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Bergamot
Category: Restaurants Canadian (New) Canadian (New) [Edit]
118 Beacon StSomerville, MA 02143
(617) 576-7700
- Nearest Transit:
-
Beacon St @ Washington St (83)
Washington St @ Beacon St (86)
Beacon St @ Calvin St (83)
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 5:30 pm - 1 am
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Classy
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
185 reviews for Bergamot
Review Highlights
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"Amuse bouche: white bean puree and bacon jam on toast." In 24 reviews -
"...the beet salad to start and both had the plantain gnocchi." In 13 reviews -
"For Dessert: the Chocolate Pave." In 9 reviews
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185 reviews in English
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Review from curt w.
Somerville, MA
4/17/2012
I don't give out 5 starts lightly. Bergamot deserved it. First visit, only visit, this is a GREAT SPOT for a special romantic occasion. I can see it being a good casual spot too as they had a bustling bar-area.
They fulfilled our request for a private table, and added a touch of class with a complimentary chocolate truffle and a candle for our anniversary. When they are paying attention to detail like this, you know you've stumbled onto something good.
Bear in mind we were on the early side - 5:45 ... so it was before things get super-crowded or busy. So this might have aided in our overall experience. We were not rushed at all.
Food was outstanding. We both had fish dishes, halibut and salmon (they rotate their menu often depending upon what's freshest) and they were both fantastic. Amazing sauces, deft preparation and clean presentation. But even better was the Vegetarian Charcuterie appetizer. Yes I did say Vegetarian - this is a dream come true appetizer for veg-heads. Also out of this world was the Queso Fresco Gnuddi app which they were able to make vegetarian by skipping the pork....WOW!!! Literally could have eaten 4 plates of this.
Service was also outstanding. Saw some previous posts about "overly-attentive" staff ... we found that not to be the case. Their attention was near-perfect. Not intrusive but they were always there when we were scoping for more bread or a drink refill. Very friendly and well-informed without being pretentious or snobby.
I put this on-par with a Cragie On Main or Gaslight experiences, but its so convenient being in Somerville! I hope they are here for many years to come.
PS ... If you are on the early side you should have no problem snagging free parking in their lot. -
Review from Erin B.
Somerville, MA
3/28/2012
2.5 stars. I can't say that the experience was bad, but it just wasn't for me.
The service is not my style. At least one person came over to the table every 5 minutes or so to do something ...most of it unnecessary (refill water glass that was 3/4 full, give more bread, even though we said we didn't want anymore) I'm not sure if they were training new staff or what, but there was a ridiculous amount of staff wandering around looking for something to do. I asked that my wine glass be left on the table because I might want wine with my entree and after having to explain this multiple times (sometimes to the same person) someone finally took my wine glass away as my entree arrived. It was rather frustrating. I've dined at upscale restaurants before where the service is superb and I don't run into similar problems.
The portions are small, but the food was fresh, creative and tasted good. The tables are too small for the plates that they serve the tiny portions on, and they left two bottles of water (one sparkling and one still) on our table while they went around with a pitcher to some other tables. I'm guessing it was on off night for them, but I wasn't wowed and probably wouldn't go back unless specifically invited by someone else. -
Review from Elizabeth G.
Somerville, MA
3/27/2012 1 Check-in Here
I had a chip on my shoulder about Bergamot. I walk past this corner 2x a week on my way to work, and so I watched with anticipation as they renovated the old EVOO space and posted on Facebook about some of the tantalizing things they were crafting there. Then I took a look at the prices. Sigh. $39 for a three-course meal is their *discount* price?
Enter Restaurant Week. The three-course menu was now $33. For this price, my friend and I got to try:
APPS: I had cavatelli (pasta) with peas, spring onion (same as leeks?), shiso (an herb from the mint family). I'd normally have eaten this dish with a fork, but the sauce was so buttery, cheesy, yummy that I lapped it up with a spoon instead so I wouldn't miss a drop. I also like that in every dish I had, there was one ingredient that I had to ask the server to identify. My friend had the asparagus and fried egg with crispy pancetta, crab hollandaise, and cumin-scented carrot puree. Yum.
MAINS: I had the farro "risotto" (a whole grain kind of like barley) with peas, fava beans, ramps (a green fern-like spring vegetable), cardoon (a vegetable related to the artichoke, that looks like celery), green garlic, ricotta salata (a salty cheese, not the same as plain ricotta), and vegetable "pistou" (meaning pounded with a mortar; I had to look it up). Again, lapping it up with a spoon. My companion had butter-poached hake with mushrooms, grapes, tarragon, and risotta. Also yum.
DESSERTS: I had the yuzu mousse, bursting with the flavor of this new-to-me citrus fruit. It was served with sugar cookies (supposedly lemon-ginger; I couldn't taste it) and a dollop of creme fraiche. My friend had yogurt panna cotta with "honeycomb" (peanut brittle), a rhubarb sauce, and rosewater foam. We were both well pleased.
Options we didn't try: a beet salad starter with pistachio emulsion and balsamic; crispy chicken thighs with coq au vin sauce; and chocolate cake with vanilla-curry anglaise, peanuts, and popcorn (!).
EXTRAS: For starters, seven-grain bread with cinnamon-honey butter. This was just OK. The bread is very dense, rye-type bread. Not my favorite, but at least it's something different. And after dinner, they gave us two tiny (as in adorable, not stingy) pink peppercorn meringues. Unfortunately I wouldn't have known these were pepper-flavored if the server hadn't told us; they just tasted like sugar.
They have a few interesting beers on tap and more in bottles. (What's up, Pretty Things Lovely St. Winefride!) I find their wine list slightly annoying because they list locations you'll never have heard of (a region within Austria, a region within Portugal) instead of just listing the country. But as long as the servers know what's what, I guess this is fine.
The place was packed to the gills on a Monday night, but the service was polished. Our server could answer questions about the menu and make a reasoned wine recommendation. (Imagine that!)
Not sure if I'll be back outside of Restaurant Week (entrees are $23-$27 by themselves) but I'm glad I got to try it. If you come, don't wear your gym clothes--diners here were legit dressed up.
If you have an adventurous palate and you like trying new flavors and combinations, you will not be disappointed. -
Review from Vince T.
Norwell, MA
5/22/2012
Outstanding! went to Bergamot this past weekend. Honestly I thought it was going to be tough when we changed our reservations from 4 to 5 and management said they would have to seat us at a small table. When we arrived they sat us at a table large enough to accommodate the 5 comfortably, Thank you!
