Boston - March 06, 2006

First Shot

Salute Opens

Isn’t it lovely to be the first to know about everything?

Trouble is, it also means you have to be patient.

Take Salute, the new bar-restaurant in Roslindale Village. It has no wine list (not printed up yet), and no drapes (still deciding which design to go with).

But the bartenders are pouring. And chef Dominic Oliverio is a man with a plan.

Oliverio, who cooked at Gusto (the swank Italian spot that first put Roslindale on the restaurant-goer’s map) follows his Italian roots back to the source on this menu, with veal and pork ragu in a tomato cream sauce, thin-crust pizza, and beignets stuffed with king oyster mushrooms.

Pretty soon they’ll roll out a hearty weekend brunch — best enjoyed on the patio, which is waiting for warm weather. And, of course, the requisite tables and chairs.

But when it all comes together, you’ll be ready.

Salute, 4257 Washington Street, Roslindale (617-325-1000).