Bread: Homemade cracker bread was served with 2 kinds of house cheese infused with thyme. This wasn’t your typical bread basket, which I liked. The thin and crispy cracker bread isn’t as filling as standard rolls or slices, which I was happy about as we had 2 apps and our meal coming!
Menu: Starters, consisting of salads, appetizers, chowder, seafood etc; Tasting of Toast; Bacon 3-Way; Entrees, including burgers, fish, chicken, different types of meats, and a pasta option; Sides, ranging from potatoes to greens to farro.

Food / Presentation:
Tasting of Toast (from top to bottom):

• Fig, ricotta, honey & pine nuts
• Salmon rilletes & pickled mustard
• Duck pastrami, stone ground mustard, arugula
  For $10 you’re served 2 each of the above crostini, not bad considering some restaurants will give you 1 slice for $6+.  My favorite was definitely the fig spread dolloped with a soft, fluffy mound of ricotta. The duck pastrami was good, and the salmon wasn’t bad but I think the mustard left a somewhat odd taste in my mouth.
  

Lobster & Crab Dip served with seasoned pita chips
A small cast iron pot came piping hot filled with cheesy lobster & crab dip. The pita chips were extra crunchy which I loved. I noticed a few small chunks of seafood, but not many. This didn’t really bother me though, as the flavor was there and the gooey & stringy cheese paired great with the crunchy pita.

Chickpea-Lentil Burger: celery root-apple slaw & Harissa served with mixed greens
The chickpea-lentil burger was topped with thinly sliced slaw, and the toasted bun was smeared with Harissa (similar to chipotle mayo). The burger was soft in consistency which I credit to the chickpeas, and was scattered with whole lentils. It was actually perfect to cut up and eat with the lightly dressed greens, which I did. And while I didn’t eat the whole bun I was psyched that it was perfectly toasted!

Restroom: Terrible photo, but the wooden stalls were painted a dark green, and the walls were lined with white brick tiles. 3 stalls, 2 sinks.

Service: Our server was attentive and did his job well. The glass bottle of water left at our table was immediately replaced as soon as he noticed it was empty, each course came out at appropriate times, and he made a point to tell us that he had “checked on the entrees and they should be out momentarily”. We were well taken care of.

Overall: I hadn’t heard much about PARK but for whatever reason it was on my list, and the online menu looked great so we made a reservation. I’m really glad we did because I would definitely go back in a heartbeat. It may not be the best summer spot as it’s located underground and has somewhat of a speakeasy feel with its vintage decor. There are 4 different sections of the restaurant: The Dining Room, The Classroom, The Den, and The Back Room.  I’m assuming we were sitting in The Den, which consisted of a bar and a few low tables with plush old-school leather chairs, which may just be the most comfortable restaurant chairs ever. The food was great and the menu is diverse enough that I could take basically anyone to PARK (parents, friends on a budget, vegetarians) and they wouldn’t be disappointed. The prices are reasonable which is another plus; the veggie burger was $11 and the Lobster & Crab Dip was $12. Most cocktails are $10 while my Lavender Moon (gin, st. germain, lavender rose honey syrup, lemon juice) was $11, typical cocktail prices. It’s a unique spot, as you don’t really feel like you’re in a restaurant, at least not where we were sitting. The atmosphere is relaxed and casual. I think a must try in Harvard Square!
The Perfect Bite: Toss up between the chickpea-lentil burger with mixed greens and Harissa, and the fig/ricotta/honey/pine nut crostini!

http://parkcambridge.com

Last night I was able to have a brief but quite satisfying meal at Grafton Street in Harvard Square. I had been once before many years ago and while I didn’t remember much about it besides it’s location, I was happy to return.

Bread: I was under certain circumstances that required me to order my meal before everyone else and leave dinner a bit early, therefore I didn’t try the bread. One friend said it was cold and not the best, but the butter was soft and easy to spread. Another said he enjoyed the bread! You can decide on your next visit…

Menu: Salads & Apps, Rustic Pizzas, Entrees, Grafton Classics, Sandwiches, and Sides. The menu has great variety and the prices were quite reasonable. I do however wish the sides had more options, something maybe on the healthier, greener side? I was tempted to order 2 apps for my meal (short rib arancini and the roasted beet salad) but how can you pass up a $9 Chickpea Burger?

