Rendezvous Central Square

Do you have food envy?

Steve Johnson — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:57:00 -0400

A great posting about Rendezvous on the Huffington Post by Donna Fish!
Follow this to the article...
"Most of the time when my husband and I go out to eat, he prefers whatever I order. I am pretty much always happy with what I get. Until the other night."....

Boston Globe -- January 16, 2008

Steve Johnson — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 15:14:00 -0500

Sunday Suppers
by Devra First

"Before the work week starts again, restaurants offer diners a reason
to go out ..."

To view the entire article, please click on the photo above!

New Photography at Rendezvous

Steve Johnson — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 15:35:00 -0500

photography: -- n.

1. an image, especially a positive print 2. representing or simulating something with
great detail 3. capable of forming accurate and lasting impressions

Rendezvous is pleased to showcase our friend and local photographer Besty Cullen.

Betsy Cullen is a fine art and commercial photographer based in Boston, MA. She photographs people, places and beachballs throughout the United States and abroad.
Her photographs are included in a growing number of private and corporate collections.

All fine art images are printed on 300 lb Somerset Watercolor paper and finished with deckled edges. Each photograph is printed in a limited edition of 50.

Please visit Betsy's website for additional images and information.... http://www.betsycullen.com/

Keeping it real

Steve Johnson — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 14:42:00 -0500

Rendezvous is featured in the Boston Herald on Friday, January 4, 2008

Where to dine on seasonal, regional dishes - even in winter

By Mat Schaffer

A decade ago, Steve Johnson used to compile a weekly list of what was available at local farms that he would fax to Hub chefs. The chef and owner of Rendezvous remains equally committed to supporting New England farmers today. His current menu emphasizes hearty fare - braised oxtail and Maine carrots tossed with gnocchi under a grating of fresh horseradish. A free-form lasagna is stuffed with roasted cauliflower, chard, cabbage and creamy fresh ricotta, topped with melted cheese and toasted pine nuts. Skillet-roasted cod is perched on a hash of brussels sprouts, bacon, potatoes and onions and drizzled with dreamy apple cider-butter sauce. Before you head out into Central Square, fortify yourself with a warm crostada of cinnamony pears and golden raisins with yummy clove ice cream.

To view the entire article please click HERE!

Sunday School: Watch out, Saturday — there’s a new restaurant night in town

Steve Johnson — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 14:06:00 -0400

stuff@night

Sunday School: Watch out, Saturday — there’s a new restaurant night in town
Posted Oct. 17, 2007
by Louisa Kasdon

The Rendezvous' Steve Johnson explains that he first decided to offer his three-course $38 Sunday prix fixe "as a marketing thing, a way to let people know that we were open seven nights a week - and make a gesture of hospitality for our neighbors, letting them know they could still eat here, even if they couldn't get a table on Saturday night." Johnson says the "deal works both ways: it allows the chef to have a little more fun, more latitude in the menu, to try out a new dish, or cook bluefish instead of striped bass." Sunday, he adds, is now his favorite night to work, and he's always there to meet and greet. "It's a gentler vibe, a different crowd, full of neighborhood people and people who do fun things on a Sunday afternoon, see a movie, take a walk, and artsy types who've just been to a play, a gallery opening." Johnson also offers this entire menu a la carte on Sundays as well, so “if people only want a steak-frites and a glass of wine then that’s fine with us, too”.

Gourmet Magazine's Restraurant Guide October 2007

Steve Johnson — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 14:49:00 -0400

the Restaurant Guide

The eat-local philosophy really caught on this year.
So for 2007, our nationwide dining guide takes a look at restaurants, hotels, and inns whose chefs are taking locally sourced ingredients in new and exciting directions.
In this online exclusive, check out additional restaurants and longer reviews that aren't available in print.

Urban:
RENDEZVOUS IN CENTRAL SQUARE

Long a mover and shaker in Boston's farm-to-table efforts—he originated the Fresh Sheet, a broadsheet sent biweekly to city chefs to let them know what local farmers have on hand—chef-owner Steve Johnson puts it all to work at Rendezvous.
Located in Cambridge's somewhat gritty Central Square, it is a convivial oasis where faculty and students from Harvard and MIT join neighborhood residents and area foodies to swoon over a menu featuring the flavors of Italy, France, Spain, and North Africa.

