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Area Four
Categories: Food Coffee & Tea Food Bakeries Coffee & Tea, Bakeries [Edit]
500 Technology SqCambridge, MA 02139
Neighborhood: Kendall Square/MIT
(617) 758-4444
- Nearest Transit:
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Broadway Opp Hampshire St (64, 68)
Broadway @ Hampshire St (64, 68)
Broadway @ Galileo Way (64, 68, 85)
- Hours:
Mon-Wed 7 am - 11 pm
Thu-Fri 7 am - 1 am
Sat 9 am - 1 am
Sun 9 am - 5 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage, Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Kristen A. said: "Yum! I go to the nearby Indian grocery all the time and never realized this place was here. Just a quick stop in for some idli sambar. It was filling and delicious, and the staff are really nice. The atmosphere is very casual and there…" read more »
119 reviews for Area Four
Review Highlights
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"Oh, and the olive oil chocolate cake is ungodly." In 5 reviews -
"2/ sweet pea hummus + pita." In 6 reviews -
"My friend got the fennel sausage and banana pepper pizza." In 3 reviews
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119 reviews in English
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Review from Vanessa P.
Cambridge, MA
4/29/2012
I went with a big group of about 12 colleagues. The restaurant has a very casual but modern feel with high ceilings and a lot of stainless steel. Even with so much space and metal they manage to make it feel comfortable and personal with their layout and details.
We got a couple orders of the Garlic Knots with pecorino & gremolata to share. These little orbs were soft, chewy puffs of garlicky heaven. They were smothered in garlic so I encouraged everyone at the table to try them as not to isolate any one person who would quickly feel like the only vampire at the table otherwise.
As the server went around the table taking orders everyone was trying to match up pizzas to share. Shockingly, no one wanted to share my Wellfleet Cherrystone Clam & Bacon pizza which came with clam sauce, pecorino, hot pepper, and parsley. Everyone seemed a little disturbed by the thought of clams on pizza but after having the memorable pizza with mussels at Trade I was up for it. The pizza was good! Not to sound surprised but everything worked really well together. It was fairly salty between the bacon, clams and cheese but the hot pepper, which wasn't overly hot, cut through the saltiness and the parsley added a layer of freshness. The dough was also very good - a thin crust with puffy soft pockets. It made me want to order a side of ranch or something fatty to dip it in to but then I reminded myself that I just ate an entire pizza by myself.
Overall, the service was great and I love the atmosphere. They know how to take care of a big group although I am sure it would be a great place to go to with a smaller group as well. The food was all above par, I'd definitely go back and likely will. Often. -
Review from Chas K.
5/23/2012
Had a business lunch here last week and was underwhelmed by the portions and service, and surprised by the high prices. My host and I split a small Putanesca pizza, mozzarella appetizer, and arugula salad. Toss in a lemon soda for me and the total was $37. The mozz appie ($10) was very good. The pizza was tasty and I liked the doughiness, but it was tiny and, at $13.50, not exactly a value. The arugula salad was crisp and the Crimini mushrooms added a welcome earthy counterpoint to the spicy greens, but it was small for the $9 price tag. Add those numbers and the soda was expensive, too.
Our sallow, disaffected youth of a server was slow and inattentive. His Morrissey demeanor was a downer.
I wouldn't go out of my way to return, but when in Kendall again and with someone who wanted to go there, I'd tag along.
Please let me know what you think of this review by clicking a button below. Thanks! -
Review from Tracey F.
Boston, MA
4/25/2012
Area Four promotes itself as simply "bakery, Coffee, Bar, Oven." Located in the Technology Square area of Kendall Square, Cambridge and surrounded by the techie and grad student crowd.
Upon walking into the restaurant there is a little bit of a wow factor with regards to the space. The feel is MIT lab chic with high ceilings, clean lines and floor to ceiling windows that bring in an abudance of light. The center of the main restaurant surrounds an enormous oven where chef's go about their business with a smile for every customer. There is a café area off to the side that was filled with folks working away on their laptops while drinking coffee and enjoying what the bakery had to offer. Metal and dark wood are the only colors in the restaurant that gives it a bit of a sterile, cold feel, however there is nothing whatsoever cold about the staff. Everyone has a smile and customer service seems to be top of mind.
We started with asking for seating outside but soon realized in the shade and with the wind it was just that little bit too cold for us. We moved back inside and were escorted to one of the high top four seater tables. The clientele for brunch was a mix of families and friends taking their time and enjoying a relaxed Sunday. The vibe is very cool, retro Cambridge, a little different from my usual South End of Back Bay brunching places. I liked it.
The brunch menu is fun with a mix of breakfast and lunch choices and has something for everyone from baked goods, to "The Hot Mess" and pizzas. I was immediately drawn to the description of the Hot Veggie Mess but knew I wanted bacon with it. At the bottom of their menu it does state... "NO SUBSTITUTIONS, PLEASE...but put some bacon on it for $2 (excludes pizza)" So, I knew Area Four would be very happy to oblige my choice and they were!
