Village People
New vintage home boutiques and first-rate dining spots meet school kids and soccer moms in the quiet Cambridge enclave of Huron Village
- Elegant Aspasia brightens the village dining scene. Photo by Robert Boyd.
WAKE-UP CALL: The unflappable staff at Full Moon sidesteps play dates to serve parents much-needed coffee and pancakes at this extremely family-friendly eatery (344 Huron Ave., 617-354-6699, fullmoonrestaurant.com). Too early for green eggs and ham? Ignore the testy service at Hi-Rise Bread Company and simply savor the just-baked baguettes (208 Concord Ave., 617-876-8766). Grab yours to go and take the 15-minute walk to Fresh Pond Reservation.
CRAFT COURSE: At her year-old GrayMist Studio, Etsuko Yashiro teaches eager weavers to make Nantucket baskets in weekly two-hour classes. There are also shelves of locally sourced materials—wood, leather, fossilized ivory—and gifts such as seashell ornaments and woven bowls (360 Huron Ave., 617-868-8868, graymiststudio.com).
AFTERNOON DELIGHTS: Ortanique dishes up Jamaican delicacies like savory jerk chicken and sweet plantains; its cozy counter seating is ideal for people-watching (370 Huron Ave., 617-234-0040). For dessert, stop into Formaggio Kitchen, where the legendary Salty Oats cookies are worth their blink-inducing price tag ($15 for six, 244 Huron Ave., 617-354-4750, formaggio-kitchen.com). Next, discover the in-house line of sleek mixed-metal jewelry with architectural flair, as well as pieces by international designers, at Matthew Feldman (370 1/2 Huron Ave., 617-876-1011).
HOME STRETCH: Finnish ’60s phenom Marimekko makes a comeback with its first freestanding U.S. store, an airy space filled with vivid accessories, linens, and printed fabrics (350 Huron Ave., 617-354-2800, marimekko.com). Furniture shop/art gallery Oylan has vintage couches and crystal goblets (364A Huron Ave., 617-868-8887), while Reside offers classic Danish sofas and Swedish side tables (266 Concord Ave., 617-547-2929, resideinc.com).
STRONG FINISH: Tucked into a side street is the unassuming New American restaurant Aspasia. Seasonal menu items include pumpkin bisque, braised short ribs, and a gray sole with lobster nage and saffron chickpeas (377 Walden St., 617-864-4745, aspasiarestaurant.com).
CRAFT COURSE: At her year-old GrayMist Studio, Etsuko Yashiro teaches eager weavers to make Nantucket baskets in weekly two-hour classes. There are also shelves of locally sourced materials—wood, leather, fossilized ivory—and gifts such as seashell ornaments and woven bowls (360 Huron Ave., 617-868-8868, graymiststudio.com).
AFTERNOON DELIGHTS: Ortanique dishes up Jamaican delicacies like savory jerk chicken and sweet plantains; its cozy counter seating is ideal for people-watching (370 Huron Ave., 617-234-0040). For dessert, stop into Formaggio Kitchen, where the legendary Salty Oats cookies are worth their blink-inducing price tag ($15 for six, 244 Huron Ave., 617-354-4750, formaggio-kitchen.com). Next, discover the in-house line of sleek mixed-metal jewelry with architectural flair, as well as pieces by international designers, at Matthew Feldman (370 1/2 Huron Ave., 617-876-1011).
HOME STRETCH: Finnish ’60s phenom Marimekko makes a comeback with its first freestanding U.S. store, an airy space filled with vivid accessories, linens, and printed fabrics (350 Huron Ave., 617-354-2800, marimekko.com). Furniture shop/art gallery Oylan has vintage couches and crystal goblets (364A Huron Ave., 617-868-8887), while Reside offers classic Danish sofas and Swedish side tables (266 Concord Ave., 617-547-2929, resideinc.com).
STRONG FINISH: Tucked into a side street is the unassuming New American restaurant Aspasia. Seasonal menu items include pumpkin bisque, braised short ribs, and a gray sole with lobster nage and saffron chickpeas (377 Walden St., 617-864-4745, aspasiarestaurant.com).
Originally published in Boston magazine, January 2007
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