As far as a perfect restaurant for price, food, atmosphere, etc....Highland kitchen is it. Most restaurants in Somerville tend to be hipster and/or over priced, but Highland is not that way at all. Good foods, good specials, and great beers. Get here early, it'll be packed by 6:30pm! read more

I've loved this place since we started coming here a couple years ago and I'm SO GLAD they survived the pandemic. We used to live half a mile away, but we moved out to Melrose and tonight we made our first trip back to HK. I took a risk and ordered the ratatouille - I love vegetables at home but rarely from restaurants and it came with sautéed greens, which I also usually don't like. The last several times I've ordered veggies while out, I've been disappointed. THIS WAS ONE OF THE BEST MEALS I'VE EVER HAD. And to my shock, the greens were a delight. The pillowy fried polenta was excellent - like eating a delicious cloud. And those vegetables... tender and loaded with flavor. My husband also absolutely loved his fried chicken meal, and the drinks are excellent. I do hope that as they hire and train staff they'll be able to expand their drink menu to its former glory and perhaps bring back the Mulberry St. and the Rare Eagle. The service was also great and the patio was quiet and peaceful. If you live anywhere near here, visit as soon as you can. I also recommend the half chicken, the burger, and the bolognese. And pretty much all the appetizers. read more

Loved the vibe of this place. I would have given it 5 stars but we had to wait for almost an hour to get a table, and yes it was definitely worth the wait. Must try the cod po' boy sandwich! Once I picked it up, I couldn't keep it down. Mouth watering deliciousness! It came with a huge side of well seasoned crispy fries. My friend ordered the black bean burger which was a thumps up as well. There was good music going on in the background, and there is a jukebox for you to select songs if you'd like. P.s. A well stocked bar! read more

Highland Kitchen - Cod fish po' boy with fries - New American Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

My husband and I had a giftcard here so we treated ourselves to a nice weekday dinner. Busy even on a Wednesday night! We were able to park behind the restaurant (it's a bit difficult getting to Somerville by train from Allston) and we had quite the meal. We started with buffalo Brussels sprouts (delicious) we both had cocktails (he had the honey and whiskey cocktail and I had an Irish coffee) and then for our main course I had the chili with cornbread and he had the gumbo (we also had fresh bread come before our meal). Both were very good. We were stuffed but still had a portion of our giftcard so we ordered a banana bread pudding and bourbon pecan pie. Start to finish this meal was absolutely delicious. We will definitely be back! read more

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Whoa! This place is the best!!!! The bar tender was super speedy and friendly. The biscuits are hot, flakey, buttery, soft and amazing. The shrimp and grits are incredibly rich and flavorful. Huevos Rancheros are also delicious and HUGE! We loved our meal. Definitely be back to try dinner asap. read more

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Wow this place was awesome. I saw some great reviews, but can't even get over how delicious the food was. We got the half chicken and fish/chips and both were cooked perfectly. Even the sides were awesome- down to the coleslaw. read more

HOLY MOLEY. We spent the past weekend in Somerville and were on the hunt for a [very] late breakfast/brunch around noon. We'd stopped by a couple of other smaller joints, but were disappointed by the lack of seating and long waits. Highland Kitchen may be a busy breakfast/brunch spot on the weekends, but one major plus is that they allow immediate seating at the bar. Most just order cocktails while they wait for a table to open up, but small parties will find it quicker and easier to sit and eat at the bar. Which is just what we did-- zero wait time. Service was just south of being too hipster for my taste. However, I cannot complain because orders were taken, drinks were delivered, and food was presented in a prompt fashion. I ordered Highland Kitchen's signature bloody mary (with gin instead of vodka) and was over-the-moon in love with it. I'm infatuated with the homemade mix, complete with spicy grated horseradish that floated gently to the bottom. I could order these all day erry day. That would probably cause a problem. While their cocktail and food menu is interesting and varied enough to make your eyes pop out of your skull, the shrimp and grits dish jumped off the page and made my stomach growl with anticipation. Let me tell you-- not only must you get one of their signature bloody marys, but you must try the shrimp and grits at least once. Creamy, rich grits, without being too heavy; deliciously seasoned shrimp, decadent mushrooms, smoky bacon singing through. If heaven existed, Highland Kitchen has it prepared on a plate. A true luxury, and for only $10.95. Make a mental note to put Highland Kitchen's brunch on your road map. Hell, it's worth a road trip in and of itself. read more

