A wine bar and pasta restaurant called Abbiocco (website, instagram) is under development in Woodfords Corner in the space that had previously been occupied by Sissle & Daughters.
Chef/owner Cole Curcio plans to serve a menu of fresh pasta dishes complemented by an extensive wine list with primarily Italian wines. Curcio shared that he’ll use pasta as a medium to explore the flavors of local Maine ingredients. One fall dish he’s developing is a pot roast raviolo made with braised beef, charred fingerlings and carrot oil.
Curcio grew up in New Hampshire and his family summers in Poland, Maine. He initially moved to Texas to attend culinary school and afterwards stayed in Austin where he worked at several restaurants including as the sous chef at L’Oca d’Oro. Since moving to Maine, Curcio has worked at Twelve and is now on staff at Benny’s.
While there isn’t a direct translation of “abbiocco”, it’s generally understood to mean a pleasant and contented drowsiness that comes from a good meal. Curcio is making light renovations to the space and hopes to launch Abbiocco by the end of September.