An upscale Italian restaurant is headed to Somerville.
Chef Simona Sbano, the brain behind The Emporio Bakery in Stoneham, is launching a second concept called Olivia’s Kitchen at 711 Broadway, taking over the former Taco Party space in Ball Square.
In an Instagram post announcing the news, Sbano described the project as “a big step” for her growing brand. “Thanks for being part of this journey,” she wrote. “We can’t wait to share what’s coming next!”
An Italian-born chef, Sbano honed her craft with the Italian Chefs Association under the mentorship of Chef Claudio Forti, according to a page on the Take a Chef website.
After moving to the U.S. in 2021 to serve as Executive Chef for a chain of Italian restaurants, she fulfilled a lifelong dream by opening The Emporio in 2023. There, she serves up an array of authentic Italian panini, pastries, and espresso.
Although the menu for Olivia’s Kitchen hasn’t been released, Sbano describes it as a “fine dining experience that celebrates the excellence of Italian cuisine with a modern and international twist.”
An official opening date has yet to be announced, but according to Sbano’s post, Olivia’s Kitchen is expected to debut within the next few months. For updates, follow the restaurant on Instagram @olivia.s.kitchen.
