tale of Yorkshire’s saddest ghost, Marmaduke Buckle, who lived in the property between 1697 and 1715.

Marmaduke was disabled, and after being accused of witchcraft, carved his name into the wall and the beam, and then hung himself from it. The carvings are still visible to this day and provide a unique talking point.

Inside the restaurant great oak timbers reach up to a dizzy height in the main dining room which is currently being fitted out.

Bookings are available on 01904 642641.

Gazette & Herald: Outside there is a sunny courtyard at the back of the propertyOutside there is a sunny courtyard at the back of the property (Image: Haydn Lewis)