Eating Out: Neighborhood Restaurant

While Bostonist loves the idea of brunch, we often get a little miffed when we see all the happy couples in love eyeing each other over their french toasts. Yet, when we heard about a breakfast place that has lots of happy families and a killer, cheap meal, we decided to go check it out. We ventured out to Union Square in Somerville to try the generically named Neighborhood Restaurant. Since it was a sunny, warm Sunday morning (i.e. noon), we were seated outside under a canopy of real grape vines with picnic tables and patio furnitute below. Although we did wait for a solid 45 minutes to an hour, it surprisingly went quick after we first wrote down our names on the list. (Yes, you sign yourself in, much like study hall.)

Neighborhood Restaurant is very laid back and that's apparent the minute you realize you can get up and refill your glass at the water station. A waitstaff of three buzzed around us and had our coffee to us in an instant. After looking over the specials (priced $8-$13 or so), which included something heavenly called "coconut pancakes", we decided on a few items off the regular menu, which includes omelettes, french toast, pancakes, etc. Each entree on the regular menu (priced around $5-$10) includes a coffee, a small orange juice, fresh fruit or Cream of Wheat, as well as Portuguese sweet breads and toast. (Now THAT is a deal.) After settling in with our coffees, out came what is seriously one of the best food items that we've had in years: Cream of Wheat. Sure, we've all made it at home with water or milk, but there is something special about this concoction. Perhaps it's cream, sugar, or crystal meth, but it is amazingly addictive and we're considering a trip just to order a bowl of it in the near future.

A little while later, our omelette and tomato cheese scrambled eggs were delivered, which were both huge and delicious. Portions are pretty large here, but just perfect if you've had a fun (drunken) night before or are just in the mood to eat a lot.

To Bostonist's glee, we didn't see any happy couples at the Neighborhood Restaurant or perhaps we were too happy with our meal to even notice the lovebirds at the picnic table next to ours. Order the Cream of Wheat. Don't question us, just do it.

Neighborhood Restaurant is located at 25 Bow Street in Somerville. Open 7 days a week.

Photos courtesy of Bostonist's own C. Fernsebner