Squares of Somerville: Davis Square

For the last post in my “Squares of Somerville” series I have decided to highlight an oldie but a goodie: Davis Square. Even those who don’t live in the area, they still likely know, and have visited, this bustling hub full of restaurants, bars, clothing boutiques, and more. I decided it made more sense to take a closer look at two of the newest hot spots, rather than try to list out everything. As we know, that would be quite the feat and I inevitably would leave something precious off that list! So, on to today’s specials…

Foundry on Elm:

Perhaps I’m a little biased here seeing as the folks who run Precinct and The Independent in Union Square are also behind this new kid on the block, but I don’t think I’m seeing them through rose-colored glasses by any means. Foundry has definitely found its way on to my list of go-to places all on its own merit.

The menu is traditional yet unique, with some of your go-to regular standbys such as burgers and sandwhiches with fries. But this place goes well beyond typical pub food and offers some high-end eats without the South End prices. I'm a sucker for Tuna Tartare, and theirs is nothing to sneeze at. They do it Parisian-style with a cracked quails egg on the top. Their flatbreads are also a great choice. Currently they are featuring a fig and caramelized onion one. I LOVE FIGS. Yes, I said it, I’m proud of it, and I get so exicted when its put on pizza. The crust on the flatbread, no matter which you indulge in, is perfectly crisp with a little char to it. Delicious carb loading will happen and you won’t feel guilty as they’re portioned just right so you can eat the whole thing and still float out of the restaurant for a night on the town.

Outside of the food they also have a killer beer menu with lots of unique and obscure beers perfect for the beer snob in your life and they also boast some amazing cocktails. I generally consider myself a beer and wine lady but the last time me and the boyfriend were there I got the Witches Cherry- made with bourbon, bitters and muddled cherry, of course. This was a surprisingly perfect summer drink. It was flavorful but not heavy and it was incredibly refreshing. The bartender, Ramona, was super nice and willing to recommend drinks and we had a great time hanging at the bar while sipping cocktails and devouring their Strawberry Shortcake desert.

Ramona wasn’t the only friendly person there either. The other bartenders, one of whom rightly recommended the shortcake, were all super friendly. Even on just our second time of being there the waiters recognized us and already we feel like regulars!

All of this comes wrapped up neatly in a bow of dark wood, leather seats, a long bar, and an open kitchen making this place the perfect combination of local pub, comfort, casual, and sophistication done right.

Posto:

It didn't take long for this place to sweep me off my eatin' feet with perfectly thin-crusted, creative pizzas; to woo me under the dimly lit evening sky with it's tender meatballs covered in daily-homemade mozarrella cheese; and to make me fall head-over-stomach with its melt-in-your-mouth gnocchi and savory, but ever-so-sweet bolognese.

I went this past week with a friend and we decided to sit at the bar. It's a large square bar with three sides accomodating seating and it's spacious yet somehow cozy as you look up far along the wall at the wines neatly stacked and the multitude of jars filled with the bartender's homemade infused vodkas. There's an orange infused vodka as well as a pineapple and a chili infused vodka, which I'm thinking of going back and indulging in very soon!

We decided to do dinner tapas-style. This is easily done at Posto as they have a wide-range of appetizers and all of their pastas come in full and half sizes. This is genious, and why more places don't do it bewilders me. We started with their Rosemary Sea Salt Bread, which was so soft and doughy. We also ordered the Lemon Arancini, I almost died of lemony-happy-goodness from these. They were delicious! First off arancini is one of the best inventions ever, no? Fried balls of rice and cheese together, what's not to love? But these had such a vibrant lemon flavor without being overpowering. Then there were the meatballs. Oh the meatballs. What can I say? Please see attached photo - they speak for themselves.

On recommedation from the bartender, we decided to split the half order of the gnocchi. These were huge gnochhi and so soft on the inside and lightly browned on the outside. The sauce was made from locally-grown cherry tomatoes that were yellow, orange and red, and so sweetly savory. It gave the dish a lightness perfect for summer.

And speaking of our bartender- Kleber- he was awesome! And so friendly and happy. If you walk in here after a bad day at work and sit at the bar for some dinner and drinks while Kleber's working you're bound to walk out smiling. He beamed with pride when telling us about his infused vodkas and he made sure we were never wanting for drinks. At the end of dinner when we decided we were too full for more he sneakily came over with two small sherry-sized glasses and poured us each a complimentary glass of an Italian desert wine and then surprised us with a complimentary conoli. Granted it might have been because I let it slip I was writing a blog, but as Kleber said "you can't blog about a place and not try their desert!". So, we did, and happily so!

With its high celings but cozy wood finishings; its tasty, familiar yet unique food; and friendly staff- this places serves up Italian food in a refined, creative, casual, and welcoming way that has pushed it to the top of my must-go-to-as-often-as-I-possibly-can neighborhood restaurants. In fact, I may have just been there a couple of days ago, but after writing this post I am having a serious meatball craving!

Now then, I’d also be remiss if I didn’t highlight one other new place that has also stolen my stomach, er, I mean heart.

• Boston Burger Company: These guys make a mean burger and some crazy ones too! But one thing I HAVE to have whenever I visit this establishment are the delectable garlic-parm fries. Again, check out the photo…are you drooling yet?

If you haven’t been to Davis Square in a while, or you’ve been going to some of the same places and looking for something new, I hope that after reading this you’ll be planning an immediate visit to welcome the new neighbors with empty stomachs!