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Category: American (New)
Neighborhood: Harvard SquareHarvard (Red)
"All I have to say is WOW... my food here was beyond amazing. The environment was pleasant well light with no overly loud sounds. My type…" read more »
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I can't believe that it took me so long to get my ass through those doors. I've been here almost five years and I'm ashamed of it. But I did make up for it last Sunday by going there for brunch with a close friend of mine. We made a reservation using OpenTable and settled for an 11:00AM meal that will stay engraved in my memory for quite some time.
After entering the establishment through the stylish and not-very-discreet purple doors, I was greeted by the coat-checker. Nice fellow. I then proceeded to walk up to the first floor where the main restaurant and bar are located. The second I walked up and made the right into the room an explosion took place inside my cerebellum. The decor is very different than anything I've ever seen. A mix of Picasso on an acid trip? Or maybe Warhol meets LSD? Or maybe Barney the dinosaur was their exterior decorator? Not sure but it's definitely different. Not in an eyesore kind of way, just different. Very stylish if you ask me and definitely something to remember the place by; a standout factor.
One of the owners told me that I was the first one to arrive and I decided to sit at the bar while I wait for my friend to arrive. This happens often as I'm just about always early to everything. She also started a conversation. She was really friendly and interesting and even made a recommendation on the brunch menu. I glanced over at the bar and they had some very interesting bottles, stuff that you wouldn't see in every bar. Definitely have to go back for some drinks sometime.
Fast forward a few minutes and I ordered an orange juice, an appetizer of melon and prosciutto along with a main dish which was non else than the recommended French toast which came serviced with a caramel-type of sauce and bananas. Almost like a bananas fosters meets French toast. The food came out quickly and the service was excellent. Fast, efficient and non-intrusive. The prices are a little high compared to other brunches I've been to but the quality of both the food and service makeup for it and keep in mind that their premium Harvard-square based location comes at a great cost to them as well.
My only complaint about the meal would be in regards to the orange juice. I LOVE orange juice but they brought me a half-filled wine glass with the OJ in it? Why not fill it up more? And what about refills? It was good and all but the juice-to-glass ratio is off a bit. That saddened me a bit (well only until I got distracted by my next delicious bite of the appetizer)
I would not recommend driving there as they are only a short walk away from the Harvard square subway stop. Commute there and you'll save yourself a parking-spot seeking-induced migraine.
Only regrets: not trying their chocolate turtles which I've heard great things about and not having gone there sooner. But at least I went, and will come again.
I'm going to break 3 of my BIg Rules for Yelp Reviews: Don't complain about portion size, don't judge the establishment for a choice you've made, and don't rate them based on a special occasion. But, hey, rules are made to be broken, and this needs to be said.
This was our second year celebrating Thanksgiving at Upstairs on the Square. The first year was an unqualified success with feast-sized servings of refined holiday classics. Year the Second was less so. We decided to share a few pre fixe to cut down on waste; this was allowed without any suggestions that it may be less than appropriate. Dishes were delivered slowly in very slight portions. It was less a serving of mashed potatoes and more of a suggestion that potatoes had once been there. Worst of all, the dishes were cold, even though we were the first party seated. The tastes were there (especially in the tartare appetizer and poached salmon entree), but their size made sharing nearly impossible and the temperature made them nearly inedible.
Kudos to our waiter who seemed to be aware and tried late in the game to subtly make amends. However, it was too little, too late, and the problems were never directly addressed. Desserts were hearty (disproportionately so) but we still left hungry, an odd experience on that day of the greatest of feasts.
Good news is, we hit India Quality for a hearty meal that night. Great success!
Came here with Serena and it was really fun. Enjoyed people watching and chatting over stiff drinks and buttered up food. The decor was cute (as she describes it Alice in Wonderland on drugs - weren't they anyways?) and the ambiance was really fun.
Just great company and great food.
It's hard to miss this pleasantly purple restaurant. It's as inviting as Barney the dinosaur, but with much more style.
Yesterday, I grabbed lunch here with the ladies of Yelp. Little did I know, I was walking to a diva-tastic masterpiece of design. Zebra stripes - check! Leopard spots-check! Pink, purple and green with gold trimmed everything - check! This place reminded me of everything my best friend would dream her home was!
The hosts were friendly and seated us immediately on this somewhat slow afternoon at Upstairs on the Square. I debated between ordering the salmon and the grilled cheese with creamy tomato soup that Miriam M recommended. I went ahead and ordered the Flash-in-the-Pan Salmon w/Cracked Wheat, Lemon & Eva's mint. The salmon was cooked perfectly, and the cracked wheat was laced with flavorful diced vegetables, although a little heavy on the raw onions. I managed to sneak in a few bites of the grilled cheese as well and it was delicious dipped in the creamy tomato soup.
