New Restaurant To Come To Moody Street

WALTHAM, MA — About a month after Raffaele's Ristorante announced it was closing up shop on Moody Street this spring,another restaurateur stepped up to take over the liquor licence and take over the space at 469 Moody St.

Dave Becker who opened Juniper in Wellesley in 2014 following his success with Sweet Basil in Needham is working on opening a restaurant called "Balani" on Moody Street.

Although Sweet Basil is decidedly an Italian restaurant and Juniper is Eastern Mediterranean restaurant, no word yet on what Waltham concept will look like, but both Juniper and Sweet Basil focus on sustainability and local sourcing.

No opening date, yet either, but it will have a liquor licence.

The space at 469 Moody St, has about 4,469 sq.ft. on the first floor with main entrance at the front of the building, dining area, bar area and kitchen in rear, full basement same footage for storage of beer, wine and alcohol. Mezzanine consisting of approximately 630 sq.ft for office use and more storage of beer, wine, and alcohol. The place can seat up to 120 people, according to city data.

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Photo screen grab of Google street view, courtesy.