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Category: Southern
Neighborhood: Kendall Square/MITTue-Sun. 5:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.
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Hungry Mother definitely lived up to the hype! I would absolutely recommend getting a reservation during the weekend - we went on a Friday night and had we not made one, there was no chance we'd have gotten a table in the tiny (in a good way) dining room.
Between the 2 of us we tried the black eyed pea fritters, cornbread with honey butter, gnocci, a pork special, and a turnip pie (in the style of sweet potato pie), and everything was perfect.
Great beer/wine list, wonderful neighborhood feel... Love it!
I went hear as I heard it was good. It was just OK. I have to admit they have incredible sweet potatoe pie but that is really it. There seems to be chaos in there kitchen and we received the wrong order twice. People sitting near us said the service isn't the best but it's cheap ( Not really).
Anyway it was an experience and we really wanted to try it so it was not a total waste. But I don;t kow if I would ever go back.
There's a reason why specials for the night are specials rather than staples. It means that the kitchen hasn't had nearly as much experience with the dish, so that they're still trying to work out the kinks.
I had some lame "special of the day" steak today at Hungry Mother. How lame? I managed to down a third of it, and my companion had two small bites before we gave up on the entree. The meat itself was skirt steak quality, being half an inch high at most. Then, it was submerged under fried onions and drenched in awkwardly tangy barbeque sauce; the combination overwhelmed any notion of steak that such a slim strip of steak could convey. Finally, a random salad accompanied the dish--as if the crazy, contrasting flavors didn't suffice already. I'm a bit shocked that our waitress didn't have enough sense to ask whether there was something wrong with this dish . . .
So, the lesson is that there are plenty of good things on the menu at Hungry Mother: don't try their special! Wait for other clueless guinea pigs to love it enough so that the special becomes a staple worth yelping about.
If you're a fan of Southern food and hankering for some catfish, grits, spicy pimento cheese, or boiled peanuts, you're in luck at Hungry Mother.
Southern cuisine isn't something I typically swoon over, but I certainly enjoyed dining at Hungry Mother. From start to finish, the ambiance, service, and food was excellent. For starters, I really enjoyed my "mixed lettuces" salad, made with beets, pecans, spiced pecans (YUM), meyers lemon dressing, and a big ol' hunk of cheese! The meyers lemon dressing and pecans really "made" this dish, although it was apparent everything was super-fresh and made to order.
My roasted chicken main course was delicious, served with grits and a side of perfectly cooked sugar snap peas from Verril Farms. The chicken was incredibly crispy on the outside, and moist on the inside. It was one of the best roasted chicken dishes I've ever had.
Corn bread as good, although I didn't get the hype. It was quite dry, but the butter helped. The nibbles of dessert I sampled (coconut cream parfait and apple bread pudding) were yummy, but glad I shared them.
Hungry Mother deserves five stars because the service is outstanding, cocktails are creative, and food is unique, fresh, and downright delicious. Overall, a fabulous dining experience, and I would encourage anyone who likes comfort of Southern food to give it a go!
I was hungry AS a mother before dining here. Boy, am I glad that I brought my appetite! I even got a lil tongue action while I was there...
The restaurant was cozy and had a slight antique feel to it mixed with a modern decor. Our server was attentive and very knowledgeable. The meal was also very well timed - the drinks came out quickly, the starters soon there after, and the entrees were placed in front of us less than 10 minutes after finishing up our starters.
Everything I tasted was delicious! I started with the with the Smoked Beef Tongue Canape. I had never eaten beef tongue before so I have nothing to compare it to ... but please give me more tongue! It was succulent, tender and well seasoned. The portion was small, but every little bite of it was amazing. I also tried some of the spicy pimento cheese on simple, triangular, little pieces of toast. Tasty!
Then came the Cornmeal Catfish (w/dirty rice 'middlins', andouille, mustard brown butter, chow chow). It was fantastic and had so much flavor! The portion was rather generous also. I couldn't even finish everything despite the temptation.
We still went ahead and ordered dessert because we are just that gluttonous. The Apple Bread Pudding was pure indulgence, drizzled with caramel and topped with walnuts. Although I was stuffed, I was delighted that I managed to savor a few bites.
I left feeling extremely content...and extremely full! Maybe it was the food, maybe it was the ambiance or perhaps it was a combination of both, but Hungry Mother nurtured my soul.
Within the first 24 hours of being in Boston I saw (actual) elephants sauntering down Memorial Drive, nearly punched a cabbie in the throat and tasted succotash for the first time.
Dinner at Hungry Mother was fabulous. The decor is old-timey and breathtaking, the mood is sultry and the service is impeccable. Naomi knew the menu to a terrifying degree - every last detail about every cocktail and specialty offered by the chef.
