Kendall Square: The Boston's Area's Next Restaurant Row?

[hiddenboston]

It appears that all of a sudden a number of restaurants are coming to Kendall Square, including Firebrand Saints (a rotisserie/sandwich spot owned by the person behind Central Kitchen), Area IV (a small plates/wood-fired pizza spot/green restaurant run by the Achilles Project people/owner of Lumiere), and Meadhall (an upscale gastropub-type place taking over the Quantum Books space). It sounds like there may be other restaurants in the works around there as well.

So is it possible that Kendall Square might become a destination spot for dining? Who woulda thunk that?

[somerville01]

Also Abigail's Restaurant is opening on 3rd Street. From what I hear the owner is the former chef from The B Side and he is bringing in a former chef from the East Coast Grill. The concept from what I've seen on their Facebook page is neighborhood restaurant with craft beer and cocktails.

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East Coast Grill and Raw Bar
1271 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02139

[Matt H]

Where on 3rd street will that be located? Ive seen them doing some work in one of the retail slots in the 3rd Square building, next to where Voltage Opened up. Was wondering if it was going there.

[hckybg]

I was going to mention Voltage too. I'm a big fan, and happy to walk from Inman Square for it!

[somerville01]

Yes,I believe its right next next to Voltage. Thats a great coffee shop too.

[Matt H]

Ok wonderful, more additions to the neighborhood are much needed, I agree on Voltage they are fantastic, no longer forced to give Starbucks my business.

[somerville01]

Yes, it's nice to support a local business with great product. The coffee at Voltage is fantastic ( so I'm completely addicted to the sea salt caramel latte) and now that I hear the neighborhood is expanding, I really think Kendall will be a competitive dining destination. Best of luck to all those new restaurants.

[mangorita]

The end of Kendall closer to 3rd St. & the T station is begging for a good, yet casual bar with great food...a place where the high-tech/MIT crowd would feel comfortable in afterwork. Everyone at my office goes to Characters at the Marriott. after work, but it has no atmosphere and the food is sub par and overpriced. I am really hoping that Meadhall will fill that gap.

I am also always excited about new interesting lunch destinations in the area.

Where specifically are Area IV and Firebrand Saints going to be located?

[hiddenboston]

Area IV will be at 500 Technology Square (Main Street) heading toward Central Square. Firebrand Saints will be at the corner of Broadway and Third, in the heart of the square.

[somerville01]

It's sure looking that way. I'd love to see it happen. Kendall Square is crying out for new places to cater to all the residents that have moved there in the last few years. It really lacks a night life scene.

[postemotional1]

Yes, this will happen.

The market is underserved, just as the South End is now overbuilt.

The intensity of demand is not quite there yet but it is within sight.

The economics will prevail.

[Gabatta]

Most restaurants are still going to need a strong lunch business to get by in Kendall. Firebrand Saints sounds promising. Meadhall looks like it is going to be a very big space. There are already a lot of gastropubby options on this side of the river.

[sflory]

But, if a place is good enough - diners will come. Just look at Hungry Mother. And it seem like there is still untapped opportunity in the dinner and a movie option with the Kendall Square Cinema - the Quantum Books location is a quite close and it wouldn't take much to trump Cambridge Brewing Co. food offerings.

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Hungry Mother
Cambridge, MA, Cambridge, MA

[Gabatta]

I am all for more options on this side of the river. Hungry Mother is an exception so far and it remains to be seen if they can sustain in the long term. Just look at the Blue Room. They serve consistently excellent food which trumps many similar establishments in Boston and elsewhere in Cambridge, yet it is one place you can always grab a prime Open Table reservation at the last minute for any weekend night.

A bit outside of Kendall, but Bondir has been relatively quiet so far. We have been twice and without reservations both times (at prime times). This is for a place which has served me what might be my best meals in greater Boston in the last 12 months. Despite opening close to the holidays and with some bad weather, this place would be close to banged out in another location. They are small and good enough that Bondir will do fine in the long term, however the closer you get to Kendall it is still tough for good dinner restaurants to make it.

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The Blue Room
Hampshire and Portland streets, Cambridge, MA 02139

Bondir
279 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02139

[itaunas]

There were attempts in the further past, but they were always affected by the fact the streets were absolutely deserted at night due to limited housing (note that One Kendall is far from Kendall, but it is close to housing as are Bambaro and others along the river). Like the Fenway a lot of apartment and condo housing has been put up in past years (and a lot more scuttled by the economy), so I think restaurant owners are deciding its worth the risk although its a lot more spread out than something like Central Square. (Za to Emma's is probably the distance from Cragie to Green Street and there is a lot less in between.)

[Bob Dobalina]

Love how Restaurant Row automatically links to Shrewsbury Street in Worcest - who woulda thunk THAT!?

[hiddenboston]

Oh jeez, I just noticed that. It's gone now! (At least from my post!) :-)