Tonno Could Start Serving Pasta and Seafood in Gloucester on May 15

Construction is well underway at a new venue in Gloucester, where Anthony Caturano, chef/owner of Prezza in the North End, will open a new "coastal Italian seafood" restaurant this spring. Tonno took over the former Blackburn Tavern location at 2 Main St., and after a complete gut job, crews began installing new appliances and getting the space prepped for Caturano's plans.

Tonno's progress has been well documented on Facebook, where photos and videos show the installation of duct work, flooring, a walk-in cooler, and even fish scale-shaped tiles.

With drywall nearing completion, Tonno's bar will be delivered next week and then painting and furniture set-up can begin, according to a recent post that included a callout for waitstaff and kitchen staff to send in resumes. The anticipated opening date for Tonno (Italian for "tuna" and the name of Caturano's fishing boat) is May 15.

Caturano's new concept will feature Italian seafood dishes, pasta made from scratch, and a raw bar. The restaurant's website already features the menu, which details dishes like grilled shrimp with tomato and crispy polenta; spaghetti with clams and oregano; scallops "la plancha" with cauliflower; and some meat dishes, like veal milanese.

Tonno will serve dinner nightly. The 4,000-square-foot restaurant, which will seat 99, features a dining room, a lounge and fireplace, and a cocktail bar, in addition to a raw bar and private event room.