Food/Presentation:
Toasted Chickpea Burger with yogurt cucumber sauce on grilled naan bread
I forgot was naan bread was when ordering this “burger” and was pleasantly surprised when it came in a “pita pocket”. The cucumber sauce was spread on the bottom and topped with shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, and the burger. This sandwich was really great; both the burger and bread were soft and filling.

Service: Our waitress was helpful & accommodating as Matt & I had to order before everyone else and get our own separate check as we had a wedding appointment to run to. She apologized when the drinks took a bit too long to deliver, and offered to let me have 1/2 fries & 1/2 mixed greens with my sandwich when I was being indecisive.

Overall: Grafton Street is so much more than a “pub & grill” as its name declares. The food is great, the atmosphere is casual yet contemporary, prices are manageable, and their white sangria with peaches, strawberries, and grapes wasn’t bad! They have a nice outdoor patio and the interior has comfy booths, banquettes, and free standing tables throughout. Harvard Square is scattered with excellent restaurants and some of my favorites (Rialto, Henrietta’s Table) but if you’re looking for a good meal in the area that won’t break the bank, I suggest you try Grafton Street Pub & Grill.

The Perfect Bite: As I only ate one thing, I’ll say the Chickpea Burger 😉

http://www.graftonstreetcambridge.com/

Finally! 10,000 Open Table points and $100 to any participating restaurant. After much deliberation Matt & I decided on Rialto, Jody Adams’ restaurant in the Charles Hotel. Mixing Sicilian inspired dishes with New England’s local ingredients, Adams’ menu offers seasonal bites, pasta dishes, veggie options, and enough meat to please every carnivore.

Bread: A metal basket with peach paper held three types of bread and came with a side dish of herb infused EVOO and a small pile of course salt. The quality of bread was excellent; the roll was hearty and filling, the focaccia herbed and flavorful, and the fennel bread sticks tasted like my dad’s tarralli, yum!

Menu: First, Second, Third, Sides. The first two sections offered appetizer sized plates of salad, soups, fish, meats etc. I appreciate the Second category offering a half or whole size of pasta dishes. Often when menus have a Sides section, especially in a fine-dining establishment, it means the entrées come without any accompaniments. Thankfully that wasn’t the case here because the polenta that came with the Pork entrée was driving my decision.

Food/Presentation:
Pumpkin Soup – truffle honey, lemon-thyme, parmesan cream
I could have had an entire pot of this soup! It was light, silky, and smooth without being watery or oily. The cream on the edge of the bowl added great flavor to each bite. Not much else I can say except that it was fantastic.

Grilled Pork Rack – milk braised belly, buckwheat polenta, mushrooms, black kale, capers
I do love pork but the polenta was the real reason I ordered this entrée. The pork itself was well cooked, juicy and not dry, but the sides really stole the show. I’ve never had buckwheat polenta and I wish to never have regular polenta again as this was so much better – creamy but hearty consistency and great wheat flavor. I dug right in to the circular item without remembering what it was, but didn’t care after the first bite even though I knew it’d end up being something creepy. Fried to a thin crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, I ate about ½ before the waiter informed me it was pork belly. Creepy and delicious.

Bathroom: I can’t fully judge the restroom as it is part of the Charles Hotel and not exclusive to Rialto diners, but I love the warm earth tones, shutter stall doors, and automatic soap and water dispensers.

Service: Our waiter was a pro, was able to answer all questions, and knew the menu inside and out. Everything was served on time, without being rushed. I made a note in the OpenTable reservation that we were celebrating our birthdays, and since we were too full to order a dessert, we received a couple snowball cookies with a Happy Birthday note!

Overall: When experiencing a fine-dining restaurant – which isn’t too often fo rme – I expect a unique atmosphere, great service, and exquisite food. Rialto exceeded my expectations as it was classy without being to stuffy; I felt like I belonged even though normally I couldn’t afford to even look at the menu. Starters run $13-$18, and entrees $25-$43, most of which are in the $30+ range. It’s a pricey commitment but totally worth it.

