Harvard Square dinner recs

[scratchie]

Some friends and I are going to the Regattabar and would like to have dinner beforehand. We'd all be perfectly happy to hit Legal Seafoods in the Charles Hotel, but it might be fun to try something different.

We're looking for some place *in* Harvard Square, so we don't have to park twice.

I've heard good things about Tamarind Bay, but most of the places I patronize in the Square tend to be more along the lines of Charlie's or B.Good. For moderately-priced places, I really haven't had a "favorite" in the Square since Casa Mexico closed.

Thoughts? TIA.

[dulce de leche]

Harvard Square is great for lunch but pretty limited for dinner; Central Square is the opposite.

[Nmarieke]

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned UpStairs on the Square. Fun, delicious, funky. Go to the Monday Club bar for a treat. Like eating at a wealthy, eccentric aunt's house (who happens to be a gourmet cook). Also Harvest is lovely.

[holldoll]

I strongly disagree about Upstairs on the Square.
The food is mediocre at best, the atmosphere is shabby and needs a good cleaning and the wait staff is comatose. Casablanca is a completely reliable for food, drink and service.
I would even suggest trying Cambridge 1. Great wine by the glass, innovative pizzas and good salads.

[BobB]

Casablanca "completely reliable"? Strange definition of completely. http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/572692

[Joanie]

What about Small Plates? I haven't been but I think people have had some luck there. I had good apps at Om not too long ago. The Casablanca rec is a good one.

[Dea]

Joanie, it's funny you mention Small Plates. I keep hearing good things about it but have never gone. I think it's because I'm still missing the Spanish resto that was there for so many years, and in spite of the fact that I can't remember its name (!), I'm still in grief over its closing.

Scratchie, if you do try Small Plates please post a review. Maybe if you like it, I'll get over myself and give it a shot too!

[lipoff]

The Spanish restaurant that occupied the current Small Plates location was Iruña.

But I stand by what I said about the Red House and Tory Row. I love Cambridge 1, and so really wanted to like Tory Row, but the food quality just wasn't there, except for the bright spot of the cheese plate (that high was matched by the deep low of the brownie). The Red House is very comfortable inside, but it is not a place for food. I agree that it has a fun atmosphere, but Upstairs at the Square has such incredibly variable service and has such consistently disappointing food that I can no longer countenance going there.

I don't mean to be so blunt, but maybe ten years of living in Harvard Square has left me a little intolerant. But each of those places, Red House, Tory Row, Grafton Street, Upstairs on the Square, and Legal Seafoods, they not places that artfully prepare food with seriousness. Each are comfortable, nice-looking places, which serve a veneer --- a menu that looks interesting, but is prepared in a cookie-cutter fashion, served by generally indifferent waitstaff, to a clientel that is captive, either due to location or by virtue of being tourists.

While Bartley's and Pamplona have very quirky atmospheres, and I'd totally understand if the OP isn't in the mood for that, they really care about their food and do what they do seriously. Similarly, Cambridge 1 and Casablanca follow through on the promise of their menu. Harvest has real chefs who innovate, and a professional front-of-the-house who wouldn't tolerate the service lapses at Upstairs on the Square. While we're on the topic, Sandrines was terrific when it opened, but has been worse and worse each year. I can only conclude that the chef/owner has checked out, because the restaurant runs itself on tourist's money. It's reasons like these that make me sad about Harvard Square.

[kitsune]

I second Harvest. I might be jaded as I have worked in Harvard Square for a long time, but I find their food to be consistently better and more interesting than most other restaurants in the immediate area. It's pricey, but it's worth it.

[Dea]

Thanks lipoff! I can't believe I forgot Iruna's name. I'm a ten-year Harvard Square worker-bee, and have tried most if not all the restos here. I used to love Upstairs for the occasional lunchtime splurge, but after three lackluster outings in a row, I finally admitted something was flat out wrong at that restuarant. I remain hopeful they'll fix whatever that is, but I'm going to wait to hear better reviews from others before dropping a bunch of dollars there. Like you, I'm generally underwhelmed by the options for eating out around here, the silver lining of which is that I generally bring in food from home for lunch these days, which is easier on the wallet anyways. Still, hope springs eternal - maybe the incoming Russell's Tavern (or whatever the name is of the new place at the old (yucky) Z Square space) will be an oasis in this desert of blahness that is current Harvard Square.

