Head of the Charles restaurant guide
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Are you heading toward the Charles River this weekend for the 49th annual Head of the Charles Regatta? If you’re looking for a place to dine and finish the evening off right, look no further. Here’s a list of neighborhood restaurants that are sure to please everyone.
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West Bridge
Cambridge
Chef Mathew Gaudet of West Bridge recently received an award for “Best New Chef’’ by Food and Wine, who say he’s amazing because of his “compelling twists on regional New England Cooking.’’ Choose from French-inspired small plates, large plates, or plates to share, or opt for the 5-course tasting menu for $65 per person.
Check out the Boston Globe review.
1 Kendall Square, Cambridge
617-945-0221
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Harvest
Cambridge
Harvest uses ingredients from local farms to create contemporary New England dishes. The restaurant’s interior is cozy, but if you prefer to sit outside, Harvest has a terrace warmed by outdoor heaters. The Improper Bostonian recently picked Harvest as “Boston’s Best’’ for Best Dessert.
44 Brattle St., Cambridge
617-868-2255
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Parish Cafe
Back Bay
Known for their large assortment of sandwiches, Parish on Boylston is one of its two locations. Menu items include the “The Mexican Meatball,’’ a twist on the traditional meatball sub made with cilantro-infused Mexican meatballs, and the “Elephant Walking on Eggs’’: eggs, julienned vegetables, and goat cheese served omelet-style on a French baguette.
361 Boylston St., Boston
617-247-4777
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Back Bay Social Club
Back Bay
Back Bay Social Club sets a 1960’s vibe with red leather booths, dark mahogany bars, and black-and-white tiled floors. The menu includes soups, salads, and sandwiches. The Social Burger is among the most restaurant’s most popular dishes, with caramelized onions and aged cheddar.
Check out the Boston Globe review.
867 Boylston St., Boston
617-247-3200
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Clover Food Lab
Cambridge
The Clover Food Lab restaurant is a vegetarian-friendly restaurant that serves “healthy fast food.’’ Clover makes all of their food from scratch and the menu changes frequently, based on seasonal ingredients and what local ingredients are readily available. The most current menu includes an egg and eggplant sandwich, French fries with rosemary, and watermelon agua fresca.
7 Holyoke St., Cambridge
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Park Restaurant and Bar
Located at the corner of Charles Square, the Charles River, and the Harvard Business School, Park serves contemporary versions of classic meals such as brisket, meat pie, or roasted chicken. Soft leather armchairs and bookshelves stocked with vintage titles give the eatery a rustic vibe.
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59 John F. Kennedy St., Cambridge
617-491-9851
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Upstairs on the Square
Cambridge
Characterized by its eccentric and colorful decor, the two-story space has two separate dining rooms: the Monday Club Bar on the first floor and the Soirée Dining Room upstairs. The restaurant serves signature pink cocktails at the bar and a menu of seasonal “casual haute cuisine.’’
91 Winthrop St., Cambridge
617-864-1933
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Central Kitchen
Cambridge
Chefs Fred Carret and Gary Strack opened the Central Kitchen after being inspired by the rustic Mediterranean cuisine they experienced travelling throughout France, Spain, and Italy. Seafood and meat dishes make up a majority of the menu, with everything from Parisian-style steak tartar to seared local bluefish. For something smaller, order tapas-style plates at the bar.
567 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge
617-491-5599
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Russell House Tavern
Cambridge
This multi-level space adorned with vintage photographs of Harvard Square offers appetizers, small plates, entrees, and a raw bar. The cocktail list is extensive, with both “quintessential classics’’ and “current conceptions.’’
14 John F. Kennedy St., Cambridge
617-500-3055
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Atlantic Fish Co.
Back Bay
Atlantic Fish Co. specializes in seafood – fried, seared, stewed, or raw. If you aren’t in the mood for fish, there are other options as well, including salads or steak.
Check out the Boston Globe review.
761 Boylston St., Boston
617-267-4000
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Piattini Wine Cafe
Back Bay
Located along restaurant-packed Newbury street, Piattini Wine Cafe serves Italian cuisine and a long list of international wines. The menu indicates which wines go best with which meals. Piattini serves an assortment of pasta dishes, including handmade fusili pasta with bolognese sauce, as well as meat dishes. If you’re group is feeling indecisive, order several small plates to share.
Check out the Boston Globe review.
226 Newbury St., Boston
617-536-2020
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Grafton Street Pub
Cambridge
Named after the spirited cobblestone-lined shopping district in Dublin’s famed Temple Bar area, this Cambridge spot offers classic entrees like salmon and steak, as well as rustic pizzas and sandwiches with hand-cut fries. Each night after 11 p.m., oysters are $1 each.
1230 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge
617-497-0400
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