Basil Tree Catering and Cafe West Cambridge

[StriperGuy]

This place just relocated near our office. We just had lunch catered and it was really excellent.

The usual sandwiches and salads, but just so nicely done. Everyone at work agreed it was the best of the "order lunch in" genre we have had. The desserts were also killer. This bit of Cambridge is a bit of a culinary wasteland so very happy to have it in the neighborhood:

Basil Tree, Inc.
10 Fawcett St.
Cambridge, MA 02138
tel.: [phone]

www.basiltree.com

[BasilTree]

Thanks for the great feedback, we really appreciate it. We are loving being over here!

[marcreichman]

Not a bad place to work, with iggy sandwiches a short walk away!

[StriperGuy]

Iggy's Rules, but not much else to eat. Thank heaven for Golden Garden and the brand new Gen Sushi.

[marcreichman]

What about Casbah? I haven't tried it yet but it's right there. :) Also hi-rise a quick bike ride or drive away.

You at BBN?

[fantundo]

After opening for lunch originally, Casbah is now open only for dinner. I found this out when I arrived with two carloads of hungry guests. They've since updated their website to reflect the change. When I did go, the food was good, but it was pretty bleak, especially when you think of the joyful interior at Casablanca. Unless you count my friend and me, there wasn't a lunch crowd.

[marcreichman]

Bummer!!

[StriperGuy]

Casbah is bleak, Hi Rise is Far (I'm down Concord Ave) and overpriced.

[chefematician]

Is this place related to the Basil Tree in Newtonville? I checked out the website and there's no mention of that location. Maybe I'm confusing the place in Newtonville with another place. I swear it was Basil Tree though. If it is the same place then I agree with you; the food is simple but excellent.

[StriperGuy]

I know they just moved here from somewhere else... so might be the same.

[itaunas]

Basil Tree Catering was in Magoun Square in Somerville across from the former 'Lil Vinny's (was to close) and has been there for a while (they were in a smaller place and I believe expanded when another caterer moved out -- Chez something which was well liked on chowhound). Likely they got priced out or more space for a reasonable deal when their lease was up for renewal (imagine Cambridge a good deal compared to Somerville!).

[StriperGuy]

This stretch of Cambridge is pretty industrial, doesn't surprise me the rent is cheap.

[Bob Dobalina]

The other caterer was Chez Vous? It lives behind Petsi Pies and the Star Market on Beacon in Somerville.

[yarm]

They had a lot of grief about not being able to park their commercial vehicles on the street and they lacked a lot of their own. The city of Somerville wouldn't budge, so they did. That stretch of Magoun Square has gotten rather desolate lately; hopefully, it'll pick up once Daddy Jones moves into Lil' Vinny's and makes the area seem more attractive to future establishments.

http://cocktailvirgin.blogspot.com/

[Luther]

They hire the cakes in from an outside bakery and they're super fantastic, especially the lemon layer cake.