Row 34 - Cambridge — Restaurant in Cambridge

Good, with some unexpected curveballs.

My son requested Row 34 for his birthday. The Boston spot was where he'd got hooked on oysters and where they make his favorite chowder. We gave the Cambridge outlet a try this time.

Parking: We got lucky there - scored a spot right across the street in front of Google. Right in front of a Cambridge Traffic, Parking & Transportation Dept. truck. No skipping feeding the meter...

Things were good right from the start. Comfy seats, prompt greeting, visually cool space, etc. Server was really nice. Oysters came out quickly - cold & super fresh. We did a trip up the coast from Plymouth to Maine to taste what different waters do to bivalve flavors.

The chowder: Thinking the bowls we got were from the bottom of the batch. It was loaded - LOADED - with bacon. So much that Bacon Chowder was the more appropriate name. It may sound like a ridiculous complaint, but where the last bowl had in Boston was smoky, with an ample presence of bacon chunks, this was almost like creamy pork belly chili. Tasty, yet very easy to forget clams were supposed to play some role here.

The accompanying house-made saltines, on the other hand, were a hit. My daughter almost put a fork in my arm when I reached for one of hers.

The fried chicken sandwich: Crispy, wicked juicy & well protected by my son's own utensils. Neither he, nor I, dig bread & butter pickles much but the ones here were pretty nice. Balanced on vinegar rather than the over cloying sugar chips most places utilize.

Fried fish sandwich must have been delicious. My daughter pounded it within minutes. Came with solid homemade potato chips which she did allow me to have.

The Crispy Crab Rice Bowl was odd. Nothing crispy about it. It was overdressed, rendering a very sweet and very vinegary fried rice dish. The saltiness of the soy egg, helped offset this effect a little by fork mashing it into the rice. Big hunks of partially cooked carrot, hidden under the rice, didn't jibe with anything. They were more like filler vegetables bulking things up at a Chinese buffet.

Overall, the Cambridge Row 34 is a good place but it's never fun to feel any sense of risk picking a new item off a menu. We'd probably go back, just not in any particular hurry.

Lastly:

The 3.5%(optional) Kitchen Appreciation charge. In this "tip everybody for anything" environment, why invite more customer irritation? Try this: raise your prices 50 cents across the board and kick the hike into the kitchen pay. You could then print menus which spin it as "We Proudly Give 3.5% of the Bill to our Hardworking Kitchen Staff!" A win for the crew and for PR with no guilt trips or annoyances...

Dining Experience: 🍽️🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Row 34 Cambridge hosted its first-ever Counter Series on March 8th, promising an intimate New England seafood dinner at the chef's counter. It was indeed an unforgettable experience, starting with oysters and small bites, followed by a five-course local seafood dinner with perfectly paired wines. Seated around the open kitchen, we not only watched Chef Jeremy Seawall and Chef Ryan Boyd create each course but also engaged in enlightening conversations about the origins of their seafood and its rich history. It was a one-of-a-kind culinary journey that left a lasting impression.

Blue Fin Tuna Crudo: 🐟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 The evening commenced with the Blue Fin Tuna Crudo, an excellent introduction to the flavors that awaited us. The freshness and delicate balance of flavors set the stage for what would be an extraordinary dining experience.

Poached Fluke: 🐟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Following the crudo, the Poached Fluke showcased the chef's skill in highlighting the natural flavors of the fish. It was very good, offering a delightful interlude before the culinary journey escalated to new heights.

Brown Butter Nantucket Scallops with Risotto: 🐚🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 The highlight of the evening for me was undoubtedly the Brown Butter Nantucket Scallops with Risotto. It was not just a dish but an experience—one of the best dishes of my life. The perfectly seared scallops, complemented by the creamy risotto and the richness of brown butter, created a symphony of flavors that lingered long after the last bite.

Pan Roasted Skate Wing & Roasted Maine Lobster Tail: 🐟🦞🌟🌟🌟🌟 The culinary journey continued with the Pan Roasted Skate Wing and the Roasted Maine Lobster Tail, both showcasing the freshest local seafood cooked to perfection. Each bite was a testament to the chef's dedication to quality and craftsmanship.

Dessert: Homemade Ice Cream 🍨🌟🌟🌟🌟 The grand finale came in the form of homemade ice cream, a refreshing and delightful conclusion to an extraordinary meal. It was the perfect ending to an unforgettable culinary experience.

Recommendation: Row 34's Chef's Counter Series is a must for seafood enthusiasts and culinary adventurers alike! From the impeccable dishes to the engaging conversations with the Chefs, every moment was a celebration of New England's rich seafood heritage. Don't miss the chance to embark on this culinary journey—you won't be...

ROW 34 is a standout dining experience that deserves its reputation as a top-notch seafood restaurant in Boston. From the moment we sat down, it was clear that we were in for a treat. We started off with a selection of oysters, and they lived up to the high standards set by other esteemed oyster bars in the city. The freshness and quality were evident with every slurp.

For the appetizers, we opted for the tuna tartare, which quickly became one of my favorites. Despite my usual aversion to cucumbers, I was happy that the cucumber scent was barely noticeable. The zesty lime juice-infused tuna, served atop crispy and thin potato chips, was an explosion of flavor and satisfaction.

Moving on to the main courses, there were several standout dishes that impressed us. The slight kick of acidity in the house-made spaghetti was pleasant, adding a vibrant touch to the dish. Another dish that stole the show was the roasted halibut. Each bite revealed tender and succulent fish, perfectly cooked to retain its natural flavors. The pairing with toasted couscous and olive oil braised tomato also created a harmonious blend of Mediterranean-inspired tastes.

To top it all off, we couldn't resist indulging in the warm buttered lobster roll. For the price, it was good, but it was the coleslaw that made it much better; adding a refreshing crunch and a subtle sweetness that balanced out the richness of the roll.

With a lack of high-end seafood restaurants in Cambridge, it was great to see that ROW 34 finally expanded to Cambridge. Highly recommend giving them a try if you’re looking for top notch seafood with...