We also sampled the Chocolate Pecan Turtles for dessert and man, those bad boys were devilish. Rich, sweet, nutty and dangerous. Just a few nibbles and I had to tap out!
Great food, great atmosphere, great company - check!
Upon arrival at Logan International Airport I scrutinized Leighann F's impeccably detailed travel directions and easily found my way over to Upstairs On The Square for some lunch. I plopped my 'twice-delayed Porter flight' ass down on the seat and proceeded to drool at the lunch menu items.
The Creamy Tomato Soup with English Cheddar Grilled Cheese ($10) called my name - two of my most favourite foods together in a combo? I just had to have it! The soup was studded with fresh chives and devoured in an instant - it was SO buttery, not unlike the sauce that butter chicken is cooked in. The grilled cheese sandwich was a human, (read: manageable) size and quite dainty with the crusts cut off.
For dessert we were offered a few of Upstairs On The Square's signature homemade Milk Chocolate Pecan Turtles - these little chocolate bombs are so rich and sweet you can't possibly dream of eating more than one (and shouldn't - although let's face it, you'll want to).
Service was professional, unobtrusive and wonderful. What a terrific welcome to my stay in Boston!
My friend described this place best: like Betsey Johnson threw up in here.
Upstairs on the Square, at some point, must have been a cute grown-up place for dainty ladies who enjoyed tea. But now there are newspaper stacks lining the bar with an obnoxiously huge big-screen TV that can only have one purpose and one purpose only: to showcase Sox games. And I know this because the Victorian-style mirrors above the gorgeous bar had the letters GO SOX written on it. Ugh, what?
So why the 4 stars?
Because I can't get my mind off my friend's brunch order from 4 months ago:
Brioche French Toast
Caramel Bananas & Candied Pecans
Ricotta Mascarpone Cream
It was the most delicious French Toast I've ever had.
I will be returning to this restaurant, hopefully blindfolded.
The title of my blog post for this review was "Must Visit Restaurant". It is unbelievable:
Upstairs on the Square is a very cool place pretty much smack in the center of it all in Harvard Square. It is beautifully, eclectically decorated with rich fabrics and colors. I came here for their Inauguration night party, but only had a couple of fabulous cocktails, so I was looking forward to eating here.
Upstairs on the Square has two dining options, the Soiree Room and the Monday Club. We chose the Soiree Room, a bit pricier, but still affordable due to it being Restaurant Week.
Throughout, the restaurant is like an Alice in Wonderland scene. Bright colors, eclectic wall sconces, interesting banquettes and chairs fill the space, and in the Soiree Room, a long table is full of open bottles of wine, ready to be poured :)
We ordered wine; I got a glass of Mar de castilla tempranillo which I savored throughout the meal. Our server brought us each an amuse bouche, a spoon filled with honeyed ricotta with mint oil and fresh radishes. What a combination of flavors and textures! Creamy, sweet, salty, tangy, and crunchy. After eating this bit of heaven we knew we were in for a treat!
For my first course, I ordered the heirloom tomato salad with raspberry vinegar, raspberries, Thai basil, and Vermont goat cheese. Each bite was summery perfection. The sweetness of the raspberries and vinegar plus the fresh flavorful tomatoes and the creamy goat cheese were complimented by a bit of sea salt. I ate every bite.
Totally farm fresh and delicious My second course was corn three ways. I figured I could not go wrong with one of my favorite seasonal ingredients. The plate was beautifully presented with a ramekin of native corn chowder, crispy polenta with Greek salad, and sweet corn flan with candied bacon.
Corn three waysThe flan was absolutely my favorite part of this dish. The taste of sweet summer corn just came through in such a creamy and light way. I don't normally eat pork, but I had a tiny taste of the candied bacon, and it was spectacular. Then I passed it off to the hubs :) The polenta was hot and crispy and perfectly complimented by the cool, crunchy salad on top. The chowder was rich and yummy, but maybe a little too rich for me in the summer. In January I would be all over it!
I was stuffed but managed to save room for churros con chocolate.
I can't even describe how good these were.Hot, crispy, soft, sugary, dipped in spiced chocolate. I licked my fingers to get all of the cinnamon sugar off. It was that good. Our fabulous and charming server, whose name I did not catch, told us that in his native Brazil, they make hollow churros with caramel in the center. Nom.
Overall, our dining experience at Upstairs on the Square was elegant, unique, delicious, and comfortable. They have an extensive list of events throughout the year, and now that I am on their email list, you will definitely be hearing more about them from me. If you are spending time in the Boston area and want a remarkable dinner, go here!
To see photos please visit http://traveleatlove.w...
Still love this place but had kind of an off experience the last time we came here. In short - horrible allergic reaction to my food (though the manager insisted they'd been careful - he knocked off the price of our desserts but still charged us for the main courses - that we couldn't even eat - a kind gesture, but really not enough - especially on Valentine's day).