I loved how it was presented in its own skillet with quite possibly the most perfect looking sunny side up eggs I have seen. Once the yoke was broken you get a glimpse of all the goodies underneath from home fries, mushrooms, spinach and cheese. It all worked so well together and made for a thoroughly enjoyable brunch. I asked for the Banana Pepper Relish on the side and I am glad I did as I really didn't like the taste. I am not a fan of anything pickled and these were pickled and extremely spicy hot. A little too much for me. Everything else was perfect!
My friends went with the The Hot Mess (meat) and a selection of sides of eggs, bacon and sausage. Everyone was happy with their choices and all plates were picked completely clean.
Enjoyed with strong coffee for me and cappuccinos for my friend, our early afternoon brunch was a lovely experience. The waiter who made the cappuccinos even came over to my friends to thank them for enjoying her drinks when they ordered a second one.
Overall, I loved my first visit to Area Four. I enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere, the fun brunch menu and the very nice service. I definitely need to go back to try out the dinner menu, especially the pizzas which seemed to be getting a lot of positive buzz.
I really do need to get over to Cambridge more often! -
Review from Daniel G.
Stoughton, MA
5/17/2012
I remember I was pumped when Area 4 opened, mainly because I didn't have travel to the north end for great pizza. The pizza was fresh, creative, and the service was on point. BUT Area 4 has been slipping. I no longer taste the love in the food and the service has gone way down hill. Each time I've gone back the experience has been worse and worse. To top it off they have changed the clam and bacon pizza recipe, such a shame it was a classic. Area 4 stop cutting corners and step up your game. You're on notice.
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Review from Elise P.
Boston, MA
4/23/2012
Area 4 had been on my "List" of new restaurants I have been wanting to try. I had been hearing really positive things about the restaurant, that it had a pretty casual vibe, good beer selection, and good pizza-does it get much better than that? I was also in withdrawal from not having seen my good friend Jenn for a few weeks, so I asked her on a friend date to Area Four. Jenn lives in Central Square, so Kendall Square is a good midpoint place for us to meet, as I'm coming from the South End.
We met at 8:00pm on Friday night. We were a bit confused about where we were supposed to enter the restaurant, as there are two different entrances on Main Street. We ended up entering through what I believe is the "main entrance", since the host stand was right there. But I'm not sure what the purpose is of that other entrance, and the restaurant may want to consider putting some sort of sign on the doors indicating which door is the official entrance. If they already have signs up my apologies, sometimes I have "blonde moments", but Jenn was confused too, which made me feel somewhat validated about the confusing nature of the entrances.
We put our names in at the host stand, and were told it would be about a 20 minute wait. The place was definitely buzzing, but not annoyingly packed like some other restaurants that I frequent (ahem, Toro). Jenn and I were able to find 2 seats at the bar with ease. I was struck by the bar chairs. More specifically the size of the actual seat, which was very small. Like, maybe 12 by 12 with a very uncomfortable and small back attached. They were metal, and if I remember correctly they were red in color. These bar chairs were strikingly odd looking, and both Jenn and I looked at them with confusion as we went to sit down. Once we had a seat at the bar we had a chance to look around. The place has a cool industrial feel. The beer list was written on a chalkboard above the bar. The vibe reminded me of a bit of The Salty Pig in the South End/Back Bay. Kind of a minimalist approach (hence the minimalist bar chairs), but still sheik. Area Four is known for its beer selection, but truth be told I always feel lost when ordering beers that are not "well known" since I know so little about beer. Area Four's beer selections hail from the New England region, primarily Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine, and I can definitely appreciate the emphasis on the local beer scene. We asked the bartender what he recommended for someone who likes a wheat beer, and he recommended the Slumbrew Happy Sol from MA. I LOVED this beer, as did Jenn.
Soon after we ordered beers at the bar our table was ready. Once we were seated Jenn made a comment that she was not a fan of the chairs at the table. They were different than the bar chairs in that they were lower and the seat was bigger, but they were still uncomfortable metal. But they definitely fit in with the decor of the place. I suppose beauty is pain, form over function, etc.
We were both hungry, and as soon as we sat down we perused the menu and started to make decisions about what we wanted to order. Jenn is a vegetarian and I definitely don't require meat in my meal for it to be satisfying. We decided to start with the "Trio of Spreads": Sweet Pea Hummus, Tzatziki, & Tahini Salata accompanied by pickles and pita bread. The Tzatziki, a greek cucumber yogurt dip, was FANTASTIC, pita bread was not required to enjoy this. It tasted like a sour cream dip only better and more awesome. When we ran out of bread I wanted to lick the mini-skillet clean (I restrained myself). I also enjoyed the Sweet Pea Hummus and the Tahini Salata, but the Tzatziki stole the show. The pita bread was also really fantastic, doughy on the inside and crispy on the outside with a nice buttery taste to it.
For our main course we decided to order two different types of pizza, with the hopes that we could do halfsies with a larger pie. Unfortunately this is forbidden at Area Four, so we ended up getting two small pies: one Margherita pizza with "A4 Mozzarella, Tomato, Pecorino, & Basil", and one Mushroom & Fontina pizza with "Mushroom Sauce, Pecorino & Gremolata". I will say that Area Four turns out some gorgeous and tasty woodfired pizzas. I particularly enjoyed the Margherita pizza, but the Mushroom & Fontina was good as well.
