Irving House Harding House Turner House Cambridge Community Cambridge Happenings Reservations
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SCROLL DOWN TO READ OUR BLOG, CALLED "HOUSE NEWS AND VIEWS"
 
 
• For individual reservation requests, cancellations, inquiries about our houses, please contact: reserve@harding-house.com
• For marketing, community connections, criticism, and all other matters, please contact: lauren@hardinghouse.org

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Dear Lauren, I want to thank you for allowing our family to be your first dining room rental. It was a great enhancement to our graduation weekend that we were able to have our traditional Friday night family dinner while we stayed at Harding House. Harding House staff was most gracious, helpful and attentive and we thank you for the complimentary wine. It was a very nice touch. The newly restored pocket doors make the dining room a private space but I think you'll find they also make the parlor a cozy space and give it a more "finished look." I think your guests will enjoy it as well. - Deborah, Long Beach, CA 5-16-08
  Thank you for being the first to celebrate the restored pocket doors and the private event space they create for family gatherings, parties, and meetings. We were delighted to be a part of your graduation celebration.  
On our fifth, sixth, even 7th visit, we found it better each time. We LOVE it here. Hope to be back soon to visit museums again and have DELICIOUS breakfasts. Glenda and Family, San Diego, CA. August 24, 2008
  Thanks, we too are looking forward to your return.  
Why are your rates highter during graduations, special events and peak seasons?
  When our house is full and our phone lines are ringing with an unusually high number of inquiries, we believe it's important to offer the same excellent service and memorable experiences that guests can expect during quieter times. The greater volume of energy and traffic in our house during once-in-a-lifetime events and celebrations means bringing in additional staff, stocking up on food and amenities, and giving extra-special attention to rooms and common areas so that no guest ever feels that we are too busy or overwhelmed to serve them. While this also means that rates are higher during these times - as they are at all hotels - we go above and beyond to give guests the greatest value by offering complimentary wine and cheese, hors d'oeuvres, reserved parking, and extra special treats during peak times. And we never charge extra for local calls, snacks, or internet access.  
It was even better than the great reviews! Thanks for the warm hospitality, lovely accommodations, great food and super friendly and helpful staff! Look forward to returning. The Wiener's, Israel. August 22, 2008
  It makes us so happy when our guests enjoy all that we have to offer. Thanks so much for the feedback. We do it all for you!  
         
    • Our Lost & Found Policy
Any item of seeming value found in a guest room or around the house is brought to the front desk with place & date found identifying it. We hold items for one month hoping to hear from guests who will tell us where to send it, or that they are returning to retrieve the items. If we have heard nothing for one month or more, we take the item to charity. If it is a book, it will be put in our giving library.		  
         
         
      If you would like to send an email asking about a lost and found item contact:
lauren@harding-house.com 		 
         
         
    • Nov 18, 2008 - Nov 18, 2008
Historic Charlestown
For a trip back in time, visit Charlestown - one of Boston’s oldest neighborhoods - where the streets are lined with clapboard houses and old-fashioned gas street lamps. Only a 15 minute car ride from Cambridge, this historic locale is where Paul Revere began his famous “midnight ride” before the Battles of Lexington and Concord. It’s also where the Revolution’s legendary Battle of Bunker Hill occurred, where Patriots were told “Don’t fire til you see the whites of their eyes.” Visit the 221-foot-high Bunker Hill Monument for beautiful views of Boston. Go to the Charlestown Navy Yard, one of the military’s oldest shipbuilding facilities, and board the illustrious USS Constitution “Old Ironsides,” one of America’s first warships. Then check out the navy museum where you can fire a cannon, raise a flag, swing in a hammock, and learn about life onboard the ship during the War of 1812. For a wonderful look at Boston’s historic past, a visit to Charlestown is the perfect choice.
http://www.charlestownbusiness.com/attractions.html
  
         
    • Nov 14, 2008 - Nov 14, 2008
All Star Sandwich Bar
All Star Sandwich Bar
This Inman Square ‘‘sandwich hall of fame’’ gives deli food the star treatment. Founded by gourmet chefs Chris Schlesinger (East Coast Grill) and Jim Economides (the Blue Room), this Prospect Street landmark offers classic sandwiches and regional specialties from across the country. Timeless favorites include the BLT packed with sweet applewood-smoked bacon and herb mayo; and the Reuben loaded with smoky corned beef, salty sauerkraut and slathered with chipotle Russian dressing. Regional specialties include Buffalo’s famous Beef on Weck - juicy roast beef with horseradish and au jus dipping sauce; and a New Orleans muffuletta - salami, ham, provolone with red-onion chutney and their famous Inner Beauty hot hot sauce. The sides are superstars as well, including the Texas State Pen chili, the Gravy Fries, and perfect tangy sweet coleslaw. They also give you free Oreos while waiting for your order. Even though it’s a little pricey, if you have a taste for a great hero, go to the professionals at All Star Sandwich Bar.
All Star Sandwich Bar, 1245 Cambridge St., Cambridge, 617-868-3065
http://www.allstarsandwichbar.com/
  