502 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA (617-576-1900)

Stuff @ Night Dining Award 2007

Steve Johnson — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 15:52:00 -0400

MVP, large parties division:
Rendezvous in Central Square
by Ruth Tobias and MC Slim JB 8.24.2007

A New American menu focused on local ingredients that doesn't pander to middlebrow tastes; adept bartending at a bar designed for dining; an airy space not too swanky for the neighborhood; a well-considered, affordable wine list; the irresistible hospitality of Steve Johnson and his well-trained crew: we love Rendezvous in Central Square (502 Mass Ave, Cambridge, 617.576.1900) for many reasons. But it's especially valuable when you're hosting a large crowd and have to please both the adventurous and the timid, vegetarians and carnivores, without killing your credit line. In this challenging scenario, Rendezvous will make you look like a hero.

Art Reception

Steve Johnson — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 13:38:00 -0400

A summer send-off: Rendezvous chef celebrates the harvest with end-of-season feast

Steve Johnson — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 11:44:00 -0400

This is the favorite time of year for Rendezvous chef and owner Steve Johnson, who serves locally grown, sustainably farmed, seasonal food at his popular Central Square restaurant. “The end of summer is when everything comes together in New England,” he says. “For a chef, it’s one of the peak times of the year for using local ingredients.”

A Fresh Take on Sardines

Steve Johnson — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 15:27:00 -0400

A Fresh Take on Sardines

Follow the link below to view the video, The Rise of the Sardine, with Corby Kummer and Steve filmed here at Rendezvous. You will also find Corby's related article in the July/August issue of The Atlantic, The Rise of the Sardine.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid711933027/bctid1114187369

New Photography

Steve Johnson — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 20:30:00 -0400

Here at Rendezvous, we are pleased to host a black and white photography series by artist Carl Tremblay. A native of Montreal, Carl has been a freelance photographer living in Boston for 20 years.

Carl’s fine art photography includes documentation of recent explorations of village life in rural Mexico, personal projects, and wonderful close-to-home experiences with his three children and extended family in Jamaica Plain.

Follow this link to Carl’s Website….

http://www.carltremblayphoto.com/book01_01.html

Summer Wine Series at the Bar

Steve Johnson — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 14:00:00 -0400

Rendezvous Summer Wine Series

From June through September, we will host a series of food and wine pairings the third week of each month. These specially-designed pairing will be available at the bar, and we will offer tasting portions of three different wines paired with a special menu of small bites for $25.

Each month will have a different focus; here is what we have lined up …

July - All Rosé - July 16th thru 20th

August - Biodynamic Wines - August 20th thru 24th

September - Woman Winemakers - September 17th thru 21st

If this sounds good to you, call ahead so we can save a spot for you at the bar!
Call 617.576.1900 or hit the link to Opentable !

New Artist... Photographer Don Gurewitz!

Steve Johnson — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 16:02:00 -0500

Rendezvous is pleased to announce our next artist on display here at the restaurant, local photographer Don Gurewitz. Don works in color, using only a hand-held camera and natural light, and his work is drawn from his extensive travels around the world. Wherever the setting, Don’s photos are full of humanity and always convey a great cultural impact.

Don’s work will be on display at Rendezvous beginning Sunday, March 4^th, 2007, and we will be hosting a reception for the artist on Saturday, March 17^th from 1-3pm at the restaurant. The reception will be open to the general public, and refreshments and snacks will be served.

Please visit Don's website ....

http://www.dongurewitzphotography.com/

"Best of Boston"

Steve Johnson — Wed, 26 Jul 2006 19:27:00 -0400

Boston Magazine has awarded Rendezvous "Best Restaurant Début" in its August 2006 issue! To view the article or the entire list of awards, visit bostonmagazine.com

For reservations or more information about the restaurant, please feel free to give us a call: 617.576.1900

Boston Globe wine correspondant lauds Rendezvous' wines by the glass program!

Steve Johnson — Fri, 12 May 2006 14:40:00 -0400

Wednesday, May 10th, 2006 -- "The wine list at Rendezvous -- put together by GM Nicole Bernier -- is interesting, a bit eclectic, and focused on the food, as it should be." In a feature on wines by the glass in Boston restaurants, Globe Correspondant Stephen Meuse puts Rendezvous high on his list of "Top Individual Pours Around Town". To read the entire article, please go to BostonGlobe.com "Singular Sensation" in the Wednesday, May 10th edition.

