Study the buzziest dining openings of the past 12 months and you’ll notice a theme: A new class of eatery is taking root in Boston, offering stylish spaces, first-class service, and polished food at refreshingly reasonable prices. It’s the culinary equivalent of an emerging middle class (and a sure sign of health in any economy).
Of course, some kitchens do the affordability thing better than others. That’s why, for this year’s Best Restaurants list, we’re steering you to the area’s top so-called midprice restaurants. These places may specialize in different kinds of cuisine, but they all excel at maximizing your dining dollar—and all deserve to be destinations in their own right.
Plus: Which high-end tasting menus are worth the splurge, where to find the most refined cheap eats, exactly how much food you can get for the price of an average Boston meal, and what it takes to make a buck off a $20 steak.
The 20 Best Midprice Restaurants
These exceptional spots—nearly half of which opened in this past year—provide all the requisite dining pleasures, with one notable advantage: entrées that stay under $25.
Four Worth-Every-Penny Feasts
When you want to splurge, tasting menus offer great value, with multiple courses of the chef’s finest work for less than you’d pay à la carte. A sampler of dishes from a few of the city’s elite:
The Shrinking Boston Entrée
And other tactics the owners of midprice restaurants use to beat the numbers game.
Five Great Made-from-Scratch Cheap Eats
It takes quality-minded joints like these to create delicious handmade food…and then sell it at a bargain.
The $31 Question
That’s the cost of the average Boston restaurant meal, according to the latest Zagat survey. But just what that buys you depends on where you’re pulling up a chair.
For the 20 Best Midprice Restaurants, go on to the next page…
The 20 Best Midprice Restaurants
These exceptional spots—nearly half of which opened in this past year—provide all the requisite dining pleasures, with one notable advantage: entrées that stay under $25.
By Amy Traverso
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Ashmont Grill
Chef-owner Chris Douglass has been a pioneer in the local New American food movement since he opened the South End’s Icarus in 1978. His Ashmont Grill in Dorchester is the Platonic ideal of a midprice place: chef-driven, ambitious (the weekly Monday Night Wine Club has turned even the most unlikely into oenophiles), stylish, and eminently affordable (entrées top out at $18). His deliciously simple fare, like flatiron steak with herb butter ($17) and pork chops with butternut squash bread pudding ($18), proves how good no-frills cooking can be when quality ingredients are matched by solid technique. Can’t-Miss Dish: The shatteringly crisp onion rings ($4).
555 Talbot Ave., Dorchester, 617-825-4300, ashmontgrill.com.
Beehive
It was breathlessly hyped as Boston’s nightlife savior, then subsequently strung up for attracting a yuppie crowd. What got lost in the ruckus is that this restaurant/lounge/jazz club is a great place to nab a tasty, wallet-friendly meal. (Yes, the revelers may get noisy, but eating before 8:30 will usually guarantee a peaceful experience in charmingly unbuttoned surroundings.) If you’re dining with a group, start with the Bohemian Platter, a generous collection of smoked meats, cheeses, and accents like roasted grapes ($23), or order the tender, perfectly seasoned peddler’s steak with porcini mushroom butter ($23) all for yourself. You won’t find much in the way of “lite” here, but the smoked chicken salad served with greens, chopped egg, and bacon ($14) would at least pass the Atkins test. Worth Every Calorie: The seared foie gras over poutine, a mix of frites, gravy, and cheese ($19)—a nod to the famed signature dish of Au Pied de Cochon in Montreal.
541 Tremont St., Boston, 617-423-0069, beehiveboston.com.
Café D
This vibrant spot on Jamaica Plain’s main drag began life as Arbor, a critically acclaimed bistro that struggled for neighborhood regulars. Ever since chef-owner Doug Organ relaunched it as Café D in 2006, however, the low-key hangout has kept tables turning even on Sunday nights. The menu combines sophisticated Mediterranean-inspired fare (such as a standout Moroccan spiced lamb for $22.50, a holdover from the Arbor days) with hearty crowd-pleasers (sensational Baja fish tacos at $12.50). And to wash it all down: one of the most reasonably priced wine lists in town. Early-Bird Special: The three-course prix fixe, served daily until 7 p.m., for a mere $26.50.
711 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, 617-522-9500, cafedboston.com.
