According to an article in the Brookline TAB, Gen Sou En Tea House is planning to open in Coolidge Corner, taking over the old Panera spot on Harvard Street. A sign in the window states that the place will be a "modern Japanese tea house" with Japanese green tea and black tea along with coffee, beer, wine, and sake, and it will also serve savory foods and bakery items while being open for breakfast, lunch, and (a light) dinner. If all goes as planned, Gen Sou En Tea House could be opening in January of 2018.
Panera closed its Coolidge Corner location in June after approximately 10 years in business.
The address for this upcoming tea house in Coolidge Corner is: Gen Sou En Tea House, 299 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA, 02446. Its website will be at http://www.gensouenteahouse.com/
Thanks to BostonTweet for initially bringing this to our attention.
[October 17 update: A press release mentions that Gen Sou En--which loosely translates as"farm-to-cup"--will have seating for 125 and food offerings such as matcha croissants, matcha tiramisu, tempura, temaki (cone-shaped sushi handrolls), and onigiri (triangular Japanese rice balls).]
[December 12 update: According to a press release, Joe Cammarata (Hojoko and Backbar) is being brought on as general manager of Gen Sou En Tea House and Sam Treadway (Eastern Standard, Drink, Backbar) will be assistant general manager. (The email also says that Yozo Masuyama--who recently served as technical director of Clear Flour Bread--will be head baker.)]
[February 16, 2018 update: A press release says that Gen Sou En Tea House plans to open its doors on Wednesday, February 21.]
[February 20, 2018 update: A Facebook post from the place confirms that Gen Sou En Tea House opens tomorrow, with a ribbon-cutting beginning at 9:15 AM and its doors opening to the public at 10:00 AM.]
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[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Food Items from Asian Restaurants in the Boston Area]
