The theater district has a new restaurant: Italian chain Vapiano expanded into the Northeast with its first restaurant in the region, opening June 30 in the Massachusetts Transportation building at 191 Stuart Street.
Vapiano’s concept—upscale but casual fast-service pasta, pizza, and salads prepared at open workstations—defies the “fast food” stigma and brings a new patio to the neighborhood, with two outdoor seating areas that when combined can hold 100. Inside, a private dining room seats about 20, and the entire 180-seat restaurant is available for buyout. Floor-to-ceiling windows open to the street, providing a seamless indoor-outdoor transition from the dining room to the patios.
A full bar in the back corner of the space includes a mirrored backdrop and two flat-panel televisions, and features specialty drinks like the restaurant’s signature cocktail, the Vapiano martini—a mixture of Absolut Raspberri, Razzmatazz, pineapple juice, and gummy bears.
The minimalist decor—a red, beige, and white color scheme and round, starbustlike lighting—is accented by long, communal tables, low beige leather benches, and round red tables offering seating for small parties. Each table features fresh herbs from the in-house herb garden. Adding an earthy element to the setting is a sprawling tree in the center of the dining room.
The modern feeling at Vapiano is underscored by a high-tech chip card payment system that allows for quick self-service. Vapiano has more than 90 locations worldwide, including outposts in Hamburg, Tokyo, and Dubai.
