Catalyst Restaurant
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We look forward to welcoming you back in the spring
Catalyst Restaurant is a reflection of Chef/Owner William Kovel’s passion for simple food delivered with
warm service in a modern environment.
The Catalyst dining experience centers on bright, simple food created from the season’s freshest local
ingredients, serious French technique and an appreciation for the details that go into our guest's
experience.
Private Dining
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Safety precautions
- Surfaces sanitized between seatings
- Common areas deep cleaned daily
- Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
- Contactless payment available
- Distancing maintained in common areas
- Waitstaff wear masks
- Diners must wear masks unless eating or drinking
Menu
The waitress was excellent. Personable, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu.
It was a very nice place and the food was so delicious!
Delicious food and fantastic service. They have an upgraded ventilation system and some outdoor heaters too.
Everything was wonderful. This was dinner with a friend. Neither of us had been to Catalyst before. The service was professional, great ambience, good social distancing in the dining room. Lovely variety in the menu. Both of us will be back. It was a terrific evening.
Good food and service
Excellent job with outdoor seating for lunch. Food was excellent
We sat outside, 2 tables of 4 - very accommodating. Staff was great and food was delicious. They even validate parking :) Definitely will go back and recommend.
Love this placed and missed it when it was closed! Really hope they are able to survive COVID!!!
Always outstanding. The loungey outdoor setting is artfully done, and the food lovingly executed. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
A lovely patio with trees and blue sky to enjoy delicious food in these crazy pandemic times. I highly recommend
Our lunch tacos were great1 Excellent fries as well. Drinks were a bit pricey but tasty; the only disappointment was a watermelon "salad" for $12 that was 8 small squares (less than 1 inch by 1 inch) of watermelon - very nicely garnished and dressed but SERIOUSLY???
It in no way was a salad, possibly an "amuse bouche" ... should have been a $5 charge at most -
Based on the price of this dinner item, I would probably NOT try the restaurant for dinner - there is no way that was a first course for one person, never mind a shareable plate for a table.
Service was great; safety standards were well maintained.
I am glad the Catalyst is back to business even under these dire circumstances. The service and the food was great. We sat outside under the trees. Lovely.
Great outdoor seating with lots of distancing. The food and service was great.
Fantastic food, excellent menu, great service. Can’t wiSt to go back. And the wine list was outstanding.
Amazing culinary experience as usual! Nothing short of perfection. Catalyst is gem of Cambridge and New England.
Food and people always outstanding. Best restaurant in Cambridge and Boston. By far.
First time back since they reopened since COVID closing in March. Enjoyed the food and service. Was seated outside as they are not seating inside.
Love the new pre fix menu, well adapted for these tougher times! Can’t wait to go back!
Excellent dinner and service!!
Great dinner for a client meeting. Very busy and fun for a weeknight evening.
Had a business dinner there. Food and service were good.
Generally underwhelmed by the food. Some of the appetizers were simply bad, others were just significantly under seasoned and bland. But, the mains were actually all fine. But, price point was high and for that inconsistency this is not a restaurant we would go back to
I have been to Catalyst several times and am always impressed. It is a great place to take out of town friends because the food is always excellent and the atmosphere is lively and fun while we are still able to have a conversation.
Always a great experience!
The services was very good! My Flat Iron steak is fulled of fat and very chewed. I think the rest of the food was fine! I really like the raspberry tea and cappuccino was delicious.
Good food and service. Delicious mushroom ravioli and knowledgeable bar tender. Terrible music playlist of 70s pop/rock that seemed out of place, too loud for conversation, and just in poor taste all round.
Service was soooo slow. We were seated right away for our reservation- it took 20 mins for our waitress to come over and take our drink order... our appetizers cam before our drinks did... the food was mediocre... will not dine here again
Food was good, if not somewhat overpriced. Ambiance overall was very nice but we were sat at a table essentially in a hallway next to an exit door so not an ideal spot.
Service was great and they were able to accommodate vegans.
Some gluten free dessert options would be nice, even if it's just vanilla ice cream. Maybe a creme brulee?
Well let’s start with the pluses. The restaurant is large and nicely appointed. Comfortable and casual. Service was very good. I ordered the Bartender’s choice for a drink and it was very nice. Unfortunately, the food was passable at best. We had the duck confit app. This turned out to be shredded duck with very little flavor topped by a a flaccid piece of roared duck skin. Confit generally has a rich umami quality because it is cooked in duck fat, not here and the skin would have been great if it had been crispy. The other apps were passable, a tuna tartar was pleasant but pedestrian. The chicken liver mouse had was prepared well but needed something to punch it up per gaps a splash of cognac. All in the apps were disappointing. We had two pasta dishes for mains, again solid but nothing special. The special was beef short rib with a taleggio cheese ravioli. The dish was super rich and no real contrasting textures. The second pasta was a squid ink cavetelli with shrimp, artichokes and capers in a very light lemon butter sauce. Again workman like prep. I should know better than to keep falling for squid ink pasta. Only truest flavor a couple of times most as was here just color red black but real flavor difference.
All in all a servicemen meal but no reason to return. No standouts which is a shame because with a bit more care all the elements are in place to be a great restaurant
So disappointed! Had visited this restaurant two nights in a row in Oct on a prior business trip and loved what I had from the menu. This time the offerings were just edible by comparison. Please come back up to former grace!!
I don't get here as often as I'd like, but this is one of my favorite, go to places for lunch, dinner or a drink.
Cod was very good, the Upside Down #2 was really good if u like Whiskey.
Good Food, nice ambience and good service.
Food was mediocre. Staff was rushed. Cocktails were good, but server didn’t have a clue about the wine. Disappointing. Host staff were very welcoming and friendly.
Great location for a small group dinner. Conversation was easy in the environment, service was outstanding, and everyone enjoyed their meal.
Catalyst used to be my go to for business meals, but the service was so bad I don’t think I can take clients here again.
Excellent as always.
The service until we have been able to order the food took forever. The meat of my burger was warm, but not hot. Even the french fries have been excellent I would not recommend catalyst for business meetings.
FAQs
You can order delivery directly from Catalyst Restaurant using the Order Online button. Catalyst Restaurant also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (617) 576-3000.
Catalyst Restaurant is rated 4.5 stars by 1444 OpenTable diners.
Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable. Due to local restrictions, this restaurant may not be accepting reservations at the moment.
