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Wellesley Business Buzz: Eatery opening race is on; La Mia Moda, Legit leaving Belclare strip; Babson sustains; Clever Hand gets intense

March 7, 2019 by Bob Brown 1 Comment

Here’s a round-up of the latest Wellesley, Mass., business news. Got the lowdown on other business comings or goings? Let us know (theswellesleyreport@gmail.com)

Restaurant race is on: White’s Bakery, Fiorella’s, Riceburg

Town elections, affordable housing, yeah, yeah, yeah. The issue we get asked most about is what’s up with White’s Bakery and Fiorella’s. When are these eateries opening, people want to know.

White’s, which is setting up shop at Playhouse Square, originally aimed to open in the fall, then early winter, and now is hoping to be open later this month. Mrs. Swellesley even happened to be minding her business at another establishment while an interview for a White’s Bakery employee was taking place.

Meanwhile, Fiorella’s, which is taking over the space formerly occupied by Susu Bakery, is also looking to open this month.

The fast casual Italian eatery, by the way, just shuttered its Cambridge location.

playhouse square wellesley — Stuff’s happening inside the new home of White’s Bakery

The new Wellesley eatery that actually might beat both of them to opening is Riceburg, located at the long-vacant Wellesley Square space formerly occupied by Yogurtology. As it turns out, that short-lived fro-yo establishment will live on in that its equipment will be used by Riceburg to offer frozen yogurt in addition to its signature rice-based dishes.

Riceburg’s Jessica Shen says she’s aiming to open for business this month and is in the midst of hiring line cooks and cashiers. Shen targeted Wellesley for Riceburg’s first shop in part because of the local college community here, and she’s hoping Riceburg will attract patrons with dietary restrictions, too.

rice burg wellesley — Riceburg and an iceberg

Belclare losing La Mia Moda, Legit Activewear; Crane & Lion closing

Fashion can be fickle. La Mia Moda, which initially popped up in Linden Square last year before moving to the Belclare retail strip on Washington Street, is going out of business. The fashion boutique is having a big sale on shoes bags, outerwear, and more.

Legit Activewear, which previously operated in Wellesley Hills before opening a Belclare shop, has also announced that it is exiting the retail complex, which filled up in recent months with businesses after a long time without any tenants. “We have made the decision to close our Wellesley location. Thank you to all of the loyal customers who have helped make the past few months wonderful in Wellesley. We’re so sad to go, but we hope to see you in the Chestnut Hill location!”, according to a message that Legit sent to its patrons.

Separately, Crane & Lion is winding down its presence in Wellesley Square in the old Talbots space. The retailer of women’s clothing at the old Talbots space in Wellesley Square, which has had all sorts of garish markdown signs on its windows in recent weeks, told patrons back in January that it was at a crossroads and needed to sell its inventory in order to push out new merchandise.

crane and lion wellesley — Crane & Lion: Going out like a lamb

Save the date: Babson Sustainability Forum on March 29

The Babson Sustainability Forum has sustainability. The 13th annual edition of the event, previously called the Energy & Environment Conference, takes place on March 29 on the Babson campus from 8am-5pm.

The theme of this year’s forum is Embracing the Future’s Goals, focusing on the United Nation’s Sustainability Development Goals while celebrating entrepreneurs, institutions, and businesses taking ownership of those initiatives. Speakers include these professionals, and many more:

Dr. Jonathan Foley, Executive Director – Project Drawdown
Dr. Stephen Spinelli, President Elect – Babson College
Lisa Conway, Vice President of Sustainability – Interface
Paul Sellew, CEO & Founder – Little Leaf Farms
Gwen Ruta, Executive Vice President, Climate & Energy – Environmental Defense Fund

Tickets are $20 for students, $45 for professionals

Things getting intense at Clever Hand Gallery

very mohan wellesley metals — WHS senior Avery Mohan creates

The Clever Hand Gallery at 52 Central St. in Wellesley Square is showcasing working by Wellesley High School intensive metals students. This is the 9th annual collaboration between the local artisans’ cooperative and students.

