A local chef is planning a new Italian concept in East Boston.
Chef Douglass Williams has applied for an all-alcohol license for his proposed La Tavernetta by MIDA at 35-45 Lewis Street, reports Boston Restaurant Talk.
Williams is best known for MIDA, his group of contemporary Italian restaurants serving pizzas, pastas, arancini, and gelato in East Boston, the South End, Fenway, and Newtonville. He also co-founded APIZZA in Boston’s Hub Hall, which specialized in New Haven- and Roman-style pies, alongside business partners Brian Lesser and Seth Gerber, who are also listed on La Tavernetta’s business entity summary.
Over the years, Williams has earned both local and national recognition, including being named Food & Wine’s Best New Chef in 2020 and a James Beard Award semifinalist in 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2025.
While details about La Tavernetta (Italian for “The Tavern”) remain scarce for now, the licensing notice outlines plans for 4,034 square feet of indoor space, including a dining room and a bar area with seating for 102 guests. The restaurant would also feature a 2,010-square-foot seasonal patio with an additional 116 seats.
What Now Boston has reached out to Williams for details, and more information is expected following next week’s licensing hearing. Stay tuned for updates.
