Our local tour guides suggested the Highland for dinner but warned us that we were going to wait at least an hour for a table on a Saturday night, even at 6pm. Much to their surprise we got a table immediately even though there was a big crowd in the bar. Lucky us! We started with drinks and apps. The buffalo Brussels sprouts were one of the better preps of this veggie I have had. I guess deep frying your veggies is really cheating. The grilled octopus was also very good. Our drinks were less successful. A couple of us just did not care for their take on the Singapore Sling and the Mai Tai. All of the entrees were huge portions and very good from the jambalaya with good spice to the Cuban sandwich. The goat and the cod special were also very good. Despite the packed house the service was very attentive. We can see why this place is crazy popular! read more

Place is simple and unassuming, but food is imaginative and really well made, and their specialty cocktails are worth a try, too. Great neighborhood place, and even worth a little trip out of your way. read more

My friend and I had dinner here recently after doing some research on the best places for comfort food. It was one of the top choices. It was a pretty cool place. Nice interior. Very busy around 7pm, but didn't interfere with us being seated quickly. I suggest calling ahead to reserve a table, if that's possible. We ordered drinks and dinner. The food was good and the drinks were great! Our server was very polite and attentive, the other patrons loved her. I got the catfish po boy and my friend had the fried chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, and collards. The po boy was really good and unexpectedly spicy. I like spicy, so it was a pleasant surprise. If you don't I would NOT recommend it. The fried chicken was really crispy, the mashed potatoes and gravy was heavenly. I didn't try the collards. They looked good though. I've honestly had better fried chicken flavor wise, but I was still pretty impressed. If you're in the area I would definitely recommend Highland Kitchen. Even if you have to travel to the area I would recommend it. I'd come back myself. read more

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I think Highland Kitchen is overrated. I think folks in this neighborhood are deprived of a good brunch spot (and good food for that matter), which is why they wait 45 minutes in Boston's disrespectful, blue-black cold for average pancakes. The ambiance is very neighborhood-y and sometimes there's a Mumford &Sons-esque band fiddling away in the corner, which really is delightful even if you're not a millennial hipster. I've been here a few times for brunch and dinner and cocktails. I'll give you my brunch suggestions, but you're better off going to Juliet's in Union Square or Cafe Luna in Harvard, the best brunch spot in Boston! Get: Dirty Bird Maybe the beignets if you just want to dip something in your average morning joe Eggs and buscuit Skip: Pancakes Shrimp and Grits- I LOVE grits, but these need some love. And salt. And cheese. The cocktails are in the $8-$10 range but they're not that good- i think they need more alcohol but maybe I was trying to get too lit at 11 am. You're good with a mimosa or Michelada. read more

SOUL FOOD BRUNCH Highland Kitchen is one of the few restaurants in greater Boston that provide really great soul food! The restaurant is split between a bar with open space for waiting reservations and the dining area, where in the corner you will hear live music. food: + BEIGNETS: I was very hesitant to get this appetizer because I haven't had a good beignet in Boston, but these are worth it! At $5, you get five beignets dusted in powdered sugar. The outside doesn't look amazing, but once you bite into it, you get a doughy and moist texture that almost makes it feel like there is cream inside. It's that soft! They are not overly fried or sweet, so they are the perfect starter. + DIRTY BIRD: This is what they're famous for, so we had to try it. Fried chicken, bacon, and fried egg sandwiched between buttermilk biscuits and swimming in a sausage gravy, this sounds like a heart attack. But it really wasn't too heavy and didn't make us hate ourselves after. The sandwich is small enough that it is the perfect size, and the gravy accompanies the sandwich so that you can really add as much as you need to each bite. The fried chicken was perfectly breaded, not too heavy, and the biscuits were super crunchy so that it didn't get soggy after you ate it with the gravy. + BUTTERMILK PANCAKES: This dish is enormous. It comes with 3 pancakes, but each pancake is the size of my entire head. They are crunchy along the edges, but soft in the middle. They have perfected these pancakes! Their orange juice really is freshly squeezed (this is a huge deal for me). Therefore, there is pulp in their OJ. If you aren't okay with this, don't order it. The MIMOSAS were so good!! I loved the pulp at the bottom of my glass when I had my last sip. tips: * No reservations available. First come, first serve. If you see a line out the door, this is simply the line to put your name down at the hostess stand. * Come to the restaurant around 10:30 AM to be in the first wave of seating for weekend brunch. Otherwise, you are looking at a 1 hour wait after 11:00 AM. * Groups of 4 are better accommodated over groups of 2, since there are more four-top tables throughout the dining area. Service was amazing. Once we were seated, we were out within 30-40 minutes. They were sure to refill our waters, see if we wanted a refill on our OJ, and cleared our table within seconds of finishing. read more

