Mario Carbone Comes To Boston—First Restaurant By Major Food Group Opening This Month

Major Food Group, known especially for Carbone, is opening their first concept in Boston. The restaurant, Contessa, will open at the newest luxury hotel in the city, The Newbury Boston. Contessa will offer all-day dining overlooking the Boston Public Garden and Newbury Street.

“Boston is one of my favorite cities in the world, brimming with history and so many “firsts” from arts and culture to healthcare to the Emerald Necklace, and most importantly, the history of this legendary property which provided so much inspiration for the dining experience we wanted to create for Bostonians. Contessa will be a place for a new and spirited good time filled with elegant cuisine, the perfect cocktail and stunning views of the city we love — the social hub that we so miss right now,” said Mario Carbone, founder of Major Food Group.

The Newbury Boston hotel recently began welcoming guests; however the signature restaurant is not yet open, the grand opening will be later this month. However, Major Food Group is also handling food and beverage for the rest of the hotel, including the Lobby Bar and the in room dining program—so early guests are getting a taste of what is to come on the roof at Contessa.

Contessa will be located on the rooftop and is designed in a hybrid indoor/outdoor style—similar to something you would typically find in Europe. Inspired by its prestigious location, Contessa takes cues from the property’s history. Ken Fulk designed the interiors of the restaurant and brought it his signature combination of luxe textures and sumptuous finishings to bring the space to life. Guests will be able to take in all the views that surround the hotel while dining in one of Boston’s not only oldest neighborhoods, but also its most glamourous. The property is best known in Boston as the “Old Ritz” because when it opened in 1927, it was one of the first Ritz-Carlton Hotels, while in more recent years it was redeveloped as the Taj Boston. But once again, the property is reemerging as something completely new.

Designer Ken Fulk, commented that he imagined Contessa to be the restaurant “where dinner and dancing, three-martini lunches, or high tea were the perfect excuse to dress up and hit the town.” And judging by the renderings, Contessa will be the place you’ll want to trade in the sweatsuit for high heels or a suit.

Like so many other projects, Contessa & The Newbury Boston were held up by the pandemic. But the team is hopeful for what 2021 holds and is especially excited to welcome guests on their new rooftop hotspot, just as summer in Boston rolls in with sunny days and balmy evenings.