Without going into detail about each plate from appetizers to desert everyone loved their food. Fish, Pork, Risotto, Chicken and Steak, presentation was nicely done. We spent nearly 3 hours without any delays in the seamless service.
Atmosphere is very warm and comfortable, noise level was no problem talking around the table.
As a family we visit in and around Bostons fine restaurants (although I don't always write about them) this is one of the best. -
Review from Linda P.
Milton, MA
3/20/2012 1 Check-in Here
My friend who's a huge foodie brought me here. After trying Bergamot, I can see why she comes here about once a week! Although, I'm still a graduate student and she's a lawyer - you see why frequenting this place may be an issue. Perhaps once I've paid off my loans...
Bergamot's interior is simple, clean, and elegant. The menu is constantly changing, so it will never get boring - new, creative dishes are constantly being added. Keep in mind that the portions will be small and if you're looking for a hearty meal, you won't be full here.
The service was great - and if you frequent the place like my friend does - they'll know your name too. Oh and there's a parking lot in the back. (not many people know)
I tried the 3 course menu for $39 before 7pm. (Be prepared to pay ~$60, especially if you plan on getting a drink + tax/tip.) On the menu that day was:
Beet Salad, Blood Orange, Pistachio Vinaigrette - it was okay.
Pan-Seared Salmon, Shiitake Mushrooms, Chinese Mustard Sauce - it was perfectly made. flavorful. just amazing.
Sponge cake, Mascarpone Mousse, Coffee Ice Cream. - pretty good, it was drizzled with coffee grounds. yummy!
I love creative food, so I'll definitely be back! -
Review from Bethany B.
Mid-Cambridge, MA
4/25/2012
What a treat for me! My mom came into town and treated me to a highfalutin dinner, and let me tell you-it deserves every single star. Bergamot takes the farm to table concept seriously, so you know that what you're getting is fresh and in season. I got the swordfish and had to restrain myself from licking the plate. Everything was perfectly seasoned and cooked to perfection. Bergamot also has a great ambiance--not too loud so you can have a great conversation without yelling. Would be a perfect date spot...now to find someone to take me there besides my mom...
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Review from Sylvia C.
Mid-Cambridge, MA
5/7/2012
I avoided this place for a while because its kind of cheap looking. It was amazing. The food the drinks the service . All on point . Staff is knowledgeable and proffesional. Rabbit tortellini was MIND BLOWING. Charcutiere plate was amazing, I had chicken two way which was off the charts. Place like this are the reason I love going out from service to food to drinks . Just amazing.
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Review from Peter M.
Sudbury, MA
5/6/2012
I was disappointed in Bergamot from the moment the server poured us half glasses of wine. It was absolutely the stingiest pour I have ever experienced. It was as if she was being watched and was afraid she'd get docked if she poured more than the equivalent of two shot glasses of wine. From there it got worse. While the selections were presented well enough, there was nothing particularly distinctive about the food. It was a meal that can be gotten in many venues. This is a restaurant trying to hard to be upscale, but came across as pretentiousness. High priced, small portions--a three course meal should satisfy as well as scintillate. No rush to goo back there
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Review from J. P.
New York, NY
3/18/2012
Good dinner on a Friday evening; not quite as polished at it could be. Well-lit, comfortable room with decently-spaced tables and friendly waitstaff.
We started with cocktails, including a decently-mixed negroni. For a starter I had a well-made, fresh salad, and one companion had the cured yellowfin tuna with squid ink couscous, piquillo peppers, green garlic, sweet potato fondue and almond streusel -- a creative combination that worked and was well-executed with good-quality ingredients.
For mains, two of us had the grilled skirt steak, which came with fried mushroom nuggets, sautéed vegetables and creamy polenta. Our third had the roasted chicken with egg crêpe, cannellini beans, green garlic and Korean BBQ-chicken ju. Both dishes were good -- the steak flavorful and well-grilled, and the chicken very tender and nicely-complemented by the rest of the ingredients.
Dessert for me was spice cake with creme anglaise and vanilla ice cream - fine - and for one companion, meyer lemon tart with toasted meringue, tarragon and camomile ice cream - also good.
Missteps included not asking how I'd like my steak done; the waiter knocking over two glasses of water and soaking the table; and a 10-minute gap between the arrival of the first and second dessert dishes to the table. There were however apologies for the spilled water, and the house comped the desserts.
With a bottle of riesling, tab came to ~$200 for three with tax/tip. -
Review from Debra H.
Los Angeles, CA
5/14/2012
First, have to comment that the food and service were amazing. Stopped by for a late night dinner with my boyfriend after flying in from the West Coast. We each had an appetizer salad and an entrée. Both salads were fabulous (beet for me and asparagus for the man) and the entrees were spectacular. I had the risotto (which was nutty and so light you could taste every single flavor) and the BF had the salmon (probably the best salmon filet I'd ever had). They definitely specialize in the flavor, so that a crunch of snap peas adds the perfect touch to a dish. So, on food alone, I'd recommend this place. However, I also have to mention Servio, one of the owners. We had reservations for 10:15 pm on a Friday night when the restaurant stops serving at 10:30 pm. It was going to be a tight fit coming from Logan Airport and - sure enough - we were not going to make it in time. After some tense time in the rental car as my BF and I tried to navigate using an iPhone and ended up going in circles in Somerville, I called the restaurant to let them know we were not going make it to dinner. Once I explained we were calling them because we were lost and could not get there before they closed, Servio offered to direct us street by street as he insisted we were close and he could get us there. He stayed on the phone and directed me for about 20 minutes until we made it there! He was so patient and told me not to worry about when we arrived even though they were close to closing. Servio even came out to the sidewalk to greet us as we pulled up so he could direct us where to park. He did all this even knowing we were coming in from the airport and not locals who could become regular customers. The food experience was over the top wonderful, but when you combine that with such a welcoming, warm staff you can't go wrong... We will now always dine there whenever we are in Boston, making sure to call first so we can be certain to see Servio again.
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Review from Beth C.
Somerville, MA
4/29/2012
I took my family here that was visiting from out of town, and I'm so glad I did. The food was fantastic, service was perfect, and wine was excellent. Pork three ways, miso salmon, and lamb ravioli: all excellent. I think our favorite appetizer was the cavatelli, hands down. It was cooked and seasoned perfectly. The avocado ice cream was incredible. This was one of the best dining experiences I've had in a really longtime. Thank you for everything, we will be back soon!
