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Just a jaunt away from Harvard Square lies a lively hub of sushi and jazz. With elegant flair, The Mad Monkfish brings a cool ambiance to Central Square.
Walking into The Mad Monkfish on a brisk fall evening, you’ll find an unassuming facade where somber light glows through mesh curtains. The front windows read “Sushi & Asian Fusion” and “Live Jazz on Stage” beneath a sign of a fish made from bent wire. The vibe is tranquil and inviting, and an onlooker could catch a glimpse of a stage full of instruments near the window, ready to begin. The building radiates an undeniable coolness.
Upon entering, the restaurant is divided into two sections: the main dining areas, which are homey and warm, and the jazz room, where top musicians perform each weekend. The jazz room is elevated in atmosphere, with light bulbs resembling rain drops falling from a geometrically designed wood ceiling. Red accents compliment a brick wall and darkly lit bar. Along the front wall, a cozy stage hosts preparing musicians. The room is energetic and stylish and every seat is filled.
The Mad Monkfish is named after jazz icon Thelonious Monk. A pianist and composer, Monk is known for complex melodies and distinct, slower tempos. He began making his mark as a key figure in the rise of bebop in the 1940s and continued creating outstanding music for decades.
The entertainment at The Mad Monkfish truly dazzles. The music isn’t overpowering, but rather, delivers a perfectly balanced show that still allows for conversation and a lively atmosphere in the dining room. Any weekend evening, you will be treated to a performance by a top musician like Christine Fawson, a brilliant trumpeter and vocalist. On Nov. 15, she delivered a smooth and confident performance, filling the room with smiles and applause. In classic jazz combo form, Fawson and her accompanying evening quartet performed for 90 minutes, featuring jazz standards with ample rotating improvisation from all instrumental voices.
In an announcement prior to the music, guests are told, “This is not a concert, but it’s also not meant to be background music.” Such announcements inform listeners that the music of the evening is meant to enhance the dining and drinking experience. The Mad Monkfish aims to create a balance between food, beverages, and entertainment — and all three are treated with importance and care.
The sushi is a standout on the menu. With countless creative rolls, The Mad Monkfish has options ranging from simple to extravagant. The Frog Prince Roll is a near-perfect sushi roll experience. The inside is filled with salmon, mango, and tempura crunch, while the outside is topped with fresh avocado, spicy snow crab, and tobiko salad. Every bite is pure satisfaction and the texture and flavor are perfectly curated. That being said, the outer layer of rice was a tad thin — a heartier helping is the sole possible improvement.
The restaurant offers plenty of hot dishes as well. Ranging from Thai-style curry, to noodle soups and katsu, The Mad Monkfish is truly Asian fusion cuisine. The miso soup is salty and soothing, providing the perfect warming appetizer. The broth is earthy while the seaweed and tofu provide freshness. The mango fried rice is comforting, but has a surprisingly strong curry flavor and has only a minimal quantity of chicken pieces and shrimp. The rice seems simply steamed, not fried, and lacks protein and texture.
The service is a bit rushed and subpar. Perhaps the staff tries to streamline the restaurant ongoings so that the space is more focused on the music, but the lack of finesse in hospitality is apparent.
That said, The Mad Monkfish has a delightful, captivating ambiance. While the fried rice and service still need to be finetuned, the sushi and jazz are immaculate. The restaurant provides a bustling jazz scene in central Cambridge, and students who don’t mind spending the $25 minimum and $5 cover charge for the Jazz Baroness room should reserve early before the weekend seats fill up. Overall, the restaurant is a unique blend of cuisine and music that is well worth the money and hype.
—Staff writer Halianna H. Leland can be reached at [email protected].