Students in Shayla Vines’ class have used the ancient technique of open back filigree to make braided wire and have also been challenged to work on a project based on a unique box of materials. Students have also learned the Japanese technique of Mokume Gane that layers metals to make them look like wood grain.

You can check out their results from March 17-30, including at a public reception on March 19 from 3-5pm at Clever Hand.

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Sneak peek: We get an early look behind Door No. 7 in Wellesley

December 28, 2018 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

The newest restaurant in Wellesley is about to open its doors. Door No. 7 in Linden Square is nearly ready to introduce all comers to an upscale restaurant and lounge experience that will emphasize small plates, a raw bar, and craft cocktails, all served up in a classy and sleek atmosphere.

Here’s the important information about when you can get it in:

It’s friends and family day on Saturday, December 29th, meaning a table is available by invitation only.

Then Door No. 7 will be open to all, table availability willing, on Sunday, December 30th.

After that, they’re closed Monday, December 31; and Tuesday, January 1, presumably to avoid the double madness of opening a new restaurant and serving on high-expectation days right from the get-go.

Starting Wednesday, January 2, the 150-seat space, owned by Wellesley native Laura Wolfe and her husband John Wolfe, will be open on the daily. The couple also owns The Cottage across the street, as well as two Newburyport restaurants

Door No. 7’s interior was designed by celebrity interior designer Taniya Nayak, who you might know from HGTV and the Food Network. She and her Boston-based firm also handled the 2018 renovation of The Cottage, a project that was all about revamping a much-loved spot by creating a warm and cozy New England atmosphere. Nayak has taken Door No. 7 in a different, sleeker direction. The palette is neutral throughout and the lines are defined. The dining-room seating lends a mid-century modern look to the space, but it’s no time capsule to the past. There’s bleached wood paneling and a floor that’s part polished concrete for the cool factor and part carpeted for sound absorption. The ceiling is designed to further neutralize the clatter and conversation that Wolfe is counting on as part of the sophisticated party vibe she expects to be a nightly thing. “We wanted the restaurant to feel a little bit more urban than The Cottage or other restaurants in the area,” Wolfe said.

When you walk in, the 15-seat bar and that area’s accompanying ten or so tables are right there. Scan the scene, there’s bound to be someone you know. Also check out the liquor lockers, a new concept to me but perhaps not to more sophisticated Wellesley-ites. The idea is that a customer can rent a locker, fill it with whatever Door No.7-provided spirits they love, and their private stock will be there waiting for their next visit. The bartender will personally help with customers’ selections, which perhaps might not be regularly available behind the bar. This “bottle keep” system will be available to about 30 customers, and the fee structure hasn’t yet been set. Maybe if you get in on the ground floor, you could have some input on that.

For the nameless, faceless many of us who will not be renting a locker, look for specialty cocktails with a Prohibition-esque feel to them: A Dangerous Man is mixed up with bourbon, rye, faro amaro, kummel mist, and angostora bitters. The 21st Amendment has bourbon, wood roasted beet and thyme syrup, citrus, and falernum. There is also a wine list; a rotating selection of draft beers and offerings in cans and bottles; and sangria served seasonally.

As for the food, that’s the domain of executive chef Peter Hansen, who once did a short stint on Iron Chef. Hansen handles the menus of all four of the Wolfes’ restaurants, and he will be primarily stationed out of Door No7. “That’s pretty exciting to us and to many of our customers who know all about the amazing things he puts together,” general manager Kayin Peters said. She also noted that over half of the menu items are gluten free.

Raw bar is a big part of the menu and includes oysters, littlenecks, and shrimp cocktail, of course. Also look for scallops cerviche served with smoked tomato, lime, cilantro, and sweet onion; salmon poke with Hawaiian flavors and taro chips; and Maine lobster and avocado with watercress, horseradish, and lime.

Small plates on offer include tempura fried shrimp roll with sweet and spicy chili sauce, roasted peanuts, and baby shrimp; foie gras sliders on house-baked Parker House-inspired rolls with red currant jam, pickled onions, and maple butter; and pomegranate glazed brussel sprouts with toasted hazelnut and local cranberry goat cheese.