After so many wonderful nights and memories here it was definitely a surreal and unpleasant experience. In my heart I still love Upstairs and a lot of the meals I've had here, but I can't say that it's likely we'll be returning anytime soon.
Was here for tea this past weekend with some lovely friends and a gorgeous lady who was visiting… Read more »
I have never been to the fancy third floor of this quirky little place, but I have been to the club bar section (2nd floor) about 3 times and I feel like it keeps getting better. I love the bright colors, the multi-patterned look, and the tall enormous ceilings. Also, this place is enormously popular for people looking to do baby showers/bridal showers/any type of lunch-time gathering involving presents.
As for me, I took my parents here for brunch (but accidentally came on Saturday - when they don't serve brunch, but that was okay because 3 out of the 4 of us ordered their seriously awesome sirloin burger and my mom got an incredibly good flatbread pizza!)
Russ and I also came here recently for Sunday Brunch after my birthday and I got a seriously awesome warm, buttered lobster roll that blew my mind completely. It's not a staple item on the menu, but I'm writing this with the hopes that they'll bring it back. Huge chunks of lobster in a crisp buttered roll with fresh greens - um, nom?
Also, as a side note, the waiters here are exceptionally nice. I believe I'll be coming back here again and again because it's consistently a reliable place to go for lunch where there is no line and terrific food.
**On the lower-to-mid end of 3.5 stars**
Everything about this place is Harvard Prep meets Mad Hatter (or more of a Mad Hatter facade to Harvard Prep). The colorful decor of the main dining room vs. the airy shine of the sun room. The quirky yet classy events they advertise in pamphlets strategically placed on each dining table. The quirky bar. Solid brunch options (everyone who had it raved about their French toast), though a champagne-size glass of mimosas are a whopping $10 per glass.
The sun room window view lends itself nicely to people watching on the streets. Another plus for this place: Sunday brunch serenade by an a capella group popular with the Ivies.
Gorgeous.
Upstairs on the square is an experience for the eyes and nose (taste is controlled by your ability to smell).
After my third visit to Upstairs, I still find this place exciting, and now even more rewarding since meeting Matthew, the Director of Ops. He has an incredible ability to remember a face and insures fantastic service.
While the food tends toward the expensive side, Upstairs offers local grown vegetables and meats and local seafoods in ways you wouldn't think to enjoy in your own home. It is a lovely locale to treat a friend, your mother; anyone special; though I maintain that some men can't take the decor too many times in a year...
This restaurant's fabulous decor, eclectic seasonal menu, and hidden-utopia feel reminds me of being… Read more »
I was MOST impressed by the decor in this establishment. An Alice in Wonderlandy anthropomorphic zebra is their mascot, and they are bold with the animal print.
I had the caesar salad with the "Toad in the Hole" -- FYI, it is a hole cut in bread, then they crack an egg in the hole and bake the whole thing. :)
I also had a hot date for only $2! Cheap... and delicious.
This pains me because I love the drinks and ambience here, and definitely see myself coming back, but I had to write this review.
I ordered one of the most hideous entrees I have ever had here, and that is counting all of the crappy el cheapo places I like to frequent, not just restaurants of Upstairs' caliber (and price point). This 'ish was HORRIFIC. Like, I can just see Tom Colicchio shaking his head and asking the chef "did you TASTE this dish? There is NO WAY you could have tasted this and served it like this!!"
The offending dish was grilled swordfish served with a "bread salsa". I had no idea wtf bread salsa was, but I rolled with it, putting my trust in Upstairs to serve me something tasty. Well, bread salsa was these weird tiny little bread crumbs soaked in lemon juice and oil, it was soooo tart and lemony and acidy, and the weird crunch was bizzarre. There are just no words to describe this. I was hungry so I ate the swordfish, trying to avoid any of it that was in the yucky lemon oil. It was maybe 4oz of swordfish that wasn't amazingly fresh or bad, it was just okay swordfish.
I will say that my dining companion's food looked much better, and that I just checked the menu and the offending dish isn't on it anymore. But I am still offended.
This place was just too much of a surprise for me. I thought I was going somewhere classy but the place looks like someone tried to smear a zebra on the wall and then my grandmother did the rest of the decor. Wacky.
The food was delicious, like, really good, but I'm giving this place only three stars because I thought the menu did a terrible job of describing what was going to end up on my plate. If I order a fresh fruit tart, why do they give me what looks like a clafouti with cooked fruit? If I had had to match up the descriptions to the plates we got, I would have failed.
Also, it's expensive and the portions are small - I was still hungry when I left. And no brunch on Saturday. So, three stars.
oooh, love this place, especially for a hot date drinking old-school cocktails at the bar. unbeatable ambiance, i.e. over-the-top decor in the best way possible. only downside is that it gets crowded, but if you don't mind the wait it's totally worth it.
