Zef Cicchetti & Raw Bar Debuts in Quincy Center

Quincy Center welcomed a new restaurant yesterday — Zef Cicchetti & Raw Bar (1472 Hancock St.), sister restaurant and next-door neighbor to Alba. As previously reported, Zef is inspired by Venetian cuisine, particularly the cicchetti (small plates) found in wine bars. Also on Zef’s menu: a raw bar, salumi, house-made pasta, and more. (See the full menu below.) The restaurant is named for owner Leo Keka’s late father, Jozef.

While Zef was in the works, Keith Andersen joined the Alba team as executive chef; he also developed the menu for Zef. Andersen is an alum of Troquet, Craigie on Main, Franklin Southie, and Legal Harborside, and he spent time living in Venice.

Zef seats 180 and features a rainforest brown marble bar, a mural of the Hindenburg when it flew over Quincy in 1936, and plenty of exposed brick.

It’s been a busy few weeks for Quincy Center; Fuji at West of Chestnut (1420 Hancock St.) also opened this week and Pho Pasteur (1462 Hancock St.) opened earlier in January — both right near Zef.