Guidebook for Somerville
Food Scene
Noor Mediterranean Grill
136 College AveIt's close and has falafel.
Ball Square Cafe & Breakfast
708 BroadwayMikey makes a solid breakfast.
Another revered breakfast spot. Make sure to go early on weekends. There is always a line of hungover college kids.
61 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Sound Bites
704 Broadway Ball SquareAnother revered breakfast spot. Make sure to go early on weekends. There is always a line of hungover college kids.
Old school diner. The first place on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. I am not sure that's a great thing, but they make a solid diner breakfast.
23 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Kelly's Diner
674 BroadwayOld school diner. The first place on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. I am not sure that's a great thing, but they make a solid diner breakfast.
True Grounds
717 Broadway Ball SquareGood coffee and local.
Taco Party
711 BroadwayVegan Tacos!
Authentic Mexican from the Puebla region. Do not ask for a burrito. Be careful of the Sangria, my retinas popped out after a Sangria night there.
13 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Tu Y Yo
858 BroadwayAuthentic Mexican from the Puebla region. Do not ask for a burrito. Be careful of the Sangria, my retinas popped out after a Sangria night there.
I am not sure- tradition? This is where old time locals queue up for bread and desserts on holidays. I have been known to sneak in there for an apricot danish, or a chocolate chip cookie.
10 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Lyndell's Bakery
720 BroadwayI am not sure- tradition? This is where old time locals queue up for bread and desserts on holidays. I have been known to sneak in there for an apricot danish, or a chocolate chip cookie.
Renee's Cafe
198 Holland StSolid Breakfast.
Dave's has great specialty foods, wine, cheese bread....
58 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Dave's Fresh Pasta
81 Holland StDave's has great specialty foods, wine, cheese bread....
Great fish market. Lots of sushi quality seafood.
17 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
New Deal Fish Market
622 Cambridge StGreat fish market. Lots of sushi quality seafood.
Anna's Taqueria
242 Cambridge StMy body understands their burritos.
Alvaro and Andres make the best tortas north of anywhere. Don't mess around, just get a straight up Carnitas Torta and a green apple Sidral.
16 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Tenóch Mexican
382 Highland AveAlvaro and Andres make the best tortas north of anywhere. Don't mess around, just get a straight up Carnitas Torta and a green apple Sidral.
Just go. Make it your splurge night and make reservations. They serve some stuff in the Turkish Meyhane style, so don't leave unless they have brought you the fried chicken. Cassie hates requests, so don't ask for the chicken- just wait.
109 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Sarma
249 Pearl StJust go. Make it your splurge night and make reservations. They serve some stuff in the Turkish Meyhane style, so don't leave unless they have brought you the fried chicken. Cassie hates requests, so don't ask for the chicken- just wait.
Go late and and nail a burger. It's better than Shake Shack across the park.
60 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Tasty Burger
86 Boylston StGo late and and nail a burger. It's better than Shake Shack across the park.
Burn this place down. Go there big or don't go. Try and get a hook-up to go there.
101 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Alden & Harlow
40 Brattle StBurn this place down. Go there big or don't go. Try and get a hook-up to go there.
The New York Times has proclaimed Gus's ice cream to to be the best in the world. Sometimes you will find Corby Kummer, renowned food critic, using the place as his office. Lore has it that famous MIT researchers that worked there during undergrad still come there to "clear their head" by making a batch of ice cream at 3 am.
115 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Toscanini's Ice Cream
159 First StThe New York Times has proclaimed Gus's ice cream to to be the best in the world. Sometimes you will find Corby Kummer, renowned food critic, using the place as his office. Lore has it that famous MIT researchers that worked there during undergrad still come there to "clear their head" by making a batch of ice cream at 3 am.
Neapolitan pizza with aged dough for flavor. Their pizza is amazing by any standard.
48 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Area Four
500 Technology SquareNeapolitan pizza with aged dough for flavor. Their pizza is amazing by any standard.
Sei Bar Medford
182 Main StSolid sushi when I am lazy. It's near the house.
I would put their Omakase up against O Ya and it's about 1/3 of the price. Go early or make reservations.
47 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Cafe Sushi
1105 Massachusetts AveI would put their Omakase up against O Ya and it's about 1/3 of the price. Go early or make reservations.
