Friday, January 18, 2019

Longfellow Bar Opens in Former Cafe Algiers Space in Harvard Square January 19

by Marc Hurwitz

Two years ago, we reported that a Cambridge institution was closing for good and that one of the region's best-known chefs and restaurateurs was going to open a new spot within the space. Now we have learned that the new place is just about ready to open.

According to an article from Boston Magazine, Longfellow Bar opens in Harvard Square tomorrow (Saturday, January 19), taking over the former Cafe Algiers space on Brattle Street. The new dining and drinking spot from Michael Scelfo is located above Alden & Harlow, which is another restaurant from Scelfo, with the the Longfellow space having two floors including a seasonal roof deck. As mentioned earlier, Longfellow features finger foods along with a "geeky" cocktail program and some lesser-known varietal wines, with the menu including such items as warm rye pretzels, deviled eggs, fried chicken tortas, buttermilk-fried sweetbreads, burgers, and waffle fries. Initially, the place will be open for dinner only, but lunch service will be added over the coming weeks.

Cafe Algiers actually closed twice--briefly in the fall of 2016 and a permanent closure in the summer of 2017; the place was known for its Mediterranean fare along with coffee and tea.

The address for Longfellow Bar is 40 Brattle Street #3, Cambridge, MA, 02138.

[February 6 update: An update from the Boston Magazine article above indicates that Longfellow is now serving lunch as well as dinner.]

[Earlier Article]
Longfellow to Replace Cafe Algiers in Cambridge's Harvard Square

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]