Cambridge
has some of the best restaurants in New England, from affordable and
quirky student-oriented hangouts to high-caliber places with national
reputations. One of the most celebrated restaurants in the area, the Blue
Room is hip, funky, informal, smart, and international, with creatively
prepared foods from Latin America, Europe, and Asia. The Sunday brunch
buffet is always a huge hit, doling out buttermilk pancakes, octopus
salad, sweet plantains with chipotle ketchup, and about 25 more sweet and
savory treats. "Equatorial cuisine" has long drawn crowds to East Coast
Grill and Raw Bar, where you might try pinot noir-braised short ribs or
spice-crusted mahimahi. It's a low-key but lively space, great for a date.
An artsy neighborhood bistro in nearby Somerville, Gargoyles on the Square
is worth the trip for such well-priced, innovative delights as braised
lamb shank with broccoli rabe, white yams, dried fruit, sour cream, and
pecan relish. Hipsters and funksters jam the snappy dining room.
Just off Harvard Square you'll find dozens of notable ethnic restaurants,
with Penang among the stars. This slick, postmodern space turns out
delicious Malaysian food, such as pineapple-fried rice with shrimp and
squid, and tasty duck with bean curd, scallion, and ginger. Although some
complain the slick local chain Legal Sea Foods lacks the authentically
down-home ambience of a true wharf-side seafood shanty, you can't beat the
quality and freshness here. The clam chowder and the smoked bluefish pate
make for outstanding starters, and wood-grilled scallops, cioppino, and
the traditional New England clambake are tempting main dishes. There are
two locations in Cambridge.
Finish up with a scoop of the amazingly thick and delicious ice cream
served at Herrell's, the original of which you'll find in Northampton.
Flavors like malted vanilla, chocolate pudding, cookie-dough peanut-butter
swirl, and cinnamon nutmeg will delight sweet-tooths. There's a reason
_USA Today_ named Herrell's one of the nation's top 10 ice cream parlors.
If you expect more than snacks and light lunches from a coffeehouse, check
out Club Passim, a nonprofit folk music and cultural center selling funky
cards, gifts, and jewelry; booking terrific folk and acoustic
entertainment throughout the week; holding provocative exhibitions in its
gallery; and serving wonderful food in its restaurant, Veggie Planet. Nosh
on creatively rendered meatless treats, like grilled Vermont cheddar and
tomato sandwiches, organic mac-and-cheese, peanut-udon noodle bowls, and
leafy salads. Continue to page
3>>>
The Hunk
