New York City’s iconic 121-year-old Ferdinando’s Italian Restaurant is getting new life — but with a twist

A red sauce revival is coming to Brooklyn.

Ferdinando Focaseria at Carroll Gardens – Which closed suddenly last year after 121 years Serving classic Sicilian cuisine – it will reopen next month with a new owner and a fresh twist.

The venue will reopen as Bar Ferdinando with its new owner, Sal Lamboglia, who was hand-picked by Ferdinando’s longtime owner, Frank Bova, last March. Lamboglia, who owns the bustling Spaghetti Café across the street, will reopen the place on April 15 as a neighborhood café and cocktail bar.

“My goal is to preserve what makes Ferdinando so special while giving it the care it needs to last for years to come,” Lamboglia, who also leads the Brooklyn location of Swoony’s and Sal Tang’s, said in a statement shared with The Post.

“We don’t want it to be unrecognizable – but I want to see myself reflected in the space.”

The renovated red-sauce Union Street restaurant will still serve Sicilian rice balls, octopus salad, and the “original” panele sandwich — made using a Bova family recipe — as well as coffee and espresso.

New additions include homemade eggplant caponata and insalata di mare, as well as a dessert menu from Radio Bakery alum Jackie de la Barrera, Lamboglia added.

The bar will feature a cocktail program led by Ricardo Echeverri — formerly of Swoony’s — and offer “innovative twists on classics, pour-forward amaro, martinis, vermouth, and a special bar spin on the famous Manhattan Special,” representatives for Bar Ferdinando said.

Lamboglia said he will keep about half of the organization’s original artwork, historic light fixtures, flooring and chairs — as well as a decades-old sign “that has identified the room for generations.”

The restaurant’s famous patrons memorialized on the walls include Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese – the latter of whom used Ferdinando’s wine in a scene in the 2006 film The Departed.

Michael Haftka, a local painter who owns a private art gallery in the building, sees the new opening as a welcome addition from Spaghetti Café — which he described as an already beloved restaurant in Carroll Gardens.

“I eat there a lot, it’s a beautiful place,” he said of the four-year-old restaurant, adding that the building will be “enhanced” with the upcoming bar and café.

“They’re a great addition to the neighborhood, so I think Ferdinando’s Bar will also be a great addition,” Haftka added.

Bova, who closed his store last February due to health problems, he previously told The Post He considers Lamboglia “a go-to guy” and chose him over other buyers because “he’s a popular guy, and I love the way he did it with Cafe Spaghetti.

“Ferdinando will continue on his path.”