Franklin Cafe
You’ve seen this lineup before: the steak frites ($19), the crispy duck–frisée salad ($8), the miso-glazed salmon ($18). But what makes this tiny (and dark) South End bar-café stand out from the crowd—and what’s long made it a hands-down late-night favorite for chefs and waiters—is the sheer quality of the food. Tomato-and-ricotta-stuffed crêpes ($8) are scented with an unexpected hint of lemon zest. Prune-glazed pork tenderloin ($18) is served atop a smooth-as-silk sweet potato purée. Sit at the bar and talk to the locals: You’re sure to hear good stories, and more than a little neighborhood gossip. Perfect Pairing: A shochu–white cranberry cocktail ($8) with the crispy duck salad. 278
Shawmut Ave., Boston, 617-350-0010, franklincafe.com.
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Garden at the Cellar
Chef Will Gilson first attracted attention as a high schooler, working in Boston restaurants by night and preparing multicourse meals at his family’s Herb Lyceum farm and restaurant in Groton on weekends. Now the 2005 Johnson & Wales graduate has brought his farm-fresh sensibility to this gastropub above the popular subterranean Cambridge bar the Cellar. The food is New American and the menu shifts with the seasons. Best bets include anything containing Gilson’s masterful vegetable purées (sort of like luxury baby food for grownups), and the varied and substantial salads. Catch of the Day: The citrus-glazed organic salmon with celery root, buttered leeks, orange-thyme sauce, and herb salad ($18).
991 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 617-230-5880, gardenatthecellar.com.
Gaslight
This South End boîte has taken some hits for its by-the-numbers approach to brasserie-dom (right down to the white subway wall tiles and the Edith Piaf soundtrack). Chalk it up to timing, opening as it did at the tail end of Boston’s brasserie boom—because Gaslight deserves credit for its very reasonable prices (all entrées are less than $20), its creative cocktails, its wonderfully authentic croque-monsieur ($9.75), and the light hand its kitchen brings to fish dishes like the pôelée espagnol ($19.50). Even if the whole experience feels a bit prepackaged, it’s still a pleasant Parisian escape. Grade A: The steak frites, a terrifically tender and flavorful cut of beef for just $19.75.
560 Harrison Ave., Boston, 617-422-0224, gaslight560.com.
Green Street
“Didn’t this used to be a dumpy Caribbean place?” It’s not an uncommon question for first-time visitors to the former Green Street Grill, relaunched in 2006 as an upscale neighborhood restaurant with a serious attitude toward wine and cocktails (ask your server a question about what you’re drinking, and he may reappear at the table with his wine atlas). The offerings reflect chef Pete Sueltenfuss’s love of traditional New England foods, from a house-made hot dog with brown bread, baked beans, and pickled cabbage ($8) to a memorable grilled pork chop ($21). Dishes can be heavy—on a recent visit, bacon appeared in about a third of them—but strategic ordering can yield a soul-warming dinner. Eats Like a Meal: The aforementioned hot dog, accompanied by a dish of house-marinated olives ($4).
280 Green St., Cambridge, 617-876-1655, greenstreetgrill.com.
Kitchen on Common
This tiny 16-seater has been around only since September, but Joh Kokubo has already attracted a devoted crew of regulars. For some, it’s his commitment to the sustainability ethos: The butternut squash in his creamy soup ($5) comes from a local CSA that supplies him with produce throughout the winter; the table butter is from Vermont; and soon he’ll offer locally blended herbal tea. For others, it’s the sweet prices: The most expensive entrées (grilled pork loin and chili-rubbed tenderloin tips) are $15, and starters peak at $5. The only drawback? Hours are limited, with closing time at 8:30 p.m. So get there early—tables fill up fast. Side Show: The homey accompaniments are just $4 each, which means you could eat your way through a feast of potatoes (both mashed and roasted), macaroni gratin, roasted beets and greens, herbed mushrooms, and maple roasted carrots, all for $24.
442 Common St., Belmont, 617-484-4328, kitchenoncommon.com.
La Morra
This quaint Brookline Village restaurant has the kind of backstory food writers are suckers for: Native son Josh Ziskin and his wife and business partner, Jen, earn their stripes at local restaurants (Tuscan Grill, Maison Robert); eat their way through Italy; and return determined to bring that pure flavor and simplicity to their own place. Their travels come to life in the $4-and-under cicchetti menu—based on the tapas-style small bites (arancini, stuffed olives, chicken livers) that are so popular in Venice—and in the very Tuscan cavolo nero (black kale) that comes with a crispy braised pork shank ($21). Even the brick-and-wood-beam dining rooms feel a bit rustic Italian, by way of New England. Justifiable Splurge: The rare Piedmontese Barbarescos and Barolos on the wine menu ($60 and up).