Large plates include roasted half chicken with 15-layer taleggio potato, bacon roasted brussels sprouts, and porcini-infused bone broth; Scottish organic salmon, lightly smoked, served with root vegetable lasagna, baby frisse salad, and Meyer lemon vinaigrette; and a burger made with locally sourced dry aged beef topped with aged amish cheddar, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickle, on a buttered brioche and accompanied with rosemary parmesan fries.

Hansen’s kitchen isn’t wide open to the dining area, but you can glimpse and hear the bustle. It’s all part of the urban feel Door No.7 is striving for. There may be some who will sniff at its suburban location, but everyone else will appreciate the ample parking and the feeling of being transported to a different, cooler reality once they enter the space. When you walk through the first door, look up. I won’t spoil the surprise, but it’s totally fun. Also, don’t miss the pictures of famous actors standing in doorways (get it?). There’s Clint Eastwood, Vivian Leigh, and Elizabeth Taylor. For the life of me, I couldn’t figure out who that was in the ladies restroom, and then couldn’t believe it once I was told. Another surprise that awaits you.

Other eateries coming to Wellesley:

Rice Burg

White’s Bakery & Cafe

Fiorella’s Express

Where to eat in Wellesley

Wellesley businesses that came & went in 2018

December 22, 2018 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Wellesley saw its share of businesses coming and going in 2018, but the biggest change took place at the Belclare complex on Washington Street on the edge of Wellesley Square, where it was almost all about businesses coming.

The luxury condos at the Belclare filled up in a hurry back at the end of 2015, but the retail spaces remained mostly vacant, despite a few close calls.

Sure, Thirst Juice, located on the Grove Street side of the Belclare complex, did have its last kale in January. Later in the year, however, salon Atelier opened on that same block, and the real action took place on the Washington Street side. There, the Agnes Vision optical shop, Barber Walter’s, Laer Realty Partners, La Mia Moda boutique, CouCou kids’ clothing/fashions/housewares, Legit Activewear all opened for business. Pucker Gallery also made a cameo appearance.

belclare wellesley — The Belclare retail strip during a recent block party

On the food front, the big news was Bertucci’s closing suddenly in May, part of a corporate meltdown. While the space behind Playhouse Square remains vacant, White’s Bakery is expected to open soon in the former bank space at that corner of Wellesley Hills. The other big restaurant news was steakhouse Smith & Wollensky opening its first suburban location in Wellesley, in the former Blue Ginger space. Big shoes to fill, big wallets to empty.

Smith & Wollensky, Wellesley — Smith & Wollensky al fresco

Sweetgreen has been doing a steady business in Linden Square since it opened in early 2018, and nearby, The Cottage refurbished itself. The Cottage owners are also prepping for Door No. 7, a fancier restaurant across the street, to open soon. Mark’s Pizza & Subs closed and that building was razed to pave the way for a refurbished Papa Razzi.

Mark’s is busy readying for its new location nearby at 10B Washington St.

Fiorella’s, a fast casual Italian eatery, is aiming for a February opening at the former SuSu’s spot across from the Belclare.

Orangetheory might sound like food, but the fitness joint that opened in Wellesley Square is actually a solution to burn calories. New businesses like this are sure to keep Swellesleyites beautiful. And while id. Salon closed its doors in Wellesley Hills, Le Vernis Nail Studio opened in the old 2nd Time Around space in Wellesley Square.

On the fashion front, Fat Face opened in Church Square and Crane & Lion moved into the former Talbots spot in Wellesley Square.

Zoots earned recognition as the most classless closing of the year in Wellesley (2 locations) and beyond, leaving people in a lurch to start 2018, forcing some to drive to the back of beyond to pick up their belongings. Neither Zoots space in Wellesley has been filled yet.

Alfredo’s Hair Design, near the Lower Fall Zoots, also closed its doors after 30 years (and the word is that Mark’s Pizza & Subs could resurface there).

Alfredo's, Mark's Pizza

Some Wellesley businesses changed locations. Among them: Lyn Evans and Clementine (in the former Xylem space), both in Church Square. FLX Training, formerly near Clementine in that strip between Rte. 9 and Rte. 16, slid down to Linden Square. Page Waterman moved its framing and gallery business to an expanded space on Washington Street. Home Decor Group replaced C & T Paint on Linden Street.

