Bon Me (Cambridge)

Ever find yourself craving a Vietnamese sandwich? Or maybe a tea egg or edamame in the middle of the work day?

I used to work right in One Kendall Square in Cambridge, and I would have loved to have something like that just downstairs from my lab. It's too bad I don't work in the area anymore, because Bon Me, the popular Asian food truck, has opened up its first brick & mortar location right in One Kendall Square.

Bon Me originally started out as a food truck in Boston.  Husband and wife team Patrick Lynch and Alison ("Ali") Fong entered the City of Boston's Food Truck Contest on a whim in 2010 and won. Soon afterward, they opened their first food truck.

Here it is parked right at the Rose Kennedy Greenway (dreaming back to warmer times!). There are now two trucks (a blue one and a yellow one), and you can find them throughout Boston, such as at BU East on Commonwealth Avenue, SOWA outdoor market, and the Seaport area.

Patrick and Ali live in Cambridge and really wanted to open a brick-and-mortar place in their own backyard. Their dreams are finally realized this week as Bon Me in One Kendall Square opens its doors on Friday, February 22, 2013.

I had a chance to check out their menu at their "Friends and Family" soft opening earlier last week.

The menu is relatively simple - not too different from the truck menu - although they are adding a few new dishes, such as a Carrot, Hijiki and Wheatberry Salad. 

There are several fun types of Asian-inspired drinks from which to choose. I got the Thai Basil Limade, which is wonderfully fragrant and refreshingly not too sweet. The Vietnamese Ice Coffee is lighter than your typical Vietnamese iced coffee in terms of sweetness and creaminess. I would have preferred a stronger coffee, but overall the flavors were OK, and I'm glad it's not that sweet.

The Deviled Tea Egg is topped with spicy mayo and cayenne pepper and could be a great mid-day snack (much healthier than those chips in my vending machine at work!). Bryan really enjoyed this one.

The Edamame is served with a star anise and sesame salt, which is surprisingly tasty (even for someone like me who doesn't love anise). The edamame is served cold, which surprised me a bit, though that is how they serve it on the truck.

As for main dishes, you choose between three types: Sandwich ($6), Noodle Salad ($7), or Rice Bowl ($6). You then pick a "filling" to go with it. The night I went, the choices were Chinese BBQ Pork, Spice-rubbed Chicken, and Roasted Soy and Paprika Tofu.

If you choose noodles, you get a choice between soba or rice noodles. The rice noodles are a great choice for those who can't have gluten. The soba is a nuttier noodle, with a deeper flavor. I went with the soba and the tofu, which I really liked. All the vegetables were fresh, and the soft, marinated tofu was quite flavorful and carried the dish well.

Bryan went with the brown rice and spice-rubbed chicken. Bryan preferred the flavor of his chicken dish to my tofu dish, probably because the tofu is sort of sweet, and Bryan prefers savory foods in general.

Of course, if a place is called "Bon Me", you have to try their "bahn-mi" (Vietnamese sandwich). The sandwich turned out to be our favorite out of the three dishes. Not surprisingly, it's also their most popular item. It's not exactly a traditional Vietnamese bahn-mi ("decidedly unauthentic" is what they call it). After all, it is filled with Chinese BBQ Pork.

Nevertheless, the combination of the spicy mayo, pickled vegetables, and house made pate works well with the pork. The overall sandwich is tasty, and a pretty good value at $6 (especially for that area!).

The interior space is really nice. It's modern, clean, and comfortable. There isn't a ton of seating, but I anticipate this place will do a lot of lunchtime takeaway business. They also plan on ramping up their catering business, which will serve local businesses really well.

I think this will turn out to be a great, affordable option for a quick, healthy, and tasty lunch in Kendall. They plan on being open until 10PM at night, so it'll also be a great spot for a late night snack if you're hungry.

Best of luck to Patrick and Ali with your new endeavor!

Disclaimer - I did not pay for this meal. All opinions are my own.

Hungry Mother

Why don't I go to Hungry Mother more often?

We are spontaneous diners who don't plan ahead. As many unlucky diners have learned throughout the years, not planning ahead = not dining at Hungry Mother.

I have found Hungry Mother (together with the likes of Bondir, The Helmand, and Craigie on Main), to be one of the most difficult reservations to get in Cambridge at the last minute.

It's not hard to see why. Their prices are reasonable and the food is phenomenal. It's unusual that I'll write about a restaurant three times on this blog, but I think it's warranted here. After all, the first post had no pictures (I know, crazy huh? Early days of the blog!) and the second post was just a recipe for one of their dishes. So now (finally!) for the first time, I have a proper write-up full of mouthwatering photos as well as my thoughts about the experience.

