NORTH BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — “March 1st we started our 45th year in business," Tom Lombardo, partner at Ristorante Lombardo on Hertel Avenue said. "Unfortunately two weeks later we were closed.”
For the first time ever, the management of Ristorante Lombardo chose to close their doors. That’s because the shift to take out only was a new phenomenon for the business owners.
“When we first closed our dining room, we quickly realized that this was an entirely new business model for us,” said Tommy Lombardo, son of Tom Lombardo and partner at Ristorante Lombardo.
“So we decided that we need regroup and visit this with a better plan,” Tom adds.
Four weeks later, the Lombardo duo is back with that plan.
“We actually shifted to focus on cook at home pasta kits,” Tommy said.
Ristorante Lombardo is now offering customers seven different different pasta kits. In each, you’ll find fresh made pasta, some semi-prepared ingredients, some raw ingredients, and an instruction sheet.
“And all the ingredients are proportioned so in 10 to 20 minutes you’ll have it made," Tommy said.
Each kit feeds around three people and can be safely refrigerated for up to a week.
“It’s a great way for you to enjoy the same restaurant quality food that you would if we were to bring it to you right at your table, in your home.”
One of the other things the Lombardos like about these meal kits — very few staff members need to be in the kitchen at the same time.
“We only need two or three people in restaurant to execute it,” Tommy said.
The restaurant is also offering salads, shorts ribs, soups, and pantry items. You order your items online and pick them up the next day.
Lombardos is open for curbside pickup Wednesday through Saturday from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. and delivery will soon be on the menu as well.
