The owner of Yannalfo's Ristorante will appear before the Board of Selectmen at their meeting at Abbot Hall tonight to request a liquor license.

Earlier this month, Yannalfo's opened in the former home of Pellino's Ristorante, located at 261 Washington St. The owner, Brett Yannalfo, 43, of Andover, said he has always dreamed of opening a restaurant of his own.

"I grew up Italian, so hosting people is second nature to me and that being said, I am going to keep it as Italian, but a little more casual and sort of ‘comfort food’ Italian than what (Pellino's) was cooking," Yannalfo said.

Although the restaurant will still serve Italian fare, Yannalfo said local residents can expect some changes to the menu.

A prospective menu provided by Yannalfo last month included:

Appetizers: Caprese Salad, Shrimp Scampi, Stuffed Mushrooms, Lobster Crostini, Eggplant Rollatini, Italian Antipasto and Bruschetta.

Chicken: Chicken Pariggiana, Chicken Ziti & Broccolini, Chicken Caprese, Chicken Yannalfo (lightly breaded chicken cutlet topped with crab and lobster meat stuffing topped wih a Newburg sauce), Chicken & Vegetables and Chicken Marsala.

Veal: Veal Parmiggiana, Veal Manhattan, Veal & Vegetables, Veal Marsala, Veal Florentine, Veal Milanese.

Seafood: Frutta Di Mare, Shrimp Primavera, Papardelle alla Yannalfo, Seafood Cioppino, Lobster Tails fra Diavolo and Crusted Baked Haddock.

Pasta: Papardelle alla Carbonara, Pasta Milano, Pasta Primavera, Pasta and Meatballs, Lobster Ravioli, Wild Mushroom Raviolo and Pasta alla Michael.

Yannalfo said his aim is to run an affordable restaurant "where you'll feel like you’re visiting friends."