First Printer

I can only speak about the brunch, as that’s the only thing I’ve tried here so far, but it was great. Vanilla cognac french toast, made from challah and topped with peach compote and REAL whipped cream– delish! My only regret is that I packed half of it to go and forgot it. The other nice touch is the fresh cut fruit they bring to the table while you’re waiting (which in our case was a very, very long time, being a group of about 14).
One less star for the coffee though; I don’t know if I’ve ever had worse in a restaurant. It was so watery and lacking any flavor that resembled coffee. Nothing complements a filling Sunday brunch like a rich cup of coffee (and a mimosa, of course!) and this did absolutely nothing for me.

This was the first place we ate in the Boston area. We just came in from a late flight, and we weren’t really sure whether we were hungry or not, so we just checked out this pub in Cambridge, where we were staying.
They had an awesome beer selection. However, their food items were average. I had a clam chowder, which was average clam chowder. The pizza that my companion ordered was swimming in oil, even though the sausage was tasty.
I don’t live in the area, but if I were, then I would only come back if all I wanted was alcohol. Because food is something I don’t think they do well enough for me to come back.

Some friends and I met up in the Boston area for an extended weekend and decided to spend a Friday evening at Harvard Square. We hadn’t made a reservation anywhere, so we called around to a few places. After a quick search, were able to reserve a table relatively quickly at First Printer.
The restaurant was busy, but the staff was attentive when were arrived and seated us promptly at the bar while our table was being cleaned. The bartender was friendly, despite the bar being packed, and we were seated after 15 or so minutes.
We enjoyed the cheese plate to start, and we each ordered burgers (two regular and the duck sandwich.). I loved the truffle fries, and my friend raved about the duck. Raved. Would not shut up.
The waitress checked up on us frequently and snapped a few photos for us before we left. Overall, the food was good and staff was friendly. We really enjoyed our trip to First Printer.

This place will surprise you. Walk in and you might feel like you are just in for another run-​of-​the-​mill dining experience, but once you take a bite into what comes out of that kitchen, your mind will be completely blown.
I love unassuming places like this. It isn’t pretentious and it feels so familiar and comfortable. The service makes you really feel that you are at home. My server Nikki was so friendly and had such an ease about her that I felt like I knew her all my life. She made excellent recommendations and truly made my dining experience one to remember.
The food is absolutely outstanding. The chef not only highlights local and sustainable ingredients, but is also able to really make each and every one of those ingredients shine. Everything I had was seasoned perfectly and executed so well. The ravioli and the salmon dishes in particular are to die for.
I can’t express enough how much I absolutely adored this restaurant. I will certainly be telling all my friends about this and will be coming back for more very shortly.

Had dinner here tonight and it was awesome.
I ordered the lobster roll with truffle fries. So yummy! The truffle fries were not all cut the same size which was strange though. And they were maybe a little over fried but they were very tasty.
The best lobster roll I’ve had in a long time. Buttery bun and even though the lobster salad was chilled it was filled high and definitely felt like a dinner entrée as opposed to a lunch which is good bc I was here for dinner.
I also ordered the clam chowder which had great flavor and lots of clams and potatoes. Maybe a little on the watery side but still a great chowder.
The music they played was awful however… So many sad songs! It felt like the perfect place to break up with someone! Super depressing. Also didn’t help that the place was completely empty. Here’s the real problem with the place: the name is no where to be found! I came in to grab a bite without even knowing it’s name. Please guys make your name more prominent.

Stopped in for a late-​night drink and snack. We selected the truffle fries off of the late-​night menu and I had a Pimm’s cup, which was delicious.
The bartender was attentive and friendly without being overbearing. This is a beautiful, quiet place to have a drink on a night when the rest of the square might be a bit too bustling and loud for a proper conversation. Pull up a nice stool to the handsome wood bar and enjoy a cocktail and some excellent late-​night bites. Will definitely return to sample their dinner menu in the future.

