Milestone, a restaurant that featured Southern European cooking, occupied the Wellesley Square space where Juniper now operates over the course of 2009-2014. It was run by a local named Charlie Papakonstantinou (his parents run the Maugus restaurant in Wellesley) who said at the time of Milestone’s closing that “I like to think we’ve done something good with this restaurant, having helped keep that corner of downtown alive during the recession.”
Imagine my surprise when I stumbled across a Providence Journal restaurant review of a place called Milestone Kitchen & Bar in Cranston, R.I., and run by the very same Papakonstantinou and featuring pretty much the same logo. The review is a positive one, citing the rustic charm of the eatery as well as its affordable menu items. The joint serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner, with dinner items including steak fritz, chicken marsala and pan-seared salmon.
I checked in with Papakonstantinou to ask about the new Milestone, which actually opened about 2 years ago.
“I was introduced to an iconic location in Cranston which was the former Don’s Diner for over 30 years. Great location, parking,” he says. “Like Vidalia’s truck stop that was closed for a few years [before Milestone in Wellesley opened] , I found a place that had closed that I could bring back to life and renovate. I miss being [in Wellesley] but I am glad that I was able to pass the torch to David Becker [of Juniper].”
So, if you’re ever looking for a little bit of Wellesley when in Rhode Island, check out the Milestone Kitchen & Bar.
MORE: Juniper — A special new Wellesley Square dining spot (2014)
Where to eat in Wellesley, Mass.
Happy for Charlie, Milestone, Cranston, and the whole wonderful family.
Charlie is a great guy and his family at the Maugus are the hardest workers you’ll ever find – the best people
Great Article
I can’t wait for Tobi and I to visit the New Milestone..
We always had great food, great service.
The owner talked a bit to much, but we loved him anyway.
Steven & Tobi
Great article . Well done !!! Means a lot to me and my Family !!