I sampled the Mixed Lettuce as a starter - made with beets, spiced pecans, apples, Meadowcreek Appalachian cheese and Meyer lemon vinaigrette. This was an excellent salad and I would love to attempt to recreate something like it at home but the only ingredient of those listed that I ever have on hand is: apples. *sigh*
For my entree I tried the French Gnocchi, made with chanterelle mushrooms, delicata squash, escarole, mushroom sherry broth and parmagiano ($19). It was pretty good but not what I was expecting - perhaps I'm more of a fan of Italian gnocchi? It appeared that the French gnocchi was boiled and then maybe pan fried (like some people do with pierogies). I wasn't a fan of the preparation and the broth wasn't very flavourful - roasted delicata squash to the rescue, though! (my favourite).
The market vegetable of the day was succotash, and while I had (literally) NO idea what it was I was feeling adventurous so I ordered it. If it's good enough for Sylvester (the cat) it's good enough for me, right? Delicious. But then again I love corn and grits.
I was in love with the soundtrack accompanying my meal. Way to play ALL of my favourite Elliott Smith songs AND selections from my favourite Cure album (A Head On The Door)! I learned that the maitre d' was responsible and I'll be damned if I don't go back and lift his iPod. Plus it didn't hurt that, coincidentally, he was absurdly hot.
I also learned that open flames are strictly verboten in Cambridge, and that's why the table decor consisted of faux candles emitting soft light instead. I guess busting out the six-pack of birthday sparklers I carry around at all times wouldn't have gone over well, nuh?
The food at Hungry Mother was amazing. True, the menu wasn't expansive but I'd rather have a smaller selection of choice knowing that the kitchen does them all well, rather than have loads of choice but then being disappointed when it arrives.
The staff were friendly and weren't too attentive (as a Brit I find some US waiters a bit overbearing) and the food was prompt (and tasty).
There are lots of quirky features to Hungry Mother: lights in picture frames; lamp shades that are actually glasses; water is served in jam jars; etc. And when you're brought the check they give you little biscuits which have a 'story' attached. Heh.
Had a (strong) apéritif with pimento cheese nibbles, crab starter, the steak special main (with their 'B1 sauce') and the apple bread pudding. Yum.
All in all very impressed. Only complaint would being rung ~8 times to confirm the reservation.
Have you seen "Babette's Feast?" More importantly, have you seen the final scene -- when the Danish elders succumb to indulgence and start smiling at each bite of their dinner?
That's Hungry Mother.
I think we almost ordered the whole menu: country ham and biscuits, crab first course, roast chicken entree, sides of collards, creamed corn and the cornbread with sorghum butter.
Oh. My God.
And apple bread pudding with bourbon sauce. Or maybe it was just bourbon.
Also the wine of the day and a glass of the "delicious beer from somewhere". Perfect companion to our menu selections.
Thanks to our server for helping us choose an excellent meal on a rainy night. It was the best warmer-upper I could ask for.
---
An aside: I dig the warm lighting and home-y feel, but I'd love to see some art on those white, white walls.
Let me throw my five stars into the pot here... The food was really delicious. I had the cornmeal catfish, and also sampled the cornbread, the grits, and at the time they were serving fried green tomatoes (a fav.). Dessert was divine, if ever a dessert can take on this quality. They have cute buttons in a basket at the reservation desk -- take one home as a souvenir of the occasion, and/or wear it to advertise this beloved Cambridge establishment.
I do recommend having a reservation... they are uber popular these days :)
This has become one of our favorite restaurants in the area. The ambiance, quality & price of the southern-inspired food and the service... you really can't beat it.
But the main reason why I'm updating this review is because of the cornbread.
I have the bad habit of over-hyping things, so I'll just say this: order the side of cornbread with sorghum butter. This is a must.
I'm a fan of Hungry Mother! Here's what I thought of the food...
Smoked ham special: It was presented…
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Rare is it that food, service, and atmosphere combine for a thoroughly pleasing dining experience in the Boston area. But Hungry Mother has mastered all three. My girlfriend and I arrived early for our reservation and sat at the bar for a drink. We were served by a pleasant and attentive bartender who even answered questions about drinks other people were having.
When we were sat, at no point did we ever feel rushed. We ordered starters and a main entree each, and not only was every bite delicious, the meal was carefully paced to allow us to enjoy every bit. Entrees did not arrive early, while we were still savoring our starters, and our waitress was always friendly and responsive - willing to make recommendations and answer questions all the way.
The manager even came by at one point and chatted with us briefly. we had the opportunity to tell him what a fabulous time we were having, but I definitely wanted to let the world know as well.
