Food and art at Gail’s Café

(Gazette Photo by Rebeca Oliveira) Gail’s looks out to Jackson Square from 268 Centre St.

JACKSON SQ.—A new eatery in Jackson Square is serving up comfort food for Jamaica Plain.

Gail’s Café & Grille at 268 Centre St. just opened in April, and its menu includes such favorites as barbecue chicken and ribs, baked haddock, gyros, pulled pork sandwiches and cheeseburgers.

Owner Lakis Vlahoulis told the Gazette that a breakfast menu and delivery services are due to be added any day now.

“We’re trying different things to see what people like,” Vlahoulis said. “It’s a work in progress.”

Gail’s, named after Vlahoulis’s wife, artist Gail Callahan, features her artwork on the walls as well as many of her recipes.

“It’s not just the name on the door,” Vlahoulis said. There are around 25 of Callahan’s pieces all over the space, Vlahoulis added.

Years ago, Callahan had a studio where she could sell her work. Since then, she has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and was forced to close the studio.

These days, she continues to paint, and now Gail’s serves as her primary exhibition space. Callahan stops by occasionally, Vlahoulis said.

“But she can’t stay for too long, her legs hurt her,” Vlahoulis explained.

The former JP residents lived on Boylston Street for 38 years before moving to Melrose three years ago.

“I always come back to JP,” Vlahoulis said.

And when he saw a sign for available space on the corner of Centre and Lamartine streets, Vlahoulis knew it was time to “come back home.”

“It’s the best corner. It’s so visible,” he said.

For new patrons, Vlahoulis recommended the Angus burger special: a third-pound burger with a side of fries for $4.95, though the barbecue ribs, pulled pork sandwiches and the fried shrimp special also got mentioned as particularly good options.

Gail’s is open at 268 Centre St., Monday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. They can be reached at 617-942-2096.

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