A new Italian eatery is headed to South Boston.
Felipe Angeline and Vanessa Cannella, the husband-and-wife duo behind Bottega Fiorentina in Brookline’s Coolidge Corner, are opening a new concept, Bottega del Sud, in the former Thirst space at 645 E Second St.
Established in 1994 by Andrea and Christina Ferrini, Bottega Fiorentina has been a neighborhood favorite for more than three decades. After taking over from the Ferrini family in 2019, Felipe and Vanessa have transformed the concept into a family-friendly gathering place, complete with a mercatino (little market) that’s stocked with house-made sauces, artisanal pastas, olive oil, and a range of imported Italian goods.
The name Bottega del Sud, meaning ‘Of the South,’ honors the couple’s love for their neighborhood. “For the past three years, we have been searching for the ideal location for a second Bottega, and it has been essential for us to be in Southie,” Vanessa told What Now Boston. “Having lived in the neighborhood for the last ten years, and now with two little girls, we have come to cherish this community that we call home.”
The menu at the new restaurant will feature many of the beloved dishes from the original Bottega, such as Florentine-style pasta and panini, plus breakfast items like frittata and sfogliatella—a flaky, shell-shaped pastry with various sweet or savory fillings. Like its predecessor, the eatery will feature a variety of gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options.
Bottega del Sud will also introduce new offerings including gelato and affogato, alongside classic desserts like tiramisu, cannoli, and ‘nuvole’—a soft, cloud-like brioche filled with whipped cream and drizzled with pistachio, hazelnut, or Nutella cream.
Vanessa, an interior designer, has crafted the look and feel of both Bottega locations.
“We just want to be the little Italian neighborhood place where people can come to relax, enjoy a good espresso, take home some pasta, or treat the kids to gelato after school,” she explained.
Bottega del Sud is expected to debut in late May 2025, pending final inspections.