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Review from Josh W.
Mid-Cambridge, MA
4/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
My wife and I moved to Boston last August and this is the best meal we've had since we got here. No aspect of the experience disappointed. We started with expertly crafted cocktails (Old Fashioned for me and April in Paris for my wife). For dinner I had the 3 course prix fixe meal. It started with mussels in a saffron and white wine risotto, followed by pork shoulder and the craziest little veggetable called a fiddlehead, and a vanilla lavender sponge cake for dessert. My wife had the flank steak and a passion fruit and mango mouse for dessert. All was spectacular. Both dishes were prepared superbly, showed some creativity, and were solid portions. This restaurant is a little hidden in Somerville but the ambiance, service, and food all scream for many more visits!
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Review from Vivian C.
2/24/2012 26 photos
At Bergamot, you have the choice of tables covered with white table clothes or a stool at the bar set along the inside wall. If you should score one of these prime 8 seats, you will receive pleasant service by the bar staff - on our night it was Paul - and the opportunity to partake of their bar menu in addition to anything off their regular menu or the 3 course daily blackboard menu.
We were started off with soften butter and a slice of a chewy bread with a nice crisp crust. Additionally we were presented with a tasty amuse-bouche of consisting of a bit of deep fried fish and a homemade potato chip.
Friends had recommended both the Griddled Burger $12 (Milk Bun, Plymouth Vermont Cheddar, Tomato-Bacon AÏoli, Marinated Red Onion, House-Made Pickle, Julia's French Fries) and the Lobster Melt $12 (Cheddar, Scallions, Brioche) from the bar menu, so we decided to go for both. The sides that came with both were each a touch overwhelming in their own way - the fries were nice and crispy, but much too salty (but that was quickly remedied by the brushing off of a few of the salt crystals), while the fresh greens were a bit too strongly flavored by the dressing. Both sandwiches, however, were quite satisfying, with the prize going to the lobster melt with the chunky creamy pieces of sweet lobster encased between a pair of oh so delicious buttered and toasted slices of bread that were reminiscent of the carb components of a really good grilled cheese.
*** 3/2012 RW week #1 ***
TERRIFIC! -
Review from Kelly O.
3/22/2012 ROTD 4/26/2012
3.5 stars. OK Bergamot, you had me at fresh/seasonal/locally sourced, that alone would have gotten me through your door. But you won me over with your refined food, nuanced and unexpected flavors, and creative and interesting combinations. Last night we finally made it here for Restaurant Week, and it was worth the trek from Harvard on a lovely summer(winter?)'s night.
To start, I had the Beacon-something, a delightful citrisy cocktail that went well with the weather, and the boy had a (well mixed) Negroni, along with the (standard) bread with (nonstandard) lemon grapefruit butter.
My first course, which came out very quickly, was the house-made brandade with egg, asparagus, and hollandaise. Loved this dish, everything went so well together and was so tasty, I wanted to lick the plate clean (good thing there was extra bread). I'd totally come back for this. The boy liked his chicken gumbo fine enough, but did note he felt there wasn't enough of it (I told him, this is not Redbones, you will not get mountains of food with which to stuff yourself... the quality of what you do get speaks for itself though.)
For my main, I got the salmon. The best part about this dish was the mustardy sauce, it was really delicious and unlike anything I'd eaten before. Even the creamed cabbage, which sounded not too appealing, was delightful (who knew?). To be honest, I was a bit worried about the salmon to begin with... the waitress said they cook it to medium rare which is usually just perfect for me, but when I cut into it, mine was definitely farrrrr more on the rare side in the middle than medium rare normally is. Sure, I could have had the chef cook it a little more, but I figured, the quality of salmon is probably very high and fresh here, and I enjoy raw salmon in sushi all the time and have no problem with that, so I may as well eat and enjoy this meal. (I did sort of worry in the back of my mind though, but no food poisoning ensued so all is well.) The boy got the lamb, which was tasty, but a bit overcooked for him. So slight issues on temperature of meat/fish, but the entrees were overall tasty enough we didn't really mind overlooking them.
My dessert was the yuzu mousse, light and fluffy and very refreshing after my meal, with some lemon ginger cookies on the side. I tried the boy's chocolate tart, and while it sounded amazing on paper and technically it tasted and looked just like you'd expect, I actually found myself preferring my mousse (non-chocolate over chocolate? Have I gone mad? Apparently.). It was more unique and more refreshing, and a better end to my meal I thought. He liked his tart better though, so to each his own. I ended with a lovely dessert wine.
Service was professional, attentive, and pleasant. I left feeling just full, and thought the portions for a 3 course meal were perfectly sized. The atmosphere here is friendly, classy, and cozy, a nice spot for a date or to catch up with friends.
Overall, despite the slight missteps, Bergamot has impressed me and I'll be happy to return. -
Review from Sara C.
Somerville, MA
2/2/2012
I had been wanting to come to Bergamot for ages since I was always a fan of the space when EVOO was there and I had read such good things on Yelp. So finally I went and it was good but not great. Not sure I'd be returning any time soon.
Atmosphere was good, free parking in Somerville always a plus, and service was good.
Appetizers were a bit of a disappointment. First, its an expensive place and I don't mind when expensive restaurants give you small little appetizers if they are amazingly delicious. These were not. I had a duck confit salad and it was very bland. My dining companion had the tuna and it was super small and not great flavors but it was slightly better than the salad.
Main courses saved the meal though. I had the quail and it was pretty good and decent sized portion. He had the hake and it was amazing. If we had both come in and only ordered the hake this would be a 5 star review.
I was a little annoyed when I was told that the special desert was no longer available considering it was still written in huge print on their specials chalk board and I had been thinking about it since we had walked in. But we ordered two different desserts which were both fine but not great.
I just wanted to like the food more, especially considering the price. -
Review from Abby L.
Cambridge, MA
3/24/2012
I was really impressed by my meal at Bergamot last week. I hadn't been there since the first week it opened - and I would never judge a place on that. Everything was delicious, and it was even restaurant week, which is always a fail! I ordered off the restaurant week menu and got the chicken, which was totally delicious. My boyfriend stayed on the menu and got the lamb which he loved. I stole his dessert, the chocolate, caramel tart, and ate the whole thing! The service was great, I would definitely go back.
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Review from Miles U.