Sit at the bar and tell Sean to "Go Nuts." Make sure he is working by calling first. We generally tell him to "bring it" until we say stop. Tell him to experiment. He has a special kit of ingredients he will use when encouraged. I can't stress this experience enough- call and ask for Sean. Tell him you want to "go bananas."
37 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Ebi sushi
290 Somerville AveSit at the bar and tell Sean to "Go Nuts." Make sure he is working by calling first. We generally tell him to "bring it" until we say stop. Tell him to experiment. He has a special kit of ingredients he will use when encouraged. I can't stress this experience enough- call and ask for Sean. Tell him you want to "go bananas."
Tapestry
69 Kilmarnock StSolid Neapolitan pizza
Smoked Meat!!!!! They have a lot of beers on tap. They usually have two Delirium Tremens on tap.
88 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Redbones Barbecue
55 Chester StSmoked Meat!!!!! They have a lot of beers on tap. They usually have two Delirium Tremens on tap.
Solid pizza and good beers on tap, but cray noisy because of bowling. I understate- never go with a hangover.
74 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Flatbread Company
45 Day StSolid pizza and good beers on tap, but cray noisy because of bowling. I understate- never go with a hangover.
Specialty foods and one of the best cheese affineurs in the country. They have Iberico ham, Bayonne ham.... speak with them because they know their shizz.
55 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Formaggio Kitchen
358 Huron AveSpecialty foods and one of the best cheese affineurs in the country. They have Iberico ham, Bayonne ham.... speak with them because they know their shizz.
This place is trouble. Cookies and Ice Cream! They make huge ice cream sandwiches with an array of fresh baked cookies and ice cream. I always get a deconstructed one and it lasts 3 days. They are a block and a half from the house and I wish they were further away for my waist size.
Frozen Hoagies
534 BroadwayThis place is trouble. Cookies and Ice Cream! They make huge ice cream sandwiches with an array of fresh baked cookies and ice cream. I always get a deconstructed one and it lasts 3 days. They are a block and a half from the house and I wish they were further away for my waist size.
Relatively new Izakaya in Davis. The grilled squid is great.
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Sugidama Soba & Izakaya
234 Elm StRelatively new Izakaya in Davis. The grilled squid is great.
I am there almost every Thursday as a ritual with some friends. It is super common to see Ming Tsai expediting food. Ming of Simply Ming on PBS and James Beard Award winner is a super nice guy and will happily chat if you recognize him. .
29 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Blue Dragon
324 A StI am there almost every Thursday as a ritual with some friends. It is super common to see Ming Tsai expediting food. Ming of Simply Ming on PBS and James Beard Award winner is a super nice guy and will happily chat if you recognize him. .
It's a solid place an we go there a lot, but not my first pick in Davis.
30 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Foundry On Elm
255 Elm StIt's a solid place an we go there a lot, but not my first pick in Davis.
Great coffee and baked goods with a real Davis scene. It is a nice contrast to the Sbux across the street.
90 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Diesel Cafe
257 Elm StGreat coffee and baked goods with a real Davis scene. It is a nice contrast to the Sbux across the street.
I like the "new" Rosebud and don't go there enough. They have great drinks and food in a dark & cozy setting.
49 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Rosebud American Kitchen & Bar
381 Summer StI like the "new" Rosebud and don't go there enough. They have great drinks and food in a dark & cozy setting.
Drinks & Nightlife
My friend that works for Ming Tsai drives from West Medford for their wings. She says it is important to ask them to throw them on the grill. There are plenty of sports on multiple screens.
38 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Field Pub
20 Prospect StMy friend that works for Ming Tsai drives from West Medford for their wings. She says it is important to ask them to throw them on the grill. There are plenty of sports on multiple screens.
Great Burgers, good trivia on Tuesday Nights.
24 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Olde Magoun's Saloon
518 Medford StGreat Burgers, good trivia on Tuesday Nights.
It is my favorite music venue. They get national acts on the verge of breaking out. Last year I saw Tokimonsta with Anderson Paak there. Golden Panda has played there. Nail a Tasty Burger after and you may find yourself hanging with the band.
