Where The North End’s newly expanded Trattoria il Panino, which took over neighborhood landmark Caffé Pompei.

What Several Roman statues from the original Pompei digs.

Whose idea Il Panino owner Frank DePasquale expanded Trattoria il Panino this month, moving into the Hanover Street space once occupied by the 100-or-so-year-old Caffé Pompei. To pay homage to the bygone restaurant, he preserved several ornate, robed statues tucked into the walls. “They’re all statues of various Madonnas, things left behind from the old Pompei days. Caffé Pompei was a tradition in the North End, and I wanted to leave a touch of that. It was a famous place for how many years? I want their old customers to feel comfortable,’’ says the North End restaurateur. Gaze at the statues until the wee hours — the roomier il Panino serves a late-night menu until 4 a.m. and breakfast, too.

280 Hanover St., North End, Boston, 617-720-1336, www.trattoriailpanino.com

KARA BASKIN

Kara Baskin can be reached at kcbaskin@gmail.com. Follow her on Twitter @kcbaskin.