West BridgeAll-star performance!Showed up for a reservation and initially was worried about the high top tables at the front windows, as the stools have no backs. Booths and tables also available. The menu was filled with inventive choices, but was almost overwhelming as a result. Decided to make no decisions and just go with the tasting menu and wine pairings (just bring us things to eat and drink). Great variety and inventive use of ingredients in the tasting menu plus a couple of free bites to start. Wine pairings weren't blowing us away, but were very distinct from each other for each course. Great service. Music was borderline loud, and if the place had been more than half full it may have been pretty overwhelming sound-wise. Overall, a great experience!5/21/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat as usualMy wife and I went to WestBridge during the first week that it opened. We have returned every 1-2 months since then. The food, ambience, and service is just as superior as out first experience..right portions..savory combinations.. and just a changing menu that excels. Definitely in the top 5 in Cambridge!!!5/21/2013 12:00:00 AMsecond time in a monthIt's so good that within a month, my friends and I needed to come back for a second visit...Lamb dish to share is a must!!! Waiters and waitresses all provide great service with their big smiles :) Going to come back often!5/19/2013 12:00:00 AMFood wonderful -- WAY too noisy!This is a restaurant with truly outstanding food, but there is a certain disconnect here in terms of ambience. At fine dining establishments one expects to talk and enjoy the food in a relaxed way, but the noise level at this restaurant is so great that, after about 45 minutes, I just wanted to get out the door to someplace where it was relatively quiet. I think this restaurant would have much greater appeal to diners such as myself and my friends if it created a quieter zone where we could be seated. This could easily be done by putting down carpet and putting some sound-absorbing material on the walls on the side of the restaurant by the windows.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMneed staple dishMy only complaint about West Bridge is that the food is too geared for foodies. I suggest at least one staple dish (chicken or beef) that can be accessed by anyone. This dish should also be able to be ordered for one, not two people. This will allow foodie types to be able to dine along with non-foodies who can still enjoy a great meal. Also, for dessert, something chocolate. Unless you don't want people to stay for dessert. We ended up leaving and heading to Finale for our final bite.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food and service!Went with my family to celebrate a special occasion. We all had the chef's 5 course tasting menu and paired it with wine. The food was amazing and service outstanding. You don't have to pair it with wine, but the experience is just so much better.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat first impressionWent here for the first time on a glorious Spring day. Met a client for lunch and he was suitably impressed by the food, ambiance, and service. I had the arctic char salad and the French chardonnay recommended by our server. Both were spot on. A lovely experience, all around. Can't wait to come back for dinner soon.5/16/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Atmosphere in Kendall SquareCharming location with outdoor tables overlooking the old mill buildings in east Cambridge/Kendall Square area.
Casual and inviting interior design. Party room for groups.
My client and I enjoyed having a healthy lunch in such a lovely place.5/14/2013 12:00:00 AMFabulous food and vibeI have been here four times in the past six months and each time was immensely enjoyable -- the food is creative and delicious, as are the cocktails. The staff is outstanding -- the staff at the front are welcoming and kind and the waitstaff helpful and nonjudgmental. The place is popular and hopping even on a tuesday night but we never felt pressured or rushed; we have brought children (elementary/tween age) who were treated respectfully (they are well-behaved and it was nice to have be assumed they would do so).
The only negative is that the place is loud; this is in part because of the inherent nature of the space (retrofitted older building) but is not helped by the loud music.5/14/2013 12:00:00 AMDinner and a movieWe arrived initially due to the proximity to the Kendall sq cinema, but were excited after reading other reviews. Our server was great, explaining the menu and was very knowledgable about both food and wine selections. The meal was exceptional for both taste texture and satisfaction. The snails were TDF and the rest of the meal likewise. We got to our film in good time and the overall evening was memorable, in large part due to our great meal. We'll definitely be back!5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMPre-movie spotHad small plates before going to an early movie. Service was really attentive and pleasant. Food was well prepared and each dish had a unique take on something classic. When they say it is French, it is a very comtemporary version. Had a deconstructed lemon pie for desert. Reminded me a key lime pie, but a really delicious version.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMDon't forget the tastingIt's easy to overlook on the menu, but the five course tasting is affordable, it's not overwhelming, and it showcases original work in the kitchen, not a "greatest hits" of the current menu. Wine pairings are offered and are highly recommended.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMUnbelievable food, crowded tableMy first time at West Bridge- wow! Incredible food: we had 4 small plates and 1 dessert, and of those 5 things 4 were ABSOLUTE SUPERSTARS! (the egg in a jar, the snails, the lamb & fava beans, and the indian pudding). The waitress was just right: attentive and unintrustive and cute as a button- loved her.
