"A second location of Italian pizza and pasta hit restaurant Serafina will sail into Seaport (11 Fan Pier Boulevard) early this May with waterfront views; a large, breezy patio; and a menu that stretches beyond the pizza and pasta the Back Bay location (237 Newbury Street) is known for. Taking over the former home of Babbo (a restaurant once co-owned by disgraced celebrity chef Mario Batali before shuttering permanently in 2019), the 114-seat restaurant has undergone a full-blown facelift. Petra Hausberger of Somerton Park Interiors is plucking inspiration from 1950s-era Italian Riviera with a palate of sand, pale green, rose, terracotta, and tan. Floor-to-ceiling windows, as well as Italian fashion photos and paintings, line the walls while two olive trees grow in the dining room. A separate pizza kitchen bangs out Serafina’s thin-crust pizzas while patrons perch at a 14-seat counter overlooking the action. Meanwhile, a sleek, gently lit, 20-seat bar will pour mostly Italian wines, included some rare wines by the glass with the help of a Coravin system. Beers range from the usual Sam Adams and Harpoon to options like Maine Lunch, Cloud Candy, and Mighty Squirrel. Cocktails and mocktails round out the menu with a tequila negroni and zero-proof old-fashioned. Helmed by chef Hector Hernandez, the kitchen is plating rigatoni blanketed in rich, meaty bolognese; tartufo nero pizza, a black truffle-studded pie with fontina cheese, truffle cheese, and truffle oil; chicken Milanese; ciopinno; and more. Serafina Seaport will open daily for lunch and dinner, as well as brunch on Saturday and Sunday." - Stephanie Carter