We were blessed with gorgeous Boston weather for our al fresco lunch at Upstairs On the Square. Everything on the menu seemed to call out to me but I absolutely could not get enough of the simple bibb lettuce with radishes, grapefruit and green goddess dressing. I ate every single bite of that refreshing pile o' greens (I rarely finish full portions of anything!)
Regrettably, after my grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup there was no room for dessert. This was especially sad given how tantalizing the seasonal selection of sorbet appeared.
Sometimes, a chef tries so hard to combine different components that it overwhelms the taste buds and ends up tasting a little like fancy mush. That's my impression of the food at the Monday Club Bar at Upstairs on the Square. Nothing is offensive, but neither is it particularly distinctive.
The service is very good, and the wine list is extensive and chock full of goodies, but each food item leaves me wanting a singular flavor that I can hold onto, rather than a hodgepodge of diversity that never quite melds together.
The parking is validated, but only for $2 off the $15 price of area garages.
I went to Upstairs on the Square with my boyfriend and his family when they were in town visiting. He had selected the restaurant hoping it to be nice but not outrageously priced, and conveniently near their hotel. The whole experience was just 'eh' and left us shrugging as we left.
The decor is trying to be over-the-top, girly/glamorous, in a kind of tonque in cheek way with a wink in a smile. It falls just a bit short of achieving this and the result is a little to gaudy, overwhelming, and contrived, (though it did look better as the restaurant became darker).
The staff seemed a bit too pretentious for my tastes.
We ordered cocktails, but after my bf ordered one of their specials, the waiter returned to tell us that the bartender didn't know how to make it and he had to order something else. What? We were there on a Friday evening-- maybe their bartender called in sick at the last minute or something, but they should have someone on backup that can follow a recipe to mix a drink. Also, they put a lime wedge in my Hendrick's G&T. No. It should be a cucumber slice. That's just standard.
The food was not at all memorable. Nothing was bad, it was just not especially good. We got some kind of pizza for an appetizer that tasted bought in (it might not have been, but the quality was as such). I had swordfish that I suspected was frozen do to a somewhat off texture. The portions are on the small size, especially the sides.
Dessert was slightly more interesting, but nothing you couldn't find better versions of elsewhere.
To summarize: skip it. There are so many better options than this location and looks-centric letdown.
Sunday afternoon brunch with the ladies at Up Stairs on the Square.
Quick T ride to Cambridge, few steps down town, enter girl heaven. Pink walls, zebra carpet, crystal shadaliers, FREE mini muffins...need I say more?
We ordered a pitcher of White Sangria and eggs benedict all around.
Sangria was one of the best Ive had.
Eggs were poached just right...no white runny crap. The way a poached egg should be. Holindase smooth, not salty. Homefries lightly seasoned. FREE mini muffins...to die for.
Mid-pitcher, in walks Tommy Lee Jones...sits at the table right next to me. So close I can reach out and touch him.
Im not into the celebrity craze...moving on...
Girly decor...check
Yummy Sangria...check
FREE mini muffins...check
Overall 4 stars. Prices are a bit steep but we are in cambridge...and it was worth every penny.
Some of you may think that Restaurant Week is the only time you can get a good deal for your dollars at this blueblood bastion. Well, I say pish posh to that. Menus are inventive (extreme difficulty deciding from the small-ish but exquisite offerings each time I have been here), atmosphere is charming, and can't beat the location in the heart of Harvard Square ("upstairs" from another love of mine from school days - Grendels).
Decided to meet a good friend here for dinner one evening a few months ago at the Monday Club level and though the entire atmosphere had a "special occasion" vibe for us, we found the menu items to be well worth the sticker price - elegant, cretive and prepared with quality ingredients (often sourced from local purveyors).
Went again just before Restaurant week and were again wowed with not only the informative and impeccable service but were wowed by the menu items - from duck, foie gras, pork, sumptuous salads (yes, I said sumptuous!) and great seafood offerings as well.
There is a decidedly french flair to the menu and preparation of each offering - the presentation is artful as well. I do wish there had been a few more seafood options as I feel their treatment of such items would be amazing. Then again I am certainly not compaining about a good chicken, duck, veal shank, steak, or other land-based meal that myself and my dining companions have enjoyed here.
We signed up for their emailing list afer dinner and it seems there are always inventive tasting menus being offered and special dinners scheduled - whether they be designed around wines, seasons, or a current event - the 2008 election dinner was a fun one!
I just felt it must be said if th price tag was keeping you at all from enjoying an evening or afternoon out at this relative institution in Cambridge dining - don't delay - it is one of the upscale meccas with quality (and relative quality) that matches the price. I highly doubt you will have "diner's remorse" the next morning...
Not like any place you've ever seen - unless you make frequent stops in psychedelic toy stores or something... which, if so, I am wondering what you're doing online right now reading reviews of Harvard Square restaurants. You should totally be enjoying the toys.