Boston, MA
3/1/2012
This was our third time at Bergamot. It is "ok" but they clearly strive to be an upscale establishment and they fall short. How can I tell they want to be upscale? By the high prices and tiny portions. We literally were still hungry after a 3 course meal. The pot de creme for dessert was tasty but about the size of a small espresso cup. The butternut squash soup was also tasty and came in an enormous bowl but it was about 1/10th full. My main course, a fish special, was average, and again - tiny.
The waitstaff is lovely as is the ambience. I just wish they would increase the size of the portions and kick the flavors up at least a notch, maybe two. -
Review from Leah M.
Worcester, MA
11/27/2011
I was a bit disappointed after all of these good reviews. Bergamot was not bad...it just wasn't that incredible. And for the price that this restaurant it? It better blow my mind. But there wasn't anything like that! Everything was just....alright. If I'm going to get a meal that is just pretty good, why would I ever spend over $20 on an entree??
I also think there were WAY too many waitstaff hovering around just waiting to jump on a moment to fold a napkin or fill a water glass. I need some space to enjoy my meal with my family please!
Overall - I will be spending my money elsewhere, but you wont get a bad meal here. -
Review from Beth G.
East Watertown, MA
3/10/2012
Went there for the first time tonight. Nice vibe, warm welcome when we entered. Our waitress Lindsey was pretty fabulous. Had the charcutier good (although the pork was a little too fatty for my taste), the rabbit dish was yummy, we had the red snapper - fabulous mix of flavors, skirt steak was tasty but a cooked a little too rare (they said it was medium rare - was more rare - they offered to re-cook) and the chocolate cake was very good. Wine list was interesting and the two rioja's we had were excellent. We will most certainly be back for a second visit! Enjoy.
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Review from Richard C.
Boston, MA
1/23/2012
I'm done with expectations, the next time I hear great things about a supposed great burger I'm going to ignore it. The problem with mostly eating burgers is that in the case of a higher end restaurant, the burger is a perfect barometer to judge any future meals at the same establishment. Fair or unfair, if they can't properly cook a burger, what hopes do they have to cook any other dish? Served only at the bar, the Bergamot burger is rumored to be a beef blend consisting of marrow and brisket, but it was so salty and cooked so poorly I could have been eating a turkey burger. Ironically, we waited close to an hour for what was promised to be a very thin, medium cooked, and incredibly juicy burger. For such a slim patty, which should have taken mere moments to cook, the wait was far too long, but that's what happens when you're banished to the bar, our backs turned to the rest of the dining room.
The bartender described our burger as being "similar to In-N-Out," and would be one of the juiciest burgers we'd ever have. Quite the build-up, too bad it couldn't deliver. What we (finally) received was a pencil thin patty topped with far too many greens that were beyond overdressed, and all sandwiched between a house-made Milk Bun that easily weighed over a pound on its own. The burger was seemingly rushed, despite us waiting for far too long, it had no sear, no crust and was basically raw in the middle. The only flavors to come through were salt and salad dressing. Yes, salad dressing, as the overdressed greens became an overdressed burger, and a pool of vinegar and oil camped out on the corner of my plate. Juiciness? Not a chance, but greasiness? Absolutely.
The bun is a borderline disaster, I guess I can appreciate the homemade approach, but it tastes like a stale biscuit, and is at least ten times too big for the paltry burger. A tomato-bacon aioli is promised, as is cheese, but neither can stand up to the massive bun, and the oily/salty burger. French Fries are once again in the McDonald's mold, which are very satisfying and well seasoned, if not, once again, very uninspired. Needless to say this burger just didn't do it for me, and for $12 it was completely unremarkable and fairly unpleasant. Another poor burger mixed in with potential chef greatness, although it might be tough to convince me to come back. -
Review from Ken Y.
Boston, MA
10/15/2011 6 photos
Started off w/ an amuse bouch of fried salted cod topped w/ a little chunk of olive (see photo) in a bit of tomator sauce. Probably would have been better warm, but it was cold.
The prix fixe for the day included scallops w/ fennel on an orange emulsion (sounded more complicated than it looked, but it tasted good :-). The entree was a perfectly cooked scate with mushrooms and tomatoes; this was great and reinstated my fondness for skate (last time I had it at a different place, it was overcooked and terrible). The dessert was a sugar cake w/ ice cream and blueberries (tasted better than it sounded).
We also tried the confit tuna on top of heirloom tomatoes from the regular menu. This unfortunately didn't work for either of us because we prefer tuna rare/raw. I'd go so far as to say it was a waste of good tuna :-P
The entree off the menu was beef tenderloin w/ corn. This was well cooked and the corn was very sweet...more so than we've been able to find farmer's markets this year.
Bergamot changes their prix fixe every day and announce it via their facebook page. As you can see, the portions are a bit bigger on the regular menu. The prix fixe was adequate for me (I'm one of those weird skinny hungry freaks :-), but would have been full if I had eaten from the regular menu.
All in all, a good experience for me. My DC liked the prix fixe better since we both hated the tuna.
Total for both of us after tips was $110 (neither of us drink unfortunately) -
Review from David H.
Boston College, MA
10/22/2011
Bergamot is great addition to the Somerville area. Small bar open to the dining room, medium size dining area, formal for Somerville standards, good wine list, limited menu but all very good.
Favorite item is the Chicken entree, Appetizers, salads all very good. Save room for dessert.
Good for a date, small group, comfortable night out with out going into Boston. Parking is the negative. -
Review from Joshua D.
Boston, MA
4/20/2012
Went to Bergamot after hearing such great things. We were disappointed. The food was fine but we felt like the server was up selling us. My wife didn't drink opting for 2 club sodas with cran. They were $4 each! We aren't cheap, but how about a heads up.? The addition of BBQ New Orleans shrimp wound up being a salad with Florida shrimp on it. The side of asparagus with soy and ginger glaze was chopped up asparagus with vinegar. The hazelnuts that came with the check were a nice touch except we had told our waiter earlier that I had a tree nut allergy!!! Glad I asked, saved me a epipen shot and a trip to the ER. A poor time all around. We won't go back!
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Review from Nick H.
8/30/2011
Dear Bergamot,
For a while, I watched you from afar and was too shy to come over and say hello.
Finally, I worked up the balls to satisfy my unrequited love and found that my boldness paid off.
