Ozra, a Persian-Mediterranean restaurant, has opened, quietly, in Little Italy.
Ozra's formal opening, according to co-owner Reza Holland, is July 26. Until then, Holland said, the restaurant will be asking in friends and family, but curious passersby are being welcomed in to dine as well.
Ozra occupies a long-shuttered Stiles Street location that longtime Little Italy residents will remember as the Impallaria/Gramigna Bakery. Holland and his partner, Mahrdad "Max" Tabasi, purchased the building in 2009 and have spent the last two-and-a-half years completely renovating the property.
"We tried to work hard on the ambience," Holland said. "It's got a modern feel to it." Ozra will seat about 100 diners on its two floors.
The focus of Mediterranean menu, according to Holland, is on grilled items and skewered meats and seafood.
Ozra is at 806 Stiles St. For more information call 410-528-2710 or go to ozrarestaurant.com.