On my way there now from NYC. I see two unfamiliar places: Row 34 and Mestizo Modern Mexican. Anyone give them a try? Other suggestions very welcome.
Otherwise thinking of pick-up/delivery from Area 4 or Fuji at Kendall, which I’ve liked in the past.
I work for a company based there and visit at least monthly. I have eaten at many places nearby. Like catalyst, sumiao, state park, sulmona, smoke something (the bbq place). Disliked Batifol.
I see @digga loves Mex Taqueria. I’ve never been. Menu looks fire!
Row 34 - looks to be the latest outpost of the seafood/raw bar restaurant. I’ve never been to this location, but their restaurant by the Seaport is quite good and has an excellent raw bar. The Helmand is a tried and true Afghan restaurant that’s been around forever, but it’s a solid choice for their cuisine. Mulan does decent Taiwanese, but it’s not a particularly destination worthy.
Are you looking to stay right in Kendall Sq, or are you comfortable with some walking? Not too far away, 15-20 mins from Tech Square where you are to Inman Square, there are also a few notable restaurants. Muqueca for solid Brazilian (small, neighborhood restaurant), Puritan & Company if you want a modern take on New England cuisine, Momi Nonmi for take out, or in house omakase (reservation only).
Gufo, one of our favorites for Italian, is probably a ~15 min walk from Kendall and well worth it. I believe it’s a coffee bar during the day, although I haven’t gotten to try that iteration yet.
Gufo’s daytime aklter ego is only so-so in my experience. A lunchtime slice of Sicilian was served lukewarm-to-cold, and was far too saucy. The red gem salad at the same meal was, however, excellent – the lettuce, tomato, onion and cucumber in harmonious proportion, and beautifully dressed. At brunch, on another visit, the breakfast pizza was very good but the scone with sausage gravy an overly gloppy mess (it’s going to be a gloppy dish, I know, I wish at least some of the scone could have peeked out from under the gravy so that it was identifiable as such, not just a bready mush). The pastries at their takeaway counter have been very good on two occasions.
The dinner menu is quite different, of course (it’s as if two different restaurants co-exist under the same roof), and not having had that meal I bow to your assessment here.
Smoke Shack in Kendall closed (we had a few decent initial visits, just okay the last time). Have you tried Pagu? We’ve been happy with Boston > Burlington locations of Row 34 (tech bros next to us at most recent visit to Burlington). Si Cara might be worth checking out, have heard good things from a friend.
Have they been to that Row 34 in Kendall Sq? I’ve only eaten at the Seaport one, and that one was good.
If we are opening the door to Central Sq, then indeed a whole bunch of restaurants become available. Central Sq is about a 15 minute walk straight down Main St in Kendall Square. Big fan of Pagu, and a bonus that they have tapas offerings, as well as entree size selections. For OP, Pagu is Spanish-Japanese focused cuisine. It’s been a few years, but Little Donkey still had interesting global cuisine small plates the last time we went. There’s a lot of food on that street (Mass Ave), many of them newer since I’ve not worked in that area for the last 10 years, so don’t visit it as much anymore.
Thank you everyone. I was on my way to Mex when I passed Catalyst and realized I didn’t want Mexican. I wanted a cocktail and wine list and proper dinner. Dined at the bar with wonderful service. Focaccia was OK, tournedos of beef was really lovely. Nice BTG wine list - Rioja special wine of the week.