         
    • Nov 12, 2008 - Nov 12, 2008
Atasca
Atasca, which means “neighborhood place,” serves authentic traditional Portuguese food in an elegant upscale setting. With its ultra-modern wall-to-wall glass façade, Atasca fits right into Kendall’s Tech Square. But inside, its like a regal Portuguese palace with colorful native ceramics, traditional folk paintings, and a brick hearth. And the food, which features authentic regional specialties, is out of this world. Start with the delicious small plates like the linguiça pork sausage with grilled pineapple, the grilled fresh sardines in vinaigrette, or shrimp with a hot spicy piri-piri sauce. Main course favorites include grilled dry salt cod drizzled with hot olive oil and garlic; and south Portugal’s signature dish of succulent pork loin with clams, paprika, and cilantro. Though the food is always impeccable, the service can sometimes be prickly. Even if you are starving, waiters refuse to bring you bread until after you order; and they are very inflexible about splitting bills on different credit cards. But that aside, Atasca is the best place in Boston for authentic upscale Portuguese cuisine.
Atasca, 50 Hampshire Street, Cambridge, 617-621-6991
http://www.atasca.com/
  
         
    • Nov 7, 2008 - Nov 7, 2008
Out of the Blue Gallery
This eclectic gallery in the heart of Central Square is a haven for talented local Cambridge artists. When you walk into this sky blue exhibit space, you are treated to a colorful visual art explosion of paintings, photography, sculpture, drawing, pottery and mixed media. Founded in 1996 by photographer Tom Tipton, this cultural center of Cambridge also offers monthly poetry and short story readings, painting & drawing classes, and art receptions. This unpretentious space is a fun and friendly way to view art. Tipton’s dog, Woffie, and his cats follow you around while you browse, putting a smile on your face. Out of the Blue is also active in the community, holding benefits for many nonprofit and social causes including Cambridge’s On the Rise women’s assistance organization, the Bosler Humane Society, and the annual art display for the Black History Month Celebration at Cambridge City Hall. Tipton also organizes exhibits of the gallery’s work in businesses throughout Cambridge. For a taste of the local art scene, Out of the Blue Gallery is the answer.
Out of the Blue Gallery, 106 Prospect Street, Cambridge, 617-354-5287
http://www.outoftheblueartgallery.com/
  
         
    • Nov 5, 2008 - Nov 5, 2008
East Coast Grill
This Inman Square institution accomplishes the impossible. It specializes in seafood AND barbecue – and does both very well. With its sky-blue walls, “live” volcano mural and animal drink ornaments, this laid-back restaurant does not take itself too seriously. But owner Chris Schlesinger’s dazzling food is another matter entirely. A fine raw bar offers clams; oysters; crab claws; Old Bay seasoned peel-and-eat shrimp; and spicy shrimp cocktail. For seafood lovers, mouthwatering selections include the grilled jerk-rubbed salmon with banana-guava; grilled coriander-crusted swordfish; and white pepper-crusted tuna with spicy bok choy salad. If you have a taste for finger-licking barbecue, try the sliced Texas beef BBQ, the Missouri spareribs or the melt-in-your-mouth heap of shredded North Carolina pork BBQ. The place is also famous for its three-times-a-year “Hell Nights,” where dishes are flavored with the ultimate hot sauce, Inner Beauty. The night features the nine alarm "Infamous Pasta From HELL,” which requires diners to sign a release form before ordering! For gourmet seafood and/or a mean barbecue in a relaxed environment, there is no better place than the East Coast Grill.
East Coast Grill, 1271 Cambridge St., Cambridge, 617-491-6568
http://www.eastcoastgrill.net
  
         
    • Oct 31, 2008 - Oct 31, 2008
Olé Mexican Grill
Ole Mexican Grill offers upscale, non-traditional Mexican cuisine with some of the freshest ingredients around. Every meal is like a party in this vivid orange and yellow dining room that makes you feel like you’re south of the border. Irresistible fresh guacamole is prepared right at your table with a lava stone mortar and pestle. Wash it all down with a dazzling selection of margaritas, wines, and over 22 premium tequilas. The sophisticated appetizers are out of this world, including scallops sautéed in olive oil, chile árbol and roasted garlic; and their famous chilies rellenos - fried mild poblano peppers filled with shrimp and cheese. Then there are the enchanting main courses. Favorites include grilled marinated tuna steak with tomatillo-avocado salsa; and pan-seared wild Sea Bass with grilled orn polenta and red bell pepper-chipotle. For a fun night out with wonderful unique food, Olé Mexican Grill delivers. Olé!
Olé Mexican Grill, 1093 Cambridge St., Cambridge, 617-354-3296
http://olegrill.com/
  
         
    • Oct 28, 2008 - Oct 28, 2008
The Plough & Stars Irish Pub
For almost 40 years this cozy Irish pub has been a hangout for Cambridge locals, students and intellectuals. Known for its great Guinness beer and intimate live music, this neighborhood spot makes everyone feel welcome - even first-times feel like they’ve been coming here for years. The pub offers an eclectic mix of live music, everything from blues to rock to country, and in the past even hosted the likes of Bonnie Raitt and Van Morrison. Plough & Stars also serves lunch, diner, brunch and has a Sunday Night Chicken & Fish Fry. Favorite dishes include the cheese grits, spicy pan-fried catfish, crispy jerk wings, and the banger press, made of grilled and sliced Irish sausage, tomato, and sharp cheddar. The place has an old comfortable feeling with its walls of red-and-black marbled paint and wood paneling, but since it was recently renovated, it also feels clean and contemporary. For a slice of local Cambridge, Plough & Stars is the perfect place to wet your whistle.
The Plough & Stars, 912 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, 617-576-0032.
http://www.ploughandstars.com/
  
