Nubar
16 Garden St, Cambridge, MA, 02138
Nubar Menu
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Appetizers
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Entrees
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Dessert
Healthy Meal suggestions for Nubar
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Appetizers
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Entrees
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Dessert
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Address :
16 Garden St
Cambridge, MA, 02138 - Phone (617) 234-1365
- Website https://nubarcambridge.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :6:30 am - 12:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Valet, Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Dressy
Ambience : Classy
Noise Level : Average
Music : Background
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : No
Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat
Coat Check : Yes
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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JEM C.
I thought this place did a good job on most appetizers that we ordered and the prices were fair (I had a savored reservation, so a good deal). Its not really ever busy, which really makes for a quiet (read: weird) dinner. I wouldnt be opposed to going back, but considering there are so many amazing restaurants around, Im not necessarily making a b-line back, you know?
(3)Anne G.
I went here with several friends the other night following a concert at the First Church in Cambridge (right next door) - the vibe was very chic, and I loved the seating situation (square leather footstools, in essence). I only ordered a glass of wine, but the service was expedient and our waitress was very friendly. I can't speak to the food, but from what I saw it looked great (see the below reviews - this could be an oversight on my part). In any case, it's a nice place to go for a drink and meaningful conversation (i.e. music and overall discourse are at a tolerable level). I am curious to see what the food is like at some point.
(4)Christine O.
List of Injustices Suffered at Nubar: 1. Nubar: don't be fooled by the name. Nothing exotic. 2. Hostess - unprovoked evil eye upon entry 3. Seated next to waitstaff station though restaurant was at best half occupied 4. Failed to provide water for extended duration 5. Waitress was uncertain if 'organic' salmon were farm raised or not 6. Wine arrived in a small carafe as opposed to poured from a bottle. Could of come from a box for all we knew. 7. Wine served by hostess, who refused to make any eye contact 8. Bread (amazing and warm) arrived...but was followed 15 seconds later by appetizers 9. We touched only one of the two appetizers by the time entrees arrived 10. Entrees and second appetizer thus eaten luke warm 11. Breaded haddock BLAND. Boring and tasteless! It was as if I cooked it. (Note: I am a heinous, disastrous cook.) 12. When bus boy was informed that everything arrived at once making it difficult to eat, only a slight apology was provided, but nothing more 13. Food was decent...but nothing revelatory. Perhaps had we eaten it hot it would have improved...though I doubt it. Not worth the $$$. 14. The entire meal and experience was RUSHED! Wait staff predominantly approached to take things away, as opposed to ask if we were satisfied or needed something more 15. Other tables in our line of view were NOT treated this way 16. No artistic flourish to the food presentation...and while though low on the list of critical, for the money and ambience they claim to provide - it was noticeably lacking. (Again: If I could do it...there's a problem.) 17. Desserts were lovely, but it was too late. 18. Hostess was rude when questioned about location of restrooms. They are hard to find! 19. The decor did strike of a hotel restaurant...as that's what it is. 20. Extremely rushed when time to pay arrived as our waitress's shift was over. 21. Asked immediately if we paid by Groupon...judge much? 22. Amidst the rushing for payment, waitress was pushy about wanting cash payment stating, 'It would be better for ME if you paid in cash..' 23. Hostess gave doubly evil eye at our exit...likely in response to the 8% tip I gladly left. (Note: I am by rule a 20% tipper.)
(2)Rebecca R.
The Sheraton Commander's reinvented restaurant could easily become my new favorite spot in Cambridge. It's sleek, yet welcoming. The service was great. The food was sophisticated but not overwrought and the maitre 'd recommended the perfect bottle of wine. Nubar has only been open since April. My advice is GO NOW while you can still get a table.
(4)Colene B.
Both of our meals were delicious last night. The duck was tender, flavorful and plentiful. The appetizers were also delicious. (arugula, ham, menchego cheese). The service was very good too. We told our server that we had a show and would like little delay between the three courses and she made sure the main entrees and desserts arrive promptly after clearing our plates, followed by the check. This is my second time at Nubar and both times the dishes have been excellent.
(5)Ariel K.
From the website, it seemed to be a cute and romantic restaurant, so we tried for our anniversary dinner. I had the duck and my husband had the salmon. The food was not bad, but I wouldn't pay the price for the small portion of the food. I'm glad I bought a Groupon for this. I might give it another try with a Groupon deal.
(3)Leo L.
Great crab cake and service!! The wine list is not bad as well and just great environment.
(4)Gabriela D.
visited 7/17/11 I took my father here for his birthday and was a little disappointed. I read a few reviews before making the reservation. Urbanspoon had Nubar listed at one of their top 5 for new restaurants.I was also mentioned as a great special occasion spot. I am a foodie plus, server and a chef so finding new restaurants that are delicious is my favorite thing to do. This will not be on that list of tasty places. yes the ambiance is quite nice. our host and server were very nice and accommodating, HOWEVER. i know its new, but this was Saturday night at 730pm on a gorgeous summer night and we were the ONLY guests in the restaurant. Which prompted me to make a joke to my father about how I closed the restaurant down for his birthday, little giggles of coarse. here is where I realized just how important it is that there are others in the restaurant. half the time when I walk into any restaurant, most of the fun is seeing what kind of people dine there. what people are eating and wearing for that matter. I believe its the whole social aspect of going out. perhaps its just me, Ive been told i am a social marsupial. lol. ANYWHO!!! on top of being the only ones there, i had previously requested the best available booth or table. They sat as at a nice big round table which at first seemed perfect. soon after we were seated we were heard gentleman talking business and loud telephone conversations. being the only guests in the restaurant, do not seat us in an area which could potentially be disturbing. FOOD - easy review to say that it really is nothing special. its definitely making an attempt where the menu did get me excited about the polenta cakes with fried egg on top, but the dish however did not deliver. it was okay, but the ingredients didn't quite mesh the way it should have. The rest of the table (boyfriend, parents and brother) were okay with their entrees. Again not great, which was disappointing again because it was an occasion for my fathers bday. i have gnocchi like once a year, and this was that time, and after Nubars gnocchi I think im going to take two years till I have another gnocchi dish this time. It was kind of like a Portebello Primavera gnocchi. the potato dumplings were too dry, the veggies were not al dente and it just began to mush together. ate a few bites and left this place still hungry........................and that is all I have to say about that (Forest Gump voice) will not return!
(2)Joe U.
Good food, great look, nice service; all work together to offset the minuses. I used to come here to the fancy brunch at the Sheraton Commander. It was pricey but sometimes you have a special guest and there are not many places to go on Sunday morning where you won't be fighting unkempt newspaper toting people. I was bummed that they got rid of that and put in Nubar. But the renovations are gorgeous; think modern Manhattan penthouse. I would love to have the designer do my home. I give them 5 stars for that. 5 stars also for service - everyone has a "happy button" about all sorts of things, and for me, when a server straight up tells me what's good on the menu, that pushes my happy button. I can't stand it when they say, "everything is good." First of all, it's almost always a lie, and secondly, I wonder if they ever tasted the food they're serving. Our server told us all the good stuff - from the duck flatbread to the split pea soup special to the Nubar burger to the duck confit. Prices are reasonable for a fancier place like this, especially located in a hotel on the snooty side of town. Now, the reason why I can't give it 5 stars is because the food itself somehow didn't reach the level of exceptional deliciousness that demands a 5 star rating. But I would go back and give it another try, especially for a nice occasion.
(4)Tyra L.
I purchased a 3-course meal for 2 from Groupon for Nubar and took my boyfriend here for his birthday dinner. I liked the atmosphere although it was just quiet enough to feel uncomfortable talking at times. This probably was due to the fact that we went in at Sunday for a 6pm dinner. Anyway, our waitress was great. She was very accommodating towards our Groupon deal and when I had mentioned that it was my boyfriend's birthday she even suggested that we could get free drinks. Too bad neither of us drink. The reason why this place is getting 3 stars is because the food was average. My boyfriend got the crab cake appetizer and I got the grilled squid with chorizo and lentils. Nothing phenomenal. I've had better crab cakes and I've had better squid. For our entree I got scallops and my boyfriend got grilled steak frites with the herb butter. We shared our food as always and again, I've had better scallops and better steak. (The herb butter was the best part of that plate.) For dessert I ordered the flourless chocolate torta and my boyfriend ordered the apple puff pastry thing along with caramel Christina's ice cream. The chocolate torta was really delicious. Really. That along with the ice cream were the highlights of my meal. My boyfriend's dessert was less than stellar. It was literally warm apple compote served on top of puff pastry with whipped cream. It tasted exactly as plain as it sounded. Our waitress comped our ice cream due to the birthday, that was a nice touch. She was attentive but not overbearing and friendly. Overall I'm glad we went to Nubar on a deal. I would've been disappointed if I had paid full price for our meals but for what we paid it was worth the try. In my opinion there are far better places for the price.
(3)Maurice C.
I like what they've done with this place. They always had the space, but didn't utilize it correctly. Now they've revitalized the restaurant/bar and it looks great. It's hard to believe how much it's changed just within a year. The food is much improved as well. I'd definitely eat here again the next time I'm up in Boston.
(4)Vivian D.
The place is definitely a nice choice for either a after-word drink or a semi-formal dinner. I read the other reviews and don't understand why there're lots of the complaints about the food. We ordered the clam chowder and crabcake for appetizer, steak and signature burger for entree. The crabcake and the steak were great and definitely worthy a try. The service was also very friendly and appropriate.
(4)Michael L.
had my first visit & dinner at newly opened NUBAR , after what i had read was a $ 6 million dollar restoration. i live in the " hood" and prior too had virtually never entered the premises in close to 35 yrs in the 'HOOD" feeling it was back in the 50`s . i assure you , that reality is NOW forever changed . it`s 2011 and the meal i had was sensational. asparagus & goat cheese & walnuts & gobs of greens with great dressing for starters, a 4 star salad. had as good a cooked thru swordfish dish enveloped in a preserved lemon vinagarette & fingerling potatoes an assorted veggies in the sauce , as i`ve ever had . flawless perfection !!!!!! and after a 2 great $ 7 dollar glasses of a CHILEAN SAUVIGNON BLANCE , could not resist a ming boggling orgasmic " too die for " ( LITERALLY- i recommend for anyone on death row for their final meal) FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE TORTA. 2 great high def TV`S t watch nba playoffs. BTW, NUBAR was the ARMENIAN owner`s grandfather`s middle name who owned the COMMANDER hotel in 1960. as the saying goes " I`LL BE BACK"
(4)Sharon O.
