"Cambridge is on the verge of welcoming a new member to its restaurant family: Talulla (377 Walden St.) opens its doors on April 20, and diners can now make reservations online for opening day and beyond. Owners and married couple Danielle Ayer and Conor Dennehy purchased the former T.W. Food (and briefly Self Portrait) space from Tim and Bronwyn Wiechmann — for whom they both had worked — and turned it into their own passion project, named for their young daughter. Earlier this year, they launched a successful Kickstarter campaign to help get the restaurant going, forming partnerships with producers and suppliers along the way and teaming up with beverage wizard Matthew Schrage to create an aperitif-focused cocktail menu to complement the food. Talulla will pull together Ayer’s wine knowledge and Dennehy’s love of global cuisine. Dishes will daily depending on the season availability of ingredients, and in addition to a la carte offerings, there will be a three-course prix fixe menu for $60 and a seven-course tasting menu for $115, with wine pairings available for each. With 12 tables inside, Talulla will provide a cozy dining experience where Ayer and Dennehy hope to provide attentive service and pay homage to the producers showcased on the menu. “Our restaurant is truly a reflection of our family,” Ayer said in an email. “We’ll be telling stories about the farmers and winemakers we’ve met on our travels and how their food and drink have inspired our own creations.” Starting April 20, Talulla will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Ayer and Dennehy plan to introduce Tuesday wine dinners (a tradition carried over from the Wiechmanns) and brunch service in the coming months." - Dana Hatic
