Guidebook for Somerville

Jon & Sandra
Jon & Sandra
Guidebook for Somerville

Food Scene

It's close and has falafel.
Noor Mediterranean Grill
136 College Ave
It's close and has falafel.
Mikey makes a solid breakfast.
63 abantu bendawo batusa
Ball Square Cafe & Breakfast
708 Broadway
63 abantu bendawo batusa
Mikey makes a solid breakfast.
Another revered breakfast spot. Make sure to go early on weekends. There is always a line of hungover college kids.
61 abantu bendawo batusa
Sound Bites
704 Broadway Ball Square
61 abantu bendawo batusa
Another revered breakfast spot. Make sure to go early on weekends. There is always a line of hungover college kids.
Old school diner. The first place on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. I am not sure that's a great thing, but they make a solid diner breakfast.
23 abantu bendawo batusa
Kelly's Diner
674 Broadway
23 abantu bendawo batusa
Old school diner. The first place on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. I am not sure that's a great thing, but they make a solid diner breakfast.
Good coffee and local.
22 abantu bendawo batusa
True Grounds
717 Broadway Ball Square
22 abantu bendawo batusa
Good coffee and local.
Vegan Tacos!
8 abantu bendawo batusa
Taco Party
711 Broadway
8 abantu bendawo batusa
Vegan Tacos!
Authentic Mexican from the Puebla region. Do not ask for a burrito. Be careful of the Sangria, my retinas popped out after a Sangria night there.
13 abantu bendawo batusa
Tu Y Yo
858 Broadway
13 abantu bendawo batusa
Authentic Mexican from the Puebla region. Do not ask for a burrito. Be careful of the Sangria, my retinas popped out after a Sangria night there.
I am not sure- tradition? This is where old time locals queue up for bread and desserts on holidays. I have been known to sneak in there for an apricot danish, or a chocolate chip cookie.
10 abantu bendawo batusa
Lyndell's Bakery
720 Broadway
10 abantu bendawo batusa
I am not sure- tradition? This is where old time locals queue up for bread and desserts on holidays. I have been known to sneak in there for an apricot danish, or a chocolate chip cookie.
Solid Breakfast.
15 abantu bendawo batusa
Renee's Cafe
198 Holland St
15 abantu bendawo batusa
Solid Breakfast.
Dave's has great specialty foods, wine, cheese bread....
58 abantu bendawo batusa
Dave's Fresh Pasta
81 Holland St
58 abantu bendawo batusa
Dave's has great specialty foods, wine, cheese bread....
Great fish market. Lots of sushi quality seafood.
17 abantu bendawo batusa
New Deal Fish Market
622 Cambridge St
17 abantu bendawo batusa
Great fish market. Lots of sushi quality seafood.
My body understands their burritos.
124 abantu bendawo batusa
Anna's Taqueria
242 Cambridge St
124 abantu bendawo batusa
My body understands their burritos.
Alvaro and Andres make the best tortas north of anywhere. Don't mess around, just get a straight up Carnitas Torta and a green apple Sidral.
16 abantu bendawo batusa
Tenóch Mexican
382 Highland Ave
16 abantu bendawo batusa
Alvaro and Andres make the best tortas north of anywhere. Don't mess around, just get a straight up Carnitas Torta and a green apple Sidral.
Just go. Make it your splurge night and make reservations. They serve some stuff in the Turkish Meyhane style, so don't leave unless they have brought you the fried chicken. Cassie hates requests, so don't ask for the chicken- just wait.
109 abantu bendawo batusa
Sarma
249 Pearl St
109 abantu bendawo batusa
Just go. Make it your splurge night and make reservations. They serve some stuff in the Turkish Meyhane style, so don't leave unless they have brought you the fried chicken. Cassie hates requests, so don't ask for the chicken- just wait.
Go late and and nail a burger. It's better than Shake Shack across the park.
60 abantu bendawo batusa
Tasty Burger
86 Boylston St
60 abantu bendawo batusa
Go late and and nail a burger. It's better than Shake Shack across the park.
Burn this place down. Go there big or don't go. Try and get a hook-up to go there.
101 abantu bendawo batusa
Alden & Harlow
40 Brattle St
101 abantu bendawo batusa
Burn this place down. Go there big or don't go. Try and get a hook-up to go there.
The New York Times has proclaimed Gus's ice cream to to be the best in the world. Sometimes you will find Corby Kummer, renowned food critic, using the place as his office. Lore has it that famous MIT researchers that worked there during undergrad still come there to "clear their head" by making a batch of ice cream at 3 am.
115 abantu bendawo batusa
Toscanini's Ice Cream
159 First St
115 abantu bendawo batusa
The New York Times has proclaimed Gus's ice cream to to be the best in the world. Sometimes you will find Corby Kummer, renowned food critic, using the place as his office. Lore has it that famous MIT researchers that worked there during undergrad still come there to "clear their head" by making a batch of ice cream at 3 am.