But for the rest of you, don't get too distracted by the pink walls, the mismatched furniture, and everything else you lay your pretty little eyes on. The food at Upstairs is top-notch and is hard to beat anywhere. Plus, you have some great people running the place and they truly love what they do, and want to give you the best dining experience - time and time again.
For review #200, I present to you, the fanciest meal I've ever paid for. This should not be taken negatively, as I realize that truly unique, visionary, divine meals come at a price. It is a price I was willing to pay, that I saved up to pay, and I am so glad that I did.
Ever since I was here for the OYE a couple of months ago and learned how talented the chef was, I had been waiting for the right special meal to come to Upstairs. Enter parents weekend, and the fact that it was smack dab in the middle of Mother's Day, Father's Day, and both mom and dad's birthdays. That all added up to a meal at Upstairs, so I made the reservation. The four of us (the bf too) came in around 7:00pm and were led upstairs to the Soiree room. Now, I had reserved up here because I was there before and thought it charming, but to be honest it was really, really quiet up there. No music and it wasn't as full as downstairs. Coupled with the already slight awkwardness that always accompanies meals where your bf is with your parents, and I was half-ready to ask to move downstairs. But we stayed.
We started off with a round of drinks. I had the champagne-based drink wiht grapefruit juice, while the dad and bf both had the Jupiter Storm. I preferred the storm, as it has ginger beer! After this, we quickly decided we would all get the 5-course vegetarian tasting menu. My mom, however, does not have anything that has alcohol in it, even used during cooking, due to religious reasons. We discussed this with the waiter, who came back with a message from the kitchen that they would create special things for her during the times we had courses with alcohol. I was touched by this gesture, because frankly I remember how tough it was to get the kitchen to do anything special. They really care here, and it showed.
I won't go through the nuances of every dish, but I will note that every single bite was heaven. Honestly. My favorite was the ravioli, followed by the gnocchi with the wine broth. The flavors were rich, fresh, and appropriately intense. Many of the herbs used here are grown in the chef's own garden!! Dad, bf, and I all got the wine pairings as well, and what a treat to have a perfectly paired wine with every course. It was a good pour, not too teeny, not too much that you're wasted after the meal.
It was, all in all, a the perfect treat for myself and my parents. Rarely does one get to enjoy food on this scale in such a unique format (unless you do at home, in which case can I come over?). I've always though a vegetarian chef has to be so much more creative to bring out flavors, but one that can do vegetarian, vegan!, and carnivorous food so well...Steven Brand is one to watch and enjoy.
I loved the engaging decor here. Everywhere you look, there's something to see, which really adds to the experience along with the expert, helpful, and friendly staff, and, of course, the absolutely delectable food.
Gin, which is this month's featured liquor, plus St. Germaine (elderberry) and grapefruit juice. It is fresh and light and summery, and I recommend the Molly Ringwald to anyone who feels like a refreshing cocktail.
The oysters were plated on limoncello ice (fantastic!) and served without frills--only a lemon wedge. Perfect.
Have you ever had corn pudding? I'd never had corn pudding. It's like a really fluffy cornbread that melts in your mouth. Oh my, I must have this again.
Have you ever had corn ice cream? I'd never had corn ice cream. In fact, corn ice cream isn't a flavor which had ever occurred to me. But now that I've had it, it makes so much sense! Wonderful.
But the highlight of my meal was the butterscotch pudding served with two pecan shortbread cookies sandwiching jam. The richness of the pudding and the buttery cookies were simply transcendent. I don't normally have much of a sweet tooth--I'm the kind of person who can take a taste of dessert and not need anymore. But I gobbled this whole dish up.
Finally, if you've never had a turtle here (pralines, brown sugar, and milk chocolate), you're depriving yourself of one of the richest experiences foodiedom can offer.
Okay, so I'm slightly obsessed with the decor here. The walls are pink, the floors are leopard and zebra prints, and the feeling you get when you step inside is purely whimsical. I felt like Alice in Wonderland. I'd never expect a place with such eccentricity would be a fine dining establishment, but it was. With the exception of the oh so annoying teenagers celebrating a birthday or something at a nearby table, and our phantom waiter who would appear and then disappear indefinitely, the experience here was actually really good. My friend had the caesar salad with the toad in the hole (which I tasted, yummy) and the burger, while I enjoyed a comforting dish of pappardelle with duck ragu, garnished with a crispy piece of duck fat. HEAVEN! I'd love to try more of their menu, but from my first impression, the food is great and the ambiance is totally Victoria! Gotta love it!!
Sunday brunch with the girls. Quite the beautifully and uniquely decorated place; very feminine and wild!
We ordered the white sangria and it was so delicious and nicely served in a carafe with yummy peaches floating in it.
