Downtown Excelsior quietly lost an Italian restaurant at the end of October. At the same time, it gained promise of a new one — albeit a more casual, approachable version. Red Sauce Rebellion (205 Water St., Excelsior), a new concept from the folks behind Coalition, will debut on the footprint of the former Victor’s on Water — an Italian restaurant — in early December, following a complete renovation. Victor’s closed on Oct. 29, three days before co-owners Eli Wollenzien and Deacon Eells signed the new lease.

The new vibe will be decidedly more laid back: Think meatballs, baked ziti and chicken Parmesan. Wollenzien, who also co-owns the two Coalition outposts in downtown Excelsior and at 50th and France, calls the concept “red and white-sauce Italian.” “It’s definitely not authentic. It’s Americanized, but it’s fun,” he said. “It’s the Italian we all grew up with. Over the years, that kind of place seems to have taken a lower rung in the food scene, and our goal is to see that come back.”