An Italian staple in Boston’s North End has closed its doors, making way for a new dining spot.
After 35 years of serving up dishes like lasagna and ravioli, Dolce Vita Ristorante at 221 Hanover St officially shuttered on August 8, 2024.
Owner Francesco “Franco” Graceffa, 72, told MassLive that running the restaurant was “the experience of a lifetime.” However, he chose to close Dolce Vita to “reconsider his priorities” and focus on his health.
But the space won’t stay empty for long. According to a recent Facebook post from the North End Historical Society of Boston, Martignetti Restaurant Group LLC has purchased the property. They recently applied for a transfer of the existing Wines & Malt Beverages license to their new restaurant at the same location.
Although Robert and Daniel Martignetti of Martignetti Restaurant Group did not respond to inquiries from What Now Boston, Graceffa told MassLive that he sold the restaurant to a local company planning to open a brewery in Dolce Vita’s place.
There has been some speculation that the new establishment might be connected to Ron Martignetti, owner of Sogno in Woburn, due to the shared last name. However, representatives for Sogno told What Now Boston that they have no affiliation with the upcoming Hanover St spot.
Stay tuned for further updates as more details about the new establishment emerge.