Lots of guys in there for how girly it was in there, I'm sure they are just there because their naggy girlfriends dragged them anyways.
All 4 of us girls ordered the eggs benedict and OH. MY.GOD.......mmmmm.....delicious. The waiter brought us an assortment of breads, mini scones and mini muffins and they were so delicious, I almost wanted to just eat all of them instead of my meal! Eggs benedict was perfect, good sauce, buttery english muffin, and yummy seasoned potatoes. Then, out of no where, in walks in this familiar face wearing black aviators with 5 people following behind.. yes it's Tommy Lee Jones.... hahahahaha, it was funny; he sat directly next to us girls and stared at us quite a few times!, (we had cute dresses with perfect cleavage, how could he not....)
Anyways, I will definately go back, just not often, it wasn't cheap but not too bad either, it was delicious and worth the money I paid.
After about eight or ten visits, this is my favorite restaurant in the city.
I'm not too much of a 'foody' - I'm oftentimes just as happy wolfing down greasy pizza from Hi-Fi as I am supping over the good stuff at Harvest or Rialto. But each time I visit Upstairs, I'm blown away by Chef Brand's sense of originality and taste. I've had meals themed entirely around tomato and strawberry, with each meal thrilling from starter to dessert. I don't like wine all that much, but I get the wine course here because it's always delicious and highly complementary to the meal.
In short, I love this place, and if you like haute cuisine that's not too stuffy, so will you. It's expensive, but it's worth it.
The decor was fun, but that was about it.
The dark lighting, fake-smiles waitress, just-ok food, and deathly slow pace made the experience long, and not in that savor-over-every-second way.
The drinks easily took 20 minutes, and there were lengthy pauses between each course. The food was just "meh" as well: The chilled yellow tomato soup was yummy and spicy, but the peach salad was surprisingly grassy and bitter - not terrible if that is your thing. The flatiron steak was a little tough and not exactly plentiful. It came with fried squash and a squash blossom, which were fine, but not really flavorful. The churros were warm and basic, but the creama catalana was a huge disappointment (whoever took a blowtorch to mine singed the sugar top to a burnt crisp, giving the whole desert an "off" flavor). Courses came without previous dishes having been cleared away, and of course the waitress seemed to be in her own world, asking asinine questions. Her best quality was keeping the water glasses full.
I know it is restaurant week, waitresses are busy, and the whole three course meal with tax and tip came to $55 each, but I expected one stand-out aspect and it all came out "meh."
Maybe try the soiree room, not during restaurant week, and come with your own fun - these people definitely don't set the mood for you, despite the abundance of pink and zebra print.
The best thing about this place is the decor/ambiance.
It's like Colonel Mustard Goes on Safari to Wonderland.
Lots of zebra print, gold, ornate fixtures, pinks, and purples. I don't get the giant "GO RED SOX" blight printed across the mirror above the bar, though. Restaurant owners are not legally mandated to pay respects to a sports team, contrary to the impressions a tourist might get. Nothing against the Red Sox, it just sticks out and looks dumb here.
The mixed drinks, I'm told, are fantastic (though expensive). I stick to beer, and while they don't have anything on tap, they do have a couple interesting bottled choices. Delerium Tremens seems to be my favorite.
I wish the food was better. I've eaten here three times now and it's just always really mediocre. Edible, but nothing special, and therefore isn't worth the price. The menu is generally pretty creative, and there are a couple nice bits, like the Hot Dates (dates wrapped in bacon), but I've never been impressed by an entree (neither has anyone I've been with).
Nonetheless, I will return. Probably not for dinner, but maybe for drinks and apps or to try out this "afternoon tea" thing they have on the weekend.
Oh, and the staff is pretty great. Always friendly and helpful. I also like that they offered to try to take reservations for a particular table (one just to the side of the fireplace. nice.)
It's a bitchin place, so I'm only taking one star off for the eh food.
Entering the restaurant the host was very nice however he led us to a table that was dirty. We had to wait in the middle of the restaurant until our table was ready. Our server was nice but seemed very nervous and did not know much about the menu. We started off with a pumpkin and bacon pizzette which was good, we also enjoyed some dates stuffed with almonds and wrapped with bacon drizzled with balsamic reduction. The server then took the order for our entrees but then 20 minutes later came back and announced that they were out of the pork which my friend had ordered. My friend then ordered the scallops which although they perfectly cooked, they were also smothered by capers and kale. We did not think that service could get any worse but at the end of the night this random server comes to the table and asks if we have any questions about the dessert menu in a very rude manner. It was only 10:50pm on a friday night and we were being rushed out of the restaurant as if it were 2 am.
As i mentioned before the food was great but they need work on being hospitable
Loved the brunch breads but, under the influence of my mini-mimosa, I must have ordered the wrong things. Lobster omelet and zebra cake were, somewhat inexplicably, downers. Outside dining was nice, inside looked adorable. I'm glad they use local foods and, for me, that justifies the prices.
