The Malted Barley opens a second location at 330-336 Westminster St. and Tom’s Bao Bao will open one of its first two locations in America here.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The beginnings of a new restaurant in the redeveloped Kinsley Building have been obvious to Downtown Providence strollers in recent weeks. The Malted Barley sign on the building at 330-336 Westminster St. signals the Westerly pub's second location for their creative pretzel-based menu of sandwiches and more and a huge selection of microbrews.

Today, news emerged that the empty space on the other side of the building will soon be filled with steamed buns as it has been rented to Tom’s Bao Bao, which will open one of its first two locations in America here. The other is in Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Tom's is a Chinese fast-casual restaurant specializing in handmade, artisanal baozi or baobao (pronounced bowbow). They have nearly 200 locations in China after seven years in business.

Located at 334 Westminster St., Malted Barley is set top open this month in the 3,500-square foot space on the corner of Westminster Street and Snow Street.

Tom’s will use the 3,500-square feet at 326 Westminster St. to produce a variety of seasonal steamed buns including meat and vegetarian offerings, as well as coffees and teas from China. Tom's is a member company at Hope & Main, the food incubator in Warren. A blog written by the U.S. team says local chefs have been sent to China for training and they've been perfecting their recipes here. They said they have even mastered a lobster baobao.

"Providence is a wonderful and unique place for creative people and ideas," said the press release from Tom's. "We can’t wait to build on its reputation as members of the Downcity community. In addition to being the best bao restaurant in America, we will become the foremost educators on bao outside of China. Never hesitate to ask us about what we do, we want to show you!"

The Kinsley Building also adds 44 apartments to Cornish Associates' portfolio of 196 units in the downtown neighborhood.

-gailciampa@providencejournal.com

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On Twitter: @gailciampa