West BridgeJust goIt's not another generic American bistro. This one has innovative food that isn't just weird things cobbled together for the sake of being weird. They are brilliant combinations that are delicious. Ambience is great! Spacious, but quaint at the same time. Can't wait to try everything on the menu!!6/15/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent excellentWest Bridge is amazing - unique drinks and food. They really nailed the atmosphere - it's sophisticated yet easy going. You could dress up or down, go after work or on a date. The place accommodates it all but it's a bit on the loud side. They have an amazing bartender - tall caucasian guy with a shaved head - who makes unbelievable drinks, especially manhattans. But the service is always spot on regardless. Just some of my favorites: Conants Island (a cucumber vodka and rice vinegar based cocktail), egg in a jar, black kale, cauliflower, any kind of fish in the Large Plates section, fried chicken skin on their Bridge menu.6/14/2013 12:00:00 AM2nd visit doesn't disappoint!We've all had those great meals at a new dining destination only to return and have trouble remembering what all the fuss was about.
So I have a healthy skepticism about "second dates." Our second visit to West Bridge only affirmed our enthusiastic first impression. We were able to go deeper into the menu, beyond the must haves ( yes, the duck egg in a jar is wonderful but so are many of the other choices). Our helpful waiter guided us toward some tasty menu additions. We leaned heavily toward the small plates and had a lengthy, delicious meal. We will be back! I think the tasting menu is in our future.6/14/2013 12:00:00 AMA Rising StarFrom beginning to end, the service was impeccable. Well-versed crew added to the meal, as they walked us through an innovative and nicely executed tasting menu. Lamb cheek gnocchi was a surprise treat.6/13/2013 12:00:00 AMConsistenly excellentI have had the good fortune to have dinner at West Bridge three times now...every experience has been top-notch. Menu is quite fresh and dynamic. The bartenders are excellent - really make v good cocktails. Food is phenomenal. Just had the 'red fish' - cooked to perfection - sometimes cooking an entire fish has some inconsistencies - not at West Bridge. Egg in a jar appetizer is always excellent.
The wait staff is extremely helpful, enthusiastic, and attentive.
The only challenge to West Bridge is that noise levels can be quite high. Not a location for an intimate, quiet discussion.6/11/2013 12:00:00 AMThe only criticism I haveThe only criticism I have was that the food was a little slow to come out. For the most part the great menu & upbeat service made up for it! Great venue.6/11/2013 12:00:00 AMUnevenSome dishes were sublime (cauliflower, soups); others ho-hum (the two egg dishes, and one of the desserts). Noise level was high without creating a feeling of vitality. Service was attentive but not always helpful. If they had just opened I'd be excited and optimistic, but after a year? With the talent they obviosly have in the kitchen? Should have been better.6/10/2013 12:00:00 AMDelicious!Creative, well balanced flavors. One of the best meals I've had!! The food was absolutely delicious! The service was impeccable, Dan was extremely knowledgable and very attentive.6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMThis restaurant takes someThis restaurant takes some expertise in selecting plates. Our waitress was fantastic in making suggestions, but the flavors are so intense (in a good way!) that we needed a few calm plates interspersed with the ones we ordered. Definitely a repeat!6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent Adventure...will return!West Bridge is a wonderful food adventure because while most foods are familiar there are some twists on the menu, the preparation and the presentation...all delightful! It is a great place to go with a number of friends and/or family and share...so many tasty items that you don't want to be limited to just trying your own....LOVED the mushroom soup, the egg in a jar with crispy pork was OUTSTANDING...Crispy was also very tasty! Kale Salad, carrot salad, cauliflower dish....all VERY good!
Two of our guests had the chicken 'to share'...it was moist, succulent and quite yummy!
Very good variety of beers and wine as well!