Went for Lunch. Had the prix fixe. A really excellent meal especially for the value. All three courses were great, ending with a nice absinthe. The decor is really cool and the whole place has a very overall good vibe.
This is exactly the kind of place I love to eat. It's not just about food, service, or atmosphere, but the proprietors' love for food that comes through in every dish.
(Full disclosure, I won a $50 GC at an event for a blind taste test.)
Firstly, UotS hosted the event for 40+ beautifully. With a full bar, interesting twists on drinks, and the best event food I've ever had. The food, ranging from antipasto to the best darned deviled eggs I've ever had. If hell has eggs that good, count me in.
I used the gc for brunch today. We had a leek and bacon tart, fruit plate, and tagliatelle with maine crab. The tart was delicious, filled with thick cut bacon, topped with a fresh farm egg, and served with a side salad of actual vegetables (as opposed to lettuce). The tagliatelle was cooked perfectly al dente and served with a great, creamy sauce. The flavor was great, but I could have used a little more crab. The fruit plate was nice, but if I were paying $10 for it, I may have wanted a little more; however, it was of great quality and sprinkled with honey. OJ is of the fresh squeezed variety, the kind that tastes like sucking on an orange.
The atmosphere is nice. Inside, it's like a gingerbread house, but we had brunch outside today. There is no covering, which made the first warm day this year a bit on the hot side, but service was right on. Staff was attentive and knowledgeable.
All in all, this place is great! And if I were hosting an event, this would be one of the first places I'd consider. The owner, Mary-Catherine, is one of those loveable characters, the kind you'd call mom after meeting once. Her love for food is apparent and deserving of no less than 5-stars. A great place for events and brunch. Maybe not the first place I'd go if I were a poor Harvard student....oh wait....that's kind of an oxymoron. Will let you know about dinner soon.
Oh those turtles. Never has a piece of chocolate occupied so much of my conscience. But the brown sugar and pecans and caramel all coated by luscious milk chocolate. With that slightest bit of powdered sugar added to the three perfectly calorie teeming turtles. THERE IS A GOD. Or at least a PMS cure.
My friends and I too often found ourselves at the Upstairs bar, ordering overpriced (but well shaken) martinis and turtles. Loved the drinks and ambiance, but with the rather glaring exception of the turtles, Upstairs lacked consistently good food. There was the occasional hit-- the cheeseburger, the grilled cheese and warm tomato soup-- but a lot of duds (including the rather dull free bread-- shocker that a grad student would bitch about the complimentary food quality).
My advice to any student out there struggling to make sense of her world ... go with a friend or two, ideally on a cold night when their fire place is lit, grab a seat at the bar, order a drink (and politely request the subpar bread to initially line the stomach). And then, when you're emotionally prepared, order the turtles. EPIC. But only to be shared with people you trust. Otherwise you might punch your dining companion over who gets the larger half of the remaining turtle.
Holy Freaking Cow: Upstairs on the Square is scrumdiddlyumptious! Why did it take us so long to discover their magical food and equally magical ambiance? This place doesn't F around about flavor...and their tasting menus are seriously the http://bomb.com. Fiancé & I went there a few weeks ago to celebrate our engagement & anniversary. We had made the reservations prior to getting engaged, but once he popped the question I decided to call back and get a special request in to make the celebration dinner extra special. I spoke with their Sommelier, Matt, who was extremely helpful and delighted to share his insights on what would be the proper bottle to imbibe during our celebration. He told me about the bottle of Serveaux Fils Blanc de Noirs that was limited edition & perfect for a night celebration...and when we arrived for dinner it was chilling over ice next to our table. Fabulous.
Our table was equally fabulous- seated in the top dining room in a corner, we had a giant purple booth/seat which was perfect for snuggling while we dined...and some great people watching too.
After much debate over the menu, we ultimately each decided to go with tasting menus. I had the vegetarian and my fiancé went with the meatasaurus version. Talk about a culinary adventure! Each dish blew us away with the layers of flavors, unique presentation, and blowyoureffingmind tastes. The summer peaches with plums, cherries and thai chili vinaigrette was the perfect opener to the meal. The mushroom risotto was divine...hitting all the right flavor notes without being too rich. The Ravioli of Pierre Robert Cheese served with Green Apple Matchsticks and Lovage Butter was out of this effing world. Perfectly al dante and intensely delicious. I wasn't as wild about the gnocchi served in cardamom wine broth, but it was still an interesting dish and beautifully presented...and the haircots vert and artichokes more than made up for it. Yumtastic! By the time the cheeses were served, which were then followed by not one, but TWO desserts (8 courses since we were celebrating our engagement!) I was in a blissed out state of food euphoria. The brown butter raspberry dessert was only barely topped by the entirely VEGAN chocolate ganache dessert that combined the crunch of pistachios, a hint of spice, and the most wonderfully sweet, tasty, chocolate I could imagine...how it was possibly vegan still mystifies me.