I liked this place. Good beer. Good pizza. Our bill totaled about $45 for the two of us for 2 beers, 1 appetizer, and 2 pizzas, not including tip. I would definitely recommend it to friends if we're meeting up in the Cambridge area. -
Review from Ginnette P.
Dorchester, MA
4/29/2012
love it! our workplace just moved near here and I love to go and get coffee, tea, pizza and the pastries! Especially monkey bread. Can't wait to try the dining room side!
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Review from Yan Z.
Cambridge, MA
2/29/2012
I made a catering order for 15 people, which was completely forgotten. I called about 10 minutes after the scheduled delivery time; they apologized, brought the food about 20 minutes later, AND DIDN'T CHARGE ME FOR IT.
yay for customer service.
Also, the pizzas were incredible: crisp, flavorful, and sophisticated without going too haywire with the toppings. I usually don't like cheese, but I was a huge fan of the mushroom & fontina and the caramelized onion pizzas. -
Review from Wendy B.
Cambridge, MA
3/1/2012
I like Area Four. It's like three different eateries all rolled into one, but not entirely. I keep telling myself I will be back to sample the cafe, but I always end up in the main restaurant for lunch or a late afternoon tea. My recent lunch mate who was eating there yesterday for the first time said it best. What is this place?
So what is it? I don't know- the wine on tap, the pizza from their awesome pizza oven, the salads, light and tasty, the techno, but not skinny pants, hip feel of the place, the whole leaf tea? I can't decide, but know this, if you hang with me in Cambridge, you will be experiencing Area Four at some point in your life! -
Review from Tharathorn R.
Cambridge, MA
Though I'm a regular at Area Four, I have only tried a few beverages on their menu (latte, espresso macchiato, hot coffee, and recently bicerin). The other day one of the baristas has opened another door for me into wild world of caffeinated beverages. She recommended one of their individually brewed pourover from a local roaster (Barrington). It is quite a bit more expensive than their regular coffee, but if the price is paid for the intensity of flavor and the aromas that pour out of the full immersion slow brewed method, then this individually brewed goodness is totally worth it.
They are serving two highly rated beans as individually brewed right now: Ethiopian Nekisse (http://www.coffeerevie...) and Ethiopia Yirgacheffe (http://www.coffeerevie... sure about the second one). I tried both and love them both (the Nekisse more than the Yirgacheffe for me).2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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2/24/2012
They have a new invention called Bicerin that rocks my taste bud. From bottom to top, it's made of… Read more »
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Review from Tammy K.
Boston, MA
2/16/2012
Four points to note about Area Four:
1. Lattes are good
2. Baristas are nice
3. Buy 10 get 1 free
4. Pay with your phone (LevelUp) -
Review from Dave E.
Somerville, MA
1/27/2012
Disclaimer: i think it is a 2-star review however, because it is in Kendall square and we all know that they need way more "things-to-do" so it gets an extra star for setting up shop in an up-and-coming place.
Now comes my review. The staff was friendly,nice and attentive particularly the hostess and bartender.
i ordered the pretzel bites and they were warm and good but nothing you wouldn't expect.
i then ordered a 10" pizza to share with my friend the pizza was good and a great consistency however, it was just on par with what you would expect from any decent pizza places.
The beer list was just way too short and unimpressive considering it is located in a place known for its hipsters, micro-brewed beer lovers and finally its wordly patrons.
i'll go there again but only because it is one of the few places in Kendall square -
Review from Alex B.
Cambridge, MA
3/3/2012 38 Check-ins Here
This review is just for the coffee half of the restaurant:
Whether you're getting espresso drinks or regular drip coffee, this is a great place to go. I would recommend getting the espresso drinks though. You could easily just buy the same coffee beans and brew drip coffee yourself, but unless you're willing to spend 5k+ on the espresso machine they use, you're not going to be able to replicate that amazing flavor.
All their espresso drinks are one size, which is basically a "tall" at Starbucks, and come with two shots. You can get extra shots added to your drink if you need an extra jolt in the morning, however I wouldn't recommend it. Their drinks are designed for two shots and adding more throws off the balance of the coffee and the other ingredients.
Just a warning to keep in mind... if you previously enjoyed going to Starbucks, this place will ruin it for you. -
Review from Nick H.
Boston, MA
2/11/2012
One of my favorite places for coffee in the morning and certainly some of the best food in Cambridge.
Coffee:
They have sugar syrup which is key for iced coffee unless you enjoy choking on a gritty granulated slurry (cough cough dunkin). I don't eat much in the morning but the bakery stuff looks super tasty. The people who work the coffee are friendly and not moody which I appreciate in the morning.
Dinner:
Homemade pretzel nuggets fried in bacon fat with pimento cheese dip? YES SIR.
Solid salads and great entrees. Portions aren't huge and the prices are about $5 per item more than I'd like to spend.
Dessert:
Olive oil chocolate cake is stupid good. Honey panna cotta is the best thing I've tried. Don't skip desert or you will be crowned king idiot. -
Review from Meg R.
