Russell House Tavern

Recommends

kmckaym

Joined 3 years ago

Get the burger!. I've been waiting for an awesome staple restaurant in Harvard Square since moving to the area, basically. Russell House delivers. You can get a $22 lamb shank, or you can grab a great salad for $9 -- it's an odd mix of pricy and reasonable, but when you think about the fact that it's right in the heart of the Square, this makes sense. So much is totally affordable here: the sides, the ample salads, the wine on tap ($5/glass). And a special word of note about the burger -- it definitely ranks as one of the more flavorful I've ever had.

So not only is the food good, the cocktail selection is respectable and the beer list is great. Solid, solid, solid. Although this newly-opened place is still working out some kinks, they put a lot of effort into what they're putting out.

Doesn't Recommend

Christine Liu

Joined 5 years ago

Citysearch Editorial Review. Cross a rustic, New England, filament-exposed lightbulb aesthetic with a hearty French-accented American menu; then soak it with one of the best beverage programs this side of the river--you’ve got a rough approximation of the appeal of Russell House Tavern. A freshly shucked oyster’s throw from the Harvard Square subway station, Russell House coaxes a gastropub feel with burgers (served on English muffins), lamb belly flatbread pizza and excellent beer; yet it also gussies up with housemade charcuterie, short-rib Wellington and an oozy crispy-soft poached egg from Chip-in Farm. With moderate prices, late hours and a finely tuned staff, the crowd’s thick with academics, in-the-know tourists and restaurant industry stalwarts.