         
    • Oct 23, 2008 - Oct 23, 2008
The Border Cafe
This Harvard Square favorite offers delicious and inexpensive Mexican and Cajun food in a fun and lively environment. Students, tourists and families flock to this Southwestern-themed restaurant which is known for its gigantic frozen margaritas and large portions. The meal starts off right with a basket of warm tortilla chips and tangy salsa which are irresistible. The appetizers, including the chorizo with tomatoes, onions and poblano jack cheese; and the Cajun popcorn shrimp do not disappoint. And Border Cafe features an exhaustive menu that has something for everyone. Favorites include the sizzling chicken, beef or fish fajitas; the chicken guadalajara filled with red peppers and spinach; the shrimp and crawfish quesadilla; and the mesquite-grilled swordfish steak with Jalapeño butter. There is also a dazzling array of salads and a large vegetarian menu. Though far from highbrow and a bit noisy on weekend evenings, the Border Cafe offers good food and fun in the midst of Harvard Square’s more serious restaurants.
Border Cafe, 32 Church St., Cambridge, 617-864-6100
Open Mon-Thurs 11am-1am; Fri-Sat 11am-2am; Sun 12pm-1am.
  
         
    • Oct 21, 2008 - Oct 21, 2008
Unofficial Harvard Tour
The 70-minute Unofficial Harvard Tour is an irreverent insider's peek into the history and traditions of America’s oldest and most prestigious university. The guides, current students who wear straw hats and “Hahvahd” sweatshirts, walk backwards while they share a cornucopia of school facts – many which you will surely not hear on the official tour. You will see sites such as Massachusetts Hall, a dorm which once housed John Adams and John Hancock; beautiful Memorial Hall dedicated to Harvard’s slain soldiers in the Civil War; and Quincy Street’s “museum row.” But you will also hear about Harvard’s ongoing battles with the city of Cambridge; the ghost room in Widener Library; and “Primal Scream,” the annual tradition where students run naked screaming across the yard during final exams in January. This tour entertains, makes you laugh and –if only for a day – makes you feel as though you actually attended Harvard. It’s not to be missed.
Unofficial Harvard Tour; 617-848-8576
http://www.harv.unofficialtours.com/
  
         
    • Oct 16, 2008 - Oct 16, 2008
Boston Duck Tours
If you can’t decide between a water or land tour of Beantown, Boston’s World Famous Duck Tour is for you. The unique tours are conducted in World War II amphibious landing vehicles called “ducks.” They are like boats with wheels that have funny names like Back Bay Bertha, Fenway Fannie and Tub of the Hub. The tour narrators, called ConDUCKtors, are hilarious. Guide Major Tom Foolery wears Superman pajamas while he drives; Cmdr. James Bernard Swampscott sets the ground rules by stating “no smoking and no ballroom dancing” on board; and all drivers encourage passengers to quack at pedestrians during the ride. But the guides are even more knowledgeable than they are funny, continually delivering interesting facts about Boston’s history. The 80-minute tour hits all of Boston’s hotspots: the golden-domed State House; Bunker Hill; Boston Common; Copley Square; the Big Dig; Government Center; trendy Newbury Street; Quincy Market; Prudential Tower and more. Then comes the highlight as the duck drives straight into the Charles River for beautiful seaside views of Cambridge and Boston. The ConDUCKtors even let passengers steer the boat while it’s in the water. For a site-seeing trip you’ll never forget that will make you laugh while teaching you about the city, the Duck tour does not disappoint.
Boston Duck Tours; 617.267.DUCK (3825)
http://www.bostonducktours.com
  
         
    • Oct 14, 2008 - Oct 14, 2008
Charles River Canoe & Kayak
For a peaceful afternoon and totally different view of Cambridge, rent a canoe or kayak on the Charles River. Row down one of America’s most beautiful urban rivers with majestic views of Frederick Law Olmstead's “Emerald Necklace,” the Esplanade, Harvard Business School, Harvard University and MIT. Glide along this calm nine-mile waterway watching the geese swim gracefully by your canoe while sailing under Cambridge’s famous bridges. Located in a small boat house across from the Harvard Coliseum off Soldiers Field Road, Charles River Canoe & Kayak offers affordable boats by-the-hour for kids and adults. Their friendly staff offer tips how to navigate the vessels and they even supply you with free water and sun block. For a peaceful day in nature without leaving the city, a canoe or kayak on the Charles is the perfect choice.
Charles River Canoe & Kayak, 1071 Soldier's Field Road, Allston, (617) 462-2513
http://www.ski-paddle.com/boston.php
  
         
    • Oct 7, 2008 - Oct 7, 2008
Muqueca Restaurant
Inman Square’s Muqueca Restaurant is a true slice of Brazil right here in Cambridge. Owners Fafa and Antonio Gomes feature native dishes from their home state of Espirito Santo located north of Rio on Brazil's central coast. The small, cozy lime-green restaurant is famous for their moqueca’s – delicious seafood stews of shrimp, white fish, or muscles seasoned with an aromatic mix of olive oil, tomato, onion, annatto, and cilantro. The flavorful stews are slow-cooked in handmade pots from Brazil that draw out the juices of the ingredients, and are served with cassava porridge (pirao) and rice. Other favorites include Cod Capixaba, salt cod with hard boiled eggs, plantain and coconut milk; and a seafood pie made with cod, shrimp, crab meat, mussels and olives. Meat eaters will love the Picanha, grilled prime sirloin steak served with a zesty sauce of fried cornmeal, bacon and vinaigrette. Wash the meal down with one of their natural juices of exotic fruits from the Amazon Rain Forest like the manga azul, a savory mixture of blueberry, mango & passion fruit. If you want to experience Brazil without leaving Cambridge, Muqueca is the place for you.
Muqueca Restaurant, 1093 Cambridge St., Cambridge, 617-354-3296
Open Tuesday to Saturday: 11am until 9pm; Sunday: 12pm until 9pm. Closed Mondays.
  
