Downtown Bay Shore’s new sit-down Italian eatery swung its doors open on Thursday. ITA Kitchen, which is short for Italian American, started accepting patrons at 5 p.m. It is located in the old Gino’s Pizzeria at 45 West Main Street. It has been a longtime coming for ITA’s owner, Salvatore Sorrentino, who has longed wanted to open a restaurant in the area.

“We were really excited to open,” said Sorrentino moments before his restaurant’s launch. “People keep telling us there is nothing like us on the strip. People say that we are needed.” The 2,300-square-foot establishment features a mix of booth and table seating, with a 20-foot bar. The owner describes his establishment’s vibe as a place that’s somewhere in the middle of casual and elegant, while offering an eclectic menu.