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A delicious brunch at Highland Kitchen redeemed a lackluster dinner from ages ago (long before my Yelping days) that has kept me away ever since. I recommend coming here with a small party (and showing up at least twenty minutes before they open and the line stretches out the door) so you can try a host of sweet and savory dishes. Highlights of my meal included the pancakes (equal parts crispy and fluffy, just how I like them, and a steal for $7.95 for three large discs) with berries and bourbon syrup, the Dirty Bird (a heart attack of a breakfast sandwich with fried chicken and sausage gravy) and the shrimp and grits (a little smaller than the other dishes, but rich and aromatic thanks to some delicious mushrooms). The live jazz on Sundays can't be beat. So seamless was it woven into the atmosphere that I thought I was listening to a record playing from the speakers. Braving the crowds at Highland Kitchen is tough, but you will be rewarded in more ways than one. read more

Highland Kitchen - Pancakes with berries and bourbon syrup - $7.95. - New American Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

While debating where to have brunch this morning, my roommates and I decided to give the new guy a try. After reading reviews and the dig article, it was pretty clear that these people knew what they were doing. We arrived at 11:30ish and there was really no one there, I bet it will only be a matter of time before the line starts forming. I had the vegetarian omelet with roasted tomatoes, sweet potatoes, avocado and jack. it.was.awesome!!! It came with a choice of hash browns or grits. I picked grits and to my delight I was served a small cup of the creamiest, most delicious, bestest grits I have EVER had! Our server was super friendly and knowledgeable which is always appreciated. I will be returning for dinner very very soon and look forward to see what new items they will be adding as they rotate their menu. Welcome to the neighborhood Highland Kitchen, I'm happy you came! read more

Highland Kitchen - lovely, sunny, brunch - New American Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

Came in here for dinner on a Monday night at 6pm. There was no wait and service was fast and efficient. Turns out Monday nights are Fried Chicken nights which turned out to be a great thing for us! Their buttermilk fried chicken was nothing short of fantastic. Honestly... some of the best fried chicken i've ever had. Moist, crispy, and perfectly seasoned. Also tried the buffalo brussels sprouts which were good but didn't blow me away. Also tried the goat stew which smelled out of this world but tasted only mildly good. I did love the bananas mixed in. Overall really liked Highland Kitchen and i'd definitely come back if I had the opportunity. read more

Was just here last night for the first time since I moved into Somerville close to a year ago. I heard such good things about this place and it always looks so packed so it must be good! Gotta say, the drinks are GREAT! Love the prices and the pour of the drinks (for me, the stronger the better...and it was definitely worth it) The service was wonderful! I really liked our server, she was very friendly without being all up in your face. Very polite and prompt with our drinks and food orders. The food was OK to me. The 4 star rating is pretty much for the service and drinks. We ordered the side of mac n cheese, collard greens, and the shrimp & grits app. It was nothing too spectacular to us. The Mac n Cheese was a bit watery and at the end it started to coagulate to some sorta runny scrambled eggs consistency......The collard greens were a bit sweet but still edible. The shrimp and grits, the shrimp was good but the grits were sub par. To be honest, I was thinking about Rosebud's shrimp and grits the whole time and kinda wished we went there if I were going to get food. We didn't try any entrees, so maybe next time we can give those a try. Overall, really nice place to grab a drink and mingle. We live 2 blocks away so it would be a nice spot to hang out at that's close by. Would def come back for the drinks! read more

Highland Kitchen is in the middle of effing nowhere so it took me forever to work up to checking it out. It's not bad, but I get the distinct impression it draws rave reviews because it's the only decent restaurant within a 1-mile radius of Porter/Davis suburbia. I came with my boyfriend on a Monday to check out their buttermilk fried chicken and tiki night. The tiki cocktail I got--the Royal Daiquiri--was disgusting. Too sour (and I love sour). You might as well ask for a slice of lemon and suck on that for free. The chicken was excellent. Crisp and juicy, if lacking in the seasoning department. The accompanying mashed potatoes were rich and buttery and the collard greens weren't bad. For appetizers (notice how I'm working backward?), we got the buffalo-style brussel sprouts and the seafood gumbo. The gumbo was fantastic. Better than Tupelo's. The brussel sprouts were unique and delicious. Who would think to fry up this vegetable buffalo-style? Mix in ranch sauce and it was a great start to the meal. The space is pretty small and they don't take reservations so expect a wait even on a Monday night. Tables are crammed up against each other unless you're sitting in a booth so be prepared to hear all the awkward first date conversations you can hear. Which are actually pretty entertaining. read more