I haven't even touched on the decor, but believe me...its absoutely fabulous. Dinner at Upstairs on the Square is a true delight. A decadent gift to yourself, a culinary adventure, and a marvel to your taste buds. We left the restaurant feeling fat happy, wonderfully satiated, and with a new respect for ingredients ( a whole vegetarian menu that was delicious! who knew?!). I simply cannot wait to go back and try more of their delicious, clever, inspired dishes!
Enjoyed an excellent meal at Upstairs On the Square a couple weeks ago. Happened to be there during Restaurant week (hadn't planned it) and ended up ordering off the set menu. Appetizer was a small cake-like preparation of haddock (similar texture to a crab cake) served with greens. The sirloin was cooked to perfection, small portion sliced and served with fingerling potatoes with crumbled gorgonzola. Bread pudding for dessert was literally the best bread pudding I've ever had.
Restaurant itself has kind of funky interior decor that stretches across several levels. Service was just right... there and pleasant when you needed it, not there when you didn't.
Would definitely go again.
My friends and I finally decided to "suit up" for a nice dinner during Restaurant Week. Pinstripes in full-force, we braved the godforsaken Red Line and its "unique" ridership to make the trek into Cambridge from downtown Boston.
We arrived at the restaurant 5 minutes before our 8:00 reservation. Upstairs on the Square has no waiting area, so we stood in the tiny stairwell that connects the different portions of the restaurant to each other and to the ground. 8:00, 8:15, 8:30, 8:45 all came and went. After asking various wait staff multiple times when we were going to be seated, they informed us that the table at which we were to dine was occupied by patrons who had already eaten and paid the bill, yet were still sitting in the cramped corner table we had reserved. A host actually instructed us to stand behind the patrons and "encourage" them to leave.
They didn't leave. But we did.
Reservations at any typical restaurant are a guarantee that they will seat you as quickly as possible. There were empty tables large enough to ft our party being held open for...other reservations? Who knows. In the end, we went to a local burger joint and had a great meal for a fraction of the cost and with zero wait time.
Cambridge is filled with pretension, arrogance, and a lack of common civility. Upstairs on the Square is no different.
I've eaten here twice: once for an office lunch about a year ago and once recently with a co-worker during restaurant week, both on the main floor "Monday Club Bar."
Both times I was underwhelmed. The food itself is actually quite good but prices are steep and the meals I've had just don't live up to the money or the hype. The decor is supposed to be cute but it ends up coming across as kitschy (not in a good way) and even messy (paint chipping, etc). I was also practically set on fire last week by the raging fireplace they sat us basically on top of. Yikes!
I have gone here previously for a work luncheon last year which was good. I went this time for the monthly Vegan Dinner & was not impressed. The entrees during the 4 course meal took some time to get & it was salty to boot. The thing you're really paying for is the name & decor of this place.
Where do I begin?
I had been dying to try this place for months because I'd heard great things and it look adorable. Thankfully, they extended restaurant week so I went in today for lunch.
Located right in the heart of Harvard Square, UOTS is thee floors of pink decor. The first floor, the Monday Club Bar, is where we had our lunch.
Our waiter was attentive throughout our stay and didnt seemed bothered that we only opted for two courses from the RW menu instead of three. My water and coke glasses were always full.
They brought us out a tremendous amount of bread to start with (and even offered more later). The bread itself was delicious and served with an olive oil pesto creation that was a nice compliment.
My first course was the carrot soup which was more a bisque, but not too thick. It was fantastic. My friend raved about his cesar salad and was pleased to see parmesean flakes instead of crumblings adorning the top.
For the main course, we both had the meatloaf sandwich on potato bread with sweet potato chips. The sandwich was very filling. The bread was a great compliment. The chips were perfect. Light and crispy and covered with just the right amount of sauce. It also came with this splendid ketchup/mayo combo dipping sauce that was also on the sandwich.
I really enjoyed my meal here and loved the atmosphere.
By now it's well know how much love I have for the Upstairs. I've seen my regular waiter become a manager (hi Matt). I'm spent the company dime and my own. Okay, maybe hundreds and hundreds of dimes...
So how much more can I review this place? WELL.... APPARENTLY... it's not just a spot for lovely afternoon tea, or for a delightful fancy multi-course meal, or for scotch and gourmet pizza by the fire... it's also a great stop on a bar crawl! Always friendly service, interesting and exotic drinks choices...
No matter what your goal is for the evening/afternoon... there is NO REASON not to add Upstairs to your Cambridge itinerary. This is the must-go place in Cambridge, for locals and tourists alike.
You will NOT be disappointed.
I find myself questioning why I gave this place four stars. Did I just not want to commit to five?… Read more »
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