One of Santa Fe’s better-known restaurateurs has expanded his empire and set out in a different direction, as Leonardo Razatos recently opened his third venture, Piazza Caffé, in the former Rustica Fresh Italian Kitchen location on the city’s south side.

Razatos, who also owns Plaza Café’s downtown and south-side locations, said he purchased the Rustica property from owner Josh Baum last month, closing the deal Feb. 19. By March 12, he had his new enterprise ready to open after repainting the restaurant, retiling some of the floors and changing the upholstery on some of the furniture.