I have a hard time reviewing Highland Kitchen (HK). Every time I'm all, well maybe I should go back one more time just to make sure its a fair review. HK is that sort of place, you just want to keep going back but are annoyed because it is at the top of a hill from your house and you really don't want to walk/bike up that hill but dammit do they make good drinks. SO YOU GO. And you're walking up the hill and you are like really? Is it really worth all this? I mean I have drinks at my house!!! BUT THEN you sit down and you eat a delicious catfish po'boy (or whatever it is you are having this time - but seriously... try the damn catfish) and its fantastic, and frankly... the drinks are pretty damn good. (downside, not super veggie friendly, but like I said...i should probably go back just to be sure. read more

Had dinner at Highland Kitchen on Saturday night. Ordered a bunch of appetizers and small plates and shared them amongst our group. This included the Handmade Potato Gnocchi, Mussels, Ricotta And Mozzarella Fritters, Buffalo Fried Brussel Sprouts, and Fried Calamari. Quality Highland Kitchen has a very interesting and eclectic menu. They definitely do not conform to one style, but most of the dishes seem like spins on classic items. Not wanting to commit to a single item, as a group we ended up selecting an assortment of dishes. First out for us was the Handmade Potato Gnocchi. Probably my favorite item of the evening, it was served with a short rib ragout as well as some parmesan. It was the short rib that really made the dish, as the tender meat paired extremely well with the gnocchi. Next was the Mussels, served in a wonderful coconut-curry-lobster broth. The mussels were fine, but the broth was excellent. I could have used more bread to sop up every drop. The Ricotta And Mozzarella Fritters were a fun item. I think they needed a bit more mozzarella and a bit less ricotta, but they still worked with the tasty dipping sauce. The Buffalo Fried Brussel Sprouts were probably the weakest dish. I thought the combination of buffalo sauce and brussel sprouts would work, but it just made them a mushy spicy mess. The Fried Calamari, was okay, but I would not order it again. I thought they used too much breading, and I would have liked them a bit crispier. Quantity After spending most of the day at a brewery, we were looking more to snack that to eat. Therefore, a bunch of small plates seemed like a good option. Three of us shared the five items and we all left more than satisfied. Value Since we stuck to the appetizers menu, none of our dishes cost over $12. The rest of the menu seemed very affordable as well, with most entrees in the $15 to $25 range. Ambiance Highland Kitchen is located in Somerville, Massachusetts, just north of Boston. It is found near a busy little intersection. When you enter they have a bar area to your left and then dining room to the right. The bar is fairly large, with a single television posted in the corner. The dining room is relatively big, however still not enough to satisfy all demand. Blackboards hang from many walls displaying both food and drink specials. The decor is pretty simple, aside from these strange light fixtures that hang from the ceiling. The music was alternative rock, but with the sounds from the kitchen as well as the large crowd, it was difficult to hear anything. Crowd Highland Kitchen was an extremely busy spot on Saturday night. We seemed to arrive at the perfect time, as several tables had just gotten up, so we were able to sit down almost immediately. The folks that arrived after us were not quite as lucky. Unfortunately they do not allow reservations, so you may have to wait a bit for a table. Service Despite being busy, they were able to quickly find us a place to sit. Our server was at our table almost immediately and the food came out surprisingly fast. An excellent job on a night where the crowd easily could have slowed things down. Parking Limited street parking is available in the area. Keep an eye on signs if you do decide to drive, but I would recommend using a car service. Extra I feel like to get a full impression of Highland Kitchen I would have needed to dive into the entrees. The appetizers and small plates were hit and miss, but that would not deter me from visiting again. read more

