We’ve long been fans of Henrietta’s Table — an OG in the farm-to-table scene — and have previously extolled the virtues of its gorgeous alfresco dining patio and the satiating warm grain bowl and daily selections of quiche. The endless weekend brunches that include a raw bar and carving station are a local legend (a go-to for Mother’s Day and Easter), but few know about Henrietta’s bar menu. While technically not a secret — it’s boldly posted at the end of the bar — it’s more formally known as the midday menu that runs 2-5 p.m. weekdays and 3-5 p.m. on weekends.
It’s a tight menu that includes the restaurant’s signature Maine corn and crab chowder and mile-high chicken club, but let me draw your attention to the exceptional salmon burger. Why exceptional? Well, for one, simplicity: fresh ground salmon well-seasoned with a little breading to bind, seared plump and juicy, and served on a fresh Iggy’s bun. That’s it. Your flavorful first bite may surprise you with its shocking, savory explosion. A condiment on the side is billed as spicy tartar sauce, but it’s a misnomer, since it has a sweet pickle pucker and it’s not as viscous as your typical fish-shack tartar. It’s something else in its own right, a perfect accent should you indulge it — and you should. The burger comes with a generous side salad, lightly dressed. It’s a satisfying eat that leaves you content but not full, perfect for a light late lunch or early dinner diner. It’s also on the lunch menu and, if I had my druthers, they’d keep it on into the night as a bar staple.
That’s the other thing about Henrietta’s Table: It’s located inside the Charles Hotel, a perpetual hub of activity that ebbs and flows around holidays and all things Harvard — sports, graduation, and alumni events — as well as area business engagements. The open kitchen, open bar, and adjacent patio are well-maintained and inviting, and the longtime staffers are super friendly, polite, and on their game. Now … if I could only get that burger after 5.
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Have a favorite dish or dine-out spot that we’ve not covered and think we should? Email Tom Meek at tmeek@cambridgeday.com.
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