In Italy they stand to drink, whether coffee in the morning or Campari before dinner. So at Quality Italian, which opened on Tuesday, the Standing Room is what the restaurant calls its ground-floor bar and shop. And if this latest venture has a familiar ring, it's because Quality Meats, a sibling, is right around the corner.

Will the newcomer eat the steakhouse for lunch? Michael Stillman, the president of Fourth Wall Restaurants, which owns both, says no. "We think they will complement each other," he said. The Standing Room, which opens to the street with an overhead garage door (right), will feature drinks, a menu of mini-sandwiches, some sweets and assorted house-made condiments like Calabrian chile salt, herb-infused honey, flavored pastas and biscotti.

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