Doretta Taverna Is a Cozy, Family Affair for Michael Schlow

By the end of September, 79 Park Square will have a restaurant again: Doretta Taverna and Raw Bar will open where Via Matta served white-tableclothed meals for 13 years.

The new restaurant, also from chef Michael Schlow, will be more casual, a "warm and inviting" space by AMorton Design and Party By Design, a press release notes. The 7,000-square foot establishment will seat 150 and include an expanded patio area, accessed by French doors, as previously reported. The entrance and center bar have been rearranged, and there will also be a "live-action food stations," as Zagat calls it, and a display raw bar.

One of the most visually notable touches will be a 60-foot mural painted by Adrienne Schlow, an artist and the chef's wife. Adrienne Schlow plays another large role in Doretta Taverna: The menu is inspired by the recipes her Spartan family has taught Michael Schlow over the years.

With an emphasis on locally-sourced, simple preparations, there will be five menu sections: Raw bar will feature local oysters, chilled lobster, and "Greek ceviche." Spreads, all served with homemade flatbread, will include roasted red pepper, eggplants, and walnuts. Small plates, like bulgur salad with charred broccoli, almonds, and dried sultana grapes, are featured in glamour shots in the September issue of Boston Magazine. Entrees, like slow-cooked lamb shoulder seasoned with rosemary, lemon, garlic, parsley, and mint, will be paired with simple sides.

The restaurant will launch with dinner service, though lunch will soon follow, the press release says.

Schlow, who also runs Tico in Boston and other concepts around New England and beyond, has brought on Megan Cormier from Cru in Nantucket as Doretta's general manager. Cormier is creating an "international" wine program, which will have a variety of options by the glass.

Doretta Taverna is slated to land in September.

[Doretta Taverna logo: Provided]