New pizza, Italian, steakhouse and tacos restaurants coming to Cedar Rapids

Epic Catering opening Tipsy Tomato, Siena Italiana, Midtown Reserve and Sko Tavern & Tacos

Apr. 19, 2022 6:00 am

Tipsy Tomato, seen at 319 Seventh St. SE in Cedar Rapids on April 15, 2021, will soon open alongside two other restaurants from Epic Catering, LLC, formerly known as the Nanke Group. (Elijah Decious/The Gazette)

CEDAR RAPIDS — Several new restaurants from a prominent Cedar Rapids restaurant group are opening soon.

Signs for the Tipsy Tomato went up earlier this month at 319 Seventh St. SE. The new restaurant, owned by Epic Catering, will feature 14-inch specialty pizzas with favorites like barbecue and Hawaiian, plus signatures like the Tipsy Green pizza with a pistachio pesto base, arugula and cherry tomatoes.

Epic Catering, formerly known as the Nanke Group, has a slew of other restaurant holdings in its portfolio, from established brands like Midtown Station and Tic Toc to new ventures like Crosby’s and Czech Town Station.

In addition to pizzas offered in a casual atmosphere with a patio, the restaurant will have appetizers, salads, craft cocktails and craft beer.

But wait — there’s more. In the same building will be two other restaurants, according to a marketing representative for the restaurant group.

Siena Italiana will offer Italian lunch and dinner for carryout only, and Midtown Reserve will bring in an upscale, reservation-only steakhouse. All three restaurants will share the same kitchen, although Tipsy Tomato will have its own pizza oven. Tipsy Tomato and Midtown Reserve will have separate dining rooms.

The opening timeline on the trio isn’t clear yet, but the representative said the restaurants would open as soon as they can secure the right staff.

But wait — Epic Catering still has more.

Sko Tavern & Tacos will be opening soon at 203 First Ave. SE, the former location of Della Viti Wine Lounge. Sko is described on the restaurant’s social media as “a great blend of reasonably priced, yet upscale drinks and food in an eclectic, relaxed and fun environment.”