Cambridge's culinary scene just got a little sweeter with Monday's debut of Verveine Cafe & Bakery, the latest entry to the bustling Massachusetts Avenue stretch. Brainchild of Boston chef Ken Oringer, known for his gastronomic finesse with hotspots like Coppa and Toro, has now allied with pastry connoisseur Monica Glass, a former collaborator at Clio, to orchestrate this new establishment.
In her statement to Boston.com, Glass revealed, "We are equal partners," noting the joint effort in every aspect but the cooking. Their fusion vision manifests in the cafe's design, a whimsical mix of green hues and rustic decor, accented by a communal table fashioned from reclaimed wood and Glass's nostalgically cherished grandparents' china.
Verveine isn't just a visual treat; the menu is an expansive venture into gluten-free fare, nodding to Glass's personal navigation of celiac disease. It features an array of in-house baked breads including sourdough ciabatta and Japanese milk bread, alongside treats like purple yam brownies and black sesame croissants. Adding to the uniqueness, Glass highlighted, "We'll also be doing doughnut drops, hot and fresh at certain times of the day" in her discussion with Boston.com.
The cafe, according to details disclosed via GetPocket, stitches together the diverse culinary tapestry of Europe and Asia, with unique blendings like congee with Thai chicken sausage, Kimchi egg cheddar danishes, and distinct Neapolitan pizzas. Daily operations span from a morning kickoff at 8 a.m. to a late afternoon close at 4 p.m. on weekdays, slightly adjusted to a 9 a.m. start on the weekends.
But Verveine isn't the only newcomer in town. Jody Adams, another celebrated chef, will introduce La Padrona at Raffles in the Back Bay, promising a shimmering golden dining experience starting May 15. Meanwhile, Chef Jason Santos celebrates Cinco de Mayo with the re-opening of Citrus & Salt in Fort Point on May 4, while Toca Chida joins Assembly Row's bustling eatery lineup on May 3 courtesy of Chris Damian.
As the city embraces these new dining locales, it also prepares to bid farewell to EVOO and Za in Kendall Square. Owner Stephen Furland signaled EVOO's last service on June 1 and Za's farewell on June 14, with Za's Arlington location persisting in sating the community's appetite for inventive pizzas and robust salads, reported by GetPocket.
