Somerville
Just two miles northwest of Boston, Somerville is becoming the hotbed for eating and drinking.
Somerville
Just two miles northwest of Boston, Somerville is becoming the hotbed for eating and drinking.
Just two miles northwest of Boston, Somerville long endured the unflattering nickname “Slummerville,” but now this 4.2 square mile neighborhood is becoming a hotbed for eating and drinking. This is where you'll now find the city’s best chefs and bartender opening up restaurants and bars.
"It is one of the most densely populated cities in the country and appeals to all kinds of people. It is separated into several different neighborhoods, each with a totally different vibe and a really interesting mix of businesses and creative folks bringing something unique to the area."
FED Pro > Chef Cassie Piuma of Sarma
"A really cool, diverse and authentic neighborhood - economically and age wise. There’s Greek and Portuguese and then there is the fray of the Winter Hill Gang. Our restaurant Sarma used to be a hangout for Whitey Bulger, the mafia guy."
FED Pro > Chef Ana Sortun of Oleana, Sofra Bakery and Cafe, Sarma
"Anybody who’s really a foodie or enthusiastic about cocktails, outside of a few places that are wonderful in Boston, are coming across the river to eat and drink here."
FED Pro > Bartender Beau Sturm of Trina's Starlite Lounge, Audubon
"I hate to do the quintessential New York analogy, but it’s like going from downtown to Brooklyn. It’s definitely a different vibe as soon as you get over the river, it’s dramatically different."
FED Pro > Barman Josh Childs of Silvertone, Trina's Starlite Lounge, Audubon
MORNING
Photograph courtesy of 3 Little Figs
Breakfast & Coffee
3 Little Figs
This is a cafe, a bakery and coffee bar all in one. The coffee is from Gimme for espresso drinks and the milk is from Highlawn Farm in Lee, MA.
"This is such a sweet spot. It's a mixture of Greek and traditional baked goods, both sweet and savory. Great teas and coffee. I like the tartine with goat cheese, olives and onion - it's almost like a Greek salad tartine."
FED Pro > Chef Ana Sortun of Oleana, Sofra Bakery and Cafe, Sarma
"This is not a restaurant but a cafe. They do delicious pastries and coffee, as well as Greek-inspired sandwiches and a light breakfast. The dishes are simple, but very well executed and use great ingredients."
FED Pro > Chef Cassie Piuma of Sarma
"I’ll tell you it’s as good a coffee as you can get anywhere. It’s awesome. It feels like the same way a small bar with an interesting cocktail program feels. There’s no pretense, everybody is super nice and it’s a tremendous product. This place is absolutely fantastic."
FED Pro > Barman Josh Childs of Silvertone, Trina's Starlite Lounge, Audubon
278 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA 02143 | T: 617.623.3447 | 3littlefigs.com
The Biscuit
Espresso drinks, rustic breads, pastries and sweets breads like banana, cinnamon and brioche.
"I enjoy coming to a neighborhood, independent coffee shop and this one is right by my house."
FED Pro > Chef Michael Lombardi of SRV
406 Washington Street, Somerville MA | T: 617.666.2770 | www.visitthebiscuit.com
Sunday Brunch
Kirkland Tap and Trotter
A neighborhood tavern by Chef Tony Maws of Cragie on Main. It is inspired by England's gastropubs and centered around a hardwood grill.
"My family and I find ourselves at Tony Maws' Kirkland Tap & Trotter frequently enough as well- a great family restaurant in a corner of Cambridge that focuses on modern pub fare, with Tony's meticulous eye for detail."
FED Pro > Chef Matt Jennings of Townsman
425 Washington Street, Somerville, MA 02143 | T: 857.259.6585 | kirklandtapandtrotter.com
Monday Brunch
Trina's Starlite Lounge
"This is a former dive bar (the Abbey Lounge) transformed into modern dive bar. Home of the Bartenders Brunch, a flip on the ubiquitous (if overdone) Monday Service Industry Night's around town. This is a Monday daytime brunch from 12pm - 4pm. No pay stub needed, just a Monday afternoon off."
FED Pro > Bartender Brother Cleve
"You can have a craft cocktail or a shot and a beer and a Sloppy Joe and you know you’re home."
FED Pro > Bartender Jackson Cannon of Eastern Standard, The Hawthorne, Island Creek Oyster Bar
3 Beacon Street, Somerville, MA 02143 | T: 617.576.0006 | www.trinastarlitelounge.com
Bakery
Photograph courtesy of Lyndell's
Lyndell’s
"It's like old school cupcakes with Crisco frosting and it’s unbelievable. It's where you go for that step up from the grocery store birthday cake. It’s a great place for classic, iconic American old school birthday cakes and cupcakes."
FED Pro > Chef Ana Sortun of Oleana, Sofra Bakery and Cafe, Sarma
720 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02144 | T: 617.625.1793 | lyndells.com
Farmers Market
Photograph courtesy of Union Square Farmers Market
Union Square Farmers Market
Farmers market ten years strong. You'll find fresh vegetables, fruits, flowers, meats, seafood, baked goods and ciders.
