Earlier this month I ventured over to Davis Square to have dinner. It had been several years since I’d last ventured to the neighborhood which is home to many young professionals and students attending neighboring Tufts University. We had dinner at the very popular Foundry on Elm, which dubs itself as a “comfortable restaurant that combines the brasserie and tavern experience.”
The first half of the restaurant which faces the street is the bar, which extends about 20 feet back and by all appearances is a very popular watering hole. 
We were jostled the entire walk back to our table so if you are not into crowds you may want to rethink this location. However, if your philosophy is the more the merrier – you’ll enjoy the energy the Foundry exudes.
The menu is very approachable both in terms of selection and pricing; dinner for two with a shared appetizer, two main plates and a shared dessert (no tax, tip or drinks included) will cost approximately $55-$60. The menu is divided into appetizers ($7-$14); salads ($8-$15); sandwiches ($10-$13); several flatbreads all $14; a small raw bar selection; main dishes ($17-$28 – with roughly half the options in the high teens); and desserts ($7-$8).
I was impressed by how helpful and attentive our waiter was and by how good the food tasted. We started with a shared appetizer of the fried calamari ($13) which was a tad too salty for my liking on its own, but delicious with the aioli, apple-pepper relish, and fried basil leaves which accompanied the starter.
For dinner we tried the linguine “White Clam” which also included mussels, chilies, garlic, oregano, and a buttery clam sauce for $18. As well as the fish special $22 – which was a pan seered artic char atop a borst sauce (a beet puree with chicken stock) accompanied by brussel sprouts, leeks and yellow beets. 
Portions for dinner were reasonable and we left The Foundry very content. The flavors of the food all worked together and left us more than satisfied. If you are a beer lover be sure to check out their list of beers / ales on tap. I enjoyed my meal with a Boddington’s.
The Foundry on Elm is located at 255 Elm Street, Davis Square
Reservations are highly recommended. Tel: (617) 628-9999
BosGuy 