The former Café Esplanade will reopen under new management as the Charles River Bistro on March 21, according to Anthem Hospitality.

Boston-based Anthem Hospitality and its parent company The Anthem Group assumed control of the café located near the DCR Hatch Shell on the Charles River Esplanade last year and invested more than $250,000 in capital improvements to transform it into a Parisian-style bistro. Improvements included the addition of ample tree-covered and riverfront seating and an outdoor lounge – all resting immediately adjacent to the banks of the Charles River Lagoon.

“Summer 2013 was an abbreviated season and a trial run,” said Chris Sinclair, president and CEO of The Anthem Group. “In 2014, we’re now fully upgraded and ready to exceed even our own expectations.”

The Bistro’s menu includes fresh lobster rolls, soups, hand-pressed paninis and gourmet desserts, as well as vegetarian selections and children’s value meals. A new upgrade to the menu is the Pre-Fixe sunset dinners, and plates can range up to $100.

“Our goal when creating the menu was to provide a unique experience, something no one else could offer,” said Erik Kortz, Charles River Bistro manager.  “We have this beautiful view, all we needed was food to compliment it.”

Meanwhile, the Bistro has expanded its programming to include, art exhibitions, a permanent “piano in the park” for public use, weekly acoustic and poetry nights, Saturday Soul Music Brunch and Sunday Jazz Brunch.

The Bistro, in collaboration with DCR, has also added additional community outreach programs to bring inner city and at-risk youths to the Esplanade and the various events held at the Hatch Shell.

“We saw the Bistro as an opportunity to expand our reach in the community,” Sinclair said. “Whether [citizens] are coming to enjoy our chicken kabob salad or participating in our outreach programs, our main goal for the Charles River Bistro is to provide an exceptional experience.”

The Bistro’s season will extend into November, according to Anthem Hospitality.