Search Results for: amarin of thailand

Wellesley, Massachusetts restaurant — Amarin of Thailand

Amarin of Thailand, Wellesley, Massachusetts

Amarin of Thailand, 27 Grove St., Wellesley

Wellesley restaurant reviewer lunches at Amarin; orders same thing again

Restaurants in Wellesley — there are over 50 dining options

9 great Wellesley restaurants to take your Valentine, and 1 beyond Wellesley

Restaurants in Wellesley — there are over 50 dining options

The Swellesley Report’s restaurant review:

Amarin of Thailand

The Swellesley Report’s Wellesley restaurant reviews:

Alta Strada

Amarin of Thailand

b.good

Bocado Tapas Bar

Bruegger’s Bagels

Cafe Mangal

Caffe Nero

California Pizza Kitchen

Captain Marden’s/Captain’s Table & TakeAway

CK’ Shanghai

Cocobeet

Coconut Thai Cafe

Comella’s

Cook’s Window House of Pizza

The Cottage

CrepeBerry

Deluxe Pizza

Domino’s Pizza

Door No. 7

Dunkin’ Donuts

Feast & Fettle, meal delivery service

Fiorella’s Express

Jin’s Fine Asian Cuisine & Sushi Bar

J.P. Licks

Juniper

Lemon Thai Cuisine

The Linden Store

The Local

MassBay Community College cafeteria
50 Oakland St., Wellesley

Maugus Restaurant

Old School Pizzeria

Papa Razzi

Peter’s Pizza

Pizza Peddler

Pressed Juicery

Qdoba Mexican Grill

Quebrada Baking

Rice Burg

Roche Bros. Ramen Noodle Bar
Linden Square

Singh’s Cafe

Smith & Wollensky

Starbucks Coffee

Subway

Sweetgreen

Takara Japanese Restaurant

Tutto Italiano

Truly Yogurt

Wellesley Bakery & Cafe

Wellesley College eateries

Wellesley North End Pizza

Weston Road Cafe

White’s Bakery

Whole Foods

The Wok (closed for remodeling/new ownership in August, 2019)

Yama Japanese Restaurant

Wellesley offers a variety of eateries, from fancy to homey to chains. A slew of Asian restaurants dot the town, from sushi-and-more to Chinese to Thai. Or you can try out Italian eateries, Indian cuisine, Turkish specialties, or an old-timey diner with a Greek flair. And don’t forget those necessities — pizza, ice cream, donuts, and coffee. Wellesley’s got you covered there.

27 Grove St., Wellesley, Massachusetts
731-239 -1350

Our take: I’ve had lunch a few times at Amarin of Thailand, a long-time Wellesley stand-by located at 27 Grove St., and I always order the same amazing dish — a large bowl of the Muslim noodles. It’s a spicy Indonesian coconut curry soup served with tofu, hard-boiled egg, bean sprouts and your choice of chicken or beef, and it is comfort and health in a bowl, it’s fuel for the rest of the afternoon, and there is enough to take home for breakfast the next day. Yes, breakfast.

Other interesting-looking things on the menu: pad thai, of course; shrimp rolls — steamed vermicelli, fresh cooked shrimp, lettuce, mint and sweet basil, wrapped in fresh spring roll skins, served with Vietnamese peanut sauce; Medallions of pork — thinly sliced pork loin, marinated in garlic oil, white pepper, coriander roots and thin soy sauce, stir fried with mushrooms and green peas.

The service was great, and the spot’s slightly below street level location gives it a touch of coziness offset by the formality of the crisp white tablecloths, which just dare you to slosh Muslim noodles on them.

All Wellesley, Massachusetts restaurants

Amarin of Thailand
27 Grove St., Wellesley, Massachusetts
(731) 239 -1350

Our take: I’ve had lunch a few times at Amarin of Thailand, a long-time Wellesley stand-by located at 27 Grove St., and I always order the same amazing dish — a large bowl of the Muslim noodles ($9.50). It’s a spicy Indonesian coconut curry soup served with tofu, hard-boiled egg, bean sprouts and your choice of chicken or beef, and it is comfort and health in a bowl, it’s fuel for the rest of the afternoon, and there is enough to take home for breakfast the next day. Yes, breakfast.

