The story
Fox & the Knife is a vibrant enoteca and restaurant from chef Karen Akunowicz, located at 28 West Broadway in South Boston. Family owned and operated with co-owner LJ Johnson, it offers traditional Italian food and drink with a modern sensibility. The restaurant is a casual, contemporary homage to the food, wine, and culture of Modena, Italy, where Akunowicz spent more than a year living and cooking. It embraces the spirit of aperitivo—a communal gathering place where guests come together over good company and great food. The high-energy, warm atmosphere sets the stage for a menu that highlights handmade pastas, bright antipasti, and a carefully curated Apertivi and Amaro program.
Karen Akunowicz is a 2018 James Beard Award winner for Best Chef: Northeast and a 2020 finalist for Best New Restaurant. She has been called "Boston’s Queen of Pasta" by the press. Her first solo venture, Fox & the Knife, was named an "Instant Classic" by Food & Wine Magazine and listed among its Best New Restaurants in America. The restaurant also holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand, awarded in 2025, recognizing its good quality, good value cooking. Before opening Fox & the Knife, Akunowicz was executive chef at acclaimed Boston eatery Myers + Chang and competed on Bravo’s "Top Chef."
The menu draws on Akunowicz’s experience as a pasta maker and chef at L’Avian Blu Enoteca in Italy. She uses both traditional and modern techniques to let the bold flavors of exceptional ingredients shine, creating new versions of beloved Italian classics. The result is soul-satisfying Italian food that feels both familiar and fresh. Akunowicz has said that bringing the idea of Modena to life at Fox & the Knife was a dream come true. Reservations are released on a rolling 30-day basis, and the bar always saves room for walk-in guests, offering the full menu on a first-come, first-served basis.
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