Hungry Mother is easy to miss. It's hidden in a little street corner right near One Kendall Square in Cambridge (across the street from the theater). It opened in 2008 to much anticipation and fanfare and has been very, very popular ever since. Forget trying to show up without a reservation on a weekend evening. Be prepared to wait.

The food is Southern American made using refined French techniques. The chef-owner is originally from Virginia and sprinkles various bits of his home state throughout the restaurant. For example, "Hungry Mother" is also the name of a state park in Virginia, and the state bird of Virginia is the cardinal (the logo of the restaurant).

The menu constant changes depending on what's available and what's seasonal. They try their hardest to source ingredients locally or (in the case of Southern-specific ingredients), from Virginia. For us, it had been quite a while since we had last visited, so we anxiously explored the menu and tried several dishes.

The house made Surryano Country Ham Biscuits came with a homemade red pepper jelly, smoked bluefish pate, and pickled okra. We loved the sweet + savory + spicy combo that came from the salty ham, buttery biscuits, and sweet & spicy jelly. I loved the spicy red pepper jelly so much I purchased a jar of it on my way out (yes, they sell them at the counter for $9 a jar).

One of my favorite dishes of the evening was the Crispy Smoked Pork appetizer, which came with Hakurei turnip greens and Jim Nardello peppers in a rich, savory potlikker broth.  The broth was incredible, incorporating the rich, smoky flavors from the pork. A cornbread stick served as the perfect tool by which to soak up any remaining broth.

The Chatham Bluefish came with "hm" bacon ("hm" presumably means Hungry Mother? Or maybe House-made?). It was topped with tomato jam and served over a salad of arugula and red Norland potatoes tossed in a cider vinaigrette.

This dish was solid, though I think deep down inside we both thought that the famous fried catfish was the better dish.

Bryan absolutely loved the Baked Anson Mills Grits, which were made with "hm" Tasso ham and tons of sharp, Vermont cheddar. It was wonderfully cheesy, very creamy, and all around very good.

The Sauteed Local Collard Greens, cooked with pepper vinegar, was fine, but uninspiring.

My other favorite dish - the one I could not stop eating - was the Skillet Cornbread with Sorghum Butter. Sorghum is a type of sweet molasses made from sorghum, an early grain. Sorghum butter is sweet, sort of like honey butter.

The cornbread was addictive. Buttery and moist on the inside, crunchy on the outside - it was definitely amongst the best cornbread I've ever had. Heck, I'd go back for that dish alone. We only ordered a "small" portion (half circle), but you can easily get a whole one for the table to share. I guarantee it won't stick around for long.

Bryan got the Strube Ranch Wagyu Bavette Steak, which was served with creamed native corn, blacked arrow head cabbage, and "b-1" sauce. The steak was solid, though the entire dish was not particularly special. We've had more interesting dishes in the past, and I think this time around, our main entrees were good, but didn't exactly blow us away.
Nevertheless, we're still huge fans of the restaurant. My favorites are the Crispy Smoked Pork appetizers and the Sorghum cornbread. The fried green tomatoes are excellent, and we've enjoyed the French gnocchi a lot on a past visit.

Their menu changes daily, so there's always a chance to try something new. Of course, certain classics, like the cornbread and the fried green tomatoes, probably never leave the menu.

For dessert we tried the Blueberry Stacked Cake, which was great - not too sweet, and full of luscious, in-season berries. I still miss the buttermilk pie they had the first time I came. I'm not sure if they will ever bring it back, but I hope for it every single time.

Overall, this fun little Southern place is a gem in Kendall Square. It's very evident why Hungry Mother is so popular. On top of the great food, they also serve some really interesting cocktails and have an extensive spirits list. Finally, the space is warm and cozy, reminiscent of a traditional Southern restaurant with many rooms, each one painted a different color. You almost feel like you're inside a big house.

Hungry Mother
233 Cardinal Medeiros Ave
Cambridge, MA 02141

Firebrand Saints

When I was in college at MIT, dining choices around campus were really, really slim. We usually ordered out from places like Quan's Kitchen, Pu Pu Hot Pot, or Mary Chung. For Italian, we would trek all the way to Bertucci's or Cinderella's on Main Street (a pretty far walk from west campus dorms!). Once in a blue moon, we would hop on the T and go to Chinatown or the North End.

How much more fortunate are today's students! In the past two years, Kendall Square has transformed from a hungry, relatively food-starved techland to a vibrant area hailed by many to be the "next hot restaurant neighborhood."

