Willow Osteria is the name of the new Italian restaurant coming to North Fresno this fall by restaurateur Jimmy Pardini. Pardini images/Business Journal compositve

A well-known name in Fresno fine dining is bringing a new culinary experience to Clovis this fall with a full-service restaurant inspired by his travels through Italy.

Featuring regional pastas, wood-fired meats and a thoughtfully designed space at The Avenue at Heritage Row, Jimmy Pardini looks to open Willow Osteria this fall, one of the first announced businesses at the new shopping center.

Pardini, who also owns The Annex Kitchen and Annesso Pizzeria — both in Fresno — said the move to Clovis is the natural next step for the restaurant brand.

“I think that the community has been sort of asking us about opening a restaurant over there and this is a project that I’ve always wanted to do,” Pardini said.

Pardini praised the location, which is adjacent to The Row — a similar mixed-use development project, which opened in 2020 and has seen continued development since then.

The Row is home to Saizon, one of Fresno’s most popular restaurants.

The Ricchiuti family has been working on developing projects in partnership with the Parnagian family — of Fowler Packing — to develop the mixed-use development at the intersection of Willow and Shepherd avenues.

“It was a natural fit for us,” Pardini said.

Willow Osteria will feature a full-service restaurant and menu inspired by Pardini’s travels. It will feature dishes from Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna, Rome and Umbria. The open-concept kitchen will feature a traditional Tuscan wood-burning hearth for grilling, as well as a large wine selection and full bar.

“When you walk in you will be in the bar area, which will have a bar but also several tables and booths to dine at,” he said. “We’ll have a couple of smaller, more intimate dining rooms as you head toward the main dining room, which will stand alone.”

Pardini added that the restaurant will have multiple “feels” throughout, featuring several intimate dining spaces and a patio for outdoor seating.

“There are going to be multiple experiences,” he said.

Pardini said that they are taking applications and will hire between 80 and 100 people in all positions. Resumes can be emailed to info@annexkitchen.com.