The Aquitaine Group to Open New Restaurant

BOSTON - July 8, 2015 - PRLog -- The Aquitaine Group is returning to its roots, adding an Italian-American “Bronx style” restaurant to its impressive and diverse portfolio. The new restaurant called “La Motta’s Italian Specialties” is slated to open in the South End of Boston, MA in the former Union Bar & Grille space at 1357 Washington Street in late summer, 2015.

Harkening back to a simpler time when braciole simmered in tall pots, caring hands chopped, diced and kneaded pasta and bread and the kids on Arthur Avenue didn’t have to come home until the street lights came on, this project is very personal to the Aquitaine Group, with some owners having strong ties to the New York area. The name La Motta’s is also a family name of The Aquitaine Group’s founder Seth Woods.

La Motta’s will be The Aquitaine Group’s homage to the neighborhood Italian-American restaurants of the mid-20th century, elevated for the tastes of this century but still genuine, satisfying and generously wholesome. The restaurant will serve dinner seven nights a week celebrating Italian-American classics such as house pickled giardinara, broccoli cacio pepe, baked clams, mozzarella sticks, several types of meatballs, chopped salad, chicken parmesan, lasagna, shrimp scampi and “Bronx style” thin crust pizza. Chef Justin Winters will lead the kitchen in the new endeavor.

The atmosphere of La Motta’s will be warm and inviting, a true throw back to a different era, yet   contemporary and evolving, showcasing the next generation of the Italian American “joint.” Reclaimed wood panels, wainscoting, tin ceiling, and rough sawn oak wood tables, period style bent wood chairs, soft fabrics on the backs of the booths and several period pictures will give La Motta’s a timeless feel. The restaurant will have a 12-seat bar, a 70-seat dining room comprised of cozy booths, a family table, as well as traditional banquettes and tables. There will be a 30-seat outdoor patio that will emulate the feel of a back-alley urban escape and a 28-seat private dining room offering family style group dining.

La Motta’s will also offer catering and take out menus for both large and small groups.

The wine list will be exclusively Italian-American with 22 wines by the glass, carafe and bottle with an additional 70 others offered by the bottle. There will be only four beers on tap and the cocktail list will consist of simple, traditional cocktails done very well.

“La Motta’s will be a neighborhood restaurant with a friendly, casual spirit and an emphasis on hospitality, with the single intention of making neighbors, family and friends very, very happy,” said owner Seth Woods.


About The Aquitaine Group:

The Aquitaine Group consists of partners Seth Woods, Matt Burns, and Jeffrey Gates, three individuals with distinctly different personal and professional backgrounds, making these destination restaurants as well as the go-to spots in their respective neighborhoods.  Restaurants included in the current portfolio are: Metropolis Café, Aquitaine (Boston, Chestnut Hill, and Dedham), Cinquecento, Gaslight Brasserie, Green Light Café and soon to be La Motta’s.

Founder/CEO Seth Woods founded what is now the Aquitaine Group with the opening of Metropolis Cafe in 1995, where he received praise from local and national media. In 1998, Woods opened Aquitaine Bar a Vin Bistrot on Tremont Street in Boston’s South End paving the way for what is now known as “restaurant row.” Woods has received accolades for his work within the restaurant community through Boston Business Journal, The New York Times and Food & Wine, but what is the true accomplishment is his commitment to each project’s success, and sustainability in an ever changing city.

Matthew Burns, a native of Boston, met Seth Woods at Armani Café on Boston’s Newbury Street where Burns was general manager and Woods was the acting chef. In 2000, Burns teamed up with Woods to open a second Aquitaine location in Chestnut Hill. According to Burns “a seamless combination of warm, skilled service, delicious food all in a comfortable yet interesting ambiance is what makes a great and successful restaurant.”

Jeffrey Gates joined the Aquitaine Group a few years later and in 2003, Gates was instrumental in opening Union Bar and Grille and later Gaslight Brasserie du coin, both in the South End. Recognized for his consummate professionalism, extensive wine knowledge, methodical and meticulous approach to business, Gates brings a wealth of experience and an unprecedented understanding of the Boston restaurant scene to the Aquitaine Group.

The Aquitaine Group’s restaurants are widely recognized as among the very best in the city of Boston’s growing and respected restaurant scene.  They have garnered awards and accolades from local and national publications.

Please visit www.aquitainegroup.com for more information.