I HATE going to restaurants with a lot of hype behind them, because I walk through the door with expectations that are sky high, and I'm ALWAYS disappointed. That is, until I sat down at Hungry Mother.
I'll say it right now: Hungry Mother is a not restaurant for the culinary conservatives. If you pick up a menu and instantly start scanning for your favorite dishes, you're probably not going to find what you're looking for. The menu isn't crazy exotic, but everything is just a little different than what you're used to; there's an unusual ingredient you've never tried or heard of, or it's prepared differently than you'd expect. You have to be a little curious or a little adventurous, but you're well rewarded for your efforts.
I always start off with a cocktail, and I'd recommend the No. 99: Bartender's Choice. I love to leave it in the hands of the professionals, and I was rewarded with the most amazing cocktail I've ever had. It was Miller's gin and rosemary water, with a splash of home made grenadine and dry vermouth. You don't taste this drink, you experience it: one sip and I was instantly transported to an old antique store. The woody musk of the gin combined with the potpourri of the rosemary water in a cool, smooth cocktail was simply amazing.
I was still lost in my cocktail when the food started to arrive, but beef tongue canapé brought me back to earth. A little heavy on the sauce, but the tongue was SO tender. The grits were a lot of fun, non traditional and full of unexpected oils and spices. The baked Woodbury clams were my favorite appetizer, served with a clamato shot - nom nom nom, if there ever was one.
Our wine and entrees were perfectly timed, and while the wine was unremarkable, the cornmeal catfish was by FAR the best catfish I've ever had. I realize that's not saying a lot (it's catfish, after all), but I didn't realize catfish could be prepared so perfectly. The grilled dandelion greens were a little tart for my taste, but a fun and unusual way to break up the sides. The grilled local bluefish was a perfect example of how a masterful chef can take a mediocre main dish and used well paired sides to make it incredible, as the corn & cranberry bean succotash with smoked tomato jam REALLY made the dish.
We sealed the evening with an excellent bread pudding and a glass of cognac. What a masterpiece!
Hungry Mother is the kind of restaurant I'm going to find myself craving on a cold New England day: intimate, comforting and oh so satisfying. I cannot wait to go back!
There's no way my review will make a difference since HM already has well over 200 reviews. BUT. Since I am a supposed SEO professional, I'll aim at those who use the keyword search for useful info (I use that sucker like you wouldn't believe). So, useful info, I shall surely give.
**LOGISTICS**
Went twice, both on weekday nights (Sunday and Tuesday). Reservations made the day of, tables available earliest at 9pm (Sunday for two people), and 9:30pm (Tuesday for 5). No wait, unless you come early. Doesn't seem to help much if you come early hoping to snag an earlier table. (We tried!)
There are metered parking spots across the way on Binney St, and more down the road on Hampshire. Otherwise, park at One Kendall Square's garage, and you'll get some sort of validation or discount.
**FOOD**
Gotta love glorified comfort food.
Entrées--
- Bluefish & succotash is my fave by far (but mostly because I LOVE love love fishy-fish!!).
- Catfish is well executed--I can't say much about the accoutrements since I think it changed between my 1st and 2nd visit, but both times, it seemed relatively lackluster.
- Pork wasn't really my thing (braised, I think)
- Chicken was somewhat moist, somewhat dry. I finished it off for my BF as a favor since he seemed to enjoy the bluefish more.
Misc--Let's go from "blah" to "oh-yay!"
- Baked grits was just okay. You'd think ham+cheddar would make it tasty, but for some reason I just didn't really care for it.
- Bluefish paté is basically the fish meat mixed in with cream cheese ... not bad. I actually liked the accoutrements that came with it.
- Country ham was better than I expected! I actually thought the ham+biscuit+pepper jelly was a fantastic combination.
**DRINKS**
No. 44 is good, and alcoholic drinks in general are well made. One friend raved about another friend's No. 99 (bartender's choice). If you like Eastern Standard bartenders, then this seems like something you'd want to get.
I believe there's also some post-10pm bar menu, which I would love to try sometime.
Alright, let's hope this was "informative" enough. Why not vote below and let me know?
I was expecting a little bit more out of this restaurant having read the reviews. Perhaps the chef wasn't there tonight.
Everything fell short except for my delicious rabbit pate appetizer and the creamed corn with scallion and bacon. The gnocchi was overcooked and soggy, swimming in a watery sauce. The pork loin was likewise overcooked and underseasoned (though the single pork rib on top was excellent). Even the bread was sub par, with crust so tough I thought I would lose an incisor.
Despite these criticisms, the meal wasn't terrible, it just wasn't great (particularly given the hype). For $40 per person, I'd rather gamble elsewhere.
Next time I have a hankering for some Southern inspired food, I'll head to Highland Kitchen where the food is every bit as good and a fraction of the price.
