Where to Eat Local, In-Season Food in Boston

More and more, the trend-qua-lifestyle of eating local, in-season food is catching on. And Boston is no exception. A quick perusal of Edible Boston verifies this notion, if you only just see the website's tag line: Celebrating the Abundance of Local Foods, Season by Season. So why not take the cue and jump right in?

Flour Bakery + Cafe has locations in the South End, Fort Point Channel, and Central Square to serve you. Their mission in life reflects their “passionate desire to share the simple pleasures that mouth-watering pastries and foods can bring.” If you like a hearty meal, this isn't where you'll find it. However, if you appreciate delicate, delicious morsels, come on in for a brioche au chocolat, a sticky bun, or an old-fashioned sour cream coffee cake.

Another Kenmore Square local food-based eatery is Eastern Standard. Adjacent to the Hotel Commonwealth, Eastern Standard bills itself as “a true neighborhood brasserie” serving “a classically inspired, seasonally driven, something-for-everyone menu.” Not only does the bar feature award-winning craft cocktails, the menu also includes “house-made charcuterie, steak frites, and raw bar.” The Sunday brunch is, no doubt, a scrumptuous delite.

If you're on the north side of the Charles River and hankering for something a bit simpler, the Cambridge Brewing Company might suffice. Here, “fresh beer and local food” are the order of every day. Unlike most restaurants, which opt for wine pairings with their meals, “CBC blends a passion for fresh, flavorful beer and delicious, imaginative cuisine to create a one-of-a-kind dining experience for greater Boston.” In particular, “diners with adventurous palates and a thirst for both authentic flavors and unique interpretations of classic beer styles” will enjoy an evening at CBC.

Cambridge really is a hotbed of local, seasonal cuisine as evidenced by another entry on the list: Garden at The Cellar. Chef William Gilson offers up “a range of cuisine that pays homage to the bounty of gardens, local farms, and environmentally responsible products” in a setting inspired by British gastropubs. The menu features items like chicken and thyme croquettes with a smoked paprika aïoli, chickpea fries, and braised rabbit rigatoni.

Back across the Charles in Jamaica Plain, locavores can stop into The Haven. Their spin on local food done pub-style involves “traditional Scottish recipes made from scratch and using local ingredients” including Scottish ales, local craft brews, and a diverse wine menu.” Entries such as the ragged jack and apple salad, cock a leekie soup, cheese on toast, haggis and neeps, sassitch and mash, and finnan haddie croquettes put it all in perspective.

Charting a simpler course, JP's Ula Cafe “was founded on the conviction that providing a friendly, comfortable, and creative space where individuals can casually interact with community members is equally important – for customers, employees, and the community-at-large – as offering delicious coffee and tea, fresh and creative bakery items, and hearty soups, sandwiches, and salads.” That sums up what you'll find at Ula.

Whether in Boston, San Francisco, or Des Moines, eating local, in-season food really is more than a trend or even a lifestyle; it's a statement, a commitment even, to your community, your planet, and your own health.

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