NEIGHBORHOODS
> CAMBRIDGE
Square Deal
The people of Cambridge would like to inform the world that their fine city is
not a neighborhood of Boston. Although it often gets lumped together with
Beantown, Cambridge stands alone with all the sustaining qualities of an
international city center. Throughout Kendall, Central, Inman, Harvard and
Porter Squares, nearly 100,000 residents share a spirited range of cultural
influences.
Central Square
Central Square sets a swift pace as the social center for Cambridge
professionals and is home to the annual Central Square World's Fair. It's lined
with coffee shops, burrito joints, down-home music stores, and its own share of
great restaurants like La Groceria, Gandhi and Cuchi Cuchi. Every night of the
week, fans of rock, jazz, hip-hop and the blues line up at the doors of venues
such as the Middle East Cafe, T.T. the Bear's Place and Green Street Grill.
Harvard Square
The grand cultural and geographical nucleus of Cambridge houses six performing
arts theaters, three movie theaters, nine museums, over 100 restaurants and
more than 400 retail stores. History is everywhere, including storied Harvard
Yard, home of the homonymous Harvard University, which makes its quaint
presence on the north side of the square. With all this intellectual energy
flowing, it's no surprise that Harvard Square has been dubbed "the book mecca
of the world." Not everyone here is a student, though. A walk along
Massachusetts Avenue or JFK Street reveals musicians, magicians and street
performers, who add color to the already bustling square. Diners flock to
Harvard Square for the food as well, at favorites like Henrietta's Table,
UpStairs on the Square and Rialto.
Inman Square
Just north of Central Square, the more residential, quieter Inman Square prides
itself on hometown sensibility, with a diverse working-class population, many
of whom speak Portuguese. No elitism here: the area's only monument is the
Cambridge Fireman's Mural. It is a place where food brings people together,
whether at a range of local ethnic markets or at restaurants known for their
bold flavors, like Chris Schlesinger's East Coast Grill. It does get rowdy over
at the ImprovBoston, where an acclaimed comedy troupe spoofs on sports, mystery
and pop culture with jamboree music and general "joyful chaos." Local and
up-and-coming national jazz acts entertain music lovers at Ryles Jazz Club.
Kendall Square
Kendall Square, home to MIT-with its conspicuous concrete dome, the scene of
many famous pranks-looks more like a high-brow business park than a
neighborhood. Among the modern, sleek bio-tech firms and research labs, there
are more than a few secret hiding places for fun. At the Kendall Square Cinema,
movie buffs can check out foreign and independent films along with ice cream
and espresso. And for shoppers, the CambridgeSide Galleria houses over 100
stores, including Banana Republic, J. Crew and Best Buy.
Porter Square
The young, artistic crowd influences the stretch of Cambridge just beyond
Harvard Square. Porter Square, on the outskirts of Mass. Ave., is full of
eclectic second-hand shops and home to restaurants like the Cambodian-French
favorite Elephant Walk and the Temple Bar. For a feel of the avant-garde arts
scene, head to the provocative Lizard Lounge for a poetry jam or live music.
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