Garden at The Cellar

For over a year now I've had a gift certificate here which was given to me as a birthday gift from two of my dear friends back when the blog was just a baby. Up-and-coming chef Will Gilson was just a name in an article that Lisa handed me along with the gift certificate. 

Since then I've heard nothing but fantastic reviews of Garden at The Cellar and constant praise for Chef Will Gilson. Now he's up-and-come; there is no denying locals know this James Beard Award nominee chef by name. Whether for his dedication to cooking with local, sustainable food and family grown herbs, or his successful efforts to rebuild his mothers greenhouses, or his recent embrace for the Pop Up dinner trend, he is well known and well liked. Joined by my sister this past Wednesday we experienced firsthand his creative cuisine in the relaxed unassuming gastropub situated in between Cambridge's Central and Harvard Squares. They take limited reservations for parties over six, otherwise seats are on a first come first serve basis. They were fairly busy around 7:30 but we managed to get seated right away at an open copper top café table in front of some overflowing succulents and potted herbs.

I spy a recycled St. Germain Bottle behind the aloe plants!

We started with two slices of bread and some herb infused butter. A nice touch with the herbs!We got down to business with a Dark & Stormy ($7.50) each as we studied the menu. These are strong, made with Gosling's Black Seal Rum & Ginger beer, perfect.The $7.50 price tag didn't have me wincing. Actually, all of their cocktails clock in at a reasonable $7 - $10. We chose two appetizers to share. The Seared Scallops ($12) presented three perfectly seared scallops plated over thick brush strokes of earthy black trumpet puree. Contrasting bites of Meyer lemon in tiny gel form added a sweet zest, while Nasturtium leaves sprinkled on top a peppery punch!The Foie Gras & Doughnuts ($13) were a far fetched idea pairing two delicious ingredients together at random. It works. And amazingly well at that. Fluffy round balls of cinnamon sugar become a vessel for rich, buttery bites of seared foie gras, paired with cocoa nibs, orange and ginger.Leah ordered the Grass Fed Hanger Steak Frites ($26). The generous portion of nicely cooked, tender and well seasoned hanger steak came over a bed of parsnip puree and garlic spinach. The frites were perfect; crispy and buttery seasoned with restraint - just an accent of rosemary and truffle oil.

I debated between the Buttermilk Poached Chicken ($23) and the Duo of Heritage Pork ($26). I asked our waitress hoping she'd be able to offer some insight and sway my decision one way or the other. She remained indifferent and without exclamation or passion stated "they're both good." (Well obviously they're both good! Thanks!)I went with the pork. It was a good call. This is a dish I'd get excited about and tell you to order if I were a waitress here!! 

Plated over a violet mustard sauce the thinly pounded cutlets were cooked scaloppini style with garlic and black pepper. The grilled belly was extremely tender with a rich glaze atop the crispy skin exterior. The ramps with a pungent oniony taste served to add some sharp contrast to the white heavy meal of pork and fingerling potatoes.

No dessert menu here (bummer!) but they look to satisfy your sweet tooth with a plate of Taza Chocolates (redemption!) Showcasing local food in creative dishes without the luxurious atmosphere or price point, Garden at The Cellar remains affordable and relaxed. No matter what, I would not hesitate to order a side of those rosemary truffle fries and to remember that adventurous eating most definitely pays off at this modest neighborhood gastropub.

Garden at The Cellar

991 Massachusetts Ave

Cambridge, MA 02138