Friday, May 29, 2015

Shake-Up Coming to North End Restaurant Scene; Pompei, Mare, Il Panino Involved

Some big changes are on their way to the restaurant scene in Boston's North End, and one of the best-known restaurateurs in the city is behind it all.

The Boston Business Journal states that Frank DePasquale of DePasquale Ventures is making plans to shake up his growing restaurant empire, with upcoming changes including the closing of Caffe Pompei on Hanover Street in order to expand Trattoria il Panino, which is around the corner on Parmenter Street; moving Mare Oyster Bar from Richmond Street to Mechanic Street, where it will move into the space formerly occupied by Ida's; and opening a new Italian tapas place and wine bar called Sfizi, which will move into the space vacated by Mare.

Earlier this week, we had reported that DePasquale was looking to purchase the Caffe Pompei space, though at the time, it was not known what his plans were for the dining spot, which has been around for more than 50 years. We had also reported over the past two years that DePasquale had purchased the Ida's space and was looking to open a new restaurant there that would tentatively be called Aqua Seafood and Grill, though not it appears that those plans have been changes with the proposal to bring Mare to the space.

[June 2 update: According to post on his Facebook page, Frank DePasquale has officially purchased the Caffe Pompei space; he says it "will have a new face lift this January" and "for now I hope u will come to check out the new Trattoria Il Panino menu.]

The website for DePasquale Ventures--which is also behind Bricco, Gelateria, and Quattro--is at http://www.depasqualeventures.com/

[Earlier Articles]
DePasquale Ventures Planning to Purchase Caffe Pompei in Boston's North End
New Restaurant to Open in former Ida's Space in Boston's North End

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