Puritan & Company

By Molly McDonough · 11/26/2016    Cambridge · New American · $$$

Ever wonder about a Puritan’s idea of a good feast? It’s pretty simple: “brown bread and the gospel,” said minister Matthew Henry in 1708. Although we’re in awe of their sailing and settling skills, these early New Englanders were not a group that knew how to party.

Swordfish pastrami from Puritan & Company

Hence our relief upon discovering that Puritan & Company is named not for our bible-and-stale-bread-eating forefathers, but rather for the Puritan Cake Company that occupied this airy, turquoise-and-wood Inman Square space in the early 20th century. Indeed, there is nothing Puritan about the epic wine list with varied selections from the world’s most prolific viticultural regions. (Also, where else in town can we get a Georgian pour by the glass?). Nor is our favorite cocktail—a mix of Mezcal, Aperol, Suze, and lime named “Naked & Famous”—particularly godly.

Wagyu beef tartare from Puritan & Company

The bread that starts the meal has a very browned top, but its warm, fluffy dinner-roll insides smeared with whipped butter hint that this is going to be a decadent homage to old-school New England cooking. As the meal progresses, the theme loosens—pasta dishes could fit into any Italian menu; liver mousse and beef tartare are served as they might be in Paris—but all along the way, there are reminders: New England-born Moxie soda glazes lamb ribs. A swordfish pastrami sprinkled with woodsy mushrooms and pickled concoctions paints a vivid picture of fall foliage. And then there are those farmhouse ales in Libbey can glasses, the servers’ button-down plaid shirts, and the occasional taxidermied quail. Although it draws inspiration from history, there’s no denying that Puritan’s best fit is modern-day Cambridge.

Roasted chicken from Puritan & Company

 

Don’t overlook the oysters. You can watch them get savvily shucked if you eat at the restaurant’s smaller bar in the back; toss them back at a dollar apiece on Tuesday evenings.

Every Sunday night a prime rib roast is offered prix-fixe style with customizable cuts, sauces, and sides (plus pepper-cheddar popovers and ice cream sundaes!).

Puritan also offers a six-course seasonal tasting menu for $75, but everyone at the table must participate.

Must Haves

  • Meaty as a fish can be, with fancy surprises like a dollop of mustard ice cream.

  • Thick, beautiful red chunks of meat require little spicing to be savored.

  • With American and Swiss cheeses and secret sauce, this brunch menu item does right by the classic. The “Why Not Both?” option adds a sunny side up egg and bacon, taking the burger into breakfast sandwich territory.

Fun Fact

Here’s something decidedly puritanical: Chef Gilson is the thirteenth-generation descendant of a Mayflower passenger.

Tastes of Puritan & Company

So good we can't stop writing about it. Read more about Puritan & Company!

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