When someone suggested First Printer, I imagined a converted news room. Not quite the case, but I appreciated the tall backed dark wood stalls. Definitely necessary if you plan to have a good chat with your company since the high ceilings do lend themselves to amplify sounds, like the background music playing.
We also appreciated that the menu had plenty of options since some in my group had specific dietary requirements (no meat, gluten-​free, no nuts, etc.). They had their bases covered. The wait staff was also helpful and willing to provide details on ingredients. I had the duck panini, which contained healthy amounts of duck. Very succulent and with nice jam spread. I like sweet so it fit the bill for me. The side of sweet potato fries, also a good size portion, were very good as well. Pricing was moderate and covered a wide range, from $ 6-​$ 9 appetizers, $ 12-​$ 14 sandwiches, and mid $ 20 to mid $ 30 entrees. A good spot for a group and a level up from typical bar food fare.

Walked in on Friday night after 1.5 hours of hunting for parking… this was the first place across from the parking garage, LOL.
Very happy with what we found here!
Menu is limited but dishes were very good.
I had stir fried noodles with chicken. Generous portion, very tasty!
Place is a little noisy, I guess as much as other places. Large selection of beers.
Clean, looks nice.
Overall very happy, recommend it. Well be glad to come here again.

First Printer claims to be in the same building that housed the first printing press in the nation. I assume it’s true but the only part of the décor to indicate that the restaurant used to be something else is you can choose to sit in the «safe.» Not sure why a printing press needed a giant safe but I can tell you those seats ARE THE WORST.
If they try to put you in the Safe, request new seats. It’s really narrow and they have two sets of tables facing each other with room in the middle for the waiter to walk in between. You have to sit on the same side of the table as your date (tables only fit 2) and then the entire meal you spend staring at the people at the other table (AWKWARD). The air flow in there is horrible and there are a lot of echos, from people talking to the annoying guy on the sitting 1 foot over from you who won’t stop tapping his foot. It’s also really hard to get anyone’s attention when you’re in here as well though the waiters here are better than most places.
Alright, on to the good stuff. If you’re not locked up, this place serves GREAT food and the waitstaff is always on their game (I’ve been many times). You can order some fun drinks and the food is always just a little different than standard fare. I usually get the bison burger and LOVE it.
I think their menu changes seasonally so it’s hard to know what to recommend but just trust me and try it out. Great for a date or for groups.

The food and service are mediocre here. The menu is eclectic with items ranging from burgers and clubs to stir fried noodles and spring rolls.
What’s more interesting is the history behind the place. It is located where Steven Daye, the first printer of British America, lived (his work dates back to 1639). The decorations include newspapers that are 300+ years old, which is fun/​interesting to see.

It was tempted to try the Not a Lobster Roll, but since it was freezing outside, I decided to go for something warm. I went for the Stir Fried Noodles with chicken, a healthy dose of veggies, noodles, and a splash of good old sweet & spicy. I enjoyed the meal — the sauce wasn’t overpowering and the noodles were cooked just about right. I would had preferred it to have been served on a plate or a regular bowl (vs. one with a very narrow bottom — like a funnel) as that would make it much easier to mix the ingredients.
For dessert, the chocolate cake was delectable. It was absolutely rich and mouth watering.

I used to love First Printer’s menu. It had a bunch of diverse meat and seafood options and also a few clearly labeled vegan options — the herbivore burger on the pretzel bun (a freakin’ PRETZEL BUN!!) was my favorite, and I also liked the vegan moussaka. They also had good flatbreads that could be modified to be dairy free.
First Printer used to be my go-​to place when omnivore friends of mine came to visit and they wanted to go somewhere to eat and it was always a big hit with everyone.
Fast forward to today, when I came here with a few friends… and started weeping on the inside when I realized their menu had completely changed! What happened since I was last here in late Oct 2013? New chef? New management?
All the clearly-​labeled vegan options are gone. The pretzel bun is gone. You can get a «veggie» burger, which is supposedly vegan, but the bun is now a brioche bun (which is traditionally made with eggs, milk and butter, so double-​check with the waiter if you want to avoid these ingredients). The fries used to be huge tasty steak fries and now they are standard skinny fries… boring.
I wasn’t hungry enough for a burger, so I ended up ordering a flatbread without the cream sauce… which turned out to be a dry piece of dough, some tomato pieces, some mushrooms, and some arugula. Basically, a sad salad on a thin, chewy bread. Worth $ 10? I don’t think so.
My omni friends commented on the following dishes:
— classic burger: «not the best but ok»
— chicken & waffles: «confused about the concept, but the fried chicken was tasty»
— fish & chips: «generous piece of fish, nice and greasy»
First Printer gets one star because the cocktails are still good, but I certainly won’t be back; it’s not worth my money.
Off to get a tissue to dry my tears…

