The recent passing of actor Abe Vigoda, most notably remembered as Salvatore Tessio in “The Godfather”, had me thinking of all those timeless scenes featuring a mafioso chowing down on a plate of spaghetti in their neighborhood pasta joint, bottle of wine optional, but encouraged.

A Mano (2244 Fairmount Ave.) is Fairmount’s own brand new neighborhood Italian restaurant. It’s certainly not a mob hangout but it features seasonally inspired dishes from the north and south ends of the boot to satisfy that craving we all have after watching “The Godfather.”

A Mano is the second restaurant opened by Restaurateur and Chef Townsend Wentz, who also owns Townsend, a restaurant in East Passyunk. The new Italian eatery is a 48 seat BYOB headed up by Executive Chef Michael Millon, who formerly worked at A Voce in Manhattan, and Boston’s Bistro du Midi. He also helped launch Townsend and has worked with Chef Wentz for 10 years. He has been in the restaurant business since his start as a dishwasher at age 13.

“A Mano” means “by hand,” and According to General Manager Lauren Harris, customers should expect their meal to be a handmade masterpiece of authentic Italian cuisine. She hopes the new Italian BYOB will be a welcomed counterpoint to the legendary watering holes dominating Fairmount Ave. “There’s a lot of pubs and bars,” Harris said. “There’s no Italian BYOB’s in Fairmount…We wanted to do something a little more food focused.”

According to Harris, if you decide to check them out this time of year, you’ll find hearty cuisines native to Northern Italy. As the temperature rises and seasonal local produce is more available, the menu will shift. “In the summer I would expect to see some pieces influenced by the South,” Harris said.

According to Harris, A Mano hopes to have outdoor seating for the summer. She believes their large open windows and prime location on Fairmount Ave. will bring in people from close by as well as others who may not think of Fairmount when they’re craving Italian food. “It’s a great corner…We put in windows that open up around the entire corner,” Harris Said “We just want it to be a comfortable place and a good addition to the neighborhood.”