Spicy news in the South End: We hear that BoMa, in the old Pho Republique space on Washington Street, aims to open within the next couple of weeks. Meanwhile, a few blocks over on Harrison, the Aquitaine Group's Cinquecento ("500" in Italian, as in 500 Harrison Ave.), will now open in mid-October, replacing Rocca.
The architecturally edgy trattoria replaces the abruptly shuttered Rocca, which closed at the beginning of 2011, leaving Tiffani Faison out of a gig. (Of course, she's now happily ensconced at Sweet Cheeks.) The two-story space—which has free parking!—will be helmed by Chris Robins, who was at Gaslight.
BoMa, meanwhile, will be a gastropubbish Modern American spot, with windows that open Sonsie-style onto Washington Street. The kitchen will be headed up by Chris Bussell, former chef/owner at the now-closed Butterfish.
Related: Tiffani Faison: Boston Has Been 'Incredible' to Me
Rocca Closes in the South End
The Aquitaine Group's New Restaurant Will Be Called Cinquecento, Might Channel Keith McNally