         
    • Sep 18, 2008 - Sep 18, 2008
The Garment District
A Cambridge landmark, the Garment District is one of the most unusual and eclectic used clothing stores in the world. Frequented by movie stars like Casey Affleck and Kirsten Dunst, the 28,000 square-foot former textile building sells over 40,000 pieces of vintage and contemporary clothing. The first floor, with its pink walls and pink wood floors, sells the best custom-made costumes in New England. It also houses their famous Dollar-A-Pound clothing section, where bargain hunters rummage through stacks of items paying by the pound. Upstairs, which looks like a warehouse with leopard skin curtains, has separate areas devoted to clothes from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. They have it all: 1960's 'Jackie O' suits and men’s velvet jackets; 70’s disco dresses and bell bottoms; and leg warmers from the 80’s. They are also stocked with loads of contemporary items: name-brand jeans, casual and dress slacks, shirts, sweaters, dresses, women's and men's suits, blazers, vests, skirts, shoes, hats, gloves, linens, aprons and ties –you name it, they sell it. With the store’s huge silver horse in the lobby and real motorcycles - and even an actual airplane - hanging from the wall, the Garment District is like a shopping amusement park for adults – and just as much fun.
The Garment District, 200 Broadway, Cambridge, 617-876-5230
http://www.garmentdistrict.com/camb/index_camb.htm
  
         
    • Sep 16, 2008 - Sep 16, 2008
Tanjore
With its extremely fresh and abundantly flavorful cuisine, Tanjore is Harvard Square’s best Indian restaurant. The breads, including the savory garlic naan, perfectly puffed poori, and peshwari naan stuffed with ground nuts and raisins, make your mouth sing. The piquant basmati rice, with cumin seeds and caramelized onion, is exquisite; and the tamarind, mango and mint chutney sauces are divine. But the dishes, layered with flavors that tantalize the taste buds, are even better. Favorites include delicious dosas filled with potatoes, chicken, or lamb; kheema kothmir, a minced lamb with curry sauce and fresh coriander leaves; and shrimp no paatio, plump prawns in a sweet and sour spiced curry. And with an extensive menu of regional dishes from all over India, Tanjore has something for all tastes.
Tanjore, 18 Eliot Street, Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-868-1900
Lunch: 7 days, 11:30am-3:00pm
Dinner: 7 days, 5:00pm-11:00pm
  
         
    • Sep 10, 2008 - Sep 10, 2008
Guest Beth Halford, Reporter For Chemical & Engineering News, On Assignment
Harding House is a haven for journalists! Associate Editor Beth Halford is in town covering two stories for Chemical & Engineering News, a weekly science and technology magazine. Halford interviewed Stephen Lyons, producer of a NOVA documentary about pioneering African American chemist Percy Julian. Dr. Julian, son of a railway clerk and the grandson of slaves, overcame segregation and prejudice to do ground breaking research on physostigmine, a drug used in the treatment of glaucoma. For another story, Halford interviewed Marlboro’s Victor Deeb, a retired chemist who had stored hundreds of chemicals in his house. After responding to an unrelated fire on the second floor, firefighters found more than 1,500 vials, jars, cans, bottles and boxes of chemicals in his basement that sparked a massive Department of Environmental Protection cleanup, forcing Deeb to leave his home.
  
         
    • Sep 8, 2008 - Sep 8, 2008
Sidney's Grille
Sidney's Grille is an oasis of affordable elegance in the midst of Central Square. Located at MIT’s University Park in the upscale Le Méridien hotel, the restaurant features innovative new American cuisine. With its ultra-modern décor, high ceilings and beautiful bar with marble counter tops, Sidney's immediately makes diners feel pampered. And then there’s the delightful and well-presented dishes. Appetizers like the three-cod New England clam chowder and the seared sea scallops with lemon thyme sparkle. Favorite main courses include the mouth watering striped sea bass with sweet corn and leek ragout; the sesame crusted ahi tuna with gingered sweet potato; and Sidney’s strip steak with roasted garlic. A little off the beaten path, Sidney's Grille is truly a hidden gem that is one of the best kept secrets in Cambridge.
Sidney's Grille, 20 Sidney St., Cambridge, 617-494-0011
Dinner: 5:30pm – 10:30pm, 7 days a week
Lunch: 11am – 2:30pm, Monday – Friday
Breakfast: 6:30am – 11am, Monday – Friday
Brunch Buffet: 7am – 2pm, Saturday & Sunday
  
         
    • Sep 4, 2008 - Sep 4, 2008
Australian Classical Singer Marina Connelly A Freshman At Harvard
Guest Marina Connelly, a classical singer from Australia, is starting her freshman year at Harvard. Marina’s brilliant soprano voice has attracted the attention of world-renowned soloist Dame Emma Kirkby and earned her a music scholarship at the University of Melbourne, Australia. Even more impressive are the challenges she has overcome. Marina is legally blind and has albinism - a condition requiring her to avoid bright sunlight - and takes her exams with the help of a reading machine. While in her first year at the University of Melbourne, she applied to Harvard - a university half-way around the world - not knowing much about the school. When she got in, she wasn’t sure she would accept, until a conversation with a professor convinced her it was a no-brainer. “My professor told me in a voice like Don Vito Corleone in The Godfather, ‘when Harvard makes you an offer, you don’t refuse,” Marina said.
  
