Celebrity chef Mario Batali brought forth a proposal to open his first restaurant in New Haven. If approved by the Board of Zoning Appeals, Tarry Lodge Enoteca and Pizzeria, Batali’s “family-friendly” pizzeria, will move into the Yale-owned storefront at 278 Park St.

The New Haven Independent reported that Joshua Cohen, a lawyer representing the Batali & Bastianich Hospitality Group, asked the Board of Zoning Appeals for special exceptions in regards to liquor licensing and additional parking. The board will vote on the proposal next month.

According to the New Haven Register, Yale University Properties Assistant Director for New Haven and State Affairs Lauren Zucker said that, if the city approves Batali’s proposals, the restaurant could be open by the start of the fall semester. The space was approved to be a restaurant in 2005, but it has yet to be occupied.

“We are indeed working with the Tarry Lodge team,” Lauren Zucker, director of New Haven affairs at Yale told CT Now. “We are delighted with the level of interest we are seeing from terrific chefs who want to tap into New Haven’s strong ‘foodie’ environment.”

Tarry Lodge currently has two locations in Westport, Conn. and Port Chester, N.Y. In addition to Batali, the restaurant’s other owners will be Joe Bastianich, cook Andy Nusser, and manager Nancy Selzer.

Entrees range from $20-30. The other two Terry’s Lodge locations serve a menu of assorted gourmet pizzas, pasta, and other classic Italian entrees, including Eggplant Parmigiana and Pork Osso Buco. The Enoteca also features a wide selection of wine by the glass.

The Park St. property has been vacant for seven years.