Moe Gad, the owner of Pacifico, 220 College Street, New Haven and his partner Executive Chef Rafael Palomino are doubling down on downtown dining scene by making plans for a new restaurant, due to open in 2021, right next door. Villa Lulu will be an old school Italian eatery that will open up at 230 College Street, in the old location of Samurai Japanese Restaurant. In the meantime, they plan to continue to offer safe dining at Pacifico, known for its “creative cocktail culture,” paella, fish tacos, and specialties like crispy oysters over plantain mash topped with a saffron-mojito sauce. Find out more at www.pacificonewhaven.com,

—Pem McNerney