Cambridge, MA
1/21/2012
As a native New Yorker, I've been searching for brick oven pizza to satisfy my weekly pizza cravings. After failed attempts at Cambridge 1 (too crunchy, bad service) and Posto (too much hype and techno music), I am so pleased to have found Area Four!
It was crowded when we arrived--always a good sign--and told that it would be a 30-40 minute wait. So we squeezed in at the comfy oak bar, ordered some wine and beer which were both on tap and reasonably priced. The beers were all from New England and they though the liquor selection was limited, they offered MA-distilled liquors including Berkshire Mountain and Bully Boy.
My husband and I split a puttanesca pizza for dinner. The crust was thin where it was supposed to be thin and pillowy-soft on the outer crust; the toppings were sufficiently flavorful without being heavy; and the large size was more than enough for both of us, so we had leftovers to take home.
For dessert, we had the olive oil chocolate cake which was like a ganache--very rich, very delicious! They offered a full array of decaf coffee drinks, which I appreciated.
Overall--prices are consistent with other Cambridge eateries of comparable quality; the ambiance is pleasant (chill music, modern decor); and there are plenty more pizzas to try on subsequent visits! Next time it'll have to be the caramelized onion and gorgonzola...There's also a weekday early bird special that may just pull me in sooner than later (pint & margherita for $12)! -
Review from mike y.
Boston, MA
2/1/2012
Parking : metered so that's kind of a pain
not good for groups. a better place for leisure lunch or small group / impromptu dinner.
don't like the seating setup..not very comfortable.
Ate: chicken ...which was very good
meatloaf burger ... was missing something ...lacked flavor
i think i will have to try it one more time..and this time the pizzas cuz i think that's what they are known for. or at least their focus. but looking at the menu..nothing really entices me.
We also went to the cafe part... I don't see them lasting.
I've had better cafe experiences elsewhere. Setup is not so great.
Ate : lemon curd cupcake / muffin ...it was okay
ginger molasses cookie... was okay..tons of ginger in it. -
Review from Hayley M.
12/31/2011
Two businesses in one? YES!
I went in yesterday for the first time, sampled both sides of the business, and am already kicking myself for letting this joint be open for eight whole months without a previous visit. The decor is hip and modern, but not off-putting for non-hipsters. It's the perfect blend of minimal and crisp. I went in with the owner/chef's cousin (to the restaurant side), and while the owner wasn't there, the wait staff certainly took care of us. We ordered drinks; a sangria for me and a beer for him, and a Margarita Pizza. Yes, it was a tad on the boring side, with so many outrageous pizzas to choose from, but being a non-pork eater has its disadvantages in pizza places. The waitress, who was so nice from the beginning AND was wearing an LSU t-shirt (LOVE!), told us that it really was the best.
The came the parade of insane apps. They brought us the house-made mozzerella. It had a golden raisin chutney and a lemon vinaigrette, and had the perfect blend of sweet and tasty. Then they brought the Goat Terrine, a liver with fruit blend on top of toast. Awesome, even though I usually don't care much for liver and my friend ate most of it. THEN they brought us the swordfish pate, which had chopped onions and came over crostini. Holy moly, I could barely believe how unique and tasty each dish was. While at first we thought they just do this to everyone, it turns out being with the chef's cousin was lucky.
Then, after all the apps I could ever imagine eating, the pizza came out. Perfectly thin, with the perfect blend of pecorino and basil. I wasn't even hungry and I scarfed down two slices.
After the amazing meal, we just had to see the bakery side. We picked a ginormous oatmeal, pecan, and chocolate chip cookie for later. The pecans were salted, and it was the perfect blend of sweet and salty.
I have used the term "perfect blend" in this review a bunch of times... see a pattern? Perfect blend of bakery and restaurant, perfect blend of unique and tasty food, and perfect blend of decor, service, and affordable prices. I can't wait to go back! -
Review from T W.
Cambridge, MA
1/15/2012
Went here last night with my father for dinner and it was delicious! They do not take reservations for parties that are less than 6 or something so that is sort of annoying, however if you called 15 minutes before than you can put your name down.
We were seated immediately and our waitress Allegra was wonderful. We ordered a small appetizer to start with the fresh buffalo mozzarella cheese and it was so yummy. I had the monk fish for my dinner & father had the hamburger. The pizza is probably the best thing they offer here, however we are not big pizza people. Regardless the food was FANTASTIC. The portions were small which I like (no one wants to leave dinner thinking they need to unbutton a pant button) although we were perfectly full and had no room to try dessert.
POSITIVES:
-great parking in the area (all metered but does not need coins after 6pm)
-not very loud AT ALL (you would think it might but it is is not)
-unpretentious, everyone is very friendly when you arrive and when you are leaving (the beauty of coming to a new restaurant that is working hard to establish themselves.
-Has that San Francisco-hipster vibe which reminds me of when I lived there :-) Great for anyone longing for the vibe of SoMa neighborhood in San Francisco.
NEGATIVES:
-expensive. Our meal for 2 was 60 dollars. The monk fish was a 25 dollar meal however if you order pizza, beer not cocktails, and ditch the dessert you can save yourself a lot of money and still get a wonderful meal. In the future I'd suggest them have more options for entrees that were non-pizza and making them more reasonably priced.
