The Restaurant In Massachusetts That Was Named One Of The Best In The World
×
Sophia
Author
Proving once more that Massachusetts restaurants can compete with the world’s best, Conde Nast has just named three Bay State eateries on its first ever guide to restaurants across the globe.
Cambridge restaurant Alden & Harlow beat out thousands of other establishments across the globe to come out on top, along with fellow Cambridge spot Oleana and Proprietors on Nantucket. We’ve covered the latter two before, so let’s dive into why Alden and Harlow is the one Massachusetts restaurant that you need to sample this year.
If you're not looking for this place, you may miss it completely. Alden & Harlow is a modern, comfortable and subterranean restaurant in the heart of bustling Harvard Square.
Once inside, you’ll find the atmosphere is warm and comfortable. The food here is all about "tradition of place," or honoring the bounty of local farms and the time-honored dishes that make New England cooking so special.
The must-have menu item? Locals (and Conde Nast) will tell you that it's definitely the restaurant's "secret burger," of which only a limited amount are available every day. The components are listed as "8oz House Creekstone Grind, Your Faith, House Made Roll." At $16, the burger is on the pricier side, but it's a bargain compared to the $175 New Year's Eve burger that Alden & Harlow chef Michael Scelfo made in 2015.
The must-have menu item? Locals (and Conde Nast) will tell you that it's definitely the restaurant's "secret burger," of which only a limited amount are available every day. The components are listed as "8oz House Creekstone Grind, Your Faith, House Made Roll." At $16, the burger is on the pricier side, but it's a bargain compared to the $175 New Year's Eve burger that Alden & Harlow chef Michael Scelfo made in 2015.
Advertisement
Chef Michael Scelfo is the wizard behind the curtain at Alden & Harlow, crafting meals that feel rooted in comfortable, traditional flavor palettes, but are dressed up with creative twists on ingredients and preparations.
The restaurant’s website asserts that Alden & Harlow crafts bold, "flavor-forward" food, which is a slightly nonsense way of saying their offerings are exquisitely delicious. Anything you order here will set off fireworks in your mouth.
Don’t visit unless you’re ready to leave with a new favorite version of an old standby, such as roasted sweet potato fingerlings, crispy Berkshire pork belly or smoked chocolate bread pudding.
Don’t visit unless you’re ready to leave with a new favorite version of an old standby, such as roasted sweet potato fingerlings, crispy Berkshire pork belly or smoked chocolate bread pudding.
Even though it ranks among the best in the world, this restaurant keeps things down to earth when it comes to pricing. Entrees come in between $12 and $18, and small plates are $8 each. World-class dining that's relatively easy on the wallet? Count me in.
Alden & Harlow is located at 40 Brattle Street in Cambridge.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.