Neapolitan pizza with aged dough for flavor. Their pizza is amazing by any standard.
48 abantu bendawo batusa
Area Four
500 Technology Square
48 abantu bendawo batusa
Neapolitan pizza with aged dough for flavor. Their pizza is amazing by any standard.
Solid sushi when I am lazy. It's near the house.
9 abantu bendawo batusa
Sei Bar Medford
182 Main St
9 abantu bendawo batusa
Solid sushi when I am lazy. It's near the house.
I would put their Omakase up against O Ya and it's about 1/3 of the price. Go early or make reservations.
47 abantu bendawo batusa
Cafe Sushi
1105 Massachusetts Ave
47 abantu bendawo batusa
I would put their Omakase up against O Ya and it's about 1/3 of the price. Go early or make reservations.
Sit at the bar and tell Sean to "Go Nuts." Make sure he is working by calling first. We generally tell him to "bring it" until we say stop. Tell him to experiment. He has a special kit of ingredients he will use when encouraged. I can't stress this experience enough- call and ask for Sean. Tell him you want to "go bananas."
37 abantu bendawo batusa
Ebi sushi
290 Somerville Ave
37 abantu bendawo batusa
Sit at the bar and tell Sean to "Go Nuts." Make sure he is working by calling first. We generally tell him to "bring it" until we say stop. Tell him to experiment. He has a special kit of ingredients he will use when encouraged. I can't stress this experience enough- call and ask for Sean. Tell him you want to "go bananas."
Solid Neapolitan pizza
Tapestry
69 Kilmarnock St
Solid Neapolitan pizza
Smoked Meat!!!!! They have a lot of beers on tap. They usually have two Delirium Tremens on tap.
88 abantu bendawo batusa
Redbones Barbecue
55 Chester St
88 abantu bendawo batusa
Smoked Meat!!!!! They have a lot of beers on tap. They usually have two Delirium Tremens on tap.
Solid pizza and good beers on tap, but cray noisy because of bowling. I understate- never go with a hangover.
74 abantu bendawo batusa
Flatbread Company
45 Day St
74 abantu bendawo batusa
Solid pizza and good beers on tap, but cray noisy because of bowling. I understate- never go with a hangover.
Specialty foods and one of the best cheese affineurs in the country. They have Iberico ham, Bayonne ham.... speak with them because they know their shizz.
55 abantu bendawo batusa
Formaggio Kitchen
358 Huron Ave
55 abantu bendawo batusa
Specialty foods and one of the best cheese affineurs in the country. They have Iberico ham, Bayonne ham.... speak with them because they know their shizz.
This place is trouble. Cookies and Ice Cream! They make huge ice cream sandwiches with an array of fresh baked cookies and ice cream. I always get a deconstructed one and it lasts 3 days. They are a block and a half from the house and I wish they were further away for my waist size.
Frozen Hoagies
534 Broadway
This place is trouble. Cookies and Ice Cream! They make huge ice cream sandwiches with an array of fresh baked cookies and ice cream. I always get a deconstructed one and it lasts 3 days. They are a block and a half from the house and I wish they were further away for my waist size.
Relatively new Izakaya in Davis. The grilled squid is great.
7 abantu bendawo batusa
Sugidama Soba & Izakaya
234 Elm St
7 abantu bendawo batusa
Relatively new Izakaya in Davis. The grilled squid is great.
I am there almost every Thursday as a ritual with some friends. It is super common to see Ming Tsai expediting food. Ming of Simply Ming on PBS and James Beard Award winner is a super nice guy and will happily chat if you recognize him. .
29 abantu bendawo batusa
Blue Dragon
324 A St
29 abantu bendawo batusa
I am there almost every Thursday as a ritual with some friends. It is super common to see Ming Tsai expediting food. Ming of Simply Ming on PBS and James Beard Award winner is a super nice guy and will happily chat if you recognize him. .
It's a solid place an we go there a lot, but not my first pick in Davis.
30 abantu bendawo batusa
Foundry On Elm
255 Elm St
30 abantu bendawo batusa
It's a solid place an we go there a lot, but not my first pick in Davis.
Great coffee and baked goods with a real Davis scene. It is a nice contrast to the Sbux across the street.
90 abantu bendawo batusa
Diesel Cafe
257 Elm St
90 abantu bendawo batusa
Great coffee and baked goods with a real Davis scene. It is a nice contrast to the Sbux across the street.
I like the "new" Rosebud and don't go there enough. They have great drinks and food in a dark & cozy setting.
49 abantu bendawo batusa
Rosebud American Kitchen & Bar
381 Summer St
49 abantu bendawo batusa
I like the "new" Rosebud and don't go there enough. They have great drinks and food in a dark & cozy setting.

