Back Bay’s Neapolitan Pizza Options Increase This Week

An Italian restaurant that has been in the works for over a year makes its debut on Boylston Street this week. Piattini Wine Cafe owner Josephine Megwa opens her new restaurant, Orá Trattorizza, at 653 Boylston St. on Friday, July 20, strengthening the Italian food options for the Back Bay neighborhood.

With a name encouraging diners to live in the moment, Orá (Italian for “now”) serves food that runs the gamut from classic Italian dishes to modern options, incorporating seasonal and local produce into a menu anchored by Neapolitan-style pizza. (Those hungry for a second helping can walk five minutes down the street to explore Eataly afterward — the Italian mega market has Neapolitan- and Roman-style pizza.)

John Wilcox [Official Photo]

Orá Trattorizza imported a custom brick oven from Italy, which it will use to cook the pizzas in under two minutes. Options will include a classic Margherita, a vegan pie with soy mozzarella, and others topped with everything from pesto to mushrooms, caramelized onions, and sausage.

Beyond pizza, the restaurant will serve appetizers, or sfizi, including fried calamari and baked goat cheese, plus assorted pasta dishes, salad, seafood, and desserts. Look out for entrees like braised lamb shank and filet of branzino with wild mushroom sauce.

John Wilcox [Official Photo]

On the beverage side, Orá will serve a wide selection of wines by the glass or bottle, as well as cocktails, beer, and house-bottled red and white wine.

The restaurant spans two floors, with interior styling by RAD Design. There’s a mix of white, gold, and metallic accents, plus outdoor patio seating for 60.

For opening weekend, Orá will operate from 5 to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and it will be closed Sunday. On Monday, it will begin full daily dinner service and will add lunch and brunch down the line.

John Wilcox [Official Photo]

• First Look at Orá Trattorizza in Copley Square [BM]
• Ora Trattorizza Coverage on Eater [EBOS]