A North End Empire-Builder Is at It Again

In recent years, restaurateur Nick Frattaroli has been very busy in the North End (and just over the border in the West End). In a little over four years, he’s opened three restaurants: Ward 8 (90 N. Washington St.) at the end of 2013 and both North Square Oyster (5 North Sq.) and Bodega Canal (57 Canal St.) in 2017. All three draw crowds, and North Square Oyster was one of the strongest debuts of the year, with its chef, Douglas Rodrigues, earning a nomination for Eater Boston’s chef of the year.

Frattaroli isn’t done. Next, right near Ward 8, he plans to open an Italian restaurant in the North End space formerly occupied by Amici (111 N. Washington St.), according to Boston Restaurant Talk and confirmed by a representative of Frattaroli’s restaurant group. Amici, which closed in 2017, was an Italian restaurant serving food like lobster ravioli and frutti di mare.

While Boston Restaurant Talk reported a tentative name of Tony & Elaine’s for the new restaurant, Frattaroli’s representative told Eater that that will not be the name — in fact, there isn’t a name yet. The only other detail Frattaroli is sharing at this time is that he has “an Italian concept in mind” for the space.

Stay tuned for updates on the name, opening timeline, and other details as the project develops.

• Tony & Elaine’s May Open in Former Amici Space in Boston’s North End [BRT]
• Take a Look Inside Ward 8 [EBOS]
• Get Ready to Eat Towers of Seafood at North Square Oyster [EBOS]
• Bodega Canal Opens Near TD Garden With Buttered Lobster Tacos and Queso Fundido [EBOS]