Tresca Restaurant at 227-237 Hanover Street received a unanimous vote of support (9-0) from the North End / Waterfront Neighborhood Council for its application to serve alcohol until 1:00 a.m., one hour later than its current closing hour of midnight. The later time would apply to its existing C.V. All-Alcohol Beverage License, 7 days per week. The vote was taken at NEWNC’s meeting on Monday, December 13, 2010.
Presenting for Tresca were co-owner and hockey legend, Ray Bourque, co-owner Harvey Wilk, General Manager Massimo Tiberi and Attorney Daniel Toscano.
The applicants said they want the extra hour to 1:00 a.m. so that late diners coming in at 10:30 – 11:00 can have the full “Tresca Experience.” A complete meal can take up to 2 hours.
Ray Bourque said, “I spend a lot of time promoting Tresca. I am also still involved with the Bruins. Games often don’t let out until after 10:30 p.m.”
“The council would not be setting a new precedent by voting to support,” said the Attorney Toscano. According to his research, the 02113 and 02109 zip codes have 25 all-alcohol, 7 day, serving licenses, of which nearly 70% have a 1:00 a.m. or 2:00 a.m. closing time. There are also 56 beer and wine only licenses and 30% of those have a 1:00 a.m. or 2:00 a.m. closing.
Tresca Restaurant has 120 seats spread over 2 floors. The first floor also contains 10 seats at the bar with 10 more at hi-top tables. The upscale restaurant has an average ticket of $75-$100 per person. The Italian restaurant does extensive wine pairings and tastings.
Tresca has 36 employees, of which 25% live in the North End.
Attorney Toscano said there have been no violations of underage drinking, no noise complaints or trash problems at the location. Most of the patrons make reservations and General Manager Massimo Tiberi has 16 years experience managing restaurants in the neighborhood. He is there six days/week (except Tuesdays).
Toscano presented eight signed letters from abutters in support and 25 signatures on a petition.
The restaurant has been open since 2005 and received its existing alcohol license as part of State Legislation that added 45 licenses to Boston.
Discussion points between the council and applicants:
- “It’s a restaurant that serves alcohol, not a bar that serves food.”
- Standing patrons can be served alcohol. Food does not need to be served.
- The later closing time will also apply to the bar area.
- Letters of support presented are from neighboring businesses, not residents.
- That section of Hanover Street has many establishments open to 1:00 a.m. already.
- “Not a place that 20-somethings stand around. Martini’s are $13 each.”
- Tresca has given “tens of thousands of dollars” to local charities. Charitable giving should not be a pre-requisite for receiving support.
- Tresca has earned a good reputation through hard work.
Steven Siciliano, lifelong resident and former NEWNC member, spoke in support from the audience. He is a frequent patron and planning his wedding reception there. “They are good neighbors and do not have people spilling onto the street.” He believes that most of the late-night noise problems come from establishments that close at 2:00 a.m. “I do not think it will cause any more impact on residents than currently exists.”
Anne Pistorio, 25 year resident, spoke against the application noting that Hanover St. has the most licenses of any block in the North End. “There is no benefit to the neighborhood. Residents need to sleep.”
Jon Sproul moved to support the proposal as presented. Donna Freni seconded the motion. In a vote of 9-0, NEWNC will support the application.
Note that NEWNC member, Giancarlo Tiberi, recused himself from the entire meeting due to a potential conflict of interest with the Tresca application. Giancarlo is the brother of Tresca’s manager, Massimo.
In other business, the council also voted to support (9-0) the application by Mercato del Mare, 99 Salem St., to add take-out to their existing C.V. application. The retailer was serving takeout sushi and recently had to stop because it was not included in their license.
In addition, the council heard from the Boston Transportation Department’s James Mansfield regarding an update on resident parking issues. More on these issues in upcoming posts.
SHAME ON NEWNC for aproving this application. "The Tresca Experience" is the same line these guys use whenever they want something and drag Ray Borque to speak at a meeting. Let the Stampede begin with every restaurant looking to extend hours. Now that the precedent has been set, NEWNC might as well just send a letter in support of the applications and not waste time having a meeting.
They should send a letter in support of every other restaurant. So glad to have another option for late night dining in the neighborhood. There is zero reason not to support this….this is not a bar, it's a restaurant. Granted, someone may stand at the bar at 12:15 and have a $13 martini after dinner, but there aren't going to be the dreaded "Suffolk students" standing around doing shots at 12:45. Whether people leave Tresca at 12 or 1, it isn't going to make a difference in the residents "getting some sleep". Here's a little drink I learned while living in NYC, buy a fan.
Every one of these "good neighbor" restaurants seems to come and blame the North End's late-night noise issues on the "other bad neighbors". Just wondering, who are these "bad neighbors"? Or is it really just the fact there are so many "good neighbors" that together, they form one big, bad neighborhood problem?
@great No, they are probably going to be the even more dreaded yuppies jsut like you who think they are so sophisticated but can't hold their alcohol either and yell, scream and get abusive if someone DARES to tell them to quiet down. They actually believed Mummy and Daddy when they they told them they were special and entitled. I'll take Suffolk students anyday. At least the students behave when they are threatened with suspension. Just because you visited NYC, doesn't make you an expert on the subject.
I agree with Joyce.
The council would not be setting a new precedent by voting to support,” said the Attorney Toscano. According to his research, the 02113 and 02109 zip codes have 25 all-alcohol, 7 day, serving licenses, of which nearly 70% have a 1:00 a.m. or 2:00 a.m. closing time. There are also 56 beer and wine only licenses and 30% of those have a 1:00 a.m. or 2:00 a.m. closing.
Attorney Toscano makes a very compelling argument AGAINST granting another 1 AM license. THERE IS NOT A NEED IN THE NORTH END. THERE ARE PLENTY OF OTHER PLACES FOR SOMEONE TO GET A DRINK until 1 or 2 AM SO WHY DO WE NEED ANOTHER ONE? The Bruins can easily find somewhere else to go near the Garden…like NEBO.
NEWNC is made up of individuals elected to serve on the Council. At present, it appears that many willing to run and serve in the NEWNC are also heavily involved in the local North End business community. The NE Chamber of Congress certainly welcomes a sympathetic ear at these meetings, and no doubt encourages its members to run. If people do not agree with the NEWNC, perhaps they should run for election to this Council. I cannot because the NEWNC meeting times begin far too late for a single parent of a young child to attend.
@Northand:
FYI Iwas an elected member of NEWNC for 6 years and served as Vice President during my final year. My reasons for disagreeing with NEWNC is the total 180 they have done on the alcohol hours which until THIS vote was kept to midnight on weekends and 11 during the week. This is the complete abandonment of a policy that has existed for AT LEAST 15 years. Every restaurant with an 11PM or 12 AM license will be looking to go to 12 or 1 at least. Every 1AM will want to go to to 2AM for the same reasons: Everybody else has a ____ license why can't I. I need it to compete. I need more $.
I rarely agree with NEWRA but I hope they vote against this. At least they are generally consistent, often wrong but consistent. And hopefully Capt O'Rourke will be consistent in his opposition as well.