Longfellow's Inn

Longfellow Bar Opens in Cambridge’s Harvard Square | Eater Boston

"In converting the upstairs into the Longfellow Bar, I see Scelfo paying homage to the building through design choices—exposed brick, square-head nails, real oak floors, Carrara marble tables, untouched windows, and an original cathedral-style ceiling—alongside newer touches like a playful mural by Chris DeLorenzo showing hands going upstairs. The menu is meant to feel fun and intuitive, with shareable, tactile dishes such as sweetbreads with ranch, classic bar staples like waffle fries and wings, and Emil’s Plate (a play on a traditional Middle Eastern kofta with pita, lamb fat tahini, and fried peppers) honoring Cafe Algiers’ late owner Emil Durzi; I’m encouraged that guests are invited to pick things up and share them by hand even though silverware is available. The cocktail list continues Alden & Harlow’s savory focus with lots of scratch components and is presented as a “track list” using favorite albums and songs for names. I view Longfellow as a relaxed Harvard Square spot open for lunch where people can pop in for a drink before dinner or after a Brattle Theatre show; hours are 11:30 a.m.–1 a.m. Monday–Thursday, 11:30 a.m.–2 a.m. Friday, 3 p.m.–2 a.m. Saturday, and 3 p.m.–1 a.m. Sunday, with walk-ins welcome and reservations by phone at (617) 864-0001." - Oset Babur