Other interesting-looking things on the menu: pad thai, of course, ($9.25); shrimp rolls — steamed vermicelli, fresh cooked shrimp, lettuce, mint and sweet basil, wrapped in fresh spring roll skins, served with Vietnamese peanut sauce ($7.75); Medallions of pork — thinly sliced pork loin, marinated in garlic oil, white pepper, coriander roots and thin soy sauce, stir fried with mushrooms and green peas ($8.75).

Our take: I’ve had lunch a few times at Amarin of Thailand, a long-time Wellesley stand-by located at 27 Grove St., and I always order the same amazing dish — a large bowl of the Muslim noodles ($9.50). It’s a spicy Indonesian coconut curry soup served with tofu, hard-boiled egg, bean sprouts and your choice of chicken or beef, and it is comfort and health in a bowl, it’s fuel for the rest of the afternoon, and there is enough to take home for breakfast the next day. Yes, breakfast.

Amarin of Thailand
27 Grove St., Wellesley
(781) 239-1350

December 14, 2016 by Deborah Brown 1 Comment

I’ve had lunch a few times at Amarin of Thailand, a long-time Wellesley stand-by located at 27 Grove St., and I always order the same amazing dish — a large bowl of the Muslim noodles ($9.50). It’s a spicy Indonesian coconut curry soup served with tofu, hard-boiled egg, bean sprouts and your choice of chicken or beef, and it is comfort and health in a bowl, it’s fuel for the rest of the afternoon, and there is enough to take home for breakfast the next day. Yes, breakfast.

I know I’m a failure at restaurant reviewing around town. I stop into my favorite places, order the same things I love and cherish, and keep my insider secrets to myself. I’m always too full to update Swellesley’s restaurant page, or not in the mood, or not foodie enough to blog about the preferences of my pedestrian palate, or so I tell myself. Actually, I’m considering a New Year’s resolution that involves eating out more and making our restaurant page the best restaurant page ever (cue weight gain). After our home page, it gets the most page views, so the motivation should be there.

Other observations while I was at that end of town: the general area around Amarin is currently undergoing changes. Across the street at 30 Grove St., the former high-end women’s consignment store, the Turnabout Shoppe, closed its doors last summer after 25 years of keeping Wellesley women in Prada and Chanel. Another consignment shop, The Closet Exchange is expected to take its place later this winter after renovations are complete.

Meanwhile, Thirst Juice, the first business to open at the Belclare complex, got going last month at 41 Grove St. I stopped in at the green juice and smoothie bar and tried out the Bad Monkey, a 20-ounce smoothie made with banana, almond butter, cacao nibs, cacao powder, dates, coconut milk, ice ($8.75). Not too sweet, it went down all too easily.

There are additional storefronts available on both the Grove St. and Washington St. sides of Belclare, which the complex hopes will attract a full-blown restaurant and other retailers. They even have a large sign in the window that asks, “What do you want to see here?” Oh Belclare, that’s just dangling post fodder right in front of me. Maybe another day. Right now, I have to go out to eat somewhere.

Where to eat in Wellesley

The scoop: Wellesley Square’s Yogurtology shuts down

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May 1, 2019 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

Click above for tickets to Taste of Wellesley.

Thanks to the Rotary Club of Wellesley for their sponsorship of our restaurants page. Don’t miss their annual Spring Culinary fundraiser, Taste of Wellesley. Get tickets now for an exquisite evening of food, craft beer and boutique liquor tasting, cash bar, Live Auction, Giving Tree Raffle and silent auction showcasing unique art pieces from the Wellesley Society of Artists.

Here are all the local restaurants that will be participating in the Wellesley Rotary Club’s Taste of Wellesley, along with our Wellesley restaurant reviews…

[Read more…]

February 11, 2016 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

Cute heart soaps from Bonsoir, Wellesley Square

As you surely know, Valentine’s Day falls on a Sunday this year (if you didn’t know that, you’re welcome for the heads-up). That seems to call for a Saturday night celebration of a love as rare and true as yours, and tending to your Valentine’s dinner needs is the perfect way to show how much you care. After all, who wants to kill the mood by tackling cooking and clean-up duties on such a momentous day? No need for all that fuss, here’s a list of 9 great restaurants in Wellesley, and 1 beyond Wellesley, to take your Valentine. We’ve compiled and condensed some of our past reviews of these romantic hot spots, to give you and idea of what you’re getting yourself into.

Blue Ginger, 583 Washington St.

