Carpenter-turned-restaurateur Antonio Milone, 42, opened his high-end pizzeria and tapas restaurant A. Francisco's on Jan. 10. "The menu is based on a sharing concept," Milone said of his establishment at 1201 State St. "It's for dining slowly, and appreciating the natural and organic ingredients, sustainably produced 'friendly' wines made by small wineries that produce less than 5,000 cases a vintage."

The menu includes "bites" such as Castelvetrano olives, seasonal pickled vegetables, burrata bites, prosciutto and softball-sized meatballs, among other drool-worthy snacks. They have three house salads including Caesar, kale and arugula; and 11 "pies" that cook in three to seven minutes.