         
    • Aug 29, 2008 - Aug 29, 2008
Harding House Open House For Local Businesses
Harding House recently held a party for local businesses in the parlor of its 17-room bed & breakfast. Local merchants and friends enjoyed good conversation, wine and savory treats from Petsi Pies, the Fishmonger, and Broadway Marketplace. Owner Rachael Solem is an active member of Cambridge Local First, a network of locally owned and independent businesses. CLF’s over 250 members share a commitment to building a strong local economy and a vibrant, distinct community. The group supports independent businesses owned by people who live in the community to strengthen the local economy and preserve the unique establishments which help give Cambridge its distinctive character.
  
         
    • Aug 28, 2008 - Aug 28, 2008
Cambridge: The Greenest City In America
The Cambridge Energy Alliance is working to make Cambridge the greenest city in America with a ground-breaking $70 million energy-efficiency program. Homes, businesses and university buildings are undergoing energy efficiency audits over the next five years in an effort to eliminate 150,000 tons of greenhouse gasses and cut peak energy demand in the city by 50 megawatts. Property owners are expected to receive low or zero interest loans for energy saving projects such installing insulated roofs and more efficient heating and cooling systems. Financed by private sources - not taxpayers - this innovative program can be a model for other cities across the nation to reduce emissions that contribute to global warming. For more information go to: http://www.cambridgeenergyalliance.org/		  
         
    • Aug 24, 2008 - Aug 24, 2008
Cambridge Carnival
Tens of thousands flocked to the 16th annual Cambridge Carnival to celebrate the city’s rich African and Caribbean cultural diversity. Cambridge’s biggest festival featured a parade with vibrant costumes, colorful floats and dancers winding their way through the streets. It was an outdoor party with ethnic food from around the globe, and live performances of Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, Caribbean, Calypso, Reggae, Compa, Punta, and Salsa music. Based on the models of Trinidad and Tobago and Brazil, this is one of twenty-four Caribbean-style carnivals celebrated in North America every year.
  
         
    • Aug 21, 2008 - Aug 21, 2008
Harding House Manager Lauren Teaches Zumba Dance Classes
Love dancing but hate working out? Take a Zumba dance class with Harding House Manager Lauren. Yes, despite running the bed and breakfast, Lauren finds time to teach a workout class that is a new take on traditional tedious aerobics. Zumba merges Latin music and salsa, tango and merengue dance moves with fitness training. The result: you lose weight and get in shape while having a ball! Wednesdays, 7pm at the Wellbridge Athletic Club And Spa, 5 Bennett St Cambridge, 617-441-0800.
  
         
    • Aug 17, 2008 - Aug 17, 2008
OM Restaurant
OM is Cambridge’s hippest restaurant and one of the rare places where the food matches –if not exceeds - the hype. OM is the Sanskrit word used to begin meditation, and the restaurant’s waterfall, handcrafted stone walls, Buddhist sculptures and bamboo floors immediately relax hungry guests. The calm of the second floor dining room is perfectly balanced out by the ultra-chic first floor lounge with its black leather sofas, video plasma art, and aromatherapy martinis. The food is a delectable adventure. Tasty parmesan-dusted popcorn with white truffle oil replaces bread and butter. Appetizers include exotic choices like cucumber-ginger-pepper soup, sweet potato ravioli with spicy black olives, and pumpkin puree with red Thai curry. Main course favorites include mouth-watering big eye tuna with ginger broth and black mushrooms; and juicy Grilled Lamb Loin with parsnip puree and braised greens. And for dessert don’t forget the dreamy fennel cake with curried mango puree, honey frozen yogurt and mango-mint lassi. Who needs meditation to reach nirvana when you have Om?
OM Restaurant, 92 Winthrop Street, Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617.576.2800
Dinner: 5pm - 10pm, Monday - Saturday
Lounge: 5pm - 1am, daily / 2am Thursday – Saturday
  
         
    • Aug 13, 2008 - Aug 13, 2008
Front Desk Staffer Dr. Martha
Is there a doctor in the house? Well, there will be. Harding House front desk staffer Martha will be starting medical school this fall at Tufts University. Martha, who wants to be a Pediatrician, was admitted to medical school at 19 through the school’s Early Acceptance (BA/MD) Program. As a Tufts undergraduate, she did biochemical research on the structure of protein – which regulates insulin levels - to find a cure for type 2 diabetes. The long hours in the lab helped her decide that she wanted to be an MD instead of a researcher. “I love science, but I missed the personal interaction,” she explained. Now, Martha said she is looking forward to the challenge of becoming a doctor. “It’s a big commitment,” she said. “I’m nervous, but I’m excited.”
  
