Pammy's, a treasure trove of restaurants in Boston
đ Pammy's: Cambridgeâs Italian SpotâCreative, Cozy, and Worth the Counter Seat Thereâs nothing better than a food buddy who shares your must-try list. On a nice day, we finally hit up Pammyâsâweâd both had it marked for ages. Even on a weekday night, itâs popular; we could only snag counter seats. At $72 per person for a 3-course meal, we sampled 6 dishes, 2 drinks, and left stuffed (no room for dessert). Overall? A pleasant surprise with some real standout moments. đ The Standouts (Our Faves) Bay Scallop Crudo: đ Genius. Tender bay scallops rest on crisp lettuce, paired with crunchy fried pig earâsweet, then a hit of rich oiliness, finished with bright grapefruit. The grapefruit and lettuce? Total scene-stealers, like a fresh twist on a classic. (Reminded me of my favorite Grimmâs fairy tale, âRapunzelââoddly fitting, given the lettuce!) Spelt Fried Oysters: đŠȘ My personal top pick. Thin, crispy spelt batter (no greasiness) wraps plump oysters that stay juicy, not overcooked. Topped with roe and tangy sour cream, itâs a trio of textures: crunch, brine, cream. My friend thought it was âjust fine,â but Iâm calling it the best fried oysters Iâve had. Lumache: đ Their signature pastaâfirst bite, I thought, âIs that doubanjiang (Sichuan chili bean paste)?â Itâs got gochujang (Korean chili paste) too, and the combo is wild (in a good way). Rich, slightly spicy, with a depth that feels both Italian and Asian. My buddy loved it, and I get whyâitâs bold and unforgettable. Grilled Maitake: đ A winner. Charred maitake mushrooms over a cauliflower purĂ©e thatâs surprisingly creamy and nutty, with a zing of black pepper. The mushroomâs meaty texture pairs perfectly with the smooth purĂ©eâmy favorite main. đ The âMehâ Mafaldine: đ Beef tripe pasta with an Asian-inspired twist. Itâs tasty at first, but gets heavy fast. Nothing beats Cantonese radish-stewed tripe, tbh. Pekin Duck: đŠ Disappointing. Smoked, semi-rare duck with no crispy skinânothing like Peking duck. Call it âSpanish-style smoked duckâ instead; thatâd set better expectations. đč The Drinks Tutto Bello: A standoutâspicy, herbaceous, with a sweet gin kick. Itâs like a âsweet-but-edgyâ girl in a glassâbold, balanced, and hard to put down. âš The Vibe Even stuck at the counter, the energy was greatâcozy, bustling, with chefs cooking in view. At $72/person, itâs a splurge, but the creativity (that scallop crudo! that oyster fry!) makes it worth it. Pammyâs isnât perfect, but itâs fun. For Italian food with unexpected twists, grab a friend and book earlyâeven a counter seat works. đ Pammy's 928 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139 #CambridgeEats #BostonItalian #DateNightVibes