catalyst

Catalyst opened in Kendall Square last year providing modern American cuisine to the tech-filled area. With a 26-seat fully-stocked bar, along with a two-way fireplace, and an outdoor patio for the warmer months, this seems like the perfect spot for an after-work drink, or a dinner out in a quiet area. T & I headed over after an engagement party this weekend, hoping for a tasty & quiet early-bird Sunday bite to eat, and that is exactly what we found!

 

 

 

 

We sat next to the floor-to-ceiling 30-foot windows, under the blown-glass light fixtures, and enjoyed a relaxed early dinner.

I started with the lobster-coconut bisque with thai chili and a cilantro lobster fritter. This bisque may actually be my favorite lobster bisque I have ever tasted. The flavor combination was light and fully balanced, not too salty, not too thick, not too thin, definitely the Goldilocks-porridge of lobster bisque. The lobster fritter did not add much to the bisque, and I only wish it had more lobster meat than breading, but at the same time it did not take away from the perfect bisque.
   

Since we weren't really very hungry after the engagement party snacks, I opted for an appetizer portion (which was obviously still a large portion) of the crispy pork ribs with a mustard-caramel glaze and vegetable slaw. They were crispy yet flavorful, and managed to fall off of the bone with even the slightest touch.

 

T went with the Catalyst burger with bacon, cheddar, caramelized onions, roasted tomato & pickles on a brioche bun with french fries with house made ketchup, mustard & aioli (which he reported was delicious as well). I can vouch for the petite & crispy french fries with the aioli.  
 

We were already too full to even look at the dessert menu, so we had some tea and strolled by the the green wall and the fire on our way out. I will definitely be back to try some of the house-made pastas, have a large bowl of the bisque, and enjoy a cocktail on the patio in the summer months!
 

 

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