Wellesley’s best known and most unique restaurant is Blue Ginger, opened by Ming and Polly Tsai in 1998. Blue Ginger, which features east-meets-west cuisine, is on the upscale side, though the bar area offer a more casual atmosphere. Their specialty cocktails list includes offerings such as the Ichabod Crane, a wintry mix of rye, allspice, and apple cider reduction ($12) or try out a Peak Organic Nut Brown beer ($7). Appetizers include selections such as their charcuterie plate with duck prosciutto, chicken liver mousse, basturma, and country pate ($15) and shiitake-leek spring rolls ($12). Entrees are where the creative team really shines with offerings that include sake-miso marinated sablefish ($41); and pan-seared kurobuta pork porterhouse with apple cider pork jus ($32).

Juniper, 13 Central St.

For starters at this hot spot (opened in 2014 by the owners of Needham’s Sweet Basil) we tried out the eggplant baba ghanoush served with pita bread ($6). Its creamy texture and smoky flavor, along with the homemade pita, made it a winner. Another popular app is the chicken shish taouk with braised greens and harissa yogurt ($12).

Entrees include kavavia (Greek seafood stew) made with mussels, shrimp, calamari, tomato broth, potatoes, and crostini ($28) and the braised faux beef shortribs with porcini broth, pecorino millet polenta, and gingered carrot slaw ($27). Absolutely to die for, and something I’ve had on at least three occasions here, is the charred octopus, never overdone or rubbery, always fork-tender and perfect ($14, appetizer).

Bocado, 45 Church St.

Bocado hit instant popularity since its 2014 opening. On our visit, we tried out the bacon wrapped scallops with white truffle honey ($9.50), which were fantastic. Also a hit was the raw tuna with lemon basil crema ($13), although the sweet potato chips that were served alongside it were limp, not crispy as I expected. The mozzarella stuffed crispy rice balls with basil aioli ($6.40) got a big thumbs up. Just as we thought maybe we were filling up, a generous platter of beef tenderloin with potatoes and roquefort cream came out. That delicious dish was nearly our undoing, and it’s true that we were unable to eat our way through all the potatoes, even though they were salty and crispy-browned. Somehow the tenderloin disappeared.

The menu encourages diners to complete the experience by sharing a pitcher of sangria for $25, but we weren’t all sold on the sangria, so we ordered our drinks individually. The diner who ordered the sangria reported that it had the requisite red wine fruitiness she expected. I ordered a beer on tap and was served a 10-ounce glassful. Seemed skimpy, but beer is not where Bocado is putting their emphasis, as their extensive wine and sherry list makes clear. Our friendly bartender made sure everyone remained content and refilled our glasses with water or other, as needed.

Then dessert came out, a donut-like confection served with chocolate dipping sauce. In a supreme effort of mind over satiety cues, we plowed through it, and it was just light and airy enough to convince us that it hardly counted in the grand scheme of things. Whatever we thought we meant by that.

Alta Strada, 92 Central St.

This is the type of restaurant where you sit down and have a lovely meal, tended to by knowledgeable but unobtrusive wait staff. The clean, open space allows you to see and be seen at either tables or at the bar. Appetizers include roasted autumn squash with spiced pumpkin seeds; white beans with rosemary; broccoli rabe with chiles (appetizers are 3 for $18 or 5 for $30). Also on the menu are salads, individual pizzas with a creative flair; pasta dishes, and main dishes such as grilled chicken breast and arugula salad ($19); local swordfish with gigante beans ($33); and more.

Amarin, 27 Grove St.

I’ve eaten here only once, for lunch, and ordered what turned out to be a memorable bowl of Muslim Noodles, made with spicy Indonesian coconut curry with tofu, hard-boiled egg, and bean sprouts, served with a choice of beef or chicken $9.50). It warmed me to my very core on a cold winter day. The dining room, with its white tablecloths and cozy feel, make it the perfect place to bring a date.

Cafe Mangal, 555 Washington St.

This elegant spot, in Wellesley for 15 years, serves Mediterranean and American cuisine with a heavy Turkish influence. Worth noting: Cafe Mangal is a BYOB establishment, and it is closed Sundays. New on the menu: Turkish style shrimp casserole ($15), baked portobello mushroom with roasted red peppers and chevre ($15), and Mediterranean style quinoa salad with French fetal cheese ($14). If you go for lunch, expect to see a lot of ladies. Dinner in this unique place is more of the Valentine date night experience you’re looking for.