Enjoy!
~Tamara -
Review from Shaina P.
Updated - 1/31/2012 1 Check-in Here
Kids. Don't do drugs.
What I call "crack" on the other hand ...
for a special occasion or just because you're awesome. No, you're awesome. Craquelin (get it? crack? no, i would not actually promote the consumption of crack like the drug). Have you seen this muffin-looking item on the baked goods shelf at A4? Wondering what this goodness is all about? Please, let me describe this to you.
It's a brioche. It's a sweet bun. It's really not a muffin. It's fluffy, warm, and sweetened just slightly with a thin pour of caramel-esque flavored syrup all baked and puffed perfectly. And almond extract. Is it? It is 2.25. Booo. Paired with a large drip coffee to go - total 5.50 - it's like a breakfast for someone that makes more money than me. Someone with an American Express Corporate Card. .......
My hypothalamus screams for nice bold flavorful coffee and an array of savory breakfast treat options (fat cheddar biscuits, savory croissants). A4 Bakery delivers that satisfaction.Listed in: My Cambridge: the…, Coffee Love
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/24/2011
I can't complain about the food itself. A4 serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and has a full bar.… Read more »
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Review from Judy L.
2/4/2012
The place seemed like a hip place. :) Servers were nice and the decor was nice.
We ordered pita with hummus for appetizer, and 3 pizzas to share within the group. The pizza choices were: bacon and clam, mushroom, meatball
All the pizzas were pretty good. Flavorful, with a chewy and very delicious crust. My complaint would be that the pizzas were too oily. But that's probably what made it extra flavorful too. -
Review from Damien S.
12/11/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Oh, the daunting task of reviewing one-half of split personalities. And with an allegedly polar experience in the dining area, I'll obviously update with resto feedback when I indulge. Until then...
CAFÉ REVIEW
There's not much character to the quadrilateral that is A4's counter-service side. Walk in, sit communally (either next to a centrally static support structure or alongside the window wall), drink your drink and begone. Some places make this stark emptiness their own, wearing the monochromatic like Andrew WK (Kendall neighbor Voltage comes to mind) but there's no ferociousness to Area Four. It just feels... there.
Initial impression aside, I ushered past the post-morning display of baked goods and ordered while staring at the overhead menu. Don't you hate that? Everyone does it. You know what you want, but you just can't take your eyes off the menu - as if something, at the last minute, will convince you to change your mind. It's why we scan what else might be on when we find our favorite movie on cable, or scan other stations when that Pitbull hit starts up... I'll stop there.
The oolong (they haz it!) tea is served at the right temperature (if a bit hot) in a "go steep yourself" kettle, and adequately warmed the cockles of my heart. What a weird phrase. Cockles are actually clams. This tea warmed my heart clams. Quote that.
The star of the morning was the pistachio-orange scone with bits of white chocolate. Perfect consistency and sweetness, the right size and even the Swedish judge gave high marks on the "crumble factor" (she's tough). Honorable mention: my snacking buddy gushed coma-inducing praise upon the überdense breakfast sandwich, which I may have to order next time I'm in the hood/preparing for nuclear fallout.
Genuinely 3.5 stars, and in the spirit of the holidays, a round up to 4. -
Review from Robert A.
Boston, MA
2/5/2012
Three friends and I came back to Area Four for a second time. We wanted t give it a proper review.
Our first time was very good, and we wanted to see if it was consistent. I am happy to say that it is. The staff are friendly and professional. The menu is constantly changing. The atmosphere is very modern and airy. They have some communal seating. Being surround by MIT your bound to engage in some real interesting conversations.
Today they had a special sticky bun with pecan nuts and extra frosting. It was a great dessert to start of lunch/brunch. It could easily be cut into fours. Yes it was that big!
Two friends ordered the Egg and Sausage sandwich. They were very accommodating with eliminating the sausage part for our vegetarian friend. Our other friend order a small pizza with her choice of toppings. I stuck to the brunch menu and had the French Toast. Three of us agreed that it was a great brunch/lunch. My friend with the pizza said that she just chose the wrong combination of toppings and that was her fault, not theirs.
The drink and liquids menu is small, but are clearly chosen that day to correspond with the menu.
We loved our second experience and we will be back.
Thank you. -
Review from Andy B.
Boston, MA
1/10/2012
Not a fan. High prices and small portion sizes. Maybe it's the lunch rush, but everything here felt small and informal, like it had come out of a microwave, even though I know it hadn't. Over $50 for two for lunch wasn't really awesome either. The food was good but it didn't blow my hair back. I had breakfast another day and the sandwich seemed ridiculously high @ over $5, and came out just as greasy and unappetizing as something that sat under a heat lamp at 711.
The coffee is great, but I just can't see the appeal. I can't see going for a cocktail or drink, either. -
Review from Sheila B.
Dorchester, MA
Updated - 3/4/2012
Came back for brunch long overdue and awesome service.. Brought a toddler and two gal friends and we were so impressed loved the hot vegetarian mess, delicious and presentation was great, the margarita pizza with fried egg on top yum, and friend got the meatloaf burger with delicious pickles and caramelized onions so ridiculous good as was our service.. Hands down the best bean buzz in Cambridge. I love you area 4 !