Speaking of decor, Patti Bros., has left Wellesley Square to retrench at its Sudbury base. Miele shut down its Wellesley Square shop.

Other new faces in Linden Square include Verizon, Code Ninjas and Kenzie & Hope. The latter is a fresh twist on Kenzie Kids, which new owner Shani DeFina says re-opened in August after renovations, and is refocused on clothing, gifts and accessories for teens and young women. DeFina says she’ll aim to bring in brands that give back to the community.

One summer shocker involved Miss Michelle’s Center for the Performing Arts clearing out of Linden Square after 10 years following an unsuccessful lease renewal. A dog grooming business called Pampered Puppies is moving in. Linden Square also bid adieu to French Lessons, a tenant for 12 years.

miss michelle's wellesley 1

And finally, let’s not forget that Red Apple Convenience store peeled out as mysteriously as it operated.

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Here’s what you missed over the summer in Wellesley

September 5, 2018 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

The temperatures say summer, but with Labor Day behind us and a school year stretched out in front, we have to admit it. The grasshopper days are over. Here’s what you missed in Wellesley if you were traveling and enjoying yourself, unplugged and unworried. We stayed on top of things for you. It’s what we do:

1) Local reporter (me) almost hit by car in Wellesley

Our top-read story over the summer concerned my near-flattened experience on Wellesley Avenue. Fortunately I wasn’t struck, but it wasn’t for lack of trying on the driver’s part. My experience certainly struck a nerve in town, and comments about similar close calls poured in. Readers also wrote in to express great relief that I squeaked through…aw, thanks guys. READ MORE

2) MBTA cut down hundreds of Wellesley trees

Anybody who takes the commuter rail hasn’t been able to miss the tree removal work that MBTA contractors have done. We got an email from a chagrined reader who characterized the work as a “horrible hack job” and noted that although “Our property doesn’t abut the tracks, we feel badly for those who do.”

I went down and took a look. Indeed, it’s not pretty. READ MORE

3) Wellesley mourns Robert J. Hinchliffe: Devoted family man, WWII infantryman, longtime town leader and volunteer

Wellesley lost one of its Greatest Generation heroes. As his obituary read, “Bob loved Wellesley and Wellesley loved him, choosing him to lead the parade twice, as the recipient of the Distinguished Service and the Veterans’ Honor awards. He was one of the half dozen longest serving Town Meeting Members in town history…” and the list goes on. Truly a pillar of the Wellesley community. READ MORE

4) Gorgeous Wellesley homes recognized for historically sensitive renovations

The Wellesley Historic Commission (WHC) awarded plaques to homeowners who completed historically sensitive renovations of two of Wellesley’s proud older structures. Among them: 51 Glen Rd., built in 1721 and 309 Walnut St., built in 1900. READ MORE

5) Wellesley dog photobombed by woodland creature — this you’ve gotta see. SEE IT HERE

6) The ant bikes came marching one by one into Wellesley

Wellesley wasn’t among the more than dozen communities selected to take part in a dockless bike rental system involving the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, but such bicycles have nonetheless started to roll into town. Ant Bicycle’s signature green bikes have been popping up all over the place… READ MORE

7) Wellesley Municipal Light Plant offers full internet service for commercial customers

The Wellesley Municipal Light Plant (MLP) on Monday, July 30 made a recommendation to its Board to offer internet service to commercial entities in town as the next step toward moving the program from pilot to permanent status… READ MORE

8) Wellesley mom gets Ambush Makeover on Today Show

Tiffany Zides, an already hot Wellesley mom, entered New York City as her usual self and left as one of “two great girls” plucked from the Today Show throng at Rockefeller Center to get an Ambush Makeover by fashionistas Louis Licari and Jill Martin. READ MORE

9) Wellesley neighbors facing real uphill battle over rehabbed house and yard

Here’s what can happen when a buyer snaps up the cozy Cape abutting your home, cuts down a few dozen trees, and brings in truckloads of soil. READ MORE

10) Is humble Wellesley news site (us!) an enemy of the people?

