Wilde & Greene Crews Prepare for Debut

Crews at Wilde & Greene are working around the clock, hammering, drilling, planting flowers and arranging furniture to get the combination restaurant, bar and grocery store ready to open some time next week.

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The centerpiece of the 30,000-square-foot space at Westfield Old Orchard Mall is a restaurant set up like an open market. Customers will be given a swipe card to buy food at any of the 18 stations and pay at the end. The huge selection includes oysters on the half shell, an antipasto bar, crepes, steaks, omelets and cheesecake.

Menus are displayed on chalkboards and flat-screen TVs, with entrees running from about $10-$12. Everything is made from scratch in-house and dishes such as sushi, stir fry foods and pizza are made to order while customers watch.

“We are all about freshness so we want people to see how it’s being done,” said marketing manager Cristiane Hioki.

Wilde & Greene can be accessed through two entrances. One opens up on the gelato display, while at the other customers are greeted by the "Fruit Tree," a large artificial tree at the center of a station serving fresh squeezed juices and fruit salads.

Seating areas are scattered throughout the space and are given a unique look by using different tables and chairs. Much of the decor was custom made for Wilde & Greene and the divisions can be sectioned off for private parties.

The second component of Wilde & Greene is the rooftop patio, which is expected to open Friday. It features 150 seats, with a mix of chairs, barstools and lounge-style couches. The area will be full service, with its own kitchen preparing small plates and a bar serving local craft beers, wines and cocktails.

After grabbing a meal, customers can stop in at Wilde & Greene’s natural supermarket, which sells organic, vegan, gluten-free and kosher items. Shelves are stocked with soup, cooking products, cereal, detergent, paper towels made from recycled paper and much more.

“Everything you’d find in a Whole Foods, we’ll sell the same categories,” said Charles Pratt, assistant general manager of the natural market.

Pricing is also more likely to be in line with Whole Foods than Jewel, the company's representative said.

“Of course price points will be higher than if you go to the grocery store, but the quality will be higher as well,” Hioki said.

The market will also carry fresh produce, frozen foods, dried goods, locally sourced meats raised without antibiotics or hormones, whole fish and seafood.

“We’re going to try as much as possible to do the most sustainable options,” said Heather Prins, deli and commissary manager.

Space constraints may limit the selection on shelves, but Pratt says he will work with customers who are looking for a specific cut of meat or a particular hair product.

“We can get almost anything out there that’s natural and organic,” Pratt said. “For the most part if we don’t carry something they want, I’ll get it for them.”

Note - It was originally reported that Wilde & Greene would open on Monday. That date was a tentative start that the company was shooting for. A spokesperson said some time next week is more likely.

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