So many new restaurants have moved into the area recently. Lucky students even have a great boba place virtually on campus.

I've tried Abigail's, Area Four, EVOO, Catalyst, and Think Tank. Mead Hall, Fuji, Voltage Coffee (and many others, I presume), are still on my "to try" list. It's hard to keep up with all the openings.

A couple weeks ago, we came one step closer trying all these new offerings in Kendall. After hearing great things about Firebrand Saints, a friend asked us if we wanted to try it together. Within two hours of that phone call, we found ourselves in Kendall Square, ready to check out yet another new restaurant.


Located virtually at the foot of the Longfellow Bridge at the edge of Cambridge and the Charles River, Firebrand Saints is a collaboration between MIT and Gary Strack of Central Kitchen. The dining room is as much a technoart gallery as it is a dining space. Gary Strack has partnered with several different artists to deliver art in many different forms.

I love the space the moment I enter it. A clean, open loft-like space beckons me in with cool graffiti art on the walls and an ever changing sketch of black and white cityscapes projected on the wall.

Above the bar, a row of TV screens light up. One shows the actual broadcast, while the other four project artistic interpretations based on the broadcast, whether it be text or visual modifications.

We start with these lovely Deep Fried Battered Onions which come with a side of scallion buttermilk dressing. A fancy "tempura-style" version of onion rings, this starter consists of a variety of members from the onion family, all fried to perfection. My favorites are these fried, long green strips, probably either scallions or garlic scapes. Whatever they are, they are fragrant, punchy, and delicious.

The FbS Style Deviled Eggs are filled with bacon and blue cheese, adding a strong, flavorful kick to an otherwise ordinary starter.

Bryan quips, "How can you go wrong? Add bacon and blue cheese to eggs, it's bound to taste good."

Our friend orders the Spit Roasted Lemon Sage Chicken, which comes with a side of fingerling potatoes and broccoli rabe. I do not taste his meal, but he seems quite pleased with it.

I order the Roman Style Porchetta Plate, which is rolled up with chopped kale inside and served alongside soft polenta. I order a tiny simple arugula salad on the side.

Though the flavors are pretty good, the porchetta is uneven - some parts (the fatty ones) are reasonably moist while others are a bit dry. It is nowhere as good as the crispy, juicy, heavenly porchetta sandwich I enjoyed in San Francisco at Roli Roti. As for the sides, the polenta is creamy and flavorful and the arugula salad is citrusy bright and refreshing.

Bryan orders the Lamb & Sirloin Burger, which is topped with spicy pickles, frisee, and harissa aioli. The burger is wonderfully juicy and perfectly cooked.
Overall, even though I'm not a huge fan of lamb, I like his burger better than my porchetta because it is so well executed. I like the spicy kick from the pickles and the harissa (a Tunisian hot chili sauce).

The dessert menu is simple, with your choice of a fresh baked pie from Ipswich, MA and/or ice cream from Coop's Ice Cream in Harvard Square (in the old Herrell's location). The pies are excellent (wonderful crust, not-too-sweet, fresh fruit), and the ice cream is solid.

Thoughts
Overall, we had a really great time at Firebrand Saints. The prices are reasonable, the food is pretty good, and the ambiance is really special. If I were to return, I would probably skip the rotisserie offerings and instead focus on trying a burger and sampling some more of their interesting appetizers.

I'm excited that Kendall Square continues to grow with these great restaurant choices, and I really think this is just the beginning. I can't wait to see what the neighborhood will hold in another year or so.

Firebrand Saints
1 Broadway
Cambridge, MA 02142

Area Four

A massive, fire-roaring brick oven in the center of the room.

A huge chalkboard neatly filled with the day’s food and drink offerings.

Floor-to-ceiling windows streaming in tons of sunlight.

The moment I entered into the space, I instinctively told myself, “I love this vibe.” Area Four is modern yet relaxed; trendy yet chill. It’s very, very Cambridge. I immediately decided I really, really wanted to love this place. Who wouldn’t want such a cool and inviting space to also have fantastic food?

Thankfully, after that visit, Area Four has become one of my favorite new restaurants in Cambridge.

The huge oven signaled to us that we should at least try their pizzas, as that seems to be one of their specialties. Bryan and I opted for a caramelized onion pizza. I also ordered a Brussels Sprouts salad, recommended highly by our server.

The Brussels Sprouts salad consisted of shredded Brussels sprouts and kale, shaved Parmesan, and toasted hazelnuts. I loved the idea of such rustic, healthy ingredients. We thought that the salad was a little under-dressed and could have benefited from just a little bit more tartness (from citrus, maybe?) and just a tad more oil. Other than that, the ingredients were extremely fresh and the salad was definitely quite healthy!