You seated me right by the window in a romantic table and threw mad culinary game at me. Your pick-up lines:
* An amazing bottle of French blanc from your stellar wine menu categorized by "Seashore, Citrus, and Stones," "Forest, field and stream," and "Garden and Orchard."
* A house-made charcuterie plate that involved hand-made sausage, lardo, house-cured meats, and a potpourri of flavors that nearly knocked me out of my seat
* Acadian redfish seared to perfection and served over beautiful fresh veggies and salsa verde.
And finally, a gratis dessert for this special occasion that was a light, airy, fruity mousse with fresh berries that was enough to have me coming back for a second date. It seems we were meant to be.
I threw some game back to learn a little more about you and found out about your bar menu that includes your "lobster melt," grilled lamb merguez and your griddled burger. You move fast.
Call me.
Love,
Nick H -
Review from Lisa W.
Mid-Cambridge, MA
9/19/2011
One of my friends kept hounding me to try this place called Bergamot. Sadly I should have ignored him. That's a little harsh, the food was good but it's not all about the food.
We didn't have a reservation but was seated right away. We promptly were asked what type of water we would like and began to browse through the menu. The browsing did not take very long because the menu is so limited. So with full glasses of water and closed menus we waited. After a few minutes we were still waiting and again waited a few more minutes. At this point I took a look around the restaurant to see not 1, not 2 but 3 servers literally standing doing nothing. Not a very good start.
Finally our server comes over and asks if we would like something to drink. My bf ordered a beer and quite quickly I added we were ready to order. For appetizer we got the goat cheese risotto, it lists mushrooms on the menu but I asked to have w/out. The server asked if someone was allergic and I said no but my bf does not like the taste. While waiting for our appetizer we received an amuse bouche. This is a small 'bite' that some restaurants give free to their patrons. I was very impressed that this amuse bouche had mushrooms but for my bf's they did not add them. Sadly the amuse bouche was made from fish and my bf does not eat fish.
For dinner my bf got the gnocchi while I got the steak. Both entrees were good and tasty but WAY too expensive. They were both overpriced by at least $5. Also the appetizer was pretty good but again for the portion you receive not worth it.
After we were finished with our dinners we once again played the waiting game. Dishes cleared and waited. And waited. And waited. Sadly our server helped 2 tables one behind and one next to us and yet we still waited. At one point I was going to get up and ask the hostess if we could get our check as our server should have clearly seen we were getting anxious. Finally our server comes over and did the one thing that annoys me so much. Presenting me with a dessert menu without asking first if I would like dessert.
As soon as we saw our server walking towards are table I could see the dessert menus in her hand. Without asking if we were interested in dessert the motion of handing us the menu began. I quickly thwarted the attempt and as politely as I could asked for the check.
To sum up, food was good but overpriced and service was not only slow but presumptuous. I would consider getting take out if they offered it but I won't be returning to dine their again. -
Review from Miri R.
Cambridge, MA
11/20/2011
Bergamot made this week's date-night wonderful. I had duck, he had steak - both were spectacular. My orangy floral cocktail was fabulous also. Panna cotta to me is an easy sell because it's my favorite dessert at the moment. It didn't disappoint.
The place was packed and we couldn't get a reservation, but sitting at the bar was great. The bar staff is friendly and very knowledgable. We never once felt that they were too busy to take care of the bar guests, even though they never stopped making cocktails.
Overall a great experience! -
Review from Jared S.
8/22/2011
Came to Bergamot on Friday for my anniversary (it was also Restaurant Week, a happy coincidence) and really enjoyed it. Food was good and service was excellent.
When I made my reservation, I had told them it was my anniversary and I would prefer a table by the window, and they said they would be able to accommodate. When we arrived for our 8:15 reservation, the host informed us that the previous party was lingering at the table he had for us and it would be 15 or 20 min before it was ready, and he also offered us another empty table right away. But it was close to the bar by the stand for the waitstaff, so the wife and I chose to get a drink at the bar and wait for the original table. The host even ushered us to the bar and took my umbrella for me.
A note on the ambiance - Bergamot is not a big place (though not tiny) and they seem to pack a lot of tables in the space. So I wouldn't necessarily call this place "romantic" since most of the tables are very close to one another. A better description would be the "cozy" euphemism. I do like how Bergamot walks the line between casual and classy - I was in jeans and a button down and felt fine, there were men in three piece suits, and others in shorts and hawaiian shirts. Female attire ranged from cocktail dresses to a few ladies in capris and knit cotton tops.
Back to the story - the bartender greeted us right away and was attentive and convivial. We started with a glass of sparkling wine, but the cocktails he was mixing up looked fantastic. When our table was ready, the host retrieved us from the bar, and the bartender took our glasses to the table for us.
Our waitress was similarly attentive and friendly without being overbearing. I did the restaurant week menu and my wife ordered off the regular menu. First thing to note, Bergamot is obsessed with basil, it's in pretty much every dish. Which isn't a problem for me because I love basil, but just something to note. I had the tomato and peach salad which was good but not mind blowing. Though my entree of roasted pork shoulder was terrific, I had to stop myself from licking the plate. My wife started with the pork belly app which I thought was very good but she thought the pork belly was sliced too thick and therefore wasn't "melt in your mouth". She got the skate wing as her entree and loved the basil mashed potatoes but thought the skate wing itself was just an average piece of fried whitefish.
To finish, we split the carrot cake (from my RW order) which really wasn't anything special at all unfortunately.
So while the food was good, it was mostly missing a "wow" factor, but Bergamot makes up for it with stellar service. We enjoyed our meal and will likely be back. -
Review from Morgan F.
Somerville, MA
11/7/2011
After a host of disappointing high-end dining experiences in the Boston area, Bergamot was a much needed high note. It partially reinstated my faith in gourmet cuisine. It was intricate, but not fussy, and the flavor was there. We only had two complaints - our waiter was nervous and inexperienced and the portions (particularly the wine pours) were quite small. That said, I would love to go back. My bottom line was met - the food was delicious.
Amuse bouche: white bean puree and bacon jam on toast. This was so. good. I could have had several of these.
Appetizers: duck confit salad and fried oysters. These were also amazing, particularly the oysters. Everything was seasoned to perfection. The roasted, spiced peanuts in the duck confit salad really pulled it together.
