A North End Oyster Bar Is Reborn as an Italian Restaurant Tonight

A popular North End restaurant that closed for renovations will reemerge Tuesday, June 4, with a new focus under the same ownership. Ciao Bella (5 North Sq.), as its name indicates, will focus on Italian cuisine, including house-made pasta dishes, steaks, and other meats, shifting the focus — partly — from its previous life as North Square Oyster, which served raw bar items, lobster rolls, and more seafood.

Ciao Bella remains under the ownership of Nick Frattaroli, who evolved the restaurant’s focus following the opening of its sibling Italian restaurant, Tony & Elaine’s, which is a nod to classic Italian-American dining. Frattaroli is also behind Ward 8 and Bodega Canal.

While the main focus of Ciao Bella is Italian dishes like carbonara, caprese salads, and pork chops, the restaurant is carrying on North Square Oyster’s legacy at the bar, serving oysters, lobster rolls, crudo, and natural wines. North Square Oyster had opened in mid-2017 and closed in early 2019 to undergo the switch.

The restaurant has also undergone some interior changes, including the addition of bright, floral wallpaper and pink-accented chairs, as well as a marble bar and white tablecloths.

Ciao Bella opens Tuesday, June 4, at 4:30 p.m. and will initially serve dinner only, seven days a week.

• North Square Oyster Coverage on Eater [EBOS]
• North Square Oyster Will Become Ciao Bella in Boston’s North End [EBOS]