The call to take up words and defend the very bedrock of journalism came from no less an institution than The Boston Globe. We answered, with aplomb if we may say so ourselves. Before we knew it we found ourselves on the New York Times op-ed page. Yep, that’s what we did with our summer. READ MORE

11) Historic John D. Hardy house to go under review for tear-down

What makes this 132-year-old building historically significant is that it was the home of noted Wellesley civic leader John D. Hardy from its completion in 1896 until his death in 1924. Its association with Hardy is an important factor making it among the most historic houses in the Belvedere Estates/Wellesley Country Club area, and therefore Wellesley. READ MORE

12) Will Wellesley College ban dogs on Lake Waban?

As usual in these situations, two issues loom large: dog waste and unleashed dogs. READ MORE

13) Best of Wellesley Business Buzz:

Linden Square:

Code Ninjas is coming into the space formerly occupied by Massage Envy. The computer learning center will welcome girls and boys ages 7-14 to learn to code by building their own video games.

Work continued at Door No. 7. The new chef-driven business from the operators of The Cottage is slated to open soon.

Wellesley Square:

The venerable Page Waterman Gallery, founded in 1917, moved from its Church Square location to 592a Washington St., where its headquarters and restoration studio have been located since 1983.

Red Apple convenience store peeled out. No replacement business there yet.

Orangetheory Fitness, a chain that specializes in 60-minute cardiovascular and strength training workouts has started up its first classes at 56 Central St.

Earlier this summer Le Vernis Nail Studio moved into the former 2nd Time Around space at 574 Washington St., upping the number of nail salons in town to well over a dozen.

Smith & Wollensky steak house opened at the very beginning of summer in the former Blue Ginger space.

Coming soon: Fiorella’s Express, a fast casual Italian eatery at the former Susu Bakery location.

Wellesley Square at Beclare retail spaces:

CouCou, a stylish kids’ store opened in August

Laer Realty Partners added Wellesley to its list of approximately two dozen offices located mostly in Massachusetts

Pucker Gallery expanded beyond its Newbury Street location in Boston. The gallery offers international modern and contemporary art.

Agnes Vision moved over from Washington Street, and La Mia Moda Boutique made the switch from its temporary Linden Square digs.

To look for soon: Barber Walters barbershop

Fiorella’s Express, a fast casual Italian eatery at the former Susu Bakery location.

Wellesley Hills:

Papa Razzi closed for renovations in July and has celebrated its re-opening with a larger bar area and a refreshed menu, and expanded parking. (They’re hiring, BTW.)

Mark’s Pizza was torn down to make way for that expanded parking. The pizza shop’s website says there are plans to re-open in a new location soon, perhaps at the former Zoots spot, but we haven’t heard much lately on this…

Real estate firm Realty Executives took over the Forest Street space in between Wellesley Variety and Deluxe Pizza.

White’s Bakery & Cafe is coming to Wellesley in the former TD Bank location in Playhouse Square on Washington Street. Expected opening in Fall 2018.

Fiorella’s Express coming to Wellesley

July 1, 2018 by Bob Brown 2 Comments

fiorellas wellesley

Fiorella’s Express, a fast casual Italian eatery with a super sexy web address (https://www.fiorellasexpress.com/), is slated to open this fall at 575 Washington St., in Wellesley at Church Square. This space previously served as home to Susu Bakery Boutique, which closed last summer.

Fiorella’s, which serves pizza, pasta, salads, sandwiches and more, lists other Express locations in Belmont, Brighton and Cambridge, and full-service Fiorella’s Cucina restaurants in Concord (opened in 2017) and Newtonville (opened in 2000). Those locations will all remain open, with the 32-seat Wellesley location adding to the roster.

Neapolitan;-style cheese pizzas go for $6 and $11, pasta dishes go for between $9 and $16, and salads start at $4.

Fiorella’s features online ordering as well as catering services. The Wellesley location will accommodate dining in as well as take-out orders.

“We love the neighborhood and we saw that there was an opportunity to be part of a community that would appreciate great quality food for a reasonable price,” says Jennifer Griswold of Fiorella’s.

