They are so popular, the may have to change the name...

TEN TABLES

597 Centre Street JP or 5 Craigie Circle, Cambridge, Ma

617-524-8810 or 617-576-5444

Atmosphere: Intimate, quiet, casual elegance

Menu: Items change seasonally and local farms are used for ingredients, something for everyone on this menu. Fish, poultry, meat, and vegetarian options

Kid Friendly: Save this for Date Night

Dress: Somewhere between semi formal and casual, would that be your Sunday best?

In 1991 I was living in JP thinking how much potential it had as a neighborhood. The homes throughout this area of Boston were beautiful but in need of a facelift. I thought back then, if only someone would breath some new life into this place it could be amazing. If only I had the resources! 19 years later, I have been able to see my wishes for JP come to life. Today, many of the homes I used to look at have gotten their face lift, and Centre Street, the main thoroughfare in JP is bustling with new upscale restaurants.

Lou and I were able to check out one of the restaurants, Ten Tables, recently with our friends Terry and Marla. On a side note, I would be remiss, if I didn't mention what Terry and Marla do. They own a real estate firm with a creative and beneficial approach to helping buyers by charging a flat fee instead of taking the whole commission on sales. Check out their site: www.territoryre.com

Now back to our reveiw....Ten Tables won Best of Boston in 2009 and they were just recognized in the Boston Globe as one of the Best of the New restaurants to try.

If the name Ten Tables instantly makes you think small, you aren't mistaken. Originally the restaurant only had ten tables. It was much like many of the small North End restaurants you see in Boston with an open kitchen on the back wall . Recently Ten Tables expanded into the space next door. Now they probably have about 15 tables and a bar. It is a small place but small intimate, not small cramped. The exposed brick and elegant, simple decor add to the intimacy.

When we first arrived at the restaurant we were a few minutes early to meet our friends, so we sat in a few seats up front. The bartender/host greeted us instantly and offered us drinks while we waited. We didn't take him up on the offer, but it was quick insight into how great the service is in this place. We also got to glance at the drink menu which had an extensive wine list, specialty drinks and great beer choices including a favorite Chimay Blue.

Before I talk about the food it is important to know there are two special nights at Ten Tables. Tuesdays are their wine pairing night with a Prix Fixe menu at $42 a person. For this you get 3 courses and wine pairings. On Wednesdays there is also a Prix fixe menu at $33 a person without the pairings. All other nights are ala carte. Keep this in mind when making a reservation.

When we sat down, our service at the table was as good as I thought it would be based on our greeting. Our server was well versed in wine and suggested a delicious Chardonnay with buttery notes. Of course I don't remember the name, but if all servers are as good as ours was with their wine knowledge, you won't need to. Just ask them to suggest a bottle.

For dinner I got a butternut squash soup, and a fish stew with a much fancier name than fish stew. This is what happens when I don't take notes and don't write my review for a week, but I did take a picture! The stew had a cream sauce with a large piece of wolf fish, (a white fish similar to monk), little neck clams and scallops. The sauce had parsley throughout it, and although it was cream based is was light and flavorful.

Lou got the housemade Toulouse sausage with lentils for his appetizer, and a lamb pappardelle pasta. Both our meals were excellent and with a Prix Fixe menu you can always count on the portions being perfect.

For dessert Lou got the creme brulee and I got the Chocolate Terrine with Thai Basil icecream and sea salt. I was a bit disappointed in the creme brulee. Usually I find these custards very creamy, but this had more of a flan consistency. The Terrine was excellent. The combination of flavors was very interesting. They state basil on the menu, but the icecream had more of a minty flavor. Terrine refers to the type of pan the dessert was cooked in. Usually something in a terrine has a layered look. Often terrine's are made of meat, but these days they can refer to anything made in that type of pan. In our case, this was a fancy name for a chocolate brownie ala mode, but hey, it was delicious, and I fell for pretense.

Ten Tables is definitely a date or double date type of place. It is not kid friendly. There isn't a lot of room for large parties but I am guessing you could call ahead. Keep in mind, even getting 4 of us into dinner wasn't easy. It is a popular place. The dining side of the restaurant is well lit with candlelight accents. The bar is a bit darker, but has two tops for dining as well.

