Tatte, the ubiquitous bakery & cafe with about 20 locations in the Boston/Brookline/Cambridge area, has designs on the ‘burbs. The eatery, known for Israel-born founder Tzurit Or’s artisanal coffees, pastries, breakfast sandwiches, salads, and sandwiches, made its foray into the western territories when it opened in Newton Centre in October. Things are going well in the neighborhood-oriented location, leading to whispers that a Tatte outpost could be headed to Wellesley in the space now occupied by California Pizza Kitchen.

Linden Square property manager Federal Realty’s team described in July at a town meeting a makeover for the CPK space that was expected to get underway over the summer, and that would pave the way for a tenant with “humble, modest” taste. When we checked in recently on the project, a Federal Realty official had no comment.

(Article updated 11/26) However, a building permit has been filed with the town for the space at 165 Linden St., for a”tenant build-out of a new Tatte Bakery Cafe within existing core and shell space. The main space will include cafe dining, pastry counter area, barista bar, restrooms, and auxiliary spaces. The work will consist of new interior partitions, finishes, and new MEP throughout to connect to building services provided.”

One Wellesley government insider told us Tatte is coming to town, though 1 town official says there’s nothing on public record about this happening. That was a few days before the building permit went live. Since then, the Health Department has been contacted by Tatte about its plans.

We reached out directly to Tatte via its contact form, but that inquiry seems to have gone straight into a black hole, not unlike the apple turnover Mr. Swellesley inhaled.

So, unless something falls apart, Tatte’s coming.

All of which necessitated a Beyond Wellesley site visit to Tatte’s Newton Centre location, about 6.5 miles away from the CPK spot.

Visiting Tatte in Newton Centre

We found easy on-street metered parking on our Saturday-morning visit, and joined the queue of about a dozen people waiting to place their orders. The line moved along quickly and we were soon asked if we wanted any baked goods from the gleaming display case. Of course we did, and asked for some chocolate brioches. When we got to the register and it was discovered the wrong number of pastries made it into our to-go bag, the unflappable worker quickly fixed the issue, and we all got on with our lives. The flaky, yeasty brioche was beautifully layered, with a not-too-sweet chocolate filling. Other bakery items available during out visit were brownies, biscotti, a meringue-based pavlova adorned with fresh berries; about a dozen croissant varieties including pistachio and a kouign-amann variety (which looks more like a puff pastry that a classic croissant); an intriguing poached pear and almond muffin; a savory spinach pita made with labneh (strained yogurt); whole cakes, tarts, galettes, and more.

 

We kept it pretty basic with a breakfast sandwich of an over-easy egg on a croissant with Vermont cheese, sliced tomato, avocado, and baby arugula. All egg dishes, pancakes, French toast, and more are cooked to order. Your breakfast sandwich is not some pre-assembled plastic-wrapped meal that gets pulled out of a refrigerated case and brought over for a spin in the microwave. Just no. This is restaurant-style food that is brought to your table on white plates. Our meal arrived somewhat less than piping hot, and we wished we had skipped the tomato. The days of local, vine-ripened tomatoes are gone until next summer so, reality check. The croissant was buttery and fresh-tasting, and the cheese had a wonderful bite to it. The egg was served as requested, a nice balance of yoke spilling over onto the fresh arugula.

Our apple turnover was just the right sweetness, and surprised us when it started to leak apple sauce onto our plate.

A cup of Muesli (Greek yogurt topped with granola topped and a pile of fresh berries, among other things) made for a nice pairing with the pastry.

If you’re looking for something more innovative, try the very popular shakshukas, a traditional poached-egg North African dish. Tatte has three varieties, and we overheard people in line raving about them. Overall, the menu includes many healthy options, as well as gluten-free offerings.

 

Drinks are big here, of course, and the house latte served hot or cold with oat milk and notes of cardamom and honey is a hit with fans, as is the the house cappuccino with halva and spices. We were happy with our fresh-squeezed orange juice and mint lemonade. Matcha lattes, pots of tea, cold brew and other specialty drinks are available, as is a basic cup of strong coffee.

Because the space is commodious, we were able to take our time at our table for two, guilt-free. Although Tatte swirls with busy-ness, it’s a very easy place for single diners up to a large group to find seating. During our visit a crowd of about a dozen, wearing matching t-shirts (even the dog) that identified them as walkers or runners for some worthy cause, were hanging out at a large table in the back. There’s room throughout the space for strollers or other wheeled devices, and the bathrooms are large enough to accommodate them.

We were also impressed with the number of staff they had on hand and wonder how Tatte pulled so many people out of the air that is very thin, indeed, with available workers (though make no mistake, they like everyone else is hiring). It seemed there were endless employees at the pastry area, the register, the coffee bar, tidying up the tables, answering questions. There were no signs asking customers to please be patient, or to bus their own tables, or consider working there once they’re done with breakfast. Where did all that staff all come from?

