Catalyst Restaurant

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Catalyst Restaurant
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Catalyst Restaurant

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Address:
300 Tech Square
Cambridge, MA 02012

Neighborhood:
Cambridge

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Cuisine:
Contemporary American

Price: $30 and under

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Catalyst Restaurant Details

Dining Style: Casual Elegant
Website: http://www.catalystrestaurant.com
Email: info@catalystrestaurant.com
Phone: (617) 576-3000
Hours of Operation: Lunch: Monday - Friday: 11:00am - 3:00pm; Dinner: Monday - Tuesday: 4:30pm - 10:00pm, Wednesday - Friday: 4:30pm - 11:00pm, Saturday: 5:00pm - 11:00pm, Sunday: 5:00pm - 10:00pm
Payment Options: AMEX, Visa
Cuisine: Contemporary American
Dress Code: Smart Casual
Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes

Getting there

Parking: Street Parking

A word from Catalyst Restaurant

Catalyst Restaurant is a reflection of Chef/Owner William Kovel’s passion for simple, delicious food delivered with warm service in a comfortable, modern environment. The modern American cuisine begins with exceptional products centered on locally grown organic produce and wild and farm raised food… from sustainable practices. With an ever-changing menu, Catalyst celebrates each season by featuring the best ingredients from a wide range of farms and food producers in the region.Continued

Catalyst Restaurant

4.1

350 $30 and under restaurant

Featured Reviews

More Reviews ›

Reviews from OpenTable Diners Learn More

356 Current Reviews

Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews

Overall

(Outstanding) 4.1 / 5

Food

(Outstanding) 4.2 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 4.1 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

356 Current Reviews

Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews

Overall

(Outstanding) 4.1 / 5

Food

(Outstanding) 4.2 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 4.1 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

Filter Reviews By:

Diners classify this restaurant as:

fit for foodies(222)
good for groups(132)
special occasion(111)

neighborhood gem(110)
hot spot(106)
vibrant bar scene(105)

Current OpenTable.com Diner Reviews (356)

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Very hospitable staff, great

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/13/2012

2009

Dined on 04/13/2012

2009

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Very hospitable staff, great table with no one hurrying us. Menu interesting and attractively presented. A hip place for young people, but also appropriate for others who want a quiet place for conversation. A high-tech place in Tech Square, MIT Kendall Square."

Dined on 04/13/2012

2009

Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, great for lunch, hot spot

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Overall rating

(Fair) 2 / 5

Not impressed.

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/13/2012

2004

Dined on 04/13/2012

2004

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Poor) 1 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"We were a party of 6 and we had a 7:15 reservation. When we arrived there the restaurant only had a couple of tables seated so it was not busy. We were served water and then waited 20 mins before we were asked for our drink order which took an unusual amount of time to make and serve. Service was slow and as the restaurant was not full we Felt the service should of been better. It appeared there was only one bartender (on a Friday evening)the food was just "okay". Not too impressive. I would definately give it some time before I try it again."

Dined on 04/13/2012

2004

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Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

jackson pollock and janice joplin

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/14/2012

2012

Dined on 04/14/2012

2012

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Loved our waiter (Juan), loved the food (for the most part), loved the way the food was arranged on the large white plates, even though the squirts of sauce –jackson pollock style– seemed trendy. Loved the armchairs, the spaciousness, the supporting staff, the friendliness. Only things I would have appreciated would have been lower entree prices and a change in the choice of music. I do love janice joplin, but a mix of 1960s & 1970s rock, relatively loud, pandora-style, wasn't something that complemented my meal experience."

Dined on 04/14/2012

2012

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Overall rating

(Fair) 2 / 5

10 % tip

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/14/2012

2011

Dined on 04/14/2012

2011

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Poor) 1 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"the fragmented and spotty service nearly ruined an excellent dinner - a woman came to our table after a wait - said she was not our waitperson, he would appear shortly, could she start us off - she disappeared - another person came. the waiter finally appeared, seemed frazzled and overwhelmed, etc, - many handoffs, disconnected flow - each person asking US what the others had done - thank god we weren't in the operating room, right? can't recall the last time I gave a 10% tip! it felt awful..."

Dined on 04/14/2012

2011

Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion

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Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

The restaurant is light and

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/13/2012

2012

Dined on 04/13/2012

2012

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"The restaurant is light and airy and we had a lovely lunch. We were able to hear each other talk, which is often hard to do. I hope to go back to see Catalyst at night. I'm sure it will be beautiful. All in all, it was a great experience. The only thing that baffled me was the music playing very loudly outside the door. It set a completely different tone than what was going on inside."

Dined on 04/13/2012

2012

Special Features: good for groups, special occasion, great for lunch

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Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

New favorite place.

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/11/2012

2005

Dined on 04/11/2012

2005

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"A casual dining room with truly outstanding service. Our waiter Juan, and the sommelier Jason were knowledgeable, attentive, friendly and UN-obtrusive. The level of service was what you would expect from 5 star establishment with no pretense. The duck confit salad was well balanced, the red fish was perfectly cooked, and the cheese course was a varied and interesting selection. The bartenders were also well above par, they happily explained how the extracts used for drinks were made."

Dined on 04/11/2012

2005

Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list

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Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

Great food, poor service

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/10/2012

2005

Dined on 04/10/2012

2005

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Poor) 1 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Food is superb but the service is non-existent. too bad for the waitress - if she had at least offered average service she would have garnered a larger tip and we all would have been very impressed by the restaurant."

Dined on 04/10/2012

2005

Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem

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Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

We loved the room and decor.

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/10/2012

2006

Dined on 04/10/2012

2006

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"We loved the room and decor. The service was welcoming and attentive and the food was comforting and delicious."

Dined on 04/10/2012

2006

Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, hot spot

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Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Kendall Square Gem!

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/10/2012

2005

Dined on 04/10/2012

2005

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Creative menu and hip, modern decor...a gem in Kendall Square!"

Dined on 04/10/2012

2005

Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, kid-friendly, late-night find, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot

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Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

This place is great--everything

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/08/2012

2006

Dined on 04/08/2012

2006

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"This place is great--everything I hoped for. The decor is cool, the service is good, and the food is absolutely fantastic. We started with some fabulous cocktails (me and one of my dining companions let the bartender surprise us and it paid off). We shared a cheese plate--yum. I had the duck confit salad with a fried egg--also yum. My two dining partners had the veggie frittata and the Catalyst burger--both tasty. The dessert was really the culmination of an already incredible brunch. I had a butterscotch passion fruit pudding (outrageously good) which was served with fried pound cake sticks. My food buddies opted for ice cream (salted caramel and grapefruit sorbet--both amazing). I would highly recommend Catalyst."

Dined on 04/08/2012

2006

Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot