I had a rare day off and decided to spend it doing what I love…eating good food. However, I had a big decision to make. There are so many good restaurants around Cambridge that I have been meaning to try that sometimes I am awestruck by the sheer number of choices. I took the T to Harvard Square, and started strolling around, looking at various menus along the way. Some menus looked great, some average, but I was feeling indecisive. I kind of wanted to eat many different little meals. However, the only tapas place that I knew of was in Kirkland Village in Somerville, quite a walk away.
Then I saw a hidden restaurant that I had never seen before. Though there was a sign on the gate, the actual restaurant was set back a ways from the main road, JFK Street. It was called Small Plates, a tapas restaurant and wine bar. As I examined the menu closer, the host of the restaurant popped his head out the door and told me that they only served delicious food there, so if that was what I was looking for, I was in the right place. I appreciate that sort of human connection, and so I took his advice. I opted to sit outside, as it was a beautiful day; not too hot, not too cold, not too breezy. It was nice. I was directed to walk around back, where I would be seated.
Behind the restaurant, I was surprised to see green space hidden in the middle of Harvard Square. It was nothing pretentious…just five bistro tables strewn across a nice little green patch. I opted for a shady seat, and absorbed the surroundings. The environment was accented by evergreen shrubbery and a large modern art sculpture.
The waiter brought me a menu and some water, and I ordered an Allagash Dubbel, which is a hoppy IPA. Though the menu stated that the beers were bottled, the beer was served to me poured in a tall glass, which I appreciated. I have always thought that waiters are lazy when they just give you a bottle, so the poured beer, though a small touch, was a welcome one.
The menu only spanned the front and back of a page, with beverages on one side, and food on the other, but there was a strong variety of tapas on the page. As I was feeling indecisive, I asked my waiter if he has any suggestions, and he told me some of his favorites. He also gave me an idea of how many I should order, which I must admit was also helpful. And so, I ordered three tapas plates, two that were recommended and one of my own choosing.
As I waited for my food, the waiter sliced a fresh herbed baguette and served me a bowl of bread with a dish of basil oil. This preparation was impressive, as it was done tableside, and it was a nice twist on classic bread and oil.
After a short wait, my tapas plates began to arrive. The first was Blue Cheese Raclette, served with sliced fingerling potatoes, roasted tomato, fresh basil, and drizzled with balsamic vinegar. For those who, like myself at the time, have no idea what raclette consists of, it is amazing. The blue cheese raclette was in a shape like custard, and had the consistency of a dense mousse. It was so savory that I had to take a few short breaks while eating it to absorb the full flavor experience. It was really delicious, and thanks go out to the waiter for the recommendation.
My second plate arrived when I was nearing completion of my first. The second “small plate” consisted of a dish called Two Killer B’s on Buns. In other words, it was a plate of two sliders with a side of jicama and fennel slaw. However, this was no White Castle Classic, nor was it standard pub grub. This took sliders to a whole new level. The two mini burgers were garnished with cheddar cheese and a portion of caramelized onions, and were accompanied by Dijon mustard and tomato chutney. The buns were infused with herbs, and the meat of the burgers was, simply put, delicious. It is very difficult to cook mini burgers to a perfect medium, but it was achieved in this kitchen. The sliders were juicy, packed with flavor, and totally worth the eight bucks. The slaw was refreshing, as it was a mixture of crisp jicama and fennel, with craisins interspersed. It tasted as though it was lightly dressed with citrus, and added nice refreshment to the bold flavors of the plate. Again, I thank the waiter for a fine recommendation.
The third plate arrived at the same time as the second plate, and so I had to continually switch between the two plates to ensure they both got a fair trial. This plate was called Cordornizas con Quinoa, and was a citrus-glazed quail half on a bed of quinoa, dressed with roasted grapes. This was a tapas that had not received the waiters recommendation, and truth be told, it was the weakest of the three plates, though it was still pretty good. The quinoa was nice and fluffy, and the roasted grapes had some very fine flavors, but the quail itself was, to me, a bit over-spiced. The citrus glaze had a bit too much coriander for my liking, overpowering the subtleties of the quail. Also, I was secretly hoping that the quail would be partially deboned like the birds that I prepared in The Connoisseurs Game Challenge, but alas, I had to pick and chew my way around the tiny bones.
All told, I had a fantastic experience at Small Plates in Harvard Square. It started with the personal attention paid to me by the host, continued with a lovely atmosphere, and finished with a memorable and delicious meal. Tell your friends and family about this place, or take a date to this hidden gem in the square. It is not to be missed!