The best restaurant for brunch lunch and dinner and my favorite in the greater Boston area. This place is the heart and soul of Somerville. You simply must try it. Plan for a wait because they are rightfully very popular, a local hotspot and don't take reservations. Get your name on the waitlist and have a drink. The menu is so expansive, creative and delicious that this place is always busy. Buttermilk fried chicken Mondays. Karaoke Wednesdays. Knock-your-socks-off brunch. The specials never, ever disappoint. Oysters are fresh and delicious. The few times they have elote on the menu, it's my favorite thing. Their pecan pie cannot be beat. The chocolate pudding is--quite frankly--orgasmic. Solid jukebox. Great local art on the wall. Very clean restaurant. The staff is always super friendly and on-point. The bartenders always make magic happen with their tasty beverages. The manager is very kind, attentive and keeps this place running excellently. He is doing something right because I've been seeing a lot of the same servers for the 6 years I've been coming here. I have so much love and respect for this place and the people who help make it a warm community establishment. Long live Highland Kitchen! read more

The food here is awesome, the signature cocktails never disappoint and I love the atmosphere and decor. The servers here kill it. When you visit highland kitchen you have to try the: black bean veggie burger, buffalo fried Brussels sprouts, ricotta and mozzarella fritters (the dipping sauce is out of this world), and the ratatouille. I love that a lot of the menu is inspired by some simple dishes just executed in a totally rustic/modern way. I already can't wait until the next time I stop into highland kitchen! read more

We were so excited to try this place. It was 10:30am, a good 30 minutes before opening and there was already a huge line. Hmm, must be great I thought. Wrong, didn't understand all the great reviews and the line because the food was subpar. We all got what seems to be all the popular items: beignets, hush puppies, shrimp and grits, and the dirty bird. The beignets came out raw, so great start. They were inedible so if I could give this place 1 star for this alone. Shrimp and grits were overwhelmingly sour and came with huge chunks of fat. I think I picked out 6 pieces of straight fat out of my very small plate. The dirty bird, my friend took 2 bites out of and couldn't continue. The egg was cooked to a crisp and not at all runny. I wouldn't waste my time or money here again. read more

Yo, I really did try to give this restaurant a chance. I mean the staff is fun to look at (ain't none of them ugly) and it's right around the corner from where I live, but I think I've had enough of inconsistent treatment. Some times I am treated well. Other times you'd think I was asking for a liver. It depends on the bartender and the front of house person. You get asked to leave if you are hanging out too long (though you see other people lingering and we were ordering drinks and food) and we were still ordering food and drinks. This last straw is the fuck up over the bill. The bill was 104 and I gave her 73 dollars in cash and the rest on the credit card, which I told her to take 25 off the top for tip (it's all I could afford -- trump times). I was expecting to have 56 on the card. Nope. It was 79. She was apologetic and stuff, but I hated having to ask back 20 dollars, especially to someone who bust their ass. So yeah. It was hella awkward. And it was the second time in a row that I had issues with the waitstaff (first time was just a weird interaction, like MAGA weird). Both times it was white women. I come here often and I think I tip well and try to be pretty easy, so this hot and cold treatment could kick rocks. I've avoided yelping it because I wanted to keep coming back and I honestly wanted this relationship to work. But why hang around where you aren't wanted? There are other spots that consistently treat me well. I will miss the mussels (so fucking good). You don't know how much I could come back to this place and eat some mussels and drink an old fashioned. I am mad that we have to break up, but as Samantha says "I love the mussels, but I love me more." read more

I've been wanting to try this place for ages, and finally had the chance today. We shared a few appetizers and then had some gumbo for the main course. We tried the grilled baby octopus, the mozzarella and ricotta fritters, shrimp and grits, fried chicken, and then the gumbo. All were excellent; however the fritters, fried chicken, and gumbo were the stars. The shrimp and grits were good; however, a little too buttery for me. Overall a very good dining experience, as service was spot on. read more

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We live down the street and have been meaning to grab dinner here since we moved in. I'm so glad we finally made it because it was as good as we expected. The inside is warm and friendly but also has a funky atmosphere. The drinks are great weekly drink recommendations are always killer! I will say the appetizers deliver an amazing experience... almost so good we just want to order them all. The gnocchi with short rib Raggu and the arancini were to die for! We will definitely be back read more

Again, I still don't understand why anyone would stand in line for this. We got there at 10.40am and managed to get in for the first service. God was extremely mediocre. Dirty bird was way too salty and catfish was under seasoned. Even a 20min wait didn't seem worth it... read more

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Yes. Saturday night after a movie, we happen in for dinner. "45 minute wait". Well, it was a ten minute wait. Staff was friendly and professional. My Pappardelle Bolognese tasted handmade. I mean it was seriously well crafted. My partner had the Red Lentil Dal and raved. And she is no raver. Yep, we had about 30 years on the average patron, but felt comfortable and accepted. Just don't expect to walk right in a get table at prime time. These guys have been doing this a while but they haven't lost their mojo. read more

I love going to Highland Kitchen! They have such great dishes and amazing craft cocktails!

