A shared dream is a reality for two friends.
Owners Robert Collado and Yohan Del Rosario opened Pesto Ristorante on Tuesday in downtown Hazleton, offering a creative fusion of Italian and Latin cuisines.
Collado, originally from the Dominican Republic, moved to Hazleton in 2010 from Miami.
“Several of my family members had relocated here and spoke highly about the job opportunities and the strong sense of community,” Collado said. “Their encouragement led me to make the move and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I’m 32 years old and proud to now call Hazleton home.”
This is the first restaurant the friends have owned but Collado says hospitality has always been a part of his story.
“I studied hospitality in the Dominican Republic, where I grew up near Punta Cana and La Romana — two of the Caribbean’s most vibrant tourist destinations. I worked in the hotel industry before moving to the US, to the restaurant world has always felt like home to me,” he said.
The restaurant, located at 9 E. Broad St., is the former Dragonfly Cafe which was owned by another of Collado’s friends.
“When the opportunity arose to take over the former Dragonfly Café, everything just fell into place,” said Collado, who founded Hazleton Consulting Partners LLC in 2020 to offer corporations, nonprofits and law firms a range of services — from document translation to helping organizations embrace diversity and leverage it as a strength within their workforce.
Pesto Ristorante located at 9 E. Broad St., Hazleton. (John Haeger / Staff Photographer)
He says that when this location became available, the dream he and Del Rosario shared for years of blending cultures and food looked like it could finally become a reality.
“Pesto is a fresh, exciting fusion concept where guests can enjoy classic Italian dishes like handmade pasta and fine cuts of meat while also experiencing the vibrant, comforting flavors of Latin cuisine,” Collado said. “It’s a place where worlds meet — where Mediterranean passion and Caribbean warmth come together on one plate.”
Another main driver of opening this restaurant was the desire to bring something unique to Hazleton that represents the unity and diversity of the community.
Their long term goal is to open additional locations in other local markets such as Pittston and Wilkes-Barre.
Pesto Ristorante’s hours are 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to midnight Friday through Sunday. An online menu will soon be available on their social media pages and website.
Despite the long hours and laborious process, Collado says the experience has been incredibly rewarding.
“There’s something special about building something from the ground up and seeing your vision come to life,” he said. “Of course, it comes with challenges and long days, but every bit of effort feels worth it. They joy of creating a space where people can connect, share a meal and feel at home — that’s what makes it all meaningful.
Originally Published: October 17, 2025 at 1:41 PM EDT