Coolidge Corner Tea House Edges Closer To Opening With Big Hires

BROOKLINE, MA — If you've been eyeing the space in Coolidge Corner formerly occupied by Panera, you know that they've popped up some holiday decorations and there's a constant buzz inside as renovations are underway. And now, there's some more news coming from the folks behind the Japanese tea-house-to-be.

The man behind many a Japanese inspired baked good at Clear Flour Bread will be moving over to become head baker at Gen Sou En, which is set to open in Coolidge Corner in early 2018. As the tea house, which promises to be modern but (ahem) steeped in tradition, edges closer to opening in January or February, the owner announced he had hired three big names, including Yozo Masuyama.

Masuyama will serve as head baker at Gen Sou En.

Masuyama has an extensive background working in bread and pastry arts since 1981, and recently served as technical director of Clear Flour Bread in Brookline. He has worked as a head baker at some of the finest hotels in Japan and has built his reputation on his passion for bread, the quality of his products, and his refined skills that combine innovation with authenticity, the owner of the tea house announced Tuesday.

The tea house has also taken on two other familiar local names in the food industry.

Joe Cammarata previously of Hojoko in Boston and Backbar in Somerville and Sam Treadway of Eastern Standard and Drink and part owner of Backbar in Somerville will be general manager and assistant general manager for Gen Sou En.

The idea, as Patch previously reported, is that the spot will offer a traditional Japanese tea experience and blend that with more modern food pairings for breakfast, lunch and a light dinner (and dessert). The spot will also have "authentic" sake, wine and beer.

“We are thrilled to have such an accomplished management team in Joe and Sam,” said Haruo Abe, co-founder of Gen Sou En Tea House, and president of Harada Tea & Foods, Inc one of the largest tea purveyors in Asia. “They are the ideal managers to open and run our Brookline tea house, bringing an emphasis on hospitality and creating a warm, relaxing environment.”

The 125-seat, 5,500 square-foot tea house that's name translates loosely to "farm to cup" will feature premium Japanese green tea, black tea, matcha beverages and coffee brewed from beans roasted in Vermont. Get ready to try three signature green tea blends: umami (round and savory), kokumi (deep and full bodied) and shibumi (sharp and intense). Apparently each have special brewing times needed to extract the full flavor of each leaf and the folks who work there will keep a keen eye on that, according to a press release.

The tea house will be located at 299 Harvard St. in Coolidge Corner where the old Panera once sat across from the Gap. This is the first such spot in the U.S. for Harada Tea & Foods.

Previously on Patch:

Japanese Tea House To Fill Panera Space In Coolidge Corner

'Farm To Cup' Tea House To Open In Brookline's Coolidge Corner

Clear Flour Bread: End of An Era In Brookline

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Photo by Jenna Fisher