Hospitality veteran John Kolaski has launched his own hospitality company, K2 Restaurants, with the first group of restaurants and bars set to open this spring. In the next few months, K2 Restaurants will open and partner on a mix of progressive restaurants and bars, including delivery-driven restaurants and non-traditional venues.
“After opening more than 60 venues over the past decade, I’ve seen firsthand how guests have evolved beyond the restaurants of the past. We expect culinary thoughtfulness and creativity anywhere we enjoy a glass of wine, a meal or a snack,” says John Kolaski, founder, CEO and Curator of K2 Restaurants. “With K2 Restaurants, I’ve brought together a group of creative and curious people to build distinctive gastronomic experiences in restaurants and other unexpected places.”
Pirolo’s Panino
After several successful pop-ups in Miami, Kolaski has partnered with James Beard Award Semi-Finalist, Michael Pirolo and Giancarlo Pagani of Pagani Projects to bring famed Italian sandwich shop, Pirolo’s Panino, to Los Angeles. Pirolo’s Panino combines bold, authentic flavors with thoughtfully-sourced ingredients to create exceptional American-Italian classics. Focused on great signature sandwiches, Pirolo’s Panino will also have a selection of Chef favorites including salads, plates, sides and desserts. Signature paninos will include Italian Roast Beef, Meatball Parm and Chicken Parm while signature entrées will include Sausage & Peppers, Chicken Limone and Baked Ziti. Pirolo’s Panino will open in a few weeks at 7461 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046, in the space formerly occupied by Greenspan’s Grilled Cheese, and will offer seating but focus on take-out and delivery. Pirolo’s Panino will deliver throughout West Hollywood, while private cloud kitchens will extend delivery-only options throughout Downtown, Hollywood and Central Los Angeles.
Massima
K2 Restaurants and Kolaski’s next collaboration with Pirolo and Pagani will be Massima, an energetic eatery featuring seasonally inspired, contemporary Italian cuisine and creative cocktails. Pirolo is known for South Beach staple Macchialina and his work at Scarpetta and Gilt at the Palace Hotel, which earned two Michelin stars during his time there. K2 will release more details on Massima later this year.
Graduate Hotels
AJ Capital Partners has engaged K2 Restaurants to develop unique food and beverage concepts and experiences for Graduate Hotels’ newest location in Iowa City, IA. Graduate Hotels are a hand-crafted collection of hotels that reside in dynamic university-anchored towns across the US. Graduate Iowa City and its first restaurant as part of this collaboration is scheduled to open Summer 2018.
Drybar
Drybar has selected K2 Restaurants to develop its new beverage program for Drybar locations across Las Vegas. K2 Restaurants has developed innovative bar service options for Drybar at The Cosmopolitan, Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood and future Fashion Show location to enhance the already unique experience for Drybar guests.
Kolaski founded K2 Restaurants with more than 20 years in the hospitality industry. Most recently, Kolaski was the President of Disruptive Restaurant Group, an sbe subsidiary. During his time at sbe, Kolaski was responsible for the development and execution of food and beverage outlets across their entire portfolio and around the world, including critically-acclaimed restaurants like Katsuya, The Bazaar by José Andrés, Cleo, Umami Burger and more. Prior to his time at sbe, Kolaski held senior positions at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and Montage Hotels & Resorts.
