Parsnip Restaurant & Lounge

Service was mediocre at best. Drinks took upwards of 20 minutes to be served and we did not have a server until about 10 minutes after being seated.
The food was fine, but overpriced and «shi shi». The food comes off like it’s trying way too hard.
Décor was nice but there was a definite air of elitism and snobbery. I will not be returning nor recommending Parsnip.
This review is for the dining room only. There is also a lounge which has a completely different menu and chef. I cannot comment on the lounge.

My husband and I went to Parsnip for the first time yesterday evening. It was so good, while we were there, I emailed our friends for availability and made reservations for another weekend before leaving. The food could not have been any better. The tastes and presentation were to perfection. I’m a lacto-​ovo vegetarian and my husband is a pescatarian. Usually there is only one vegetarian option for the main dish at restaurants, but they had two options. I went with the Potato & artichoke terrine and I’ve never had anything like that before in my life! Words can’t describe how great it was. When my husband took his first spoonful of his appetizer, which was the Watercress & potato soup with shrimp, his eyes nearly rolled to the back of his head because it was so good! The staff were very professional… I don’t have any constructive feedback, from the appetizer thru dessert to service and décor, they were all «as good as it gets». Since Parsnip is a new restaurant, I hope they do well and are here for years to come so my husband and I can continue to enjoy culinary perfection.

Wow! Wow! Wow! Such amazing fine cuisine and lots of vegetarian options. I don’t understand what some people wrote regarding service and small portions, clearly those writers haven’t been to upscale restaurants. If you want enormous portions, your food served quickly and the waiter coming over continually to check on you, then go to Chili’s. Going to Parsnip is an evening out where you have time to enjoy the food AND your company.

Went there for a birthday dinner for 3 ladies. First off, the space is gorgeous! If you remember Upstairs on the Square, you’ll barley recognize the interiors. The lounge upstairs were awesome and our waitress there was awesome.
We moved downstairs for our meal and were excited about the artichoke app we saw in the lounge. We got to the main restaurant and said we couldn’t order the lounge menu in the dining room. Lame. After getting our water, the waitress disappeared for 20 – 30 minutes.
The food itself was excellent — the table got Hen, Sole, Gnochhi, Duck, and Lamb. Overall I’d like to see this place get a little less pretentious and the service better.

Perfection. We ate here last night and that is the only way to describe the restaurant. Friendly, attentive and knowledgeable staff who knew just when to come by without being overbearing. The cocktails were delicious along with several of the appetizers we tried at the bar of the restaurant. The space is just right, and you’re able to have a conversation with your dining mate while music and other conversation lingers unobtrusively in the background. Parsnip was a first class experience all the way without the pretentiousness of some of the other high and eateries in the neighborhood. I hope it has continued success in the square for many years to come.

Food was good but a solid 4 and not a 5. The cured salmon was great. The broccoli and shrimp soup was nice but the soup seemed a bit bitter.
We had the monk fish and the lobster and sole tortellini for the main. The sole was a bit bland (probably just lacking some salt). The monk fish was good.
We had the poached pear for dessert which was fine but not stellar.
The service was nice but maybe a bit slow at the beginning taking our order.
Some reviews complain about the bright lights but I found it perfect. I like to see my food.
Overall a good experience for a new restaurant but could be better and hope it gets better.

Gorgeous, delicious and way too expensive for the paltry amount of food on the plate. Decent wine list. Respectful service. $ 30 for Cornish Game Hen was really ¼ of a game hen. A mini-​breast and a tiny, tiny leg. A few precious vegetables and a scattering of potatoes. All delicious. But simply not worth the price. Too precious for our taste.

First note: The food was really really good. I was a big fan of Upstairs before it went downhill for it finally went under, but the remodel is really fantastic. It is more upscale, but not in a snooty way. Very very well done.
The scallop appetizer was amazing. I had the lamb for an entrée. The lamb was slightly overcooked for my taste (they didn’t ask how I wanted it), but other than that the flavors and the presentation was awesome. My companions all had good meals too (other than the gnocchi which was a tad chewy).
Now the downside. This place costs $ 100 per person with just drinks — without ordering bottles of wine for the table. That’s OK for phenomenal food AND service. We were on time for our reservation. Nobody came to fill water glasses, take a drink order, or give us food menus for 15 minutes. We didn’t get our cocktails until 30 minutes after we sat down. And we didn’t get our dinner for a full hour and a half after we sat down. That’s just straight up unacceptable anywhere, but definitely unacceptable here for for the price that we paid.
There was a TON of staff around — but only the people waiting to fold your napkin when you went to the bathroom were paying attention. The other staff were joking with one another or otherwise not paying attention rather than noticing that we were waiting for refills on drinks or that we had been done for 10 minutes and our plates had to be cleared. This is not a big place. They clearly have some service/​kitchen kinks to be worked out — but the food is very very good — and that’s the most important piece in order to have a future.
All that said, nobody recognized or apologized for our interminable wait for every single course. You can’t have people staffed to fold napkins, but also not be able to serve the most basic function (food) in a timely fashion. That’s just messed up. Maybe the napkin people could fetch drinks…
So in the same way I’m torn… I’d really like to come back and have a great meal, but I also don’t want to come back and sit there and be ignored while I wait for it. Its like that GF that you knew your really wanted to break up with but there were some really awesome bits that prevented you from doing it. Weird to feel that way about a restaurant.