Nubar's sophisticated and simple dishes popped from their menu, luring a small group of us in for restaurant week. Set a bit back from the more central, bustling area of Harvard Square (but still easily walkable from the t station)... if you head towards the giant Sheraton sign in Harvard Square and you'll find Nubar nestled in with it. We all but gasped after stepping down the stairs inside...it's absolutely gorgeous inside! Swanky, even! The food was very, very good. Everything tasted very fresh and was filling in a not-heavy way. From the restaurant week menu, I had: -Sweet corn arepa with different color cherry tomatoes! (Very fresh tasting, light appetizer with great taste and texture) -Summer vegetable risotto (I love risotto, very fresh veggies!) -Peach melba for dessert, which featured very juicy peaches in a cocktail glass with ice cream in the center. Plus, co-incident was the social hour special... $5 for 2 glasses of 2oz wine for a mini taste. One of the wines was straight up the best wine I've ever tasted. Wish I could remember. It was a red near the top of the social hour menu... good luck! Service wasn't bad, but I can't issue a glowing review. Really, it seems like the service could be upped a notch to the level of the decor and food. Our table bottle of water was empty and one of our party had depleted her wine but it took our server a while to come by. Seems like this restaurant could be great given the great restaurant week options and decor. Surprised it isn't the talk of the town already. Quickly glancing at the regular menu, maybe it's because the options don't pull you in like the restaurant week menu did for me... so maybe a refresh is in order with whomever came up with the RWM. I'll be in to check it out for myself, but I was impressed so far.
(4)Molly M.
My boyfriend and I ended up at Nubar thanks to a 50% off Groupon. We went in on a Sunday evening around 6pm. I will say that we went in with little to no expections, making us virtually undisapointable. Upon entry the first thing I noticed was the ambiance - appropriately dimmed lighting, an array of loungey seating, and a very calming overall noise level. We got the trout salad for an appetizer and for dinner I got the clams over white wine sauce and he got the ribs. The presentation was beautiful and portion sizes were just right. Both were satisfying, but neither were rave-worthy. Quite frankly, they wouldn't have been worth the cost had we not had a Groupon. The service was mediocre. The hostess and servers were pleasant, they did the bare minimum of what is typically expected. They took our orders and brought out food promptly, they filled our waters, and seemed genuinely pleasant. All in all, I feel this would be a great place to come by for drinks and maybe an appetizer. Their food is simply not memorable enough and not worth the cost. I'd skip dinner here.
(3)Lola T.
waitress was not attentive but the food was Great. Mushrooms were prepared perfectly, huge compliments to the chef. Expensive but I would recommend.
(4)Stacie R.
After a lackluster dinner performance on our first visit, I vowed to nix this place as a dining option, but Groupon influences even the best decisions. That said, our second experiences was much better. The server was very attentive. We had the Meze platter, and it was a perfect, shared app. The pasta primavera was delicious as was his delicate fish dish! We will return!
(4)Adriana H.
Went here for what we thought was going to be an upscale easter brunch however due to poor planning within the management department customers are forced to get and finish their meals within an hour. Meaning if you are eating the brunch and don't get your food exactly when you sit down and scarf it down then management will come over to your table and ask you to leave to give your table to another party. Upon receiving our coffees the host came over to our table and told us that he needed our table and requested us to leave despite the fact that we had just received dessert and coffees. Overall if you're going to charge $$ for a brunch you should probably learn how to plan for people to sit down and have a relaxing EASTER SUNDAY morning meal if we wanted to be rushed we would've gone to a McDonald's atleast they wouldn't emphasize the chew and screw policy that this place clearly implements. I highly suggest they give their management a crash course in guest hospitality it was really disappointing to be asked to leave because they had over booked themselves for the day.
(1)Traci K.
I've never eaten here, but I frequent the bar from time to time and am never disappointed. The first time I walked into Nubar I was a little scared. The place looked weirdly fancy. The bar is a large slab of backlit crazy. Luckily, the bartenders are super friendly and don't give off any sort of pretentious vibe. The cocktail list at this place boasts a nice selection of both classic and more modern bevies, but they've pretty much got anything you could want so don't be afraid to just have them make you a drink.
(4)David C.
Had BuyWithMe not featured a $25 for $55 deal, I probably would have never tried Nubar on my own (heck, I probably wouldn't have even bought the deal if it were the regular $25 for $50--those extra five bucks seemed awfully enticing at the time), but in the end, I'm kind of glad I did. My friend and I enjoyed all the dishes we had to a certain extent, but only one, the duck confit flatbread, really blew us away. Topped with mushrooms, manchego, and a generous smattering of juicy, tender duck meat, the flatbread was wonderfully earthy and rich. The bacon and gruyere flatbread with caramelized onions was yummy as well, although the bacon was rather tough. Both flatbreads were nicely crisped and sliced into triangular wedges perfect for sharing. I wouldn't really recommend the polenta appetizer despite the waitress' proclamation that it's "the best in town." That girl needs to get out more. My friend and I decided to split the gnocchi with roasted butternut squash, shallots, pine nuts and cipollini onions for an entree. The ingredients were certainly drool-worthy, but they didn't really come together to form a cohesive dish. If I were to return to Nubar, it would probably just be for drinks and flatbread. Dining at Nubar definitely isn't a revelatory experience, but it's a beautiful space that I wouldn't mind spending a few hours in with friends and nosh.
(3)Jess H.
My boyfriend and I recently came here for dinner because we had a Groupon. I'd heard of it previously but never got around to trying it. Anyway, I have been converted into becoming a regular because this place is great! It has a cozy and upscale atmosphere with a (gas? electric?) fireplace going and nicely designed decor. The bar looked really relaxing, so we'll definitely have to check it out next time. We sat in the dining area this time. I thought the prices were good for being a locally owned restaurant that strives to serve food from local vendors. The prices were definitely more approachable than Kirkland Tap & Trotter, which I think is a restaurant in the same category? The food was very good. We ordered truffle fries for an appetizer which were good (not that it's difficult to make good fries lol). My boyfriend got the clam chowder, which came with the clams still inside the shells which was pretty cool. He also got a burger which he said was very good. I got the pork shank osso buco and I thought it was excellent! My boyfriend also tried it and said it was the best pork he's ever had. The bread basket contained very yummy olive and regular bread, and I even took some home to eat for breakfast the next day, which I don't normally do.
(5)Tasty Bee Review S.
I have had the pleasure to dine here a handful of times and every single time, I come away having experienced a food coma causing experience, further deepened by the top notch personable staff I or we are provided. Adelle, my waitress several times now---your consistency, table after table as we view...is pure down to earth people-skill magic. Can't imagine NuBar without you. What you won't get [other Cambridge and Boston restaurants take note...]...is any frozen re-heated food here. Everything ordered, is made fresh. Whether its a partaking of an entree of tender duck, seared scallops, lamb appetizer or extra whipped creamy cannoli, NuBar's special long-time chef shows the pride to plate every element with artistically beautiful presentation. Every part of the dining experience, was rolled out as quick as can be. With mouth watering luxurious sauces that leave you happily sedated, to the fresh to die for vegetables that are never just filling in [as sadly oh so many a restaurant world-wide have done...]...no drop in diner or hotel staying client, should feel any less pampered than we have been. The chef even came out to greet me, so I could personally thank him. That's 5-Star. Whether bringing family, colleagues, a first date, family, classmates, or, a group you just want to relax in the cozy fireplace warmed California lodge-like ambiance, NuBar is a must dine at place. Come..be seduced!
(5)Dave J.
Let me start by saying that I dont have high standards for food. The price this place charge for the quality of food is not acceptable. Ordered 2 clam chowders, it was room temp, small, barely any clams. It cost $9 here for cup size, while legal seafoods cost $7.50 for a bowl. Ordered the duck, its about 1/2 a breast sliced thin, barely made a dent in my stomach. The grilled steak frites was ok. After about spending $90 here, my wife and I was hungry after an hour. Service was bad also , our waitress also gave us an attitude.
(1)micah j.
The ambiance was nice, just like you'd expect from an overpriced hotel bar. Unfortunately, it fits the other stereotypes, too. Service was below average, but not bad. Example- the waiter didn't ask me how my food was, until he brought my check. At that point, it seemed a bit late to tell him the bun was a little burnt and my $14 burger was small, dry, overcooked and broken in two(!). I'm staying in the hotel, but won't be eating there again.
(2)J Spencer B.
Nubar is great for an after work drink and flatbread. Check out the fumo y fuego. I've given it four stars because its on the pricey side for what you get.
(4)Ada L.
Show me a fancy hotel restaurant and all I see is a watering hole. So, this review is for the bar only. I discovered it online but had never heard of it previously, and had no idea where it was. "What? A Harvard Square bar we haven't been drunk in?" We liked the looks of the cocktail list, and weren't disappointed. Things I liked: Nubar Rouge: Lillet Rouge, Fruitlab Hibiscus Liqueur, Cava. $11 Flower Power: G'vine Gin, Fruitlab Hibiscus, Lemon, Agave. $11 Basil and Lime Gimlet: Triple 8 Gale Force Gin, Fresh Basil, Fresh Lime Juice. $10 Ruby Sidecar: Hennessey VS, Solerno BloodOrange Liqueur, Fresh Lemon, Ruby Red Grapefruit. $11 Unlike other bars that want to capitalize on the craft cocktail trend but do not make good craft cocktails, Nubar's are flavorful, well-mixed, and reasonably priced. It's surprisingly well-appointed, with its fireplace and glowing bar. In fact, the restaurant is nicer than the hotel. It's certainly an odd place for a restaurant and bar that's trying to be upscale. Let's face it, no one in the world says, "I feel like having a nice dinner. Why don't we go to the Sheraton?" That's probably why it's almost always empty, except for hotel patrons. Also, it's in that weird no-man's land between Harvard and Porter, where there's nothing else to do. I'm glad that it's quiet, though. I'll probably never eat here, but I'm happy to have found a peaceful place to enjoy a decent drink away from the Harvard Square fray.
(4)Nikhil P.