Came for the first time a few weeks ago for my birthday, and loved it. The food was simultaneously fresh and rich, cozy and sophisticated. As other reviewers have said, the service wasn't too attentive or snobby. We decided to split a cocktail, and instead of trying to sell us two drinks, the waitress/bartender poured it into two glasses! We ordered catfish and a bunch of sides. The best thing we ate was one of the sides - creamed corn with bacon. It must have had some herbs because despite being...well, creamed...it had a very light, fresh taste. One of the best dining experiences in Boston!
We went for dinner last night and thoroughly enjoyed the evening. Service and food was excellent. Out of probably 30+ restaurant meals in Boston, this was definitely the best food. Both our main courses (fried catfish & roast chicken) were great, the accompaniments and sauces complimented it very well. Our waitress was excellent, friendly, helpful and recommended a lovely wine. Definitely worth a visit.
This place blew me away. It also blew away all the money i made the night before. But it was worth it.
I'll go into complaints first before praise. . .despite it still earning 5 stars. I didn't like the portions, there wasn't enough food for me to really fill me up or at least make me feel comfortable. This was after I bought two appetizers, and a main course with a glass of wine and a martini mixed in.
Aside from that, the food was delicious. The beef tongue appetizer was incredible. . .wowowwowowowowow so tasty and good, if you go there and they have it. . .order it, you will not be disappointed, and beef tongue isn't as weird or as disgusting as you think. It's still beef dammit!
The steak (that was like 28 bucks) was also very very tasty, I savored each bite, as it was cooked to perfection (meaning BARELY COOKED, so the blood was still oozing out with flavor in each bite) and the sauce it came with only helped to enhance the taste. I ate it within 5 minutes of it being put down in front of me.
My girlfriend ordered the potato gnocchi, which wasn't bad. . .i only had a few pieces since I had to make sure she could enjoy her meal thoroughly enough without her asking me to buy another entree. . . The gnocchi were tiny pieces though which surprised me, considering that I usually get larger pieces of potato pasta than the chiclets that they serve here.
The service was awesome, my waitress answered any and every question I asked, gave good recommendations, and reset our silverware. . .I enjoy being coddled, especially if I am paying for it dammit!
At the end of the night, two glasses of wine, two cocktails, two apps, two main courses, and a dessert to top it off ended up being a little over 120 dollars. . .which means this place is for those who are willing to cough up the big dollars for great quality food. . . or for those who want to find a place to spend some money and time for a special person on a special occasion.
This is a great spot for a casual yet cozy and romantic dinner. . .but save this spot for a date with someone you know you're going to get past first base with ;)
The perfect comfort food destination.... Have been going over there for the last two years and just can't get enough.
Also folks I went there last Friday and you should try out all the first courses on their menu now... they are delicious !!!!
Fantastic service, food, and atmosphere. i didn't have a favorite restaurant in Boston (even though I've been living in the area for 3 years) until I came here. Unfortunately, I don't see myself coming back often, because of the price tag. However, if I'm looking for someplace special to have dinner, it will be Hungry Mother.
Even my husband was impressed. He was initially a little skeptical, because he doesn't like upscale food, but he loved everything there.
Finally, props to whoever it was who first thought to ask, "Are you going to see a movie tonight? Would you like us to buy your tickets for you so that you can just walk right in? And put it on your restaurant tab? And get a discount off of the ticket price?" Icing on the figurative cake. (We were too full for dessert.)
Hungry mother elevates Southern food to a new level. The food is fresh, and flavors are clean. We enjoyed our cornmeal catfish and Berkshire pork loin tremendously. The portions are not huge, but enough to satisfy. The bourbon milkshake was a refreshing cap to a lovely meal. As an added bonus, if you enjoy independent movies and arrive before 6, the restaurant will order tickets at the local theater on your behalf so that they are ready to use following dinner.
Wow. I shared a whole lot of food at Hungry Mother last night. All the dishes were amazing, and all new experiences, which I think is a rare occurrence in dining out. I didn't expect the boiled peanuts to taste like lentils, but it was a pleasant surprise. I was skeptical of the beef tongue, but I couldn't stop taking more bites. The sorghum butter served with the cornbread was another new experience and pleasant surprise...it's like apple butter, smooth and slightly sweet.
Usually when I dine out, the food is so refined that I know I couldn't have made it at home, and I usually assume that they must have used some serious equipment that my kitchen doesn't have. Hungry Mother was impressive because it lacked that refinement, but in the best way. I could tell that everything had been prepared with the utmost attention and with a lot of time. The dishes they serve are not easy ones...to get beef tongue that tender must have taken hours, and a lot of their cocktails are made with in-house infusions and syrups. They're not just serving up the usual, but it tastes like my grandma made it.
