Forest Cafe
Categories:
Restaurants, Mexican Restaurants
Details:
$, Cheap Eats, Dine At The Bar, Local Favorite
Message from Forest Cafe
The award winning Forest Cafe serves authentic Mexican food in a relaxing atmosphere. Join us in our cozy dining room for true Mexican flavors you won't find anywhere else in Boston. The dinner menu includes appetizers, enchiladas, meat and fish dishes. Enchiladas Tres Marias is a favorate. Enjoy brunch on the weekend, have the Huevos Motulenos along with a Chipoltle Limo bloody Mary. We have the largest selection of Tequila and the Zagat Survey calls our Margaritas "Fabulous". The Boston Herald: "see the Forest for treats..dishes you won't see anywhere else in town". We are located on Massacusetts Avenue in downtown Cambridge. If you can't go to Mexico, we'll bring Mexico to you!
Editorial by Citysearch
In ShortThe Cafe's plates draw on the cuisine of Oaxaca and Veracruz, and the range of ingredients and techniques on the menu is impressive--a mole sauce is as likely a verde (pumpkin seeds and tomatillos) as a poblano (with chocolate). The Veracruz influence shows strongest in the fish dishes, which combine the "catch of the day" with a glorious range of sauces. Laid-back, colorful and funky, the room is decorated with the standard Mexican-restaurant mural and weavings.
Key Points
- Largest selection of Tequila
- Brunch on weekends
- Best of Boston
The Inside Scoop
- The Extras - Not a carnivore? Most of the dishes can be prepared vegetarian upon request.
Latest reviews from Citysearch.
'Round the Corner
by stickmany
This is a great place if you live in the area. It definitely has a solid neighborhood feel with the friendly service, good food, really good margs, and perfect music. (Rolling Stones to Madellaine Peyroux to Country Music) It's not your ordinary greasy place. They have some great alternatives while still offering your standard burritos and enchiladas.
Pros: Relaxed atmosphere, menu alternatives, margs
Cons: Parking
Posted 09/15/07
Great food, great service, great drinks ... great fun!
by slbrena10
What a fantastic find this was. Authentic Mexican food is accurate and sinfully delicious. Can't stop going back, it's that good. The specials were what drew my attention initially, and every week I'm pleasantly surprised. Great staff, nice service. It can get busy, but it's worth the wait. Have a drink at the bar, lots of "regulars" sitting around that are more than happy to talk to you if you're interested or leave you alone if you're not. Fantastic bartenders, and the margaritas were fantastic (have a Cyrita!). If you truly enjoy good food, you've got to get to this place.
Pros: Great food, great drinks, great service
Cons: Parking can be tough, but it's Mass Ave, so there isn't much you can do
Posted 09/03/07
Avoid the food, head straight to the bar
by goshh
Unfortunately, the food is overpriced and light years away from being authentic and tasty - but there's decent choice of beer coupled with good music.
Pros: parking, drinks
Cons: food!
Posted 04/21/07
Local treasure
by sarahsen
I love this place. No pretentions, just best margaritas in the area, great guac, delicious fresh food, unusual, tasty sauces Highly recommended.
Pros: unpretentious
Cons: none, if you don't expect glamorous surroundings
Posted 03/23/07
A bad experience
by eb02144
The food was good and the drinks were good...it was the effects the next day that were not so good. I spent the next morning in the bathroom, so did my boyfriend. I'm usually ok with Mexican...not really sure why this time it was like this but....that's what happened. I'm not going to this place again.
Posted 03/05/07
Bad
by amysmith11
Not sure what all the fuss is about. We were well aware that Forest draws you in with 'good food' so the atmosphere and cramped quarters were not a big deal for us. Bad food. If you are looking for authentic or even decent mexican food do not go to Forest.
Posted 02/15/06
Irresistable
by starvl3
With the new renovations, this bar/restaurant has done a complete overhaul in looks (which, lets face it, it needed) but managed to keeps it charm at the same time. A pleasant mix of regulars and newcomers sit around the bar, and the food is still just as amazing as ever. And their margaritas, while few in selection, are worth every cent and thensome. Not to mention the staff, who couldn't be warmer and friendlier than they are now.
Posted 09/04/03
Low key but classy
by dkmin
Food is outstanding, and the ambience is excellent, especially with the new renovations. The bartenders are a fixture, a rarity for a Cambridge bar, and the kitchen's been serving up the same great authentic Mexican cuisine for many years now.
Say hello to Mark and Brian, or Steve and Shannon. Order up a margarita, or a Pabst Blue Ribbon. Relax. It's one of the last true watering holes in Harvard Square.
Posted 05/15/03
Faveplace
by Kaiv01810
The Forest is my second living room. Cool collection of neighborhood folks always there, decidedly unique bar staff, lots of fun, and cheap. I love it there.
Posted 07/27/02
terrible margaritas, okay food
by adriak
Their selection of tequilas is laughably small compared to a place like Ole Mexican Grill, and my margarita was undrinkably bad. This is definitely a step up from the Border Cafe, in that the food is okay, but for such a high rating, I expected a heck of a lot more.
Ambiance clash: absolutely fantastic guitar player, sports on TV over bar (which runs the length of the narrow dining area).
Posted 05/30/02