Avvio Ristorante to open later this year at Papa Razzi location in Garden City Center

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Papa Razzi, a fixture in Garden City Center for two decades, will close at the end of this month and reopen later this year as an Italian eatery named Avvio Ristorante.

The plans are outlined in a recent press release from the Newport Restaurant Group, a division of Newport Harbor Corporation.

“Avvio will join the Newport Restaurant Group collection as the ninth location in Rhode Island and will embody the essence of everyday Italian dining; a place where friends and family gather, share laughs and celebrate milestones,” the release states.

Papa Razzi’s will be closed on Sunday, Jan. 31, and Avvio is slated to open in the spring. The release indicates Greg Coccio, the establishment’s executive chef, will continue in that role when Avvio opens. Kevin DiLibero will serve as the new establishment’s director of culinary arts.

“When Newport Harbor Corporation purchased seven Papa Razzi restaurants in 2012, it gave us the opportunity to grow our footprint into Massachusetts,” Paul O’Reilly, CEO and president of Newport Harbor Corporation, said through the release. “The Cranston location has been successful, but with the growth and expansion of Garden City, we saw an opportunity to refresh the space and enhance its offerings to align with Newport Restaurant Group’s culinary philosophy. These changes will allow us to add Avvio to the Newport Restaurant Group portfolio and to provide guests in the West Bay and statewide the experience they have come to expect from our restaurants and with a similar price point to Papa Razzi.”

The release indicates the menu at Avvio “will feature inspired Italian classic dishes along with Neapolitan pizzas and a wood-fired grill.”

Papa Razzi gift cards will be accepted at the restaurant’s Massachusetts locations, along with fellow Newport Restaurant Group establishments Waterman Grille and Hemenway’s in Providence.

The release directs patrons to paparazzitrattoria.com or avvioristorante.com for additional information.

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