Russell House Tavern – New American

14 JFK St. Cambridge, MA 02138

www.russellhousecambridge.com (617) 500.3055

*In Harvard Sq. near the intersection of Brattle St and JFK St

Seth & Ren, +2 guests

• –Drinks–
  
• Always Sunny cocktail
• My Triumphs cocktail
• Burgundy Nights cocktail
• Fratelli Sling
• Pretty Things Ale
• Racer 5
• Irish coffee
• –Plates–
• Oysters (x9)
• Braised Beef Tongue Meatballs
• Roasted Bone Marrow
• Steak Tartare w/ Toasted Caper Brioche and a Quail Egg Yolk
• Small Dirty Caesar salad
• Shredded Lamb’s Tongue Pizza w/ Preserved Lemon, Mint, Capers, Sardinian Cheese
• Crispy Pork Belly sandwich w/ Green Curry Aioli, Pickled Carrots & Jalapenos, Mint, Cilantro, Basil Leaves
• 16oz. 40 Day Aged Bone In NY Strip w/ Harvard Beets, Marrow Butter, Crushed Fingerlings
• Berkshire Pork Trio w/ Herb-Grilled Loin, Confit Belly and Smoked Shoulder with Anson Mills Grits and Sauce Vinegar
• –Desserts–
  
• Sticky Toffee Pudding
• $231.66 w/ tax ($66 in Drinks)

Seth: After finding out about this place from an experience with the chef we made reservations and took the Red line out to Cambridge. We were sat immediately at a round table for four. We ordered our cursory first round of drinks and started picking our appetizers to share. We split the steak tartare, roasted bone marrow and beef tongue meatballs. Ever since Cragie on the Main I’m a fan of the marrow. On a nice toast it was rich and a great start. Ren, Makeda and I split 9 oysters and we ordered our entrees. I went with the Crispy Pork Belly sandwich as I don’t think I could have really chosen anything else. I wasn’t disappointed as the aoili and pickled veggies made for something incredible. John’s streak was as an aged steak should be. Cooked nicely too. Makeda’s lamb tongue pizza had a richness to it that was enjoyable and finally Ren’s pork trio was excellent. The confit belly and smoked shoulder were especially well done. After the first cocktail, I followed up with a delicious Pretty Things beer and we ordered one dessert to split. The pudding was ok but not really what we were expecting. We took our time here, the waitress great a fantastic job and we had one of our better meals in a while. Well worth a visit. My favorite thing: my pork belly sandwich

Ren: An excursion the previous week filled with delicious lamb at the Lamb Jam in the Charles Hotel lead us to discover the Russell House Tavern; the winner of the evening. Thus we decided to venture there this week for our blog night. It was an excellent discovery. I started the evening of with a ferenet cocktail to prepare my stomach. Then for our appetizers we ordered steak tartar, bone marrow, caesar salad, and beef tongue meatballs. Our waitress also brought us the deep-fried broiled eggs. Everything was incredible and well prepared especially the meatballs which melted in my mouth and were deliciously cheesy. For my entrée I ordered the pork three ways which was shoulder, loin, and confit belly over grits topped with arugula. It was truly amazing one of the best dishes I have had in a while. The best part was the confit belly which had a slight crisp on the outside and tender melt in your mouth center. The grits were a perfect pair that acted like a sauce. The only defect in my eyes was the pile of arugula on the top of the dish which I thought should have been more of a garnish the a salad on top of the dish. The steak John ordered was well cooked and tender, Seth’s sandwich was juicy and flavorful, and Makeda’s pizza I though lacked flavor dynamic but was still good.  We finished the evening with a toffee pudding which was ok but more like a bread pudding and not exactly what we expected. I also had a Irish coffee which is my favorite finish way to an evening. My favorite thing: The incredible pork belly confit was truly out if this world. Russell House Tavern is really worth a visit

Food: Seth 8.5 Ren 8.5 Food Average: 8.5 *Certified Dericious* Great meal all around with original uses of ingredients and attention to detail

Service: Seth 8.5 Ren 8.5 Our waitress made good recommendations, she brought us a free plate when she notice how much we enjoyed the others, and our napkins were folded when we left our seats. Great Service

Decor/Atmosphere: Seth 8 Ren 8 There’s the ground level bar then the dining area is one floor down. A little darker there with a nice atmosphere. Nice place for a first date or friends gathering

Total Average: 8.333 Tasty food, nice place, good service. Next time you’re in Harvard Sq check this place out.

One bad thing: Perhaps the misstep with the dessert

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