"This farmers market is pretty killer and only getting better."
FED Pro > Chef Tim Wiechmann of T.W. Food, Bronwyn
70 Union Square, Somerville, MA 02143 | unionsquaremain.org/food/farmers-market
LUNCH
Photograph courtesy of Dave's Fresh Pasta
Barbecue | Redbones BBQ
Barbecue joint with St. Louis, Texas and their own wood-smoked style brisket, ribs, sausage and chicken. They also have 24 microbrews on tap.
"They've been around forever and were the first people to bring barbecue to Boston. There was nothing to compete with them when they started and they are still thriving."
FED Pro > Chef Ana Sortun of Oleana, Sofra Bakery and Cafe, Sarma
55 Chester Street, Somerville, MA 02144 | T: 617.628.2200 | www.redbones.com
Sandwiches | Dave's Fresh Pasta
Neighborhood shop with house-made pasta and sauces, sandwiches, beer and wine.
"This is a specialty food shop. I always order the caprese sandwich and grab some homemade pasta and sauce to take home for later."
FED Pro > Chef Cassie Piuma of Sarma
81 Holland Street, Somerville, MA 02144 | T: 617.623.0867 | www.davesfreshpasta.com
AFTERNOON SHOPPING
Photograph courtesy of The Boston Shaker
Barware | The Boston Shaker
A cocktail tool and supply store for both the pro and amateur bartender.
"Adam Lantheaume was just a guest at the bar of the old B-Side Lounge back in the nascent days of the cocktail scene and he noticed the conversation about how we couldn’t get this liquor or that one and he saw a niche there. Now he has all the books and all the equipment and maybe 40 different kinds of aromatic bitters, because the market has just exploded with those. If I'm struggling to find something, he'll source it and stock it. Everything from muddlers to metal spoon straws to aromatic bitters to spray bottles, everything you could ever want. He’s kind of created this little hub of activity around making sure we have that stuff in Boston."
FED Pro > Bartender Jackson Cannon of Eastern Standard, The Hawthorne, Island Creek Oyster Bar
69 Holland Street, Somerville, MA 02144 | T: 617.718.2999 | www.thebostonshaker.com
Asian Grocery | Reliable Market
"Reliable is a jam-packed Korean market. I'm an Asian food junkie and Reliable always has everything under the sun, from fresh eel and Chinese water spinach to around 25 different varieties of kombu for the perfect dashi. Plus fresh egg noodles for my late-night homemade ramen fix and every flavor of mochi in existence. It's amazing."
FED Pro > Sommelier Lauren Friel, formerly of Oleana, Sarma
Citizens Bank | Union Square, 45 Union Square, Somerville, MA 02143 | T: 617.623.9620
Photograph courtesy of MF Dulock
Butcher | MF Dulock
Recommended by chef/butcher Jeremy Stanton of The Meat Market, Michael Dulock worked as a fish purveyor before opening up this modern version of an old world butcher shop. He works with small scale local farms and whole animals that are pasture-raised and sourced within 250 miles.
201a Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA 02143 | T: 617.666.1970 | www.mfdulock.com
COCKTAILS
Backbar by Journeyman
Craft cocktail bar located behind Journeyman.
"A highly innovative couple of chefs opened this place and people are just raving about the food. Innovative cooking techniques and the bar equals it. They do a Mai Thai with smoked ice cubes, really great. They do fabulous classic drinks with twists and variations."
FED Pro > Bartender Brother Cleve
"This is a little neighborhood bar tucked in the back behind a restaurant. Sam Treadway is the singular best bartender. A lot of people make a great drink, but he’s a fantastic host and he is doing things with drinks that nobody else is really doing. His bar program is culinary driven."
FED Pro > Bartender Beau Sturm of Trina's Starlite Lounge, Audubon
"It’s a fun, cool, speakeasy. It’s very hip, it’s great."
FED Pro > Chef Ana Sortun of Oleana, Sofra Bakery and Cafe, Sarma
7 Sanborn Court, Somerville, MA 02143 | T: 617.718.0249 | backbarunion.com
DINNER
Photograph courtesy of La Brasa
Latin American | La Brasa
Recommended by chef Ana Sortun for their wood-fired cuisine from Mexican-born chef Daniel Bojorquez and New England chef Frank McClelland. The influences are from Mexico, Peru, the Middle East and more, all reflecting Somerville's melting pot.
124 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02145 | T: 617.764.1412 | www.labrasasomerville.com
New American | Highland Kitchen
American comfort food, craft cocktails, and a jukebox that changes seasonally.
"We love coming here. It is just a great vibe and fun for the entire family. The Buffalo Brussels sprouts are always a big hit and the Monday fried chicken is delicious."