         
    • Aug 12, 2008 - Aug 12, 2008
Montien
For great Thai food with a dazzling array of menu choices, Montien is for you. The restaurant’s hip vibe – majestic red walls, chic black furniture and large mirrors – combined with the cheerful service, immediately make you feel special. And the exotic and scrumptious appetizers keep the good times rolling. Favorites include Lady Dancing, marinated shrimp grilled on skewers served with cucumber and peanut sauce; and Bang Bang, a ground shrimp and chicken crispy spring roll with sweet and sour sauce. But then things really get good with a plethora of house special, seafood, curry, noodle and salad entrees that will satisfy all tastes. Standouts include the mild shrimp Panang Curry with green peas, onions, basil and coconut milk; and the Seafood Kamikaze - shrimp, scallop and squid stir-fried with onion, mushroom and zucchini in a hot chili sauce. And for those who want to keep it simple, the Pad-Se-Iew - stir-fried noodles with egg, Chinese broccoli in a perfect sweet soy sauce - doesn’t disappoint.
Montien, 1287 Cambridge St., Cambridge, 617-868-1240
Lunch: Mon to Fri, 11:30 am to 4 pm. Sat & Sun 12 pm to 4 pm.
Dinner: Sun to Thurs, 4 pm to 10 pm. Fri & Sat, 4 pm to 11pm.
  
         
    • Aug 8, 2008 - Aug 8, 2008
Midwest Grill
Come hungry. That’s the best advice to prepare for this all-you-can-eat Brazilian feast called a Churrasco a Rodízio, which means rotating barbecue. The meal starts with an unlimited salad bar overflowing with more choices than you can count, including delicious roasted potatoes, rice, plantains, a dazzling array of salads, olives, spicy tuna and feijoada black bean stew. But that’s just the appetizer. What comes next is an endless procession of mouth watering grilled meats which waiters bring on sword-like skewers and slice at your table. Among the highlights are grilled Brazilian sausage, tender flavorful short beef ribs, lamb marinated in wine vinegar and garlic, juicy boneless chicken breast, and their famous roasted whole pork loin. Non-meat eaters can enjoy the fish stews: shrimp or the catch-of-the day sautéed in garlic, then simmered with chunks of tomato and casava root with coconut milk. And vegetarians will love the salad bar. Money-saving tip: come for lunch, it’s the same meal at a fraction of the cost.
Midwest Grill, 1124 Cambridge St, Cambridge, 617.354.7536.
Open 7 days a week. Lunch: 11am to 4pm. Dinner: 4pm to11pm.
  
         
    • Aug 5, 2008 - Aug 5, 2008
Farewell To Harding House Breakfast Staffer Alex
Harding House breakfast chef Alex is heading back to Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA, where she is a fullback on the school’s varsity soccer team. Alex’s tasty breakfast treats warmed the hearts of the guests, and her outgoing personality and quick wit always kept everyone smiling. Alex was in Cambridge for the summer playing in the Eastern Mass. Soccer League and living with her brother Max, a recent Harvard graduate playing amateur baseball in Boston. On her last day, employees hilariously tried to stall her from leaving when her shift was finished as they prepared her surprise going-away party. “I was pretty much done, but everyone was giving me more things to do,” Alex said with a smile. “I had a really great time working here this summer.” To follow Alex’s upcoming soccer season at Lehigh go to: https://www.lehighsports.com/sports/wsoccer/
  
         
    • Jul 31, 2008 - Jul 31, 2008
Project Vision Designs Alternative Education Programs for India’s Urban Poor
Guests Dipti Sonawane and Palash Mukhopadhyay are serious about making school more relevant and interesting for young people. They work with Project Vision, a company which designs innovative educational systems for poor urban students in Bangalore, India. Developed by educator Geetha Narayanan, the program uses technology to create unconventional and creative learning tools that really engage students. The project, which serves 150 children, combats failing urban schools whose traditional methods of teaching are not connecting with modern kids. The group was in Cambridge to present their groundbreaking work to a conference at MIT’s Media Lab.
  
         
    • Jul 26, 2008 - Jul 26, 2008
Harding House Wins 2008 International Restaurant and Hotel Award for its “Endless Amenities”
"The best li'l guest house in Cambridge" has been honored with a prestigious 2008 International Restaurant and Hotel Award. In the tradition of the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards, the International Restaurant and Hotel Awards recognize the best value, moderate, and luxury travel establishments around the globe. Harding House was named one of the top value hotels worldwide for its endless amenities. The bed & breakfast will be honored at a star-studded gala ceremony November 16th at the Beverly Hills Hilton hosted by Mark DeCarlo from the Travel Channel’s “Taste of America.” For more info visit http://www.irhawards.com/
  
         
    • Jul 21, 2008 - Jul 21, 2008
Sandrine's Bistro
This beautiful glass-enclosed restaurant nestled on quiet Holyoke Street offers a quiet respite from the hustle and bustle of busy Harvard Square. Sandrine's specializes in delightful cuisine from the Alsace region of France, a vineyard area on the border of Germany's Black Forest. Their signature dish is the irresistible tarte flambee (flammekueche), a light pizza-like baked flatbread filled with savory toppings like smoky bacon or salmon, with caramelized onions, creamy fromage blanc and asparagus. Other notable entrees include the prosciutto tartine, an open faced sandwich with fresh mozzarella, tomato and a pesto served with pitch perfect pommes frites; and the Trout Grenobloise, pan seared fish with capers, spinach and mushrooms. Wash it all down with a selection from their extensive wine list. And for dessert try the rich and decadent kougelhopf, a flowerless chocolate cake with caramel and vanilla ice cream.
Sandrine's Bistro, 8 Holyoke Street, Cambridge, 617-497-5300.
Daily: Mon to Thurs, 11:30am to 2:30pm and 5:30pm to 9:30pm.
Fri and Sat: 11:30am to 2:30pm and 5:30pm to 10pm.
Sun: 5:30pm to 9pm.
  
