The city that always sleeps: Middle Eastern bakery proposed on busy Allston street across from a Dunk's, but neighbors don't want it open past 5 p.m.

Update: Approved, with a 9 p.m. closing time.

The Boston Licensing Board could decide tomorrow whether to approve a food-serving license for Middle Eastern-based Sofra Bakery, 210 North Harvard St. in Allston - directly across from a Dunkin' and around the corner from a Starbucks and a Swissbaker.

If approved, this would be the second Sofra, joining one in Cambridge.

At a hearing today, co-owners Gary Griffin and Anna Sortun said the new outlet would serve both sweet and savory items, along with coffee and other beverages. They said they would also move their kitchen to the new location because it's larger than the one in Cambridge. The location would have 32 seats indoors and 12 seats on a seasonal patio.

The two applied for a closing time of 9 p.m., although they said they would initially close at 5 p.m. and only extend the closing time if business warranted it.

One resident urged the board to make sure the place keeps to 5 p.m., though.

"5 is OK, I guess, but to go later than that might be a problem for us," she said. She said Swissbaker does little business after 5, anyway. She added another potential issue is noise from a freezer Sofra has proposed to put outside in its parking lot, next to one neighbor's property.

The Dunkin' is currently open until 9:30 p.m., according to the chain's Web site.

The Allston Civic Association supports the bakery, according to a liaison from the city's Office of Neighborhood Services.

Initially, the bakery will not be offering home delivery through third-party drivers. Griffin agreed with a request from board Chairwoman Kathleen Joyce that if that changes, Sofra file a formal plan with the board on how it will deal with any parking issues related to third-party pick up.