Faccia a Faccia (formerly known as Faccia Brutta), the newest addition to Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette’s JK Food Group family (which includes well-loved, award-winning sister restaurants Toro, Coppa and Little Donkey), opens on Newbury Street on Tuesday, May 24th. 

It may be a bit before you can get a table in the dining room or out on their lush patio (good things come to those who wait – and those who book their tables early) but in the meantime, you can peruse the debut menu from chef de cuisine Brian Rae below. Rae, who came up in the kitchens at RM Seafood in Vegas, Rialto in Cambridge and Straight Wharf Restaurant on Nantucket, was most recently the Chef de Cuisine at Coppa before being tapped to open Faccia a Faccia. He brings a wealth of experience to bear on the menu of coastal Italian-inspired fare, which includes snacks like mozzarella sticks with osetra caviar, and small plates like razor clams with morel mushrooms, spring onion and crab butter. There are crudos for days (sea bream, black bass, tuna and more), delicious meats and fishes as well as housemade pastas and shareable family-style plates of antipasti and salad.

Faccia a Faccia, located at 278 Newbury Street (between Fairfield and Gloucester Streets), will be open Tuesday through Thursday from 4:00-10:00pm, and Friday and Saturday from 4:00-11:00pm. You can book a table for dinner online here or by calling 857.991.1080. Pop over early or stick around after your meal for a glass of wine at Bar Pallino, the cozy-yet-sophisticated wine bar, where Beverage Director/Partner Jodie Battles showcases her talent by way of an expertly curated list of organic, natural and biodynamic wines and a limited selection of small batch artisanal amaros, vermouths and mezcals.