Some high highs and some low lows, but overall a decent neighborhood spot. They can really put together a nice burger but their approach to Cajun food is thin and hurried. Take the time to make a good roux. It'll make all the difference in the world in about half your menu! Trust me! read more

Pros: The food is very good (although nothing incredible - just good southern food) I like the mixed crowd (hipsters, families and kids, old people) Reasonably priced Cons: Extremely loud at night I find it crazy to wait for half an hour before the place opens to have brunch that is good but not so-good-that-you-would-think-about-it-forever good. The place is not to blame for this, but all the restaurants around are! read more

Great neighborhood bar! Excellent cocktail menu and a fun rotation of bar food standbys and fun dinner options.

Last time we went there, we learned that "the wave of the future" is that Highland Kitchen is not really a take-out restaurant, and if you insist on ordering takeout, you shouldn't expect any sort of customer service. Have a food restriction, allergy, or simply a preference? Too bad-you get the minimal description on the online menu, and that's all. We called to verify whether a particular ingredient was included in a dish, and what the kitchen actually had available as a substitution-and the person who took the phone call just tried to get us off the phone as quickly as possible, preferably without answering any questions at all. They begrudgingly provided terse answers only when we really pushed. Very uncomfortable ordering experience, and I don't think we'll be repeating it. Placing the actual order online is fine-if you're clever enough to know that you can click on "NO SUBSTITUTIONS AT THIS TIME" to get a text box to write in your substitutions--but that live conversation is so helpful. Sometimes your ordering choice goes like "if this does not contain [problem ingredient], I'll take it as it is on the menu, but if it does, then [first choice substitution], and if that's not a substitution that works for your kitchen tonight, then instead of this entree I'll just go with this other one"--and that's way too complicated to write in a text box, but could easily be resolved with a little human interaction. Not knowing until I pick up my order whether or not they even have what I asked for is too much uncertainty for me. Checking in with 2 staff members in person confirmed that that is their stance now, and the rudeness on the phone was not a mistake. (Breakdown: 4 stars for food quality, 1 star for service) read more

was staying at an airbnb within walking distance and checked this place out with my sister. We ordered the buffalo brussel sprouts, gnocchi short rib & fish and chips. All good plates, but definitely recommend the buffalo brussel sprouts. Really good! Service was great and I liked the atmosphere. I also left my credit card and they kept it safe for a few days. Thanks! read more

Had dinner here on a weeknight. They do not take any reservations, but we were all good with getting a table right away - maybe it was the snowstorm outside that kept people away. Food was good. We started with the Buffalo Fried Brussel Sprouts. They really have a kick, but I would still order them again even though I don't like spicy things. For my entree, I got the Kale and Shaved Brussel Sprout salad and I wish I could have them bottle the dressing up to take home. It was delicious. I got a side of the goat cheese crostini. It was okay, wouldn't order it again. The food came out quick and the ambiance is welcoming. The feeling is a mix between a sports bar and a diner. I plan on returning soon! read more

This is a great brunch spot. It is always packed, but they have solid food, great service and a nice vibe. The bar staff is super friendly. read more

Birthday dinner. Small place with long wait but very much worth it. They have a good variety and the food is phenomenal. I wish they took reservations and beware of parking is scarce in the area. read more

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Holy moly this place is wicked!!! By far, the best, most interesting meal I've had in a long time, and at a price I can live with. The Smoked Bluefish Cakes and North African Dip Plate were great starters. I had the goat stew and when the "Suicide Girl" waitress tells you the goat stew is "spicy" she really means it's "as spicy hot as anything you've ever had in any restaurant anywhere so bear down" and at the same time it's totally unique and delicious. But really, it's frickin' spicy. I loved it. Yum! Vegetarian friendly and the coolest juke box within a hundred miles. I can't wait to go back. read more