The Perfect Bite: It’s between the pumpkin soup and pork belly with buckwheat polenta – don’t make me choose!

http://www.rialto-restaurant.com

 Fourth and final stop for Summer Restaurant Week 2011, tear. Much like Harvest, I heard this Cambridge eatery was a must-try so I crossed the river yet again to see if it was worth the drive…

Bread: The iron bread basket came with small slices of white along with herb bread sticks. On the side was a small square dish of pesto EVOO with grated parmesan. I always prefer EVOO to butter, and it’s even better with a cheesy twist.

bread

Menu: EVOO regularly has a 3-course pre-fixe menu that changes daily, as well as a few staples that remain consistent on the menu. The Restaurant Week menu was in fact their standard daily pre-fixe (but for $33 instead of $42) so we had about 6-8 options per course. For Starters I was stuck because there were too many temptations to choose from (salad with nutty granola crunch & creamy yogurt dressing.. gazpacho with all the fixings.. smoked rabbit.. the list goes on!). Deciding on an Entrée wasn’t any easier…

Food/Presentation:
Pate with Jam, Pickled Fiddleheads, Dijon Mustard, and Crostini
I’ve had pate once or twice and it was when I was in Italy last year. I think there needs to be a general food rule that whatever you eat in Italy is going to be 10 times better than its counterpart in the US. Nothing against EVOO, but the pate I’ve had in the past was a smooth creamy spread, and this was more like a minced meat medley. It wasn’t bad, especially after I spread in on the bread with all the accompaniments. Glad I tried a fiddlehead though!

pate

Braised Lamb Croquette with Roasted Eggplant Puree, Purslane, Pickled Cauliflower, Kalamata Olives, Mint and Lemon Cream
Unfortunately I forgot to take a picture, but it wouldn’t have done it justice anyways. The lamb was flash fried, crispy on the outside but more importantly tender on the inside. I wish there was more eggplant puree but I think that was more of a garnish. This dish definitely made up for my faulty appetizer order.

Chocolate-Banana Bread Pudding with Warm Buttermilk Caramel
Oh wow. The bread pudding was sitting in a shallow pool of warm caramel (my dream come true!) and topped with powdered sugar. Heavy and so rich, I could only eat about ¼ of it. But really amazing.

choc-banana bread pudding

Blueberry-Peach Crisp with Almond-Oat Topping and Sour Cream Ice Cream
Thank God mom got this b/c I was torn between the bread pudding and this dessert. I love anything “crisp” and this wasn’t any different. The warm fruit was covered with the almond-oat crisp and topped off with cool ice cream. I love fruit but the crisp can make or break the dessert and this was really excellent.

blueberry-peach crisp

Nectarine-Basil Sorbet with Randy’s Lime Sugar Cookies
Dad opted for the sorbet which was 3 scoops in an old-fashioned ice cream soda glass. I love when they have interesting flavors (ahem, pay attention Aragosta!) and basil fro yo/sorbet happens to be a favorite of mine. I enjoyed it, but the other 2 were more up my alley.

nectarine-basil sorbet

Bathroom: Cool tones with blue tiled walls and dark grey countertop. There were 3 or 4 stalls that weren’t pretty enough to take a picture of. Nothing super fancy but I liked the mirrors!

bathroom

Service: Our waiter was essentially the encyclopedia of EVOO. I knew it was a “farm-to-table” restaurant but he was able to describe each meal from soup to nuts: how/where the meat was raised, how it was cooked, how it was prepared etc etc etc. Very impressive and knowledgeable. Mom thought he was slightly impatient with her hundreds of questions – the menu had a lot of uncommon terms/foods – but I think he handled it just fine!

Overall: After my first visit I can confirm that EVOO is known for their exotic meats and the way they’re prepared (and the pickling of any vegetable!). It’s definitely a popular spot – the bar/lounge area was packed by 6pm. I’d tell you to check the menu before making a trip to Cambridge only because it’s not a typical chicken/beef/white fish kind of place. But if you’re adventurous with your food choices then EVOO is a must!