The Local, 11 Forest St.

I sat with a group of six who ordered drinks and a selection of $5 appetizers, or Snack Things as The Local calls them (Fried Pickles, Truffle Parmesan Fries, Crispy Onion Things). Everything on the menu is listed under a Thing category, with items scaling to $20 and up for salmon and skirt steak dishes. We also ordered chicken wings ($10), which came in spicy sauce, plus ginger cheesecake as a finisher (all desserts are $7). A bunch of the appetizers arrived in adorable little tin dishes. Our party enjoyed all of the food, with one member going so far as to call the fried pickles as “great”

The Local offers a wide variety of drinks, with beers served in solid straight-up 16 or 20 ounce glasses running I believe $6 or $7 apiece — so probably not the kind of place that’s going to attract a big hang-out-and-watch-the-game crowd. Fancy drinks include the Blueberry Mai Tai and Ginger Whiskey Smash.

We sat at the far end of the restaurant, which seems to be miles away from the entrance. The layout overall is broken up nicely with the bar and another section semi-surrounded with dividers. The lighting in the restaurant — and this is key for a cozy date — is minimal, giving the place an intimate feel despite its size. The decor is simple and nice, with elegant overhead lighting and big black-and-white framed photos of sports and old-timey Wellesley scenes. Our server was friendly and attentive, even as he trained another young man on the tricks of the trade.

The Cottage, 190 Linden St.

Features food with Southern California flair such as Sesame Ahi Tuna nachos, seared rare and served with crispy wonton chips, Asian vegetables, ginger vinaigrette, and wasabi cream ($14); California Caesar salad with creamy avocado dressing, sourdough croutons, and shaved parmesan cheese ($10). Slow braised lamb bolognese penne rigate ($20); pan roasted bbq organic salmon with creamy green onion rice and fried okra ($24); buttermilk boneless fried chicken with whipped potatoes ($20); and more in a light and bright dining room.

CK’ Shanghai, 15 Washington St.

Chinese food. Full bar service. Appetizers of chicken wings, chicken fingers and peking ravioli (all about $7 per order) were all tasty and hot (temperature-wise). The shrimp fried rice ($8.95) was generously portioned. Service was excellent, and the restaurant itself is bright and clean and lively. Watch out for sitting in booths facing the front door on a winter night though — chilly.

And one beyond Wellesley…

Heritage of Sherborn, 33 North Main St., Sherborn

When ordering drinks just remember, this is a gastro-pub. All that means is don’t go asking for a Bud Lite or some such. Think craft, small batch, quality refreshments. Drinks in hand, our waiter took our order. For an appetizer, we tried the Kale and Chicken Nachos with apple-knocker cheddar, chive sour cream, and amazing smoked salsa ($10). A beautiful presentation arrived of about 3 large, circular nacho chips arranged artfully with judicious amounts of toppings. Crisp and fresh-tasting, these weren’t the type of nachos you plunk down in front of ten-year olds. Which is the point on Valentine’s Day.

Also on the appetizer menu, the chicken wings with barrel-aged hot sauce, gorgonzola cheese, and radishes ($12) were served with a fiery hot sauce. The crisp radishes served with it were a nice switch from the usual side of raw carrots and celery.

On the entree side of things, the fish and chips battered with Stormalong Cider and served with German coleslaw ($18) was a good-sized portion, and the batter was light and crispy, while the fish was firm and mild. The menu also includes semolina crusted skate wing with couscous, almonds, roasted beets, and kumquats ($22); and quinoa mushroom burger with arugula, apple knocker cheddar, crispy onions, tomato jam, and fries ($14)

Other things that looked enticing:

Fried mussels ($13), sausage and chickpea stew ($10), Pizzas ($14), and potato gratin ($7 as a side).

If the pub area is a bit bustling for your tastes, and you want a quieter environment for your meal, there are additional, smaller and more intimate rooms available by reservation.

Here are all the local restaurants that will be participating in the Wellesley, along with our Wellesley restaurant reviews…

92 Central St., 781-237-6100
Italian; owned by Michael Schlow, who has made name for himself with several popular Boston restaurants.

