A longtime Italian restaurant in Beacon Hill is closing its doors after more than two decades, its owner announced.
Grotto, located a short walk from the State House on Bowdoin Street, will serve its last meal within the next few weeks, the owner wrote on social media.
“With mixed emotions, I want to share that Grotto will be closing later this summer,” wrote Scott Herritt. “This has been a very difficult decision, but the time has come for a new chapter.”
Herritt previously told the Globe he plans to close the below-ground restaurant around Aug. 21. The lease for the restaurant, which opened in 2003 and celebrated its 22nd anniversary last month, is due to expire in September, he wrote on social media.
“I find myself filled with gratitude and reflection,” Herritt said. “It has been the privilege to serve and welcome our loyal guests over the years.”
Herritt said it’s “hard to believe” that had yet to turn 40 years old when he opened the venue, which is known for its periodic, 1950s-themed Italian feasts in the style of the Stanley Tucci movie “Big Night.”
“What a journey it has been since our opening night, when nearly everything that could go wrong did go wrong,” Herritt said. “The air conditioning failed, equipment broke down, and yet somehow, thanks to your support, the restaurant came to life and has continued to thrive.”
“Over the years, we’ve celebrated countless milestones together — from newlyweds and anniversaries to the graduations of the children who first came here in strollers,“ he continued. ”Watching your families grow has been one of the greatest joys of this work.”
Herritt previously owned two other Boston-area restaurants that have since closed: Kitchen, in the South End, closed in 2016, while Marliave, a historic French fusion establishment on Bromfield Street, never recovered from the pandemic.
Until it closes, Grotto will continue to serve its regularly scheduled dinner service from 5 to 9 p.m., seven days a week, Herritt said.
Material from previous Globe coverage was used in this report.
Camilo Fonseca can be reached at camilo.fonseca@globe.com. Follow him on X @fonseca_esq and on Instagram @camilo_fonseca.reports.
Dining and Cooking