48 Boylston St., Brookline Village, 617-739-0007, lamorra.com.
Myers + Chang
Promotional materials promise “No gloppy sauces…no ancient Chinese secret,” and this modern Asian diner delivers <> with a fresher, brighter spin on classics like dan dan noodles, pot stickers, and tea-smoked spare ribs. Aside from the market-price lobster, there’s nothing on the menu that costs more than $15 (though portions can be small, so consider ordering multiple dishes). Even in the few plates that seem like works in progress (like the too-harsh hot and sour soup), you can’t help but feel inspired by the spirit of invention. Cure for What Ails: The superlative beef pho ($10), made with a broth so rich, it’s practically gravy.
1145 Washington St., Boston, 617-542-5200, myersandchang.com.
Go on to the next page for 10 more great midpriced restaurants…
Chef and co-owner Erwin Ramos didn’t grow up on burritos and mole (he’s Filipino). And his culinary training was classically French and Italian. Once he took an interest in Mexican cuisine, though, he went full throttle, immersing himself in the country’s diverse regional styles. Olé’s menu reflects that education, taking diners on a journey through the familiar (chicken enchiladas with Mexican rice and black beans, $14.70) and the far-flung (Chiapas-style chili-seasoned pork with plantains and homemade tortillas, $18). And while one entrée, the lobster meat and shrimp in a garlic-guajillo sauce, barely cracks our price limit at $26, the rest of the expansive menu is pleasantly economical. Special Sauce: The superb guacamole ($9), prepared tableside in a traditional molcajete.
11 Springfield St., Cambridge, 617-492-4495, olegrill.com..jpg)
Orinoco
Owner Andres Branger serves up far-from-pedestrian comfort food in this vibrant Venezuelan haven, where the brightly colored décor chases away the winter blahs, and the pabellón criollo, warmly spiced shredded beef, dispels any lingering chill. Chef Carlos Rodriguez trained with Doug Rodriguez (no relation), considered the father of the “Nuevo Latino” movement in Miami, as evidenced in specials like the cordero: lamb chops crusted with pistachio, panela, and plantain, and served with mint mojo. Pair it with a terrific malbec from Argentina or some fresh passion fruit juice, and you have yourself a new antidote to seasonal affective disorder. Buen Comida: A mechada (beef) arepa ($5.95) with the beet and goat cheese salad ($7).
477 Shawmut Ave., Boston, 617-369-7075, orinocokitchen.com.
Petit Robert Bistro
As satisfying as some of the newer Boston brasseries can be, their menus often bend to American tastes. Petit Robert Bistro, on the other hand, feels 100 percent Gallic. It helps that it’s owned by a Frenchman, Jacky Robert, who cooked for many years at his family’s late, great Maison Robert. Now he’s running his own ship, serving classic dishes like escargots bourguignons ($7.75), traditional sole and shrimp quenelles ($10.50), and coq au vin ($15.75) at his twin restaurants in Kenmore Square and the South End. Service can at times be brusque—but that just makes it all the more authentic, doesn’t it? Powerful Stuff: The hearty lamb cassoulet with merguez sausage and bacon ($16.75).
468 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, 617-375-0699; 480 Columbus Ave., Boston, 617-867-0600; petitrobertbistro.com.
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Pops
He’s not trying to reinvent American cooking, but chef-owner Felino Samson still manages to surprise and delight with touches like the peppery apple cider gastrique glaze on his Kurobuta pork chop ($19), the argan oil and lemon crème fraîche dressing on the beet and arugula salad ($9), and the organic pickles that accompany the generous sandwiches. Throughout the menu, organic ingredients play a big role, and the lovely décor gets the belle époque vibe just right. It’s all about the details here—an approach perhaps most appreciated in the gooey fresh-baked cookie that arrives with a lunchtime check. Frivolous Indulgence: The optional drizzle of white truffle oil on any dish for $14. (Really, the food has plenty of flavor on its own.)
