News Summary
After over a year of operation, Damiano, a wood-fired pizza and pasta restaurant in Lexington, has closed its doors. Owner Carlo Vaccarrezza is pivoting to a new concept named Pollo Azul, which will focus on rotisserie chicken and healthier meal options. Anticipated to open in April 2025, Pollo Azul will feature a casual counter-service dining environment, offering a variety of affordable family meal options. This shift reflects the growing demand for diverse and healthier food choices among the local college demographic.
Lexington
Damiano, a wood-fired pizza and pasta restaurant located in Lexington, has officially closed after just over a year of operation. Owned by Carlo Vaccarrezza, Damiano opened its doors in September 2023 and ceased operations at the end of 2024. The closure comes as Vaccarrezza transitions to a new restaurant concept named Pollo Azul, which translates to Blue Chicken.
Pollo Azul will feature a menu centered around rotisserie chicken, complemented by sides such as plantains, rice, and black beans. Customers will be able to enjoy various meal formats including plates, bowls, and wraps. In addition to chicken, the restaurant will offer roast pork, churrasco beef, and grilled chicken options. The concept of Pollo Azul is modeled after the popular chain Pollo Tropical, which is based in Florida.
Vaccarrezza noted that while Damiano performed adequately, it faced challenges due to the high-quality imported ingredients that did not resonate with the local college demographic. The competitive landscape in Lexington, with an abundance of pizza establishments, also posed a significant challenge for the restaurant. He emphasized that while college students do enjoy pizza, they typically do not choose it as their daily option and are increasingly interested in healthier cuisine choices.
Pollo Azul is anticipated to open in April, situated at 503 S. Upper St. The restaurant is designed to operate in a casual setting, offering a counter-service style with no late-night hours. It will cater to both lunch and dinner crowds, operating from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Customers looking to enjoy meals will place their orders at the counter, and the new location will not serve alcohol.
For families, Pollo Azul will offer convenient carryout options and meal deals priced around $20. A typical family meal includes a whole chicken paired with plantains, beans, and rice, providing an affordable dining solution for local residents.
The decision to pivot from Damiano to Pollo Azul reflects a growing trend among restaurant owners to adapt their offerings to meet the preferences of local consumers, especially in communities with a significant college population. With increasing demand for healthier menu items, Vaccarrezza’s new concept aims to fill a gap in the current market and bring diverse dining options to Lexington.
As the opening date for Pollo Azul approaches, the community looks forward to experiencing the new culinary offering, which promises to deliver a fresh twist on convenient and flavorful meals.
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Additional Resources
- Kentucky.com: Lexington’s Damiano Closes
- Wikipedia: Pizza
- Kentucky.com: New Restaurant Pollo Azul
- Google Search: Rotisserie Chicken
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Restaurant
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LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexingtonKY.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