Entree: pan seared Mahi-Mahi with spaghetti squash and mushrooms. This dish was almost too salty for me, and I LOVE salt. I also couldn't finish the fish once I ran out of the other ingredients to eat with it. That said, I'm not a huge fish person. But it was cooked perfectly. One of my friends got the Hake with cauliflower, shrimp, and olives, which was a great bite, and another friend got the roast chicken, which was solid as well. The potato dauphinoise was delicious.
Dessert: pear toffee tart and devil's food cake. These were both great, particularly the toffee. I would not have ordered this but a friend did and we were SO glad. It was heavenly, particularly paired with the ice cream. The devil's food cake had carrot sorbet on top which I LOVED but others weren't a fan of. More for me.
I finished the meal with a nice smokey Scotch and had red wine throughout. Like I said in the beginning, the pour on the individual glass order was fairly scant.
The flavors were amazing. I will definitely go back once my bank account has been replenished! Great for a date or intimate group. -
Review from Peter D.
Somerville, MA
Updated - 4/13/2012
Still the best! Had the flank steak and sausage gnuddi and both were incredible. You MUST go here if you haven't been yet.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/16/2010
Unbelievable. The best restaurant I've been to in Cambridge. Try the daily blackboard special - I… Read more »
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Review from Taylor W.
Somerville, MA
1/11/2012
My g/f and I live within walking distance, and we've been here several times. As such, I feel comfortable giving general evaluations on different dimensions (1-5 stars), rather than recounting any specific dining experience:
Ambience - 4 stars - Dim lighting, soft, jazzy background music, and a single large dining room make Bergamot a cozy, but not very private, place to eat. Excellent atmosphere for impressing snobby parents-in-law or romancing a date; horrible atmosphere for having an intense debate, a boisterous discussion or a drawn-out argument.
Service - 5 stars - This place has the most attentive service I've received pretty much anywhere, period. Upon being seated, you will experience a rapid parade of waiters to your table in the following sequence: Saying hi and clarifying the menu/taking drink orders, bringing drinks back/taking food orders, bringing amuse-bouche, taking amuse-bouche away. Once they get through the amuse-bouche, the service slows to a more normal pace and you get your first and second courses as they are cooked. Bottom line: Great service, if a little overbearing at first.
Food - 5 stars - Of course, the food is my favorite part. Chef Keith Pooler is renowned for utilizing local, fresh, seasonal ingredients, so the menu changes not only every week, but usually every day (thanks in large part, I'm sure, to the specialty Savenor's grocery store around the corner). What makes the food at Bergamot really special, though, is Pooler's ability to wring every iota of flavor out of the ingredients he is using so that each dish becomes an oral experience - like a rainbow of bright, vibrant flavors blending in your mouth. Of course, each dish is cooked fresh to order, and the portions are very healthy (especially for what I would consider a gourmet restaurant), so in terms of plate speed and size, I've never had a problem at Bergamot. Also, there is a fully stocked bar (with a few stools for solo diners) that features super-tasty specialty drinks, such as the Beacon Fix or Blood Thistle, as well as after-dinner aperitifs, wines and whiskeys.
As a final note on price, at Bergamot, you get what you pay for. The first courses are typically in the $15-25 range, and the second courses range from $20-35. With a couple of drinks and maybe a dessert, you're easily up near $50 or $60 per person for the meal. Honestly, though, you'll be so thrilled at the meal you just ate that the price won't seem high at all when the check comes.
Bottom line: If you've got the money to spend and the right dining partners to enjoy it with, Bergamot is guaranteed to be a great dining experience. -
Review from J D.
Boston, MA
8/22/2011
Where to start with Bergamot.
I had no problems with procuring a reservation, same day (8:15pm on a Saturday). That may suggest to some that business is slow, but upon our arrival we found that nearly every table in the establishment was full. We were greeted courteously by the hostess and maitre d, the latter of which bid us "Welcome, and thank you for dining with us." We were seated immediately in a comfortable though somewhat high traffic area, and the waitstaff promptly removed the extra two place settings. Not bad, so far so good. Suffice to say that our waitstaff were very attentive throughout the evening. There were absolutely no problems there.
The restaurant itself is comfortable. The clientele appeared to be mixed, with some dressed more formally than others. However, I did not feel under-dressed having arrived in a pair of jeans and a polo. All in all, the environment is not stuffy, pretentious, or intimidating. The semi-open kitchen was interesting and did not pollute the atmosphere with too much noise, though I did find that I left smelling like the food.
Bergamot is not cheap. Patrons should expect to spend upwards of $150 per couple, which really isn't at all offensive when you're going for a dining experience that's a little more upscale. My date and I shared one appetizer, two entrees, two desserts, two glasses of wine, espresso, and tea. We finished our meal at just a little over $140, after tax and tip. I found this to be perfectly acceptable given the service and quality of the meal. In fact, Bergamot's menu seems to be somewhat perfectly designed to remove all doubt for the price conscientious. I'll explain further.
Each category, whether it be appetizers or entrees, offers an excellent variety of dishes and ingredients. What's more, the dishes are all within $5 of each other. I found that this removed the price altogether from my mind and allowed me to focus on the descriptions and the ingredients offered. It's about as close as you can get to a freestyle prix fixe menu. I found this to be remarkably smart, and I marvel that more restaurants haven't designed their menus in a similar fashion. True, it's nice to have a cheaper option here and there. But if you can surrender to the fact that you're having a meal that you wouldn't have every day, or even every week, Bergamot's menus remove the guilt completely.
Their wine list is varied, and it was nice to see a few moderately priced bottles along with some of the more expensive offerings. My date and I find it difficult to empty a bottle of wine, so we chose to go with one glass each at $11/ glass. While the prices per glass were all within a couple dollars of each other, I do wish that they offered a wider selection. Compared to the 30+ variety of red wines, it seems silly to only offer five on the per glass list. It would have been nice to have a little more variety there.
The food itself was phenomenal. Our experience started with a crispy bread served with some unbelievably tasty honey butter. We were also pleasantly surprised with an amuse-bouche of sorts: a small bruscetta-like caesar salad. We also enjoyed the panko-crusted pork belly as an appetizer, though I found the portion to be a little too fatty. I know, it sounds a little naive to describe pork belly as being too fatty but there was really no meat to be had. However it was incredibly flavorful, and was served on a thin slice of watermelon, with a corn and bean relish. All in all, the flavors complimented each other well.
Our entrees also did not disappoint. My date enjoyed some of the most unbelievably tender and juicy free range chicken we have ever tried served with polenta. My skate wing served on a bed of basil mashed potatoes was also well balanced and savory. The portion size is also right on the money and satisfying.