560 Tremont St., Boston, 617-695-1250, popsrestaurant.net.
Rocca
The debut of Rocca last year was a watershed in the midprice restaurant boom: a major, press-grabbing launch from local legend Michela Larson and partners Gary Sullivan and Karen Haskell—cofounders of Rialto and Blu—with an enthusiastic Ligurian-themed menu and most entrées kept under $23. Prices have come up a bit since, making this one of the costlier entries on our list, but the satisfying pasta dishes still run from $12 to $17, and the most expensive entrées—the outstanding roasted fish with herbs, olives, and potatoes, as well as the Ligurian fish stew burrida, both at $25—continue to deliver solid value. That’s an Order: Anything made with chef Tom Fosnot’s extraordinary pesto.
500 Harrison Ave., Boston, 617-451-5151, roccaboston.com.
Sagra
This Davis Square eatery is both welcoming neighborhood Italian place and destination restaurant. While the dining room still has the awkward layout of one of Sagra’s predecessors, the lounge Sauce, the food bears no resemblance to pub grub: Chef-owner Robert DeSimone has amassed a stack of unforgettable recipes during numerous trips throughout Italy, and it shows. When you’re feeling decadent, try the Grand Melody sampler of arancini croquettes, calamari, and stuffed olives ($16)—DeSimone is a master of light-as-air frying. Move on to the pillowy gnocchi ($14) that actually taste of the potatoes in the dough, or a fine grilled swordfish served with caponata ($17). Textbook Italian: The bitter greens salad ($7), followed by the bruschetta appetizer ($7).
400 Highland Ave., Somerville, 617-625-4200, sagrarestaurant.com.
The Savant Project.jpg)
If you’re wondering where the artists and cool kids have gone now that most of the South End is too expensive, drop into the Savant Project. The Mission Hill restaurant and lounge is a Cheers for the boho set, an always-animated gathering spot with local art on the walls, live music, and potent cocktails. The concept is Asian-Latin fusion, a conceit that might seem overworked if dishes like scallop ceviche in a fried plantain cup ($5.50) and beef sliders with grilled cucumber and toasted rice vinegar ($5.50) weren’t so fun. We’re looking forward to seeing chef Isaac Kaufman expand the range of entrées (for now, try the crispy chicken served with a sweet potato pancake for $17), so long as he also retains his sense of playful experimentation. Mmm…Doughnuts: The crispy-gooey churros with a spicy chocolate dipping sauce ($6).
1625 Tremont St., Boston, 617-566-5958, thesavantproject.com.
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Ten Tables
The pastas and sausages are house-made. In season, the produce comes from nearby farms. The menu has a decidedly European bent, but there’s a New England sensibility at play, too. This is Boston’s truest Chez Panisse descendant—only with much more egalitarian prices. Which is why, these days, you have to call at least seven days ahead to get a reservation. Chef David Punch’s menu changes weekly, to capture whatever’s freshest in the markets. In winter, that can mean delicacies like rock shrimp with orecchiette, black pepper, and pancetta ($17), or soothing roasted polenta with mushroom ragout, braised kale, and a poached egg ($16). Green Party: An elegant (and surprisingly substantial) four-course vegetarian tasting ($25), offered every day except Wednesday.
597 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, 617-524-8810, tentables.net.
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Trattoria Toscana
After two Italian expat pals described Trattoria Toscana as their favorite Boston restaurant, we knew it was time to take a look. Grazie mille for the recommendation—this little Fenway gem captures the spirit and style of a Florence trattoria, without the punishing exchange rate. The cooking stays true to the Italian ethos of coaxing maximum flavor out of a simple array of ingredients (good olive oil, garlic, fresh mushrooms and tomatoes). And if the décor won’t win any awards, it is warm and homey, just like the food. Quite the Hunk: The tagliata di manzo ($22), a nicely seasoned grilled sirloin served with peppery arugula and shaved Parmesan cheese.
130 Jersey St., Boston, 617-247-9508.
Tremont 647
Chef Andy Husbands’s cooking reflects his love of southern accents, whether that means the American South (New Orleans barbecued shrimp, $9.50; ribs and cornbread, $19.50), south of the border (lime and garlic chicken with jicama salad, $20), or Southeast Asia (Vietnamese coffee, $4). What holds it all together is Husbands’s gift for Big Flavor, not to mention his staff’s polished but casually friendly approach to service. This is the kind of place where one could easily imagine becoming a regular—which helps explain why Tremont 647 has lasted more than 10 years as one of the South End’s neighborhood go-tos. All-American Team: The half-pound burger of grass-fed beef ($12.50) paired with sides of coleslaw and cornbread ($3 each).
