More than fIve years after closing his popular Enoteca Marcello’s Wine Bar and Café in the Southdowns Shopping Center on Perkins Road, Gene Todaro is bringing the restaurant back to the same space, which has been home to a string of short-lived eateries ever since Marcello’s departed.

“We’re thrilled,” says Todaro, who also operates Marcello’s restaurants on St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans and in Lafayette. “It’s kind of interesting how it worked out.” The new Marcello’s will be similar to the former one but a little more casual, Todaro says. The Italian-inspired menu also will be similar to what local diners remember, but will include other types of dishes, vegetarian options and shared plates.