The only part I would have changed was the seating: a long table next to adjoining couples, which *can* be fine, but in this case we were nestled too close, so conversations weren't really private (my date and I were daring each other to have fun with it and say inappropriate things). That was the one limitation on what would have otherwise been a perfect date. We'll definitely be back here again- the food's too good not to!5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat TimeI decided to take my boyfriend to West Bridge for his birthday. From the moment we sat down, I knew that the experience would be great. The food was very good and flavorful. We each ordered a small plate and a large plate. (Egg in a jar, scallops, venison, and fluke). Each dish was amazing and unique on flavor. I was skeptical at first to order the egg, but it ended up being my favorite part of my meal. I look forward to going back there again soon.5/2/2013 12:00:00 AMInventive food, minimalistInventive food, minimalist but tasteful decor and professional/knowledgeable and friendly staff. This place is my new favorite local haunt.5/2/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent, quiet, weekday lunchThis was my first visit to West Bridge after having heard it mentioned by a relative. Everything was excellent, so I'll be back.4/30/2013 12:00:00 AMThe small plate dishes wereThe small plate dishes were original and very tasty. My only complaints are that it is a very loud room and that, even with a reservation asking for a low-table seating, we were seated in the bar on high stools.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMHands down the best meal I'veHands down the best meal I've had in Boston. Knowledgeable and friendly staff. No pretentious airs, just people who love making food in a beautiful environment.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMMy husband and I ate hereMy husband and I ate here after seeing a movie at the Kendall Square theater. Although we had a dinner reservation, two seats opened up at the bar and we ended up having dinner there. The food was excellent. We had the grilled octupus and the cauliflower small plates. I had the duck breast and my husband had the trout. The kitchen also sent out a samll bite: mushroom pate on a squid ink chip. Everything was delicious. The bartender, folks at the front door and wine director were all great and very accomodating and knowledgeable. I knocked off a few points only because the place was incredibly loud and I just prefer something a bit quieter. It's a great bar scene with a lively crowd but not the spot for a romantic dinner.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMLoved the cocktails, reallyLoved the cocktails, really fantastic and they were able to tailor cocktails to my requests. The service was excellent, our server was both knowledgeable and attentive and was able to make good recommendations on both quantity of food for our party size and what we might like. The food itself was delicious, although no single dish jumped out as sensational. Overall, a very good dining experience appropriate for the price range.4/12/2013 12:00:00 AMGet the lamb neck to shareGet the lamb neck to share - best lamb dish ever!!!4/12/2013 12:00:00 AMI've been before for the regularI've been before for the regular menu, so this time we went for the tasting. Every dish was fresh and inventive, the wine pairings were unique, and overall I think it's a fantastic deal for the price. My only complaint is that the pause between courses was a bit long. We look forward to going back again soon.4/12/2013 12:00:00 AMInteresting menu and deliciousInteresting menu and delicious food. Service was very attentive. A bit noisy. Looking forward to going there again and will definitely recommend to friends.4/7/2013 12:00:00 AMThe service was great, theThe service was great, the staff was on the ball with our food allergies/sensitivities, and the food was delicious!4/7/2013 12:00:00 AMFor French food, this doesFor French food, this does an amazing job of not overpowering with richness. Every dish is packed with flavor. Even the greens which look like throwaway garnish are all lightly but brilliantly dressed. With Craigie on Main we've found it's an experience worth repeating at very infrequent intervals, but we see ourselves coming back to West Bridge again and again.4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent across the board!Just wonderful!!! Incredible staff, very helpful and knowledgeable. Food was fantastic and everything I had was based on the recommendation from the waitress, and she was spot on!4/2/2013 12:00:00 AMThese people really care aboutThese people really care about getting it right-not only in terms of the amazing and creative food, but also customer service. After a previous meal which did have a service glitch, the staff has more than gone out of their way to make certain that from the moment we are seated until we walk out the door, we are well cared for. The food continues to amaze--especially the small plates. Love the egg-in-a-jar and the kale salad...3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMWe loved West Bridge!!! WeWe loved West Bridge!!! We had a wonderful meal in a great environment. We had the lamb to share and it