Catalyst

We had my sister's bridal shower at Catalyst Restaurant and it was so perfect. Robyn, their event coordinator, is the greatest. She is helpful, creative, and flexible. They have great private and semi private rooms for events. The food was incredible. Our server, Christian, was so attentive and kind. We really can't say enough good things and would highly recommend for any event!

We ordered NYE takeout and it was amazing. We got a mezze plate, gigantic beef wellington, clam chowder, sides and a lemon goat cheese cheesecake. I was impressed with everything! The whipped feta and hummus were both creamy and we'll seasoned. The clam chowder was thick with good sized bacon pieces that added great depth of flavor. Creamed spinach was fresh and reheated well in the oven, even the second day (we had a lot of leftovers). Stuffing and mac and cheese also did not disappoint. The best part of the meal was hands down the beef wellington. The meat was tender and the puff pastry shell crisped up nicely in the oven. Finally we had the cheesecake which was smooth with a crisp crust and fluffy whipped cream on top. I don't usually like cheesecake but I have been eating this one all weekend. Thanks to everyone at Catalyst for putting together such an epic meal for us to enjoy at home.

I don't understand people's gripe about this place. I had a very good experience there while having dinner with a friend. Having heard many things about this place and receiving recommendations on what to order, I was very much looking forward to my meal there. I OpenTable'd a reservation a few weeks ago and met my dining companion at the bar there for a quick drink before being seated for dinner. Immediately upon entering, I noticed how sleek, modern and yet so simple and welcoming the decor was. There's a lot of metal, woods and even stone: yet it is very simple and quite elegant. I can't exactly describe it, but it is very modern and with a naturish kind of twist: I totally dig it. On my left, I also noticed a nice gas fireplace which was a nice touch. The place isn't too dark either - I feel like they really outdid themselves and designed a very clever layout. It's spacious, it's inviting and has a great flow to it. At the bar, I decided to order up an "Undecided" ($11) which let the bartender decide what I was drinking, after asking me what I was in the mood for. I requested something with some whiskey and ended up with a drink featuring some bourbon, Benedictine and lillet. It went down smoothly and i was now ready for the meal. We were seated and bread arrived along with the menus and some water. After taking a quick glance at it, I was ready to order. I was going to get an appetizer and an entree and share a side or two of their small plates with my friend since we were both very hungry. My meal started with their caramelized onion soup which was topped with a raclette toast and some roasted Cipollini onions ($9). Then came the main course which was a medium rare tournedos of beef with some rainbow chard, some house-made Tallegio ravioli with a Bordelaise sauce ($28). The meat was absolutely divine and extremely tender; the pasta was tasty however a tad dry (maybe from a heat lamp?) but the sauce paired well with the dish and my plate was clean within instants. I loved every single bite. Luckily my meal wasn't over - as my main course arrived, so did two smaller, shareable plates: the first was a dish which was recommended by a friend of mine who had dined there previously and was their Garganelli pasta served with chicken oysters, bacon, black truffle butter ($10). That dish was pretty damn tasty and the chicken oysters were both original and absolutely amazing. For those who aren't familiar with the ingredient it's basically a piece of dark meat that's in the back of the chicken's thigh. They are about the size of the quarter and there's only two per chicken making it somewhat of a delicacy. It's delicious. Along with that dish came an order of their grilled scallions which came topped with some almond pesto ($6) - They were pretty tasty as well. All in all this place is an incredible addition to the Kendall Square food scene. While it's not a very affordable option, it's also not completely out of price and the quality is great. But aside from the great food, the service and the atmosphere make it a neighborhood gem. I look forward to returning there in the future whether it be for lunch, dinner, brunch or drinks. High five!