Tables and chairs stand ready.  Paint is drying.  Menus are being finalized.  The commercial kitchen is almost ready to start churning out bread,  rolls and goodies. 

Paintings need to be hung and flooring laid, but it is beginning to look a lot like a restaurant, which is good news since Sugar Baking Company and Restaurant hopes to open its doors next month.

How did two West Roxbury business owners, Eric Battite of The Real Deal/Sugar Bakery and Johnny Fortin of the Rox Diner, along with Real Deal's JP co-owner Mike Black, decide to open a new business in Roslindale?  During a recession?

"Was I scouting Roslindale Square?  No," said Battite. 

"Was I looking for an opportunity to expand my business? Yes."

"Boschetto's Bakery was up for sale. I really liked the idea of a Rox Diner-style restaurant along with a retail bakery.  And there was plenty of room for a commercial bakery in the back," Battite said.  

The commercial bakery will become the bread and roll supplier for both Real Deal locations, Sugar Baking Company and Restaurant and for the Rox Diner.  It will also crank out pastries, cakes, muffins, signature cupcakes, whoopie pies and other baked goods for Sugar Bakery in West Roxbury and for Roslindale's new Sugar Baking Company retail bakery.

"It's more than a restaurant and more than a bakery.  It is a workshop," said Johnny Fortin.

"One of the most appealing aspects of this venture for me is the symbiotic relationship.  The restaurant featuring items from the bakery, the bakery featuring items from the new commissary.  The products couldn't be any fresher," Fortin said.

Sugar Baking Company and Restaurant is located at 4172 Washington Street in Roslindale, the site of the former Boschetto's Bakery.   Initially SBCR will serve breakfast and lunch seven days a week.  At some point, dinner may be added. 

 "We like to keep things as local, natural and humane as possible," Fortin said of the menu and food sources. The menu will feature cage-free eggs and local produce whenever possible

The sit down area of the restaurant seats approximately 60, which is good news for followers of Johnny Fortin. His Rox Diner gets rave reviews, but one consistent complaint is that it is too small, causing long waits and occasional cramped seating. 

The new space has a nice waiting area, calming color scheme and even a nod to history many locals will appreciate. The large light-up Boschetto sign, which used to hang out front, now graces the back wall of the new retail bakery.

Some of the items expected on the new breakfast menu include stuffed French toast with brie and fig confiture; poached egg atop a risotto 'nest' with baby spinach and pancetta; bananas foster French toast made from croissant, bananas, candied pecans and rum; ham and sunny eggs over manchego grits served with a grilled 'company' muffin (that's a Sugar Baking Company muffin); ricotta pancakes topped with sautéed apples and pancetta.  Plain or blueberry pancakes and traditional egg and omelet dishes will also be available.

Lunch offerings feature croque monsieur (ham and gruyere grilled and browned) or a croque madame (a croque monsieur topped with a sunny egg) sandwiches along with more traditional fare.

"When we told people we were gong to expand Real Deal to JP, people thought we were crazy.  They said, 'oh, but it so close.' We're hearing the same about Roslindale, but people don't get it.  Each area is a neighborhood and people like neighborhood places." Mike Black said. "Sugar Baking Company and Restaurant is going to be a great neighborhood place."

"Originally we'd hoped to open in time for the holidays, but we slowed down," said Battite.  "We wanted to make sure we are doing things right. When we opened Real Deal in West Roxbury, we rushed and really weren't organized.  We didn't have enough help.  We learned."

Take your time guys.  Sounds like it's going to be worth the wait.