We loved the smoked fish pate, which went perfectly with the crackers.They even gave us extra "toasts" after we ran out.

We split the caramelized onion pizza between the two of us. We were both really pleasantly surprised at how good this pizza was. The crust is thin and slightly crispy, with just enough chew to make the pie quite satisfying to eat.

I really enjoyed the flavor combination of the sweet caramelized onions, savory tomato sauce, cheese, and fragrant basil. Seriously, it's become one of my new favorite pizza places in Cambridge (though I still reserve soft spots for some of my other favorites!)

Homemade vanilla soft serve

I have a super weak spot for soft serve, so I was thrilled to find a place that actually makes it fresh from scratch (hard to find non-yogurt places that still offer this!). You could still see the little specs of vanilla bean in their ice cream.The ice cream was light and refreshing, though I decided that I still much preferred the ice cream from some of my favorite, dedicated ice cream shops.

Their coffee is excellent. We tried their French Press, which they serve tableside.

Overall, my first visit to Area Four was excellent. I loved the ambiance, the food, the location, and everything else!

Of course, I've only had a brief sampling of the menu, so it's hard to know what everything else is like. Nevertheless, I am thrilled about this place (along many other great places) opening up in Kendall Square. Bummed it didn't happen while I was a student at MIT, but I'm still excited it's happening now.

Area Four
500 Technology Square
Cambridge, MA 02139

Abigail's

Have you been to Kendall Square lately?

Within 2 years it’s transformed from being an office-building heavy tech area that was dead at night, to one of the hottest spots for new restaurants! Being a Cantabrigian who went to MIT and used to work at One Kendall Square, I’m thrilled at these new developments.

Abigail’s is one of several new restaurants that has opened in Tech Square this past year. Abigail’s aims to serve familiar, American fare with a slight upscale twist - "blue collar bistro" as they like to call themselves.


Sweet Corn Bisque – jalapeño corn salsa, bacon crème fraiche (cup 4, bowl 7)

Abigail's is the culmination of a lifelong dream for couple James Ludwig and Sarah Murnane, who named the restaurant after their daughter Abigail. It hasn't been easy getting here. James (only 36 years old!) suffered an aortic dissection last year and was immediately rushed to MGH for open heart surgery, which left him paralyzed from the chest down. Soon afterward, his family moved to a wheelchair accessible building right next to the restaurant.

Despite all these pitfalls, the couple did not let this get in the way of their dream.

 Gouda Fries – chicken gravy, bacon 9

The restaurant opened in August 2011 and so far things have been going strong. Even though James does not cook in the kitchen, he is very involved in planning the menus, executed by chef de cuisine Jason Lord (also from East Coast Grill).

During our first visit, we were immediately intrigued by the interesting appetizers. The gouda fries (topped with chicken gravy and bacon!) were a playful interpretation of Canada's classic poutine, and were very good. The sweet corn bisque sounded promising, but disappointed slightly with its watery consistency.

Three Grain Salad - light carrot sauce, medley of farm vegetables, greens 17 
I like the fact that several of the entrees seemed geared towards those who care about eating healthy. I ordered a three grain salad that came chock full of kale and other grilled vegetables. It was nice - not amazing - but reasonably enjoyable, and definitely healthy!
Yellowfin Tuna – sweet corn sauce, heirloom tomato panzanella salad, fresh basil oil 25 
Bryan liked his grilled tuna dish, especially the tasty sweet corn sauce.
Sweet Ricotta Pie – dark chocolate ganache, toasted hazelnuts 7
Dessert was fine. Nothing to write home about, but it was a interesting offering (something I've only seen in the North End) that was pretty enjoyable.

First Thoughts?
I think Abigail’s is a great addition to the neighborhood. If I lived close by, I could definitely see it becoming a convenient, local restaurant that I would visit for casual dinners. For seafood lovers, they have a raw bar with oysters, clams, crab claws, and more. The menu has several sandwich options, a few burgers, and a solid offering of dinner entrees.

The food's still not as good as places like Bergamot, Bondir, Craigie on Main, or Ten Tables, and I probably wouldn't call it a destination restaurant at this point. However, it’s still reasonably enjoyable, and I think it fits in quite comfortably amongst its new neighbors, such as Area 4, Mead Hall, and Catalyst (posts for many of these coming soon!).

I'm really excited to see how Kendall Square develops in the next couple of years!

Abigail's Restaurant
 291 3rd St
Cambridge, MA 02142