From the experiences I've had at Highland Kitchen so far, I could honestly give it any number of stars. I could be sore and only give HK 1 star, for the inedible hard greasy burnt piece of fish and grease sodden fries the kitchen presented me with one night, or the 3 out of 5 nights they messed up my husband's order, either sending him steak or a burger super well done when he asked for med rare, bringing his meal late, or forgetting to put his order in at all? Or I could be snobby and give them 2 stars for their cocktail list that doesn't really appeal to me, and the fact that the bartender one night had no idea how to make a champagne cocktail, a very standard drink...and after explaining what it was, I received the drink sans sugar cube? Just bitters and champagne? yuck! The drink prices are also a bit high for my liking, compared to the menu prices. I could be kind of neutral about HK and only give it 3 stars, saying that its a lot like a lot of other places like B-Side, and Green Street, and RiverGods...which is fine because I love those places...but HK is the same, only with a longer wait! (even longer than River Gods sometimes...yikes!) Or, I could give HK 4 stars because of the delicious food I've had there on most occasions...braised short ribs, the yummy cuban reuben, delicious mahi mahi with plantains and mango, awesome banana bread pudding, the rotating seared scallop appetizer special. Most of the food I've had here (aside from that nasty fish that I sent back) has been really interesting, thoughtfully prepared, and delectable. But in the end I have to give Highland Kitchen 5 stars...because for every unpleasant thing I've experienced there, the recovery on the part of the staff and management has been amazing. Seriously. The service is awesome-- everyone working there really really cares about your dining experience. So even though I've had some bad experiences, I'm sort of in love with Highland Kitchen...It's just what my neighborhood needs. I can walk there from my house, which is ideal, and the atmosphere is so cozy and interesting you just want to linger. It's a really great place to chill with friends and have a few drinks and dinner. They also have hot buttered rum! Over all I enjoy Highland Kitchen and I'll return again and again. They've only been open for about 4 months...I'm sure they'll work the kinks out. read more

We went here for a family birthday party last night, and all around it was pretty great. We were seating quickly, had a nice row of reserved table, and were attended to very well by the management, waitress, and all staff in general. A few appetizers were ordered and we tried the blue fish cakes and the calamari. The blue fish cakes were really moist and the sauce was really smoky and tasty. The calamari was a little bland, but they were cooked with hot peppers which gave it that good kick. They could have been seasoned a little bit more for me personally, but the sauce they came with had a good garlic flavor that was really tasty. For cocktails, Dorian went with the Elderflower Cocktail, which was sweet and delicious and made with (of course) elderflower liqueur. I went with a Somerville Sidecar. It was a little bit less intense than a regular sidecar, and really tasty. The drinks were pretty reasonable and were in the $7-8 range. They also serve Harpoon cream soda and root beer, which was approved by my young brother in law. The beer menu was pretty good as well, along with the wine listing, which was pretty reasonable cost-wise. For dinner I ordered the Highland Cheeseburger. It didn't disappoint, though I would have preferred my medium rare burger to be a little more rare. The onions were delicious that it was served with, and though I would have preferred it to come with lettuce and tomato, it was good without it. I came with a scattering of sweet pickles on the side, which were good, but I am dill sort of girl. The fries were good but not completely consistent-Jesse's were cooked better than mine, as in a little less on the brown side. They were still good, just a matter of preference. Highland Kitchen has a yummy array of sides for cheap (between $3 and $4) and appetizers are very reasonable and delicious sounding-we'll be back for appetizers and cocktails VERY soon because they sound delicious. Jesse got a side of mac and cheese, which was super rich and just the right amount for how intense it was. Desserts were spot on, and the chocolate cake was warm and molten and came with chocolate ice cream on the side. The boys shared some banana bread pudding that came with vanilla ice cream and there was nothing left in that bowl. We'll definitely be back and there's been hype about this place for a reason, 'cause it's really great. read more

