The Black Sheep Restaurant At The Kendall Hotel
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About
Situated in the lobby of the historic Kendall Hotel, the Black Sheep Restaurant is dedicated to the building’s past as a Victorian firehouse and to fine dining in Cambridge, Mass. The firefighters of Engine 7 considered themselves the “black sheep” of the Cambridge Fire Department, and the Kendall honors their memory with our restaurant. The menu offers daily selections created by our chef using organic and locally grown produce. Our cozy dining room creates a welcoming atmosphere, with a menu offering both classic and innovative American home-style cooking. Our philosophy is simple: purchase the finest and freshest ingredients and let the food absorb them. We offer a full bar and specialize in a selection of locally brewed beers and selected wines from wineries around the United States.
So that there are no surprises to anyone else like we were, the dining room is literally in the lobby of the hotel; thus, on a Saturday night there were some lobby noises, drafts from people exiting and entering the hotel, as well as the shared use of the public restrooms where you would need to get a key FOB to enter and use. This is the only true issue to overcome, the restaurant and food was great and cozy I would recommend on a night when the hotel is not so busy, but other then that four stars!!!!
The flavors were wonderful because the ingredients were so fresh!
Usually good service, but this evening was lacking. Slow. Waiter friendly. Food was good.
Good food, convenient spot. Since it wasn't crowded, we had room to sit comfortably though I have also eaten there when the tiny seating area was virtually packed. Very nice wait staff but considering there were only 6-8 people in the restuarant, it took a very, very long time to get our food. Hard to understand.
I have been to this restaurant frequently when I stay at the hotel across the street. On this trip the food was as good as usual (I had Calamari as an app and the Veggie burger with chips as entrée) but now they have seemed to adopt a policy of adding the service charge/tip onto the bill for only TWO people without really mentioning that fact when the check was dropped at the table. There is no room to add or deduct any tips based on the level of service or food quality. Frankly I would have tipped more (on my credit card) if I was given an option and not had it added automatically. I suspect the servers don't like this? but who know.....maybe some of the local students are frugal? I'll be back for the food and I hope that they get rid of this dumb new policy.
My wife and I dine here 2-4x/year when we are in the neighborhood in the evening. The service is attentive, but discreet. The food is always very good, but it is a changing limited menu. We enjoy each meal here and it expands out dining palate with its varied offerings.
Love this place. Charming. Terrific service and excellent food.
Very over priced for a tiny hotel restaurant and the food was good but not out of the ordinary. We ordered the calamari to start and while it was delicious (hard to be bad when it's deep fried) the portion was minuscule for $14. Then we ordered 3 Firehouse burgers which were big and definitely good burgers but one came without the bacon that was ordered and all were cooked about the same - medium vs what we ordered, 2 med-rare and 1 med-well. The service was gracious but very slow - they spent a lot of time folding napkins instead of taking our order or filling up waters. It was also DEAD quiet even though there were 3 other tables filled. It felt like I was whispering at our table to avoid creating a ruckus in the silence. There are much much better restaurants in the area that are worth your time and money.
We were looking for a restaurant in the Kendall Square area that's quiet, and this filled the bill. The food is good - I had the Boston Bib salad, the produce was very fresh and the dressing was great. My wife and I shared a plate of crispy calamari as well - also pretty good. They don't allow tipping but add 18% onto the total bill. We did, however, raise our eyebrows at the price in the end - $78 including two glasses of wine. I was expecting more like $50 for such a light dinner. That said, if you are in the Kendall Square area, and looking for someplace quiet, I would recommend this place!
A $25 "administrative fee" was added to the bill on a prix fixe dinner. I will never return until they rescind that policy.
Great place for lunch during the week. Food is always good. Definitely one of my go-to places.
A nice surprise boutique setting with great menu. Hot olives with almonds were a treat.