This is how Sunday brunches should always be. Let me start this review by saying that my GF and I had a lot to catch up on and we needed somewhere that's as fabulous as we are *hehe*. Like any dedicated Yelper- I have bookmarks of places that are of interest to me and want to experience them all, so to Highland Kitchen we came. We had to wait only a brief 30mins, which equals one round of gossip. Shortly after we were seated and indulged in mimosas and hush puppies which were delicious. We chased those with mushroom, asparagus and goat cheese omelets. These were sooo (emphasis on "o") good. The eggs were cooked to perfection- light & fluffy, however I wish there was more goat cheese added. The home fries that accompanied the omelet were crisp & flavorful, add some ketchup/catsup and you've got it made! The service was very friendly, I don't remember our waitress's name, but she was really cool & down to earth, just like every person employed here. Something about this place reminds me of eateries in San Francisco- with that relaxed/hip/no judgment vibe. The buffalo brussel sprouts are not on the brunch menu! Now this normally would've sent me into a child-like temper tantrum, but the omelet pleasantly distracted me from publicly throwing a fit. TL:DR: Eat here! read more

Highland Kitchen - Hush puppies-shhhhhh - New American Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

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After waiting for about an hour, we finally snagged a table. Even waiting at the bar was painful because the small bar was packed like can of sardines. Imagine trying to balance a cocktail in one hand, your bag in the other hand, while having a million people walk past you. Anyways, we started off with the beignets. They were extremely light and fluffy, and covered with sugar. They were delicious. Then for my main, I had the dirty bird. Highland Kitchen is famous for its Dirty Bird- fried chicken, fried bacon, fried egg and sausage gravy on a biscuit. Notice how many times I had to say the word FRIED. That's ok, I like fried food. The fried chicken was perfectly crispy and the biscuit was amazing. The sausage gravy was delicious. Overall, delicious brunch. Just didn't enjoy the wait. read more

Highland Kitchen - Beignets. You must try this. - New American Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

Probably my favorite restaurant in Somerville I do not frequent enough. Brunch/Dinner? Try Both. Dinner recommendations: Start with the Buffalo Fried Brussels with Blue cheese dressing NOM! My go to is the half chicken breast with sweet potato hash. The coconut curried goat stew is amazing, as its something you don't see everyday. For me it is a bit spicy so keep that in mind. Comes with rice and fried plantains (the best part of the dish!!) Brunch: OK there is really no going wrong here. You are going to go in, go straight to the bar, order a Kentucky Cold Brew (with bourbon and cold brew coffee) or a cereal killer (a White Russian with cereal milk topped with Cinnamon Toast Crunch! WHAT??? Mind blown), then you are going to order the Dirty Bird. What is the Dirty Bird? It's not Big Bird after he rolled in the dirt. It is fried chicken, bacon, egg and sausage gravy all perfectly placed on a handmade biscuit. Do you feel like you are having a heart attack? Don't worry I survived. See the picture attached. It is amazing and you will feel disgusting after you eat it but it is totally worth a taste. Go here like right now. read more

This place is such a big hit with all my friends that I have either suggested this place to or have taken while they were visiting me. The menu size is decent (thank you guys for not giving me a 10 page menu). Most of the food has something different that sets it apart with a lot of great options to choose from. I just wish they would have more vegetarian entrees. They always have interesting specials running in which keeps the regulars like me coming back. My all time fav are the Fritters, Buffalo Fried Brussels sprouts, Grilled corn, Blackened Catfish, Pulled pork sandwich, Veggie sandwich,Goat stew.... ok ok I will stop. Seriously, having tried most of the dishes over time, I have fallen in love with them again and again and just cannot be partial towards any one in particular (: The desserts are yumm with decent portion size that can be shared between 2 people.The noise level can get a little high and could be difficult to converse specially when the party is big.The drinks are great and they try to accommodate your requests. The service is always excellent. I have waited for upto 40-45 minutes to dine here since they don't take reservations , It is first come first serve. But the wait is so so worth it ! read more

