More details are emerging about the new restaurants set to open at One South Main Street in Natick Center‘s The Block.
In the fall, What Now Boston reported that North Shore restaurateur Sa Nguyen was planning to open three restaurant concepts at the upcoming mixed-use project by developer Stuart Rothman.
At the time, two of the three restaurants—Nhậu and San Sushi Bar—had been announced, while the third remained unnamed. In November, however, the Natick Report shared that the final concept will be called Bún + Bao.
While Nguyen is keeping specifics under wraps for now, a representative previously shared that Bún + Bao will operate as a takeout-focused concept specializing in Asian street eats.
The shop will be located in Unit 4 and will include a full kitchen along with prep and storage space. Notably, Bún + Bao will also feature a pass-through window connecting directly to San Sushi Bar, creating a behind-the-scenes operational link between the two concepts.
San Sushi Bar is envisioned as a neighborhood-first sushi spot, serving fresh rolls and sashimi in a more approachable, everyday setting. Nhậu—named for the Vietnamese word meaning “social drinking”—will lean into the communal spirit of Vietnamese dining, offering a lineup of shareable dishes.
Nguyen is no stranger to the local dining scene. She’s the brain behind Soall Viet Kitchen, with locations in Beverly and Marblehead, where she’s built a following for her thoughtful takes on Vietnamese comfort food. The menus there feature bánh mì sandwiches, hearty noodle and rice bowls, and a variety of refreshing snacks.
The Block’s culinary lineup will also include Blue Square Pizza, which founder Troy Sproul plans to open this spring for takeout, serving artisan pies in a variety of styles.
Although Nguyen’s concepts were initially expected to open this spring, the Natick Report notes that the timeline may shift earlier. Nguyen has since told What Now Boston that she’s experiencing “heavy delays,” promising to share more information once details are finalized.
