As if the South End restaurant scene wasn’t hot enough, this winter has seen yet another highly anticipated eatery make its debut in the neighborhood. Opened by chefs Kevin O’Donnell and Michael Lombardi—who worked together at Zeppelin in Umbria, Italy—and christened SRV (569 Columbus Ave., 617-536-9500, srvboston.com) for the “Serene Republic of Venice” that inspired it, this wrought iron, plaster, brass and white marble-accented space turns out authentic Venetian-style dishes of homemade pasta, risotto, polenta, meat and fish modelled after those served in an Italian bacaro, a traditional, casual bar specializing in cicchetti (small bites). Once the weather thaws, an outdoor courtyard that seats about 40 and features a wooden deck surrounded by lush greenery is sure to be an in-demand draw. In the meantime, diners can just sit back, relax and enjoy the cuisine and a glass of wine while imagining themselves in sunny Italy—which, at SRV, isn’t a stretch at all.