27 Grove St., 731-239-1350

Amarin of Thailand Wellesley MA

102 Central St., 781-772-1804
Healthy chain, with salads, smoothies, burgers and lots of kale. (our original review)

b.good Wellesley

45 Church St., 781-772-2390
Spanish wine and tapas bar/restaurant, with seating for 100-plus, including inside and outside.

Bocado Wellesley

97 Central St. 781 235-2358

Brueggers, Wellesley Bagels, sandwiches, soups. Worth noting: Every so often they surprise you with special bagels tied to things like big Patriots football games.

555 Washington St. (781) 235-5322

We stopped in a this popular ladies-who-lunch spot where every table was taken by noon on a Thursday. But we saw that coming and beat the rush, getting ourselves all settled in at a prime table where we could dine in comfort and watch the comings and goings at this spotless, bustling, eatery that’s been in town for 19 years.

Since Mangal specializes in Mediterranean cuisine with a heavy Turkish influence, I had the Turkish Lahmacun, a thin dough spread with ground beef, lamb, tomatoes, onions, peppers, and spices, served with side salad that was crisp, fresh, and not too heavily dressed ($14.50). It looks a little like a burrito, but the lamb, which gives it a touch of gamey-ness, and Mangal’s use of spices puts it culturally worlds apart. There was a little too much fresh parsley for me, but I was able to easily set most of it aside.

Other dishes that caught my attention for maybe next time: The Turkish Borek (baked pastry layers filled with feta cheese and parsley); the Yengen sandwich (grilled with Turkish soujouk, tomatoes, kaser cheese on white toast bread); the arugula salad with poached figs and proscuitto di parma.

Also on the menu: sandwiches, soups, and salads.

339 Washington St, (781) 283-5700

Caffe Nero, is a coffee shop-and-more that’s nestled into the old Wellesley Hills railroad station.

Caffe Nero, Wellesley

183 Linden St. (781) 416-3690

Pizza, plus salads, tacos and more

279 Linden St. (781) 235-3737

Seafood restaurant and store. Worth noting: brunch on Sundays.

15 Washington St. (781) 237-7500

Chinese food. Full bar service. Our take: appetizers of chicken wings, chicken fingers and peking ravioli were all tasty and hot (temperature-wise). Entrees were OK (Shrimp fried rice didn’t have tastiest shrimp). Service was excellent, and the restaurant itself is bright and clean and lively. Watch out for sitting in booths facing the front door on a winter night though — chilly.

57 Central St., (781) 772-1213

Cocobeet, Wellesley

Raw vegan food, superfood smoothies, and organic juice cleanses, as well as breakfast items, sandwiches, and salads. (More here).

257 Washington St. (781) 431-2388

288 Washington St. (781) 235-7300

Popular for their 16″, $8.25 bargain pizza. The popular Italian eatery also offers signature dishes are called “Messes” and feature a mix of veggies, pasta and more. Comella’s has several other locations in surrounding communities, including Newton and Needham.

19 Washington St., (781) 237-1331

Cook's Window Pizza Wellesley Hills
Pizza, salads, wraps, calzones, pasta, and more.

190 Linden St. (781) 239-1100

Features food with Southern California flair. Full bar service.

We visited the restaurant in early 2018 to check out their newly renovated interior and slightly revamped menu. See the full post here.Highlights for us: the fried calamari appetizer and the spice-rubbed hanger steak.

352 Washington St.

CrepeBerry offers a diverse and healthy menu. You can see our review here.

1 Forest St. (781) 235-6811

This place has a Greek flavor (pictures of Greece on the walls), has about 20 seats, features Tiffany-style lamps and an assortment of foods beyond pizza: salads, calzones, vegetables, etc. Be warned: No credit cards accepted.

868 Worcester St. (781) 235-6800

165 Linden St.

Door No. 7, Wellesley

Wellesley’s second restaurant from the owners of The Cottage opened at the end of 2018, and emphasizes small plates, a raw bar, and craft cocktails. It’s a “chef-driven” eatery whose name, Door No. 7, comes from the fact that this is Laura and John Wolfe’s 7th restaurant. Like the newly renovated Cottage, it is located in Linden Square, though on the south side of the street.

Here’s a sneak peek we wrote up about Door No. 7.

