A Shift to El Centro: Mexican Dining to Replace Tashi Delek

Think of it less as Brookline Village losing a Tibetan place, and more as the neighborhood gaining a Mexican eatery. 

Mexican restaurant El Centro will replace Tashi Delek located on Washington Street. The Brookline Board of Selectmen approved the transfer of a all kinds alcoholic beverage license and common victualler license at their Oct 16 meeting. 

The lease ends in November, although the new restaurant may not open until December. 

According to Geroge Heos, attorney for both Tashi Delek and El Centro, the South End restaurant has been rated highly by the city of Boston and has passed its health inspections. Heos said that Rabiul Islam, the owner, will manage the restaurant--and the liquor license responsibilities--until an assistant manager takes his naturalization test, in the springtime.

Selectmen Chair Betsy DeWitt added that the town does perform sting operations on liquor license holders, such as those which stung three Brookline businesses at last week's meeting. 

El Centro opened toward the end of May 2011 in the South End, with liquor service, and is currently located on Shawmut Street. Prior to opening as El Centro, was known as Siraj Cafe, according to a post on Boston Restaurant Talk Blog.