Task 30 – Russell House Tavern (Cambridge, MA)

(30) Eat in 10 New Restaurants (54/20)

Restaurant:  Russell House Tavern

Website:      www.russellhousecambridge.com

Rating:        3-stars

Russell House Tavern is located in the heart of Harvard square on JFK Street. They have a great our door seating area for the beautiful summer days. This was not one of them with the heat and humidity. We opted to sit inside at one of the high-tops near the bar upstairs.

Their menu had lots of great entrees but not being overly hungry we decided to order two things and share them.  We settled on the R. House Grass Fed Burger and the Grilled Chicken Sandwich.  The burger was 8ounces of perfectly cook ground beef served on an English muffin with cheddar cheese, bacon and caramelized onions. It was very juicy and a tad messy but it was very tasty. The Grilled Chicken Sandwich with an edamame and pecorino spread, pickled red onions, fried shishito peppers and arugula on a focaccia was a bit different but equally tasty. I enjoyed the variety of flavors that both entrees offered. Both meals were served with an ample serving fresh cut French fries.

If I had to choose one I would go with the burger just because it was a classic burger and those always hit the spot. The chicken was a tad messier then the burger with the spread oozing out of it as your took a bite.

Given that it was a Friday I decided to get a cocktail and with the waiters recommendation I got the Cure-All-Fiz made of Oxley Gin, Rhubarb-Infused Lillet, strawberry, lemon, burlesque bitters and soda water. It was very unusual and a bit weird honestly. I am not sure if it was the variety of citrus flavors that just didn't seem to mesh well or if it was the less than ample serving. My biggest pet peeve with restaurants is that when you serve a drink the ice shouldn't make up 90% of the beverage. Its purpose is to keep the drink cool not to be so dominant that unless you drink it immediately it becomes so diluted with water that you don't taste anything especially when you're paying 10$ a drink.

3 Stars. - I had to take a star away for the poorly executed cocktail.