647 Tremont St., Boston, 617-266-4600, tremont647.com.
Go on to the next page for four worth-every-penny feasts…
Four Worth-Every-Penny Feasts
When you want to splurge, tasting menus offer great value, with multiple courses of the chef’s finest work for less than you’d pay à la carte. A sampler of dishes from a few of the city’s elite:
Tasting Menu No. 1: Salts
Nantucket bay scallops with black truffles, Meyer lemon, and celery
Roasted local beets with caramelized apple and smoked yogurt
Crisp pork confit with Macumber turnip, tart cherries, and gingerbread
“S’mores”: chocolate, caramel marshmallow, graham cracker, and wild cherry smoke
Five courses total for $75 (add $25 for wine pairings). 798 Main St., Cambridge, 617-876-8444, saltsrestaurant.com.
Tasting Menu No. 2: Clio
Cured kinmedai and smoked Maine sea urchin with goldenberries, salsa, and caviar
Bay scallops with Chantenay carrot, nigella seeds, and argan oil
Brandade soup with russet potato, quail egg, black truffle, and gold leaf
Grilled Wagyu with toasted japonica rice, hayashi marinade, and matsutake mushrooms
Truffle-crusted sole with Brussels sprouts, crispy chestnuts, and coffee sauce Normande
Foie gras terrine with Concord grapes, yogurt, and candied anise
14 courses total for $135 (add $100 for wine pairings). 370 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, 617-536-7200, cliorestaurant.com.
Tasting Menu No. 3: O Ya
Kumamoto oyster with watermelon pearls and cucumber mignonette
Spot prawn with garlic butter, white soy, and preserved yuzu
Chilled daikon “dumpling” with miso-cashew “cheese,” kimchi, seaweed, pine nut mayo, and nori sauce
Foie gras with balsamic chocolate unagi sauce, raisin-cocoa pulp, and sake
Tamago roll with dashi sauce, black truffles, robiola cheese, and chives
Yellowjack tuna and sea urchin with ceviche vinaigrette and cilantro
Seared Wagyu with smoked potato, grilled onion, and freshly grated wasabi
Hamachi with soy, caviar, and fresh citrus
14 courses total for $120–$300 (sake pairing prices vary). 9 East St., Boston, 617-654-9900.
Tasting Menu No. 4: Craigie Street Bistrot
Chili-marinated lemonfish with purple sweet potato and matsutake mushrooms
Roasted marrow with smoked beef tongue, escargots, and shiitake mushrooms
Banyuls-cured duck breast and fennel-and-pepper-cured lardo
Venison sausage–stuffed quail with apples, raisins, and autumn olive coulis
Mocha mille-feuille with homemade graham crackers and pear-saffron sauce
Seven courses total for $115 (wine pairing prices vary). 5 Craigie Cir., Cambridge, 617-497-5511, craigiestreetbistrot.com.
To find out why the Boston entree is slowly shrinking, go on to the next page…
The Shrinking Boston Entrée
And other tactics the owners of midprice restaurants use to beat the numbers game.
By Alison Arnett
It’s encouraging to see so many affordable restaurants popping up across the city, but that $15-to-$25-per-entrée price point isn’t easy for owners to pull off. Restaurants are low-margin operations. Labor is expensive. Rent and ingredient costs are at an all-time high. To make it work, smart restaurateurs follow some key business strategies.
First, they learn to control their food spending, which can run up to a third of a restaurant’s budget. The easiest way? Shrink portion sizes. It’s happening everywhere in Boston, particularly at midprice restaurants. (And that’s not necessarily a bad thing, considering the perils of supersizing.) Steve Johnson of Cambridge’s Rendezvous says that to keep his entrées under $30, he’s plating 10 to 11 ounces of boneless sirloin today, compared with 12 ounces a few years ago. That difference of an ounce or two isn’t obvious to the eye, but it helps the bottom line.
Restaurateurs are also charging more for non-entrée items to offset money losers like $20 steaks. This can raise a bill by $3 to $15, but doesn’t seem to offend diners as much as, say, a $36 roast chicken. Meanwhile, dessert and cocktail prices have been creeping up for years. And since diners often see these offerings as indulgences, they’re willing to pay more.