For dessert, my date enjoyed the EVOO Gelato served on basil tapioca , with slow roasted cherries. The cherries seemed to be out of place, but the gelato was delicious. I enjoyed the vanilla yogurt mouse, which was complimented nicely by candied angelica (wild celery). Both desserts were refreshing and cleansed the palate. It's also worth noting that their tea selection is good, as well as their quality of espresso. Even the small coconut cookies were a nice touch.
Bergamot did not disappoint and definitely demands repeat visits. True, the price level may make this a "once in a while" establishment for most casual diners, but you'll find that you won't be disappointed when you do decide to give it a go on those special occasions. I'd give it four and a half stars if I could, with a half star deducted for some of the wine limitations. Also, while comfortable, the tables are placed somewhat close together so it's not the most intimate setting. Otherwise, Bergamot is five stars all the way. -
Review from Tamar A.
6/13/2011
In preparation for this review, I looked inward. I organized my yelp profile by rating and took a long, hard look at my three-star reviews, in an attempt to understand why it's so clear that I should give a pretty tasty, high-end, expensive meal an A-OK and nothing more. I've also given three stars to financial district happy hours, a used car lot, and a particularly pleasing convenience store. Seriously, Teele Square Convenience, check it out.
I took my boyfriend here for his Annual Special Birthday Dinner on a Saturday night. Perhaps this was our first mistake, as the only reservation I could get as I was desperately search on Friday was for 9:15. So, we rationalized, we'd get a late lunch and dine romantically into the midnight hour. Theory is lovely, but reality had us seated at 9:30, with a good number of the most delicious-looking appetizers, entrees, and desserts 86'd.
The service was hit and miss. Our waitress was in full "this is my job; I'll save my actual personality for my boyfriend who is waiting for me at the end of this interminable shift" smile mode, and, ironically, slowed down as the restaurant started to empty out. I'm convinced we lost the last chocolate cake because of her dawdling, which smarts even to this hour.
Our dinners, by contrast, were sadly...unremarkable. And yet, on its unremarkability, remark I shall. His salmon à la Patrick Clarke appetizer was fresh though a little bland, and my Wellfleet oysters were fried in panko, which did very little except mask the taste of our fair mollusks and demand more savory flair from the marinated hearts of palm than the little guys could really give.
We both ordered the steak and some truly spectacular red wine (it was the most expensive glass--methinks our waitress just stumbled upon greatness in the midst of her upselling). I can say nothing about the entree without this anecdote: earlier in the evening, we arrived as a jovial gentleman left, all but blowing kisses at the maitre'd as he complimented all within earshot that the steak entree was one of the best meals of his life. Between bites, my boyfriend and I vowed to track that man down and take him out to a few more places.
It wasn't bad! Goodness me, it wasn't bad. But it just wasn't that GOOD. Three unequivocal stars. It was a fancy night out, and there was nary a flavor that stuck with us. In the end, they were out of the one dessert that looked appetizing, and so we went home and bought some Ben & Jerry's.
Um. Go earlier? -
Review from Heather W.
Cambridge, MA
6/28/2011
WOW.
Alright, I am a food snob. I'm out in Cambridge for law school and, for the most part, have been horribly depressed by the ridiculously high prices and generally lackluster food offerings in Boston. Minus the lobster rolls. Those are great. But I digress...
It was the last day of law school, I was emotional exhausted, and my boyfriend had made reservations for us to go here to celebrate. At first, I just didn't feel like watching us spend a crapload of money for another whatever restaurant. Thus, I made him cancel. Then, about an hour later (much to his chagrin) I changed my mind and decided I wanted to try it out. He called them up and they (magically) were able to seat us.
Ok, let's just get to the food. You know how there are places where they say you should try a little of everything on your plate at the same time? You know, like the chef is legit and has all these grandiose thoughts about food pairing and all that jazz? Ok, well this place really really means it. I have to say that this was the most cerebral dining experience I've pretty much ever had. The combination of flavors absolutely transformed what was on the plate from something tasty to something truly divine. Seriously, I think my IQ went up while I was dining. Really, if you're looking for that sort of experience - where you really want to talk about the food; where you want to sit back and think about the food - then this is your place.
The other great plus is the atmosphere. Awesome food but totally relaxed and cozy. You feel comfortable.
The only down side was my boyfriend's dessert. I think he got something with lots of dark chocolate and some ice cream with it. It was totally delicious but the proportion of ice cream to super rich dark chocolate was off (not enough ice cream). I got the carrot cake and it was awesomely wonderful.
I will definitely be back!Listed in: Go-To Restaurants (of a…
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Review from Calli C.
Updated - 5/16/2011 Seated via OpenTable
Pete and I headed over to Bergamot on a date on a Wednesday night a few week's back, and I was so excited that I didn't even look up the menu ahead of time like I usually do. I perpetually have issues making decisions so sometimes I like to plan out my order in advance, but I wanted my return to Bergamot to be special.
We had a reservation for 7 and were seated right away. We started off with some cocktails; I had this variation on a gimlet that was crisp and refreshing, perfect for a spring evening. To begin, he ordered the charcuterie plate, which had duck liver mousse, porchetta, duck proscuitto, and one-other-thing-I-can't-remember, and I had the lobster pierogi. Wow, the pierogi were amazing; the lobster flavor was so subtle and delicate, but the real stand out was the carrot butter sauce. I wanted to lick my plate clean, it was that good.
I ordered lamb ravioli, which was part of their blackboard special, and Pete had the scallops with black beans and avocado. I lucked out apparently and got the last plate of the ravioli, so the chef threw on top some of the leftover roasted lamb short ribs, which were heavenly. Beyond all reason mouth-gasm. The ravioli were good - the lamb inside them was a little on the salty side, but overall a delightful dish. Pete really enjoyed his scallops which were cooked to perfection, and appreciated the fun combination with avocado. That dastardly don, ordering up a dish that I am completely allergic to, while he can freely filch bits of mine!
We shared the cheese plate for dessert: a soft goats milk, a semi-soft cows milk, and a harder sheeps milk. I really liked the harder cheese; the softer ones were tasty with some unique flavors.
As usual, the service was perfect. The ambiance was perfect. I'm so glad that Bergamot is blossoming in this location, and will be around for many more seasons.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/7/2010 ROTD 10/31/2010
We enjoyed our meal here so much, we started looking for things that we DIDN'T like about the place.… Read more »
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Review from Anne W.
