Sneak Peek: Centre Street Cafe Opens Tuesday Evening

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David Doyle, co-owner of Centre Street Cafe, pauses for a photo on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014.

David Doyle, co-owner of Centre Street Cafe, pauses for a photo on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014. Credit: Chris Helms

As of Tuesday evening, Jamaica Plain will finally have an Italian restaurant.

But before you tuck into your linguine and littlenecks (yes, they're on the menu), here's a a sneak peek of the new Centre Street Cafe. As most residents know, previous owner Felicia Sánchez made Centre Street Cafe a neighborhood staple.

The new restaurant keeps the name and 669a Centre St. address but changes nearly everything else. Let's start with the physical renovations. No longer will patrons have to squeeze through the kitchen to reach a tiny bathroom. There's a nice-sized restroom, complete with a skylight, right by the dining room.

The menu has changed too. While the new management plans to in time bring back a signature Centre Street Cafe-style brunch, the new palette is Italian.

"We felt an Italian restaurant had been lacking in Jamaica Plain," said co-owner David Doyle on Sunday as he prepared for Tuesday evening's opening.

Doyle said patrons will also notice influences from North Africa, Greece and elsewhere in the Mediterranean.

The new Centre Street Cafe will continue the tradition of using fresh local ingredients. Doyle highlighted A view through hanging wine glasses toward the dining area of Centre Street Cafe on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014. A view through hanging wine glasses toward the dining area of Centre Street Cafe on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014.[/caption]

Allyson West, pastry chef for the Centre Street Cafe, pauses for a photo on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014.

Chris Helms

Allyson West, pastry chef for the Centre Street Cafe, pauses for a photo on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014.

The dining area of Centre Street Cafe on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014.

Chris Helms

The dining area of Centre Street Cafe on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014.

The bathroom is no longer a tiny space you had to thread through the kitchen to reach.

Chris Helms

The bathroom is no longer a tiny space you have to thread through the kitchen to reach.

Renovations uncovered a skylight that was not used in the restaurant's earlier incarnation.

Chris Helms

Renovations uncovered a skylight that was not used in the restaurant's earlier incarnation.

A nook at the front of Centre Street Cafe on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014.

Chris Helms

A nook at the front of Centre Street Cafe on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014.

Centre Street Cafe Opening Menu

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