Everyone in Cambridge has their favorite places. Although we Cantabridgians are open to the whole city, there are certain areas we know, love, and frequent. Here is my Cambridge. Please take a look, they might be a part of your Cambridge.

Nightlife: Middlesex Bar and Restaurant

This is one of the best nightlife spots ever.  It could be in New York, Paris, Milan, or Abijan, but it is right here in Central Square.

 

 

 

 

Bookstore: Seven Stars

A local bookstore with lots of flair! Anyone can walk in and have a conversation about everything from astrology to Obama.

 

 

 

 

 

School: Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dream is kept alive and expanded upon by the students and faculty of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. School in Cambridge.

 

 

 

Landmark: Harvard Square

After Times Square in New York City, Harvard Square is the most important square in the United States. It was my first favorite place in Cambridge. When I first came to Cambridge in 1968, I visited a friend who was attending Emerson College; we took the T from Boston to Harvard Square and when we emerged from the subway station, I looked around and said to myself, “this is where I’m supposed to be.”

Dining: Central Kitchen

If my spouse is away on business, I always like to have dinner at this restaurant. The staff treat you like a family member and the Chicken Fricassee and New York Sirloin Steak are both excellent. The owner, Gary Sharak, is a strong supporter of Cambridge and Central Square in particular.

Theatre: Central Square Theater

The Central Square Theater is a dream come true. It is a dream theater that I helped bring to fruition. It is here that we hosted a January 2009 celebration of our Pulitzer Prize-winning author Junot Diaz.

 

 

 

Lodging: Friendly Inn

The Friendly Inn is one of several established bed and breakfast inns in Cambridge. The owner, Hong Liu, is an energetic supporter of Cambridge and my campaign.

 

 

 

Harvard Square: Musician

This man plays the erhu, a string instrument, in Harvard Square. I have seen him there for many years and he has become an important part of Harvard Square for me.

 

 

 

 

 

Bookstore: Rodney’s Bookstore

Rodney’s Bookstore is a great place to go on a Saturday when you have no plans and are interested in stumbling upon a random book. Being at Rodney’s is an adventure in itself and the store offers an extensive range of books and services.

 

 

Landmark: Middle East Mural

This mural is on the Brookline Street side of the Middle East Restaurant and Nightclub. The Middle East is owned by a wonderful family and features amazing food and live music almost every night.

 

 

Dining: Asmara

Among the many ethnic restaurants we are lucky to have in Cambridge, Asmara on Mass Ave is one of the friendliest. It is an Eritrean restaurant with lots of spice and warmth.

 

 

 

Landmark: City Hall

Cambridge City Hall has a long history and is surely one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. I have spent the last twenty-two years of my life in this building working to represent the people of Cambridge.

 

 

Food: Sidney’s

Want a good place for Sunday brunch? A weekday business lunch? A quiet working dinner? This is my spot!

 

 

 

Business: Novartis

This Swiss company moved its entire research division from Switzerland to Cambridge. It’s presence in Cambridge is good for the city.

 

 

 

Central Square: Dance Complex

The Dance Complex is the crown jewel of Central Square. It is pulsating, vibrant, and began the cultural renaissance of Central Square. On summer nights I like to hear the sounds of African drumming emanating from the building.

 

 

 

 

City Look: Hanging baskets

I have worked with the City Manager and the Department of Public Works to improve Cambridge’s public plantings. These hanging baskets are one of many results of that effort.

 

 

 

 

 

Dining: Andala Cafe

“Andala” means nightingale in Arabic and it brings the spirit and culture of old Jerusalem right into Central Square with a specially Cambridge vibe. I have many friends here and all of the food is healthy and does not contain preservatives.

 

Landmark: Herbawi Square

This Square beside First Baptist Church in Central Square is named after Sami Herbawi, a very special man who has helped to create real community in the square. Without Sami we would not have the special Cambridge spirit that we enjoy today.

 

 

 

 

Kendall Square: Living space

This luxury building features 15% affordable units due to inclusionary zoning. I am so very pleased that working people in Cambridge have an opportunity to live in the best accommodations.

 

 

 

 

 

Kendall Square: Park

Kendall Square is becoming more and more friendly. I have been working for nearly twenty years to get Kendall Square to be a place of excitement and interest, which has seen great progress in my last couple terms.

 

 

 

 

Business: Genzyme

Genzyme is one of the few profitable biotech companies in Massachusetts. It has a signature LEED-certified headquarters in Central Square, as well as other buildings throughout Cambridge.

 

 

Kendall Square: Public Safety Facility

Our new Public Safely Facility is named after longtime City Manager Robert W. Healy. The City Manager has always taken a very active interest in the public safety of Cambridge citizens.

 

 

 

 

 

Business: Biogen Idec

Biogen Idec is a longtime Cambridge bioscience company.