         
    • Jul 16, 2008 - Jul 16, 2008
UpStairs on the Square
Dining at UpStairs on the Square can best be described as a heavenly experience. Located in the center of Harvard Square overlooking a park, the two-story restaurant features all the trappings of a fine dining establishment - but with a funky twist. The formal atmosphere and beautiful china is tempered by a Zebra-print rug and hot pink walls in the first floor dining room. The more formal second floor Soiree Room is adorned with lipstick-pink and gold walls with a mirrored ceiling. The wait service is impeccable and the American cuisine is some of the best you will have anywhere. The flavorful Seared Nantucket Sea Scallops melt in your mouth. The Crispy Golden Halibut with Smoky Bacon and Marinated Shrimp make you want to sing with delight. Amazingly, the deserts are even better. Their famous Milk Chocolate Pecan Turtles are a slice of nirvana without being too sweet. And the UpStairs Blondie, a white dough brownie with butter rum sauce and toasted pecans, is unique vanilla treat that you will be talking about long after you leave.
UpStairs on the Square, 91 Winthrop Street, Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-864-1933.
http://www.upstairsonthesquare.com/about.html		  
         
    • Jul 13, 2008 - Jul 13, 2008
Front Desk Staffer Walter Moonlights as an Entertainment Journalist
When front desk staff person Walter is not working at Harding House he is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in the New York Times, People Magazine, the Washington Post, Variety and the New York Post. A former PR person in the music business, Walter writes about film, TV, music and sports. “I love entertainment and I love writing,” he says. “I would do this job for free.”		  
         
    • Jun 29, 2008 - Jun 29, 2008
Front Desk Staffer Emily is a native of rural Paradise River, Canada, population 50
Front Desk Staff person Emily is from the tiny Canadian town of Paradise River, which has a population of only 50 people. Located on the untouched coastal shoreline of eastern Canada north of Newfoundland, the city is surrounded by water. Mail is delivered by airplane and residents travel to neighboring towns by Ski-Doos (snowmobiles) in winter and boats in the summer. All of the town’s students from first grade to fifth grade attend school together in one classroom. The sixth through ninth graders do the same. There is no high school. At the end of town where Emily lived there was no running water. “We were in the Boonies of the Boonies,” Emily said. “But it was real cozy town in winter. And I liked being able to explore by myself, eat berries, and explore nature.”
  
         
    • Jun 26, 2008 - Jun 26, 2008
Punjabi Dhaba Restaurant
Called an “Indian Highway-Side Café,” this Inman Square favorite offers mouth-watering authentic Punjabi fast food. Inspired by the delicious street food offered at Indian truck stops, Punjabi Dhaba’s menu is full of inexpensive treats. Highlights include chicken tikka with sweet mango chutney and spicy samosas; and Baingan Bhartha, a dish of smoked & mashed eggplant cooked with peas, bell peppers and herbs. Also, don’t forget the tasty breads like the garlic naan and sweet drinks, including the pineapple lassi with buttermilk. It’s the perfect spot for a quick and low-cost meal. Despite the no-frills decor and noisy atmosphere, Punjabi Dhaba is a spice-filled dining experience that should not be missed. Cash only.
Punjabi Dhaba, 225 Hampshire St., Cambridge, 617.547.8272
Open Daily Noon-Midnight
  
         
    • Jun 23, 2008 - Jun 23, 2008
Doctor Ed Crispin - International Physicians Against Nuclear War
Toronto doctor Ed Crispin wants weapons of mass destruction to be no more. He was in Cambridge for meetings with the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW). The world-renown organization, which received the 1985 Nobel Peace Prize, is a global federation dedicated to preventing nuclear war and abolishing nuclear weapons. “I want to stay alive and I want my family to stay alive,” Crispin said. “I want to see life continue.” Despite the serious nature of his visit, the gregarious Dr. Crispin always had a smile and jokes for staffers and other guests. To learn more about his organization visit http://www.ippnw.org/
  
         
    • Jun 21, 2008 - Jun 21, 2008
South African Exchange Student Richard Craib At Harvard Summer School
South African Exchange Student Richard Craib was here in Cambridge to study math at Harvard Summer School. Because the seasons are reversed and it’s winter back home in South Africa, he said it was strange getting used to summer in June. But he said the friendly staff at Harding House made him feel at home. In September, he will attend the University of California, Berkeley for a semester studying economics. “My professor said California is a wacky state and that Berkeley is the wackiest part,” Craib said. “So I’m looking forward to it.”
  
