LAKEPORT, Calif. – After six and a half years, a popular Kelseyville restaurant is moving to a new location outside of Lakeport.

Zino’s Ristorante and Catering closed its Soda Bay location on Dec. 30, but plans to start out 2013 with a new home at Rancho de la Fuente, 2290 Soda Bay Road.

“It was time to move on,” said owner Jan Mezoui.

Mezoui said she’s looking forward to having a larger venue at Rancho de la Fuente.

She said the restaurant will reopen on Valentine’s Day – Thursday, Feb. 14.

Mezoui and her late husband, Zino, opened the restaurant together in July 2007.

He was a well known restaurateur in Sonoma County and after moving to Lake County wanted to get back to work.

In September 2010, Zino Mezoui took his motorcycle for a ride and was mortally injured after a driver hit him and left the scene. The driver in the crash later was arrested and sentenced to prison.

Jan Mezoui continued on, keeping her husband’s dream alive, with the support of a community that had respected his talent as a chef and loved his zest for life.

The new version of Zino’s will have the French and Italian fare and fine dining experience that fans of the restaurant have come to expect, she said.

She said her chef, Mark Linbeck, is making the move to Rancho de la Fuente.

Zino’s will be open for dinner from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, with dancing afterward, according to Mezoui.

Reservations are required for the Valentine’s Day grand reopening, with reservations recommended for Friday, Feb. 15, through Sunday, Feb. 16, she said.

Mezoui said the restaurant will continue to feature music. She has a disk jockey lined up, and on Feb. 16 popular local pianist David Neft – who often performed at the the restaurant’s previous location – will be featured, Mezoui said. She expects to host more live performers in the future as well.

To make reservations or for more information, call the new Zino’s at 707-263-5061.

Visit the restaurant online at http://www.zinosonthelake.com/ .

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.