Photo | Drew Lazor

Novità Bistro (1608 South St., 215-545-4665), which we first told you about in early August, opens for dinner tonight at 5 p.m.

The 36-seat BYO, formerly a barber shop/salon, is rustic and simple, with a glazed exposed brick wall, gold votives and an open kitchen that shows off some beautiful copper cookware. Though the original idea was to design the menu as a roundabout tour of the Mediterranean, the opening concept has been tweaked bit — it's mostly Italian at the moment. (Chef Hassan Zanzoul, a French Culinary Institute alum, began his culinary career in Italy in 1987.) GM Hatim Saaboul, Zanzoul's brother-in-law, says they'll change the menu up regularly — expect the addition of some French dishes, as well as some specialties of their native Morocco, in the coming months.

More photos and the opening menu after the jump.

Photos | Drew Lazor

ANTIPASTI

Verdure alla Griglia
Mixed vegetables with herbs and olive oil ... 8

Gamberoni a Fagioli
Jumbo shrimp and Tuscan white beans sautéed with yellow and grape tomatoes, fresh sage and white wine ... 10

Zuppa di Cozze o Vongole
Poached little neck clams or PEI mussels in a lightly spiced white wine broth with fresh tarragon, tomatoes and garlic croutons ... 12

Mozzarella Caprese
Fresh imported buffalo mozzarella with vine-ripened beefsteak tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil and fresh basil ... 10

Capesante Agro dolce e Funghi Trifolati
Pan-seared jumbo sea scallops with wild mushroom compote, sweet and sour balsamic reduction ... 12

Calamari Fritti
Fried domestic calamari with spicy tomato sauce or Calamari Novità with hot cherry peppers and balsamic reduction ... 10

Zuppa Calde del Giorno

INSALATE

Insalata Giulio Cesare
Traditional caesar salad with garlic croutons and white anchovies ... 7

Insalata della Casa
Organic field greens, pear tomatoes and balsamic vinaigrette ... 6

Insalata di Spinaci Novelli con Gorgonzola
Baby organic spinach, gorgonzola cheese, red wine-poached pears, walnuts and roasted figs vinaigrette ... 9

Insalata Novita
Tossed baby spinach, roasted red and yellow beets, gorgonzola, walnuts, fresh oranges and citrus vinaigrette ... 9

PRIMI PIATTI

Spaghetti con Granchio
Thin spaghetti with fresh crabmeat, tomatoes and fresh basil ... 16

Gnocchi alla Caprese
Housemade potato dumplings with fresh tomato sauce, basil and mozzarella cheese ... 12

Fettucine Neri Crostaci Marechiara
Black ink fettuccine with shrimp, clams, mussels and calamari with a light tomato basil sauce ... 18

Linguine con Vongole
Linguine with little neck clams, garlic, red pepper flakes, parsley and extra virgin olive oil ... 15

Agnelotti di Porcini
Half moon-shaped ravioli filled with porcini and wild mushrooms, served with a demi-glace cream sauce ... 14

Risotto del Giorno

SECONDI PIATTI

Galletto al Mattone
Boneless spiced Cornish hen, pan-roasted with escarole and white cannelinni beans ... 17

Merluzzo Livornese
Fresh Chatham cod filet with capers, onions and black olives with a white wine tomato sauce ... 18

Salmone Fiorentina
Fresh salmon filet stuffed with spinach, onions, mushrooms and mascarpone cheese with beurre blanc sauce ... 19

CONTORNI

Scarola alla Toscana ... 6
Broccoletti di Rabe ... 6
Spinach Aglio ... 6
Fagioli All'uccelletto ... 6

Novità Bistro opens tonight