A fresh culinary experience is soon to unfold in Cambridge with the opening of Amba Cafe, a Mediterranean dining oasis, coupled with an indoor farmers market known as First Street Market. Slated to open its doors on July 16, Amba Cafe finds its home at 55 First St., promising patrons a taste tour that spans the breadth of the Mediterranean. According to a report from MassLive, the cafe will initially operate from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, later extending its hours to cater evening crowds until 8 p.m.
The menu at Amba Cafe is set to feature diverse breakfast, lunch, and dinner choices, from breakfast shawarma to the signature rotisserie chicken, aimed to undoubtedly satisfy any Mediterranean craving. With the adjacent First Street Market set to swing open its doors in September, diners can also to conveniently peruse offerings from around a dozen local vendors, providing a year-round selection of seasonal produce, artisan breads, and a variety of crafts during the less active farming months. As noted by Cambridge Day, this market will also include a demo bar and a rentable community space, suitable for both colossal and more intimate events.
The brainchild behind Amba is none other than Chef Will Gilson, the culinary maverick known for his leadership at Cambridge Street Hospitality Group which runs several acclaimed eateries across the city. As reported by MassLive, the space for Amba and First Street Market, able to accommodate approximately 12 vendors, intends to transform into a festive holiday bazaar when the season arrives. Further diversifying the venue's use, a separate room within the market will invite private bookings for a range of events including cocktail classes, company celebrations, and fundraisers.
Joining Gilson in this gastronomic endeavor are Ming-Tai Huh and Nicholas Vantzelfde, figures renowned for their ventures in the restaurant industry and the business world, respectively. The fusion of their expertise is poised to bring a vibrant, culturally rich food scene to Cambridge's evolving gastronomic tapestry. "Amba takes its name from an Indian sauce that made its way through the Middle East," heralds the detailed menu shared by Cambridge Day, with the restaurant drawing on "the diverse flavors of the Mediterranean region, spanning from the eastern shores to the Atlantic coast." From the $8 breakfast shawarma to the $40 whole chicken meal combo, diners are poised to embark on a journey that mirrors the rich tapestry of Mediterranean cuisine, in the very heart of Cambridge.
