Food & Drink

Look Inside Frank DePasquale’s Reimagined and Expanded Trattoria il Panino

Trattoria il Panino - April 2016-42New to Boston’s North End in April 2016 is the reinvention of Trattoria il Panino by restauranteur Frank DePasquale. At the former location of Caffe Pompeii, DePasquale has expanded the Parmenter Street trattoria to 280 Hanover Street with combined seating up to 250 patrons. The two spaces share the same menu and connect through the rear of Hanover Street which leads to the patio of the original Parmenter Street location, now celebrating its 30th anniversary.

Trattoria il Panino - April 2016-146Immediately attracting attention is the new, expansive dining bar at the Hanover Street entrance. Made of a light-colored wood, the bar with full menu has already proved popular with locals and visitors.

The renovated space features walls lined with wine-crates, several TVs and racks (and racks) of wine selections.

Caffe Pompeii loyalists will appreciate the Roman statues that have remained in their white marble glory spread throughout the two floors of the Hanover Street location.

Open for lunch and dinner, the restaurant will serve the “neighborhood industry” for after-work with a late-night menu and “last call at Trattoria”.  

With one of the few 4 a.m. food permits in the city and full liquor until 2 a.m., DePasquale is offering a late-night menu starting at 11 p.m. with Fridays and Saturdays expected to utilize the 4 a.m. closing time.

A private dining room seating 60 is downstairs while the upstairs has two dining rooms, a lounge and two dining bars.

Don’t be surprised to see Frank sitting at the corner of the bar near the window on Hanover Street. Inside, you will see Frank’s son, Joey DePasquale, overseeing daily operations.

The menu is classic Italian by longtime chef Willy Lopez, featuring lobster fra diavolo, polenta, zucchini flowers, the zuppa di pesce and gnocchi alla Sorrentina.

Trattoria il Panino - April 2016-96

A new feature of the reinvented concept will be nightly Neapolitan pizza from a Marre Forno oven. Weekend brunch is also a specialty (think omelets and steak tips). Breakfast service will offer pastries from Bricco Panneteria and of course, pasta on the menu will come from Bricco Salumeria and Pasta Shoppe.

(Photos by Matt Conti)

3 Replies to “Look Inside Frank DePasquale’s Reimagined and Expanded Trattoria il Panino

  1. I’ve long admired DePasquale’s vision and continue to be impressed by what his ambitious imagination is capable of creating. His ventures around the North End have really left a lasting mark on the neighbourhood as a whole and this new il Panino project looks amazing. Great article as well.

  2. Frankie is an innovator and a wonderful person as well. Gook luck- not that he needs it! Everything he undertakes is a class act.

    Lucy giorgio- pirkey

  3. I called yesterday 4/23 and was told they are not open for breakfast. That’s too bad as I feel this would have been a fantastic add to the neighborhood. Otherwise looking forward to checking out renovations!

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