Sneak a Peek at the Tony & Elaine’s Menu

Photos by Justin Power

UPDATE, Monday, Jan. 28, 11:30 a.m.: Surprise—after initially planning a weekend debut, Tony & Elaine’s will actually open tonight with a menu of Italian-American menu staples and retro homages to the North End of the 1970s. Dinner starts at 4:30 p.m., and the restaurant will be open nightly until 11 p.m. In the coming weeks, lunch takeout service will begin. Check out the opening menu below.

PREVIOUSLY:

There are plenty of spaghetti and meatballs to be had right now in the North End, but it will be another month before the classic Italian-American neighborhood gets a red sauce joint from the hip restaurant group All Day Hospitality. Tony & Elaine’s, the fourth concept from second-generation North End restaurateur Nick Frattaroli, is on track to open by the end of the year. Boston magazine has a sneak peek at the menu right now, while later this month, sister spot Ward 8 shares an early taste of it with complimentary snacks.

Tony & Elaine’s—named for Frattaroli’s parents, who were both servers in the North End for decades—will riff on requisites like lobster ravioli,
bolognese, and veal saltimbocca with house-made pastas and sausages, fresh vegetables, and well-sourced seafood. Eric Buonagurio is All Day Hospitality’s executive chef (also overseeing North Square Oyster and Bodega Canal), and he is behind the debut menu. Check it out below, though it’s subject to tweaking prior to opening day.

The vibe at Tony & Elaine’s throws it back to the the 1970s, the early days of Frattaroli’s parents’ North End careers. Justin Power, the interior designer also behind North Square Oyster and Bodega Canal, kept the original tile flooring in the second-floor dining room, and outfitted the space with red leather booths and wood-paneled walls. On the first floor, black-and-white checkered floors and exposed brick set the scene. Eater Boston has a look inside.

The restaurant will be open daily from 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m., serving both lunch and dinner, including takeout sandwiches on braided rolls like meatball, chicken parm, and Italian subs. The bar will make use of a wine, beer, and cordials license.

Follow Tony & Elaine’s on Instagram and stay tuned for an opening date. In the meantime, big sister Ward 8 has a fifth anniversary to celebrate. On Tuesday, Nov. 27, the party starts at 9 p.m. with a DJ, specialty cocktails, and ice cream sandwiches from the Parlor Ice Cream Co., and the savory snacks will preview Tony & Elaine’s menu.

Tony & Elaine’s, 111 North Washington St., Boston, 617-580-0321, tonyandelaines.com.

Italian sub. / Photos by Justin Power

Veal saltimbocca. / Photos by Justin Power

Tony & Elaine’s Menu

Appetizers

Meats & cheese
Options: coppa, soppressata, Parmigiano reggiano, prosciutto, taleggio, robiola, asiago 

Olives
Add house-made giardiniera and/or roasted red pepper jam 

House salad
iceberg lettuce, house-made zesty Italian

Caesar salad

Fried calamari
hot peppers, red sauce

Meatballs
Grandma’s sauce

Mozzarella sticks

Mussels
Pancetta, white wine, crusty bread

Pasta

Cacio e pepe
Black pepper, chitarra

Sausage & rabe
Orecchiette, house-made sausage, broccoli rabe

Spaghetti & meatballs

Pasta alla vodka
Rigatoni, marinara, vodka, mascarpone

Lobster ravioli
Maine lobster, lemon-herb cream 

Bolognese
Fettuccine, meat gravy, shaved Parmesan

Mushroom risotto
Mixed mushrooms, mascarpone, herbs, truffle oil

Frutti di mare
Spaghetti, cod, mussels, clams, shrimp; choice if white or red sauce

Entrees

Chicken Parmesan
With house-made spaghetti or rigatoni

Veal Parmesan
With house-made spaghetti or rigatoni

Eggplant Parmesan
With house-made spaghetti or rigatoni

Cod al Cartoccio
Local cod cooked under paper, herb potatoes, broccoli rabe, greens

Veal Saltimbocca
Thin sliced veal, prosciutto, lemon caper sauce, mixed green salad

Dessert

Cannoli
Original, Nutella and hazelnut, pistachio