I could go on and on about the food, but the bartender took the meal to an even higher level. She knew the smallest details about every part of every dish and every component of every drink, including how drinks were traditionally prepared and the history of the beers on tap. Amazing experience. I highly recommend it.
I like how this restaurant is designed. It seemed like a place that someone has put a lot of love and care into it. The dishes are very nice too, though it's treading into "fashionable" food a bit. (ie beef tongue). I didn't mind it too much though.
Service is not the best I've encountered, but can say average. Loved this place over all.
I liked it a lot. It didn't blow me away like the first time I ever ate at dear, departed Magnolia's- but I liked it. I'm glad that something good came in to replace the ol' Kendall Cafe.
My food was solid: my pork dish was cooked perfectly, the hamhock appetizer was insanely good, the mystery beer was great. My vanilla pot de creme dessert was amazing, and for once the coffee was strong. How many good restaurants have I been to that serve garbage coffee? Too many. Point: Hungry Mother.
Small conss: I did not care for the boiled peanuts, and I thought the grits were a little watery. And I thought the prices were a little bit steep for what I got. I came out of there hungry. That's the missing star.
Coolest thing is that they support local foods. High quality local meats and veggies and such. I do like to imagine that as I eat really fatty and decadent food it's slightly better for me than otherwise.
I dug the decorations in the bathroom. They have all these pages from an old timey cookbook papering the walls. People ate weird stuff back in the day. Jellied things. Marrow pudding. Eurgh.
The Hungry Mother serves some of the best food in Boston, Southern or otherwise. Their catfish dish approaches perfection, and it appears the regular diners know it, too. Most of the people around me were eating the catfish with little chunks of sausage. Contrary to what someone said below, the fried green tomato breading wasn't sticky. Perhaps they improved the recipe? It's proof that the Hungry Mother doesn't confuse "Southern food" with "food deep-fried beyond recognition." You'll get your fried food fix, but it isn't soggy or greasy.
The drinks are also delightful. One with tequila! Plus beer! And if you haven't combined the two, you should.
Only one star off because, as it becomes more popular, it is tough to get a reservation. Plan well in advance before you go because even the bar area is usually packed.
Run, don't walk here. Great, seasonal ingredients with a Southern twist. I especially like the relaxed friendly environment, but without the stuffiness of most "fine dining" places in Boston. I just moved here from San Francisco foodie heaven, and was glad to find this casual, tasty place that doesn't blow the bank. I only wished I had room for dessert.
Bonus for pregnant ladies like me--a nice selection of non-alcoholic mixed drinks!! Although I certainly wished I could have indulged in their great cocktail and diverse beer listing!
Yo mama....rocks!!
They are making some dixie magic here in this kitchen. Incredible southern cooking with a touch of refinement. I could go into detail about the menu but it would start looking like a love letter. Just go and eat. You won't regret it. The menu is well crafted from start to finish and the wine list is varied as well.
Oh and order extra grits because you'll want more more more. Good Gawd.
There was a bit of a wait getting seated on a Friday night, but I really wanted to try this place. Fortunately, it was well worth the wait. Ordered off of the entire menu. Wait staff was fantastic. Food was perfect! There is definitely a reason for the crowd. Oh, free HM buttons at the front too!
One of my favorite places- the cocktails and the food are both great. The small starters are fantastic- the beef tongue canape, the boiled peanuts, the devilled eggs (which were on the menu the first but not the second time I was there) , and the pimento spread. Again, the cocktails and the beers are fantastic. I put myself in the bartender's hands for the "bartender's choice" and I was not disappointed. The fried food, the vegetables, the meats, everything is great. The service is wonderful and the prices are good. I can't say enough good things about this place.
You really are going to have to make advance reservations in order to get a table, I've been unsuccessful just trying to drop in.
Hungry Mother was highly recommended to us and when some friends came into town this weekend we decided to check it out. I am SO glad we did.
Our server, Naomi, was awesome. Super knowledgeable not only with the dinner menu but the drink menu as well!
Drinks were great and a fantastic beer menu. Most importantly, the food was fantastic. I had the steak special and it melted in my mouth like butter. My wife's catfish was also a hit. A side of grits completed the meal for me! Our friends had the gnocchi and the pork and both were satisfied!
From start to finish (bread pudding!) we had a great experience and are excited to come back again! Such a great addition to Kendall Square, which is severely lacking in good dinning.
My only complaint was the bar area was crowded and hot so we had to wait outside for our table to be ready (we were early). Luckily it was a wonderful night.