Did not expect an administrative fee to dine here (added fee because we were not staying at the hotel) and a bit loud. However, having said that, we had a delicious meal (all 4 of us), our service was attentive and timely, and overall a very pleasant dining experience in a unique iconic building. Would recommend to any guests at the hotel.
The food was excellent and the waitress was very professional and the atmosphere is cozy.
Nice setting; convenient to Kendall Square hotels, etc. The service was cheerful but very slow, especially the appetizers.
I haven't been to the Black Sheep Restaurant in many years and met a friend for lunch. I can't say that the food was stupendous. It was ok. It wasn't terrible. The prices are a bit high for what you get. They say they serve soup on the menu but they don't as I discovered when I tried to order some. I realize they face some limitations as a small place but if they did better w the food, they'd have a line out the door. The wait staff and manager are always very nice.
Really enjoyed the cozy atmosphere, friendly staff and delicious food & wine.
Great food and good drink at a charming little restaurant in the heart of Kendall Square, Cambridge. I had the maine crab cakes which were delicious, moist and lightly breaded. The venue was good for quiet conversation. Service was attentive.
We always wanted to try the Black Sheep. Dishes are OK, not so bad or not outstanding either. I recommend their cheese plate.
Hi,
The lunch on September 18th at the Black Sheep Restaurant was very delightful. The food was delicious, and the waitress and staff were very attentive and friendly. It was most enjoyable.
Thank you,
Service was very slow. Cheese plate was lovely. Very good assortment and choices. Quinoa salad...not great but the grilled chicken was super tender and tasty.
Excellent quality bistro, ambience unmatched. Like having a drink and meal in your own living room. Staff very engaged. I order food with all kinds of modifications (no gluten, no dairy) and they always get it right.
a fine place to meet a friend with whom I wanted to catch up (which is to say talk without shouting). Food was fine and it's a lovely cozy space. Only down side was the price - I was unhappily surprised to pay $60 for half a share of two starters, one main and splitting a half bottle of wine.
Lovely as always!
Was there with a party of 8. Service was INCREDIBLY slow, inattentive and not what I would expect for a restaurant at this price point.
I made my res. through Open Table and confirmed it early this week with OT by e. mail, but when I got to the restaurant, there was no record that I had a res.
Grilled Salmon and crab cakes with accompaniments were both excellent meals. Service was very attentive, seating comfortable and had weather been warmer we would have sat outside. Will definitely be back!
My favorite restaurant in Kendall Square. Food and service are spectacular.
Very loud guests that were using profanity . The manager eventually moved my teenager daughters and I outside and checked on us regularly. I was very grateful. The food and service was superb.
The portions have gotten smaller. Although the meal was still good.
I love the space, especially the patio in warmer weather, and the food is also very good. Sipping ice tea over a business lunch is divine!
One of my favorite lunch places in Kendall Square. The outdoor patio is really nice when the weather is warm. Great food and attentive service.
My friends and I ordered the burger, each having it cooked a different way. they all came perfectly done and for me who likes it rare,, it was spot on and delicious. Service was excellent, price reasonable and as always, the Black Sheep continues to be an excellent choice. Great menu and atmosphere.
My wife and I have been to the The Black Sheep on many occasions. This occasion was a birthday dinner for my son. It is fairly expensive but that is the neighborhood.
Took my daughter to lunch. We had a lovely time. Service was wonderful and the food was delicious. My only concern was parking. We circled Cambridge for an hour before pulling into a lot and paying $31 for the privilege of parking.
Outstanding food! Not pretentious but very high class presentation. I highly recommend the Black Sheep.
I always enjoy eating at The Black Sheep. Sometimes it is very noisy but this time, perhaps because we had to eat earlier (six-ish) the noise level remained very low until about 7:30. Loved the food and ambience.
Quiet, romantic, and attractive restaurant.
This was a great place to meet colleagues for a quiet dinner after work.
Disrespectful staff for business lunch.
FAQs
The Black Sheep Restaurant At The Kendall Hotel is rated 4.7 stars by 350 OpenTable diners.