Drinks & Nightlife

My friend that works for Ming Tsai drives from West Medford for their wings. She says it is important to ask them to throw them on the grill. There are plenty of sports on multiple screens.
38 abantu bendawo batusa
The Field Pub
20 Prospect St
38 abantu bendawo batusa
My friend that works for Ming Tsai drives from West Medford for their wings. She says it is important to ask them to throw them on the grill. There are plenty of sports on multiple screens.
Great Burgers, good trivia on Tuesday Nights.
24 abantu bendawo batusa
Olde Magoun's Saloon
518 Medford St
24 abantu bendawo batusa
Great Burgers, good trivia on Tuesday Nights.
It is my favorite music venue. They get national acts on the verge of breaking out. Last year I saw Tokimonsta with Anderson Paak there. Golden Panda has played there. Nail a Tasty Burger after and you may find yourself hanging with the band.
69 abantu bendawo batusa
The Sinclair
52 Church St
69 abantu bendawo batusa
It is my favorite music venue. They get national acts on the verge of breaking out. Last year I saw Tokimonsta with Anderson Paak there. Golden Panda has played there. Nail a Tasty Burger after and you may find yourself hanging with the band.
Because A Year with Dr. Nandu- it's a killer IPA.
84 abantu bendawo batusa
Aeronaut Brewing Company
14 Tyler St
84 abantu bendawo batusa
Because A Year with Dr. Nandu- it's a killer IPA.
Just a great MIT Bar with simple fare.
43 abantu bendawo batusa
Miracle of Science
321 Massachusetts Ave
43 abantu bendawo batusa
Just a great MIT Bar with simple fare.
It was in Next Stop Wonderland. It is a real Irish bar with proper live Irish music, including some major acts from Ireland in the back room. There is proper Guinness and Smithwicks on tap. Louis CK dropped in there last week and did a surprise set in the back room. The musicians groups that play in the bar in the front room are mesmerizing. The Burren is an honest experience.
57 abantu bendawo batusa
The Burren
247 Elm St
57 abantu bendawo batusa
It was in Next Stop Wonderland. It is a real Irish bar with proper live Irish music, including some major acts from Ireland in the back room. There is proper Guinness and Smithwicks on tap. Louis CK dropped in there last week and did a surprise set in the back room. The musicians groups that play in the bar in the front room are mesmerizing. The Burren is an honest experience.

