An unlikely friendship between Nick Varano and Alain Allegretti is ushering in changes for Strega North End. The local restaurateur and the New York chef, whose resume ranges from his early Manhattan days at Le Cirque to his own NYC ventures like La Promenade Des Anglais, are making their relationship menu-official, bringing new food to the Hanover Street spot this summer.

“I find Nick very fascinating at every level,” Allegretti said. “Because of the crisis, (his) restaurant was closed for a few months and he had this opportunity of reopening with an outdoor area, which he never had before.