Bar Volpe

Chef Karen Akunowicz just can’t stop, won’t stop. Her latest South Boston venture is located just a few blocks down from her famed Fox & the Knife and lures in her loyalists with Southern Italian cooking. It’s all about wood-fired seafood, rotisserie chicken, vegetable-centric entrees (peppers, artichokes, and eggplants in particular), and as expected, more housemade pasta, which you’ll also be able to buy in the restaurant’s pastificio (or pasta shop). Start with divine Negronis before moving on to the extensive Italian wine list.

This Italian spread is perfect for couples who want to indulge without stress. It starts with a truffled rotisserie chicken alongside taleggio-stuffed focaccia, ferla-spiced stuffing, mascarpone mashed potatoes, and green beans. Dessert is celebrated the only way Boston Italians know how: with pumpkin spice cannoli. If you seek a true soup-to-nuts order, you can also add a bottle of KA Sangiovese or a full pumpkin pie with whipped cream.