951 Worcester Street (Rte. 9 west) / 781-235-9815

978 Worcester St. (Rte. 9 east) 781 237 1437

277 Linden St. (shown)

Contact information

Healthy, seasonally inspired meals — no cooking required. Feast & Fettle is a gourmet meal delivery service that offers chef-prepared entrees and side dishes delivered right to your door. Some menu items: Balsamic Grilled Flank Steak with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes; Toasted Hazelnut Crusted Salmon; Mediterranean Quinoa Salad with Roasted Summer Vegetables; Corn on the Cob with Garlic Scallion Butter.

575 Washington Street, (781) 694-8800

Fiorella’s opened in March 2019. The fast-casual place was does a brisk take-out business, and customers were also enjoying meals in the dining area, which has six tables and two booths that seat approximately 25 diners.

11 Washington St. (781) 237-5888

Jin's fine asian cuisine

63 Central St. (781) 416-1799

Ice cream, yogurt, coffee.

I knew my companions would mock me, and they did, but the kiddy size cup ($3.09) is what I ordered. That’s really all the Oreo Cake Batter ice cream richness I require after dinner. Besides, in the interest of research I naturally needed to try a taste of the Brownie Brownie Batter ($4.69 for two scoops). It was a chocolate-lover’s dream, densely packed with all it promised, and likely impossible to get out of a white t-shirt. The Peach (three scoops for $5.39) was good, but I prefer bigger, firmer chunks of fresh peach in a purer vanilla base. They marinate their peaches in brown sugar giving it a more fall-is-coming look and flavor rather than the summer-is-here attitude I need in July.

The seating inside, the bench outside, and the fun fake grass on the walls all encourage customers to graze awhile and indeed, we did.

13 Central St., 781-446-6950

Juniper Restaurant, Wellesley

Greek Mediterranean cuisine, from the owner of Needham’s Sweet Basil restaurant. Full bar. Here’s our review.

Beyond Wellesley: If you’re a fan of Juniper owner and chef Dave Becker, and already know of his long-running Sweet Basil restaurant in Needham, you might like to round out the trifecta and visit Balani on Moody Street in Waltham, too. The fusion restaurant opened in late 2018, and serves up an eclectic mix of small dishes, salads, entrees and desserts that will feel both familiar and different to Juniper patrons.c

balani scallops

Yes, there’s Octopus on the menu, though when I went with a group of 7 other guys, the attentive server warned us that it isn’t the best sharing item for strapping lads like ourselves. We pleased ourselves by ordering for starters the pork belly rangoon (sweet, flavorful), smokey seafood fritters (crisp, just the right softness inside), and brussels sprouts (I steered clear, but my vegan friend ordered them and loved them). I had the the special, a serving of 5 hefty scallops served on black rice (guess I don’t get out much…had never had black rice, but it was not to be feared), and plentiful broccolini cooked just right. Adobo fried chicken was a favorite of my friends, who portions were hearty. We sampled several beers, including Revolution Anti-Hero IPA (so suitable for our crew). Our vegan friend was quite happy with his sparkling water and main dish of beet salad, presented just so. The room was dark but not too dark, with playful oversized art on the walls to add a splash of color to a restaurant that also features quirky decor, including purples, pinks and neon themes. The staff was friendly but not overbearing. The prices won’t faze those of you who have been to Juniper, with entrees generally in the mid-to-high $20s. We went on a Tuesday night in spring and had no problem securing a reservation for 7pm. Here’s a more thorough review of Balani from Eater.

555 Washington St. (781) 237-6995

162 Linden St. (781) 235-9837

The fun family-owned deli that seats 31, including 2 handicapped-accessible spots, has a ton of variety on the menu (from sandwiches — cheesesteak is yummy — to smoothies to soup) and can be a real madhouse at lunch, though the staff does a great job juggling it all.

There was plenty of friendly, efficient staff on hand to take our order of a toasted meatball sub with cheese and a bacon, lettuce, and tomato sub, no mayo. Both items came as ordered, and we were moved along smoothly to the cashier, and then to what was, at the time we went in (12:30, weekday, school cancelled due to snow day), plenty of seating to choose from.

The meatball sub was hot with plenty of cheese in the proper state of melt, and a nice tomato sauce. My companion reported that the BLT came with lots of bacon, tomatoes that are about as good as they can be in the middle of the winter, and crisp lettuce.

They renovated a couple of years ago, and the white subway tile backsplashes and the crisply painted grey, white, and bright blue accent walls give it a clean feel. The gleaming stainless steel appliances let you know that the owners made their wish for more modern food storage a reality. Look for the university pennants and other homey touches.

