Cambridge Common

07/16/08

A Crash at Cambridge Common

by JimBeaux at Citysearch

We are frequent diners at Cambridge Common and usually love it. Our last visit was a disaster. Our server was both server and bartender and it showed. She appeared distracted and not exactly sure what to do. Items were missing from our order, drink glasses were left empty for most of the meal and no one bothered to ask how anyhing was. We waited for the missing items to come and they never did. We waited for someone to ask how the food was and they didn't. When she noticed that I only ate 1/3 of the one item I received, she was not concerned at all about why but just asked, "Do you want to take that with you," and still didn't show any concern when I bluntly stated, "NO." Luckily the items we didn't get were also missing from the bill. I don't know if the server was mentally out to lunch herself, overwhelmed or what, but she just was not present for us or for her job that day. We'll give it another chance, but one or two more experiences like this will cause the Cambridge Common to drop off our list.

• Pros: Usually consistent and good
• Cons: This day was a huge exception to that rule

07/03/08

My favorite spot in Cambridge for a beer, burger or brunch

by jenheidir at Citysearch

This cozy pub with a music lounge downstairs has a great selection of omelets and other brunch fare during the day, and burgers and other American classics for lunch and dinner. Their beer menu is also quite extensive. I love the burgers here, so juicy and thick! Definitely as good as any burger or pub spot in the Harvard Square area.

• Pros: food, beer selection
• Cons: street parking

10/26/07

Avoid daytime

by camb12 at Citysearch

I went to the Cambridge Common for lunch with my mother who was in town visiting. I usually go at night so it was my first day experience (and last). We got sat next to a table of screaming babies and their bitchy mothers when the rest of the place was empty. We had to ask to be moved after 5 minutes of no service. We moved right by the window, waited abother 7 minutes for a server to come by. She placed the water on the table and said ok what would you like. We hadn't even been asked for drinks, and she wasn't a pleasant one at all. Jumping down our throats when my mother asked what the best thing on the menu was, the server stated "oh I dont know just order" Right then we were appauled, asked to speak to the manager and we got a very rude one at that. She stuck up for her server and said she was busy, I looked around there were 10 tables if that and 3 servers!!! I told her that was no way to speak to customers and it was RUDE! the manager took our order and said it was going to be discounted. I didn't want the food discounted since I go their all the time. We order the mozzarella sandwich and BLT. Well don't get the Blt b/c there is one piece of bacon, half of an avacado, thre pieces of spinach and a heaping amount of mayo. It was nasty. The mozzarella sandwich was pis poor and fell apart as soon as I touched it. Thank god for the sweet fries. None the less the food sucked, service and management were horrible, I won't even go back for Dinner and Drinks with friends anymore. We were treated with NO RESPECT and in their views get the customer in and out. HORRIBLE!!!

• Pros: Beer choices
• Cons: Service, management, food, customer service

09/27/07

Amazing Beer Selection

by craftbeerrocks at Citysearch

This place is a gold mine! I moved to the Cambridge over the summer and randomly walked in, one afternoon - I was blown away with the beer selection. They have 24 on tap with a whole slew that rotate, often. The bartender was extremely friendly and shared with me their vision for supporting, mostly, craft beers from the US, which I thought was cool. The food was also very tasty. A friend and I shared Spicy Spinach & Artichoke Dip, Fried Pickles (beer battered), and Sliders (mini hamburgers) with Sweet Potato Fries. A tasty afternoon treat, to say the least. Overall, the beer was terrific, the food was tasty ( and cheap), and the vibe of the place seemed laid-back, but serious- Our bartender seemed busy, yet attentive, servers were buzzing around behind us, as the place was pretty busy for a Saturday afternoon. As a side, check out the side walk seating - it was much too hot that day, but who wouldn't dig sun and great beer outside this Cambridge gem?

• Pros: Beer Selection, Service, Outside Seating

08/04/06

Worst Brunch EVER!

by beantransplant at Citysearch

Though we were seated promptly, we should have taken it as an omen that there was nobody else in the restaurant. The food was bad, the service was bad, the bloody mary was bad, the brunch was bad. There are many other options in the Camberville area--go somewhere else!

• Pros: Um....
• Cons: Food Service

01/05/06

Great if you want comfortable mediocrity

by kathamo at Citysearch

I've been to Cambridge Common reluctantly several times with friends. This place is great if you're looking for unhealthy, greasy comfort food options, a great beer selection, and unimpressive staff. If you want friendly and knowledgeable service, high quality meals and menu options that go beyond sandwiches, salads, chowders, and fries, this is not the place. The ambiance is dark, casual, and crowded. And if you want something other than beer, you're not in luck, because the drinks are terrible.

09/12/04

Harvard-area hangout serves above-average bar food in a relaxed environment.

by Contributor at Citysearch

The Scene
In the shadow of Harvard Law School, this dimly lit restaurant is favored by students and young professionals. The bar offers more than two dozen draft beers, all at reasonable prices, plus a standard wine list. Many patrons come for a pre- or post-show drink, as the building also houses the Lizard Lounge music club.

The Food
Bar snacks and comfort foods dominate the menu, most in portions large enough for two. Among an extensive selection of appetizers, soups and salads, smart choices include the Thai chicken skewers and a plentiful spinach salad. Entrees and desserts, meanwhile, tend to sacrifice quality for quantity. Marinated sirloin tips are flavorful but a bit tough in places, while the chicken pot pie (despite its sea of gravy, peas and carrots) is ultimately bland. The warm fruit crisp would be better served cold.

08/05/04

Live for the Pumpkin Ale

by andy82 at Citysearch

A decent, dependable place that feeds a lot of HLS and other students. The food is pretty good, though heavy. A while back they changed the mashed potato recipe... bad idea...I loved the old one! The sweet potato fries are tasty and in the fall the pumpkin ale is just the best thing ever.

06/16/04

Good gab place, not a food stop

by amlovell at Citysearch

Though the Common doesn't make pretenses about being fancy, the food is often just unacceptable at even a low price. I'm not the sort to send back food, but did it at Cambridge Common when I was offered something so needlessly salty that it burned the corners of my mouth. You might find something reasonable every now and then, but I suggest you view this place as a place to settle in with friends to watch the game and chat.

• Pros: cheap, relaxed
• Cons: , terrible food

05/21/04

Great brunch spot

by rudechack at Citysearch

I had a bit of a hangover last Sunday and was in search of a fine brunch to take away the headache. Lo and behold, there was Cambridge Common. Every other place had an extensive wait, but not only was there no wait at Cambridge Common, but there was parking too! I had the Mushroom and Goat Cheese Omelette, which came with toast (and an individual pot of jam), fruit, and (fairly bland) homefries. It was fabulous, and I highly recommend this place for a weekend brunch.

• Pros: Parking, No wait, Good food