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Bang'NNN right on. This food we love. Recommendation. Read this review at 10:20 as they open at 11:00. First in line and enjoy. Drink: Bloody Mary is sooo good but order two to make sure u know it's good. Meals: from our images u can see the goods. But hot damn this place has it going on. read more

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Somerville at it's finest. They have a nice beer list, and I like the general vibe inside - menu/specials boards painted on the walls, or in funky magnetic letters. Murals. Tables in all sorts of nooks and crannies. Hipster staff. The food is hit/miss for me, though. We had some great items, some good items, and some I would pass by. I think the menu features different nightly specials, so it might change based on when you go in - which I like! Apps: The ricotta fritters were just ok, while the buffalo sprouts were tasty (as anything would be, drowned in buffalo sauce and served with blue cheese). I could have done with a bigger portion. Mains: My friend got the veggie burger, which actually looked amazing AND was a repeat order for her. Going to go ahead and say that one was a win. My husband had a fish special that came with veggies and green goddess sauce - VERY good. I ordered the sea scallop appetizer as my main, which was definitely good as well. Unfortunately the deviled eggs I ordered as a side were not very good - we actually left two of them on the plate. Something about the texture was kind of dry and pasty, and the flavor - while mild - was a bit off, as well. I'm not a picky person about my wine, but the wine I ordered was just not good. I took one sip and abandoned it - the server never mentioned or noticed. Generally, the service felt kind of "lasseiz-faire" and we were left to our own devices for more of the meal (without water refills). Our server and the table runners were pleasant when they did visit the table. Though there are some things that can be improved, this is definitely a spot I would recommend for a date, catching up with friends, trivia night ... etc. I know I'll be back to give it another chance! read more

Highland Kitchen - Deviled eggs - meh, not quite right. Kind of dry and lacking in flavor. - New American Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

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If you're in the mood for typical breakfast food at specialty brunch prices($$$), Highland Kitchen is the place for you. The wait to eat on Sunday morning was about 45min-1hr for a table top but my girlfriend and I put our names in at the bar and were seated in 30 minutes. No issues here. "Locally sourced" was their claim to fame, but the food was mediocre at best. I ordered the "Three Eggs Any Style". The scrambled eggs were standard, grits came out like a soup that proceeded to congeal by the end of the meal. The sourdough toast was excellent and the bacon was smoked so it had great flavor. I should mention the 3 slices bacon were an additional $4. My girlfriend ordered the "Dirty Bird". The flavor was good, presentation not so much. The sandwich came out swimming in a bowl of sausage gravy. You had to deconstruct the sandwich in order to eat it and once you started picking it apart it was like a chunky soup on a plate. Kind of resembled vomit. If there was one saving grace, it was their breakfast cocktails. We got a Mimosa and a Hemingway Daiquiri. They were made well and tasted great. Really this and the service is the only reason this review has two stars at all. TLDR: If you're in the mood for great service and tasty breakfast cocktails but feel like paying too much for so-so food, go here. I wouldn't recommend it though. read more

From my monthly dinner group's review: Diners liked the "standout" drinks, but felt the uneven food ranged from "mediocre" to "kind of disappointing" with a rare "awesome", and noted it was "Super pricey" for "just another neighborhood [place]," We loved the "stellar" server until she complained we were short $3 on the (mandatory) 20% tip (before we'd signed the credit cards). In short, the "meh" decor and food made for middling marks.. $$$ [48] read more

Highland Kitchen has never been a disappointment! We have always been met with fantastic food and suburb service! Be sure to try their the following: Appetizers: - Lemongrass Mussels - Buffalo Brussel Sprouts Dinner: - The Highland Cheeseburger - Spicy Coconut Curried Goat Stew (delicious!! but spicy) Dessert: - Banana Bread Pudding! You definitely can't go wrong when you come here! read more

Highland Kitchen - Highland Cafe - New American Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