[yumyum]

I actually enjoyed Small Plates quite a lot. It's a pretty little spot, with a wide variety of erm.... Small Plates. Nice wine by the glass if that's your bag, and I especially remember the squash fettuccine which is rare for such a carnivore like me.

[Dea]

OK, I'll gave them a shot. I actually just made plans to meet a friend at Harvest for a drink this Friday eve. Maybe I'll see if I can get her to move on to Small Plates for a bite to eat.

[fmcoxe6188]

I hate to be a Johnny-come lately on this-but I actually had a really bad experience with Small Plates last summer. Either the food was ill spiced, poorly cooked, or there was an incredibly long wait between dishes. My entire party- including one very laid back- anything goes- cool with most things person- swore it off for any future visits. Just my two cents.

[lipoff]

Please do yourself a favor and don't go to Grafton Street, Legal Seafoods, the Red House or Tory Row. (The Cheese Plate at Tory Row is surprisingly good --- everything else I've had is unremarkable). In the moderate price point in Harvard Square I like Cambridge 1, Casablanca and Tamarind Bay. Harvest is very good, but significantly more expensive. On the less expensive side, Bartley's is fun, as is Cafe Pamplona. I find Henrietta's Table an acceptable option only for breakfast, otherwise best avoided.

[Dea]

Gotta disagree on Red House and Tory Row. While I don't think they'll blow anyone's socks off, I think they're in a whole different category than Bartley's and Cafe Pamplona. Both of the latter are great at what they do, but don't sound like what Scratchie's looking for, given that she listed Legal's as her fallback. I've taken people to both Red House and Tory Row, and have had good results. I especially liked Tory Row's flatbreads.

[fmcoxe6188]

You know I actually had had the same opinion about Grafton Street for a while- but the other night I went for a tasting and found the food that they served to us was pretty good actually. Granted -it was a special menu designed just for our group-but I am interested it checking it out again soon to see if there are any improvements to their regular menu....

[vballgal]

i completely agree with dea, especially about tory row. i've had multiple items on the menu (burger, salads, tuna, cheese plate) and have really enjoyed them. i think tory row is a great quick, low key option in the square.

[CreativeFoodie42]

Rialto is a bit more expensive than LSF for dinner but I really enjoy their bar menu, which has some great small plates, sandwiches and pizzas. I also really like Casablanca a lot for their small plates and cocktails.

[greenzebra]

Cambridge 1 is pretty reliable, IMO, for moderately priced pizza and salad. The Monday Club at Upstairs on the Square is in the same price range (more or less) as Legal and might also be a good option.

I'll second Tamarind Bay, I've had great dinners there, although it can get crowded.

I'd also second Garden at the Cellar if you don't mind the walk, but it can be VERY crowded unless you get there early.

[Dea]

Tory Row right in the heart of Harvard Square is good and could be fun. It's a small space though, so if this night out is Thurs, Fri, or Sat, you might run into a crowd there.

Tamarind Bay is very good, but also small. I usually hit it for lunch, so have no idea how busy they are for dinner.

Red House in the pedestrian way behind Charlie's is pretty good too (it's actually the same kitchen as Charlie's, connected by a walkway, but you wouldn't know it by the food).

[Taralli]

We've often enjoyed ordering plates at the bar of Casablanca: http://www.casablanca-restaurant.com/.

[dulce de leche]

I had lunch there a few weeks ago and it was absolutely delicious and the service was excellent. I hadn't been for a long time b/c we had a series of work lunches there that just took forever.

I totally agree with Taralli!

People will probably suggest Cambridge One or Tory Row, and those are def in HS but personally I would next walk the extra ten minutes and go to Garden at the Cellar or Ten Tables, which are on the outskirts of Harvard Square.

[BobB]

The bar may work but beware of getting a regular sit-down meal at Casablanca. We had a pretty awful experience there just over a year ago: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/572692

[Dan Boston]

Railto, also located in the Charles Hotel, is good. I also like the Harvest. Both of these are more expensive than Legal Seafood.

If you are looking for a less expensive option, Henrietta’s table is another good place in the Charles Hotel.

[OLDCHEF]

Have not been to grafton street for maybe a year I loved burger but I work with a couple of waitstaff that said it has gone way downhill but maybe someone has been and could give you some feedback because that could work in the price your looking for