Wednesday, January 02, 2013

Il Panino Express in Boston's North End to Become Quattro

[Ed note: This article was updated on February 6 to reflect a name given for the place.]

It looks like a quick-service Italian cafeteria in Boston's North End is going to become more of a full-service restaurant.

NorthEndWaterfront.com is reporting that Il Panino Express on Hanover Street is planning to morph into a restaurant with table service, alcohol, and an expanded menu. The Boston Hospitality and Tourism Industry blog states that Il Panino Express is currently closed for renovations, with the hope being that a liquor license transfer from Gelateria on Hanover Street to the new version of Il Panino takes place soon.

[February 6 update: Boston Hospitality and Tourism Industry Blog reports (via NorthEndWaterfront.com) that the name of the restaurant that is replacing Il Panino Express is Ristorante Quattro, and as stated earlier, it will be a full-service dining spot under the same ownership as Il Panino Express.]

[March 1 update: A job post on the Craigslist site indicates that Quattro plans to open on March 14. The post also is calling the place "Quattro Grill, Rotisserie and Pizzeria" rather than "Ristorante Quattro."]

[March 15 update: UrbanDaddy states that Quattro has pushed back their opening date to next Wednesday (March 20. The article also says that the new restaurant will feature Neapolitan-style pizza, house-made pasta, and sandwiches.]

[March 20 update: A message from UrbanDaddy confirms that Quattro will indeed be opening today.]

The owner of Il Panino Express--Frank DePasquale--also operates Trattoria Il Panino on Parmenter Street in the North End, along with eateries such as Bricco, Mare, Umbria Prime, and the aforementioned Gelateria.