A Street Hospitality, a Boston-based restaurant group focused on creating unparalleled experiences for guests centered around hospitality, announced that its latest culinary creation, La Padrona, will bring authentic Italian dining to The Raffles Hotel beginning May 15, 2024.
La Padrona is an 8,600 square foot multi-sensory experience with an ideal balance between design, hospitality, as well as impeccable attention to detail and craftsmanship. The ground level features the Lounge Bar and the Living Room Lounge. Upon entering, the light and airy focal point of the ground-level lounge is a grand staircase that leads your eye up the double-height space and provides a glimpse into a more dimly lit main dining space on the second level. The staircase serves as an aspirational connection between the two contrasting levels. The staircase is inspired by the architecture of the modern Italian villa, combining traditional details such as black iron open balusters, warm walnut wood handrails, and travertine stone steps. It exudes modern elegance with a decorative runner, clean smooth lines and simple brass hardware details.
At the heart of the second level dining space is a 360-degree central bar with a bespoke textile art installation hung from the coffer above. Appearing entwined within the textile art installation is the bar’s overhead brass gantry shelf that displays bottles and glassware hovering over the bar’s Calcutta viola marble countertop. The same violet-veined marble spills on the bar floor as an apron following the shape of the structure enhanced with plush oversized velvet barstools.
The main dining room includes a mix of floating four-top tables, larger tables that can accommodate six to eight guests, elongated banquette flexible seating, and intimate booths. The long banquettes line the West and North glazing edge giving guests stellar views into the Back Bay hustle and bustle and include a view to the John Hancock tower. This main dining room contrasts with the brighter material palette of the ground floor and greatly draws inspiration from the contextual pillar of “Golden Era Cinema.” Deep toned wood floors fill the room with rich heavy drapery. The walls are painted a sultry merlot color, paired with high-gloss ceiling coffers which house an array of custom ceiling-mounted light fixtures that exude the glamour and modernity of Italy’s Neorealist Period.
Acting as the backdrop of the main dining room, located along the back wall, are semi-private Hollywood booths that serve as prime seating for date nights or small parties up to four. Tucked within niches in the wall, these booths look back onto the main dining space akin to the private theater booths found in classic Italian cinemas. The interior walls of the booth niches are lined with diamond-tufted fabric panels and lit with a mixture of cove lighting, a single alabaster globe pendant hanging central, and lamps positioned in the back corners of the booth niches.
Upon ascending to the second level, opposite the wine displays and elevator entry, guests are welcomed by gold-toned curtains concealing a contrasting steel blue private dining room peering out through brass framed windows. This private space is reserved for 8-12 guests desiring a more exclusive dining experience. This room can be fully enclosed away from the public while still offering street views, AV/IT capabilities and an immediate connection to the main dining space if needed.
As guests journey through the second floor, they can discover an extension of the dining room and customizable private dining rooms. Just beyond the theatrical Hollywood booths, one will find a light alabaster beige room with soft wall-to-wall hand-tufted carpet featuring ornate pattern-work, a nod to traditional Italian textile and artistry. This room can be utilized for à la carte dining or sectioned off by a moveable partition at the center of the room to create intimate dining spaces for one or two simultaneous private parties.
“Back Bay is a historic, bustling and iconic neighborhood and I am beyond excited that La Padrona at The Raffles Hotel is now a part of this scene. From the décor to the lounge and dining room, the whole restaurant itself will take the guest’s breath away, leaving a lasting impression for those who set foot in the space,” said Eric Papachristos, Restaurateur and CEO, A Street Hospitality, La Padrona in a statement. “As a restaurateur, I have learned what appeals to guests, what keeps them coming back, and with our large restaurant presence here in Boston, La Padrona will certainly elevate our guests’ expectations while creating a deeper connection to a true Italian dining and glamorous villa experience.”
La Padrona, led by the culinary team of James Beard Award Winning Chef Jody Adams and Executive Chef Amarilys Colon, will offer guests to embark on a journey through the different regions of Italy with nodes from the North to the South. Traditional Italian favorites, and Italian classics interpreted using ingredients directly from Italy as well as ingredients sourced locally. Dishes are all inspired by the chefs’ culinary journeys throughout Italy and includes house-made pastas, local seafood, humanely raised meats, farm herbs, vegetables, Italian salumi, and artisan cheeses. The dinner menu transports guests from the city to the mountainous Piedmont, the rolling hills of Emilia-Romagna, to the coastline of Abruzzo, all with the robust flavors of Sicily.
