Taking over the space long occupied by the beloved Rendezvous, Viale faced the daunting challenge of winning over its predecessor’s crestfallen fans. So it kept the old space’s best features, namely scrupulous local sourcing, a bar with great cocktails (still optimized for comfortable dining) and a wood-fired grill. Then it began turning out a Mediterranean-influenced, seasonal menu of brightly flavored small plates, rich, sensibly sized pasta courses and entrees based on pristine meat and seafood cuts. Turns out that formula works, smashingly so.
Viale
502 Mass. Ave., Cambridge • (617) 576-1900
vialecambridge.com
Other Winners
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Neighborhoods: Central Square
2014 Winner: Central Kitchen
In Cambridge’s ever-changing nucleus of a neighborhood, there’s still a special draw to Central Kitchen, a seven-nights-a-week stalwart...
- 567 Mass. Ave., Cambridge
- (617) 491-5599
- enormous.tv/central