Park Cambridge
I don't see a thread already started for Park, the new restaurant in the old Redline space, so please excuse me if this is duplicitous.
I haven't been inside this space for about 6 years and I'm fuzzy on what Redline looked like back in the day, but I think the bar area got a nice facelift: the horseshoe allows for maximum seating and they added hightops. As an FYI, all the awnings and signage outside still say Redline - there's a small sign on the door to alert you the space is now Park.
Beer:
a varied on-tap selection - some local, some craft brews from Colorado and California, and two Germany beers - of which I chose the Titan IPA: nice and hoppy.
Food:
Bacon 3-Way:
House cured lamb bacon, feta and black olive
House cured maple bacon,confit tomato and arugula
Pancetta, parsley, brioche croutons and roasted peppers
I really can't say no to bacon in any form, especially a trio. The play on a BLT was ok, but the confit tomato didn't taste like much - maybe it would be better in the summer. A spoonful of pancetta is hard to say no to, but the lamb bacon won out a place in my heart - salty olives, creamy feta, savory lamb bacon: more please!
Crispy Mussels: preserved lemon, horseradish dipping sauce
These were tempura, which I wasn't expecting. I'm having a love affair with horseradish this month, but I probably wouldn't order these again.
Meat Pie of the day: truffled parsnips with lamb and carmelized onions, mushy peas
Sadly for me, you couldn't taste the parsnips or the truffles as they were both overpowered by the delicious lamb and perfectly flaky crust. It didn't matter - it was comfort food on a plate. The mushy peas weren't mushy, but they were still minty and bright.
There was some woo-ing in the corner of the bar from a group around 7pm, but other than that, the place was buzzing yet not too loud - I will be back!
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Alcachofa
Jan 9, 2013 08:13 AM
Just wanted to jump in to this old thread and say count me in as a fan of Park Restaurant & Bar in Harvard Square, Cambridge. (Got as many search words as possible in there. ;-) ) I was there on Friday.
Bartending was solid, based on my somewhat small sample. Did not actually witness the drink prep, but they were well balanced, so they're measuring well, with or without a jigger.
Clam chowder was good. Among the best in Boston. Not gloppy. Roasted beets are nothing exciting these days, but this one was clearly above average. Same with the brussels sprouts and bacon. There was a mushroom special with truffles and potatoes which was outstanding. I wish I had two of those for dinner!
Meat pie on the day I went was basically a chicken cacciatore pie, which sounds gross, but was actually quite good. Risotto was on the sweet side for my taste, but perfectly cooked. The patty melt was deemed very good by Mrs. Alcachofa. I can't remember what the fourth DC had, but I recall she was happy with it.
Thanks for the tip, gini & OC! I might like this place a little more than Russell House. If they only had oysters...
OC's thread: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/856819
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Stopped in on Sunday after Mayfair and sat at the bar for some snacks and drinks. Don't recall exactly what Redline looked like but I know it looked nothing like it does now. Very clubby: leather chairs, couches, soft features, very cool ceilings. For food we got the clam chowder, salt & pepper shrimp and the confit chicken wings. Chowder had good flavor while the salt and pepper shrimp were also good but were not like salt and pepper offerings you would find in Chinatown. The wings stood out: nice heat but not too crazy and oustanding meat. Also, caught a glimpse of the patty melt across the bar which looked really good as well. For drinks I tried a cherry/honey/apple cider from Michigan which was light and delicious. The beer list is pretty extensive and has some other offerings which sadly I don't recall either but I remember them being new to me.
Service was professional and friendly. I look forward to going back to have a proper meal.
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