This place is poppin! Surprised it took me so long to come here because I've heard great things. Grabbed dinner and drinks with a friend on a Saturday night--the wait for 2 was about 20 min which isn't too bad when you can grab a drink. Decent selection of beer and wine, with fun mixed drinks as well. Started with a half dozen oysters that came with a delicious mignonette. Super fresh and delicious. Loooove oysters so I was so happy. Entrees were tagliatelle bolognese for me and a petit filet steak for my friend. I liked the tagliatelle bolognese buuut it was super salty. A lot of the umami in the bolognese was lost because all you got was salt. But as I've said before I love salt so I still enjoyed it. My friend seemed to like the steak he got though! Overall pretty good. Has the casual and inviting bar vibe which is nice. Waitress wasn't very attentive though, took ~15 min to order food even. Also it is REALLY loud, so it's tough to hold a conversation without yelling. I get louder when I drink so I guess that works. read more

Highland Kitchen - Petit steak and potatoes - New American Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

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Highland Kitchen... My first visit here was during the summer of 2012. My girlfriend and I were house shopping. We had a week to find a place to live before picking up and moving to Boston from Texas. After ending the day of house showings, I yelped some something to eat in the area... Sitting in the bar, with the windows open, eating the goat stew, sitting next to my girl friend, I realized that Boston was going to work out and that life was good. Highland Kitchen could best be described as warm; You're surrounded by floors of dark, worn wood, brick walls and a jukebox. It's comfortable, like a favorite pillow. The service is top notch. They're quick to get some fresh sour dough bread and butter in front of you as soon as you sit down. I tend to switch up what I get here, because it's all on deck. They also rock a couple of specials ever day, so even though I go here too much, it stays fresh. The menu also changes with the seasons. The bar staff is always quick with a smile and generous with their pours. They've a nice selection of of scotches, tequilas and mezcals if you're into that kind of thing. Good wine selection, and they focus on having interesting and affordable bottles. What I'd suggest: Deviled Eggs. (yessssss) Shrimp and Grits burger goat stew (assuming you're ok with goat, and spicy food) pappardella gumbo For Brunch: I'd stick with the dirty bird, shrimp and grits or the BLT. I would say avoid the huevos rancheros, but maybe I'm just biased having lived in San Antonio. Probably the only down side of HK is frankly, it's success. It can get crowded, but you should take that as a sign of quality. Davis Sqr. isn't that far away, but people come here for a reason. read more

I came here with a friend and we were seated in a row of tables, each table was the size of a small desk that which may be found in a public-elementary school. And just like in school, our seats were extremely close together. It was uncomfortable. Luckily, the food and drinks were very pleasant to the palate. I ordered the autumn potpie full of winter root veggies and topped with a buttery savory pastry. The Dark and Stormy was made with fresh ginger and even had a huge ginger to garnish it. The ambiance of the restaurant is cool and bohemian with a touch of what felt like Southern flair. read more

This review is for Sunday Brunch at Highland Kitchen only. The bottom line: If not for the poor service and noise levels it would have been a solid 4 or 5 tars in my book. But... The bad: I was here on a recent Sunday morning and there was a line out the door (which is a good sign, right?). Luckily for us, there were two seats along the small bar the runs along the front window where they will serve you breakfast. We started with Mimosas while eyeing the bar proper (the full size bar with comfortable seats) where it looked like several parties were wrapping things up. Be forewarned... SUNDAY BRUNCH AT HIGHLAND KITCHEN INCLUDES LIVE (*AMPLIFIED*) MUSIC! Don't get me wrong. I love live music. But when breaking fast on Sunday morning I'd rather enjoy the conversation with my companion(s) without having to shout over live music (and all the other patrons who are also shouting over it). If I was in charge I'd have the amplification was turned down a few notches, or have the band play unplugged. Despite the noise, we decided to stay because we've heard so many good things. Before seats opened up at the full bar the hostess offered us a table. When we were brought to our table we were seated in a row of tables for two with approx. 6 inches between tables where we waited at least 10 mins. before anyone acknowledged our arrival. Thankfully, the hostess brought the menus when we were seated and we were ready to order as soon as our server finally brought us some water. When our food arrived we realized our silverware service was missing forks. Since we already had our food no one from the service team was paying us very much attention so I finally had to get up and go and tell one of them we needed forks. Also, that seating arrangement sucked... Having breakfast with 20 people I've never seen before is not my idea of a good time. Don't get me wrong, I don't begrudge the owner's desire to maximize restaurant revenue, and I didn't expect a private booth either. But for Sunday morning breakfast it would be nice to give the patrons a little breathing room. The good: The food and drinks were delicious and there were many interesting choices. So much so I'd even consider going back *IF* I were dining alone and/or not expecting to have a conversation with anyone. And I'll probably give Highland a try some evening when drinks, loud music and noisy crowds is to be expected. However, I do not recommend Highland Kitchen for Sunday brunch. read more