After 2.5 years, an incredible "start-a-line-before-they-open" brunch experience and my recent dinner, I wholeheartedly bump the HK to a glistening five stars. The dining has evolved to a condensed, almost community setting of tightly packed two-tops - prison cafeteria rows of voracious eaters and drinkers, inches away from their neighbor and, subsequently, emotionally involved in overheard conversation. The menu is a killer: what the veggie burger lacks in a manageable consistency (think of a bean past Sloppy Joe) it more than makes up for in a nutty, earthen flavor that's guacamole smeared and second to none. Second to one, actually: the Cuban Reuben. Roast pork, corned beef, Russian dressing, Swiss cheese and cabbage on an exquisitely toasted sub roll, hacked and stacked next to a heap of homemade bread&butter pickles and a side salad ($10) will slaughter any deep-rooted hunger as well as a quest to kill the beast at the same sitting. Toss in a spicy Mark & Stormy topped with pickled ginger that's weaseled its way in to the top ten cocktail list, in addition to a sweet, smokey mushy banana bread pudding aka your cavities' next best friend, and you've got a perfect winter meal, It's not like, Highland Kitchen. I don't like you. I love you. read more

I didn't think that it was possible to love Highland Kitchen even more than I already did. I made a new discovery this weekend that caused my already full of love heart to find more room to expand. Gosh, I hope that doesn't make less room in my stomach their food! One of my BFF's is a celiac; and because of him I've had many adventures in gluten-free dining. This weekend while sipping some delicious cocktails we decided a snack could also be in order, but it's hard to find gluten-free food on a southern inspired menu. Unless, that is, the restaurant has a separate and completely GLUTEN-FREE menu! A menu that includes many of the same items as the regular menu, prepared GF or with substituted GF ingredients. My friend was also thrilled to discover that they offer a GF beer. Good news for him, and for me as I am now even more likely to convince him to join me during my frequent visits here. read more

Wowza. I love Highland Kitchen. The goat stew is freaking phenomenal. You know what is NOT phenomenal? The jerky, up his own butt, manager. I am sick right now, can't really chew and I was craving some bread. I called and asked if I could get a side of bread. Sort of a weird request, but the woman on the phone was cool with it. When I walked over to HK, the manager was a total douche about my order. "You know we don't just give away bread" "I totally understand that sir. That's why I'm paying for said bread" "Yeah, but seriously. You just want bread?" "Yeah dude, I just want bread. If you don't want to sell it to me, that's cool, but like...sell me the bread or not" I then explained to the douchey manager that I was sick, haven't eaten in over a week, and he started telling me that he understoooooood, and it was no big deal, and then produced the bread from behind his back, already packaged. Sweet ego trip dude. Go screw. read more

====UPDATE 1/28/08 ===== Went back 1 month on to see what kind of a buzz me and the other early reviewers stirred-up and now I'm going down to TWO STARS. Why? Well, the daily specials are now not so special - they are always the same (they're now enshrined on the printed menu). The dessert menu didn't ever get improved either, it's the same three poor items. Our waitress wasn't very friendly and (biggest crime of all) we got the "SORRY NO SUBSTITUTES" line when I asked for cheese fries instead of the bland crappy fries they have. Poor Form. Disappointed that they are already going downhill. Won't be back in a long while now. ======= ======= ======= I go on the 2nd night and I'm already the 3rd to review? Damn! They should've especially opened for me last Saturday when I stood outside disappointed at the coming soon sign and trying to think of new options for my meal. Drat! I guess the buzz is due to the Gastropub theme being so successful at B-Side and Green St, combined with the location being just about the only place to eat and drink between Davis Sq and The McGrath Hwy. It certainly got me. So here's the deal - it's an open-plan pub / diner with cleaned-up decor, a decent beer, wine and cocktails menu and a reasonably cool menu of comfort foods and southern classics. And, true to the Gastropub idiom, there were daily specials on a chalkboard which is exactly what we hit up. FYI our starters were the scallops in celery root sauce and the chili cheese fries and our mains were the shortcut rib on mash with collards, the mahi mahi tuna and the roast chicken with turnip mash. Our deserts were chocolate cake, apple crisp and banana bread pudding - each coming with a scoop of ice cream. The food was all good, but nothing was outstanding in the way that it beats the competition hands down. eg. I loved the chili cheese fries, but B-Side's blue cheese fries is a notch up. I was a disappointed with the desert choices but as they gave us those on the house (YAY!!) I'll hazard a guess and say they are working on that. Our server was fantastic; telling us about the refit, letting us know the choices and generally being a charming dude. All the staff here were great, seems like they're all very excited with their new jobs. And why not? They're at the heart of the new dining movement - fine food in a comfort setting - and that's what I love about this place. For now, four stars. Great that we have another Gastrodiner, but to compete with B-Side and Green St they will need to add more experimentation to the menu and more character to the bar. read more

