New Restaurant Planned for "Social on State" Site in Binghamton

The downtown Binghamton spot where the tapas restaurant and cocktail lounge called Social on State operated will be coming back to life.

Social on State, which opened in June 2014, closed last September. The restaurant at 201 State Street has been dark since then.

The "Social on State" restaurant sign remains outside the former downtown Binghamton restaurant. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

Co-owner Mark Yonaty cited staffing issues as a primary reason for the suspension of operations at Social on State. At the time, he was concentrating on opening Station 45 American Chop House at the Lackawanna Train Station.

Yonaty on Wednesday said he now is preparing to launch a new eatery at the Social on State site. He said it will be a boutique-type restaurant featuring homemade pasta.

Yonaty said the new restaurant is expected to be named Baci & Ianni's.

Baci & Ianni's restaurant is expected to open this summer in this building at 201 State Street in Binghamton. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

Executive chef Amarissa Scelsi said she's very excited as she prepares for the opening of the downtown business. She said her "passion is fresh pasta" and that's what will be featured on the restaurant's menu.

Scelsi, a Vestal native, studied at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park. She said she worked at PS Restaurant in Vestal and Binghamton for the past decade.

Yonaty told WNBF News the new restaurant should be ready to open in about two or three months.

A glimpse inside the now-closed Social on State restaurant on June 12, 2024. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

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