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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7/26/2011
just went here again for lunch and was WOW'd by the amazing turbo delicious ice coffee. Whatever… Read more »
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Review from Josh C.
Cambridge, MA
11/18/2011
Area #1 - My expectation of Area 4 pretty high because of my unquestionable love of Lumiere Restaurant. I love the sustainable concept behind that restaurant and here. My brain & thought " This sound like Area 51" Then realized this area is called "Area 4".
Area # 2 - Decor of both coffee shop n restaurant are minimal, modern, and yet comfortable. I love that.
Area # 3 - Food = exceptional. Bacon Pretzel n Pimento cheese are like Tom Brady banging Giselle all week long. F*ck F*ck F*ck !! I still can't get over it mentally and stomachally. Everything I ate here reached the level of perfection. Everything simply presented, done.....perfectly executed. Coffee here is just mad good. Total orgasm so to speak.
Area #4 - Price = Very affordable.
Hitting all the 4 areas. Damn you, Area 4.... Damn you. I will be back for more foodgasm soon. -
Review from Jaimie M.
Brookline, MA
12/20/2011
Mmmhmm! After one visit to A4, I am already thinking I need to go back. While definitely on the pricier side, everyone in my group really liked their food. The pizzas, the mac & cheese, the chicken entree, the salads. Good portions on everything as well.
The dining area in the restaurant is a bit cramped, but I didn't mind the decor. The food was quick to come out, and the staff generally took good care of us. Definitely a place to try out if you're in the area! -
Review from Lisa J.
Brookline, MA
1/3/2012
We actually had New Year's Eve dinner here and really enjoyed it. My husband and son got Pizza (very good) and I had a locally farmed roasted chicken which actually caused an eyeroll of happiness.
The waitresses were adorable with my son and we really like the atmosphere, especially the lights, they're very cool.
Would definitely go again, the only downside, it was chilly in the restaurant, those huge panes of glass keep it cold. -
Review from Johnna M.
9/7/2011
Dinner review-When in Kendall Square, keep it Kendall Squarian. Area Four follows this age old adage and this is where they succeed. Atmosphere is geek chic-sleek, simple, and...silver. Menus come on granite slabs with dorky puns litered everywhere. Definitely a unique atmosphere that works for the crowd and the area. My only complaint is I am never a fan of sharing tables with people not in your party. I'm in Kendall! I want to talk about computers or cell phones or whatever and not have to worry about being antisocial to the stranger in my lap.
The food was completely average. While I have no real complaints, nothing really set me off either. I had both the mussels and the corn cakes. I enjoyed the corn cakes better than the mussels (tomato accompaniment was fantastic!) but neither would I make a point to try again. My friend said his gazpacho was so-so but he gulfed it down too quickly for me to try so that says something. Margarita pizza was well cooked but slightly boring-then again, it is margarita pizza.
My favorite part of the experience was definitely my cocktail (how unusual for you, Johnna M.) I can not find mention of cocktails on either the website or yelp but the small selection is indeed interesting. I had a gin martini like thing with a tad of iced tea-delicious! I look forward to trying their bakery and coffee and hopefully that will prove to be a tad more innovative-big things are happening in this area. -
Review from Nick H.
8/22/2011 ROTD 9/25/2011
Finally, a place that Cambridge eat-a-holics can have all to themselves. That spot that requires a culinary code name or pass phrase softly murmured between sips of Saison.
Every foodie worth their high-end sea salt would of course be talking about Area 4 - a place for food nerds on the turf of science nerds.
As the former, I must admit I've frequented this spot since it hit my food-dar and enjoyed every moment of each experience.
Walk with me for a moment here...
*Delightful mussels in fragrant broth
*Oddly phallic but delicious house-made meat on milk bun
*Pizza, pizza, pizza. Rock the Clam and Bacon and sample from puttanesca, fennel sausage, and mushroom/fontina-stacked pies with a light, fluffy crust.
All of that and more washed down with stellar beers like Jack D'Or, Harpoon 100 Barrel Series, and a bias towards other locally-brewed beauties.
Though I've only sampled the fare here on Friday nights with groups of friends, the adjoining café supposedly serves-up some bomb lattes - making Area Four theoretically possible to live in from opening to closing while satisfying every taste bud across all your daily meals.
The best part is - nobody knows it yet. That's right, you and your fellow food geeks or science jocks could be enjoying Area Four this Friday without long lines and love every minute of it.
So what are you waiting for - the password is...shhhh... -
Review from Jeffrey C.
New York, NY
2/26/2012 1 Check-in Here
Love the industrial look of this place. Roaring ovens making pizze and foccacie. I liked the wine selection too. I'll have to try this place during the day and eat of the cafe.
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Review from Alexi K.
Palo Alto, CA
3/10/2012
Only been to the cafe, but I love their coffee (although the choice between "house" and "guest" espresso might be a tad bit pretentious) and the croissant I had was great! Minus one star for the awful pecan sticky bun--bleh.
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Review from Elle J.