Fiorella’s arrival will add to the revived restaurant scene in that area of Wellesley, with Smith & Wollensky opening earlier this year. There had been scuttlebutt that a Mexican restaurant was being considered for the former Susu space.

(We’ll add more info when we get it.)

MORE: Where to eat in Wellesley

Restaurants in Wellesley, Mass.: More than 50 dining options

Welcome to The Swellesley Report’s Restaurant’s page, where you’ll find more than 50 dining options in Wellesley, Massachusetts.

Also: Where to eat in Natick, Mass.

Alta Strada

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

We shared a delicious fettuccine alfredo dish with a slab of broiled chicken on it. A solid portion, the chicken was tender and juicy and the alfredo was light and creamy. A ricotta cheese dip softened small toasty appetizers; and chocolate wafers with better-than-oreos cream to spread on them finished the night in a memorable way. The staff was friendly and attentive throughout the evening. The room was filled on a Thursday night, and unlike so many nice restaurants these days, the sounds weren’t deafening. My dinner mate and I were able to talk easily, and before you knew it it was 2.5 hours later… (BB)

Amarin of Thailand

27 Grove St., 731-239-1350
Authentic Thai cuisine.

Bocado Tapas Bar

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

Cafe Mangal

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 22 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. 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.

Caffe Nero

339 Washington St, 781-283-5700

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

Captain Marden’s/Captain’s Table & TakeAway

279 Linden St., 781-235-3737

Seafood restaurant and store. The dining room is open for dinner only. Lunch is served from the onsite food truck See our recent adventure in raw oysters slurping at Captain Marden’s.

Cheesy Street Grill

Located in The Boston Sports Institute
900 Worcester Street, Wellesley, MA 781-489-3187
Grilled cheeses and comfort food.

Cheesy Street Grill owner and Wellesley resident Geoff Moorehead is a true believer in the product he puts out, and says he has a cheddar bacon grilled cheese with caramelized onions for lunch every day. How does he do this and not gain weight, I wanted to know. “Everyone asks me that,” he says, explaining that his grilled cheeses are an excellent high-protein meal and that he preps the bread for himself the same way he does for his customers—easy on the butter.

My cheddar bacon with caramelized onions (if it’s good enough for Geoff…) was served piping hot within five minutes, and I loved every one of the ten minutes it took me to gobble down the cheesy goodness. After that, I went upstairs to burn it off on the elevated walking track. That’s not a perk just for Cheesy Street customers. Anyone can use the 9/10 of a mile two-lane oval that overlooks route 9.

Other menu offerings: soups, soft pretzels, smoothies, sweet baked goods.

CK’ Shanghai

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.

Cocobeet

57 Central St., 781-772-1213

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

Coconut Thai Cafe

257 Washington St., 781-431-2388

Comella’s

288 Washington St., 781-235-7300

Popular for their 16″ 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.

Cook’s Window House of Pizza

19 Washington St., 781-237-1331

Pizza, salads, wraps, calzones, pasta, and more.

The Cottage

190 Linden St., 781-239-1100

Features food with Southern California flair. Full bar service. Signature dishes include their Grass Fed Burger, Cottage Fish Tacos, and Lamb Bolognese. Sunday Brunch is a much-loved favorite.

Also a big hit: ahi tuna nachos; and Icelandic swordfish with roasted asparagus.

Notable past visit to check out their newly renovated interior and slightly revamped menu. See the full post here.

CrepeBerry

352 Washington St., 781-772-1731

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

Deluxe Pizza

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.

Domino’s Pizza

868 Worcester St., 781-235-6800

DR/P Cafe

50 Central Street, Wellesley Square
781-772-1920

As of June 2022, DR/P is open on weekends only to serve coffee, espresso drinks, lattes, teas, and specialty drinks like the Golden Girl + Iced Coco Matcha. The storefront spot is a part of B/SPOKE cycle, strength and yoga studio.

Dunkin’ Donuts

951 Worcester Street (Rte. 9 west), 781-235-9815
978 Worcester St. (Rte. 9 east), 781-237 1437
277 Linden St., 781-235-1237

Feast & Fettle Food — Photo credit, Janie Liu

Fiorella’s Express

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.

