Cranston’s Papa Razzi to close, reopen as Avvio

AVVIO,  a new Italian restaurant slated for the Papa Razzi space in Garden City in Cranston, is depicted in this rendering. / COURTESY NEWPORT RESTAURANT GROUP
AVVIO, a new Italian restaurant slated for the Papa Razzi space in Garden City in Cranston, is depicted in this rendering. / COURTESY NEWPORT RESTAURANT GROUP

CRANSTON – Papa Razzi, a longtime Garden City restaurant, is closing Jan. 31, and will be replaced by Avvio Ristorante in the spring.
The change was announced Wednesday by Newport Restaurant Group, a division of Newport Harbor Corp.
Avvio, described as an Italian-American eatery featuring classic dishes, Neapolitan pizzas and a wood-fired grill, will mark the Newport Restaurant Group’s ninth location in Rhode Island.
“When Newport Harbor Corp. purchased seven Papa Razzi restaurants in 2012, it gave us the opportunity to grow our footprint into Massachusetts,” Paul O’Reilly, CEO and president of Newport Harbor Corp., said in a statement. “The Cranston location has been successful, but with the growth and expansion of Garden City, we saw an opportunity to refresh the space and enhance its offerings to align with Newport Restaurant Group’s culinary philosophy. These changes will allow us to add Avvio to the Newport Restaurant Group portfolio and to provide guests in the West Bay and statewide the experience they have come to expect from our restaurants and with a similar price point to Papa Razzi.”
Chef Greg Coccio, former executive chef at Papa Razzi, will remain in this role at Avvio.
Meanwhile, Papa Razzi gift cards will be accepted at all Papa Razzi locations in Massachusetts, as well as at Newport Restaurant Group properties Waterman Grille and Hemenway’s in Providence.

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