         
    • Jun 19, 2008 - Jun 19, 2008
Desi Dhaba Restaurant
The word Dhaba is used to describe a no-frills roadside café with flavorful street food that will have your mouth singing. Desi Dhaba takes this concept and expands it to a more modern, roomy and comfortable setting with large floor-to-ceiling windows, cool hanging lamps and muted orange and yellow walls. Highlights include their delicious dosas - lentil and rice crêpe’s filled with spiced chicken or vegetables, onion and potatoes. Also sterling is the lamb korma, tender pieces of meat with nuts and raisins in a zesty sauce. And don’t forget to try the savory Peshawari naan cooked with raisins, honey, coconut and almonds. In addition, their all-you-can-eat lunch buffet is one of the neighborhood’s best - and most affordable.
Desi Dhaba, 401 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 617.547.4121
Open every day
Lunch Buffet: 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Dinner: (Mon-Fri): 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Saturday-Sunday 3:30 PM - 11:00 PM
  
         
    • Jun 12, 2008 - Jun 12, 2008
Monica Dolezal Helps Inner-City Business Entrepreneurs
Monica Dolezal was visiting from Des Moines, Iowa to receive training to be an instructor for the new SBA Emerging 200 Initiative. The program provides small inner-city business entrepreneurs in 11 states with the network, resources and motivation required to grow their ventures.
  
         
    • May 30, 2008
Baraka Café
This cozy restaurant nestled on Pearl St. off Cambridge’s Central Square offers delicious and unique Algerian-Tunisian and North African cuisine. Main courses include wonderful couscous, tender lamb chops, and eggplant stuffed with a tasty concoction of olives, spinach, scallions, and two cheeses. At this hidden gem you will have an aromatic flavorful meal that you will not soon forget. Cash only and no alcohol.
Baraka Café, 80 1/2 Pearl St., Cambridge, 617.868.3951.
Lunch: Tues to Sat, 11:30 am to 3 pm. Dinner: Tues to Sun, 5:30 pm to 10 pm.
  
         
    • May 30, 2008
Big Mike and Little Mike: The Harding House Fix-It Team!
Maintenance man Mike has declared summer Fridays "Take your son to work day" at Harding House. 3-year-old Michael Jr. loves learning to be just like dad. Little Mike dons his own hard hat to help with hammering and spackling but he especially loves getting his hands dirty in the garden. “Instead of telling my son what I do, I like to show him,” Mike said.
  
         
    • May 10, 2008 - May 10, 2008
Historic Harvard Performance Of Spanish Play “Tres Sombreros De Copa”
Guest Christina Fernandez visited Cambridge to see her daughter, Harvard freshman Davida Fernandez-Barkan, perform in the Spanish play “Tres sombreros de copa” (“Three Top Hats”). The comedy, written by Miguel Mihura in 1932, is a farce about a staid bridegroom whose wedding eve -- and life -- are turned upside down by a traveling circus troupe. The historic production, at the university’s Adams House Pool Theater, marked the first-ever Spanish language performance of the play in North America. “It’s very funny, absurd and colorful,” said Milwaukee native Fernandez-Barkan, who plays a terrible ballerina who doubles as a lady of the evening.
  
         
    • Apr 19, 2008 - Apr 19, 2008
London Guests Run Boston Marathon Dressed As Nuns For Charity
London's Noel Sainsbury and his buddies ran the Boston Marathon dressed a nuns to raise money for underprivileged children. The funds went to the St. John Bosco Camp, which gives children from broken homes a chance to escape the city and spend four weeks in the Essex countryside. Sainsbury's visit to Harding House also marked his first ever reunion with his 3-year-old cousin Amy Poynton, who suffers from a congenital heart defect known as Hypo-Plastic Left Heart Syndrome. Though doctors thought Amy might never see a third birthday, she continues to amaze them with her strength and optimism. To get updates on Amy's condition and learn about her story visit www.amypoynton.com/
 To support the St. John Bosco Camp visit http://www.justgiving.com/olsgboscorunners		  
         
    • Apr 11, 2008 - Apr 11, 2008
Harding House Celebrates Boston's Afro-Brazilian Culture
Harding House general manager Lauren helped celebrate Boston's vibrant Brazilian culture as a dancer in the Afro-Brazilian show, "Axe." Held at the Jorge Jernandez Cultural Center, the show, led by local musician Marcos Santos, featured live music and dance ranging from the folkloric to the popular and contemporary. Said Lauren, "It was an honor to perform with so many talented musicians and dancers, and to bring attention to the thriving Brazilian community that helps make Boston and Cambridge so unique."		  
         
    • Apr 1, 2008 - May 1, 2008
Ecuadorian Activists Cesar Cardenas Ramirez and Cesar Parada Work for Clean Water
While staying at Harding House to meet with Boston human rights organizations, activists Cesar Cardenas Ramirez and Cesar Parada talked with us about the privatization of water rights in Guayaquil, Ecuador. "The prices have gone up 180 percent, hepatitis has flourished and 150 children in our neighborhoods are ill because of the lack of quality water," said Cardenas Ramirez who also runs "My Kite," an organization that offers children's educational programs, scholarships, music and dance. Read more about their campaign for clean water in the book, "Murky Waters" published by The Citizen's Observatory for Public Services. Find the book and the "My Kite" organization on the web at www.micometa.org.ec/.		  
         
         
      If you have news regarding Harding House or Cambridge in general that you would like listed here, contact: lauren@harding-house.com
         
 
   
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