Fabbri, who lives down the street, hired design firm Swatchroom to transform the brick-lined space formerly occupied by neighborhood eatery Thally (1316 Ninth St NW). He says the new look is inspired by Il Maialetto, a Michelin-endorsed restaurant in his native Tuscany where he’s had many “fabulous simple meals.”

The last casual restaurant Fabbri ran in D.C., Posto, lasted nearly a decade. It closed in early 2016. The 20-year-old Tosca has welcomed the likes of former President Barack Obama and D.C. newcomer Ivanka Trump. “I am going to make [San Lorenzo] very simple and down to earth,” says Fabbri. “I want there to be lots of wood and life to it.”