Barre is known as a hub of Italian culture, but that doesn’t mean its residents don’t have a yen for Asian cuisines. John Fath, owner of Toscano Café Bistro in Richmond, sold his Barre restaurant, Lucia’s Italian Restaurant & Bar, late last year. This spring, it will reopen as Asian Gourmet.

Owner Jin Zhang is part of a Vermont Asian food dynasty. His brother owns Koto Japanese Steak House in South Burlington. Nephew Jerry Jiang owns Asian Bistro in Winooski and Williston. Jiang says the new Barre restaurant, which will most likely open in April, follows the pan-Asian format of his own. Granite City residents can expect Chinese, Thai and Japanese entrées, as well as sushi.