We came here on a 3-course meal for 2 Groupon, and the restaurant was great, but the intro left a bit to be desired. The hostess apparently had met some long-lost friend and was having a full-on conversation for the first 5 minutes of our entrance. We eventually went over to the bar to find out if we could be seated before the convo died, and we got taken to a table. The service the rest of the night was way better, and our waitress was amazing on the recommendations of what to eat. The portion sizes were pretty big -- we had some flatbreads, this great scallop dish, and a lamb pasta that was good. The atmosphere was also pretty hip; a private party was in full swing by the bar, and we made a mental note to reserve the place for a future birthday. Overall, the food was really good, a bit on the salty side for some of the dishes, but a solid meal. And the ambiance was cool inside a beautiful hotel (which you get the full view of when you head to the restrooms). We'll be back. Great find out in Cambridge.
(4)Anouska B.
Tucked into a spacious corner of the Sheraton Commander, Nubar is the standard mix of expensive design and rich clientele trying to do "trendy". Compared to a number of hotel bars I've frequented, Nubar manages to accommodate both the more "experienced" and sombre drinker, as well as the younger and less affluent bar hopper. This seems to be a direct consequence of occupying a location that straddles Harvard's student population and bourgeois Cambridge. The biggest surprise for me was how affordable the drinks and menu were. Martinis were ~$11, bodied wines were $8 per glass, and there was a wide array of bar snacks and entrees between $10 and $20. I had the caramelized onion, bacon and gruyere flatbread ($11) and a glass of Malbec ($8), while my late-dinner companion had their mezze plate ($12) and a light Pinot Noir ($7). Sitting at the bar, as opposed to the enormous and all-encompassing booths (which seemed popular with the older crowd), we were served quickly and professionally by a couple of knowledgeable bartenders. There were only a handful of other people sitting at the bar, and despite being a Friday night, the rest of the bar was quite sparse too. The food wasn't amazing, it wasn't terrible either. My flatbread was a relatively good size, and everything was cooked appropriately, it just wasn't particularly memorable. The mezze plate was a little better, but had more dipping implements than actual mezze items. My Malbec was yummy, as was the Pinot Noir. Despite the non-memorable food, I had a very pleasant evening. It's so nice to find a bar that isn't crowded on a Friday night, and my dinner companion and I were able to talk for hours without disturbance. If you fancy a swanky drink at non-swanky prices, head to Nubar: don't expect mind-blowing food, do sit at the neon yellow bar (see pictures) and don't feel rushed to leave.
(3)Fernando K.
My fiance and I ordered squid in a garbanzo beans sauce as appetizer, which was ok. I had duck breast with french fries and corn fritters, which was also ok, not disappointed but not great either. My fiance had the trout with rainbow chard and corn fritters, with a buttermilk chive sauce. She loved it. The food is all very filling and ordering an appetizer was too much. Ambiance is a plus. Drinks sound good on the menu, but don't really taste that good. All in all ok, but very pricey for what it is. We tried it with a Groupon because it's 2 blocks from our house, and it was fine with the discount, but we wouldn't pay full price.
(2)E. R.
My wife and I tried Nubar for the first time tonight and we will definitely be back. The menu was eclectic but offered a little something for everyone. We had the meze plate, soft shell crab special, gnocchis and a plum ginger vol au vent. Every dish was delicious. The drink menu also impressed with creative cocktails and a nice selection of wine and beer. Our server was pleasant, attentive and helped with a few questions we had about the menu. The prices also represented a very good value. This place uses good quality ingredients and give good portions but doesn't charge an arm and a leg.
(4)Alana M.
We found a Groupon deal, so my hubby and I decided to try Nubar out. It does have very nice decor. However, the table we were seated at was not very intimate. We were closed in by other tables on each side and rather far apart from one another. Also, the college-aged girls beside us decided to sit on the booth beside me at the end of their meal, meaning that I was closer to them and heard much more of their conversation than really necessary. The food was good; I enjoyed the chicken although it was a little dry. The duck was very tender and automatically served medium-rare. Both entrees were nice sized portions and had a good blend of flavors. We also got the truffle fries, which were delicious, and a chocolate espresso torta, which was just as decadent as we expected. We also each got a beer on draft; each reasonably priced at $5. The server was polite but service was incredibly slow. We waited for a very long time to have our plates cleared, get dessert menus, order dessert, ask for the check, get the check, and pay. We wanted to meet up with friends, so the 45+ minute delay at the end was a bit frustrating, although they were busy. Still, it felt unnecessarily slow. All in all, I will never return, since the resulting $80 check would not have been worth it. However, with the Groupon deal, it was a great deal.
(3)Anastasia B.
Recently dined at Nubar for the first time with my husband, it was a perfect date night! I love the decor and ambiance, the service was great, and the food was the best part. We had the Maine crab cake appetizer and the lamb/eggplant cigar, both were excellent, full of flavor. The Nubar burger was good, though not spectacular - needed something on the inside for some oomph, maybe a special sauce. Regardless it was very good for what it is, not your average burger and my husband liked it. I had the duck with farro and brussel sprouts and it was amazing, best duck ever! The Erath pinot noir was perfectly paired with our meal at their recommendation. There were many other things on the menu that I would go back just to try, very unique menu, not typical. The lemon Panna Cotta was delicious and a perfect finish to my meal. My husband had Christina's ice cream and insisted it was the best blackberry ice he has ever had - now we have to visit Christina's too. I thought the prices are decent, I think it is below average for a Boston area restaurant of this caliber. Our suburban restaurant of choice (no names) has slightly lower prices but the food isn't nearly as good. Oh, and they have the best tasting water I've had at a restaurant, ever. I would come back here and would recommend it to anyone I know for a delicious meal in Cambridge.
(5)Lis P.
Went to Nubar last night using a groupon deal for 50% off. For appetizer we tried the lamb and eggplant cigar which was excellent. Other than that though, the experience wasn't great. The ambiance is nice although we were given a table right by a curtain which, once we peeked, noticed served as a divider for the restaurant and the hotel's computer room. I had the scallops and my husband had the steak. Neither were stellar and the steak was actually sub-par. The only thing that saved the dish for my husband was the salad and fries on the plate which he said were really good. Most likely wont be going back. Wish I could have enjoyed it more...
(2)Alexis B.
I was there for a work luncheon, so my experience was somewhat constrained - no cocktails, formal social behavior, etc. It was a Monday afternoon, so the place was practically deserted. Our waitress was very nice and very solicitous. One of my fellow diners had the clam chowder, which looked perfect - creamy and thick, with a little bit of bacon sprinkled on top. I had the bacon and gruyere flatbread, and it was a mixed experience. On the one hand, in case you can't tell, I love bacon, and the carmelized onions were very nice. On the other hand, the flatbread was waaay crispy, making it pretty difficult to eat in polite company. My advice would be to stay away from this option unless you're with someone you can be kind of messy with. I'd say the real star of the show was the general ambiance. The decor is on the swanky side, but not too fussy - very urban chic. As far as I could tell, they were playing albums on the sound system, so I got to hear a lot of Alabama Shakes, one of my favorite new bands. I would definitely like to come back here for a second look with friends.
(3)Anna K.
This place was fantastic! The server was very prompt and warned us that a couple of the entrees were on the verge of being sold out for the evening. I wanted the steak frittes which were one of the limited meals. My server asked for a backup choice and then actually jogged over to the computer to put it in for me. I did end up with the steak which was phenomenal! It was honestly the best steak I have had in a long time. I ordered it with truffle fries and they were equally fantastic. My date and I shared a crab cake which was LOADED with crab. He ordered the potato gnocchi and that was also yummy. To finish we had the chocolate espresso cake. I would definitely get it again, so good! The wine/beer were $5 and up, great deal.
(5)Mabel L.
A favorite spot for me and my significant other, or for a family (adult) outing on a weekend or weeknight. Does not have a particular scene or vibe, just a nice room, great drinks and food options. They even have a vegan menu! The only downside I've encountered is that the lounge is closed from time to time for private events, you might want to call NuBar before heading over.
(4)J S.
For food, I would give it 3 stars. But because of the nice ambiance, I'm giving it the extra star. I came here through a Groupon 3-course meal deal, and I am not sure if I would come back here for the food, otherwise. It's a hotel restaurant, so it's standard hotel restaurant quality: not horrible but also not stellar. For the appetizer, I ordered the Serrano Ham plate, which I thought was pretty good. The mixture of flavors - vinaigrette dressing, fried almonds, manchego cheese, and ham - went well together. And then for the entree, I got the Grilled Steak Frites. The steak wasn't particularly memorable. Even though I ordered it rare, it wasn't as succulent as I would have hoped it would be. Perhaps I should have ordered the Duck Breast plate, instead. The menu description for it is: " Pan Roasted with Caramelized Heirloom Apples, Red Cabbage, and Confit Potatoes." ::mouth-watering:: Next time, I suppose.....that is if another Groupon deal pops up. And lastly, for dessert, I ordered the lemon panna cotta, which was a good way to top off the meal. Overall, it was a good meal, but as I mentioned before, it wasn't anything spectacular. The restaurant itself has a very modern vibe to it that intermixes lounge areas and dining areas. Too bad it's a little out of the way. A place like this would be a hit if it was right next to the T, and perhaps this place is popular late-night lounge. I left around 9:30p, so I didn't get to stay long enough to find out. I wouldn't mind coming back here after dinner time to check out the scene.
(4)Andrea B.
My friend had purchased a BuyWithMe deal for Nubar (that friend being fellow Yelper David C, as you might guess from his review), and that's how I wound up having dinner here last weekend. And, also echoing his review, there were some parts of the meal that were good, but many that were forgettable. We got the polenta as an appetizer. It wasn't bad, but the bottom was burnt and I've definitely had better. The poached egg that came with it was good though. Next, we ordered two flatbreads. One was topped with caramelized onion and bacon, and it was good but definitely overshadowed by the duck confit flatbread we had also ordered, which was spectacular. The gnocchi entree that my friend and I split was less satisfying. I liked the gnocchi themselves. They were decent, but the assortment of vegetables - butternut squash, onions, etc - didn't really work for me (therefore, I didn't eat very many of them). The one thing I really liked at Nubar besides the flatbread was the decor of the place. It's very trendy and modern. However, the food didn't impress me enough that I would go out of my way to come here again.
