The Alewife

Eating like a King by Crystal King

Bluefin offers taste, value

Tucked away in the big Porter Exchange Building behind the T-Stop in Porter Square, you’ll find a cozy array of Japanese restaurants and shops. Bluefin Japanese Restaurant & Bar is one of these busy hotspots, offering some of the best sushi values in all of Cambridge and Boston.

Bluefin’s newly expanded digs now sport bright modern lighting, beautiful paper art lighting sculptures and new hardwood floors, while the older portion retains its long sushi bar and cozy, lived-in feeling. Expect to stand in line on weekends as they don’t take reservations.

The lines are partly because of the food but also because of the excellent prices, especially on their “super sushi” combos. You can chow down on 12 pieces of sushi for $16, 18 for $24, 24 for $30, 30 for $36 or bring your friends and order the largest combo—110 pieces for $100.

If you enjoy maki rolls, make sure you get the soft shell crab special roll ($8.00).

I wouldn’t say that the sushi is the best around but it’s consistent and each time I have been there.

The rice has been the right stickiness and the fish has been fresh.

The menu is standard Japanese fare but well-executed.

The miso soup isn’t too salty as it can be in some sushi houses.

Appetizers are inexpensive at $5.00 each.

We noshed on perfectly steamed edamame and some of the best steamed gyoza I’ve had in a long while.

Eating like a king by Crystal King

Joe Sent Me for a mighty fine burger!

Joe Sent Me                                                Hours
Full Bar                                                            Mon-Thurs, 5:00-1:00 a.m.  
2388 Massachusetts Ave.,                      Fri-Sun, noon-1:00 a.m.
Cambridge, MA 02140
(617) 492-1116

Summer is right around the corner and when it's hot outside, there is nothing better than a juicy burger and an icy cold beer - unless it comes with a side of fried pickles, of course! Tucked away on an oft-forgotten stretch of Mass Ave. in North Cambridge is Joe Sent Me, a neighborhood bar long known for their exceptional burgers.

 

A cozy bar greets you on the way in, and other high tables line up opposite, separating the bar from the regular tables.

Crystal King

The decor is fun and quirky, but the main feature is the five flat screen televisions that line the room - a great place to cheer on the Sox over a frosty glass of ale.

Harkening back to the times when speakeasies were referred to as "Joe Sent Me" (used as a password to gain entry); the bar offers up a decent selection of beer, wine and mixed drinks.

Unfortunately, on a recent night that I was there, they had switched out the beer that I usually ordered for a blueberry offering and the two other options I wanted were unavailable, although they were still showing on the chalkboard above the bar.

You wouldn't expect to find good cocktails in a bar of this nature, but surprisingly, their martinis are quite tasty. My favorite is the "Flirtini," a combination of Absolut, strawberry liqueur, and Grand Marnier, with cranberry and pineapple juices ($8). You can even order a variety of "Joe's Bowls," flavorful mixed drinks for two.

Eating like a king by Crystal King

Santos' menu makes Gargoyles stand out

Reaching a 10-year anniversary is a significant feat in th e life of a restaurant.
Gargoyles on the Square has stood this test of time, firmly establishing itself as an award-winning neighborhood hotspot.

Gargoyles Chef Jeff Santos

Tucked between Spike’s Junkyard Dogs and Downtown Wine and Spirits, the exterior of Gargoyles gives little indication of the roomy bar and dining room inside.

Cloaked in velvet, with peach and olive tones, and highlighted by well-placed candles, the restaurant is a perfect place to take a date for a romantic meal or to enjoy a warm, intimate celebration with friends.

Chef Jason Santos, formerly of Tremont 647, has peppered his menu with innovative and unusual food combinations with a Pan-Asian flair. The signature Hawaiian-style tuna poke with hijiki seaweed, nori oil, and red ginger ($10) was exquisite and well-balanced.  I could taste the sashimi-grade tuna, nori and ginger all at once, without any of the flavors overpowering the others. I enjoyed the composed asparagus salad with mimolette cheese dust, black truffle vinaigrette, and Vidalia onions ($8), although the portion size was large and the salad somewhat difficult to eat gracefully.
 
The signature entrée was excellent — hoisin and honey glazed duck confit with sweet sticky rice, mango, cashews, and young coconut milk ($24). The duck was delectable, with a perfect crispy skin. The real star of the dish, however, was the rice.

I would have been happy with only a bowl full of that rice for dinner!

The pork tenderloin with shallot au jus was tender and flavorful but again, the highlight was the accompanying zucchini latke that melted in the mouth.

Entrees are portioned on the large size, leaving quite a bit of food on the plate at the end of the meal.

You can also order a tasting menu $60 which gives you small tastes of five dishes and one dessert.