Mmm ... chicken toscana, veal tetrazine, lobster ravioli and salmon marsala. Downtown has yet another option for fine dining — Italiano style.

Napoli’s Italian Restaurant is expected to open next week in the former Kirkpatrick Cafe, located at 614 Francis St. The cafe closed earlier this week to make room for the new, authentic Italian eatery.

Originally from Venice, Italy, Bujar “BJ” Rexha is excited about opening another restaurant.

In 2007, he opened a location in Maryville, Mo., and a year later opened a location in Sedalia, Mo., with his younger brother, Labi. Mr. Rexha said he was in the food industry in his home country for nearly 20 years before moving to the United States.

According to the restaurant’s website, that business set the foundation for an enterprise that got its start in Dallas, then spread to Oklahoma and Missouri. “I’ve been trying to get (to St. Joseph) for two years,” he said.

Mr. Rexha has spent much of this week focusing on the transition from a casual dining restaurant to an eloquent atmosphere of handmade breads and fine wines.

“Our food is way different,” he said. “You guys don’t have anything like it here.”

From the capelini Napoli with sauteed fresh tomatoes, artichoke hearts, capers and garlic in a white wine sauce over angel hair pasta, to veal aristocrat topped with eggplant and provolone cheese in a creamy white wine and Alla Pana sauce served over spaghetti, Napoli’s is something new to the taste buds.

“Our food is 90 percent from scratch,” he said. “Made right there. No premade foods.”

Instead of chips and salsa or popcorn, Mr. Rexha serves up warm breads and rolls with oils.

“And our service is going to be something new in town, too,” he adds.

While Napoli’s will be a destination for dinner, Mr. Rexha doesn’t want to forget about the lunch crowd. He hopes to cater to those on a schedule and offer even his best dishes during the noon hour.

Jennifer Hall can be reached at jennhall@newspressnow.com.