Classy Eating in the Square: Tapas, Thai, Foie Gras, and Clam Chowder

RIALTO

Parents in town? Relationship milestone? Rialto is a tried-and-true destination that is classy without being stuffy. Here, Chef Jody Adams does “regional Italian cuisine interpreted with New England ingredients” (read: delicious), which means you might be noshing on slow-roasted duck with braised escarole or spicy fish antipasti. If you still want to impress the cute girl in section without spending all of your allowance money, see if she’ll go for the $1 oysters on Monday. Remember, they’re supposed to be an aphrodisiac.

Three course fixed price menu: $40

HARVEST RESTAURANT

Now that you’re in Boston, you might be wondering what New England food is, beyond the baked beans, clam chowdah, and Felipe’s burritos that will help pack on the promised Freshman 15. Harvest is not too well-known among students, but with its seasonal produce and locally caught seafood (Halibut fished from the Atlantic, oysters from Duxbury, MA), this restaurant will serve as a great introduction to fine dining.

SMALL PLATES

Also not well-known to students are the tapas at Small Plates, which aren’t limited to the Spanish variety. Tapas are essentially like appetizers—smaller portions of food, running between $5 and $11, and meant to be shared. It’s a fun option and a bit cheaper than other more expensive Square outlets, and also perfect for a lower pressure date or a nice dinner with the BFF. Keep in mind that tables are a bit close together so it’s not the best for private conversations. (Stick to your dorm room for those.) They also refuse to serve bottled water, which is sure to impress the environmentally conscious among you.

SANDRINE’S

Fun fact: Chef Raymond Ost was recently knighted by the French government into the Order of the Mérite Agricole. What does this mean for you? Nothing really, except if you’re looking for fine French dining in the Square. In that case, this is it, enfants. Salade Niçoise, escargot, foie gras, and all the yummy trappings of a gap year in Paris—except for that fling with Jean-Claude.

3 course fixed price menu: $40

SPICE THAI CUISINE

This is owned by the same folks that brought you 9 Tastes on JFK street. Spice has a nicer ambiance since it’s above ground, and the food is attractive, tasty, and reasonably priced (the beloved Pad Thai is only $10). It’s a good spot to have dinner with friends on a Friday night and will satisfy all your curry needs.

TAKEMURA

Tasty, tasty sushi. If you’re looking to get your daily dose of sashimi, Takemura is a Square stalwart that doesn’t disappoint. Dragon rolls, spider rolls, and all the usual suspects make their appearance on a menu filled with fresh, reasonably-priced goodies.

WAGAMAMA

Wagamama is a pan-Asian chain, birthed out of London, with cafeteria-style seating and food served as it’s cooked. This also might mean that you’re slurping on your noodle bowl before your friend is even seated next to you. Don’t put it too high on your to-do list—while it’s fine for grabbing a casual meal with a friend, it also smacks uncomfortably of dining hall food.

VEGGIE PLANET

Whatever you do, ignore the name. Just concentrate on the delicious flatbread pizzas that make excellent use of ingredients like butternut squash, goat cheese, Portabello mushrooms, and peanut curries. You can also opt to have toppings put on rice, rather than a pizza. A signature favorite is their “Lunch/Dinner for Henry,” which features butternut squash, goat cheese, and caramelized onions. If you’re into salad pizzas, their Caesar on a Big Cheesy Crouton is a treat that uses homemade dressing and fried tofu instead of croutons. Portions are big, so no matter what connotations the word “veggie” might have, don’t worry—you’ll leave happy.

CREMA CAFÉ

It’s the kind of cafe that makes you linger and want to do coursepack reading while enjoying a latte and a sublime, delicious grilled sandwich. (Try their Crema grilled chicken with avocado and corn, or their sweet potato sandwich.) Great baked goods and solid soups make it a favorite lunch spot, and the golden ambiance means it’s a popular option for both friendly and romantic rendezvous, if you want to take the let’s-grab-coffee-to-test-the-waters route.

FIRE AND ICE

Go with a large group of friends on a Monday night, when the price of an all-you-can-eat meal hovers a buck or few north of $10. Decide on your bowl of raw ingredients, choose a sauce, and the grill employees will cook them right in front of your eyes. For those with food allergies, there’s a special grill in the back, but part of the fun is noticing how there’s that stray head of broccoli from another diner’s creation. Not quality food by any (and we really mean any) stretch of the imagination, but it’s kind of fun.

—Staff writer Lingbo Li can be reached at lingboli@fas.harvard.edu.

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