(3)Sandy M.
We had dinner at Nubar with friends about a month ago. I'm always looking for new spots in Cambridge that are not outrageously expensive, but have good interesting food and a good atmosphere. Nubar fit the bill. It was a surprise b/c it's in a hotel - The Sheraton Commander. But the food was interesting, very good tasting, the service was good. And we had an good enough bottle of wine. I'd say it's a good general weekend dining spot in Harvard Sq.
(4)Cequesta K.
Thanks to the savored.com website I was able to dine at this ridiculously swanky hotel restaurant at 40% off reg price, which was awesome because those balloon prices certainly would've made me lose my appetite otherwise! The atmosphere is mindblowingly chic, decked out with gorgeous plush couches, a sexy fireplace and super artsy pictures. Needless to say if you wanted to feel Charlotte /Samantha/Miranda/Carrie-ish this would certainly be the place to go. The menu isn't extensive but its certainly interesting, I decided on the roasted duck with red cabbage while my boyfriend (in typical guy-fashion) opted for the pulled pork sandwich with fries. Though both were fairly simple dishes, they both tasted absolutely delightful! My duck was cooked to perfection, it wasn't all the greasy and fatty tasting like many other restaurants. My boyfriends sandwich was surprisingly huge and the pork was seasoned to perfection. I definitely enjoyed my experience here and I would even give a second though to coming here again even without the discount! That speaks volumes for a natural born cheapskate like me!
(3)Chuckie T.
Really enjoyed this place. Beautiful dining area and bar. Makes you feel good just walking in! If this place was in the South End, there would be a line of S-Class Mercedes' at the valet stand filled with mink-wearing people from Wellesley. Since it's not, no problems getting reservations or finding a place in the bar/lounge. Started with the Taleggio Polenta and it was fantastic. Had the Giannone Farms Chicken Breast as the entree and experienced similar results. Delicious and filling bird if not just slightly overcooked. Accompanying veggies also up to the task. Only a couple of small blemishes. Service was good, but there were a few instances where we had empty wine glasses, which was a little surprising given that the restaurant wasn't full. Similarly, wasn't offered a drink while waiting in the lounge seating area and when seated at the bar after dinner we were ignored after the first round. Funny since we were the only ones sitting there right in front of the 2 bartenders. They seemed to be busy counting/organizing bottles. How about do that before/after hours? Nice guys though. Valet parking is easy and right at the entrance of the restaurant. Costs $10 when validated. Worth it. Despite the hassle of driving through Harvard Square, I would certainly come back. Looking forward to it.
(4)Corydon S.
I stopped in here to seek refuge from fundraiser for bit. The bar is fitted with large flat screen TV's and pricy bottles of spirits above the bar. As to be expected the prices are a little steep so I stuck with with the starters section of the menu. The bartenders were nice, though the guy nearest me was giving them a hard time. I cannot not stand when people talk down to the person serving them. Swanky bars are rife with this kind behavior. But I don't care how much money you have, don't be a jerk. I ordered a bowl of clam chowder. It came with bread and was topped bacon and three clams still in the shell, in the center of the bowl. I enjoyed the chowder, it was very good. I would come back here, to have the chowder again. It is a memorable dish.
(3)Gabriel L.
Never been here for dinner (yet) but the drinks are solid. Better than First Printer, and I've been to both a few times. Staff is friendly and the lounge space near the fireplace is cozy and relaxing.
(5)Steve H.
As others have said, Nubar has cool music, a chic but relaxed vibe, and above-average food. We both got drinks and flatbreads, while saving room for coffee and dessert. We ordered two flatbreads to share: the sausage / ricotta / spinach and the duck confit / mushroom. My wife didn't care for the duck flatbread, saying the meat was "too gamey." I loved it, though it was so rich I couldn't finish it. The sausage / ricotta was perfect ... and with flatbread, of course, eating the crust is the best part, and theirs didn't disappoint. My wife liked her Shiraz and I ordered the Rapscallion Harvard Lager, which I enjoyed. Dessert was the best part of our meal, though. Chocolate espresso bean torta. I could have eaten it all by myself it was so good ... but alas, we shared. And it was the perfect ending to a nice evening out. (btw, we felt good about everything we ate knowing it was mostly sourced locally and über fresh)
(4)Sean J.
If I based this review on just the food this would be a 5, hands down. The food was delicious and filling. Everything cooked to perfection. Alas, when rating a restaurant more than just the food goes into the experience. The service here is awful. The waiters are bumbling, you see them every 45 minutes so it's impossible to get drinks mid meal, and the greeter has autism or something. They seem to take too many reservations for peak periods so they are over full during dinner hours.
(2)Emily A.
How many ways can a restaurant ruin your dinner? Let me count the ways. 1. Bringing out the wrong order. TWICE. Due to food allergies and dietary limitations, I asked for the grilled chicken sandwich, plain without cheese and bacon. Not too hard, right? The chicken sandwich came with pesto sauce. Strike one. Cheese. Want me to get violently ill right in the middle of the restaurant? I think not! The second time, the chicken came with bacon and mayo. Unfortunately I can't eat either. The third version came out after all the plates of my five friends were already cleared. Strike three! Then, when I went to eat the leftover chicken the next day, it was a burnt rubbery piece of poultry. Strike four! Poor chicken. 2. Service. At a supposedly nice restaurant, the wait staff should bring out the food at the same time and know which patron ordered which dish. "Auctioning" the food should not be acceptable at those prices. 3. Manager. Do any guests want to see the manager yelling at her staff and flailing her arms in the middle of the restaurant floor? Again, I think not! 4. After effects. Two of my friends had major GI issues after dining here. That definitely ruined the second part of the night. I have so many issues with this place and absolutely no reason to recommend dining at Nubar. Hopefully the food at the next "welcome back" party won't make the person want to go away again.
(1)Andrew H.
I've walked past this place a couple times since they opened and decided to check it out tonight (a Friday night). It is a nice big open bar with lots of space and a 'lounge-y' type atmosphere. It does seem to missing the secret sauce that is going to make a place that people want to go and hang out at. A lounge needs to be a bit darker with a bit louder slightly too cool music. These are easy changes. I guess the biggest thing we noticed was that the business center for the hotel is bascially in the lounge. Kind of a (very) weird set up. The decor is prepackaged 'trendy' (complete with fancy contemporary fireplace), but is attractive. The drinks were super tasty. We sat at a high top bar table and the service was very attentive at first. However once we were done with our food and finished our drinks we must have sat there for 30 minutes until finally I went to the bar to get our check. Good start - bad finish. We ordered two appetizers: the crab cake which was fantastic; and the lobster arancini which was flavorless with a weird texture and seemed to be missing anything resembling lobster. We didn't get an entree, but split a chicken sandwich which I thought was really good but my better half thought was not so good. Go figure. A great place to come for a casual drink and an app if you don't want to get jostled by crowds at any of the other bars/lounges in Hvd Square. Try it while it lasts because based on how empty it was on a Friday night, it won't be here for long.
(3)Caitlin L.
Lovely meal, refreshing cocktails, and attentive service. We especially enjoyed the meze plate appetizer! Only minor complaint is that they charge the same price for non-alcoholic "mocktails" as they do for the traditional version (which at $10 is a bit much and rather lame) but overall a very nice dining experience. We will be coming back!
(4)ester k.
There just isn't something right about this place. Let me sum it up: 1. Bizarre waitstaff who gave me the creeps 2. Cocktails that taste like rubbing alcohol 3. Unpleasant ambiance 4. So so food (my steak was cut into strips, who does that to steak?)
(1)Lisa I.
I came here for dinner the other night with my boyfriend. The atmosphere is upscale and it was cozy with a couple of fireplaces. The food was quite good. We split the braised short rib appetizer, which was delicious. The meat was so tender, you didn't even need a knife. He had the steak frites, which he liked, and I had the gnocchi which was so yummy. It came with a bunch of roasted veggies in a light creamy sauce. Very filling, but very good. We didn't get any, but the cocktails looked good. I'd probably come back for drinks/apps, but the prices are a bit steep otherwise. Plus, you have to factor in parking ($10 validated).
(3)D R.
Great food & service, nice modern ambiance. Had the greens & grains salad for appetizer- it was *excellent.* Then had the duck for dinner- also delicious. Our server was very sweet and the space didn't feel over crowded. It's in the Sheraton hotel, so to get to the restrooms, we had to trek through a high school formal scene, but otherwise we had a really nice dinner experience!
(4)Meghan H.
After a bit of a rough start, I ended up being incredibly pleased by Nubar. My fiance and I had a Groupon for the restaurant and made reservations to go one Friday night. They called me that week - I believe it was Wednesday - to let me know that they actually could not honor our reservation as their dining room would not be open for the evening. I wasn't happy, and told them, but as we had a Groupon, we decided we were definitely going to go in the future anyway. We finally went last night. When we walked in and gave our name for the reservation, they recognized it and showed us to our table. The hostess then apologized for our past bad experience with booking and said that they wanted to offer us free champagne to compensate. Lovely! That really would have been enough - I was already impressed that they had made the effort to track my reservation and acknowledge their mistake - but they also brought us a small shrimp dish on the house between courses and after dinner the restaurant manager came by to check on us and to apologize again for our experience. Given that we all make mistakes and I believe we should be judged by how we deal with them, I ended up being quite impressed by Nubar and would certainly recommend them to a friend. Since this is a restaurant review, I should also mention that the food was great. I got the squid appetizer, Pat's littleneck clam roast, and the panna cotta; my fiance got the margherita flatbread, the steak frites, and the apples. The portion size for everything was very good - neither of us could finish - and the food was delicious. I would personally recommend the clam roast, which had a great blend of tastes and textures.
(5)Vicky C.
