Dining Out Boston

Inman Square newcomer Atwood's Tavern is well on its way to becoming a neighborhood favorite. The cozy bar and restaurant, with dark wood paneling and exposed brick, is English pub meets New York loft…and it works.

Although it's a bit of trek for non-Cambridge residents, Atwood's is a good fit for those looking for a local haunt that doesn't empty your wallet of all its twenties. The laid-back atmosphere belies the seriousness with which the owners approach good pub grub, for while the standard starters, burgers, sandwiches are all on them menu, more thought-provoking entrees also make an appearance.

My friends and I started with some illicit beverages ($4-5): Original Sin Cider for the ladies and Harpoon (with floating blueberries) for the gentlemen. The affable waiter seemed determined to have us not want for anything but also was dutifully concerned about rushing us. Midway through taking our orders the owner approached and updated everyone (waiter included) on the nightly specials, a much appreciated gesture.

As Ariel and I had been talking much of the afternoon about Provencal cooking, it seemed fitting that we start with the Cheese Plate ($8), a delicate array of hard and soft cheeses, green apple slices, fig spread, nuts, and sliced breads. After our walk in the gruesome heat, the thick cheeses and buttery nuts were refreshing and reviving when paired with the sweet figs and crisp, juicy apple slices. Dusty and Brian also praised their Chicken and Duck Quesadilla appetizer ($9), which arrived with a generous scoop of fresh guacamole.

In yet another example of good service, the waiter left the cheese plate, which held a smidgen of goat cheese and a few stray apple slices, while clearing the other appetizer plates in case Ariel or I wanted to nibble further during dinner. We all properly anticipated we'd be too full from starters to fully enjoy any of the grander mains like the Porterhouse Porkchop ($13) or the Linguine with Alfredo Sauce ($10), so the the crew ordered Bacon Cheeseburgers ($8.50) and I opted for the Tavern Meatloaf sandwich (served cold; $7.25). In addition to the expected lettuce tomato and onion, all sandwiches came with cute cornichons on the side. My browned fries were plump with fluffy potato and the dense meatloaf was thinly sliced and layered on a fresh roll. The sandwich was so good I almost regretted not ordering the entree version, but there's always next time.

After all that, there was little room for dessert, but those with an insatiable sweet tooth won't be disappointed at Atwood's, which offers homemade puddings ($4) and pies ($5) with Christina's Ice Cream, should the a la mode mood strike you. And, if you need more than conversation to entertain you while eating, live music is available Thursdays through Saturdays as well as a Team Pub Quiz on Wednesdays at 7:30pm.

The Info
Atwood's Tavern
877 Cambridge St., Cambridge
www.atwoodstavern.com