Oleana

Location: Cambridge, MA

Went to Oleana for Valentine's Day and it was culinary poetry.

Ambience: we were seated near a window overlooking a patio covered in snow. I think the nicest thing I can say is that I forgot I was in a restaurant.

Quality: This is easily the best restaurant in Boston. The service was fantastic, and the food was refined. I felt a joy that I haven't felt in a long time between courses because I was excited for what was up next.

Variety: We ordered the vegetarian tasting menu (five meze and a dessert, $40), and Sortun did an unbelievable job selecting each course. Each bite was balanced and spiced to perfection. The falafel melted in my mouth and was unlike anything I've ever tasted. And the dessert? Nougat Glacé with Warm Pear & Pistachio Tarte Tatin. It was ecstasy in a bite.



Bottom line: I'm nostalgic for the meal and it has barely been 24 hours.

http://www.oleanarestaurant.com/

Sofra

Location: Cambridge, MA

Friday morning, a friend and I went to Sofra Bakery and it was exquisite. Let me start by saying that I have a soft spot for places where the menu is on the wall.

Ambience: The decor was largely unremarkable, contemporary-cramped? The cafe was pretty small and getting a table was a challenge at 10 AM on a Friday. I'd recommend avoiding this place on a weekend if you want to get in and out quickly. The parking in the back was a plus.



Variety: There were a couple of vegetarian breakfast options. For lunch, there were a number of stuffed flatbreads and like all Mediterranean food a fairly large Mezze Bar that was friendly to us. My first visit, I ordered the Turkish Breakfast (soft-boiled egg, cucumber, tomato, olives, feta, fried goat cheese, fig & thick yogurt with pear).

Quality: The place was pricey for a bakery, but I don't mind paying a premium for taste. The flavor profiles were unique and Ana Sortun (think: Oleana) can command the $13 price point for a refined breakfast. About a week later, I went back and tried their lunch offerings and had a heavenly falafel with beet tzatziki. Scrumpcious (see below).



Bonus: The chocolate hazelnut baklava with cocoa honey was unbelievable. Trust me.



Photo Credit: Delicious Dishings

Bottom line: drop everything and go now.

http://www.sofrabakery.com/