My friend and I were coming back from the expo center and wanted to stop at a place we've never been before. And my roommate raved about the Sheraton Commander and the renovations and staff and blah, blah,blah. So we figured we'd stop and check it out. It was pouring this day, so we're dressed in rainy fall weather attire like any other normal person. We walk in and grab a seat at the bar because we don't know if we want to eat or just grab a drink. The staff is immediately crammed up our #@&. Like let us look at the menu and take our rainy jackets off. I order a wine and my friend orders whatever he had. He says something funny to the waitress to make small talk while she pours our drinks, she does the fake "shut up laugh your not funny". She does this with most of what we say, she has a great fake laugh over all but I just think it's really transparent. So I'm trying not to judge this place, since my roommate speaks so highly of it. I'm debating to stay for one more drink or split. So I order another wine, and wait, and wait, and wait, ooohhhhhhh the bartender lady is completely distracted by the 16 year old in a tuxedo. I gave her my card, she was very prompt with that. I feel like you have to be over dressed or coming or going to some event to be noticed here. Cause if your not dressed to the hilt forget about it. Plus the decor, are you kidding me. It looks like ever other place that is trying to play fancy. Why does every restaurant in the Boston area hire the same designer? My advice is if you want to feel this awkward and weird just go to a family reunion at your rich uncle house or something.
(1)sage f.
I had a Groupon for a three-course meal for $50, which is a great value at this place. The food was great! A friend and I shared the mezze plate and greens & grains for starters and both were delicious. The duck entree was quite tasty. The desserts--lemon panna cotta and caramelized apples--were less than delicious and the other options sounded even less appetizing. My cocktail was tasty, but nothing extraordinary. The decor is nice and next time (if there is a next time) I want to have a drink in the comfy chairs by the gas fireplace. It was surprisingly crowded on a Tuesday night. But my biggest complaint--and it is a big complaint--is that the service was terrible. We waited and waited for everything: for the server to come greet us, for someone to bring us water, for our bread (the table next to us never got any; it was still "baking"), for our courses, for someone to ask us if we wanted dessert, and for our check. In addition, our server didn't seem to know what was going on. I had to point to the menu for my cocktail and my entree because he didn't know which ones I was talking about by their name on the menu. Not good. He seemed hurried and harried and was not very gracious. They're definitely going to have to work on this if they want continued business.
(3)Macklin L.
Like everyone else has said I came here with a groupon for the 3 course meal wtih my family. 4 of us got the 3 course meal. I got to try a bite out of everyones dish which raised this review to a 4. Overall the food was great. Apps - Crab Cake, Shrimp, and Clam Chowder were all good. I loved the twist of putting little neck clams into the clam chowder which is different then the typical new england clam chowder. and the bacon gave it a nice touch. Main course - Steak, Scallops, and Duck were great. The Littleneck pasta was okay at best which is sadly the one i ordered. The steak had great seasoning and a different taste then the usual steak and fries you order at newer restaurants which made it stand out in a good way. They gave like 7 or 8 scallops while most nice places give you 4 in a diamond shape which never fills a person up. And the duck was simply amazing. My mom ordered it since it was the most expensive thing and with the groupon made it the same price as everything else. It was moist and had a great flavor to it and if I were to go again, would definitely order this. The thing that prevents me from giving it a 5 stars was my own entree. Clams, Bacon, and Angel Hair was the focus of the dish and I thought it sounded great. When I got it I noticed the lack of any sauce. The pasta also looked thinker then the angle hair I've eaten before and was more like normal spaghetti. They even torched the top to be fancy.. but it just gave me crunchy noodles with no sauce which was worse then trying to dip it in the bacon+clam flavored water on the bottom of the plan. I felt like they ordered too many ingredients for the clam chowder and threw the clams and bacon on a plate with pasta to get rid of it. When I asked the waiter if he like this pasta dish better or the fish before ordering, he recommended this dish.. Either he doesnt have taste buds or the fish is terrible.
(4)Sarah G.
Nubar's official opening (so I hear) is April 27, so they're still a few days shy of opening. When we visited, they were definitely still working out the kinks. (But not quite FUBAR...ha, ha.) The menu offerings sounded inventive, and the presentation of the dishes was appealing, but ultimately the food itself disappointed. Nearly everything was just a bit off: you could taste the flour in the clam chowder; the salads were over-salted; the asparagus/beet/goat cheese terrine managed to be bland. The grilled calamari/chickpea/chorizo appetizer was okay, but nothing I'd go back for. The one dish we all really liked was the fried polenta with cheese and a poached egg. Our side of truffled French fries definitely got eaten, though they have nothing on the truffled fries at Lord Hobo. It's worth noting that the desserts - we tried the flourless chocolate espresso cake and the lemon-rhubarb panna cotta - were very good. The restaurant has a rather nice bar area with a gas fireplace set into the wall, so I'd like to be able to say I'd go back for drinks and just have dinner elsewhere... but the ambiance is compromised by having the hotel's business center (ie, computers with an Internet connection and printers) literally in the restaurant across from the bar. And finally, the drinks themselves were very disappointing. The Ruby Sidecar (a sidecar made with red grapefruit juice) was way too sweet and fruity and their rye Manhattan overly Vermouthy. The service was variable. Our server, Elizabeth, was fantastic - a real bright spot in an otherwise forgettable experience. But the bartender was clearly in over his head (he told us it was only his second time making a sidecar...so practice, dude!) and the restaurant's manager seemed annoyed when we told him we were chilly (there's a major draft that blows in from the front corner of the room.) Bottom line: some good concepts at Nubar, but the execution just isn't there. I might go back to sit by the fireplace at the bar and have a glass of wine, as they had a good selection of wines by the glass and and as the bar itself is a fun underlit marble. But if I were in the mood for a swanky hotel bar kind of vibe, I'd go to Noir instead at the Charles Hotel.
(2)Angela R.
If you are looking to have a glass of whine or a cocktail in a nice "lounge like" atmosphere this place is ok. I went for dinner and I was overall disapponted. The only thing I would come back for is the flat bread. Other things in the menu are too expensive for a poor quality. The steak was only...well..so, so and it was around $25. The "sword fish pate" (appetizer) was very disappointing. Perhaps since it is in a hotel they already have their clientele and don't care about acquiring more customers...Anyway I will go back for drinks and flat bread.
(3)Grace H.
Thank god they were still open when we checked into our hotel. Our flight from MSP was delayed by an hour and they didn't server dinner on our flight. Well, technically we could have bought dinner but I'd rather wait than endure airplane food, unless it's first class cabin fare. The clam chowder was rich and flavorful. Duck confit flatbread seemed a little burnt but it was still edible. Was a big fan of the pulled pork burger and the fries seemed pretty standard. Overall, a nice late night meal.
(4)Matt S.
My fiancé and I came here for Valentines day, and it was a pretty decent dinner. The exterior doesn't reflect how nice and modern the inside is. The interior is classy and laid out in different sections: a bar area, the main dining area, and a fireplace with chairs around it near the entrance. Needless to say the inside of Nubar is very appealing. As for the food, it was pretty good. I didn't like the fact that they had a limited menu that night, as I had looked up the menu before and was excited for a certain item only to not be able to order it when I got there. It was a bigger issue for my fiancé who has some dietary restrictions, and also had an eye for a certain menu item or two. Limited menu aside, the food was good. I had a flatbread with sausage, cheese and rosemary for an appetizer, then the beef tenderloin for dinner. The flatbread was crisp and flavorful, with the cheese not making the bottom too soggy. The beef tenderloin was marinated and cooked very well, and was nice and tender. The food was a little pricey though, but then again the menu is a little sophisticated. The server didn't seem to be too attentive, as I feel there were periods where we were waiting for awhile for service. It could have been the night, but considering it was Valentines day, they should have had a full staff there so servers wouldn't be overloaded with tables. Overall, if I was making more money I may come here again.
(4)Jessica B.
I really want to give this place a better rating but I'm having trouble. I went with my husband and cousin. My cousin absolutely loved his lobster risotto. He was talking about it the next day. The entree was sooo small - There is no way it could fill you up. I was thrilled to see a Vegan Menu upon request. Hurray! I ordered the veggie burger with avocado and peppers and a side of veggies. There was nothing wrong with this meal. But there was nothing great either. I could of whipped this meal together in 10 minutes in my kitchen. The veggie burger was frozen and not high quality ( I've had them all as a vegetarian for 22 years). The vegetables seemed like they were also frozen and heated up. This meal is not the kind of meal I expect from walking into a restaurant like this. The wait staff was friendly. And it was a very comfortable environment with the fire and lighting.
(2)Kevin J.
Food: 3.5 Stars Service: 4.5 Stars My girlfriend and I went to Nubar to celebrate during dinner. First things, the bread basket was wonderful, they had different kinds of bread with butter. They were very happy to replenish it when we were finished as well. For entrees, we ordered the: 1. Autumn Vegetable Risotto: I believe this was the only vegetarian entree on the list so not a lot of choice. But it was quite a decent risotto with strong flavors of mushroom and a great chewy texture. The cheese was quite strong but that didn't bother us at all as we love the cheese. 2. Clam Roast: The clams were wonderful; they tasted fresh as if they had been caught right in the Boston Harbor. The noodles (Toasted Angel Hair) unfortunately were too salty and too dry. In fact on certain portions of the dish, it had actually be burned as if from baking for too long. I'm not sure if it was intentional, but it definitely didn't taste the way that I had imagined. The noodles did not have the al dente feel that I had expected and I also felt the white wine seasoning used was too strong. One highly redeeming quality was that the waitress we had was very helpful and nice which is why it warrants a 4 star review. Wonderful service which is very deserving of a fine hotel and would come again to try a different entree!
(4)Kate p.
First went to the bar and ordered from of the Riesling, SA Prum Essence, then settled into our table. Wine was not too sweet and not too tart, perfect for a bottle with dinner. The selection of wine was excellent with the prices being very moderate and fair for the quality. Not a huge fan of the seating arrangement. The tables were on the smaller side and apparently no enclosed booths which i imagine would make a conversation difficult when the restaurant, bar and lounge are packed. We ordered the Grilled Shrimp with Romesco Sauce, Grilled Country Bread, Lemon and Rosemary and the Ropa Vieja and Tostones -Anchiote Braised Brisket, Fried Plantains, Jicama Slaw for appetizers. Our waitress was extremely pleasant and came to serve us in a timely manner. The shrimp was delicious but a on the smaller side (4 shrimp i believe) with small pieces of crustini bread pieces and a small salad on the side. The Ropa Vieja came in a small cup made from a friend plantain and the slaw was tangy and crunchy. Delicious! For my entree i ordered the Duck Breast-Hot Smoked in House, Crispy Confit Leg, Spring Vegetable Hash, Rhubarb Mustard. The duck was cooked perfectly, sauce was sweet and paired well with the crispy assorted vegetable hash topped with some greens. I gave 4/5 stars only because i felt the seating arrangement made it difficult to have a private conversation at dinner. Other than that everything was perfection, will be coming back again!