FED Pro > Chef Tony Maws of Craigie on Main, Kirkland Tap & Trotter
"This is an iconic place in Somerville and one of the first to become destination dining. It’s not fancy, it’s just a good spirited neighborhood place with solid, classic good food. It's a great Somerville scene and everyone comes here, you'll see lots of families. It's a comfortable place for a quick in and out and it's very crowded all the time."
FED Pro > Chef Ana Sortun of Oleana, Sofra Bakery and Cafe, Sarma
"Tremendous local neighborhood spot but also really cool, creative cocktails with no pretense at all."
FED Pro > Barman Josh Childs of Silvertone, Trina's Starlite Lounge, Audubon
"This is my favorite place to eat and drink in probably the whole Boston area, I absolutely love it. Joe McGuirk is like a legendary bartender. He’s been behind the sticks since it almost opened. So you get a great bar crowd and the food is just outstanding and value-driven. My favorite thing is the Goat Stew. It’s like a Caribbean Curry Goat Stew and it’s absolutely unbelievable. The Cuban Reuben is also incredible."
FED Pro > Bartender Beau Sturm of Trina's Starlite Lounge, Audubon
150 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA 02143 | T: 617.625.1131 | www.highlandkitchen.com
Photographs courtesy of Bronwyn
Eastern European | Bronwyn
Eastern European and German cuisine from chef Tim Wiechmann. From schnitzels to spatzle to schmaltz and haus-made wurst.
"German and a Central European food comes to a Union Square, Somerville, complete with an outdoor Biergarten. Chef Tim Wiechmann's house-made wursts/sausages are the big draw here, along with a superb selection of regional German beers and schnaaps."
FED Pro > Bartender Brother Cleve
255 Washington Street, Somerville, MA 02143 | T: 617.776.9900 | bronwynrestaurant.com
LATE NIGHT
Photograph courtesy of Sarma
Middle Eastern | Sarma
Chef Ana Sortun partners with chef Cassie Pluma to serve Middle Eastern small plate meze dishes like smoked salmon taramasalata, fete cheese gnocchi, Moroccan fried shrimp and fava bean paté. The name Sarma means wrapped and rolled bundles of bite-sized food. Their interpretation brings dishes like lobster dolmades and mushroom moussaka.
"They do a really great job at doing the most important thing with food - nailing flavor."
FED Pro > Chef Kevin O'Donnell of SRV
"It is off the beaten track, Moroccan-influenced place and great creative cocktails by bar manager Vikram Hedge, the Bar Manager. They’re getting tremendous recognition and it so well deserved."
FED Pro > Barman Josh Childs of Silvertone, Trina's Starlite Lounge, Audubon
Open until 1am on weekends
249 Pearl Street, Somerville, MA 02145 | T: 617.764.4464 | www.sarmarestaurant.com
Somerville Photo Credit: Eric Kilby [flickr]
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Souvenirs
Souvenirs
Taza Chocolates
Made in Somerville, chef Ivy Stark uses their chocolates on her Mexican menu at Dos Caminos. "They grind Mexican chocolate with a lava stone molino, as is traditionally done in Mexico and their product is very high quality."
Q's Nuts
Small batch sweet, savory, and exotic flavored nuts made in Somerville by husband and wife team Beth and Brian “Q” Quinn. Chef Mark O'Leary of Shojo recommends them for a souvenir. They use local Taza stone ground chocolate for their Mexican Chocolate Pecans and Almond.
Bantam Cider
This Somerville cidery uses fresh-pressed apples from Western Massachusetts for their Basque style ciders. You’ll find their ciders on cocktail menus at places like Hungry Mother. Stop into the tasting room and take home bottle or two.
Map
Map
FED Pros
FED Pros
Ana Sortun
Executive chef and owner of Oleana, Sofra Bakery and Cafe, Sarma in Cambridge and Somerville, MA.
Cassie Piuma
Chef of Sarma in Somerville, MA.
Tony Maws
Chef and owner of Craigie on Main and Kirkland Tap & Trotter in Cambridge and Somerville, MA.
Tim Wiechmann
Chef and co-owner of T.W. Food, Bronwyn in Cambridge and Somerville, MA.
KEVIN O'DOnNell
Executive chef and partner of SRV in Boston, MA.
MICHAEL LOMBARDI
Co-executive chef and partner of SRV in Boston and resident of Somerville, MA.
Matt Jennings
Executive chef and owner of Townsman in Boston, MA.
Josh Childs
Bartender and co-owner of Silvertone, Trina's Starlite Lounge, Audubon in Boston and Somerville, MA.
Beau Sturm
Bartender and co-owner of Trina's Starlite Lounge and Audubon in Somerville and Boston, MA.
Jackson Cannon
Bartender and partner at Eastern Standard, The Hawthorne, and Island Creek Oyster Bar in Boston.
Lauren friel
Former sommelier of Oleana and Sarma in Cambridge and Somerville, MA.
BROTHER CLEVE
Bartender and cocktail consultant in Boston, MA.
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