Great Wok

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

Our take: A visit to Wellesley’s Great Wok restaurant

JeJes Coffeehouse—COMING SOON

259 Washington St.

Jejes Coffeehouse has received the Select Board’s approval for a common victualler license, and plans to open at 259 Washington St., in Wellesley Hills in late summer or early fall 2022.

The business will offer coffee, tea, and desserts, including South Korean treats. Jejes will have seven seats where customers can consume their drinks and food on site, but also will offer beans to go. More info here.

Jin’s Fine Asian Cuisine & Sushi Bar

11 Washington St., 781-237-5888

J.P. Licks

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 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. 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 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.

Juniper

13 Central St., 781-446-6950

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

Most recent visit (Sept.2021): We tried out the summery peach gazpacho made with mint labneh (a yogurt cheese). Nice, chunky, and fresh-tasting.

Things we’ve tried during other visits: The charred octopus, which is now more readily available after some supply issues during mid-COVID. When Mr. Swellesley went with a group of 7 other guys, the attentive server warned that it isn’t the best sharing item for such strapping lads. They ordered the pork belly rangoon (sweet, flavorful), smokey seafood fritters (crisp, just the right softness inside), and brussels sprouts (which his vegan friend ordered and loved). Mr. S went with the special, a serving of 5 hefty scallops served on black rice (he doesn’t get out much and had never had black rice, but says it was not to be feared), and plentiful broccolini cooked just right. Adobo fried chicken was a favorite of all, with its hearty portions. They sampled several beers, including Revolution Anti-Hero IPA (so suitable for our crew).

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. On a Tuesday night in spring there was no problem getting seating at this no-reservations spot.

Note: 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 Sweet Basil 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.

Karma—COMING SOON

Linden Square

Karma, which boasts of sushi featuring “a cross between Japanese flavors and the delicate sauces and styles of France” being its speciality, is on its way to Linden Square in Wellesley. The target opening is in November 2022. More info here.

La Toscana’s Pizzeria

99 Central Street, Wellesley Square

Opened April 2022.

La Toscana’s serves up over over a dozen specialty pizzas, and prices range from $14 for a small 14″ cheese pizza with house-made tomato sauce, four cheeses (mozzarella, parmigiano, romano, and asiago) to $29 for a large 18″ La Carne with house-made tomato sauce, meatballs, and Italian sausage.

We tried out the cheese pizza, reasoning if they can do the classics well, that bodes well for the rest of the menu. The pizza comes into the world in the usual way. The in-view kitchen staff first rolls out the dough with a wooden rolling pin on a stainless steel table scattered with flour, in the service of making a thin-crust pizza with a crispy, but not charred, outer edge (purists know that edge as the cornicione). From there it’s popped into an industrial pizza oven for ten or so minutes.

Served to our table piping hot on the universally recognized sign for pizza, a round metal tray, and elevated on a serving stand, the red sauce had a nice tang to it, and the cheese sang beautifully in four-part harmony. That cornicone was crunchy perfection, and anyone who leaves it behind should be banned from ever eating pizza again.

Read the whole review here.

Laughing Monk

90 Central Street., Wellesley Square

With this Tuesday’s soft opening of Laughing Monk Cafe in Wellesley Square (90 Central St.), owner Dome Nakapakorn’s dream of bringing high-end sushi and Thai cuisine to Wellesley has come true. We had the great good fortune to experience a 15-course tasting menu put together by creative force Chef Nick Korboon. The Omakasé (chef’s choice) menu included raw fish and seafood and small cooked dishes of such high quality and artistic presentation that our sushi dreams, the ones we never even knew we had, also came true.

Read the whole review here.

Lemon Thai Cuisine

555 Washington St., 781-237-6995

The Linden Store

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.

The Local

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

MassBay Community College cafeteria

50 Oakland St., Wellesley

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.

Maugus Restaurant

300 Washington St., 781-235-9647

Classic breakfast and lunch diner, with Greek flair.

