Print

Keller/Carbone To Open Another Hartford Restaurant

by MARYELLEN FILLO

May 28, 2013

Goodbye ”Zula” and Ciao “Sorella!”

Many months after the mysterious, quick closing of the former Zula Bar and Restaurant, a couple of well-known Hartford restaurateurs are taking over the space.

DISH (in Hartford) and Dish ‘n Dat (in Canton) owners, Billy Carbone and Dan Keller will be opening ” Sorella” at 901 Main St. this summer, a new dining venture that will be all Italian.

“We have wanted to open a third restaurant and have been looking at different locations,”said Keller. “The Zula space is perfect because it is the perfect size and across the street from DISH so we can easily watch over both,” he said. ” But Sorella (which translates to “sister”) will be a totally different restaurant with a totally different menu.

Carbone said the two have already ordered a wood-fired pizza over from Italy for the stone pies that will be part of the Sorella menu. The bulk of the menu will be based on the homemade pastas and sauces that will be made at the new place. Salads and a very extensive selection of antipasto items will round out the lunch and dinner menu.

“We want it to be the kind of menu that is meant to be shared,” said Keller, noting that the price point will also be very affordable.

Keller and Carbone plan an Aug. 1 opening, as work progresses on a renovation of the space. While the bar area will remain, the stage in the rear of the dining room is being removed. Besides the large main dining room, there will also be a private dining room located downstairs. Gone will be the harsh blue and silver interior and instead a soft, natural-toned decor, said Keller.The two also plan to pursue a rooftop lounge in the future.

Keller said the new restaurant comes at a perfect time for the business partners. DISH is celebrating its sixth anniversary and Dish ‘n Dat its fourth anniversary this year.

“Sorella will be something new to downtown Hartford,” said Keller. “We can’t wait.”