Even with these strategies, few midprice restaurants can thrive on dinner alone. Many are open daily, sometimes all day, in order to keep turning tables (and selling more liquor). Others opt for the economy of consistent menus. Just look at the now ubiquitous Boston brasserie: those capacious lists—burgers and martinis as well as île flottante—feature the same fare night after night. That means food can be purchased in bulk, and the staff needs less training. Chef A, chef B, maybe even the maitre d’ could execute that steak frites.
When all else fails, there’s always the power of cheap real estate, essential for restaurants (Ten Tables is a prime example) known for immaculate produce and chef-y fare. For those places, tiny spaces, basement settings, and left-of-center locales translate into lower overhead. Fortunately, this final strategy has an additional advantage: bringing more dining options to a neighborhood near you.
For five great made-from-scratch cheap eats, go on to the next page…
Five Great Made-from-Scratch Cheap Eats
It takes quality-minded joints like these to create delicious handmade food…and then sell it at a bargain.
By MC Slim JB.jpg)
1. Polish // Café Polonia
With airy pierogies, sweet borscht, and lightly fried cutlets, this rare outlet for authentic Polish food belies the cuisine’s purported heaviness. ask for: Potato pancakes ($12 for four).
611 Dorchester Ave., South Boston, 617-269-0110, cafepolonia.com.
2. Mexican // Angela’s Caf
Angela Atenco Lopez’s four decades as a professional cook in Puebla shines through in her complex sauces, hand-mortared guacamole, and sublime tacos árabes (Puebla-style pork tacos served in flour tortillas). ask for: Mole poblano, served with chicken, rice, and black beans ($12.95).
131 Lexington St., East Boston, 617-567-4972..jpg)
3. Lebanese // Reef Caf
In this family affair, Mariam Monzer cooks while son Salam works the front of the house. Maybe that’s why their Middle Eastern classics like fava-based falafel, lamb kebabs, shawarma, and spinach pie taste like the best kind of home cooking. ask for: Falafel ($4.75).
170 Brighton Ave., Allston, 617-202-6366.
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4. Vietnamese + Chinese // Xinh Xinh
This Chinatown charmer dishes up fresh-tasting Vietnamese favorites like noodle soups, salad rolls, and stir-fries alongside superb fruit shakes and frappelike iced coffees. ask for: Chao tom (grilled shrimp paste on sugar cane, $7).
7 Beach St., Boston, 617-422-0501..jpg)
5. Brazilian // Muqueca
The homey stew moqueca, cooked and served in handcrafted clay pots, is the namesake of this colorful spot (sticklers will note that the restaurant’s name is spelled with a “u” in place of the standard “o”). Don’t overlook the fabulous fritters of shrimp and salt cod. ask for: Naturally, moqueca with fish, shrimp, and mussels ($14.95).
1093 Cambridge St., East Cambridge, 617-354-3296, muquecarestaurant.com.
To find out the average price of a Boston restaurant meal, go on to the next page…
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The $31 QuestionThat’s the cost of the average Boston restaurant meal, according to the latest Zagat survey. But just what that buys you depends on where you’re pulling up a chair.
By MC Slim JB
• 1 grilled thinly sliced filet mignon with bone marrow and béarnaise sauce ($31). La Voile, 261 Newbury St., Boston, 617-587-4200, lavoileboston.net
• 4½ Pearl all-beef franks ($7 each) with homemade condiments. Speed’s Famous Hot Dog Wagon, Newmarket Square, Roxbury.
• 1 grilled Niman Ranch pork chop with chestnut stuffing, sweet potatoes, and a bourbon-apple reduction ($31). Icarus,
3 Appleton St., Boston, 617-426-1790, icarusrestaurant.com.
• 17¾ chicharrón (fried pork rind) pupusas ($1.75 each). La Pupusa Guanaca, 378 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, 617-524-4900.
• 1 pan-roasted Giannone chicken with creamy cauliflower, sautéed artichokes, and Swiss chard “kimchi” ($31). UpStairs on the Square, 91 Winthrop St., Cambridge, 617-864-1933.
• 15½ Jamaican chicken patties ($2 each). Ortanique, 370 Huron Ave., Cambridge, 617-234-0440, ortaniquecuisine.com.
