Details on Cinquecento, Opening Later this Month

Photo courtesy of Facebook/Cinquecento

At long last, Cinquecento, the latest concept from the Aquitaine Group (Aquitaine, Gaslight, Union) will open soon in the South End. As we told you many months ago, it’s a Roman-influenced Italian concept, and is replacing Rocca at 500 Harrison Ave.

The restaurant will open mid-month, to be quasi-exact, and we’ve got some more details on what to expect. Per a press release, chef/owner Seth Woods describes the restaurant (pronounced Cheen-quay-chen-toe) as “a comfortable, inviting restaurant reminiscent of neighborhood trattorias found in Rome.  A place where friends will come several nights a week, no matter where they are coming from or going to. The menu will be steeped in the Roman roots of simplicity, custom and comfort.”

This translates to an inaugural menu divided into traditional sections of “Antipasti, Zuppa e Insalate, Salumi, Pesce e Carne, and Contorni.” Expect dishes like warm ricotta with olive oil and grilled bread; borlotti bean soup with smoked ham and kale; gnocchi with wild boar, golden raisins, pine nuts, and Pecorino; veal saltimbocca with Marsala and cabbage fonduta;  and porchetta with roasted parsnips.

Brunch items will have a more loose Italian affiliation, with hangover-appropriate fare like a fried egg-and-pancetta-topped breakfast bruschetta and a porchetta panino with mostarda.

And then there’s the vino: the 100-bottle all-Italian wine list will be divided up by glass, quartino, carafe, and bottle. There will also be Italian cocktails (we’re expecting a whole lotta negronis), beers, and plenty of amaro, perfect for diners who’ve indulged in too much porchetta for dinner.

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