Garden At The Cellar

I would have given this restaurant four stars, but the interminable waiting really brought it down. We arrived at 7:30 on a Wednesday night and were told there would be 20-30 minute wait for our party of four. Which was fine -- we got ourselves a seat at the bar. But we ended up waiting over an hour and a half. The hostess did come over about halfway through the wait to tell us the table was almost ready, but this apparently was not the case. After we sat down, the waitress took our order fairly quickly , but then the appetizers didn't arrive at our table for 40 minutes. By this point, we were practically gnawing on the table. One of the appetizers was just an order of fries, so we were a little mystified as to why that took so long and why they hadn't sent it out early to placate us. If anything is going to cheer me up, it's those truffle fries! Anyway, the food ended up being very good. I'd highly recommend the fish fritters, the steak, the duck, the pumpkin soup, and of course, the fries! I really wish I had enjoyed this experience more, but unfortunately, the waiting really ruined it. It seems to me that if a restaurant isn't going to take reservations, they should really try and get their kitchen in order so that they can turn tables quickly. I'd go back to the downstairs bar for beer and fries, but I don't think I'd go back to the restaurant. Pros: The food Cons: The wait more

I went there to eat last night with 3 of my friends and we were told that it would be about 45 minutes till a table would be open for us, so we opted to wait at the bar. We waited for close to an hour and half. When were seated he hostess then blamed the people who left before us saying ""They took forever to pay their bill""....she didn't say sorry but blamed the other patrons. \r The food is awesome. You have to get the truffle fries, as they are so yummy. I also had the tomato soup and grilled cheese....which was yummy.\r Overall, the food is great but the they need to work on the customer service and timing. Don't go if you are in a rush. Pros: food Cons: long waits, the service more

I've been to Garden twice and have found the food to be wonderful each time. The mussells are by far my favorite, but the potato leek soup with black truffle and thyme is a close second (don't expect it to be chunky....it's smoothe and creamy). Probably the best way to enjoy the food is to go with a couple of friends and share around. The bread is plentiful and comes to your table with herbed chive butter (a nice touch!), so you can soak up all the wonderful sauces. The chef has a wonderful ability to seek out the freshest herbs and tastiest local ingredients to create mouth-watering masterpieces that will keep you coming back for more. If you need salt and pepper, however, you need to ask....it's the only thing missing from the beautiful copper-topped tables. And, although they don't have a dessert menu, they will bring you complimentary chunks of dark chocolate with your bill. A great place to bring a crowd that's a mix of carnivores and veggies, btw. Pros: Fair price, nice atmosphere, delicious food, friendly staff, meat and veggie dishes aplenty Cons: no dessert, can't bring a large group easily more

The Garden at the Cellar (the Cellar being the downstairs bar) is one of the biggest sleepers in fine dining in all of Boston. The chef is very young, but he is a natural at coming up with insanely diverse dishes that challenge your pallete's idea of what is within the known range of things that taste good together. Renown for his potato puffs and french fries, these alone are worth the trip if you are a fan of the fried white tuber from heaven. The dishes are excellent and the chicken there is my absolute favorite anywhere, hands down. It is roasted in sauces that change periodically and is simply the most succulent meat I have ever tasted. The beer selection here on tap is amazing as well with Leffe, Sierra Nevada, Bel Haven and Dogfish kept cold as ice. Service is excllent and they recognize repeat diners and greet you politely, waits are rare despite the small dining area as the word on this place has not yet reached the street fully. Oh and the menu is so reasonably priced you need to see it to believe it as this is fine fine food at amazing prices, don't miss this place if you dine out often. Pros: Food, beer and wine selection, pricing, staff, quiet and comfortable Cons: Smaller menu than most but all dishes are excellent more

A couple of friends and I happened upon this little eatery while strolling down mass ave looking for a nice light dinner. There wasn't much of a crowd for a Saturday night, but we decided to try it anyways and were glad we did. We mostly stayed with the salads and apps, though one of our party did order a flat bread pizza. For myself, I ordered the roasted beet salad with goat cheese and greens, the cod cakes and the steamed mussels. All were fairly wonderful, though I think a couple of changes could have been made to make them better. FIrst of all, while I love beets, the ones in the salad tasted like they came out of a can. That's not to say they were bad, just unexpected. They were still sweet and firm but a little too salty. And the abundance of goat cheese almost over powered the rest of the aspects of the dish. I had to take some of it off. For the most part though, this is a dish I'd order again but tell them to go light or omit the goat cheese altogether. The cod cakes are definitely something I'd order again. Perfect ratio of fish to filler and greaseless. And the accompaning lemony roumalade was superb. Just on the right side of tart. But of all the dishes, the steamed mussels were by far my favorite. Steamed in a wonderful broth of white wine, fennel, butter, real thyme and saffron, this was heaven in a bowl. The mussels were perfectly cooked and I had to force myself not to pick up the bowl and slurp down that beautiful broth. Fortunately there was bread. As for the service and atmosphere, both were nice and unobtrusive. The waitress was helpful but not intrusive; she came when we needed her. The food, while good, was paced a little poorly. I had finished the salad and cakes and had to wait 15 minutes before the mussels showed up; which was 10 minutes after the rest of the party received their last dishes. But even with the few hiccups, I'd come again. I can not speak for the entrees, but I know if you stick with the apps, you'll be fine. Pros: Food, Atmosphere Cons: Too small for large groups more

This new restaurant in Cambridge has some very tasty small dishes including great fries. However, the main dishes (I had the pork) leaving a little to be desired. I am not great at describing the issues but I did not overly enjoy the entree which is what counts. Pros: tapas, bar food Cons: soso other food more

This is a new place trying to be upscale on Mass. Ave. There's a older pub downstairs that shares a few items on the menu with the upstairs restaurant. The beef stew tasted as though it was Campbell's, minus the chunks, plus a few tablespoons of salt - and was overpriced. My friend had a pork and sweet potato polenta entree that was a salty mess as well, but we may be biased because my family makes a traditional polenta that is miles ahead of anything I've had in town. Considering the competition nearby, I highly suggest staying away. more