Seedling Café Moves to New Location March 4

It was a good run for The Seedling Café on Water Street. So good, that Vin and Suzanne DiPiero have spent the past several months revamping their menu, and the past weekend moving everything to their new location, at One Indian Head Plaza.

March 4 they open their doors at a new and improved Seedling Café, on Temple Street.

"The biggest thing for our customers is that we'll have ample free parking now," said Suzanne DiPiero last week, during a lull between early risers and the lunch crowd.

Although the new space at 30 Temple Street is about the same in square footage, seating goes up from 63 to 88 seats. They will retain the current staff of nine – including themselves – for now, but may add a few positions once they see how things go.

For chief cook Vin DiPiero, a bigger kitchen and gas stove allows him to expand the breakfast menu.

"We couldn't have an open flame in the old Water Street restaurant. Now, we're cooking with gas. For someone who loves to cook, that's wonderful."

Vin DiPiero has recreated the breakfast menu he used to serve up at the former TJ's Eatery in Londonderry on Nashua Road, where breakfast was his specialty.

"Not to sound arrogant, but we know breakfast. Our roast beef hash is made from scratch, and anything you order with strawberries or blueberries, are fresh – never frozen," DiPiero said.

Hours at the Temple Street location will also be expanded, serving breakfast and lunch seven days a week – Mon.- Sat. 7:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., and Sunday 7:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Suzanne DiPiero said the main thing that customers consistently tell them they appreciate is the fresh ingredients used in making a rotating menu of favorites, including vegan dishes, that are made to order.

"When people search online for a vegetarian menu we pop up, because we always have veggie wraps, soups and salads, and we can tell you exactly what ingredients go into our food for those with food allergies or sensitivities," she said.

Weekly specials are posted every Sunday night on the Seedling Café website.

Although the DiPieros were happy doing business on Water Street, they couldn't resist the opportunity to expand – and of course, gain free parking spaces. Plus, the Water Street location was easy to miss, even if you knew what you were looking for, Suzanne DiPiero said.

"The great thing about this opportunity is that we weren't looking for it. The new owner of Indian Head Plaza, RJ Finlay, approached us. He was actually a customer. We thought it over and decided it was a great move," Suzanne DiPiero said. "And we took it as a huge compliment, that he wanted us to be part of the Indian Head Plaza businesses."