(4)Emir A.
Conveniently close to Harvard Square, this American lounge provides all the ingredients and atmosphere for a good relaxing evening dinner. It is never crowded, and although it appears to be expensive, the food prices are moderate. The food itself is very good. I have been to this restaurant a couple of times and can attest for the quality and flavor of the steak frites and the garden gnocci. As appetizer, all of their offerings appear delicious but we have never deviated from ordering the meze platter, which is composed of some of their excellent flatbread and various spreads. As for cockatils, they have a vaierty of flavorful and interesting looking mixes, from which I have tried the Goji apparatus and the fumo y fuego. The servers are always very nice and attentive, and you can always ask the for a recommendation (they have not failed me yet!). Overall, Nubar provides a relaxed, elegant dining experience that is perfect for dining with friends or for a date night.
(4)Katie R.
I only got drinks here, but this place was not really my scene. There was some sort of event going and we were told we couldn't be in the bar area so they gave us a table. We got one strong and pretty tasty drink and moved along.
(3)William B.
Creepy. Oddly fake. Soulless and out of place. Seems like you're on a set for the bachelor. Food was mediocre.
(2)Yusing C.
Beautiful interior nice and polite service good and delicious food with reasonable prize I love this place and definitely want to come back and try the bar, we orders the lamb turnover entrée, play bread with butternut squash goat cheese caramelized onion, truffle fries, polenta. Everything is yummy
(5)Dwayne A.
We come here my Sunday brunch semi-often. But every time we've come, we are never disappointed. Food is always on point. Omelets are amazing. French Toast is to die for. Fresh fruit and really good pastries just top it all off. Brunch cost $25/person. But it's def worth it. Nothing bad to say about Nubar.
(5)Melody N.
Nubar is a cleverly disguised posh hotel bar in Cambridge. I say 'clever' because like meeting and falling in love with a gold-digger in Vegas : you wake up sorry in the morning buying that dame a drink. That sentiment resonated upon leaving Nubar. Sure it's a modern looking lounge/bar/restaurant with a sleek and inviting fireplace and bar, but reality hits when you starting sitting down. Service: Terrible. It was very crowded that night in the bar area, but the dining area seemed to be moderately filled. I'm not sure that should really excuse the sorry service but rather explains it. Each part of our meal took quite a while to get too - at least 20-30 minutes between the appetizer and the main course. Also, the waitress (when she did come by) only filled my husband's water - not mine. I guess she thought mine was ok? I'm okay with filling my own water but I thought it was strange . . . Anyway, the running thought in my head was "I had better service at the 99 or really fill in the blank, causal dining restaurant establishment". Fees on top of terrible service : Yes, I decided I should make this it's own category. It was my birthday and my husband had brought me a cake. The host politely told my husband that there would be a cake cutting fee, which my husband was okay with paying. I did not know about the fee until the bill came but I still thought it was way too high. They charged $5 PER slice of cake. Lesson learned: don't bring your cake there. Also, we were only a party of two and the establishment came out with the bill and tacked on the 18% gratuity on it. Did you think you deserved automatic gratuity? No wonder the servers don't hurry their butts to our tables, they knew that they would already get a tip! Food: Meh. I got the salmon which was overpoweringly greasy. My husband got a steak which he did enjoyed. I thought the portions were small for the price. Luckily, it took so long for them to get our entrees we had devoured the bread and our appetizers. We had arancini balls with pork belly which were underwhelming despite it's fanciness. The truffle fries were yummy. It seems the menu may just have hits and misses for me. We didn't partake in any libations so perhaps that is more of the highlight of this place. The plus that it looks like a nice place to get a drink. Other than that I thought the price was too high considering that neither the food or the service was worth it. Even if you are still considering to go, I would look out for a groupon/living social. My husband and I having a groupon/living social was the only reason that got us into this place.
(2)Caitlin G.
My partner and I go to Nubar two or three times a year, especially during the winter. We love to sit in the lounge area and have a drink near the fireplace. This week we met for a drink in the lounge, and enjoyed delicious cocktails, served by an efficient, polite server. We are familiar with the menu, and we often wind up ordering the same dishes because they are fabulous. I cannot say enough about the osso bucco. It is an enormous serving of tender pork on a bed of incredibly flavorful spinach and parmesan risotto. I had my fill and took enough home for both of us to have generous servings the next day. We finished with a slice of chocolate fudge cake, which we ate every crumb of. We left feeling completely satisfied and indulged. The only reason I have given Nubar only 4 stars is because of the very inhospitable hostess. She barely looked at me when I came in, and sort of waved toward the lounge area when I told her I was meeting someone in the lounge for a drink before dinner. Maybe she was having a bad day, but really, the host/ess offers the first impression of the restaurant. She needs to dial up her friendliness to at least a little more than luke-warm.
(4)Misato P.
My friends and I were in the area and so many places around were so busy but we found Nubar seated us with no problems. There is also a valet parking next door which was very convenient on a rainy day where we couldn't find anywhere to park on the street. Service was ok, I had their steak frites which was again, ok. We had their chocolate lava cake type of desert which was very good. Another Good thing about this place is that their music level is not overwhelmingly loud so my friends and I can have a decent conversation.
(3)Klenda M.
Very rude waitress tonight!! Would have stayed longer, but she was awful and ruined a pleasant evening.
(1)BoBby C.
wow... i just had the worst dining experience in a very long time. The problem wasn't in just 1 area, but just about every area. The atmosphere was nice and made it seem very upscale, however the service and hospitality was not more then a self service food court at shopping mall. It was 9:30pm where my date and I walked through the door and ask for table for 2, we were lead into the dinning room and was given a table that was 1 feet away from another couple. The disturbing fact was that there were about 15 other 2 seater tables that were empty but was placed so close to someone else. The table next to us had their belonging already in the seat (jackets , scarf, purse). It was like sharing a table. I then asked the host to move us to another table that wasnt so close to someone else. We sat down at another table and got comfortable, waiter brought us a bottle of water with no glass. We placed our order for 2 burgers and 1 swordfish dish to share. That was the last time we saw our waiter. We had to flag down someone elses server to bring us bread. The burgers came out 10 minutes apart. I told my date to start eating before the burger got cold, she had already finished it before mine came out. The swordfish was very bland, dry, and tiny, about 4 oz. Just imaging a piece of frozen chicken breast thrown into the oven for 2 hours, that's what it tasted like. Throughout the dinner no one had checked on us, no water refills. When we finished our food I had to get out of my seat to flag someone to bring us our check. I paid the bill, on the way out there seem to be no one in charge to make a comment to about our experience. I will not be returning, would of had a better experience going to the mall food court.
(1)Michele J.
Took my mom here for their Christmas buffet and couldn't be any more satisfied. Everything tasted great, from their prime rib to the chocolate cake. The service was also friendly and quick, absolutely no complaints.
(5)Jim D.
I was staying in this hotel. It's a hotel bar. Not something I'd probably ever go to if I lived in Harvard. My steak frittes was very good, and I enjoyed a couple nice glasses of CA red wine. The next night I swung by for a gin & tonic that was solid. Service was nice. Breakfast was absurdly priced ($17 for the buffet I think?) There's no way I could eat $17 of mediocre looking breakfast food. One morning I grabbed a cup of coffee there, which was serviceable (better than SBUX) and about $2.50. Fair enough. Good for a hotel bar/restaurant, but prices a bit high for what it is.
(3)Vivian C.
Nubar is the restaurant located in the Sheraton Commander Hotel just a short walk from the Harvard Square T. Alternatively, they offer parking validation for the lot right beside the restaurant - $10 for 3 hours. We made reservations because the voucher we were going to use required it. Unfortunately for them though, it didn't look like we needed one that night. Service was pleasantly provided by a gentleman with a heavy accent, alongside a few other folk helping with the dishes and such. Under his advisement, we ordered the Grilled Shrimp Tostada, Crispy Corn Tortilla, Charred Tomatillo and Mild Green Chili Salsa, Cilantro, Lime, Crema 12 in addition to the Lamb Merguez and Eggplant Cigar Harrisa, Yogurt, Roasted Cauliflower and Pomegranate Salad 12, both with the spicy sauce specially requested to be on the side. I was a bit underwhelmed by the portion of the appetizers for the price, feeling that by hitting the double digit mark that expectations were higher than were delivered. While the tortilla was nice and crisp, the shrimp arrived cool to the touch. The flavors were good, but the dish all too quickly gone. The lamb cigars on the other hand were warm and crisp and more flavorful a dish, with the roasted cauliflower a lovely addition in taste and contrast of texture. We ended up selecting seafood entrees that evening. The Pan Seared Diver Scallops, Celery Root Puree, Beech Mushroom Sauce, Leeks 25 and the Pan Fried Sunburst Trout, Kale Slow-Cooked with Ham, Sugar Pumpkin, Pecan Sage Brown Butter 22. While the vegetables served alongside the protein at this establishment was a decent sized portion, unlike many another restaurant that prices their entrees in the twenties, my dining companion had voiced his disappointment in his count of the scallops - 1, 2, 3, 4. Yes, they were nicely seared on one side, tender, and tasty, but if only the portion was not so meager. The trout on the other hand was a much more acceptable a portion, with crisp skin, and a generous scattering of nuts. It, however, was unfortunately a bit on the salty side. For my sweet ending, I selected the Lemon Panna Cotta Mixed Berry Compote, Almond Cornmeal Cookies 8. A good choice - it had the melty mouthfeel that I look for, except for that odd milky colored layer on top that had a higher gelatin ratio, with a texture that hinted at that of jello blox. For an ice cream option, they serve Christina's Ice Cream with Fresh Berries 8. The bathroom is found across the hotel's lobby, past the front desk and the elevator. Helpful staff pointed out the way. I'm rounding this review up to four stars because they called me to let me know that my friend had left something behind that night. And when he emailed them about it with his address, they sent it off to him post-haste, much to his great relief.
(4)Marjorie S.