Fabulous, cute little place for dinner with a hipster vibe. We were sat right away because our reservation on Open Table. Our server was super friendly but definitely seemed a bit busy. Our bottle of Malbec was delish! I had the Mexican app and buffalo Brussels sprouts. The only downside was how loud it was. I was on a girls trip with friends I rarely see, but we literally had to yell for entire hour... It was truly headache inducing... read more

I was so happy on my food high in the land of Highland Kitchen. The gluten-free chicken with gravy was exactly like home made comfort food. Thankfully I do not live close because I would be there all the time!! My companions ordered the risotto and the pork chop, three women only eat quietly when there is good food being served. The two desserts were devoured; rhubarb and pecan pie! Both a big hit. The wait was about 30 minutes and the staff let us stay a bit longer than we should have given the wait. I will definitely return for another round of comfort food. Fair warning, its a bit loud but the food and lively environment was well worth it!! read more

A neighborhood gem. Highland kitchen is always busy. Sunday Brunch, Tuesday evenings, it doesn't matter, the restaurant is always buzzing. I have gotten lucky a few times and have gotten a table instantly, but long waits are common. Why is Highland so popular? Quite simply, it is the food. The menu features interesting and enticing New American and some fusion dishes. Choosing what to get is always tough because there are so many good options. On the fusion side, their baby octopus and papaya Thai-style salad might be the best papaya salad I've tried. The octopus was tender and the flavors well-balanced. The Central American style empanadas were also good. They have been really good at capturing the authentic flavor profiles. A dish that really impressed me were the cheese fritters. They were crispy and light and there was a palpable refinement and finesse in both the recipe and execution. I have also been happy with the main courses. Their famous fried chicken was very tasty. The seasoning was good and the breading was crispy. The dish was a bit shy of perfection. The breast was a bit dry while the dark meat was very juicy. The muffin was very dry and heavy. That said, I still recommend the dish. I appreciate that portions are generous and that many of these main courses can be easily shared. I also enjoyed their chicken-fried pork chop. Tasty, filling, juicy, and served with some tasty American greens on the side. I am already a huge fan of Highland Kitchen and I haven't even tried the brunch. As a Somerville resident my goal is to try every single item on the menu. read more

With a busy work and school schedule, I'm finally able to indulge into my favorite activities: trying new food, good company, and Yelping. We were able to try Highland Kitchen on Halloween night with a party of 7 people. We arrived at around 8pm and had to wait about 30 minutes, which actually wasn't so bad, considering we were a larger party. We all got a drink at the bar, stood around, and were able to do some people watching, which is another favorite activity of mine. People were hanging around decked out in costumes, which I learned was for a costume contest. All the wait staff were dressed in costume too, which provided a cool, fun vibe. There is a separate beer and cocktail menu, a special menu (written both on chalkboard wall and handed to you on a sheet of paper), and the dinner menu which was super appealing. The boyfriend and I ended up sharing the Spicy Coconut Curried Goat Stew ($18.95) which came with jasmine rice & fried sweet plantains, the special of the day which was a Grilled and Braised Short Rib over cheesy polenta, garlicy greens, and a cranberry mostarda ($20.95). The flavors of both dishes were excellent: the short rib melted completely off the bone and the cranberry mostarda was like the icing on the cake. The goat stew is something everyone has raved about, and we were not disappointed: It had rich flavors and tasted as if it were cooked for hours. We were so impressed with the main courses that we decided to order the Warm Banana Bread Pudding ($7, with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce) for dessert. The sauce was delicious but there was a lot of it; also, the vanilla ice cream melted against the warmth of the pudding, creating a soupy like mixture at the bottom of the bowl. Either you love it or you hate it: I actually didn't mind too much. FYI, if you do want more ice cream, they charge $2 per scoop. In reality, I'd probably downgrade the 4 stars to 3 and half for a few reasons: It's super loud in Highland Kitchen, making it impossible to flag down our waitress when two people in our party were missing their dessert. That hiccup which happened toward the end of our meal, left a slightly sour impression on the group, but I'll give the benefit of the doubt and upgrade the review to a 4. read more