Biscuits and sausage gravy....why did you not have to be that good?? How hard is it to make biscuits that aren't kind of hard?????? I really wanted to give this place 4 stars---the decor is pretty cool, our waitresses gave us pretty good service, they have a full bar so once the lovely laws of boston allow you to order a drink during brunch that is awesome, and they have a live fiddle/southern band playing at one table! I mean you can't get much cooler than that. They literally sit around a table and just play for your enjoyment. Just plain awesome. BUT, not even the gravy with my biscuits was very good. I love southern food, and this version of theirs just didn't cut it for me. I stole a bite or two of Tepring P's collard greens, and they at least make those right! Those were pretty tasty ones if I do say so myself, and her grits weren't half bad either. Deanna D. got their smoked prok hash which also was pretty tasty, but since my dish kind of failed pretty badly in my book, I had to go with 3 stars.... Come on highland kitchen! If you are southern themed, ya gotta make biscuits and gravy right!!! read more

In the midst of rejoicing Somervillans you'll find me muttering over a map because to the 88 blind this place is in the cut. Don't know what that means? Don't feel badly, Kabir didn't either. Translation: 20 min walk from the T. Want to know something else? It's worth it. Enter this two-toned blue gastropub and you'll find one wall flanked by a seven seater bar, then a few rows of booths and tables around the perimeter. It's pretty basic in decor but look up and you'll see some mesmerizing lights. The menu follows the same lines of simplicity, and although it doesn't push the culinary envelope, it's created with a nod to freshness and the quality. The drink list is quirky and tasty too. Just stay away from the egg/cream/brandy cocktail. I whined that they ran out of three specials on a Tuesday night at 8:30. And although the servers were friendly we had like 4x the amount we needed. Our table drew em in like kids to the Gravitron; we couldn't go literally three minutes without answering, "it's good, thank you." It was so ridiculous at one point that we actually timed between visits. Bottom line for me: would I return considering that Green Street and B-Side are less than a 15 min walk? Decidedly no, but if this is accessible for you, BOOKMARK it, STAT. read more

Now that the B-Side is gone (moment of silence) the Highland Kitchen has really stepped into this sweetest of sweet spots. The place to go for some casual classy food and well crafted mixed drinks. Of course, it helps that the place is but a few blocks away from me. The food is consistently great and the mixed drinks are better than you find most other places except for perhaps maybe Green Street. And the food and atmosphere at Highland is better than Green Street, so there. I mostly go with whatever they have going on for specials that day (they know their way around a scallop, fyi), but the standard stuff on the menu is top-notch too. And as I did with the B-Side, I come here with a loose wallet. And as I did at the B-Side, I get a quality here at Highland Kitchen that allows me and my money to part ways in an amiable fashion. The bartenders are friendly, and the waitstaff is one of the best in town. The taps always have some good local beers flowing and there's always some la-de-da drink special on the board that will satisfy any boozy sweet-tooth. So yeah, the prices are maybe a bit higher than you might think the area calls for but the quality is a lot higher than the area calls for as well. It's the kind of place that soothes a bum like me, but can also work for a date or a place to go when your parents are in town. So if you're not in the mood for quality food, drinks, atmosphere and service -- then maybe the place isn't for you. Oh, and the jukebox never fails to play one or two Guided By Voices songs while I'm here -- I think that accounts for the 5th star. read more

