Four years ago this Sunday, Italophiles Mark and Victoria Cave open the espresso and gelato bar Milano in the West Main Market to accompany their Italian-inspired home and garden store, Verity Blue. According to Mark Cave, the idea was to create “an authentic Italian experience” for folks by contrasting Verity Blue’s “rustic, Tuscan aesthetic” with Milano’s “more modern, industrial style.” In addition, former Dish author and Italian profesori Christina Ball teamed up with the Caves to open her Ecco Italy language and culture center in the West Main space, creating Charlottesville’s own Little Italy.

On July 3, however, Milano, Verity Blue, and Ecco Italy all moved into the famed Pink Warehouse on South Street, and– more important to foodies– began offering more than espresso and gelato. Unfortunately, despite a big party to celebrate the move, it seems that many people don’t know that Milano has an expanded menu.

In fact, the Caves brought in well-known cooking instructor and former enoteca chef Marisa Catalano (photo left) to create that menu, and hired manager Clinton Jones to turn Milano into a full-fledged restaurant.

According to Jones, Milano is now serving both breakfast and lunch (don’t worry, they’re still serving espresso, gelato, and sweets) with an Italian flair– i.e. panino, tramezzino, etc. In addition, Jones says their luscious desserts will be available all day and they’re open seven days a week, 7am to 9pm.

“The place really looks beautiful,” Jones says.