Had a holiday party here a week ago, the catering and experience was unforgettable. The interior décor and quite beautiful with a hint of modernism meets rustic. The location is great minus the commute and parking of course!
We were happily addressed by the staff, all so well informed about everything, proper table etiquette, serving, etc. It was truly impressive to witness from such a small restaurant. Everyone was very quick to help you and attend to your needs from simple drinks to folding your napkin when you got up to use the restroom.
The food was fantastic; one right after the other. The roast beef was perfectly cooked, juicy and flavorful, soft in texture. The potatoes, yes something as simple as potatoes, were quite wonderful, flavors and approach in cooking clearly is important here. I enjoyed the roasted carrots as well, very nice charcoal flavor to the sweetness of the vegetable. The parsnip ice cream was truly an interesting wonder; never even knew such a flavor could taste delicious in a form of ice cream!
Will definitely be revisiting during a personal day with my boyfriend; we were both really impressed and enjoyed our experience.

I had high expectations but my party and I were sadly disappointed with the food. First of all the atmosphere and the service were top notch but the food another story. The gluten free bread was too sweat and grainy, the vegan meal lacked any protein, the monk fish was over cooked and the duck was tough and chewy. The deserts were equally disappointing. For the price we expected much more and a bit larger portions. I hope they improve as the atmosphere is high caliber.

This place is SO good! I tried to get a reservation online with #fail on a Monday and since the restaurant wasn’t open I ended up calling on a Tuesday and they were nice enough to get us in at exactly the time we wanted and could accommodate a quiet area of the restaurant…
The good:
+Bantam Hard Cider Rojo… YUMMMMMM
+The warm bread rolls (I would recommend them giving out more of the olive ones but they were all warmed and had awesome butter with them)
+The monk fish was delicious; the onions were so good and all the veggies were perfectly cooked and the fish was SO good. It was a TADDDDDDD bit salty but otherwise was perfect – it was Asian sort of tasting so I think that is why it was a little bit salty but it was f-​ing delicious!
+the Dessert was so amazing – we had the greek yogurt mouse thing with the chocolate thingy (not sure of the name of the two) but both were so delicious.
The service was outstanding and the upstairs bar area is so cute with the little bites and the gorgeous fire place. This place is way better than upstairs @ the square the former restaurant and we will for sure be back for the 3^rd floor bar area!

I’ve driven by so many times but never noticed it until I read about it on Eater Boston.
Atmosphere is classically sophisticated with a laid-​back feel. The presentation of the food was there but the flavors did not wow me. Everything was light and delicate; or maybe it was meant to be like that?
Regardless of this, i would still come back.

I had an absolutely wonderful experience here in the restaurant a couple of weeks ago, and an equally great experience in the lounge last night. I never really write reviews, but with two such positive experiences, I want others to know about this new place!
The Restaurant– All around great. Everyone who served us was so friendly and patient as they described the different wines and dishes. The dishes are all new and interesting, pairing flavors that I had never had before. The descriptions of the servers were quite helpful. I wish that I could remember what we had for appetizers– we tried a few different things, and I was all-​around impressed. They were small, but filling and very flavorful. For a main course, I had the lamb. I would come back just for that. It was delicious. We shared a few bites of Parsnip ice cream for dessert. Who knew you could make parsnip ice cream?! So good.
The Lounge– I went here last evening to celebrate a friend’s birthday, and it was the perfect place. The seating was like being in an upscale, chic living room– we sat on a couch, in front of a fireplace. It was quiet, comfortable, and the perfect place to hang out for an evening. For appetizers, we tried a bit of everything. My favorite was the fried artichokes. The drinks were truly out-​of-​this world. I especially loved «The Breeze Through the Trees,» which had grapefruit and rosemary, and was delicious.
I’ll be back!

Like others who have commented I am very excited about this new restaurant. Parsnip’s design is sophisticated yet casual. It is obvious that a lot of attention was paid to the details. The lounge upstairs is a great little hideaway place and the perfect place to slip away for a drink at the end of a long day. The drinks were delicious, creative and served it unique glassware.
The food was delicious. We ordered and loved the shaved artichoke salad and salmon appetizer with fingerling potatoes. We also had the filet and lamb. Both dishes were superb. The food being served on hot plates always brings a smile to my face. The staff overall seemed very attentive and pleasant creating a very nice dinning experience. I will be coming back very soon!

I visited the lounge with coworkers last night, so cannot comment on the restaurant or food. Expansive granite bar and nautical round windows make for geometric interest, and the cocktails were smooth and creative. I cradled a «little green monster» warm green tea drink, perfect for a rainy, chill day. Disappointed in rather impersonal service, slightly harsh lighting and a beautiful fireplace we were not allowed to turn on. Hopefully more persistent guests overcome this key detail.

