The doors are nearly ready to open at downtown’s new Italian restaurant, Maribella Ristorante. Owners Riccardo and Marybeth Tarabelsi are overseeing the finishing touches on the space at Washington Square. They also own Brix Wine Bar, which opened in the building this summer, and R Wine Bar & Kitchen on East Eighth Street.

“Our objective is to transport people,” Riccardo Tarabelsi said. “You’re going to feel like you’re in Italy. You’ll be dining under the arches and inside the dome.” The restaurant is designed with a variety of seating areas, including a 60-seat full bar with a combination of high-top tables, bar seating and lower seating that will be walk-in only.