Restaurant: Bambara
Address: 25 Edwin H. Land Boulevard, Cambridge, MA 02141
Date of Experience: Monday, November 12, 2007
Attendees: Lada, Edales, Myself
Comment Card: Yes
The Hotel Marlowe is supposedly one of the top 75 hotels in the US. Unfortunately, it only hosts one restaurant, which, during inclement weather, leaves hotel guests out in the cold.
From the moment we walked in the door, we were met with befuddlement. We originated as a party of four but when we explained to the reservationist that we were now only three, she struggled to understand this concept. We were promptly seated at tight, smallish booths with very sharp right angles and giant throw pillows, which there were no room for. The table was just high enough for me to rest my chin on while I perused the menu.
Our confusing waiter then greeted us. We asked if Sam Adams Seasonal was Octoberfest or the Winter Ale, he went to check and reported that they only had 'The Seasonal'. The waiter said he "didn't mean to offend us", but he would need to see our IDs. It was comical but inappropriate for a restaurant that claims to be award winning. Edales ordered 'The Seasonal' but we were left wondering what season it was. Meanwhile, the Pumpkin Pie Martini I ordered was candy.
The menu is fairly small but the descriptions are drool-worthy. Edales ordered the Crispy Chicken, Lada ordered the Steak Frites, and I got the Tuna Tartare appetizer and a side of Cheddar Polenta. Before our food arrived, our waiter brought over a steak knife for Lada, set it down and declared "I came to upgrade your weapon". This statement warranted raised eyebrows and awkward giggles.
I was really excited for my tuna tartare but once at the table, I was quickly disappointed. The fish seemed to be marinated in bitter basil and onions which overwhelmed and distracted. The soupy cheddar polenta was reminiscent of grits and boxed mac & cheese. Lada's steak frites came with a murky ocean of béarnaise was redeemed only by a giant basket of yummy herb fries. Edales' crispy chicken earned some points. Served with perfectly al dente gratin, the dish was a dim, dim light at the end of the tunnel.
The dessert menu, while tempting, was too risky for any of us to tackle -- anything with concord grapes and peanut butter could either be delicious or disastrous. Plus, we could only take so much abuse, and I already had a bad taste in my mouth. Perhaps Bambara just had a bad day.