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On Monday night their special is the buttermilk fried chicken. For $15 you get 2 big pieces and 2 smaller pieces of their fried chicken, and a heaping portion of mashed potatoes and collard greens as well as an obese biscuit. The potatoes and greens I wasn't too crazy about, but I didn't come here for that. I starved all day so I could indulge in all the fried goodness.. I ate every piece of fried skin and cleaned the bones - it was that good. It was a traditional fried chicken, not like statepark (which I also adore), but its like an elite version of KFC or popeye's. The thigh meat in particular was really juicy and I wish I could have gotten all thigh but even the white meat was pretty juicy. Just make sure you get here before they run out! Prob around 7:30-8pm we overheard the waitress say they were starting to run out. read more

Highland Kitchen - Fried chicken special! - New American Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

This very well might be, at this point in time, my flat out favorite restaurant in Greater Boston. It is the closest spot I found this last time around working up here that I would hold in a comparable level of regard to the East Coast Grill of 5 years ago (look for my review on that establishments current status shortly). The vibe, service and perhaps most importantly food and libations are pretty much spot on perfect, and represent the best of what Somerville can represent. I never ate anything here that wasn't excellent, from the burger, surely on the shortlist of the metros best, to the numbingly intense yet singularly delicious signature item of the spicy goat stew, perhaps the best rendition of "Rhode Island Style" fried calamari with hot pepper to the light and fluffy bluefish cakes, to a recent special of a perfectly cooked soft shell crab served with a fantastic bacon studded german potato salad. While the raw bar, the most wonderful staple of Boston dining is usually limited to only one oyster and clam selection respectively they are always perfectly served and delicious, sure to set the night of right. The servers pretty much uniformly achieved the perfect balance of affable laid back friendliness with just the right level of professionalism. Crowd skews to cooler hipsters, many into their 30s and the music is perfectly matched. Even karaoke night here was somehow tolerable! Maybe best of all is the pricing. Every time the check comes you get a surprise when you open, only this time its actually the good kind! Besides the unfortunate drop ceiling, an all to common desecration that mars restaurants decor up in these parts, the interior looks pretty damn cool, and it surely must be literally impossible to not love that awesome sign out front. read more

Highland Kitchen - RI Style calamari - New American Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

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Best overall Somerville. I may have been one of the first customers at Highland Kitchen. I was blessed to have this place open (many years ago now behind my apartment). I used to go every Sunday after Brunch and before dinner, the only quiet time as the kitchen did not serve at this time, and it wasn't packed with hipsters. The bar staff always remembered my name. Moved to the other end of town, so haven't been in a while, but I'm sure it's just as good as it used to be. I took my now fiancé there on our first date. 1. Best Jukebox in Town 2. Buffalo Brussel Sprouts 3. Great seafood 4. Don't get too drunk they will ask you to leave 5. Great place to hang out with friends and have great food and drinks. Casual but good quality. 6. Fresh local specials often available. Like Bluefish! read more

Honestly I blame Eater more than I blame these guys. Anyone who hypes this place is doing a disservice to themselves and this bar. That's what is btw a bar - not a high end restaurant. Our food was mostly forgettable - Dana didn't like burger bun calling it "thick and dry" The service was fine, and on par for what we expected. Would not recommend. read more

Don't be fooled by the outside! Great food, drinks, service and atmosphere once you are in!

Awesome place right on Highland avenue. Quick service, great selection of beer/wine/cocktails, the bar food is spectacular, and the environment is cozy but super COVID friendly (spread out.) We'll be back here all winter (and summer.) thank you guys for great service and quality. read more

Now if people are standing in line before 1030am for the door to OPEN -- than that is a great sign that it's worth the wait What is it like inside? It's known for the bluegrass music that they play but it's also for the down to earth vibe that they give of inside. The decor and furniture is very simple -- you can dress in your fave sweats and grab brunch. We had the beignets as an appetizer -- covered in powdered sugar and it came out after 5 minutes. It was amazingggg, melted right in your mouth and so light!! All 3 of us went for the the dirty bird -- fried chicken breast (greatly seasoned), on top of a biscuit with a fried egg, bacon and glazed with sausage gravy. YUMMM -- it's total comfort food here. The combo is great itself and the portion size is really enough to satisfy that hunger. We also shared buttermilk pancakes -- 4 large pancakes topped with berries with a side of maple syrup. Enough to share with 3 people. My only complaint was that the food was not hot enough. I mean the beignets were great but the inside was warm? made me think that it was just sitting under a heating lamp. Also the dirty bird plate, the chicken was hot but everything else was warm, threw my buds off a bit. other then that, great place and I would love to go back to try more. Tips: COME EARLY! people are literally waiting in line for the door to open. The establishment probably fits 50 max at once. We got there about 10:40am and we had to wait about 40-50 minutes after everyone in front of the line was seated. On Sundays, there's plenty of street parking. read more

