Upper Crust Pizzeria, 99 Central St.

OPENED: 2010

CLOSED: November, 2019

REPLACED BY:

When we wanted New Haven-style pizza without the two-hour drive, we come here for our dose of thin crust pizza in a city atmosphere. Upper Crust left with just a sign on its door, no explanation of why it was leaving there or on its website or social media.

Bertuccis Italian, 380 Washington St. (Playhouse Square)

OPENED: ?
CLOSED: 2017
REPLACED BY: As of June 2018, the space remains vacant

This pizza and pasta restaurant, known for its rolls served piping hot, was open for dinner one minute and closed literally the next, the lights turned out as soon as the staff and guests left one evening. Don’t let the door hit ya on the way out. At one time it was well-loved, but in the couple of years before Bertucci’s closed, customers complained about the lackluster service.

Pinkberry, 180 Linden St.

OPENED: 2011
CLOSED: 2017
REPLACED BY: Pressed Juicery

This tangy frozen yogurt chain’s Wellesley shop closed without a goodbye in mid-2017.

Blue Ginger, 583 Washington St.

OPENED: 1998
CLOSED: 2017
REPLACED BY: Smith & Wollensky steak house

This high-end eatery featured East-meets-West cuisine and was opened by celebrity chef Ming Tsai and wife Polly in 1998, known as movers and shakers on food allergy front; reservations were sometimes tough to score, but Ming was known to squeeze in Wellesley folks. We loved the lounge and noodle bar as alternatives to the more formal dining area.

Boloco 102 Central St.

(CLOSED: 2016, replaced by b.good in 2017)

Burritos, bowls, shakes and smoothies.

Our take, February 2016:
Boloco runs a tight ship, reliably putting together your order quickly and with black beans when you say black beans and no lettuce when you say hold the lettuce. I ordered a Classic Mexican burrito in a bowl with brown rice, dark meat chicken, pinto beans, cheese, mild salsa, and guacamole. It’s my go-to Boloco order, and it never disappoints. Other fillings are available, of course, including antibiotic free white meat chicken, grass-fed steak, pork carnitas, or veggies. They also offer salads and serve breakfast before 11am. Their Nutella milkshake has somewhat of a cult following in town and is made with creamy Nutella, skim milk, and nonfat frozen yogurt. I sipped mine as I sat in the large front window and watched the snowfall swirl in the Square. Click here for more on Boloco.

Dorset Cafe, 352 Washington St. (781) 239-8988

OPENED: 2007
CLOSED: 2017
REPLACED BY: CREPEBERRY, in 2017

Dorset was opened and operated by sisters Sally and Sue Khudairi and served breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea service in a calm, cozy restaurant where you ordered your meal, made yourselves comfortable, and were served by staff who then cleared it all away when you were done. The salad specials and the mushroom soup, which was earthy but not heavy, were always good.

Dorset served a nice, fresh salad and an earthy mushroom soup, among other offerings.

Milestone Wellesley — Milestone, 2009 – 2014, 13 Central St. Get the story here: Milestone restaurant gives way to Juniper

Milestone, 13 Central St.

2009 – 2013
Get the story here: Milestone restaurant gives way to Juniper

**La Riviera Gourmet**, 390 Washington St., Restaurant side of the business closed 2015. See: Wellesley’s La Riviera Gourmet closes cafe, keeps on catering

Nick’s Pizza House, 263 Washington St.

CLOSED: 2015
REPLACED BY: Pizza Peddler, in 2015

Susu Bakery Boutique 575 Washington St.
OPENED: 2000
CLOSED: 2017

We were sorry to see this sweet spot go. Susu was always trying something new, like that time the boutique bakery joined forces with La Voile Boston Brasserie, and we enjoyed memorable fine French cuisine without even leaving Wellesley. Susu served up countless cups of coffee and tea, and kept us all in a steady supply of cookies and cupcakes. Who knows what will be next at that great corner location across the street from Belclare?