La Dolce Vita restaurant in Dover is new venture for ex-owner of 'Cafe Med' in Portsmouth

Ian Lenahan, Foster's Daily Democrat
·3 min read
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DOVER — Adel Semmar, former owner of the 30-year-old Cafe Mediterraneo in downtown Portsmouth, is bringing a taste of the sweet life to the heart of Dover.

La Dolce Vita, a casual fine dining Italian restaurant and bar, will open in the Orpheum building this winter. Adel Semmar is partnering with his nephew, Souhail Semmar. They are opening the new business in the 104 Washington St. space most recently occupied by The Sassy Biscuit Co. restaurant, which closed Dec. 13 due to slow sales.

La Dolce Vita translates to "the sweet life," and Adel Semmar is eager to welcome in patrons of all ages.

“I think downtown Dover needs the concept I have ... so I'm going for it,” he said.

La Dolce Vita menu will be largely familiar to Cafe Mediterraneo fans

Adel Semmar, the former owner of Cafe Mediterraneo in Portsmouth, is opening La Dolce Vita in Dover with his nephew, Souhail Semmar. The Italian restaurant will open in the space formerly occupied by The Sassy Biscuit Co. in the Orpheum building at 104 Washington St.
Adel Semmar, the former owner of Cafe Mediterraneo in Portsmouth, is opening La Dolce Vita in Dover with his nephew, Souhail Semmar. The Italian restaurant will open in the space formerly occupied by The Sassy Biscuit Co. in the Orpheum building at 104 Washington St.

Adel Semmar said the new 100-seat restaurant will largely mirror Cafe Mediterraneo's offerings.

La Dolce Vita’s menu is still under development but it will feature pastas, including bolognese, carbonara, gnocchi and ravioli, in addition to chicken, seafood and veal dishes. A robust wine list will be offered alongside beer and martinis.

"I have a huge following back in Portsmouth. People have been texting me about my plans," he said. "I’m excited to meet with them and see some of my original (guests)."

Semmar and former Cafe Mediterraneo co-owner Mounsif Ghninou, both Moroccan, worked together in the North End of Boston for a few years before opening their Italian bistro in Portsmouth in 1993. In June, the two sold their Portsmouth business to Brian Kozak and Dominic Richardson, who moved to Portsmouth from Florida after a hurricane destroyed their Naples restaurant, Caffe dell’Amore.

How Adel Semmar came back to restaurant business

Adel Semmar and his nephew Souhail Semmar are preparing to serve Italian food at La Dolce Vita in downtown Dover, in the space formerly occupied by Sassy Biscuit Co.
Adel Semmar and his nephew Souhail Semmar are preparing to serve Italian food at La Dolce Vita in downtown Dover, in the space formerly occupied by Sassy Biscuit Co.

For a few months, Semmar laid low and visited numerous Dover businesses he hadn’t tried. But over time, Semmar was fielding questions from old friends and patrons from Cafe Mediterraneo about his next steps, and he started feeling the urge to return to the industry.

“I missed the business,” he said.

Partnering with his nephew, who worked as a chef at Cafe Mediterraneo for 16 years, Semmar settled on Dover as the home of his new creation. With the deal finalized, the duo are working to re-open the space for lunch and dinner in time for Valentine’s Day.

“I’m trying to open as soon as possible, as soon as I get the license,” Semmar added. “The sooner, the better.”

The Sassy Biscuit officially closed after over three years in business. Its owner, Jilan Hall Johnson, sold the assets of her restaurant to Semmar, though not the concept itself.

According to Semmar, the deal was finalized last Friday, Dec. 15. The La Dolce Vita co-founder has vowed to interview any interested former Sassy Biscuit employees for positions at the new business.

Adel Semmar, the former owner of Cafe Mediterraneo in downtown Portsmouth, is opening La Dolce Vita in downtown Dover with his nephew, Souhail Semmar. The Italian restaurant will open in the space formerly occupied by The Sassy Biscuit Co. in the Orpheum building at 104 Washington St.
Adel Semmar, the former owner of Cafe Mediterraneo in downtown Portsmouth, is opening La Dolce Vita in downtown Dover with his nephew, Souhail Semmar. The Italian restaurant will open in the space formerly occupied by The Sassy Biscuit Co. in the Orpheum building at 104 Washington St.

Private real estate firm Cathartes owns the Orpheum building. Jackie Huber, Cathartes’ director of asset management, announced Semmar was the tenant taking over the vacated Orpheum unit.

“Cathartes is excited to welcome Adel to the Orpheum, and we look forward to the opening of his restaurant,” she said.

The Semmars are working with a designer and contractor to renovate the interior of the restaurant, including the conversion of Sassy Biscuit’s counter into a 10- to 12-seat bar.

Semmar wasn’t absent from the restaurant world for long.

“‘Cafe Med’ was like a home for a lot of people,” he said. “Some of them came four or five times a week. I miss seeing them. I want to do the same thing here in Dover.”

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This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: La Dolce Vita opening in Dover NH in former Sassy Biscuit space