“The opening of La Padrona holds a special meaning to me, as I am bringing my travels throughout Italy over the years to life within these walls, and that includes each and every aspect of the menus. I wanted to create memorable meals that transport guests from the city to our very own villa,” said Jody Adams, Chef and Chief Culinary Officer of A Street Hospitality and La Padrona. “I really want our guests to experience the authenticity of a true Italian dining experience without leaving Boston.”
Guests can begin with a variety of pane, like the Cacio E Pepe Focaccia, or the traditional Tuscan Flatbread, complete with rosemary, extra virgin olive oil and Maldon salt. Select a freshly made insalati, choosing from the Roasted Beets & Chicories, Caesar Salad or Spring Greens. For the antipasti course, choose flavorful options like the Whipped Caserta Ricotta, Sardinian flatbread, wild herb honey, and cruschi peppers, the Mortadella & Stracciatella in Mano, bibb lettuce, giardiniera, Parmigiano Reggiano crisps, and pistachios, or Spring Vegetable Fritto Misto, lobster bottarga and salsa verde aioli. The house-made pasta on the primi menu will surely make guests experience an authentic Italian delicacy, nosh on Paccheri & Clams, Barnstable little gem clams, braised tomatoes, kombu, cruschi peppers, and ashes, there is the Fazzoletti dish, milk braised rabbit, roasted sunchokes, and fennel, and the Lobster & Uni Risotto, caramelized fennel, tomato, and chive blossoms. Main course options include Grilled Swordfish, Herb Marinated Cornish Hen, Slow Roasted Porchetta and Seared Black Cod, while paying homage to the Piedmont region there’s Piedmont beef, including a Dry Aged Bone In Porterhouse, with bone marrow, grilled focaccia or the 8oz. Pan Seared Beef Tenderloin, black garlic, and porcini butter. After the meal is finished, guests can top off with one of the exquisite desserts, like the Brioche Gelato Sandwich, toasted lemon-glazed brioche buns, pistachio, strawberry mascarpone, and brown butter ginger. Taste the sweet flavors with the Sgroppino, complete with prosecco, lemon gelato, mixed berry sorbet, and brown butter blondie, or the Funnel Cakes, served with mixed berry compote, vanilla ice cream, and whipped cream.
As you enter The Lounge at La Padrona, there is a specialty menu focusing on shared bites and flavorful combinations like the Cheese & Fennel Breadsticks, Fried Olives, served with pork, Parmesano Reggiano, and calabria chili, or the Fried Ravioli Alla Norma, roasted eggplant, tomato, capers and ricotta salata. Looking to satisfy a sweet tooth, try the Mini Brioche Bomboloni, pistachio cream, mixed berry compote or the Florentine Cannoli, almond lace, whipped ricotta, and orange.
The bar at La Padrona’s cocktail menu was crafted with premier spirits and ingredients and will feature Padrona signatures such as the Clemenza Cooler, Cazadores reposado, cucumbers, kleos mastiha, cardamaro, lime and habanero, or the Sophia Loren on the Beach with Rhum J.M. Fruité, Ten to One Caribbean rum, batavia arrack, falernum, vanilla, tropical citrus, hibiscus and ginger. Choose from a collection of martinis like the signature La Padrona Martini, Bombay Sapphire, Martini & Rossi Riserva Ambrato Vermouth, St. Germain, and accoutrements. There is a dedicated Negroni menu complete with different variations of the specialty including the La Padrona Negroni, Smoky Negroni, a White Negroni, and the All American Negroni with Short patch gin, St. George Bruto Americano, and Vermont Boreas Sweet Vermouth. Those looking for something unique may opt in ordering from the “Iconic Cocktails” list featuring unique takes on iconic favorites like the L.P. Manhattan and the Only Fashioneds. Craving something refreshing? Try the Aperol Spritz or the Lambrusco Cobbler with Lambrusco, black currant, sweet spices, berries and lots of ice off the Anytime Cocktails. There are also spirit-free options such as the Vibrante Spritz, Martini & Rossi Vibrante and Fever Tree Elderflower tonic, or the NA Tangerine Margarita, Free Spirits Tequila, DHOS Orange, tangerine, lime, and bitter agave. Sip on Italian beers, cordials, amari and dessert libations or enjoy a bottle of wine from the curated wine list with select vinos sourced directly from Italy.
La Padrona is located at 40 Trinity Place at The Raffles Boston, The Lounge at La Padrona is open at 4:00pm daily. Dinner service is Sunday through Wednesday from 5:00-10:00pm and Thursday through Saturday from 5:00pm-11:00pm.
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