Longtime Italian-fare Paesano Restaurant and Wine Bar restaurant changes ownership

Paesano Restaurant & Wine Bar, a mainstay since 1984 in Ann Arbor has changed ownership. On Washtenaw Avenue near Arborland Mall, Bridget and Mike Roddy took over the former site of Bimbos on the Hill, operating  Paesano's for nearly 40 years.

"This is bittersweet for Mike and me,” Bridget Roddy said in a news release.  “Our lives have been centered around the restaurant for the last 40 years. We’ve raised our three children during that period of time and are now ready to spend more time with them and our grandchildren.”

Its new owners are Richard Buhr and family, who are in the restaurant business and hail from Ann Arbor, according to a news release announcing the sale.

“We are grateful to be able to turn our operation over to another long-time Ann Arbor family,” said Bridget Roddy.  “The Buhr’s have a long-standing reputation in the community and it was very important to us to select a buyer that would maintain the integrity of our restaurant and continue close community ties."

Paesano's is known for its seasonal Italian entrees, appetizers and extensive wine list. The Italian theme stems to owner Bridget Roddy and her Sicilian family roots.

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Paesan's menu includes classic Italian dishes of veal scaloppine, piccata and Marsala dishes and pasta such as fettuccine alla Bolognese and lasagna.

While Paesano's Italian fare is paramount, the restaurant is also known for launching a variety of experiences and travel adventures. The restaurant's events included a series of Italian language classes, Italian wine vintner dinners and tastings.

More than 20 years ago the Roddy's came up with the idea of yearly group cultural, guided tours to Italy highlighting historic culinary and wine regions. Those tours "sell out as soon as we announce the next destination," the Roddy's said. On occasion, they've extended to hosting two groups and adding an additional tour throughout the year.

This fall, a Paesano group tour is headed to the Amalfi coast.

On its patio, Paesano's also offers "Saturday Night movies on the Patio and Wednesday evening wine tastings."

The plan, Bridget Roddy said, is for everything to remain the same and carry out the traditions such as the wine tastings and special dinners,  created over the past decades.

While the restaurant has "weathered the ups and downs of the economy and the Covid pandemic"   the owners said in a news release that in 2022 was a strong year and 2023 is on the same path.

“We have been very blessed to have a loyal following of what we call “Good Friends,” says Mike Roddy.  “They are our frequent followers who see the value of a supporting local, neighborhood business.  In turn, we have made it a point to provide the best food, service and events possible.”

Over the years they've received plenty of accolades including numerous Best Italian Restaurant awards, best pasta and best wine list.

One of Paesano's noted executive chefs was Isabella Nicoletti, who hailed from Veneto, Italy. Nicoletti, now corporate chef of Weight Watchers and private chef to Florine Mark, spent 12 years at Paesano.

The sale was final on Thursday.

Mike Roddy, expects to stay on a for brief period while the restaurant transitions to the new owners.

A sale price was not disclosed, however, both the business and building were sold.

Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter. Subscribe to the Free Press.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Paesano Restaurant and Wine Bar restaurant changes ownership