Wellesley Smith & Wollensky Grand Opening Date Set

WELLESLEY, MA — The grand opening of Smith & Wollensky is expected to bring a few hundred restaurant goers to Wellesley Square, according to town officials.

The steak and seafood restaurant is planning a private grand opening on May 23, and a public opening the next day. The restaurant will spend a few days offering only dinner before starting lunch service on May 29, according to the restaurant's website. About 350 people are expected for night one.

As part of the private celebration, the restaurant will offer valet parking, which requires the use of 15 public parking meters. The request was approved by the selectmen Monday and Peter Baker of Smith & Wollensky said the valet parking service will only be offered for the opening.

Smith & Wollensky will cover the costs of the meters and the printing of new bags for the meters which say "special event."

Selectman Beth Sullivan Woods said the plan was a thoughtful and well-planned approach, telling the rest of the board that the Wellesley Square Merchants and EA Davis & Company are thrilled at Smith & Wollensky's arrival.

"We want to be vibrant and I believe that’s what this party will do, is to bring people in, show people what we’re doing, but it will certainly show off downtown," Baker said during Monday's selectmen meeting.

The May 23 event will run from 4 to 8 p.m., with the bags going on the meters at noon to allow them to expire.

The Smith & Wollensky Wellesley location will include a 225-seat dining room, a 25-seat indoor bar, a small patio and three private dining spaces for 80 seated guests or 100 for a cocktail-style reception.

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