69 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Sinclair
52 Church StIt is my favorite music venue. They get national acts on the verge of breaking out. Last year I saw Tokimonsta with Anderson Paak there. Golden Panda has played there. Nail a Tasty Burger after and you may find yourself hanging with the band.
Because A Year with Dr. Nandu- it's a killer IPA.
84 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Aeronaut Brewing Company
14 Tyler StBecause A Year with Dr. Nandu- it's a killer IPA.
Miracle of Science
321 Massachusetts AveJust a great MIT Bar with simple fare.
It was in Next Stop Wonderland. It is a real Irish bar with proper live Irish music, including some major acts from Ireland in the back room. There is proper Guinness and Smithwicks on tap. Louis CK dropped in there last week and did a surprise set in the back room. The musicians groups that play in the bar in the front room are mesmerizing. The Burren is an honest experience.
57 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Burren
247 Elm StIt was in Next Stop Wonderland. It is a real Irish bar with proper live Irish music, including some major acts from Ireland in the back room. There is proper Guinness and Smithwicks on tap. Louis CK dropped in there last week and did a surprise set in the back room. The musicians groups that play in the bar in the front room are mesmerizing. The Burren is an honest experience.
Shopping
It is the go-to liquor store in the area. They have won Best of Boston 3 times. They have specialty foods, wine tasting on Friday evenings, and great beers. Oh, we designed their expansion and the sister store in Needham. Ask Nate or Dan for a wine recommendation. They are right near the house.
63 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Ball Square Cafe & Breakfast
708 BroadwayIt is the go-to liquor store in the area. They have won Best of Boston 3 times. They have specialty foods, wine tasting on Friday evenings, and great beers. Oh, we designed their expansion and the sister store in Needham. Ask Nate or Dan for a wine recommendation. They are right near the house.
It's not grass fed, but a great butcher shop. Don't look for organic, but if you ask they will cut you anything. You will be amazed by the low prices.
10 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
McKinnon's Meat Market
239 Elm StIt's not grass fed, but a great butcher shop. Don't look for organic, but if you ask they will cut you anything. You will be amazed by the low prices.
bfresh
240 Elm StThe new market in Davis. I go there for last minute stuff.
Because it is the Somerville Market Basket! I can't even describe it. Great food, great company, great prices. It's not a coop or organic food store, they feed the masses and I love them.
237 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Market Basket
400 Somerville AveBecause it is the Somerville Market Basket! I can't even describe it. Great food, great company, great prices. It's not a coop or organic food store, they feed the masses and I love them.
Because Julia Child shopped there. They have whatever you need to shop French. You can get a lot of D'Artagnan protein (chefs know).
54 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Savenor's Market
160 Charles StBecause Julia Child shopped there. They have whatever you need to shop French. You can get a lot of D'Artagnan protein (chefs know).
Parks & Nature
Powderhouse Park
850 BroadwayIt is an Olmstead Park and a block from the house.
Entertainment & Activities
It is the anchor of Davis. It's a great theater with beer on tap that you can take into the movies. You can get a 16 oz. draw of Tank 7 for 5 bucks and bring it in the movie theater. Check the schedule because they host national live music acts and film festivals.
147 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Somerville Theatre
55 Davis SquareIt is the anchor of Davis. It's a great theater with beer on tap that you can take into the movies. You can get a 16 oz. draw of Tank 7 for 5 bucks and bring it in the movie theater. Check the schedule because they host national live music acts and film festivals.
This is where Sandra taught for years and still practices there 4-5 times a week. She'll happily take you to a class and sometimes has guest passes. We have a space Manduka Black Mat around to borrow.
10 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
O2 Yoga - Somerville
288 Highland AveThis is where Sandra taught for years and still practices there 4-5 times a week. She'll happily take you to a class and sometimes has guest passes. We have a space Manduka Black Mat around to borrow.
Arts & Culture
The Rape of Europa is there, not the Rubens copy in the Prado. It's nuts that you can look at the original in Boston. Aside from that it is an amazing museum.
500 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
25 Evans WayThe Rape of Europa is there, not the Rubens copy in the Prado. It's nuts that you can look at the original in Boston. Aside from that it is an amazing museum.
Impressionism. I do not like how the new addition is organized.
1042 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
465 Huntington AveImpressionism. I do not like how the new addition is organized.