At a sparsely attended meeting for the Zoning, Licensing and Construction Committee of the North End / Waterfront Residents’ Association, Frank DePasquale presented expansion plans for his Bricco Restaurant along with Attorney William Ferrullo and Angelo Buonopane. The meeting was held on the evening of October 26, 2010 at the Pilot House.
Mr. DePasquale, proprieter of Bricco Restaurant and DePasquale Ventures, has filed plans with the City of Boston Inspectional Services Department (ISD) to expand Bricco Restaurant at 241 Hanover St. into the adjacent building at 251 Hanover Street. DePasquale recently purchased the two properties from the Peter Nobile Insurance Agency. Mr. DePasquale is also Chairman of the Board for the North End Chamber of Commerce.
The expansion will add 50 new seats in a small dining area on the first floor, complementing the existing 120 seats on the two-floor restaurant (about 80 on 1st floor, 40 on 2nd floor). Additional bathrooms will also be added in the rear.
“The space will largely be used to accommodate people now waiting outside,” said Mr. DePasquale. There will not be a second entrance added on Hanover St. The kitchen will not expand and the number of served patrons is not expected to rise significantly. The general menu will not change with patrons to be offered lighter fare in the new space.
The front of the building currently occupied by Nobile Life Insurance will be changed to replicate the existing Bricco Restaurant. The first floor will have an open format and some modifications may be made to arrange the flow to the new space. For example, a staircase may need to be removed or relocated.
The current application is expected to require a zoning variance for non-conforming use. After approval is sought from the Zoning Board of Appeals, the owner will apply for an amendment to Bricco’s alcohol license.
Anne Pistorio asked about how trash pickup would be handled. Mr. DePasquale said the trash was held in the rear of the establishment and picked up daily at night. The grease is currently being recycled. Ms. Pistorio noted that some restaurants, such as Taranta, are using composting for nearly all of their trash. The Bricco owner said he would consider doing the same. ZLC Co-Chair David Kubiak requested the trash be stored inside.
With the recent purchase of the property, Mr. DePasquale intends to improve the rear alley used by the building’s tenants. Benches will be installed, new ground surfacing along with a general clean-up. “I will make it right, like I have always done in the past,” said Mr. DePasquale.
In response to a question about the valet service, Bricco will continue to share a license with neighboring Tresca.
The applicant awaits their ISD refusal letter after which a ZBA hearing date will be set. NEWRA generally waits for the receipt of a refusal letter before placing the issue on a monthly meeting agenda. The issue will similarly be heard by the North End / Waterfront Neighborhood Council (NEWNC) at an upcoming meeting. Both NEWRA and NEWNC votes are advisory in nature. Final determination will be made by City officials.
