Charles Street is about to get a lot cheesier. Willie’s, a new neighborhood pizza joint from the team behind Zurito and Somaek, is set to open early this spring at 20 Charles Street in Beacon Hill. The compact sit-down spot is designed to handle both quick slices and linger-worthy meals, with pizzas, pastas and small plates on the menu and a tight beverage list built to travel well for delivery. The pitch is cozy and flexible, part lunch counter, part late-night takeout kitchen.
BCB3 Hospitality partners Jamie Bissonnette, Andy Cartin and Babak Bina are behind the project. Bissonnette told Boston Magazine the idea is to "let our food freak flag fly." The outlet reports the team is planning 10 to 11 inch pizzas with live-fire char, a handful of pasta preparations and rotating small plates that pull in flavors from their other restaurants. They also intend to take reservations while still holding space for walk-ins, a move that should please both planners and spontaneous slice-seekers.
Menu and service
As reported by NBC Boston, Willie’s will operate as a dine-in spot that also handles takeout and delivery. The menu is expected to feature a classic Margherita, a gilda topped with olives and anchovies, and playful pies that nod to Zurito’s pintxos, alongside pastas and small plates. The drinks program will keep things casual, with beer, an easygoing red or Lambrusco and soju aimed at somaek-style pairings.
Location on Charles Street
The restaurant’s coming-soon site lists Willie’s at 20 Charles St. in Beacon Hill. Boston Magazine notes the space sits between Chestnut and Beacon streets, essentially next door to Zurito, which the owners say gives Willie’s a built-in neighborhood audience. The site is already inviting locals to sign up for updates and inquiries.
Why Beacon Hill
Charles Street has seen a steady shuffle of storefronts in recent years, and several long-running neighborhood staples have closed, leaving fewer everyday dining options. The Beacon Hill Times has cited recent departures on the block, including Panificio and Figs, and pointed out that locals have been missing accessible, casual spots that go beyond special-occasion dining. BCB3’s team says Willie’s is designed to be the kind of place residents can drop by or order from any night of the week.
Willie’s is targeting an early-spring opening. For launch details, the restaurant’s website and social channels are expected to carry updates, from behind-the-scenes looks at the buildout to reservation announcements for opening week.
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