Great addition to Harvard Square! I’ve been once to the lounge and once to dinner at Parsnip. First, I wandered into the lounge one evening after work for drinks with a friend and we were blown away by both the drinks and service. Without being hyperbolic, the «Breeze Through The Trees» is now actually my favorite cocktail. The cocktails are inventive and hands down some of the best in the city. The lounge staff is knowledgeable and helpful, without any pretension.
I was so impressed I came back with a small group for dinner. I had seen comments regarding portion size, but everyone in my party was fully satisfied at the end of the meal. I found the dinner menu just as creative as the lounge menu. I had the quail risotto appetizer and the lamb and both were amazing, with rich, robust flavors.
In addition to great food and service, the lounge and dining room are both places you want to sit all night. The lounge has a great cozy feel and the dining room is spacious and airy, which is rare in Cambridge. They both feel luxe but comfortable. I’ll definitely go back!

A great new space in Harvard! For such an upscale place, the staff is very approachable and friendly — answered our questions about certain words on the menu very nicely and non-​judgmentally (sometimes it can be embarrassing when you don’t know what something is!).
Cocktails are delicious and unique AND come in a nifty old-​timey glass.
The food is also unique — somewhat rare in Boston — and tastes very fresh. The scallop starter is perfectly cooked and topped with some delicious green oniony things, and the duck entrée is delicious (and pretty big!).
The lounge upstairs looks to be a cool space and will be very cozy come winter — can’t wait to have more delicious cocktails up there.

I came here for the first time last week. I loved Upstairs on the Square and was really sad to see it go, and was betting it would be filled with a mediocre chain.
What a surprise. This new place — Parsnip — is unbelievably cool. I’d go so far as to say it’s the best new restaurant in Cambridge. The décor is so unique — it feels like you’re stepping into a different world — and the food is unbelievably good. Portions are small but filling, and the drinks are ridiculously well mixed. Bar on the second floor, huge lounge and bar on the third floor, all the cocktails are super interesting. Fantastic art on the walls.
I think the best thing about this place is how it feels upscale and sophisticated, but also laid back and casual… somehow at the same time The lighting and music are at the perfect level, you feel like you could stay there forever, talking with old friends. It’s great for dates, for families, for work … almost every occasion. Just the kind of place I’ve been looking for.
Honestly, I never write reviews, but this was such a welcome surprise I couldn’t help myself. This place is that good.

tl;dr: awesome food, cool atmosphere, friendly staff
I LOVE this restaurant! The space/​décor is really cool, with an upscale but kind of casual feel. One of the coolest touches is the glassware which is all very unique.
The food is really unique with some extremely creative dishes — all delicious. So many different tastes and you can taste the quality of the ingredients. The staff was meticulous and took great care of us, and you could tell everyone was really proud to work there.
Upstairs in the lounge we started with some cocktails and the prosciutto, truffle oil and fig dish which was out of this world. We then moved down to the dining area, and started with the dill/​lemon salmon which was extremely fresh. Really unique flavors and interesting combinations.
For dinner, I had the monkfish with mushrooms and swiss chard, and my friend had the lamb. Both were really good and perfect portions. I’m definitely going back to try out a few other things.
For dessert we had PARSNIP ICE CREAM! It came with some chocolate cake. I was very skeptical at first, but I have to say this is now in my top 3 flavors of ice cream, and I would have never thought that was possible!

Parsnip Restaurant and Lounge is located in the heart of Harvard Square. The restaurant is located on the second floor. The dining room is well lit with a light gray washed wall with large abstract artwork around the room. Upon entering the dining room, the hostess offered to take our coats. When we arrived at our table, the hostess let us know about the purse hooks (under the table).
They offer a variety of drinks ranging from wine by the glass, bottled beers (such as Hop Nash), cocktails, and Maine Root sodas. Since I’m on medication, I went with a fruity mocktail. It was certainly light and refreshing. Each dish was artistically presented.
For appetizers, we shared two appetizers — Butternut Squash, Kale Sprouts, Chanterelles, and Truffles and Citrus and Dill Cured Salmon, Fingerlings, and Radish, both of which were delicious. The Butternut Squash appetizer was garnished with caramelized onion rings, toasted sunflower seeds, spring mix, and truffle shavings. The Salmon appetizer was cured in vinegar and served with a dill infused crème fraîche sauce. For entrees, we ordered Prosciutto Wrapped Monkfish, Wild Mushrooms, Allium, and Thyme Jus; Seared Tuna, Delicata Squash, Clementine, and Ginger; and Potato and Cep Tortellini, Pickled Mushrooms, Arugula, and Marjoram. I liked how the seared tuna was rubbed with five spices and how squash was sweet. I liked how the potato and mushroom tortellini resembled a dumpling and the taste of pickled mushrooms. I wasn’t a big fan of the purée of arugula and marjoram. For dessert, we shared a Honey Crème Brûlée with Figs and Earl Grey Shortbread. I liked how the figs were glazed in honey and how the earl grey shortbread reminded me of the ones I make during the holidays. We ended our meal with complimentary crème puffs from the chef.