Gourmet Greatness from the Phantom!

Steve Johnson — Sat, 29 Apr 2006 13:59:00 -0400

Saturday, April 29th -- The Phantom Gourmet gives the Rendezvous high marks! "Hottest new restaurant of the year in Cambridge" says the Phantom. For the full review, please visit the Phantom Gourmet's website: www.phantomgourmet.com.

The Improper Bostonian review - March 8-21, 2006

Steve Johnson — Tue, 07 Mar 2006 15:53:00 -0500

"Impeccable service -- consistently attentive, professional, informed and friendly -- prevailed from the beginning to end of both of my visits." - by Charles Mokriski

Boston Magazine review - March 2006

Steve Johnson — Tue, 07 Mar 2006 15:46:00 -0500

"With Rendezvous, chef Steve Johnson has transformed a one-time Burger King into a meeting place for diners who treasure fresh food with flair." -- by Corby Kummer

Boston Herald Review, February 10, 2006

Steve Johnson — Fri, 10 Feb 2006 14:06:00 -0500

Boston Herald restaurant reviewer, Mat Schaffer, gives Rendezvous a B+ !!! To read the full review, please visit: http://theedge.bostonherald.com/diningReviews/

The review is also on page E26 of the Friday (2/10/06) newspaper.

Boston Globe review

Steve Johnson — Thu, 26 Jan 2006 12:44:00 -0500

Alison Arnett, restaurant reviewer for the Boston Globe, gives Rendezvous 3 stars in today's Calendar section !!!
(Thursday, January 26th)
For the complete review, click on the following link: www.boston.com/dining/globe_review/1275

Gourmet Magazine -- February 2006

Steve Johnson — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 16:59:00 -0500

Gourmet Magazine exclusive! Rendezvous is featured in the current issue of Gourmet Magazine's Restaurant Roundup -- page 39.

Sundays at Rendezvous!

Steve Johnson — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 12:11:00 -0500

Sunday Suppers at Rendezvous: Prix Fixe Menu for $35!

Every Sunday chef Deepak Kaul and sous-chef Tai Lee will present a 3-course menu including some of our regular menu items and several special dishes new each week.

Nicole will be offering specially-selected wines in 500ml carafes to complement the special menu.

We look forward to seeing you Sundays at the Rendezvous!

Valet Service!

Steve Johnson — Mon, 26 Dec 2005 11:49:00 -0500

We are pleased to announce that starting January 6th we will be offering VALET SERVICE regularly each weekend (Fridays and Saturdays) at the Rendezvous!

Welcome to Rendezvous in Central Square

Steve Johnson — Fri, 11 Nov 2005 09:37:00 -0500

Chef-owner Steve Johnson at the Rendezvous at Central Square
(Photo by Kelly Davidson)

From fast to fine

James Beard Foundation Nov 2005

Steve Johnson — Wed, 09 Nov 2005 17:18:00 -0500

Changing squares. Steve Johnson, formerly of Kendall Square’s Blue Room, is opening Rendezvous in Central Square. Several Blue Room alumni will be joining him, including chef Deepak Kaul, most recently of San Francisco’s Jardinière, and general manager Nicole Bernier of Craigie Street Bistro.

- From James Beard Foundation Website

Add me to your email list

Steve Johnson — Wed, 09 Nov 2005 16:32:00 -0500

To receive email updates for the Rendezvous Central Square website, please send us an email at rendezvousadmin@gmail.com.

Current artists on display -- May 2006-September 2006

Steve Johnson — Wed, 21 Sep 2005 12:48:00 -0400

Scott Listfield -- Scott is renowned for his paintings of Astronauts and Dinosaurs. Inspired by Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey and the ways in which we imagined the future, Scott's work explores peculiarities in the ubiquity of things we take for granted. The end result is bizarrely matter-of-fact, fun and quite beautiful -- a combination that is unique to Scott's work. He lives and works in Cambridge, MA.

Linda Getgen -- Linda, in contrast, combines in her manipulated photographs sensibilities from photography, printmaking, painting, and collage to distill the essence of places and things, obscuring subjects just enough -- enabling an interpretive viewing experience based on one's own formative experiences. Linda lives and works in the Boston area.

For more information about the artists, visit www.Scintus.com