Many vegi options, but a full compliment of fish, poultry and meat dishes. Modernist cuisine presentations. I started with the lamb tart and the salmon for my main course. Both were great. My son had clam chowder and there were a few clams in their shell in the bowl. My son liked the duck entre. My husband had the smoked trout salad and grilled vegetable sandwich. He enjoyed both. The atmosphere was upscale casual dress and business attire. When in Cambridge I would definitely return
(5)Vicky H.
A few of my friends and I purchased a Groupon for this restaurant some time ago and came here on April 7th to use it up. The deal was pretty simple. 3 course meal for 4 people for a set price - I think it was $90. The service was terribly slow. Instead of bringing us water like most restaurants would do, they just left the bottle on our table for us, which is no trouble and sometimes better since we know when we will be done with it. But, alas, it didn't work out quite so well, as the bottle was empty for awhile and no one has come to refill it. The meals took a very long time to come out. For appetizers, we ordered the crab cake, which was only 1, served with asparagus and tangerines. We also got the Calamari, which came with grilled bread sticks and chick peas in a soup base, a margherita flatbread and a sausage and basil flatbread. Out of these, the calmari was pretty tasty, and the sausage and basil had flavor. The other two dishes were bland and just didn't do it for us. For entree, we ordered: Salmon - served on a bed of vegetables in a cream based sauce. The size was ok. It wasn't big but was a bit tiny. It couldn't have been more than 4 oz. I suppose that's correct portion in accordance with regular diets. pan fried scallops - served on a bed of diference veggies, which also included mushrooms and potatoes. Steak frites - medium rare with a side of watercress and fries. it was a weird mix to say the least. The watrcress was bitter and obviously served cold as it's supposed to be a salad but there was no dressing for it. the fries were pretty good but we didn't finish it. Duck - was served on a bed of corn based veggie, exactly what, couldn't remember but do recall it tasted very good. It had the most flavor but unfortunatley, the duc didn't. While the food was somewhat ok, we all thought it was way over priced for portion size and not worth the regular price but with the Groupon, it was defiitely a better deal. For Dessert: Strawberry pound cake, cheese, fried fruits and nuts Chocolate espresso bean torta Flan/gelatin and cookie While the food was so-so, the service was slow, the ambiance was nice. The noise level was good where you can carry a conversation and don't have to yell across the table. I think one of the only reasons we had so much fun that night was because of the company we were with, otherwise, it would have been hard to pass the time since we were there for over 2 hours, just for dinner.
(2)Lorenz S.
An exciting and stylish place, and a welcome change to the old-fashioned aesthetics of the Sheraton Commander.
(4)Naomi L.
Review for the bar only. We were staying at the hotel for a local conference. The bar and atmosphere inside was cozy and nice. I can see it being a nice date place if you could find some street parking. The place is also only a stone's throw away from Harvard. I wonder if there ever get any college students. Seemed to me like there were only visiting hotel guests present. I guess coming from NOLA, I was expecting a happy hour of some sort. Apparently there is none in the city! In any case - the drinks were priced moderately. My friend had a nice martini and I had a glass of sparkling rose. Both were good, although I was not ready to pay $22 for two drinks before tip.
(3)Elizabeth C.
Ambience is bleh, food is more bleh. I had the pork ribs and the were extremely lackluster.
(2)J L.
A much better experience from our last visit. We love their bread basket, especially the fruit and nut rolls. Our salmon and swordfish were delicious and cooked perfectly. Sides could have been a bit more interesting but they did not disappoint. Trout salad was very salty (tid bits of smoked trout tossed in) we got some fish bones and the spinach could have been washed better as it was sandy... Our waitress was attentive and unhurried this time around (same Gal). The service attendant really deserves a thumbs up, they don't get enough credit for all they do to make the dining experience a good one!
(4)Alyssa J.
As a Christmas orphan I needed to figure out somewhere to go for a nice Christmas dinner. After doing some pretty extensive searching on opentable.com , I made a reservation and dragged my roommate to dinner with me. The staff was really courteous and called me to let me know that they would only have a limited menu, featuring appetizers, sandwiches and flatbreads for Christmas dinner and I definitely appreciated that gesture. When we showed up it was pretty empty, but the fireplace was crackling, it smelled great and I could see that there was a human behind the bar, so I was pretty stoked. I got the garden salad with blue cheese and walnuts as a starter. Pretty basic, but still tasty. Vijay got the lamb cigars. He said he thought they were small for the price but delish. For dinner I got the Tallegio Polenta with a breaded poached egg with wilted greens. Holy melt in my damn mouth, Batman. (I plan on going back for this dish alone). V got a burger and he described it as "the perfect burger". We obviously got martinis, mine with Bombay Sapphire, his with Hendricks. His was nice and dirty and mine could have been a liiiiiittle drier, but I'm sort of a stickler for a dry martini. I should probably just start order glasses of gin. Anyway, it was overall a really lovely dinner, with good food, good service and good company. I will definitely be back to try the full menu. They have duck, so I don't really have a choice :) Happy Holidays, ya'll!
(4)Jason Z.
We were back to Nubar a year later after my initial review. The first thing I have to point out is, restaurant is packed. I did notice most of the people there had a LivingSocial or Groupon deal. There is nothing wrong with that. Hopefully they can get their name out there. Our waitress was also really good, she took time to explain the menu since my girlfriend has gluten allergy. For that, I will give it an extra star. The foods were still over-priced. Good, but not amazing. It lacked a signature taste. The connection (texture, and taste) between items on the plates were not there (they taste good individually). One would expect a bit more with this price tag.
(4)Helen A.
Used my Groupon and had a lovely experience. The restaurant area was nicely decorated, seating was comfortable. Wait staff attentive and efficient. Ordered a panzanella salad (B), the polenta (A) and swordfish (A). They split the salad and swordfish for us and were gracious about it. I thought the menu was reasonably priced. The rosemary bread was terrific. Plus, they served Starbucks coffee. I'd definitely return.
(4)R B.
After years living in Lexington, we had an opportunity to move to Harvard Square for 6 mos, looking at it as an opportunity to experience city life. We decided this was our summer vacation, so we eat out almost every night, determined to sample the best Cambridge has to offer. While Harvest is probably our favorite (nothing beats eating outside in their garden for atmosphere combined with great food), we think that Nubar at the Sheraton Commander is the most underrated restaurant in the city. We have eaten here 6 or 7 times this summer and fall, and *never* had even a mediocre meal. We have brought friends (some more discerning than us) who have also been very surprised and pleased at the quality of the food. Things we have tried and loved: Three New England Cheese Plate, Beet Salad, Flatbreads (esp. tomato/basil/mozzarella); Nubar Burger; Pulled Pork Sandwich (wife's favorite!); Grilled Giannone Farms Chicken Breast with Pumpkin and Mozzarella Arancini, Wild Mushrooms, Cippolini Onions, Pine Nuts - *this* is the dish I get almost every time I come, because it is the best grilled chicken dish I've had anywhere; Pork Osso Buco (another wife favorite); Duck Breast; Steak Frites. For dessert, we like the Lemon Panna Cotta and the Pumpkin Spice Cake with Maple Cranberry Compote and Whipped Cream. Their brunch is great, too - lots to choose from, great fresh fruit, omelettes to order, etc. Service has always been much better than average. They have a small parking lot, which is nice for Cambridge (not free), but they are also a very short walk from the Harvard Sq Red Line and bus stops. The decor is a bit modern for our taste, but is very pleasant, with a gas fireplace to sit in front of while you wait for others to arrive on those cold winter days. You can easily carry on a conversation without being drowned out by other patrons - another big plus for us. They often have Groupons available, too, so watch for those.
(5)Carol C.
Went with a groupon. We split: the cheese plate, the smoked trout salad, the swordfish, and a side of summer vegetables. It was more than enough for 2 of us. The parts of the cheese plate that were not the cheeses were very good! The cheeses were okay. The smoked trout salad was very good! Well dressed, and they split it for us (since we mentioned we were splitting it) The grilled swordfish was tasty, but not great. It underwhelmed both of us, though maybe we just aren't huge swordfish fans? It was unclear. It just wasn't a slam dunk. (again: they split it for us, which was appreciated) The summer vegetable side was a small bowl with mostly corn plus some eggplant, tomato, and possible a miniscule amount of other things. With some salt it was very tasty, but not what I had in mind when I ordered a vegetable side. I also had the lemon sky, which was far, far, far too sweet. Yuck. We went on a Tuesday night around 8. It was mostly empty, but not dead. Felt like it would be an okay place to go for a drink with friends and chat after doing something else (my date remarked that the beer prices were reasonable.) It was good, but not mind-blowing. But I definitely recommend the smoked trout salad.
(3)Wonyoung J.
Great atmosphere, good service, fantastic food. Bit pricey, though, which is a problem. The menu is wide and diverse. So many options to choose from. I usually go for the burgers and steaks.
(4)Mitch Q.
Like the settings and location. Convenient near Harvard square. It's not loud and quite a romantic settings. The food is sub par or par at best. Grilled shrimp was ok. The scallops were good. Their pork with risotto tasted bland. It's great place to chat and grab a drink. Would not recommend eating there though.
(3)Carolee W.
We went to Nubar for the rehearsal dinner the night before my son's wedding. We used their semi-private room -- separated from the main dining room by a curtain and it felt quite private. We didn't get noise from the dining room and hopefully they weren't disturbed by us. They set up a TV for us ($100 charge) so we could show slide shows of the bride and groom. The restaurant atmosphere is quite stylish, but comfortable. The main dining room has cozy chairs and a fireplace if you want to sit for drinks. We had a group of 22 and the room was very comfortable for us, but would also fit a larger group. Richard, who was our contact for the special event, was very efficient and responded quickly to my emails and printed up a special limited menu based on our choices. The room was set up just as we had expected and the service was very attentive and everything was well timed. Everyone really loved their food. We had flatbreads on the table to eat as people ordered and waited for their food. They were great. Guests had a choice of the spring salad or clam chowder for an appetizer. And entree choices were the Steak Frites or ribs or Gnocchi (vegetarian) or Smoked chicken sandwich. The lemon panna cotta dessert was really fabulous -- as was the chocolate mousse duo. I heard nothing but raves about the food, and I did ask family who would be frank with me about it. I think everyone was pleased with everything about the evening -- at least there were smiles and good times all around which is everything we had hoped for. Also there is convenient parking in the lot next door validated so just a $10 charge. Thank you Nubar!
