Ready to find out about the newest businesses to open in Cambridge? From a baking hobby store to a Vietnamese fast food spot, read on for a list of the newest spots to make their debut near you.
Elmendorf Baking Supplies
594 Cambridge St., East Cambridge
Elmendorf Baking Supplies is a cafe and baking hobby shop, offering specialty food, supplies and more.
The shop carries baking equipment and specialty ingredients, while also offering baking classes, grain mills and a cafe area that serves coffee and baked goods.
With five stars out of five Yelp reviews, the new shop is off to a good start so far.
Yelper Jake B., who reviewed it on Nov. 25, said, “Great baked goods, great coffee—a terrific little coffee shop that just happens to have cool and useful baking tools and equipment and entertaining cookbooks to browse. It's a great mash-up."
Gabrielle R. added, "Love this place! Quick service, good prices on tea and friendly staff. Came in to work on a paper and I liked the jazz they were playing so much that I didn't even listen to my own music. They have a great variety of baking supplies."
Stop in and say hello: Elmendorf Baking Supplies is open from 8 a.m.–7 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m.–7 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m.–4 p.m. on Sunday. (It's closed on Monday.)
CAVA
82 Ames St., Kendall Square
CAVA is a new Mediterranean spot. The Kendall Square outpost is among the newest locations of the food chain to open in the United States. Founded by three childhood friends, CAVA serves traditional Greek and Mediterranean food.
The menu provides a build-a-meal option from a selection of a grain bowls, greens and grain bowls, pitas, mini pitas or pita and soup. There are several dips and spreads to add, such as eggplant and red pepper dip and hummus. Proteins options vary, but include braised beef and spicy lamb meatballs. Finally, any meal can be completed with any number of toppings and dressings to drizzle and put on top. Grab a pita to go and customize it with eggplant and red pepper dip, tzatziki, spicy lamb meat balls, tomato and cucumber salad, cabbage slaw, kalamata olives and lemon herb tahini sauce.
It seems to be a welcome addition to the neighborhood thus far, with a four-star rating out of three Yelp reviews.
Yelper Jessie H., who reviewed it on Dec. 3, notes, “I'm excited for this new Kendall lunch spot. I tried the salad with falafel. It was delicious. The falafel are light and in a doughnut/fritter style, so it's like eating a salad with donuts! All of the sauces and toppings were delicious.”
Nancy C. added, "This CAVA is just as good as the others, with build-your-own bowls, seasonal ingredients/specials, drinks and more. They cater to a wide variety of diets since they have so many options, including paleo, vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, etc."
Hungry? CAVA is open from 10:45 a.m.–10 p.m. daily.
Bon Me
1350 Massachusetts Ave., Smith Campus Center
Bon Me is an Asian fusion and Vietnamese spot. Opened by Patrick Lynch and Ali Fo in 2010, Bon Me began as a food truck that has since expanded into a restaurant, with many Boston locations. The restaurant/food truck’s name is inspired by the Vietnamese sandwich banh mi.
The menu features Asian cuisine that consists of breakfast items (during the week only), sandwiches, bowled-dishes, tea, bubble tea and coffee. Order a bowl of sesame soba noodles with soba noodles topped with fiery chickpeas, mesclun, shredded carrots, red onion, roasted scallions and toasted sesame sauce. Or try the J.P. sandwich, a vegetarian banh mi, stuffed with roasted paprika tofu, pickled carrots and daikon, cucumber, red onion, cilantro, rosemary-walnut spread and spicy mayo.
The new eatery is a welcome addition to the neighborhood so far, holding a 4.5-star rating out of four Yelp reviews.
Daniel L., who reviewed the spot on Oct. 20, wrote, "Sandwich was bigger than I expected. Fair amount of veggies and meat, char siu pork wasn't dry and enough flavor in both that the sandwich overall is more than just fuel for your tank. Bread comes out warm and toasty, so try to finish as fast as you can!"
Phillip Y. noted, "One of my go-tos if I'm looking for a quick, inexpensive bite to eat. I like their food truck and was quite excited to hear they'd be opening a location in the Smith Campus Center, and I was not disappointed!"
Bon Me is open from 8 a.m.–10 p.m. on weekdays, and 10:30 a.m.–10 p.m. on weekends.