It doesn’t matter. Tatte is a lively space and a good addition to Newton Centre, an area that was hit hard during COVID with storefront closures.

Gee, maybe Wellesley can score a nice place like this someday.

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Our roundup of the latest Wellesley MA business news:

Time out for taco restaurant Lockheart

The Select Board on Monday held a public hearing (last 15 minutes or of the Wellesley Media recording) regarding a Wellesley resident’s application for an All Alcoholic Beverages License and Entertainment License to be used at a proposed new restaurant called Lockheart at 102 Central St. in the former B. Good space next to the fire station.

Derek Brady, accompanied virtually by attorney David Himmelberger, outlined plans for Lockheart, a “casual but sophisticated” eatery where patrons could order up tacos-plus in southwestern-themed setting featuring saddle leather and light fixtures with antlers. Brady, who referred to several other restaurants he operates in the state, said Lockheart would have 120 seats and that the concept was inspired by findings from a study Babson students did on what’s needed in downtown Wellesley. He shared design mockups from a firm that worked on The Cottage in Wellesley as well as the Allston Tavern. Brady said the restaurant would be “a little bit different” for the area, but could help bring more life to that section of the Square.

 

Following the public hearing, the Select Board, along with town counsel and Police Chief Jack Pilecki went into a closed door (closed screen?) executive session to discuss Brady’s background, according to the meeting agenda. Don’t recall seeing anything like this happen recently.

When the group re-emerged to the public, Select Board Chair Tom Ulfelder said the hearing would be continued for a week for the purpose of the applicant withdrawing his application. Himmelberger then requested the 1-week continuance “to allow Mr. Brady further opportunity to reflect on his application.” An agenda item has been included for the Nov. 15 Select Board meeting.

Getting busy at Gap space

Chain link fencing now surrounds the former Gap space at 74 Central St., in Wellesley Square, as construction gets underway in further transforming the spaced that was vacated at the end of 2020.

Property manager Linear Retail discussed over the summer plans to divvy up the space and snag a restaurant as a main tenant. You can see some of the construction underway inside that might lend itself to this result.

A construction outfit called Acella is on the job. It cites past work on restaurants such as Moe’s Southwestern Grill in Hanover and Plymouth, and a rowing gym in Boston.

 

Down the road apiece at the Belclare condo and retail complex, it looks like there’s construction activity within the space vacated by La Mia Moda more than 2 years ago.

Starbucks consolidates—for now

The hiring squeeze appears to have forced the Starbucks cafes in Wellesley Square and Linden Square to cozy up. The Wellesley Square space will be closed from Nov. 10-Jan. 30, with staff joining forces in Linden Square.

Demian Wendrow, owner of Wellesley’s London Harness, recently spoke with WCVB-TV for a segment it ran on the difficulties businesses are having hiring people.

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Our roundup of the latest Wellesley, MA business news:

Veteran restaurateur making Wellesley Square bid

Wellesley Square’s restaurant scene could soon be in for another boost if a Wellesley resident’s bid to open an eatery at 102 Central St., passes town approvals.

Derek. Brady, whose other ventures have included Union Street in Newton and The Draft in Allston, seeks to fill the void left in the space next to the fire station  (We’ve reached out to him via email for more). B. Good bailed from the spot in May after a 4-year run.

The Select Board on Monday, Nov. 8 will hold a public hearing about licensing Brady’s operation, and will meet behind closed doors to discuss his background, according to the meeting agenda.

We’ve recently reported on another restaurant, Laughing Monk Cafe, planning to open just down the block early next year.

 

Dana Hall celebrates $15M gift

Dana Hall School has received a $15 million gift from the Manton Foundation that is the largest in the Wellesley private school’s history.

Dana Hall said the gift will allow it to renovate its Upper School Classroom Building, among other things.

Sandy Niles, trustee at the Manton Foundation, and parent of 2 Dana Hall graduates, said in a statement that, “I know first-hand that Dana Hall helps shape the confident, compassionate, intellectually curious young women the world so desperately needs. Supporting the students, faculty and staff through the modernization of such an important learning space is an investment in our future. We hope that our gift will encourage others to think big when it comes to Dana Hall.”

Meanwhile, if the Manton Foundation has any interest in supporting local journalism…

Wellesley’s Shanahan named law firm managing partner

Boston law firm Sherin and Lodgen LLP has named Sara Jane Shanahan of Wellesley as managing partner, meaning she will oversee day-to-day operations at the firm, which employs 50-plus lawyers. She’s the firm’s first female managing partner.

Shanahan joined the firm in 2008 as a litigation partner and has served as chair of the firm’s litigation department since 2015.

Outside the firm, Shanahan has held various leadership positions with the Boston Bar Association, and served on the Women’s Bar Association’s Women’s Leadership Initiative.  She also sits on the board for the Wellesley Club.

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