(5)Jane S.
Nubar, a newly remodeled restaurant in Sheraton Commander, serves new American cuisine. According to its website, it emphasizes a comfortable bar and dining experience. The restaurant is named after the hotel's owner Edward Nubar Guleserian, whose family has owned and operated the hotel and restaurant for three generations. After we made our selection, the waitress brought a bread basket with three different types of warm, toasted bread. I really like the olive bread. The savory black olives enhanced the warm, moist, and chewy interior of the bread. Whereas the olive bread had hint of savoriness, the cranberry bread, which had ample amounts of dried cranberries embedded throughout, was sweet and tangy. Again, the inside of the bread was so warm and chewy. I could honestly get full just on the appetizer bread. My friend and I ordered the Meze Plate ($11) to share. The appetizer was basically a long grilled flatbread cut into six slices with five different dips placed in between the flatbreads.The Herbed Ricotta was a little too thick and rich for my liking. The Lentil and Bulgur dip needed a bit more seasoning. My favorite was probably the Olive Salad dip! The salty, savory olives balanced out the warm flatbread really nicely. Eggplant Salsa and Pickled Peppers. I am a huge fan of eggplant (my second favorite vegetable after butternut squash!), so the salsa was inevitably delicious. I expected the pickled peppers to be slightly spicy because I thought it had jalepeno, but it was very mild. Besides the dips, I also loved the flatbread! It was grilled to perfection with beautiful panini/grill marks on the outside, and just thick enough to have something to chew. Here, the thickness is the key because if it's too thick, the flatbread tastes too doughy, and if it's too thin, you don't get the texture. We couldn't finish the appetizer because we were too full from the appetizer bread already. Besides, our main entree came as we were eating the appetizer and we didn't want to completely ruin our appetite from being too full. I was really debating between two menus: Potato Gnocchi or Pat's Littleneck Clam Roast (Toasted angel hair pasta, baby shrimp, garlic, white wine, olive oil). In the end, I chose the Potato Gnocchi ($19) with absolutely no regret whatsoever. The gnocchi was accompanied by chanterelles, roasted fall vegetables, fresh herbs, and piave cheese. I asked to be light on the cheese, and certainly they just put a little shaved cheese on top that I could easily take out. I wished I had known that they sprinkled pine nuts on top because then I would have asked it to be taken off... The dish looked very healthy and fresh, probably because of the colorful vegetables and fresh spinach. The gnocchi served in the dining hall is often DRENCHED in oil, but that was not the case for this entree! The potato gnocchi was so good! I loved that it was pan-fried on the outside for the right amount of crispiness without being too rough on the edges. I don't like gnocchis that are mushy all throughout, so this was perfect! I almost felt like I was eating salad because of the greens and the roasted vegetables. I love root vegetables (squash, sweet potato, turnips, etc.) and the dish sure wasn't stingy on providing that! The grilled mini onions were roasted to golden perfection. My friend was choosing between the Duck Breast and the Grilled Organic Salmon (Lentils, Horseradish and Glazed Root Vegetables), and the waitress, without hesitance, recommended the Duck Breast ($27) The slices of duck breast was roasted with Caramelized Heirloom Apples, and served with Red Cabbage and Confit Potatoes.I would have never guessed something as savory and juicy as duck breast would go with sweet caramelized heirloom apples! The visual presentation of the dish could be improved because the sauce at the bottom looked a bit messy.The duck breast was so juicy and tender, according to my friend. Unfortunately, I don't eat duck because it's usually too fatty (just like pork). I especially loved the red cabbage, which, like the caramelized apple, tasted sweet. It almost had the texture and the sweetness of cranberry sauce. Now that I think back, the dish reminded me of a Thanksgiving meal! The duck is like the turkey, the red cabbage & apple is like the cranberry, and the potato is like mashed potato/stuffing!
(4)Ryan W.
My fiance and I were pleasantly surprised with Nubar. The food was a solid 3-4 stars, the ambience is cool and classic and the service was very good. We only had the simple greens salad for an appetizer, which might have been a little too simple (just mixed greens) for $7. My fiance had the salmon which was preparared and presented well. I satisfied a craving for scallops with their excellent scallop dish. Our server was having a hard time keeping up with her workload, but acknowledged her challenges (very rare) and got the manager to comp a round of drinks (even more rare). Maybe it's the buzz from the free drinks, but I think we'll be back for more!
(4)Jen O.
This place has much potential. Good location. Clean decor. I'm just glad I had a Groupon when it came to the food (and even had a bonus coupon for the Groupon! Win!) The bread was delicious. The first course salad was quite good. The wine list was deep. The dessert tasted a bit like the bottom of the ice cream bucket, but you can't go wrong with Christina's. The entree was just bland and somewhat undercooked. I expected more because everything else was delicious. :-/ I'd return, but I'd stick to the appetizer selections.
(3)Eunice E.
I made reservations for 3 on a Sunday afternoon, and thought nothing of it. Then, I got a call the next day telling me that I was all set even though they initially thought there was a problem, and that they potentially wouldn't have been able to accomodate / seat us. Okay...??? Thanks for letting me know, I guess... Once we got to Nubar, I was dazzled by the impressive layout--the fireplace, the lounge seating, the long bar--it was all fabulously swanky! I have to note, though, that the restaurant was bustling but not at all full... so I'm not sure why I got that call the day before, telling me that they thought they wouldn't have been able to seat us. Since the weather was so nice out, I opted to sit outside, which was all right. There were a few tables out there in the shade of their patio... which is RIGHT next to the hotel entrance, which was a little awkward, since we were seated at the table closest to the doors, which included sitting next to a few hotel signs. Anyway... we were seated, and they just assumed that we were going to go the Sunday brunch buffet route. I was met with a bit of resistance when I asked for the menu... Imagine an outdoor space, a waiter, and a customer. W: "There's really not that much on the menu, very limited." Me: "That's fine." W: "It's really small, the menu." Me: "No, really, that's fine." The menu WAS indeed limited, but it was fine because we were there for lunch and not breakfast (though the buffet did look tasty, according to one of our party who saw the spread). I ended up ordering the pulled pork sandwich, which was massive, and pretty delish. The fries were okay, but the ketchup was weird... I know it's a strange thing to comment on, but it really was rather bizarre. Thick and goopy and more like a jelly spread than a ketchup... and I've had a LOT of ketchup (being a tomato lover will do that to you). Everyone else's food looked good, and they said it was, and I trust them since they ate it all (grilled chicken sandwich, duck confit flatbread). The meal was actually VERY decently priced, and I wouldn't mind trying Nubar again for a different meal (Sunday brunch, perhaps?) and/or a drink at their fabulous bar, but the first impression it made wasn't exactly a stellar one... I guess it's good that I'm a softie for hotel bars/restaurants.
(3)Danie R.
The food ranged from great to terribly disappointing. Great: polenta app, scallops entree. Pretty good: crab cake appetizer (full of crab and not breadcrumbs! A rarity these days.) Terrible: the sour meze dips plate. It tasted as if half of the dips went rotten. They were sour and inedible. We would have set it back if not for the fact the waitress disappeared after she took our order until we tracked her down for the check. The gentlemen than ran our food, refilled our waters and cleared our table were wonderful though.
(3)Melissa B.
My fiance and I went here for a Valentine's Day dinner and we left slightly unimpressed. The service and ambiance were very good, but the food was just OK, especially for the price we paid. We don't plan on running back to this restaurant any time soon.
(3)Stephanie F.
I hate being that Yelper that gives a bad review because of the customer service, but *sigh* here goes. I went here because I wanted to treat my friend out for her birthday and also because I purchased a Travelzoo deal for here. I read through the reviews of this place, and saw the not so stellar reviews along with the positive reviews, so I thought, hey why not. And when I looked at the cocktail menu online I thought that it had a wide selection of cocktails, so it would be a nice place to get drinks. Furthermore, for a summer night, I thought it would be cool to eat outside in the patio (which wasn't open for dining anyway since it was raining). Since I read reviews and expected the food wasn't going to blow me away, I gave the food a chance. I liked the polenta/poached egg appetizer (a bit overpriced, compared to Russell House Tavern's, but I guess the polenta adds $4 somehow). My salmon was pretty delicious, and I like the parsley sauce it was swimming in. The complimentary bread was also pretty delicious, but too perfectly shaped for me to believe they baked it themselves. For drinks, I ordered the Sugar Plum Fairy, which tasted too strong of vodka - I don't know, I guess I felt the flavors didn't mix well and all I could taste was vodka. All in all, I was going to give this place 3 stars. Why the two stars? Let me preface this by saying, I understand that waiters/waitresses rely on their tips. I am also very well aware that if I buy a deal through an external website, I am supposed to tip on the amount before the deal is applied. Well, I thought I had done that. I looked at the subtotal of my bill, and calculated the amount of tip from there. What I didn't enjoy was my waitress coming back to our table after I had signed the check, interrupting me and my friend only to loudly 'whisper', "Just so you know for next time, when you purchase a deal from Travelzoo or any other site like that, you're supposed to tip on the subtotal before the deal is applied." My friend and I were very perplexed -- I'd sworn I had done exactly that. In retrospect, I realized that the subtotal I looked at was just for the food, and didn't realize that the drink total was separated from the food total. So yes, it was my fault, but after having a STRONG cocktail, did she really expect me to think correctly? Honestly, I think that's pretty bad service etiquette, and I don't think there will be a next time.
(2)Diana C.
I liked it. The food was great. Big plus with the 50% off voucher! I had the organic salmon entree, loved it.
(4)Elizabeth H.
I am surprised by some of the other Yelp reviews on Nubar. I choose Nubar to redeem a voucher and spend time with a friend while I was in Boston. Both of us had a very pleasant experience at Nubar on 3/15/14. Honestly I think it depends on what you want out of your dining experience. Nubar has a relaxed and modern setting. The service was good and very professional. My friend and I were eating a late dinner and our waitress did a great job of asking us if we wanted anymore food before the kitchen closed. Although I do agree with the other Yelpers that the food is okay the other parts made up for that for me. I also don't think their prices were outrageous for the area and the quality of food. (I would have been irritated if the food was okay and expensive.) In a nutshell if you're looking for something near Harvard where you can sit enjoy a glass of wine and a simple (but satisfying meal) Nubar is a good option.
(3)