11 Forest St. (781) 694-1210

Wellesley’s Frank Santo, and Tom Wynn have brought gastropub food and drink in a warm, sophisticated interior. Check out our review here

The cafeteria dining room is the hub of activity at the publicly funded community college that serves about 8,000 students at its Wellesley, Framingham, and Ashland locations. They’ve got a good hot bar that changes daily with offerings from Indian, to Italian, to Asian.

300 Washington St. (781) 235-9647

Classic breakfast and lunch diner, with Greek flair.

552 Washington St. (781) 235-8300

Their pizza crust is neither thick nor crispy-thin, and they don’t skimp on the mozzarella or the slice size. My bowl of minestrone, however was a disappointing bland collection of mushy pasta, a few cannellini beans, and some canned tomatoes floating about in an unseasoned broth. That’s what I get for ordering soup at a pizza parlor, I suppose.

Tons of nostalgic memorabilia and oldies tunes on the sound system keep the atmosphere lively. You can’t leave here downhearted after dining to classics like “Help Me Rhonda” and “Be My Baby.”

16 Washington St. (781) 235-4747

Papa Razzi, Wellesley

Italian food, including pizza. The 250+ seat Wellesley standby underwent a complete renovation and refresh in 2018. In addition to the main dining area, the private dining room has space for 100; the bar area has tripled in size and seats about 45; and the patio area has been expanded to 44 seats. See our full story on Papa Razzi here.

Our most recent visit, October 2019: We were invited into Papa Razzi’s function room for a sneak peek at the new Fall 2019 menu items. Standouts: the Shrimp Scampi with polenta crostini, spinach, sun dried tomato, roasted garlic, and lemon; the Pappardelle with slow braised veal, mushrooms, tomato, and grana padano; the Butternut Squash Ravioli with shallot sage butter and pancetta; and the Sea Scallops with smoke bacon parsnip puree, fingerling potatoes, romanesco, blood orange, and blood orange vinaigrette.

Peet’s Coffee & Tea

9 Central St. (781) 235-0018

57 Washington St. (781) 489-3205

Breakfast, lunch & dinner, plus catering. Cash/checks, ATM inside.

263 Washington St.

Hand-thrown Neopolitan-style pizza ($10.99 for a 16″ pie); salads; fresh, never frozen, burgers; Boar’s Head meat sandwiches; house-made meatballs, chicken and veal cutlets; chicken salad; spinach and artichoke rangoons; and grilled veggie wraps. They’ve also brought their Natick location’s #1 best seller, the buffalo chicken wrap, across the border. Seating for eight.

Serves cold-pressed juices, healthy freezes. Our post about Pressed Juicery’s opening.

185 Linden St. (781) 235-339

272 Washington St. (781) 237-2111

Baked goods, including muffins and breads.

552 Washington St., Wellesley Square
(781) 772-1473

Rice Burg opened its first non-food-truck shop in Wellesley Square in the spring of 2019. It’s a unique addition to the Wellesley food scene. Rice Burg’s forte is burgers with specialized buns made from Japanese small-grain rice. They’re a gluten-free alternative to traditional bread buns, and the idea is to welcome back those who have run away from burgers due to dietary restrictions. You can also get their menu items in bowls, and the shop offers fro-yo, too.

Our Rice Burg review during the restaurant’s grand opening week

Riceburg, Wellesley Square

Roche Bros. in Linden Square in spring 2018 opened up an in-store Ramen Noodle bar over in the prepared foods area. Dine in at the 6-stool eat-in area or take your ramen bowl to go. I knew I had to give it a try when Wellesley resident and foodie Carol Almeda Morrow posted on social media, “”My daughter, son, and I just tried out the new Ramen Bar…Let’s just say that it received a three thumbs up from this crew of frequent fliers to Allston’s Korean-town.”

Read the full review here.

312 Washington St. (781) 235-1666

Fine Indian cuisine.

583 Washington St., (781) 992-5150

Our most recent S & W visit: High-end city steakhouse, goes suburban for the first time. We tried it out for lunch on a snowy day. Wellesley Public Schools were closed. Three other nearby restaurants were closed. Smith & Wollensky was open for business, so respect for that. I had the Caesar salad with grilled scallops. The scallops were fantastic, done just right meaning the littlest bit undercooked in the center. There’s nothing worse than overdone scallops, so I appreciate a steakhouse that gets their seafood right. Way to go, line chefs.

