The Real Deal, a popular deli in West Roxbury, recently opened up shop in the old Emack and Bolio's spot (and more formerly Brigham's) on Centre Street. The restaurant serves gourmet sandwiches and thin-crust pizza, among other things, and will continue to carry Emack and Bolio's ice cream. The extensive menu boasts 43 sandwiches, 19 wraps, 7 paninis including 'The Cuban', 16 salads, 9 burgers and 9 pizzas. The hotspot boasts mafioso-esque signature sandwiches and "gangster wraps" ranging from the Michael Corleone (genoa salami, capiccola and provolone) to the Tony Soprano (zesty cajun roast beef with horseradish and swiss). Also, the walls are covered with sandwich-inspired caricatures including playful depictions of the Lucy Goosey (roast turkey) and the Donnie Brasco (maple turkey). Plenty of seating. The only bad thing is there's no wifi. Which isn't always a bad thing!

UPDATE: Sweet Finnish bakery at 761 Centre Street closed its doors in April 2008. The space is currently being transformed into a salon called Studio 8.

This is a lovely cafe with ample seating. There is wi-fi and the pastries are outstanding. You can also get quiche, sandwiches, soups along with coffee. There's a display so you can learn more about Finland too. It's often occupied by the laptop crowd working away or by tables of folks chatting away and enjoying coffee and a sweet. The owners aren't bothered by folks sitting around - in fact, it seems to be encouraged! Hours Tue-Fri 7:30 am - 7 pm, Sat 8 am - 6 pm, Sun 9am - 6 pm

Slotted to open Monday, Aug. 11 2008. City Feed and Supply, the popular local convenience store and café, is taking over the former Videosmith storefront on Centre Street as a second location. This will be a much larger second site for the company (with their first location on Boylston Street). This Centre Street location (in the 3,000-square foot space on the corner of Seaverns Ave.) includes tables for enjoying a sandwich and plenty of windows for people watching. City Feed targets the "Ped Set" or the pedestrian traffic strolling up and down Centre Street. Their business is focused on locally grwon and organic and fair trade foods with an emphasis on vegetarian items like tofurkey. They are, admittedly, not a place to shop for everything, though they are a food store in addition to being a cafe.