Thornton Park, Orlando, September 15, 2025
News Summary
Osteria Ester, a new Italian-American restaurant, is set to open in mid-November in Thornton Park, Orlando. The concept comes from a successful collaboration between local restaurateur Craig Ustler and Good Salt Restaurant Group founders Jason and Sue Chin. The restaurant will feature a menu focused on Italian-American comfort food with a strong emphasis on in-house baked bread and a curated Italian wine list. Aiming to provide a casual and communal dining atmosphere, Osteria Ester intends to create a neighborhood gathering spot at the corner location.
Orlando — New Italian-American restaurant Osteria Ester to open in Thornton Park this fall
A new Italian-American restaurant named Osteria Ester is scheduled to open in mid-November in Orlando’s Thornton Park neighborhood, occupying the corner space formerly home to Soco, which closed in May after 11 years. The project is a collaboration between local restaurateur Craig Ustler and Good Salt Restaurant Group founders Jason and Sue Chin, who were named James Beard Award finalists for Outstanding Restaurateur in 2025.
What is opening and who is behind it
Osteria Ester will be an Italian-American concept developed by Good Salt Restaurant Group and Ustler. The Chins and Ustler have previously partnered on local restaurant projects including Reyes Mezcaleria in the North Quarter and The Monroe in Creative Village. The new restaurant aims to create a neighborhood gathering spot at the prominent corner location and marks a new dining chapter for the space.
Kitchen leadership and culinary direction
Executive chef-partner Michael Cooper, currently associated with The Osprey, will oversee kitchen operations at Osteria Ester. The restaurant takes its name from Cooper’s grandmother, signaling a personal connection to the food and family dining traditions that inform the menu. Cooper has shifted from high-end, Michelin-inspired work toward a simpler, ingredient-focused approach, emphasizing comfort and the dishes he grew up eating.
Menu focus and offerings
The menu will lean more toward Italian-American comfort food than strict traditional Italian cuisine. Planned dishes include spaghetti alla vongole, pappardelle bolognese, chicken parm meatballs, mozzarella sticks, and focaccia. A central component of the kitchen plan is a robust in-house bread program, with multiple types of bread baked on site. Brunch service is expected to be introduced within about a month of the restaurant’s opening.
Beverage program and dining atmosphere
Good Salt’s beverage director, Lorena Castro, will curate the wine list with an emphasis on Italian varietals and will also develop an Italian-focused cocktail program. The dining room is being reimagined to blend old-world charm and modern, playful elements, featuring warm wood tones and colorful artwork. The intended atmosphere is casual and communal, designed to evoke the nostalgia of family dining experiences and traditional family-run Italian eateries.
How Osteria Ester fits into local dining trends
The concept positions itself as a contrast to recent local trends that have favored high-end tasting menus and omakase-style dining by offering a more relaxed, comfort-focused alternative. The project aims to maintain continuity with the corner’s dining legacy while introducing a new neighborhood-oriented option.
Timeline and expectations
Interior transformations and final preparations are underway with an anticipated opening in mid-November. The team expects to launch brunch within the first month of operations. Planning and staffing details align with creating a consistent, everyday dining environment intended to serve both neighborhood regulars and visitors.
Background on the site
The space was most recently occupied by Soco, a contemporary Southern restaurant that closed in May after operating for 11 years. The new concept is intended to continue the tradition of the corner as a local dining destination under new culinary and operational leadership.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When will Osteria Ester open?
Osteria Ester is scheduled to open in mid-November, with brunch expected to begin within about a month after opening.
Where is Osteria Ester located?
The restaurant will open in the Thornton Park neighborhood of Orlando, in the corner space formerly occupied by Soco.
Who is developing and operating the restaurant?
The concept is developed by Good Salt Restaurant Group founders Jason and Sue Chin in partnership with local owner Craig Ustler. Chef Michael Cooper will oversee kitchen operations.
What type of food will the restaurant serve?
Osteria Ester will serve Italian-American comfort food rather than strictly traditional Italian cuisine, with menu items such as spaghetti alla vongole, pappardelle bolognese, chicken parm meatballs, mozzarella sticks, and focaccia.
What will the beverage program include?
The beverage program will feature an Italian-focused wine list curated by Good Salt’s beverage director Lorena Castro, along with an Italian cocktail program.
What kind of atmosphere can diners expect?
The dining room will aim for a casual, communal atmosphere that blends old-world charm with modern playful elements, using warm wood tones and colorful artwork.
Key features at a glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Opening | Mid-November (planned) |
| Location | Thornton Park, Orlando (corner space formerly Soco) |
| Developers | Good Salt Restaurant Group (Jason and Sue Chin) and Craig Ustler |
| Chef | Michael Cooper, executive chef-partner of The Osprey |
| Cuisine | Italian-American comfort food |
| Menu highlights | Spaghetti alla vongole, pappardelle bolognese, chicken parm meatballs, mozzarella sticks, focaccia |
| Beverage program | Italian wine list and Italian cocktail program curated by Lorena Castro |
| Bread program | In-house baking of multiple bread varieties |
| Atmosphere | Casual, communal; mix of old-world and modern elements |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Orlando’s Culinary Scene Experiences Transformation
Orlando’s Food Scene Sees Major Changes with New Openings and Closures
Additional Resources
- Orlando Weekly: Osteria Ester Opening
- Wikipedia: Italian-American Cuisine
- Orlando Sentinel: Osteria Ester Replacement
- Google Search: Italian-American Restaurants
- Orlando Weekly: Food News in Orlando
- Google Scholar: Italian-American Cuisine
- Orlando Sentinel: Restaurant News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Italian Cuisine
Author: STAFF HERE ORLANDO WRITER
ORLANDO STAFF WRITER The ORLANDO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOrlando.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Orlando, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Megacon Orlando, and Central Florida Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Orlando Economic Partnership and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando, plus leading businesses in leisure and hospitality that power the local economy such as Walt Disney World Resort, AdventHealth, and Universal Orlando. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
