Neighborhood Restaurant & Bakery

06/23/10

Once a "Can't Miss", now just "Hit or Miss"

by ScottieG

I've been going to The Neighborhood for several years. If this review had been written 3 years ago, they would easily receive 4, if not 5, stars. Sadly, the once always reliable hidden gem has fallen into a downward spiral. Three years ago, living in Mission Hill, I would trek to Somerville 3 or 4 times a month for what was, at the time, the best breakfast in the city. Now, I live off of Highland Ave in Somerville, less than a ten minute walk, and visit less and less. Sunday was the first time this year I've been since the patio opened in May, and I'll tell you why.

Although the food, which was once great, is still pretty good, the service has gone noticeably downhill. The Neighborhood has never been known for exceptional service, but now the service is downright rude and horrible. The last 5 or 6 times I've been, I've felt like an unwelcome house guest before even sitting down at a table. The wait staff hasn't changed, but their attitude has. And the food quality has suffered as well.

There was a time when you would receive a basket of breads and baked goods with your meal, now you get a couple slices of toast, a muffin if you're lucky, and some jam. The heaping piles of home fries are now a small mound of burnt potato bits. The coffee that once flowed nonstop into your cup as you dined is virtually non-existent, and is only filled on request, if you're lucky, and your server isn't shouting across the dining room to someone else.

The cream of wheat is still the best cereal you'll ever have, even if you, like myself and many others, don't like cream of wheat, try it. Especially since the alternative choice of fruit has been on par with canned slop from a high school cafeteria.

If you've never been to the Neighborhood, it's still worth trying. You might even get lucky, and get a server while still in a good mood. But don't count on it.

• Pros: Best cream of wheat you'll ever eat
• Cons: Putting the HORRIBLE in horrible service

03/02/10

Decent brunch, friendly atmosphere

by FreeFoodBoston , Citysearch Contributor

Went here last Saturday for brunch. I'd read rave reviews and was curious. The food was good. They give you a bunch of extra stuff on the house, some is good, some just crowds the table and is low quality. But it's free so I won't complain.

1) First off, if you go for weekend brunch, you will probably have to wait. The upside? They provide you with free coffee and an excellent sweet bread outside while you wait.

2) For an appetizer, if you will, everyone gets either cream of wheat or fruit. The cream of wheat is pretty awesome, sweet and rich, it's made with condensed milk.

3) They have a long list of breakfast specials. When I went, they included Vanilla French Toast and Blueberry Banana Pancakes. They're listed for $10.99 and come with eggs, sausage and home fries. You can also get any of the specials without the eggs and sausage for $8.50. They still come with the home fries. I got pumpkin pecan pancakes. I must say they were pretty stellar. Good flavor and texture. Bf got corned beef hash. He said it wasn't bad, but it was not great. The home fries were also only mediocre.

4) You also get a plate of buttered toast with jam and a pastry. Everything on this plate was pretty low quality.

It was fun, most of what I got was good. I'm in no rush to go back though. Service was extremely friendly I should mention, something I always appreciate.

• Pros: Pumpkin pancakes, cream of wheat
• Cons: mediocre stuff on the side

02/15/09

Great Breakfast Spot!

by cfdelaune

Great breakfast, plain and simple. I little tough to get it as it isn't too close to any t stops, but worth the long walk to short cab ride from Central Sq. The "Portugese Breakfast" was amazing. I can't wait to go back and try more items. Everything on the menu looked amazing. Also, looks to be a great spot in the summertime with lots of outside seating.

• Pros: Great Specials, Excellent options, HUGE portions
• Cons: long waits (too be expected)

07/24/06

Incredible food!

by narsheptha

I cannot stress how amazing the food is at the Neighborhood! We went on a rainy day and unfortunately had to sit inside, so the wait was longer than usual. I recommend that you shoot for a nice day and sit outside on the patio. Less of a wait and better ambiance! Despite our wait, we were so impressed by the friendly and accommodating service. There were several plates of food for each of us and everything was delicious! The pumpkin-cinamon pancakes are our new favorite in the area.

Definitely check this place out and be sure to go on an empty stomach!

• Pros: great food, friendly service, outdoor patio
• Cons: inside seating is a little crowded

07/16/06

They put the Cream back in Cream of Wheat

by patkiley

Definitely choose Cream of Wheat over fruit for your breakfast side. It is by far the best cream of wheat I've ever had. Not sure what they put in it... probably lots of butter and cream.

Very charming place to sit and have brunch, though most of the breakfast food was just average.

• Pros: service, "different", charming
• Cons: food not spectacular