NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — David Moresi has a vision to bring a bit of the North End to North Adams.

 

He explained his plans to the License Commission on Tuesday as he applied for an all-alcohol license for Zio Roberto Ristorante and Taverna, which is expected to open in late May. 

 

The Mohawk bar and the former Grazie restaurant space in the Mulcare Building, which Moresi owns, will operate as a single entity — one side as a lounge, and the other as a full-service restaurant. 

 

"We're still going to call it the Mohawk. I mean, let me be clear from the start, in no way am I looking to operate a bar operation here," he said of the Mohawk. "We've gone through the entire place. There's no jukebox, there's no pool table. We're really looking to create something very unique here, which basically is lacking in the area."

 

He has been describing the lounge as an Italian "speakeasy," or a private club open to the public — a space with overstuffed chairs and Chesterfield couches with an Italian theme. The focus will be on small plates, appetizers, craft cocktails, wines and bottled beer. 

 

"Then with the restaurant itself, we're really excited about this," Moresi said. "Obviously, I have the team here of both Nick [Moulton] and Pete [Belmonte], and we're just looking to do authentic Italian cuisine at this establishment. 

 

"As far as alcohol operations, bar operations, we still have the bar in the restaurant space, which also is a very popular spot for people to get a meal, appetizer and eat and socialize, so full bar service there."

 

Commissioners were interested in how the operation would work in terms of alcohol and access. Moresi said all the servers would be TIPs (Training for Intervention Procedures) trained and that he has an experienced general manager. Again, he clarified that the Mohawk would not be a bar and would have mixologists rather than bartenders. Service also will included mocktails.

 

"We're finding that younger people aren't consuming alcohol as much, so that's something we're all very passionate about with mocktails, so that everybody can feel included," he said, earlier saying, "We're really looking to do a classy joint here and try to fill what we perceive as a niche that's missing here in North Adams and, quite frankly, the North Berkshire area."

 

The complementary venues will be linked through main entrance on Marshall Street, which will not be changed. The restaurant will still be at the right, the lounge on the left. Moresi explained that the center door going upstairs was always locked and only accessible to tenants.

 

The Center Street door on the tavern and the two extra Marshall Street doors (that one led into separate retail establishments) are being refurbished and will be exit only, with no handles on the outside. 

 

The commission unanimously approved the license with hours from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Moresi anticipated opening in the late afternoon with possible weekend brunches or private events, and staying open late when there are events. 

 

"What we've been doing when new establishments come in, we try to cover all the bases of the hours so that you don't have to keep coming back before us," said Commissioner Rosemari Dickinson. "We like to give you probably more than you're going to use, but know that you're just going to use whatever hours you have wisely."

 

The commission also approved a one-day license for a Berkshire Food Project fundraiser for on Friday, May 8, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Greylock Works. The event will feature local chefs in a "Chopped" style competition with attendees voting on their favorites. Tickets can be purchased here.