The Perfect Bite: I’ve never had lamb prepared that way before. Topped with some eggplant puree, really excellent! But I do need to say that the 1^st two desserts mentioned were to die for.

www.evoorestaurant.com

For Restaurant Week stop #3 I choose Harvest for me and 3 of my girlfriends. It’s rare that I cross the Charles into Cambridge but force myself to do so for the sake of a great meal. If you weren’t looking for Harvest I’m not sure that you’d find it. Off of Brattle Street in Harvard Square, the neon sign (completely uncharacteristic of the venue) deep within an off-street walkway led us to our destination.

Bread: I love when they offer more than one type! Bite size pieces of cornbread, raisin bread, and a plain rustic were served with a side of softened butter. I of course tried each one and all were good, but the cornbread was the best, especially with the butter.

bread

Menu: The menu itself was placed inside a study booklet made out of material which matched the patio furniture. It differed slightly from the online RW menu (I really wanted that mocha semifreddo!) so we were thrown for a small loop, but I think everyone was confident with their decisions.

Food/Presentation:
Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho: cilantro, crème fraiche
The chilled soup was served in a large but shallow bowl and decorated with crème fraiche and a few cilantro leaves – definitely the prettiest gazpacho I’ve ever seen. I’m used to having chopped veggies in gazpacho but this soup was all tomato, as if the tomatoes had been mashed and liquefied (you can see some seeds floating around in there). Light & refreshing, just wish there was more to it.

gazpacho

Wild Mushroom Risotto: grana padano, mascarpone cheese, english pea coulis
I’m not a huge mushroom fan but the chicken and red fish options just didn’t excite me. Risotto however does excite me and I’m glad I ordered it. A perfect portion, cheesy but not too rich, full of flavor, and just the right amount of mushrooms for someone who generally fears them. Really excellent!

risotto

Chocolate Mousse Torte: raspberries, crushed pistachios, while chocolate drizzle
The chocolate treat was topped with white chocolate sauce and placed next to raspberries and pistachios. I’m a chocolate lover but tend to shy away from desserts that overwhelm you with it. This did nothing of the sort! It was lighter than it looks, so moist and delicious. I was thankful I didn’t have to face a heavy dessert after having that risotto.

chocolate mousse/torte

Bathroom: 3 stalls with dark brown wooden doors.  The earth tones of the tile, counter, and baskets matched the overall feel and décor of the restaurant.

bathroom

Service: Our waiter was fine and nice but didn’t engage us too much. The first round of drinks took a longer than we would have liked but other than that we appreciated the time in between each course.

Overall: The portions were small – they usually are for Restaurant Week – but I think we were better off that way. I liked the cool & comfortable atmosphere. They have a great outdoor garden patio, cozy & informal, like we were in someone’s backyard. I would definitely recommend but beware of their regular daily prices as the current cheapest entrée is $28.

The Perfect Bite: A forkful of risotto WITH mushroom 🙂

http://harvestcambridge.com/

As soon as I saw the BostonChefs.com e-newsletter about the “Flavors of the Fall” food fest, I knew I’d somehow sucker myself into attending, despite the $65 charge; hey, it’s for a good cause! The proceeds went towards the Cambridge Community Art Center, so I felt less guilty 😉 Below is the menu/vendor list for the evening, featuring seasonal tastings from Cambridge & Somerville chefs/restaurants.

Hungry Mother
duck prosciutto & sweet potato aioli on dark rye
(the best table presentation!)

Hungry Mother table

EVOO
albacore tuna with pumpkin kimchee and gingered Concord grape glaze

EVOO

Harvest
ginger braised pork slider with root vegetable slaw
peanut butter chocolate semifreddo
Jack & Arnie, minted tea & bouron

Harvest - pork slider & cocktail

Bergamot
braised shortrib dumpling with porcini aioli

Bergamot, Garden, The Blue Room

Garden at The Cellar
Macallan 12 cured salmon, cigar smoke and orange crème fraiche on rye toast
(see above)

The Blue Room
rabbit rillette on Iggy’s ficelle with pickled cape cranberries
(see above)

Russell House
smoked duck rillette on toasted raisin baguette with pickled pears & micro celery
(forgot to take a pic!)