Boston, MA
10/20/2011 38 Check-ins Here
And just when I thought that I knew the very few places in the Boston area that make a great cappuccino, I discovered Area Four! What a way to start the day. Their cappuccino is the closest, if not as good as cappuccinos in many parts of Europe. Their pastries are excellent and not ginormous. The staff is very friendly and after a few visits already know what I want.
I ate lunch at Area Four for the first time on Tuesday. I loved their menu. I had their soup of the day (mushroom), which was quite good. I also had their Shaved Brussel Sprouts, Candied Hazelnuts & Pecorino, Lemon Vinaigrette salad, which was excellent! I'm glad that they are only a ten minute walk from my work! -
Review from Morgan P.
Brookline, MA
2/24/2012
The staff is very friendly. The restaurant is split into two places, more of a coffee shop half and a restaurant half.
The food is pretentiously priced and sized but the being local is great. The beer and wine are more than acceptable, and the bartenders are always very helpful.
The coffee half of the places has A- coffee, one of the better in the area and the baked pastries are all tasty and very reasonably priced. I'd highly recommend it, not a ton of room to sit, but more than enough for a quick cup of coffee. -
Review from Nadia S.
San Francisco, CA
4/16/2012
I think I set my expectations too high...but also if I pay $20 for lunch I'd like something semi-amazing. Their food is only good, esp for the $ value. That said, their pizza ($20 a pie for what we got) is pretty delicious. Get the gorgonzola caramelized onion one.
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Review from Angelos K.
Cambridge, MA
8/9/2011
I hate it when a place starts promising and then somehow loses its touch as time goes on... I hope this doesn't happen with Area four. The concept is great; small plates and pizza with fantastic beer and wine and cocktails in a modern environment. And before I say anything bad, their pizzas are fantastic. BUT:
- They used to offer a sampler of three small plates for $15. Not anymore.
- They used to offer bread. Not anymore (the waitress told me that it was too taxing for the kitchen (!!)).
- They charge you $1 for three slies of pita bread (not even a whole pita!).
- They seriously need to rethink portions as it almost embarassing to order a $8 bluefish and get literally two bites of it. Delicious, but two bites, really?
I have been there three times and enjoyed the food everytime, but my level of satisfaction with the place has deteriorated mainly for the reasons listed above. I will likely go back and just get pizza and beer or pizza to go and hope that they pizzas don't shrink with time :) -
Review from Ana B.
Boston, MA
11/8/2011
Ate here yesterday and everything was off the charts excellent. The service was great. We were undecided between the smoked swordfish pate and the grilled squid salad, so we ordered the latter and our waiter brought us a taste of the pate - both were amazing. Then we ordered the Margherita pizza made in their wood-fired oven with homemade mozzarella. It was divine - best pizza in Boston, in my humble opinion. The draft beer is all locally brewed. What a great idea!
We will definitely be back to try more of this yummy pizza. Loved the atmosphere. Loved the food. -
Review from Alexandra G.
Mid-Cambridge, MA
2/26/2012
Atmosphere is nice, but food options are very limited. We had the veggie hot mess and regular hot mess - both were super greasy and left us feeling sick. Service was awful, they missed at least two orders. prices are reasonable for the area but I would have expected much better food and service. We will not be returning.
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Review from Heather G.
Boston, MA
6/22/2011
I think I'm the first dinner review, so pardon me for waxing poetic for the entire character limit.
The Reader's Digest version:
3.5 stars
Better for an alfresco light lunch than an actual sit-down dinner
Stellar service
Something for every appetite, budget, and palette
The I-obviously-love-the-sound-of-my-own-voice version:
Wait time:
They don't accept reservations for parties fewer than 8 or 10, but I arrived at 6:00pm on a very lovely Tuesday night to see many outside tables and nearly all the inside tables empty. I got my prime choice of outdoor seating with no wait whatsoever.
Atmosphere:
This is enough off the beaten path that the street-noise is minimal, the foot traffic (for people watching) is ample with MIT students, and the restaurant borders a gorgeous, green quad to stare at. The inside of the restaurant has more a modern/industrial/sleek feel to it, while the outside wrought-iron-like patio tables and chairs set the mood for more casual and nondescript dining ambiance.
Service:
From the second I walked in to the minute I left, the service was absolutely phenomenal. For a place this reasonably-priced, they sure do offer service like a top-tier joint. Attentive, friendly, knowledgeable about the menu, apologetic for substitutions the chef had to make that day, professional. Water glasses were filled in a timely fashion, and things appeared and disappeared on the table gracefully.
Drinks:
The beer list is short, yet a lot of the small, local, craft favorites are present. There's not a huge selection, but a non-beer snob could find something good. They also have a reasonably-priced wine selection. Water for the table is your generic tap, but they also give you the option of sparkling or still - an interesting detail for such a casual spot.
Food:
The bread on the table is squishy like focaccia but tastes like sourdough. It's also served cold (not warm-bread-thats-been-cooled-a-bit-while-sitting-o ut, but actual cold bread) without spread/butter. While the bread was dense, chewy, and delicious, something to accompany it would have done wonders for it, especially at the temperature it's served.