I've heard a number of excellent things about this place but have felt too poor recently to try it out. And then my friend told me about their late night menu. Hellllllo Hungry Mother! The late night menu kicks off around 10pm and we arrived to a very short wait at 10:45. The service was slow but we were just catching up and didn't really mind (plus they were pretty good about refilling the water). Friends ordered 'Bartenders Choice' which, if you've been to Drink, just seems dumb. Heh. I tried the #44 off their very decent non-alcoholic drink list. Pretty nice! But, this is really about the food. Oooooh the food. We had the fried okra pickles, fried grits, catfish po boy, and pulled pork sandwich. Everything was delicious. The pulled pork sandwich was divine. The bread was perfectly toasted despite the pulled pork and coleslaw within - my mouth is watering just thinking about it. For dessert we went with the chocolate cake, the apple bread pudding, and the pecan pie with bourbon ice cream. We all joked around about how the menu suggested you order a $3 glass of milk with the chocolate cake - the thing is, that cake would have tasted superb with milk. Shoot. The prices were quite reasonable - around $25/person minus tip. Also, the decor, especially in the tidy bathrooms, was charming without being twee. Had a great time and will go back!
i'm from east tennessee and i know good southern food:
it should dazzle you with rich, bold, and often salty or buttery notes, and you should feel like and possibly also physically resemble the michelin man by the time you're done eating. yes. i am a house boat.
the moment i sat down and looked at the menu i had to let most of that go though, because although hungry mother has a heavy southern influence, that's not their solitary objective. it's an influence, not a claim of veritable authenticity.
i have this overwhelming urge to ramble right now... but i'm just not going to. i'm going to wrap it all up for you- read, this should be helpful.
1. my husband's chicken dish was savory perfection. they know how to fry a chicken. YES.
2. my catfish was heartwarming and very nice, but not particularly memorable..
they were both priced appropriately (18 for catfish, 20 or so for chicken).
3. the fried green tomatoes disappointed me, the breading was sticky, they needed salt, and the sun dried tomato sauce carried a short note that disappeared too abruptly on the palate .. just not a success. something was overly-refined. also, they were 9 dollars, which seems excessive for 2 slices of tomatoes and 1/3 of a strip of bacon..
4. the beef tongue was flavored with a bbq sauce that overpowered both the cornbread it came with and the beef-tongue itself. this worked to the disadvantage of its dainty presentation. certainly not objectionable, just not a successful creation overall, in my very observant opinion.
5. the cornbread was the only decent cornbread i've ever had in the northeast. period. it was moist and correctly salted and sweetened. it was a bit too crumbly, but otherwise pretty spot-on. this is encouraging!
6. we had a side of corn that was brilliant. on the cob with butter and basil.
7. grits- lovely! again- not traditional, but very very nice.
so why the 3 stars? i guess i just expected more from a roughly 50 dollar per person meal, southern or otherwise. im' not telling you not to go. i don't regret going. it was a lovely meal. i'm just trying to be a truthful tracy.
i will go further and tell you this: don't compare tupelo and hungry mother. they're 2 different animals- whatever your opinion may be. it's like apples and oranges, just so's you knows
yes, yes, YES Hungry Mother!!!!! You have just become my new Cambridge go-to for a stylie dinner that's not too pricey and not too glitzy!!! Perfect for the obligatory meal with the rents, that special date-night, late night cocktails and snackity-snacks (they serve til 1 AM!!), and general feel-good eating!!!!
For those of you who balk at 'heavy Southern food', don't be dissuaded!!! Though some of the dishes probably have a few more calories than we care to count, our dishes were assuredly just-weighty-enough. The boy ordered the squid to start, which looks scary with all those legs but which was delicious and light, with AMAZING hominy!! My salad was divine, with goat cheese, beans, delicious and sugary nuts...yum yum!! For din, he ordered the chicken and I the gnocci....we sat and ate without speaking until our plates were clean. Such beautiful presentation, and SO delicious.
And as for the service...the place was bumpin on the Thursday night we entered, but all of the servers and all other staff were smiley and calm, calm, calm. Despite how buzzin it was in there- especially at the door, we didn't have to wait for a table, and our server- Naomi- was super super nice and efficient. Because my boyfriend is in the restaurant biz, the kind manager warmed right up to us, chatting about different places around town and never seeming rushed despite the fact that customers were still trickling in. He ended up sending us a yummy yum dessert to seal the deal- the buttermilk cake, which was fluffy and tart. We felt so special from start to finish; even by the end of the meal, when we were the only patrons left in the dining room, we were offered more coffee and encouraged to sit for as long as we wanted.
As for drinks, the Motha whips up stiff cocktails to die for, and I haven't tasted a creamier Chardonnay since my wine class last year -- and I only ordered the house variety!!! I cannot wait to come back...just make sure you're sure of the address, since our cabbie had no clue where 'Cardinal Medeiros' was located.
