With areas in each Harvard Sq. and Downtown Crossing, Spyce affords the Boston space wholesome bowls crammed with taste and ready by robots.

Spyce’s final location opened in Cambridge in January, however its unique location has been open in Downtown Crossing since Might 2018. The restaurant seems to be tailored for pandemic eating – it is good for distancing social with a contact near zero.

The restaurant expertise is sort of totally run mechanically, with just one or two workers working within the retailer to ship their meals to the shopper. Clients place their customized orders, pay at a kiosk, watch their bowls cross by a completely automated kitchen, or “robotic,” then accumulate their meal on the finish of that meeting line.

The robotic, which Kale Rogers, one of many restaurant’s homeowners, calls “the infinite kitchen,” separates every ingredient in a unique temperature-controlled lane. The elements are then dropped into the bowl because the container passes alongside a conveyor belt.

This distinctive thought got here from Rogers and three different mechanical and electrical engineering college students at MIT. Earlier than graduating in 2016, they developed the enterprise thought of their dorms. In keeping with Rogers, the buddies had been annoyed with the shortage of wholesome, cheap meals choices within the space, so that they determined to mix their engineering data and love of cooking to create Spyce collectively.

“We type of had this concept of ​​’What if we may design a brand new restaurant expertise that would permit us to prepare dinner actually contemporary, made-to-order meals that had been extra accessible when it comes to meals preferences and value? Rogers mentioned.

After founding the restaurant, additionally they determined so as to add sustainability to the Spyce mission. Its packaging is compostable and recyclable, and there’s no pink meat served, in line with the web site. All elements are native, seasonal, and traceable, which implies prospects are in a position to simply establish the place every ingredient comes from, in line with Spyce’s web site.

Rogers defined how the character of Spyce makes it extra simply accessible for numerous dietary wants. Every bowl is totally customizable, with choices for individuals who are vegetarians, vegans, low carb, keto, and extra. Since every ingredient is stored in a separate a part of the Infinite Kitchen machine all through the meeting line course of, cross-contamination that may be dangerous to allergic prospects is eradicated.

Spyce’s menu consists of preset choices with distinctive combos that the common individual won’t consider placing collectively, Rogers mentioned. Rogers additionally defined that when the culinary workforce comes up with recipes, they begin by asking what sorts of meals and concepts they need to share with their prospects.

“For us, the reply is an intersection of wholesome meals targeted on greens and unique and thrilling spices… whereas bringing a fast meal for everybody,” Rogers mentioned.

Rogers’ present favourite is a scorching and filling Umami Q bowl, which options rice, mushrooms, inexperienced apple kimchi and a sesame chili spice mix.

Rogers mentioned the corporate plans to develop its promotional efforts sooner or later, even utilizing platforms like TikTok to achieve extra prospects.

“Our idea is nice ‘TikTokable’ as a result of it is enjoyable and you may see all the pieces [being made]. … I truthfully suppose a part of the success we have had on TikTok from completely different folks posting about it has actually modified our interested by how we are able to develop a platform there and produce content material ” Rogers mentioned.

Spyce’s Downtown Crossing location is open Monday by Friday from 11 a.m. to eight p.m., whereas its Harvard Sq. location is open Monday by Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Rogers mentioned Spyce understands its position locally and homeowners are at all times seeking to enhance the lives of others by enabling them to dwell more healthy and fuller lives.

“After we take into consideration that, we take a look at how we are able to actually play a job in constructing the long run we need to create that’s more healthy, extra native, extra sustainable and that treats our restaurant groups effectively,” mentioned Rogers. “That is Spyce’s mission and one thing we attempt to do each day.”

Picture introduced by Elizabeth Grey / Heights Employees