Avenue Kitchen & Bar Awards

Avenue Kitchen & Bar Restaurant Review:

About the restaurant: Enter this Hampden spot from the front or the rear of the building to encounter an exposed brick subterranean bar and restaurant. Different owners with different concepts opened up the front of the structure, creating an al fresco dining space along with on-the-go Sidebar for quick bites, carryout and drinks.

Likes: The menu offers diversity in portion size and cuisines; free parking in a neighborhood where it’s at a premium.
Dislikes: The restaurant is in the basement and can be a bit dark, even though the owners have done a lot to light the area.

Food & Drinks: Tacos, poke and falafel sliders are a few of the international flavors one can enjoy along with American fare like po’ boys and half-pound Maryland crab cakes. Don’t miss the “Shared for the Table” portion of the menu; the biscuits with honey butter are worth the wait and can feed two people with ease, or indulge in the crispy Brussels sprouts with garlic confit aïoli and aged Parmesan. The wine list is just as international as the food, ranging from a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc to Mencia from Spain and Italian Barolo. Happy hour is every day from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. till closing, tantalizing folks with oysters and tacos. Those who imbibe may whet their whistle with discounted draft beer, cocktails and wines by the glass. Don’t miss Monday burger night and Thursday night’s special of a whole lobster for $13.