6/9/2011
I was so hopeful as this place had such high reviews. I had been to EVOO before and thought it was good esp with their three course prix fixe option. Now they are no longer.. my friends had suggested heading to the Bergamot.
A very limited menu (I believe they had like three fish dishes.. one steak, one chicken, and one pork dish) where most things are just done mediocrely... the only thing that I could even remember was the sweetbreads where the portions were so small we had to get two of them. They were unfortunately better at Sibling Rivalry.
It was expensive as you expect it to be...
I did like the free amuse bouche... the best part of the meal besides the dessert.
Great date atmosphere though... -
Review from Kiki P.
Lexington, MA
6/3/2011
One of my favorite restaurants in the greater boson area. Seems like its far from Boston since its in Somerville, but it really is only a mile away and totally worth the extra distance. Very easily accessible you have a car and the restaurant has free parking too.
I had the gnocchi, which was delicious. But the best part of my meal was dessert. Every single dessert I have tried here has been spectacular. The chipotle chocolate cake, the carrot cake, this pistachio dessert. all of it. highly recommend! -
Review from Andy V.
Arlington, MA
7/18/2011
Let me start off by saying, Bergamot has excellent service and an outstanding wine selection. The wait staff is among the most knowledgeable I've experienced and there truly is a team approach to serving the table ("now which one was our waiter; wait,- it doesn't matter!)
I thought the menu items were superior to T.W. Food in freshness and preparation. For an appetizer I order Little Neck Clams which were steamed and served with a vinaigrette. The clams were very fresh but I think the vinaigrette should have been served on the side as its acidity tended to overpower the clams. I ordered their "BlackPig" pork shoulder; while it was very tender, I found it to be rather mild and a bit disappointing. Gail order chicken which was amazing. Our friends ordered the Georges Bank Cod, which is a very mild dish (I call it the tofu of the sea).
Dessert selection was a bit limited and were rather small portions: two bites and you're looking to nick some from a neighbor's plate. I had the vanilla panna cotta which was rather mild. The other dessert was a chocolate brownie with banana ice cream and marshmallow. It was excellent as long as you can tolerate ginger in the chocolate. Coffee was a roast from Brazil and prepared with a French Press which was excellent and among the best in any restaurant.
So the bottom line is that Bergamot shines in the freshness of the food and outstanding wine selection. While the final food preparation assembly steps result in a "cooked to order" freshness, the preparation itself is a bit idiosyncratic. Some dishes are extremely mild, while others have an unusual savoriness. I would venture to guess that rather than relying a canonical recipes, Bergamot's chefs experiment with the freshest ingredients that are available during the season. While this can result in dishes of unsurpassed freshness, it call also startle the taste buds which might have come to rely on a more traditional approach.
I though the restaurant was a bit pricy if you ordered off the menu. We did not order the Three Course Special which was $39, and looked to be an excellent deal. I think we'd go back and try the three course meal. But first, there's making a mid-week summer reservation at Oleana in the outdoor patio, for a dinner capped with a Baked Alaska And then there's Toro in the South End. And then there's Miel. And then there's... -
Review from Kara S.
4/14/2011
It's official, it's love. I love absolutely every last thing about Bergamot. Prior to last week I'd gone in a few times with my boyfriend for drinks and bites from the bar menu. We loved it, not only the quality of the food and drink but the amazingly attentive yet not overbearing bartender. Just good energy all around, especially compared to EVOO, which used to occupy the space with snoot and attitude.
Last week we went for dinner for the first time, and the meal just blew my mind. It was the best meal I've had in easily two years. The amuse bouche was a pop of fresh bright spring flavors, a small bite of fresh homemade ricotta, a sprinkling of fresh peas, and a sliver of radish, which added a nice textural contrast. It was the first time an amuse bouche really did for me what it intended, got me so excited for what was next to come. I was on the edge of my seat.
I had the pea shoot salad with the crispy egg, and it was as divine as everyone says. The waiter informed us that they just the day before added it back to the menu, since pea shoots are now back in season. I felt so lucky, as it was the perfect spring salad.
My dining companions had the duck, of which I ate quite a bit. Thank god for the generosity of others. It was succulent and juicy, not fatty at all. It was accompanied by a delicious variety of mushroom that had such an interesting and unique texture. I went with the trout in a beet sauce, which had so much depth, just stunning. I was literally floored by the meal.
And then dessert was a rich chile chocolate cake which honestly changed my view on desserts, made me want to try cooking more desserts myself. It was just elevated to this level that I rarely experience.
This was a creative, near perfect meal that will stay with me for so long. Just a perfect evening all around. I can't wait to go back. -
Review from Allison R.
Somerville, MA
3/21/2011 2 Check-ins Here
This is a restaurant week review (and some speculation) only.
I came in to a packed restaurant on a Friday night to sample this locally-sourced, funky menu. My courses were: goat cheese salad, duck confit, chocolate mousse cake with avocado sauce. We were given some kind of cod amuse bouche as well.
Conclusions: you can't overdress. They love avocado here(just fyi).
I've perused the bar menu, and I've been meaning to come in for drinks and the lobster melt for the better part of a year.
Also, our waiter said something about ordering a dessert for Nate Dogg. Maybe it was the wine, but we had no idea what he was talking about. -
Review from Rebecca S.
Cambridge, MA
1/5/2011
Oh my, Bergamot. If I weren't in such financial straights at the moment I'd be a regular at this gem. A dear friend offered to treat me to a meal at Bergamot, because she'd been a few times and was keen for me to try it.
I hadn't been a fan of Evoo, Bergamot's predecessor, and it felt to me that Bergamot had discerned the things that I hadn't liked about Evoo and corrected them: the decor (airy and light due to removal of awful heavy velvet curtains from the windows), the waitstaff (warm, knowledgeable, witty, unobtrusive) .... and of course the food. The few times I'd eaten at Evoo the food, while tasty, had been presented ostentatiously at prices exceeding its merits.
The cod dish I ate at Bergamot was, in sharp contrast, perfect. My friend's risotto (made vegetarian at her request, without any fuss) was also spot-on. And the desserts we shared were simply delicious.
Bergamot isn't trying to blow you away with presentation or overwhelm you with flavors. Rather, its low-key style allows you to enjoy conversing with your dinner companions over a meal whose quality speaks for itself.
Yes, please.
