Good Lunches in Belmont and Somerville, Massachusetts

Belmont and Somerville reside on either side of Cambridge. Somerville is clsoer to Boston and more urban. I have beben meeting people for lunch and here are some recommendations.

Vicki Lee’s – Belmont - Paul Tamburello of PT at Large recommended this great café and bakery in Bemont in the Cushng Square area where I lived in the late 70s. There is an espresso bar and old-fashioned soda fountain. The retail area offers hard-to-find ingredients and. They also do catering as well as tasting and cooking classes. The Vicki Lee’s web site has great pictures that you can enlarge. Vicki Lee’s is located at 105 Trapelo Rd, Belmont, (617) 489-5007. Another friend just went there on my recommendation and really liked it. Here is a great and more comprehensive write up that Paul recently did, Vicki Lee’s Café, Superb food on a small scale.

Kebob Factory – Somerville – I walk past this place a lot and have admired their $8 lunch buffet. Recently, I had lunch with a colleague there and it exceeded expectations. It is located at 414 Washington Street, Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 354-4996. Their location at the intersecton of Washington and Beacon Street also offers two great choices for take out, The Wine Cask and Toscanni’s.

The Wine & Cheese Cask - Somerville - has been around for some time. I briefy lived above it in the early 70s. with some friends who worked there. They would party after work with stuff they brough up from the place. Apparenetly that traditon continues. It has a great selection of wines and smart people to help you figure stuff out. They also have excellent cheeses and meats such as serrano ham. Owing to the presence of the Spanish restaurant, Dali, across the street they have exentive Spanish winie, cheese and meats. Dali’s is only open at night. I covered it in a previous post and I highly recommend it for tapas. The Wine & Cheese Cask is located at 407 Washington St. Somerville, 617-623-8656

Toscanni’s Bakery & Ice Cream - Somerville - has some of the best crossiants I have had. They are different form the tradtional French ones as they are thicker and more yeasty. They is also other baked goods, both sweet and savory for breakfast of lunch. The scones aregreat and a meal in themselves. You can eat there or take out and they have coffee. Their ice cream is also very rich and good. It is located at 406 Washington St Somerville, 617-666-2770.

There are many other places in Somerville in Davis Square and Union Square but this is enough for now.