Bar Mezzana Will Open This Spring From A Trio Of Barbara Lynch Gruppo Alumni
Chef Colin Lynch, Provided
A veteran chef of the Barbara Lynch Gruppo (Menton, Drink, Sportello, etc.) just announced his return to the Boston scene. Colin Lynch and two fellow Gruppo alumni are bringing a new, coastal Italian concept called Bar Mezzana to the South End’s Ink Block development this spring.
After 12 years with the Gruppo, Lynch (no relation to his former boss) stepped down as the restaurant group’s executive chef in January to open his own place. That time has come, and he is teaming up with his wife, Heather Kennaway Lynch, formerly general manager at Sportello; and Jefferson Macklin, who served as the Gruppo’s president and chief operating officer.
“Colin, Heather, and I have worked together for [eight] years and share the same ideals when it comes to what makes a pleasurable and fulfilling dining experience,” Macklin said in a press release. “We simply want to create a warm and inviting space with good energy, amazing food, and truly great service and hospitality—that’s our plan.”
Bar Mezzana will be one of several restaurant and retail options at Ink Block, a three-building, mixed-use development currently under construction in the South End. The 4,600-square foot restaurant will be sited at 360 Harrison Ave., in one of Ink Block’s luxury condominium buildings.
“We hope to create a destination restaurant that becomes a favorite dining spot for neighbors and guests from near and far,” Macklin said.
Bar Mezzana will seat just over 100 in the dining room, 25 at its bar, and 40 on an outside patio. The space, designed by South End resident and architect Aaron Weinert of Studio DRAW, will reflect the location’s industrial history, but also the team’s commitment to modern design.
Chef Lynch said the cuisine will be simple, featuring “beautiful ingredients, thoughtful technique, and heart.”
“After spending over ten years cooking primarily Italian and French food, and being lucky enough to eat at amazing restaurants all over the world, I realized that I kept gravitating towards the honesty and simplicity of Italian food,” he said. “I’m so excited by what the three of us have envisioned and I can’t wait to get into the space and become a part of such an emerging and dynamic area of the South End which we know so well.”
The development’s managing partner, Ted Tye, said restaurants are an “integral part of the Ink Block vision,” and central to the community that will build around it. “We are thrilled to partner with the seasoned and talented team behind Bar Mezzana,” he said.
The restaurant has staked out its territory on the web and on Facebook.
Bar Mezzana, coming this spring to 360 Harrison Ave., Boston; barmezzana.com.