Came here for dinner on New Years Eve and was surprised by everything. A friend of mines review made it sound bleak but I think things have turned around – or maybe they just knew it would be a busy night…
I had an apple cocktail which wasn’t super appley like I thought it would be, but still great. Loved the grapes at the bottom of it. Everyone else enjoyed their drinks a lot, except for one person who got the raspberry lime ricky because it had a bit too much syrup in it.
For dinner I had a veggie burger with truffle fries which were amazing. The burger was great too – falling apart a bit but still had great flavors and texture. The fries were one of the best things I’ve ever tasted in my life. Everyone else loved their food too.
Service was great. Made us laugh and brought everything in a timely manner.

Can’t say anything about food, but the bartenders are so nice & the cozy interior so welcoming & warm I’m giving it 4 on my own experience.
I love three little touches like brown paper rolls on the wall, the old vault door & the stone plaque that explains that this WAS the home of the first printer in” British America”.
Bathroom report: wins points for being closest thing to an airplane meets prison bathroom mash up I’ve ever seen.

Visit #1: took a seat at the bar. 15 minutes later, bartender still hadn’t given us the time of day, so we peaced out.
Visit #2: why did I give them a second chance?! Same old shit. Host & one waiter were cool, but it took forever for the pregnant waitress to even acknowledge my table. I flagged down a waitress & when I asked if she was taking my order, she replied with a cold, curt «no.» Alrighty then.
Besides waitress never coming around, the chicken & waffles were horrid. Waffles were undercooked & gummy. I asked for white meat chicken & got ½ breast, ½ thigh (ewwww.) Batter was not very flavorful.
Third time might be a charm, but I have too much self-​respect to ever set foot in here again. They don’t seem to want my business, so I’ll take it on elsewhere.

Quiet dining room on a Monday night = speedy service and well-​prepared food (although I’m fairly certain they’d provide the same level of service on a busy night).
We took a good friend here and had a chance to catch up over delicious food — I we ordered the Arctic char (prepared the same way monkfish is), chicken and waffles, and the classic burger. The food was spiced well, cooked to perfection, even the skin on the char was flavorful! The only downside was that they were out of the scallops and monkfish entrees.
Our server was attentive and on point all evening, and let us be while we caught up. Now that’s service awareness!

This is a great location with a super roomy interior that is just lacking a bit of umph. Everyone in my group had food that was «fine». Not great. Not really even good. Just fine. The mixed greens salad with local vegetables was literally some greens with a few shaved carrots. I didn’t taste any lemon in the vinaigrette and found no pesto on my plate. The added grilled chicken UNDER the salad was a bit odd and also a bit bland.
My friend enjoyed her flatbread special, but the other who had a burger wasn’t a fan of how rare her medium burger was cooked.
The one thing that really got me annoyed was how long it took our server to stop by our table. SOOO SLOOOW. We waited to order. We waited for our drinks. We waited for our bill. For a not very busy Monday night there was no need for us to be forced to leave the table to find someone to give our money.
I didn’t get a chance to check out the cocktails, which I have heard are quite tasty. Possibly a return visit for a drink or two? Eh. After such a meh visit I’m not so sure.

Quite a nice addition to the Harvard Square dining scene. Well, more to the cocktail scene. While I’m happy with my experiences there so far, I would name a few places over this if asked for a recommendation in the area.
What I like: the bar, the bartenders and the drinks. It really is a beautiful bar and a wonderful cocktail menu. My first time here was after the Oktoberfest parade and while I rarely fly solo, I had heard about the new opening featuring cocktails by Brother Cleve. The place was immediately inviting as I walked in from the suddenly chilly air. I don’t usually notice this, but the windows are really nice and combined with the lighting inside, it was a great setting for a stag drink. I took a while reading over the drinks and the bartender was friendly and patient. Asking for «that drink from the Improper» was enough to get me going. It was called the Rock Steady and it was really good. Other things ordered since: Fedora, The Nap, Boulevardier, Bossa Nova, Pimms Cup, and Tennesee Tuxedo. All very good as far as I can remember (one stood out but now it’s a bit hazy).
What I didn’t like as much: the dining areas. They just feel a bit dark and depressing, especially compared to the much nicer bar area. Red brick walls, plain wooden booths, and stark factory/​mining lighting cages give it sort of a back alley feel.
The food: Most of the criticism I’ve seen so far centered around the food. Pretty much everything we had was good. Honestly, nothing was great, and as I mentioned before, I would send people elsewhere specifically for a nice dinner. The burger was good but was a bit soggy underneath. I still enjoyed it, but if I’m being picky and honestly reviewing a $ 15 burger, I have to ding them for it. Still, when you take it all together with the experience of the great drinks, it’s a positive experience.