Excellent Adventure...worth the trip...and will absolutely will be returning. Atmosphere more utilitarian but fun!6/4/2013 12:00:00 AMFabulous food but oh the noiseEach dish was nirvana--the duck egg with fried skin in the jar, the sweetbreads with greens, the snails in burgundy sauce, the halibut, and do ask for the bread--so good. Wait staff great. Only drawback is the massive din of sound--not easy for anyone over 50.6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMCreative and deliciousCreative and delicious food. Great small plates for sharing or to make a meal. We'll definitely be back. Service was very good, but a couple of missteps were a bit off. A server cleared plates from everyone who was finished eating, while one person in our party was still eating. Also, we informed a server that it was a birthday for someone in our party, and a dessert was brought for that person (with a candle). No dessert order was taken. We actually had to ask the server to tell us about dessert for the rest of us. Odd, since now the birthday person had already eaten dessert, and the rest of us were just ordering. Overall, a great experience.6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMthoroughly satisfyingWe had the tasting menu. It was delicious. Compared to the tasting menus around town, it was equally fresh, less pretentious, and more affordable.5/30/2013 12:00:00 AMVery good and inventive cuisine.Very good and inventive cuisine. Very nice space. Good service. My only complaint is poor wine guidance. Hearing different descriptors before and after having a bottle of wine opened - liking the sound of what we heard before but not after - was dissappointing. Still a very nice addition to the neighborhood5/29/2013 12:00:00 AMwith gustoloved savory
and loved deserts
would for sure go back!!!!
actually...LOVED IT!!!!!!
but don't want it to get so crowded i can never go...
hmmmm...
a conundrum.......5/28/2013 12:00:00 AMDelicious food and nice waitstaffWe were presented with a taster from the kitchen when we were seated. Although they gave this to everyone, it made us feel special. The taster was absolutely delicious - flatbread with pate and an orange/almond sauce on top. The food itself was quite good. As many reviews suggested, the Egg in a Jar is delicious. The potato puree is heavenly - somewhat satisfying the "comfort" food level and the accompaniment of the the different mushrooms and the leaky egg itself was perfect.
We also got the venison. The grains that came with it were delicious on its own. The venison seemed barely cooked, but that's just our preference for meats. It had a nice smokey flavor.
Overall, we'd come back. Food is a bit pricing, but delicious.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMSeafood potage was delicious.Seafood potage was delicious. Snails a hit as well. Sirloin for 2 was great also but a bit on the rare side for serving as "chef recommended", minor detail to the meaty greatness on that plate (bone marrow, sweetbread & raclette gratin, and bitter greens that tasted like Caesar salad!) will definitely be back for more :-)5/24/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was tasty. They cameThe food was tasty. They came in small portions. We ordered 10 dishes for a party of 4.5/23/2013 12:00:00 AMAll-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 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 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 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 AMSome standout items, others blandFirst the good: the "Egg in a Jar" small plate is spectacular. Umami goodness in a jar, with small crackly bits of duck-skin. The "Escapade" cocktail is also superb, with it's egg-white froth that holds the flavor to the last drop. And the "Indian Pudding" dessert is the perfect cinnamony/caramelly goodness to end with. But a couple of the other small plates are disappointing: The "Black Tuscan Kale" has completely flavorless duck, and the asparagus in the "Asparagus" small plate was also near flavorless (but the couple of smoked oysters with it were great). Also, the place is ridiculously loud.4/9/2013 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 AMGreat food undermined by serviceHad dinner at 9:30 PM, after a movie at nearby Kendall Cinemas. Were seated immediately but then left alone for roughly 10 minutes with no waiter in sight. The waiter eventually arrived and was fine, if not particularly warm. The food was, however, phenomenal. Egg in a jar, beet salad, roast duck all were done brilliantly. We'd eat there again in an instant, though we wouldn't mind if they'd turn the volume down a notch so we could hear each other speak.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMThe drink and food menu areThe drink and food menu are very interesting and the food was delicious. The menu includes a lot of interesting and healthy options, we particularly liked cauliflower, duck egg in a jar and an excellent sunchoke and duck pate salad. The fish was cooked just right with crispy skin and tender flavors. Our only complaint was the long wait to be seated and less then friendly service at the door. It seems the policy at the restaurant is to open up table for reservation before allowing the patrons already inside and on the waiting list to get a table. My advice, if you decide on a weekend, reserve ahead, and be prepared to wait.4/6/2013 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 AM