Aquitaine Group to Open La Motta’s Italian Specialties

The group's new South End 'joint' to specialize in Bronx-style thin crust pizza, lasagna, and other red sauce classics.

la motta

Late last year, the Aquitaine Group (Cinquecento, Metropolis) closed one of its many South End concepts, Union Bar & Grill, after more than a decade at 1357 Washington Street. Now they’ve finally announced what they’re putting in its stead, a “Bronx-style” Italian-American restaurant called La Motta’s Italian Specialties, which will focus on mid-20th century red sauce staples like baked clams, mozzarella sticks, meatballs, chicken parmesan, lasagna, shrimp scampi, and thin crust pizza.

The newest addition to the South End, slated to open later this summer, is being described as a “very personal” project with a number of the group’s owners having ties to the New York area. The restaurant, which takes its name from Aquitaine founder Seth Woods’ family, is even being modeled to look like a rustic Italian bistro. Tables are made from rough sawn oak, chairs are built from period-appropriate bent wood, tin tiles coat the ceiling, and reclaimed wood panels line the walls. In addition to a 12-seat bar and its 70-seat dining room, La Motta’s will also have a 30-seat outdoor patio designed to emulate the feel of an urban Italian “back-alley.”

“La Motta’s will be a neighborhood restaurant with a friendly, casual spirit and an emphasis on hospitality, with the single intention of making neighbors, family, and friends very happy,” said Woods via a release.

La Motta’s Italian Specialties will be helmed by current Cinquecento chef de cuisine, Justin Winters, a Connecticut native who previously spent time at Harvest and Sorellina. The beverage program will focus exclusively on Italian and American wines with 22 by-the-glass options and an additional 70 offered by the bottle.

1357 Washington St., Boston; 617-423-0555