68A Central St. (781) 235-2390
190 Linden St. (781) 237-5282

268 Washington St. 781-237-1000

With 41k+ locations in over 100 countries, it’s no wonder Wellesley didn’t want to be left out. You don’t need me to tell you that they can put together a decent tuna melt.

180 Linden St., (617) 917-3500

Salads, warm bowls, lots of kale. Our Sweetgreen review.

Sweetgreen, Wellesley

151 Linden St. 781-235-9888

570 Washington St. (781) 431-2250

Italian specialties, including lunch and breakfast offerings.
Wellesley’s Tutto Italiano owner goes Hollywood — sort of

35 Grove St. (781) 239-1356

Serving ice cream and yogurt, including soft serve, since 1992.

542 Washington St. (781) 235-1171

Baked goods, soups, sandwiches.

This 12-seat cafe serves baked goods (croissants, cookies, muffins, scones), soups, sandwiches, wraps, and salads. It’s cash or check only here, so be prepared. I ordered the 1/2 sandwich and soup combination for $6.95. The generously sized 1/2 portion of chicken tarragon on French bread had the right touch mayo and tarragon. The tomato soup was served hot and chunky, but didn’t taste much like tomato for some reason. The star of the meal was dessert, a shortbread heart cookie with red raspberry jam filling. So good, and worth every calorie. Everything is paper plates and plastic utensils here, strictly a quick place to grab a bite or get take-out. Paintings for beauty and for sale from local artists decorated the cheerful yellow walls.

Collins Cafe (across from Davis Museum)

Campus Center Emporium on 2 (in Wang Center)

Claflin Bakery (Claflin Hall)

Leaky Beaker (Science Building)

Cafe Hoop (Wang Center)

Punch’s Alley Bar (Wang Center)

7 Washington St. (Rte. 16) (781) 237-3388 or 3389

Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Our family enjoyed a broccoli & chicken calzone served hot and fresh, buffalo chicken wings and a garlic and cheese pizza. The staff was friendly and accommodating. We sat at one of the four tables near the front door, so was a bit chilly. Decor is pretty modest, mainly consisting of posters of food. There’s a flat screen TV and the prices are reasonable.

336 Weston Rd. (781) 235-1116

Breakfast and lunch, with salads, subs, etc. Motto is: A place where you can meet anybody.

380 Washington St., (781) 591-5500

white's bakery

The shop is filled with cakes, pies, breakfast pastries, fancy breads and more. Some are pre-packaged to take on the road, back home or to the office, while others are free range, ready to be gobbled up. No table service, but seating is available.

442 Washington St. (781) 235-7262

The 26,000 square foot grocery store is big with those looking for natural and organic foods. Its prepared foods section offers a salad bar and a hot and cold prepared foods bar. You can also get sandwiches and pizza, and for dessert, gelato or kefir. There are always three or four kettles of soup as well. Seating is available near the check-out area at the front of the store. There is also outdoor seating in the summer.

We like stopping in for breakfast for a container of piping-hot steel-cut oatmeal, but there are plenty of other items on offer. The warming trays have breakfast sandwiches wrapped and ready, and the coffee bar employees are there to tend to your caffeine needs. We’ve also tried the egg and cheese on a croissant and grabbed a Stonyfield smoothie from the refrigerated wall rack. The breakfast sandwich was warm and obviously hadn’t been sitting there forever, and smoothies are always good.

180 Worcester St. (Rte. 9) (781) 235-0238

Chinese food.

« January 2020 »

245 Washington St. (781) 431-8886

Yama, Wellesley

We went in for lunch and ordered the Sushi Special, which is one tuna roll and six pieces of assorted sushi. The $10.50 special includes miso soup and salad. We also ordered some edamame for good measure. The service was excellent and the sushi was beautifully fresh. Other things on the lunch menu: Bento boxes (beef teriyaki; seafood tempura; vegetable tempura, and more); noodle specials (udon; raman; soba. All with a choice of protein and/or veggies. There are also combo options and a selection of ice cream desserts or fried banana.

The space also has a sushi bar and and area for large groups. Yama is BYOB place, which is becoming more of a rarity ever since Wellesley loosened up its liquor licensing laws.