The menu is broken down into small plates, medium, large, pizza, and sides. We sampled three small plates for $15 (normally $5.50 each):
Artichokes, potatoes, green olives, lemon and mint: DO NOT MISS THIS. This was the best dish of the evening, in my opinion, and was light, cold, and satisfying. It had a lemony bite to it, and the artichokes somehow had the consistency of mushrooms (chewy and firm), a sign that they were served very fresh.
House-mad mozzarella with smoked tomato and spicy fennel garlic vinaigrette: the mozzarella, house-made daily, was just as you'd get anywhere - dense, chewy, mild. The smoked tomato salsa-type topping is what makes this dish flavorful and interesting. Not your grandma's caprese salad, that's for sure. I don't think i'll be dreaming about this dish like i long for the artichoke/potato dish, but it's certainly a nice, funky take on a classic.
Striped bass ceviche: this was just chewy, bland chunks of bass mixed with halved cherry tomatoes (perhaps they were grape tomatoes, no matter), topped with what seemed like a cilantro-laden, watery guacamole. The dish tasted of little more than cilantro, and was overall very watery.
Baked egg with bacon and leeks (a substitution from the sausage and cheddar that was listed): this was $8 and, though it was on the "medium" menu, it was the size of a small-plate. If you're a volume-eater, you may not want to shell out the extra $2.50 for this, but I will note that it is extremely rich. I was happy to have someone to share it with, because just that one little egg with some bacon and leeks and cheese really packed a whollop of creaminess. I would recommend ordering this to share, and have a few decadent, creamy bites.
Wellfleet Cherry Stone Clam and Bacon white pie ($14): came out flat, thin, chewy, and hot. Though the thought of seafood pizza normally gives me pause (seafood+cheese+heat = questionable), this came out piping hot, flavorful, and not at all off-putting. In fact, as it came to the table, I got the distinct smell of ocean - not FISH, mind you, but OCEAN - the briney, salty, crispness of ocean. It was delightful and I have absolutely no idea how they did it. However, it smelled delicious, felt crispy and chewy, tasted very flavorful with its addition of chili flakes.
As my dining companion so eloquently stated, this place offers a "foodie menu on a college budget". All their seafood is caught same-day by some Rhode Island fishermen (so I was told), everything is local (here's lookin' at you, Locavores), and they even have their wine on tap for waste-minimization (here's lookin' at you, Sustainability Green-Freaks). There are enough "nontraditional" nibbles to make the adventurous eaters shut their traps, and ample "safe" options for those picky-folks! -
Review from Dasha B.
Boston, MA
6/26/2011
Ending my Yelp hiatus to review Area Four for dinner this past Saturday night.
Everyone was kind and helpful, from the hostesses, who took care to seat us comfortably to the bartender, who offered samples of the wines on tap (!), to the waiter who chatted with us about olives, to the owner to ran out into the rain to grab a cab for me.
I loved the decor of this place: urban rustic, which is on trend now, but still so lovely. Empty french presses, growlers and jars cover exposed hanging light bulbs, dark wood and iron pop up throughout the split-level space, and huge chalkboard menus with good handwriting (key!) look over the main dining room.
I got three small plates for $15: smoked bluefish salad with scallion (SO delicious, if you liked smoked fish!), zucchini and farro salad (with basil, I think, and a substantial dressing that was not oily -- very tasty), and marinated mushrooms with sliced almonds, peppers and a dressing (again, not oily, but very flavorful). The foccacia is as another user described: very doughy, and a little sour -- I thought it could have used more flavor. Dipping oil infused with Parmesan and herbs.
My friend had the mussels, which she adored, and green and yellow bean salad. This salad had very mild olives.
The small plates are small, but three were plenty for me, as we also shared the olive oil chocolate cake with creme fraiche and cookie crumble. Delicious!! Quite rich and not what I was expecting: I thought this would be more like a pound cake, but it's a lot like ganache. No olive oil flavor. Creme fraiche was very mildly tangy. Cookie crumbles were gingery.
I honestly cannot wait to go back! -
Review from Alana H.
9/16/2011
I love that I work in walking distance to this gem!
Perfect fall weather aided in a wonderful lunch I had here today. I ordered the mac and cheese which while some may argue was a small portion, it was just enough cheesy goodness for me. It felt rich but not too overwhelming and the crunchy croissant bread on top was a nice touch. I also loved that it came in a little skillet so I knew it just out of the oven when it came to my table. The mac and cheese was enough for me and I didn't venture into dessert land but I will definitely do so the next time I come here (because let's be honest there will be a next time)
Our server was pleasant and awesome. She didn't breathe down our necks to order and there were moments when I realized she had refilled our water without ever having noticed she was there. If ever there was a place to become a regular at this should be it. Also you'll get to schmooze with really smart technology folk.Listed in: Good Eats
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Review from Jenan A.
Cambridge, MA
10/15/2011
the place is a real hidden gem.
I go past it every day but never think to go there because they predominantly serve pizza
I shared an Arugula salad and a veggie pizza with a friend and I can you, both were done to perfection.
This was topped with apple cider "home made" ice cream - and despite not being an ice cream fan, it truly was delicious - subtle flavors of apple, creamy smooth texture - YUM
