The New Year sees a diverse collection of restaurant openings that we can't wait to try. While December was all about shareable plates from pintxos to mezze, among the newcomers this month we're eyeing a nationwide-famous steak frites outpost, a new Italian venture from the local favorite ES Hospitality, and a hybrid cafe-wine bar. Here are five restaurants our taste buds are singing for in January.
The Cambridge School of Culinary Arts is opening its doors to day guests via their new eatery in Porter Square-across from the school itself. Open since 1974, this opening is culturally exciting as it establishes an inaugural hub for the community to experience what the students are learning firsthand. "This is a dream come true for us," CSCA published in a statement. "We've always been about fostering people's passion for the culinary arts, and this cafe will be an extension of that mission." Pastries, cookies and other various baked goods will be prepared by CSCA Pastry chefs for the freshest sweet treat in town. At this point, coffee is still teased as the "highest quality" including espresso-based drinks. "We can't wait to welcome our neighbors to experience the delicious offerings crafted by our talented students and chefs," they write.
Inspired by a visit to Deauville, France in 2007, restaurateurs Mark Bucher and Tom Gregg were struck with a bout of fate as they discovered the original recipe of a 19th century secret sauce for steak frites. They opened Medium Rare in Cleveland Park, DC in 2011 to great success as it flourished around the nation from New York to New Orleans -- and now, Boston. The dinner menu revolves around a prix fixe menu where the star of the show is their signature Culotte Steak, seared to personal preference and drizzled with the aforementioned secret sauce, served with fresh cut French fries, mixed greens and rustic bread ($34.95). If the first plate doesn't satiate you completely; second servings of the fries and steak are complimentary. Medium Rare also offers a steak-centric weekend brunch where the steak frites meal is still on offer, but there's also special items like their famous benedict with steak and portobello mushroom hash or a breakfast sandwich consisting of steak and eggs and on a French baguette. The vibe is very French as waiters scribble orders on top of the table's white paper cover -- in crayon, nonetheless -- and we're told that guests can even partake in an abbreviated French lesson while using les toilettes.
Known for their expertly fried and rotisserie chickens as well as a mixed menu of specialty snacks like Zab's shrimp Louie lettuce cups and spicy stuffed long hots with sage sausage and maple tomato sauce, Shy Bird is opening its third location in Fenway. The new space, set to be its largest location to date at 3,600-square-feet, joins the popular South Boston location and its flagship at Kendall Square. The all-day rotisserie, bar, and café will be just steps from Fenway Park, complete with an outdoor patio, an expansive marquee wrapping the bar, neon signage, and emerald green tiles. Chef Trevor Kunk's menu will offer signature dishes, including sandwiches, salads and SB dunks as well as heartier and more elevated entrées. The team also teases an inventive wine, cocktail and mocktail menu curated by bar director, Jackson Cannon.
Garrett Harker and ES Hospitality are at it again with yet another opening at The Bower in Fenway. Standard Italian joins the beloved and revived Eastern Standard as well as the cocktail bar Equal Measure as a contemporary Italian restaurant focused on handmade pastas and shareable plates. Culinary Director Brian Rae presents classic antipasti with a modern twist like the chilled bay scallop crudo with olive and sunchoke chips ($23) and the warm arancini with roasted squash and black olive ($12). There's also stuzzichini, or appetizers that combine sea and land with the likes of oysters ($8) and speck ($8). There's also contorini (shareables), entrees, or secondi, like Sicilian-style fisherman's stew made with local hake, lobster and squid ($39) and most importantly, the handmade pastas. Think: lasagna, amatriciana and squid ink bucatini -- all with contemporary flair and seasonal ingredients (starting at $28). To wash it all down: martinis and an all-Italian wine list. "My hope is to bring the same warmth and vitality that have defined ES Hospitality, creating a space that feels both timeless and fresh for our guests," shared Harker.
Part-cafe, part-wine bar, Tilde is the brainchild of Katie O'Hara and Max Stein. The co-owners met a few years back when they were working a stint for a local coffee roaster. O'Hara said they both didn't think they'd stay in the industry long, yet here they are. "We found a love for coffee and community, and are excited to bring that energy to North Cambridge, since there hasn't been a sit-down cafe/wine bar for the neighborhood in some time," she shared. "We gravitated towards this location to create long lasting relationships with our neighbors and regulars, away from the hustle and bustle of downtown." The space is designed to reflect the "needs and wants of the community," which not only includes a warm and cozy space, but one that encourages conversation about the local products they display and serve, from the artwork on the walls to the milk in your coffee. "We're partnering with a lot of local businesses across Cambridge and Somerville," explained O'Hara. Local partners include: milk from Thatcher Farm, pastries from Butternut Bakehouse, and coffee from Broadsheet Coffee Roasters. Furthermore, the wine list is completely domestic, imported by small producers in the region, like Marzae. Wines by the glass start at $12 with snacks like mixed nuts as well as cheese and meat boards with customizable sizes to your reservation party (starting at $16). "I want to add that it's a great place for families during coffee service! We have high chairs, some sweet pastries, and kids' hot chocolate based off the chocolate cake recipe that my mom used to make for my birthday," Stein said.