Shopping

It is the go-to liquor store in the area. They have won Best of Boston 3 times. They have specialty foods, wine tasting on Friday evenings, and great beers. Oh, we designed their expansion and the sister store in Needham. Ask Nate or Dan for a wine recommendation. They are right near the house.
63 abantu bendawo batusa
Ball Square Cafe & Breakfast
708 Broadway
63 abantu bendawo batusa
It is the go-to liquor store in the area. They have won Best of Boston 3 times. They have specialty foods, wine tasting on Friday evenings, and great beers. Oh, we designed their expansion and the sister store in Needham. Ask Nate or Dan for a wine recommendation. They are right near the house.
It's not grass fed, but a great butcher shop. Don't look for organic, but if you ask they will cut you anything. You will be amazed by the low prices.
10 abantu bendawo batusa
McKinnon's Meat Market
239 Elm St
10 abantu bendawo batusa
It's not grass fed, but a great butcher shop. Don't look for organic, but if you ask they will cut you anything. You will be amazed by the low prices.
The new market in Davis. I go there for last minute stuff.
21 abantu bendawo batusa
bfresh
240 Elm St
21 abantu bendawo batusa
The new market in Davis. I go there for last minute stuff.
Because it is the Somerville Market Basket! I can't even describe it. Great food, great company, great prices. It's not a coop or organic food store, they feed the masses and I love them.
237 abantu bendawo batusa
Market Basket
400 Somerville Ave
237 abantu bendawo batusa
Because it is the Somerville Market Basket! I can't even describe it. Great food, great company, great prices. It's not a coop or organic food store, they feed the masses and I love them.
Because Julia Child shopped there. They have whatever you need to shop French. You can get a lot of D'Artagnan protein (chefs know).
54 abantu bendawo batusa
Savenor's Market
160 Charles St
54 abantu bendawo batusa
Because Julia Child shopped there. They have whatever you need to shop French. You can get a lot of D'Artagnan protein (chefs know).

Parks & Nature

It is an Olmstead Park and a block from the house.
Powderhouse Park
850 Broadway
It is an Olmstead Park and a block from the house.

Entertainment & Activities

It is the anchor of Davis. It's a great theater with beer on tap that you can take into the movies. You can get a 16 oz. draw of Tank 7 for 5 bucks and bring it in the movie theater. Check the schedule because they host national live music acts and film festivals.
147 abantu bendawo batusa
Somerville Theatre
55 Davis Square
147 abantu bendawo batusa
It is the anchor of Davis. It's a great theater with beer on tap that you can take into the movies. You can get a 16 oz. draw of Tank 7 for 5 bucks and bring it in the movie theater. Check the schedule because they host national live music acts and film festivals.
This is where Sandra taught for years and still practices there 4-5 times a week. She'll happily take you to a class and sometimes has guest passes. We have a space Manduka Black Mat around to borrow.
10 abantu bendawo batusa
O2 Yoga - Somerville
288 Highland Ave
10 abantu bendawo batusa
This is where Sandra taught for years and still practices there 4-5 times a week. She'll happily take you to a class and sometimes has guest passes. We have a space Manduka Black Mat around to borrow.

Arts & Culture

The Rape of Europa is there, not the Rubens copy in the Prado. It's nuts that you can look at the original in Boston. Aside from that it is an amazing museum.
500 abantu bendawo batusa
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
25 Evans Way
500 abantu bendawo batusa
The Rape of Europa is there, not the Rubens copy in the Prado. It's nuts that you can look at the original in Boston. Aside from that it is an amazing museum.
Impressionism. I do not like how the new addition is organized.
1042 abantu bendawo batusa
I-Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
465 Huntington Ave
1042 abantu bendawo batusa
Impressionism. I do not like how the new addition is organized.