Paul Tsouflides, owner of Acropolis on Elmwood, is on a mission to get Buffalonians eating healthier. In order to do this, he’s launching an entirely brand new restaurant concept that he feels will benefit the Elmwood Village and the city of Buffalo. “I’m calling it Newbury Street,” Paul told me. “Because when I lived in Boston I loved that shopping district. We’ve signed a lease at the former Louie’s Hot Dogs at the corner of Hodge, and we’re going to be bringing the look of the building back to how it used to be – with the entranceway on the corner.”

I can’t wait to see the final result of this corner transformation. The rendering of the restaurant looks spectacular, and will hopefully set a standard for the entire building, which could use some help.

As for the restaurant concept, Paul tells me that the food offerings will have a European or Canadian feel. “I wanted to launch this concept five years ago, but the time just wasn’t right,” said Paul. “We’re going to be featuring around 100 ingredients to choose from, and customers will be able to design their own salads, whole wheat/multi-grain/gluton-free wraps, etc. From sesame soy tofu to albacore tuna, we’re going to help people to change their eating habits one order at a time. You tell us what you want and we’ll make it for you – then you can see your food being made in front of you. Newbury Street will have brown rice bowls, organic lettuce for salads, select meats, super seeds, rice noodles, couscous, quinoa, and other natural ingredients. Then there’s going to be a rice pudding bar, a frozen Greek yogurt station, and a natural soda bar using fresh fruits.”

Besides being healthy, Paul feels that food should be affordable and easy to access. A base salad will be $5 and will include four ingredients. Then there’s the take-out and delivery options. In order to expedite take-out and delivery, Paul is converting the basement into an operational center that mimics the main floor. “We’re going to run our catering out of there,” Paul added. “As the take-out and delivery orders come in, catering will process the order, leaving the first floor to handle the walk-ins (seating for 20 inside). We’re launching a mobile application for cell phones that will allow customers to send these orders in for pick-up and delivery. We’re going to have quick and dependable service, all designed to provide great tasting and healthy food options. We will have four dedicated wash stations where all of the produce will be thoroughly cleaned. There will be no GMOs, and we’ve hired an independent company to analyze the nutritional value for all of our food. We want to make sure that people are aware of what they are eating. This is an educational process as much as it is a restaurant concept.”

Architect: Kathleen Kinan

Interior design: BMS Design and L2K Design (also designed Helium Comedy Club and Tappo Restaurant)

Rendering by Ben Siegel and Bob Bradfield from BMS Design.