Grandma, can you hear me?
First time that all the hype is correct! I didn't have any expectations for this place, really, given that there are so many different definitions of what constitutes "Southern." And, if you aren't a Southerner, then that adds a whole 'nother level of nuance (and point of contention, I'd think).
Cue that ole great gittin' up mornin' music, 'cause Hungry Mother IS Southern.
H.M. is the place that reminds you how much you love your siddity cousin. You know, she always shows up mid-way through the family gathering, jawin' about all the places she's been, and you roll your eyes (behind her back, of course), smile slightly, and try to ignore her. THEN, she bring out those GREENS, and you don't really want to like her, but you taste them, and...yeah, you flash back to when ya'll used to play double dutch and she used to braid your hair in the backyard. The collards: cleaned well (so there were no stalk remnants), nice flavor, not cooked down to nothing.
The catfish is like when your aunt/uncle/grandma/neighbor from across the street sauntered over talkin' about what you want for dinner/let's just see what you got up in the cabinet, and mixes together some mix of seasoning for the catfish that is sumptuous and perfect and makes you kick yourself for wondering why you couldn't make this yourself. But, then again, why would you WANT to? Flaky, and cooked perfectly, and the rice with those bits of andouille sausage? YES.
And, of course, you have to sample whatever someone else is having, so I had a couple of bites of the shrimp and grits (and I would have had more if the GF hadn'ta pulled her plate back and threatened to stab me with her fork if I did not BACK OFF)--the flavors, the preparation, the presentation was perfect.
Best, for me, were those little ham biscuits to tide you over 'til the entrees arrived--felt like all I needed was my hat, a mint julep and a $2 win ticket to take me back to my Bluegrass upbringing.
Service was fantastic. I'd recommend going early. It wasn't crowded and the staff was attentive and friendly.
I think H.M. works because it is, for me, Southern familiarity with a twist that is not too far-fetched. It makes me remember why I love particular dishes in the first place, and it makes me certain I will return time and again.
Coming from San Francisco, I think you get spoiled being able to eat at really good places where the dinner food prices aren't ridiculous. The majority of their menu is under $20. I'm still wondering why customers would categorize them as Southern. This is New America with Southern and East Coast influences.
This is the type of restaurant I adore. It's all about upscale casual; good quality ingredients, great service in a casual setting (If anyone goes to San Francisco, this is a Delfina equivalent with a Salt House flair). I wore my New Balance sneakers to dinner amongst the Harvard clan. Beef tounge canape. If you're Italian it'd be Beef tounge crostini. Awesome starter. I'm so in love with their starter menu. They are true appetizers where they are a bite or two. Or in my case, two and a half.
I chose their strip steak special from Oregon (this is so not like a locavore) with bright watercress, and a side of collard greens. Southern style would have boiled it to death, but my collard greens were juicy and bright green. The watercress' bitterness cut right through the fatty steak.
Of course, sitting at the bar made the best of the evening which allowed me to eavesdrop on everyone's conversation.
When I'm back in Cambridge, I will go back. My advice would be is if anyone is staying at the Kendall and is right about to walk by Legal Seafoods please keep on walking and make your way to Hungry Mother.
I should preface this review by letting you know that I am from WAY below the Mason-Dixon line and I really love biscuits & gravy, collard greens, grits, and buttermilk pie.
I had the shrimp and grits to start, which were on the whole well done, but a little salty for me. For dinner I had the farm roasted chicken, which was solid. The food didn't blow me out of the water, but for being so far from home it did the job. For dessert, the BFF & I split Chess Pie, which is one of my favorites and was FANTASTIC here.
The service was attentive, but not overbearing and I always love drinking out of Mason Jars, so there's an extra star right there.
Everything you can say about the food has already been said. It's awesome. And I kind of don't want to say this, but Hungry Mother is also an amazing place to go for late night drinks. The reason I don't want to say it is because it is pretty low-key and quiet there and the drinks are phenomenal and I live right by Hungry Mother and I'm afraid if word gets out it will get too busy and I won't be able to go there anymore. So. Actually. It sucks! The service is the worst in Boston! The drinks are definitely NOT inventive and delicious and complex and creative! The atmosphere is very unpleasant!
Ha. I am tricky.
Also, thanks to Hungry Mother I now know the wonderfulness of St. Germaine. Google it. It is beyond delicious.
Another in my top 5, I had been dying to go here since it opened - staring at the online menu with my mouth watering. I finally got it together and took my boyfriend as a graduation present this summer. And what can I say? We had a wonderful meal. The service was not memorable - like, at all - but it was kindof nice that way. Certainly the opposite of breaking the intimacy.