was by far one of the best meals I've had in a while. The service was great - our waiter, James, was very knowledgeable about the menu and provided some incredible recommendations. They have a wonderfully eclectic beer list and my martini was close to perfection. We'll definitely be going back!3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMAttractive environment, inAttractive environment, in fact, I selected it in large part becuase of its pictures on its web page, which look young and high energy. Very noisy. I like the menu--choice of small plates, large plates, sharing and tasting menu. Food was excellent. Service was a bit too much--tried too hard, not natural. I prefer wait staff who seems to be naturally good at knowing the menu (apparently because they worked there a long time) and being the right amount of attentive. Overall, worth recommending to someone looking for good food and an energetic environment.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat new restaurant - loveGreat new restaurant - love the small plates - every one of them. They are individual, interesting, and tasty to a dish! We were worried when we realized that a lot of the "veggie" options had meat of some sort in them, because we were with a friend who was vegetarian, but the staff was very accommodating and brought us all the veggie options as well as altering some others that had meat elements (and they were still delicious, of course).3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMReally enjoyed my first time,Really enjoyed my first time, food and ambiance made a first date memorable despite the noise level. Service was vy good/exc., staff were knowledgable, helpful with suggestions. Very well priced for the quality. Among our 5 small plates the Seafood Potage was extraordinary. WinexGlass menu limited, but enjoyed the NeroD'Avola.
We'll be back! And look forward to trying Tasting Menu.3/28/2013 12:00:00 AMWest Bridge for something differentOne of the most creative menus available. Menu seems to change frequently (although trying to keep the crowd favorites). Most dishes will not be familiar to you but if you trust the servers and the chef you will be pleasantly surprised. The food is more memorable for its creativity than its over the top flavors but it is a very nice experience. The servers are very well educated and can explain virtually all the nuances of the dishes. The entire restaurant works very hard to make your dining experience special.3/27/2013 12:00:00 AMHad a fabulous meal doingHad a fabulous meal doing the tasting menu. Paced just right and every course delicious and beautifully plated. They were totally accommodating to my no red meat request. Also interesting cocktails. The service was perfect. Incredibly knowledgeable waitress and unobtrusive folks refilling water, etc.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food and I like thatGreat food and I like that its different. Some of the ice cream flavor could be more intense but smaller scoops would do.3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMThis place is awesome! TonsThis place is awesome! Tons of choices on the small plates list and some of the best cocktails in town. A must go again and again (because I keep going back!)3/20/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful Anniversary CelebrationIt was my 32nd anniversary with my wonderful girlfriend and the staff there could not have been more charming and lovely to help us celebrate. We got a great booth, two glasses of champagne on the house and our waiter was terrific. The food - delish. The customer service - tops. Would go again in a heartbeat. Bravo and well done.3/19/2013 12:00:00 AMFood is excellent. We wentFood is excellent. We went at a weird time, so we were the only table. But we still had difficulty hearing each other. It's just a loud place. It's worth it, but just don't expect to have a conversation.3/19/2013 12:00:00 AMI really liked West Bridge.I really liked West Bridge. The flavor combinations in the food were some of the most interesting I have every tried. For example, a flatbread with some squash puree was topped with "sweet and sour" olives. The olives transformed the squash and stopped it from being too sweet. The addition of lemon to the mushroom soup was genius. The acid gave the mushrooms a light, bright taste. Being able to share the small plates let us try a wide variety of dishes. The one "large" dish - it was large, a whole roasted chicken, was simple and delicious. A wonderfully moist, perfectly roasted chicken is a little slice of heaven.3/19/2013 12:00:00 AMSuperb, creative food. MaySuperb, creative food. May not be for everyone as the combination of flavors push the envelope. This is amongst the best restaurants in town for its innovative approach to the menu.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food at West Bridge isThe food at West Bridge is intriguing and delicious.
Our server, Amelia , a real charmer.
I just wish the room wasn't so noisy.
There's a difference between a buzz and a din
and I am afraid West Bridge is definitely on the din side.
Maybe the noise factor helps to turn the tables faster but
it's a shame that such a unique dining experience can't be enjoyed
in a somewhat calmer room.3/15/2013 12:00:00 AM