Organization: Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts Lines: 54 Distribution: usa Message-ID: References: NNTP-Posting-Host: fas-2.harvard.edu X-Newsreader: NN version 6.5.0 #3 (NOV) JOHN B. wrote: >John Harvard's Brewhouse across the river in Cambridge - I went there last >October and it was great. Not too expensive, and not at all tacky/touristy as >the name might suggest. I can't remember exactly where it is, but it's a few >minutes from the Harvard Square "T" stop. It is at 33 Dunster St., in the basement beneath the Garage Mall. It is 1 block from the main entrance of the Harvard Sq. T stop (the one with Out of Town News). I think that John Harvard's is an ok place, but it really isn't one of the places I would go out of my way to visit if I were only in Boston for a short time. The beer is ok (as far as brewpubs go, I think that Cambridge Brewing Company in Kendall Square, and Boston Beer Works near Kenmore both have better beer). The food is ok (possibly more interesting than BBW, and definitely much better than CBC). They do have the best atmosphere, I think, and very good service. I haven't been to Commonwealth Brewery (near Boston Garden/North Station) in years, as I didn't really like it much, and I haven't yet visited Brew Moon (Theatre District--in Joyce Chen's old space (see below)); although the reviews on food were good, the beer reports have been mixed. After all that comparison of brew pubs, I would suggest going somewhere else if you are only in Boston for a limited time, as they are neither the best restaurants (in their price category or overall) in Boston (IMHO), nor really unique or representative of the area. Definitely try the seafood--if not at Legal's, Skipjack's, Turner Fisheries, or some other standard seafood house (I think those are generally thought to be among the best), then at a Chinese (e.g. Grand Chau Chow, East Ocean City, Asian Garden) or Italian (e.g. Daily Catch, Giacamo's are popular and not prohibitively expensive) restaurant, for example. >Incidentally, two questions: >Has the standard of service in Boston declined? We were there two years ago and >it was great everywhere, last year (apart from the above which was great) it >was mediocre to non-existent. Actually, I think service in Boston has stayed about the same, or possibly improved over the 6 years I have lived here. The restaurant scene is becoming more competitive, and I think this may be reflected in slightly higher standards of service. >Where has Joyce Chen's Chinese resaurant gone? It was on Stuart St, but closed >between Oct 93 and Oct 94. Disastrous loss!! They lost their lease on the Stuart St. location, due in part to financial difficulties. They still have a restaurant across from the Alewife T stop in Cambridge. I never went there, but most reports suggested that Joyce Chen's has been in decline for years, and that it is not such a great loss (especially when you can walk a couple blocks to Chinatown and get a great Chinese meal at quite a few places). My wife has eaten at their Cambridge location many times in the past 2 years (she works nearby), and she does not have a high opinion of their food--if she has a choice, she goes elsewhere. It's edible, but nothing special.
Massachusetts