This restaurant may be a new addition to the Kendall Square area, but the culinary world has known the owners, Alon and Rachel Miller, for quite some time from their old place, Rachel's Kitchen, in Bay Village. With Hungry Mother, they've added John Kessen, a former GM of Sel de la Terre, and Chef Barry Maiden, an alum of Lumiere, who has infused Appalachian Virginian cuisine with French fare - it's high brow French meets the American South. There's an international wine list, but regionally appropriated cocktail menu (rye, bourbon, etc) to enhance the experience.

Template:Brewery This local micro-brewery, on the corner of Hampshire and Broadway, has on tap its very own golden, pale, amber, and porter beers, plus at least 2 creative seasonal specials that change monthly: favorites include pumpkin ale (fall), barley beers (winter), and wheat beers (summer). The crowd that fills the California-style interior consist mostly of after-work software designers, but the beer is good enough to compensate for the nerd-turned-yuppie factor. Kendall Cinema movie-goers can bring their stubs in for a free beer Su-Th night with the purchase of food. Pints run $4+; pitchers $12-12.75; sampler (5 oz. tasting of any beer, min. 3 samples) $1.25 a pop. For the truly inspired, order a beer tower, a plastic-tube concoction that will last through the night if you can ($21+). Temper your beer buzz with hearty selections from their extensive menu. Entrees $10-15. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

Without the neon fanfare and sloshed singles of Jillian's or The Rack, Flat Top Johnny's is a straightforward, quality pool hall. Winner of Boston Magazine's Best in Boston award every year since 2000, its 12 tournament-sized pool tables host Kendall Square professionals, academics, and veritable pool-sharks alike. Those humiliated by their lack of skill can hang out at the dart boards or video games. A full bar also offers 12 different beers on tap (domestics $3.50, imports $4), as well as sandwiches ($6.95), salads ($4.95-6.95) and typically greasy appetizers like Mexican potato boats ($6.95) or Nine Ball Nachoes ($7.95). Tables are $6/hr before 6pm daily, $10 after 6pm Su-Th and $12 after 6pm F-Sa. Tu night is ladies' night: a woman pays half price for a table. Free pool W nights after 11pm. 9 ball tournament M nights at 6 7pm. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

Shine Restaurant and Lounge. Serves lunch and Dinner. Friday Nights is Gay and Lesbian night.

If you want to make “dinner and a show” a little more classy, come to The Blue Room before hitting Kendall Cinema. The Blue Room is gourmet without pretension. Expect flawless execution and relaxed, considerate service. The menu shows an assurance with and knowledge of flavors that frees it from the chaotic experimentation characterizing less accomplished establishments. Blue Room buys its produce from local farms and producers and this commitment shows in the quality of its food. The cauliflower soup with curry and dill ($6) is a fine example, creamy and rich, accented with a mild hint of heat. The roasted striped bass ($22) also combines traditional southwest flavors of yucca and cumin with a deft hand on the grill: the result is juicy, tender, crisp, and aromatic. Don't miss the restaurant's signature Su brunch buffet, an epicurean feast at $21, featuring an abundance of entrees and desserts. Menus vary seasonally, so trust in the chef's touch and look forward to a great meal. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

Thanks to its location in the One Kendall Square courtyard, this comfortable restaurant attracts area tecchies for lunch and after-work drinks. The bar area hosts live music (most weekends), and friendly waitresses deliver a steady stream of Guinness. Come summertime, open tables on the breezy outdoor patio can be hard to come by. While not technically a sports bar (it has two average-sized TVs), this is one of the few area hangouts that reliably broadcasts British soccer matches. For a simple date, Kendall Square-style, combine dinner here with a foreign film at the nearby Kendall Square cinema.

This place started out as a take-out joint in North Cambridge without even any place to sit, which became immensely popular. Eventually, they had to expand because the demand was so great. Now they're located near MIT/Kendall Square and just as good as they ever were. Cozy little spot with low lighting, very busy at times. The rosemary sauce for their pizza is unique and is kind of what got them such a good following in the first place. Crispy crust and a huge selection of toppings. The rest of the menu is just as tasty, but pizza is what they're really about. The staff is very friendly, and is great about keeping you posted on when your table will be ready. Drinks are available while you wait, including a good selection of wine by the glass. Customers are required to turn off all cell phones.

A great pre-/post-movie dinner destination (the Kendall theater is steps away), Atasca is a romantically dim and cozy haven for authentic Portugese cuisine. Start out with the octopus salad ($5.50) or one of the restaurant's famed petiscos, small Portuguese dishes similar to their Spanish cousin tapas. The littleneck clams ($9) are superb, and the accompanying fried potatoes, golden cubes crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, raise the standard for sides. If you're feeling adventurous, try the voluminous and flavorful goat stew ($18). If not, Atasca's chefs are especially deft with creatures from the sea, creating an array of delicious dishes ($18-23). The sangria ($16), sweetened and given deeper flavor with port, is wonderful, and a meal would not be complete without the smooth rice pudding ($4.50). Vegetarians beware: you may have to look elsewhere for sustenance. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

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