5 restaurant openings we’re excited about this month

The new dining concepts at Raffles have been nothing short of compelling — satiating diners with contemporary American, Portuguese and a swanky speakeasy — and now comes the last but not least concept, La Padrona. Spearheaded by A Street Hospitality (the team behind Trade, Porto and The Venetian), the trio comprised of CEO Eric Papachristos, chief culinary officer Jody Adams, and COO Jon Mendez, traveled from Italy’s top to boot to ensure all the regions were fairly represented on the menu at this Italian restaurant. Located on the ground floor of Raffles Boston, the restaurant will have its own entrance to the multi-story space; the first a bar and lounge concept dedicated to after work drinks and convivial gatherings, and the second floor as more of a traditional dining room. Connected by a grand staircase, the restaurant evokes a grand and gilded Italian villa while the menu is a balance between traditional dishes (sourcing key ingredients from Italy like artisan cheeses and salumi from Piedmont) and a fusion of New England flavors (local seafood and seasonal produce) to tie together Italian roots with regional representation. Our mouths are already watering at the Cacio e Pepe Focaccia; Sardinian flatbread with wild herb honey, and cruschi peppers; Fazzoletti with milk braised rabbit, roasted sunchokes, and fennel; the Lobster & Uni Risotto; and the slow roasted porchetta.