The new restaurant will open in the current home of Cork & Fork Osteria.
A Harrisburg restaurateur is bringing his talents across the river, opening a new Mediterranean-style restaurant on the west shore in 2023.
On Friday, Brian Fertenbaugh said that he, with his wife, Jen, plan to open a restaurant in the current location of Cork & Fork Osteria in Hampden Township.
“There are a lot of chain restaurants on the west shore and not enough good independent restaurants,” said Fertenbaugh, when reached by telephone. “We want to bring something better.”
Currently, Fertenbaugh runs both Café Fresco Center City and the Level 2 nightclub, which he will continue to own and operate. But he added that he’s been wanting to open a west shore restaurant for some time.
“I was born and raised on the west shore and know it really well,” he said.
Cork & Fork Osteria’s owners are selling the business to Fertenbaugh in a deal that will close on Dec. 31, according to the principals. The Osteria has operated at 4434 Carlisle Pike since 2016.
After taking ownership, Fertenbaugh said that he’d like to make some updates to the space and open up in the spring. The new restaurant will feature a “modern Mediterranean” menu with dishes featuring Italian, Spanish, Greek and possibly Middle Eastern flavors, along with a full cocktail menu, he said.
“This will be a totally new concept,” Fertenbaugh stressed. “I’m not bringing Café Fresco to the west shore.”
Cork & Fork downtown is not changing owners, and all Osteria gift cards will be honored at the downtown location, according to their ownership group.