MEHHHHHHHHHHHHH (not you Melissa) was the mood of the place when you first walk in. Good space but the way they placed the low generic leather wooden diner booths and lines of two seaters made it look like they were just trying to get as many spots in. I don;t want to dine like the zombie/deceased! Yes it makes sense to do that though.. since this place has a glowing potential for the 'hood and maybe they are just trying to accommodate to all the hungry in a rush people who come in... but waiting at the bar or outside for your name to be called ..to taste something special isn't so bad sometimes. Saw the whole Green Street side when anybody and everybody working there came by your table to tell you about the 86-ed items, run drinks.. drop off bread... say hello... touch your hair.. just kidding nobody did the last one. Was delighted to see that there were sandwich options.. of same up to par cravings. I usually regret ordering salmon at a restaurant but wasn't so in this case. Creamy risotto and cabbage. Nice triple threat. Ordered a Blood orange martini drink called Bloodhound. Really good if you want something with citrus slightly sweet flavor. Getting served with an actual hot cup of coffee on a Sunday night is a plus in my book. Sitting around.. wanting to try a bit more off both food and beverage menu was natural.. and definitely want to go back. Once you get to Highland Ave. from wherever you are.. look for 150 and you are A-okay. Saw 88 bus running right by the place.. it's not impossible to get there. P.S Hey HK's Jukebox.. yeah you.. I saw you looking at me with seductive try me eyes while walking out.. you've got it coming to you soon buddy. read more

I dig it. I totally dig this experience. Off the bat, the only gripe is that you may or may not be waiting a while to get a seat. Your group better all be together too because they won't sit you down separately. I've been here 3x. Once I got the goat stew and fell in love. The second time for my wife's birthday we came on a Monday and got the fried chicken, which they serve only on Mondays. I thought the chicken was good but not the best. The third time we were visiting the Boston area because we had left Massachusetts maybe 11 months before and had to swing by...and I got the goat stew again! All 3 times we got the ricotta-mozzarella fritters because they are a mystery full of deliciousness and air. The goat stew is great. It's deceivingly heavy and big. It is fricking spicy too. Slow down and take a breath kind of spicy. But once again I ate it all and hated myself the next morning. My wife ordered the fried chicken again. Somehow we were in Highland Kitchen 1 year to the day for her birthday dinner again. Weird. I suggest, get here early, eat the goat stew and order the fritters. Also, their drink menu is extensive and their waitress, the tall one from Louisiana, is incredibly friendly and good at her job. Yay read more

I can honestly say I like the way the food tastes. With that said, it's time to BITCH! Bluegrass bands are gross. They make me think of crab lice, and ppl who eat possums. Not to mention -- a bluegrass band can take up a lot of seating when your restaurant is busy. Sorry I'm not a fan, but at least it's not another fucking Jazz Brunch, I guess! 'Sup with that menu? It's more misleading than Ikea assembly instructions! I've been tricked by the wording at least 3 times! "POTATO CHIVE PIEROGI....................$8.95 english peas, pistachios, smoked bacon" Believe it or not, those 3 items are chopped up and served AROUND the pierogies! FUCKERS! Fuck! Does the cheeseburger come in 5 different sections?! I once ordered a breakfast sandwich and added the "egg on top." The egg was ON TOP of the fucking sandwich! No big deal ... I slipped it under the bread (bkuz the chef must have forgotten, right?), cut it in half, and proceeded to eat it. The over easy egg leaked all over the place, but whatevz -- they couldn't read my mind or guess that I'd expect a thoroughly cooked egg under the bread to complete my breakfast sandwich. It was yummy, I just wish they had Go-Jo hand cleaner in the bathroom -- I was scrubbing for 5 minutes. :( Can I rewrite your menu? I'll describe things the way they are actually presented. Hopefully that can reduce the "WHAT THE FUCK?!" reaction when the food gets to the table. :( I'll totally eat here again (bkuz my friends can't think of any other places to go :( ), but I'm totally going to drill the server, and ask to see pictures of the dish before I order. read more

Don't rush me! We came here with a group for brunch at 1, and as soon as we sat down our waitress asked if we were ready to order. Really? We didn't even open our menus yet. She came back again in less that 5 minutes to ask us again. I skipped ordering the cornbread this time because it's really dry and they don't think to bring butter. I got a muffin and had to ask for butter again. Whatev. I ordered a kettle bloody mary and they brought me a regular. They corrected it. But the best was that as soon as we paid our bill, the manager (I think) came over and asked us to leave so he could fit one more table in. Really? We were just wrapping up...I eat out a lot and this is one of the few times I've had someone request this...and it always leaves a bad taste in my mouth. If I wanted to be rushed, I'd get fast food. If I want to go to a leisurely brunch, I'll go somewhere else. read more