UpStairs on the Square
afternoon tea treats – tea sandwiches, savory bites and sweets

UpStairs on the Square

Sandrine’s Bistro
pumpkin crème brulee

pumpkin creme brulee & pumpkin cheesecake ice cream

J.P. Licks Homemade Ice Cream Café
Carrot Cake, Wild Turkey Bourbon, and Pumpkin Cheesecake ice cream

wild turkey bourbon & carrot cake ice cream

Drinks / Cocktails
Noir, sample signature cocktails: Drunken Angel, Body Heat Cider
Brooklyn Brewery / Jacob’s Creek Wines
The Macallan

Passed Hors D’oevres
Rialto Restaurant
chestnut coup with parmesan cream
Henrietta’s Table
heirloom pumpkin soup with toasted pumpkin seeds

My favorite, by far, was the pumpkin soup! A close second was the rabbit rillette with pickled cape cranberries – I may have had upwards of 10 pieces! Best dessert hands down was JP Licks’ Pumpkin Cheesecake ice cream. A close second had to be Harvest’s PB & chocolate semifreddo.
My only issue is that I wish there were more vendors; and I wish the vendors who were there were more prepared (some ran out of their tastings after 1 hour!). Overall my friend & I had a great time, enjoying the food, wine, and jazz band 🙂

Oleana has been on my “Restaurant To Do List” for quite some time now. I rarely venture into Cambridge (which needs to change), but I’m glad visited Inman Square on Monday night. Even though I’d never been to a Turkish restaurant, I knew I wouldn’t have an issue with the menu since I love mostly anything Mediterranean. Chef/Owner Ana Sortun has created a charming patio with a back yard feel, accented with sophisticated soap stone tables and wrought iron chairs.

Bread: Served in a small rounded wooden bowl, there were 2 types to choose from: a perfectly salted Focaccia, and a crunchy-on-the-outside slice of a white loaf. Both were a great match for our order of hummus.

bread basket & hummus

Menu: If it wasn’t for the glossary at the bottom of the menu describing certain items, I would have been completely lost (Taramosalata: smooth puree with fish roe – yikes!). It took me a while to decide if I should share a Meze (a “small plate”) with the table and then have an entrée, or if I should order 2 smaller plates as my meal. There were too many Mezes to choose from! We were already ordering the Warm Buttered Hummus with Basturma (cured beer with spices) & Tomato for the table, and I just couldn’t pass up the Spinach Falafel with Tahini, Yogurt, Beets & Cress (as suggested by my best friend who has tried it before & raved about it). For my 2^nd Meze I chose the Sultan’s Delight: Tamarind Glazed Beer & Smokey Eggplant Puree with Pinenuts.

Presentation: The hummus came in 2 small scoops – one wrap in Basturma, one not (for the veggie at the table!). It didn’t come with bread, but I spread it on the pieces we received in the bread basket – smooth & flavorful! My friend however took a different approach: fork, hummus, mouth (which was just as good). The falafel came in 3 pieces: strip of pita, beet spread, falafel topped with yogurt, slice of cucumber, side of cress. I was instructed by the server to wrap each falafel in its own pita and eat away. My fear in ordering falafel is that it will be too dry, but this was just the opposite. The glazed beef was so tender you barely need a knife, and the eggplant puree complimented the tamarind nicely.

spinach falafel etc.

Bathroom: Tiny but creative! The wall above the sink consisted of bright colored tiles – some of the tiles were mirrors which were scattered sporadically.

bathroom

Wait Staff: Our waitress was well educated on the menu and the night’s specials. It’s always impressive when they can announce the meal, side dishes, accompaniments, and price without looking at a cheat sheet. Also, my water glass was constantly being filled, which was a huge + considering these hot summer days & nights!

Overall: While the menu resembled that of a tappas restaurant (they have 18 Meze and 8 Entrees of fish or meat), I was not deterred! They had a couple entrée specials that sounded amazing as well. A successful evening. When I return I’ll save room for the Sicilian Almond Cremolata & Warm Chocolate Panino.

The Perfect Bite: Pita, falafel, beet spread, yogurt, cucumber, cress. An incredible combination.

www.oleanarestaurant.com