A fresh and eclectic dining experience is blossoming in Chester Township this spring, as the restaurant formerly known as Sapore transitions to a fully re-named and re-imagined Coppia.
A fresh and eclectic dining experience is blossoming in Chester Township this spring, as the restaurant formerly known as Sapore transitions to a fully re-named and re-imagined Coppia.
The building, tucked away just east of the Chester town center, is deceiving on the outside, looking like it might be someone’s home.
And in a way it is — as chefs Talia Trovato and Hedy Pastran invite guests into their vision of an unforgettable dining experience.
“We want our guests to feel at home,” said Trovato. ”It’s about an experience. We want you to feel like royalty.”
“It’s an intimate space — familiar and cozy,” Pastran added.
At Coppia, guests will experience the culinary creations of chefs who have worked at a Five-Diamond and Five-Star award winning restaurant. Trovato and Pastran met when working at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. It’s there they started dreaming of having their own restaurant and what that might look like.
“The Disney traditions are so instilled, and we are making magic happen here,” Pastran said.
“Yes, this is a modern dining experience — emotionally inspired,” Trovato added.
For Trovato, opening Coppia is a return to home. She grew up on Cleveland’s east side with Italian family traditions. After earning a degree in biology from Ursuline College, she realized her passion was cooking and the science of food. Trovato pursued that interest by attending the International Culinary Arts and Sciences Institute in Chester, where she received an advanced degree in culinary arts.
Pastran — born in Caracas, Venezuela, and growing up in Puerto Rico — began her culinary pursuits started in high school, where she participated in a culinary program.
She went on to the Orlando Culinary Academy and concluded that training at Les Chefs De France in the World Showcase Pavilion at Epcot, Walt Disney World. Pastran then headed fine dining at Tavistock’s Isleworth Golf and Country Club before returning to a Disney Signature Restaurant, Citricos.
When dining out themselves or looking at classic dishes, Trovato and Pastran are always brainstorming on how to put their own signature on a plate.
“We look at how to make it our own,” Pastran said. “How could we showcase ourselves in this? Our flavors are from the world — it’s like a playground of different flavors.”
Coppia will feature a seasonally changing menu, as the chefs pair fresh ideas with seasonally sourced food choices. Trovato and Pastran also enjoy brainstorming creative names for Coppia’s menu. These efforts are reflected in the spring menu, which is currently being rolled out.
“The spring menu is really taking us a step closer as to where we want to be as chefs,” Trovato said.
Guests can enjoy selections such as An Afternoon in Maracay, which is Pastran’s twist on Arepitas with Romano cream, carrot slaw and chili oil, or scallops with cucumber, a corn bread sponge and beech mushrooms, named In the Clear Water.
Coppia features several pasta dishes along with hearty meaty dishes. They include their Steak Bravo, with baby zucchini, farro, cachaca glazed carrots and steak sauce; The Duke, a New Zealand lamb rack with asparagus, artichoke spread and chermoula; and Duck Duck Goose, with pink peppercorn and thyme marinated duck breast, confit and fois gras.
For dessert, guests can sample Wildflower Wine, which is a whipped honey tart with honeycomb candy; Tea and the Times, a lavender and tea cheesecake with Chantilly cream; or Off to the Races, a simple mint and bourbon ice cream.
Menu choices always include vegetarian and gluten-free options and all pastas, breads and desserts are made in-house.
In addition to being open for dining, Trovato and Pastran said they can host private events at Coppia with the menu tailored to the customer’s requests.
“We will discuss menu items with you and come up with a special menu for each event,” Trovato said. “We can do something different from our dinner service.”
Guests can also watch for special events, such as a chef’s table wine-pairing dinner and Easter brunch.
Coppia is located at 8623 Mayfield Road in Chester Township. Reservations are accepted by phone at 440-688-4480. For a full menu and more information about upcoming special events, visit www.coppiarestaurant.com.
Photo Choices
By: Valerie S. Clause/KMG
1 – by bar
Chefs Talia Trovato (left) and Hedy Pastran (right) of Coppia in Chesterland.
2 – in dining room
Chefs Hedy Pastran (left) and Talia Trovato (right) of Coppia in Chesterland.