We started out with some of their inventive, kick-ass, themed cocktails (one with molasses I think) and then ordered a bottle of red. They definitely have some reasonably priced wines on their list (and God knows I love a twist-off).
I love the Southern, down-home feel of the place. The decor is spare and the space is tiny, but I warmed to the wood tables, picture frames, and curio cabinets everywhere. It's classy country food and a great price for what you're getting.
For our first course, we had the spicy pimento cheese and country ham and tiny, crispy biscuits. Our server brought us more bread without a second glance when we ran out of the little toasts they serve with this amazing cheese. The ham dish is the most adorable thing ever. Order both!
My BF is not really an adventurous eater like I am, so he played it safe with Mixed Greens (a little boring but well constructed) and the Roasted Chicken (which we both loved - just salty enough). I had the Grilled Squid (out of this world with the perfect balance of flavors, temperatures, and textures) and the Cornmeal Catfish (not the best dish I've ever had but it was an absolutely huge piece of catfish and all very fresh). We finished up with a chocolate tart (again, well executed but a little boring) and some kind of fig pastry with vanilla ice cream - it was nice and hot and tasted like an amped-up fig newton (imagine about 77x better than that).
I'd go back right now just for a cocktail and pimento cheese.
Went to Hungry Mother last night after hearing great things about it from people at work. I must admit it was totally outstanding. The restaurant is quite cozy (seating only like 80 people) with a bar that could fit another half-dozen. We were very lucky that we could even get a table without a reservation.
For a first course I got the Boiled Virginia Peanut Soup. It was quite good and I was impressed at how well the fresh lime juice really brought the dish alive. It has a little kick of heat too, which was perfect.
As a main course I had Cornmeal Catfish. It was exceptionally well done and the side dish of beans, sausage and rice. The Chow-chow on top of the catfish was very impressive, especially since I do not really like pickled things. It worked for the dish since it added the salty/sour flavor that is usually associated with tartar sauce.
For dessert we had a lemon chess pie, which was delicious. The caramel and the light sorbet created a refreshing feeling.
I would love to go again.
Had heard about this restaurant and happened to receive a gift card (more on that later) in lieu of payment for some services, so my wife & I decided to try it.
Went there on a Sunday night; called on a whim the Thursday before, and asked for a 7PM seating for two, not available, but 6PM or 8:30 were. Took the 6PM. They have a deal w/ the Kendall Sq Cinema for a discount on parking.
Got there a little early, and the restaurant was about 1/2 full, and were seated promptly. Very friendly waitress, I steered my wife towards the 'bartender's choice'. The waitress asked for her preferences, in general, which was helpful. I had a Smuttynose on draft. Both were very good.
We went w/ the spicy pimiento cheese as a starter, tho' the special was a quail, which sounded great.
My wife then ordered the mixed equinox greens (Berkshires) and it was very good (I picked at it).
They brought out a delicious bread. They only offered one slice, I imagine we could have had more if we asked. I was just as happy to not fill up on bread however.
My wife had the Berkshire pork loin and I had the gnocchi (I try to have something I don't get at home when I go out). The starter and salad came out quickly; the main course was about a 10 min wait. We also had the special vegetable, cauliflower which was delicious and the Baked Grits with Tasso Ham & Cheddar. I thought that there was too much cheese, I really couldn't taste the grits/corn.
We ordered the Anderson's Conn Valley Reserve Cabernet (St. Helena) and it was very good.
We usually don't eat dessert but decided to splurge and tried the old fashioned green tomato cake; the waitress recommended that or the
Pot de Creme. I thought the cake was 'ok', not spectacular.
The only thing I missed was the cornbread, I really wanted that but couldn't afford the calories this trip.
So at the end we paid w/ the gift card and credit card. When the waitress returned, she said "you do know the gift card was for $xxxx, right"? It was tactful, as I'm sure she's been burned by people tipping on the differential, not the entire amount of the bill, but I know better. I found that a little unprofessional.
By the time we left, ~7:30, the restaurant was full. On a Sunday night! I'll still recommend this to my in-laws from Atlanta when they come, very nice.
We visited Cambridge recently and this was a must visit restaurant. Yes it's a little pricey but not too pricey for the quality of the food and the attentive and friendly service.
The squid appetizer was perfect as was the veal main course. We're glad we came back!
Our baby accompanied us and they were accommodating and friendly about it.
Wow - I'm so glad we went here. Very unique place and reasonable prices. We opted to have one each… Read more »
Neighborhood: Kendall Square/MIT
Category: French
Neighborhood: Kendall Square/MIT
Category: Afghan
Cambridge, MA
Category: Southern
Cambridge, MA
Category: French
Neighborhood: Kendall Square/MIT
Category: American (Traditional)
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