Whether it’s taking in the charm of an historic college town, or watching the regatta in October, Cambridge is one of my favorite spots in Boston. So when a co-worker suggested going to Cambridge Common, I got excited about the prospect of not only going out on a weeknight (a rarity these days), but trying out a new place in the area.
The restaurant sits on Mass Ave. and it’s hard to miss the big, gold lettering adorning the outside. Inside, it’s a comfy bar scene. There are plenty of tables for diners, bar seating for folks who want to be near the 30-plus brews on tap, and high tops for those who want the best of both worlds.
If you missed it, I said THIRTY beers on tap. So, if you’re a beer drinker, you’re sure to find something you like here; and at $4 a glass, the price is right. The food menu was just as extensive as the beer menu. With my “meat and potatoes” husband home with the baby, and a party of eight for dinner, I got a glimpse at a lot of what the menu offered.
From smothered fried chicken to mac and cheese, if you’re looking for comfort food, they’ve got you covered. But you also have the option of something lighter, like a southwestern roll-up or tomato mozzarella sandwich. Around the table, the reviews were mixed: the mac and cheese was less than spectacular; burgers and chicken sandwiches were good; fried chicken hit the spot; and tomato mozz was yummy, but wasn’t served on the thick ciabatta I expected.
Regardless of what you’re in the mood for, though, you’d be doing yourself a disservice if you didn’t at least try a couple of the appetizers Cambridge Common offers. A couple of the group’s favorites were fried pickles, sweet potato fries and mac and cheese bites.
Service was good. Our waiter was eager to please, and with a large group, did a good job of keeping track of when someone needed another drink. Our appetizer order got mixed up, and didn’t come out until our meals arrived, but the waitstaff was apologetic and didn’t charge us for one of the apps we got.
One of the perks of Cambridge Common... downstairs is Lizard Lounge – a cozy, small venue that features live music nightly. On the particular night we were there we were treated to Jim’s Big Ego and the Oracle ($10 cover). The place was packed and stayed that way until we left around 11:00.
All in all, it was a fun night out with good food, some great entertainment, and another reason to love Cambridge.
The tab:
Atmosphere – 7
Service – 7.5
Food Quality - 7
Presentation - 7
Average Entree Price - $9-$14
Kid factor - 7 (seemed casual enough for kids, but didn't see any on a weeknight)
Extra perk – Free parking out back if you get there early enough to snag one of the 20 spots.
Restaurant Website: http://www.cambridgecommonrestaurant.com/
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