NorthEndWaterfront.com is reporting that Cafe Strega and Locale are planning to open in the North End, with both restaurants being discussed yesterday at a North End/Waterfront Residents' Association (NEWRA) meeting. Cafe Strega, a restaurant at 371-373 Hanover Street that would be run by restaurateur Nick Varano, was opposed by NEWRA, with some residents voicing concern about the increasing number of dining spots in the neighborhood (the vote was 20-13 against). Locale, which will be run by Jennifer Pittore (formerly of the now-closed Sage) and is planning to be a small spot at 350-352 Hanover Street offering appetizers and gourmet pizza, was favored by the group (the vote was 18-15 in support).
[September 5 update: A Twitter post from @ConciergeBoston mentions that Locale opens today at 4:00 PM.]
Neither of these votes represents the final say in the matter; the next step is for the North End/Waterfront Neighborhood Council (NEWNC) to discuss the two spots, with a meeting taking place this coming Monday (May 14). The article states that both group votes are "advisory to the City of Boston Licensing Board and Zoning Board of Appeals."
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