When Will Andiamo Open in Neighboring Chelmsford?

CHELMSFORD, MA - Chef and owner Jim Rogers has been busy planning and designing and dreaming since he announced last July that Chelmsford Town Center would be the site for the second location of his much-lauded Andiamo Restaurant.

Last week, Rogers welcomed media and town officials for a hard-hat tour of the new location where interior construction is now underway.

If all goes according to schedule, Rogers hopes to open Andiamo Restaurant and Bar in mid-May.

But there’s a lot to do before then to outfit the restaurant that will seat about 160 guests inside and 40 outside for “al fresco” dining.

Rogers’ vision for the restaurant includes expanding upon what he’s already become known for at Andiamo -- it means “Let’s Go” in Italian -- in Newburyport, which opened in 2012.

Since he’s able to build the Chelmsford location from the floor up, Rogers said he has taken particular time to work out the details and include exactly what he needs to achieve his vision for the new restaurant.

“By designing the kitchen and the whole restaurant there, we can design everything we need to make the menu work,” Rogers told Patch in July. “It’s a real treat. I’ve done it, but not from a cement floor.”

Andiamo in Chelmsford will feature an open kitchen concept and a wood fire oven, according to a press release. A large gas fireplace in the center of the restaurant and an impressive wine list will also be part of the guest experience.

Additionally, the kitchen will be equipped with a machine, imported from Italy, to make homemade fresh pasta. Rogers told Patch that he enjoys making homemade ravioli, but is generally only able to offer one or two flavors a day at Newburyport; the machine in Chelmsford will allow Rogers to offer more options.

The restaurant will feature favorites from Newburyport, including signature dishes such as butternut squash ravioli in a brown butter sage cream sauce, chicken parmesan over fresh pasta in an arugula pistachio pesto, and weekly antipasti plates.

Traditional Italian dishes and daily specials are all part of the experience Rogers is designing for Chelmsford.

“In the restaurant business we all know there is nothing better than food that starts from scratch,” Rogers said in a statement. “You can imagine how thrilled I am to have been able to design a brand new restaurant from scratch.”

Photo: Contributed