Oath Pizza, Wellesley

Oath Pizza—COMING SOON

Linden Square

Oath Pizza, which boasts of its “100% feel-good pizza,” is targeting late summer or early fall for its move into the space occupied by Roosters Men’s Grooming Center, which is just moving around the corner in the same Linden Square complex. More info here.

Old School Pizzeria

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.

Some 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.”

Papa Razzi

16 Washington St., 781-235-4747

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.

Peter’s Pizza

57 Washington St., 781-489-3205

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

Pizza Peddler

263 Washington St., 781-235-9494

April 2022 update: the Wellesley location has been closed since late 2021. A sign on the door says, “We intend to reopen in the near future.”

Pizza Peddler’s Natick location at 127 West Central Street is open.

Hand-thrown Neopolitan-style pizza; 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.

Pressed Juicery, Linden Square

Pressed Juicery

180 Linden St., 781-235-1140

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

Qdoba Mexican Grill

185 Linden St., 781-235-339

Quebrada Baking

272 Washington St., 781-237-2111

Baked goods, including muffins and breads.

Rice Burg

552 Washington St., 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.

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

Singh’s Cafe

312 Washington St., 781-235-1666

Fine Indian cuisine.

Smith & Wollensky

583 Washington St., 781-992-5150

See our post, Nice to meat you, Smith & Wollensky.

Starbucks Coffee

68A Central St., 781-235-2390

190 Linden St., 781-237-5282

Our last visit: Their strawberry acai lemonade was our official refreshing drink of summer 2021.

Subway

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.

Sweetgreen

180 Linden St., 617-917-3500
Salads, warm bowls, lots of kale.

January, 2022. The popular salad spot has resolved its late-2021 staffing issues and is open for all the things—you can order and eat in-store if you please, or order online for easy pickup at their organized shelf devoted to the grab-and-go crowd. We stopped in for a warm bowl of Chicken Pesto Parm, made up primarily of warm quinoa, baby spinach, and roasted chicken, tossed with a pesto vinaigrette and a dash of hot sauce. Spinach can be hard to get 100% right, but every leaf in our bowl was fresh, not a hint of slime to be found. When we asked for “lightly dressed” we got “lightly dressed,” put together by an organized and friendly staff. At a corner table, three high school girls chatted away, clearly enjoying each other’s company and a bit of freedom. Well-dressed customers (hello, Louis Vuitton high-heeled boots) waited in line for their healthy-living lunches and dashed out the door, on to the next part of their busy day. On the cold, raw day we stopped in, the red cafe chairs in the Linden Square Courtyard served as but a reminder that warmer days are coming.

Takara Japanese Restaurant

151 Linden St. 781-235-9888

Tatte, Linden Square, Wellesley

Tatte Bakery & Cafe

Linden Square, Wellesley 781-943-3743

Tatte, the ubiquitous bakery & cafe with about 20 locations in the Boston/Brookline/Cambridge area, has moved into Wellesley’s Linden Square. 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 2021. Things went so well in the neighborhood-oriented location, Or decided to open up a Wellesley outpost in the space formerly occupied by California Pizza Kitchen. We stopped in for a sneak peek in June 2021.

Tutto Italiano

570 Washington St., 781-431-2250

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

Truly’s

35 Grove St., 781-239-1356

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

Wellesley Bakery & Cafe

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. 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.

Wellesley College eateries—limited service during summer 2022

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)

Wellesley North End Pizza

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.

Wellesley Tavern

165 Linden St.

Permanently closed as of July 2022

Weston Road Cafe

336 Weston Rd., 781-235-1116

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

Whole Foods

442 Washington St., 781-235-7262

The 26,000 square foot grocery store is big with those looking for natural and organic foods. As of July 2021, The salad bar and some hot and cold prepared foods bar items are available after a long hiatus during COVID. The hot drinks area remains closed for now. You can get sandwiches and pizza, and for dessert, gelato or kefir. Seating is available near the check-out area at the front of the store. There is also outdoor seating in the summer.

We look forward to the days when we can once again stop in for breakfast for a container of piping-hot steel-cut oatmeal or a breakfast sandwich, wrapped and ready to go.

Yama Japanese Restaurant

245 Washington St., 781-431-8886

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.

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