Good for drinks. Went during opening week and managed to score a couple of spots at the bar after the hostess old us it would be an hour or more.
The gator chunks were tender and delicious. Nice crispy batter.
Lobster Hush puppies were too filled with cornmeal to taste the lobster.
The brisket was a giant pile of more meat than any one human can consume, and I can most assuredly consume a lot! The garlic mashed potatoes were excellent but the BBQ sauce was almost out of the bottle jack daniels Tennessee BBQ sauce, not impressed — far too sweet and unoriginal.
Good martinis. Good beer. Fun atmosphere.

I was quite excited to see this place open up in Harvard Square; I’ve always thought that while that area is appealing for a fun night out, they always lacked a nice, affordable restaurant that was simple and had a solid menu. This seemed to fit the bill nicely as their menu features all kinds of dishes, fit for all palates and at a reasonable price point.
So I took my hungry self there, accompanied by Erick H. on a nice, spring evening for some dinner and was starving upon walking in. We didn’t have a reservation and were gambling on them having a table and the gamble paid off. Our hostess seated us within a couple of minutes and our waitress Jennifer arrived and presented us with some menus. I tried to order a local beer from Slumbrew but they were out. I picked another one… and… they were out. I then decided to get a Chimay beer because I noticed on a blackboard right outside the front door that they had a deal going on where you got to keep the glass for every Chimay ordered. I figured that they’d at least have that one in stock unlike the previous two.
As I ordered and took a quick glance around the dining room one thing hit me: this place is spacious. It’s not huge but they didn’t overcrowd it by trying to jam tables next to one another. We had a ton of elbow room which was great. It wasn’t all that quiet in there, actually it was surprisingly loud considering how many people were present which was a bit annoying. However the décor which featured vintage printing-​related materials of all sorts was neat and somewhat distracted from the noise.
As our beers arrived we decided to share an appetizer which, in our case, was their black bean hummus ($ 7) which comes with some pita chips, some grilled tofu and some cilantro lime sour cream. It arrived a few minutes later, served in a giant, hollowed bread bowl and was served not just room temperature cold but very cold. Actually I found that surprising because I associate bread-​bowled items to be warm or hot and when I took my first bite I was rather confused by it. I guess it tasted okay but wasn’t all that great or memorable. The side of tofu added absolutely nothing to it and was bland as all hell; I wasn’t crazy about the dish or the way this meal was starting but had hopes for a redemption through a solid entrée.
The entrée that followed by a plate of wild boar carbonara ($ 21) which was average. It was pretty cream heavy (like most carbonaras) but the seasoning seemed a bit off. It lacked real depth of flavor and the boar was hard to dissociate from the rest of the dish; it probably could have been a sausage or something else and I would have never noticed. The pork belly wasn’t noticeable either but the spring peas added a nice texture and freshness to the dish that lightened it up a bit. It was okay.
The one thing I did like a lot about First Printer was their extensive menu. It’s not like the Cheesecake Factory in size but it’s pretty damn long and is all over the place. All kinds of flavors, ingredients and price points. That being said, it’s also a very confusing direction making it difficult to people to get the venue’s identity. It’s not Italian, it’s not American, it’s not French. What is First Printer? International?
One last point I do want to make is that our waitress flat out sucked. Jennifer was slow. Very slow. And she didn’t speak up at all, reminding me of a Seinfeld episode featuring the «Low-​Talker». We both held our breath every time she approached, desperately trying to hang on to every word she said but most of the time just nodded not being able to discern even half of what she said. It got pretty frustrating.
All in all the place seems promising but the lack of identify makes them cook all kinds of dishes which turn out to be average. I’d rather see fewer but better items and more focused direction cuisine-​wise. That being said, the diversity isn’t all bad. They have everything from pasta dishes, salads, sandwiches, seafood, pizza, you name it. I’ll return at some point I’m sure, in search for a much better experience… We’ll see.