Tag Archives: Boston Guy

Last week I was invited to attend a digital media dinner hosted by the Beat Hotel in Harvard Square.  The subterranean restaurant, bar and music venue resembles the owner’s other venue, The Beehive in the South End, but it manages to exude its own character.  The Beat Hotel earned my immediate gratitude when I learned the owners have brought back a few popular menu items that they had served up at Pho Republique but more about that later.

Beat Hotel Soursop Fresca

Capable of seating 360 and offering two bars in addition to live performances 7-days a week, makes the Beat Hotel not only a unique destination but also a very welcome addition to Harvard Square. I have to admit I really enjoyed everything about my first visit. I loved the look and feel of the space that was inspired by the Beat Movement from the 1950s and think that this place will thrive in its new home.  As I mentioned  previously, the owners have given a nod to a popular restaurant they closed in 2010, by adding Pho Republique’s smokey chipotle BBQ spare ribs ($14) and crispy tuna springroll ($11) to their menu.

I practically lived off of Pho Republique’s crispy tuna springroll so I was excited to see this return and the opportunity to eat this regularly is enough incentive to get me to head over to Harvard Square.  For the record, both taste exactly as I recall and remain as addicting as ever.  There are approximately 20 items from The Beat Hotel’s large menu that one may choose for appetizers and shared items with most reasonably priced $10-$12.

The dinner menu includes approximately 20 items.  One menu item featured is the Beat Hotel’s Earth Bowl.  These range from $20-$26 depending on the protein you include and the portions are very hearty including a natural selection of grilled and roasted vegetables, rice pilaf  and tasty sauces to accompany your protein.  I opted to try this and was pleasantly surprised by the variety of textures, flavors and portion; only order if you really are hungry!

My table guests were nice enough to let me photograph their dinners.  The first photo shown above is Sergio’s massive organic chicken piccata that was served on a bed of gnocchi and spinach for $23. Unfortunately, the image next to it is hard to see, but it turned out to be my favorite meal, 40-Something Life’s swordfish tacos for $24.  The photo in the lower left corner was my salmon earth bowl and in the lower right is the Halibut for $34. I failed to try the halibut, because I had stuffed myself into a pleasant food coma, but it smelled and looked delicious.

I’d encourage people to check out this venue for dinner, drinks or just a fun night out to catch some great live music. The website includes a current calendar of upcoming acts.

Beat Hotel 13 Brattle Street / Harvard Square

617-499-0001 / frontdesk@beathotel.com