Highland Kitchen - Here's another "dirty bird" to add to the collection - New American Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

I walked in very confident about that Nashville Spicy chicken sandwich ouuu!!! I was not ready lol . All jokes aside my experience at this restaurant was amazing greeters to the waitress and I can't forget the cheff and kictchen staff THANK YOU! read more

I grew up a block away and always saw the line out the door for brunch. Now my sweetheart & I live at the other end of Somerville and it's our go-to, absolute favorite spot. Drinks and food are 5 stars, without costing a boatload. Staff is so friendly, witty and relaxed. LOVE! read more

I enjoyed my shrimp and grits. Had never actually had a shrimp and grits entree so wasn't sure if I was going to like it. The dirty bird was subpar, the sausage dipped in the sauce surrounding the biscuit sandwich was on the peppery and dense side. The chicken was somewhat undercooked too. However, the food came out within 10 minutes which is great if you have other plans on a Sunday morning. The servers were consistently cleaning and setting up tables so there was a wait of less than 2 minutes so that's a plus. Beware: the portions are quite small and there's a limited menu on Sundays so if you'd like more options don't go for brunch. Decent place to go out with a friend or two. Service is great, seating is fast, portions are small, menu is on the smaller side on a Sunday. Pick and chose your battles carefully. read more

Highland Kitchen - Shrimp and grits (bottom) and the dirty bird (top) - New American Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

Sunday bluegrass brunches!! Hits the spot when I'm craving some good ol' southern cookin'. The collard greens are terrific, better than versions I've tried from the actual south. Perfect amount of bite from the vinegar and smokiness from the bacon. Their Shrimp and Grits is a nice take on the classic and possibly my favorite dish here. The Buttermilk Pancakes are incomprehensibly fluffy and flavorful - honestly the best I've ever had. The Catfish Po Boy I tried today had a great kick. The remoulade and pickled veggies paired excellently, but I do wish the ratio of fish to bread was a little better. Still, you get bang for your buck with this one. Other highlights include the Dirty Bird, Chili, Pork and Hash, and Biscuits and Gravy... If it sounds like I'm listing the entire menu, it's because you can't really go wrong with any of it. Hard to get to, but worth the journey. Its off-the-beaten-path location means a truly local spot without any tourists. Get there early or be prepared to wait in line. Parties of 6 or more can call ahead for reservations. read more

Went there last night. Got to the door at 6pm and got seated right away. The atmosphere was great. Everything was really clean and polished. Our waitress was super nice and answered a ton of questions about the menu. We ordered her recommendations re: cocktails and loved them! I had the Dorchester, a pink lemonade/vodka mix, my friend had the Highland Fling, a gin/mango juice drink - both were amazing! For starters, we had the scallops over fried green tomatoes and a remoulade. Out of this world! The bread they bring with the waters was also really really good. You can always tell a restaurant by its bread... Entrees were really well priced. Sandwiches were $8-$12 for big portions. I had the Cuban Ruben, which did not disappoint. The coleslaw and dressing were creamy and not too sweet. The pork was delicious. My friend had the Blackened Catfish Po'Boy, and though it was too spicy for my feeble heat-fright, the texture was light and airy and not greasy. Sandwiches came with choice of salad or fries, and a stack of pickles, yum! Of course, we had to try the banana bread pudding for dessert. As good as everyone here says it is. Not too sweet, but warm and delicious with the perfect dollop of vanilla ice cream. We loved the service, the food, the atmosphere, even the restroom. We will definitely come back for Spelling Bee night, brunch, and dare I say, Karaoke?? read more

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The food and atmosphere here is great. I passed by this place many times not thinking to give it a shot because I didn't think the exterior was too appealing. Boy was that a mistake! i was able to try the scallops, steak with mac n cheese (which had chunks of bacon and peas mixed in), and the SPICY goat stew which was delicious. This place is solid and affordable I will definitely back to try more items from their cool menu. They also have an extensive drink menu read more