About Prima Italia
Three chefs run the kitchen at Prima Italia. John Hankins, the senior of the group, trained professionally in Florida and cooked at the Sawgrass Country Club; Josh Cobb learned under Hankins at his family's Fort Smith restaurant Taliano's before taking Le Cordon Bleu certification in Dallas; and Olena Katrich, formally trained in Ukraine, runs the pastry section.
The restaurant opened in November 2022 at 720 Garrison Avenue downtown and took an OpenTable Diners' Choice award in both 2023 and 2024. The cooking centres on made-daily handmade pasta — dressed in long-simmered tomato sugo, marinara or brown butter — alongside chicken and veal, seafood and Prime Angus steak. Pasta plates start around $17, a chicken addition runs $9, and Katrich's cream-topped Pavlova is the dessert to finish on.
The Room
The dining room at 720 Garrison Avenue seats up to 77, designed by Brandon Weeks in gold-flecked umber tones, with a glass wall opening onto a screened courtyard strung with lights. Two private rooms hold parties of 12 and 15, and the chefs circulate between courses.
Why It's Good for First Date
It works for a first date because the room is intimate without being stiff: tables are spaced for privacy, the pasta is made to share or compare, and the chefs come out between courses, which gives a quiet table something to talk about. A two-course dinner with a glass of wine stays well under a special-occasion bill.
Not For
Not for a Monday-night walk-in or a quick bite — Prima Italia serves dinner Tuesday through Saturday plus a Sunday brunch, reservations are recommended, and the seasonal menu changes rather than holding a fixed card.
Common Questions
Who are the chefs at Prima Italia? Prima Italia is run by three chefs: John Hankins, the senior, trained professionally in Florida and cooked at the Sawgrass Country Club; Josh Cobb trained under Hankins at his family's restaurant Taliano's then took Le Cordon Bleu certification in Dallas; and Olena Katrich, trained in Ukraine, leads the pastry section.
What should I order at Prima Italia? The made-daily handmade pasta is the house signature — order it with the long-simmered tomato sugo or brown butter. Beyond pasta the menu runs to chicken and veal, seafood and Prime Angus steak, and Olena Katrich's cream-topped Pavlova is the dessert most regulars finish on.
How much does dinner cost at Prima Italia? Pasta plates start around $17, with a chicken addition at about $9; steak, veal and seafood entrees cost more. It is a mid-range downtown restaurant rather than a splurge, so a two-course dinner with a glass of wine stays comfortably below special-occasion pricing for the quality.
Where is Prima Italia and when is it open? Prima Italia is at 720 Garrison Avenue in downtown Fort Smith, Arkansas. It serves dinner Tuesday through Saturday and a Sunday brunch, and reservations are recommended, particularly on Friday and Saturday evenings when the seasonal menu and the courtyard tables fill up.
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