Forcella quietly opened in the North End on Thursday, bringing old-world Italian food to the former Carmen space just days before Christmas. Nino Trotta — who owns Forcella alongside his girlfriend, general manager Shannon MacGowan, and his brother, wine director Christian Trotta — said that the cozy, candlelit vibe of the restaurant sets Forcella apart in a sea of massive North End trattorias.

“It’s tiny, 33 or 34 seats,” he said. “It’s perfect for a date.” Chef Robert Morotto, formerly of the Aquitaine Group, has designed a menu that includes dishes from all over Italy, with a slight lean toward Naples, where the Trotta family is from. Primi dishes include meatballs, lobster bisque, and crispy quail, while pastas range from linguine alle vongole and risotto to gnocchi with braised rabbit.