I would love to return to Ten Tables on a night where there isn't a prix fixe menu to try it again, but my first impression was this place was top notch. Make sure you call at least a week or two in advance for a reservation!

Don't wait until fall to enjoy Harvest

Harvest Restaurant

44 Brattle Street, on the walkway between Brattle and Mt.Auburn streets
Cambridge, Ma
617-868-2255

Menu: Traditional New England dishes with a modern flair
Kid Friendly: Get a baby sitter
Atmosphere: Warm, subtle sophistication, lively yet intimate
Prices: On the expensive side but worth it

Lou sent me a list of restaurants he had heard good things about yesterday and asked me to choose which one I was most interested in. I chose Harvest in Cambridge Ma. The website and menu made me think of Henrietta's table. The menu is a celebration of New England flavors and Harvest's current chef, Mary Dumont, makes use of the local farms for ingredients. Both restaurants are equally good, but they definitely each have their own personality.

I knew immediately Harvest was going to be a great restaurant because of two things. It was hard to find, and it was very busy. This is not a place you would necessarily stumble upon, and they can win a prize for the hardest to find valet.

The atmosphere at Harvest is what struck me immediately. It was the perfect restaurant for this time of year. There was a simple sophistication in the decor. There were signs of the harvest time of year throughout the restaurant but they were not overbearing. A painting on the wall of a field of corn, some wheat strategically placed in the ladies room. It was all done very well.

We sat in the main dining room, overlooking an outdoor patio. The patio was not open for dining, but we noticed a roaring fireplace outside, as well as, a few chairs, and assumed they may let people go out to enjoy the fire.

The wine list at Harvest is extensive. Lou and I opted for our usual water. The main menu had a broad selection from raw seafood, to steak, pasta and fish entrees. Our order exemplified the variety. For appetizers we chose the spiced sweet potato gnocchi, and the special appetizer, seared scallops a top a squid ink risotto. These turned out to be a great choice. The gnocchi had a subtle sweetness to it. It was covered with sprouts and pomegranate seeds, and was accompanied with roasted brussel sprouts. The scallops were tender and seared perfectly. The risotto was savory, and the squid ink gave it a pitch black coloring but was not an overpowering flavor in the dish. After the appetizer course, I got my nerve up to take a few pictures of the next dishes that came out.

For dinner Lou got the braised short ribs with root vegetable puree. The root vegetable puree was very similar to mashed potatoes, in fact Lou thought he had eaten potatoes. I went for the painted hills sirloin with yukon potatoes, mushrooms and creamed spinach. Both the ribs and the sirloin were melt in your mouth good. The creamed spinach matched with the potatoes and sirloin gave the whole dish a creamy texture to it. I ended up leaving half my dinner, so I could eat it again the next day for lunch, and have enough room left so I could enjoy dessert!

For dessert, I got the New England Carrot Steam Pudding. It was similar carrot cake but denser. It was served on a sweet bourbon sauce, with sweetened cream cheese and carrot shavings on top. The base of my pudding was a little tough to cut through. I think it was the top of the pudding when they cooked it and it had been turned upside down to serve it. Lou got the Chevre Cheescake. It was the perfect portion of cheesecake served on top of a short bread cookie, with a white trufflle balsamic vinegar. Both Desserts were a good portion, not too large.

As a whole, Harvest is one of the better restaurants I have been to. They paid attention to every detail. The vestibule is very warm as you come in from the cold. The host immediately welcomes you. A coat room is offered to the right of the door. The seating is close but comfortable. The decor is simple and sophisticated. The kitchen is open which is always a good sign because they aren't hiding anything. I observed a hostess checking the bathroom for cleanliness. The bussers win the award for fastest table turn in the east. I saw a busser turn the table next to us in about 30 seconds. He was so efficient, and precise, he made me want to do my own job better.

If you are looking for a special place for a date, a nice family dinner, or celebration of an important occasion, Harvest fits the bill.