Russell House Tavern opens in the former Harvard Square home of Z Square on Thursday, and we’ve got your first look at the menu, below. Michael Scelfo’s fare jumps all over: here a pizza topped with house-cured lamb belly (the new bacon, or haven’t you heard?), mushrooms, and fontina, there short ribs Wellington. There are small plates, the most tempting of which is a crispy soft-poached farm egg with pancetta, brioche, and pecorino aioli, as well as an ample raw bar. Entrees, which top out at $28, lean toward the seasonal: think baked pasta with fontina, grilled ramps, and sweet peas.
Small Plates
Jonah Crab Cake (1) 8 Sweet Pickle Tartar, Herby Gala Apple Salad
Chicken Liver Crostini (3) 6 Prune & Honey Jam
House Smoked & Salted Almonds 5 Cast Iron Roasted Vegetables 5
Green Herb Pistou
Redondo Black Serrano Ham 9 House Pickled Pears, Honey Torched Manchego
Crispy Soft Poached Chip-In Farm Egg 7 Pecorino Aioli, Toasted Brioche, House Pancetta
Painted Hills Steak Tartare 6 Griddled Caper Brioche
Short Dirty Caesar 5 Spicy Anchovy Croutons, Parsley
Little Local Leaf Salad 5 Walnuts, Dried Figs, Mustard-Cider Vinaigrette
Raw Bar
Market Clams 1.25 each Classic Old Bay Cocktail Sauce
Island Creek Oysters 2 each Sweet Pickle Mignonette, Green Herb Aioli, Old Bay Cocktail Sauce
Jonah Crab Claws (6) 14 Ginger & Harissa Aioli
Chilled Lobster Pot 17 Crushed Potato & Chorizo Aioli, Crunchy Corn Crumbs
Chilled Jumbo Shrimp (3) 12 Avocado, Honeydew & Serrano Pepper
Crab Salad 16 Roasted Fennel Jam, Warmed Old Bay Biscuits
Torched Tuna 13 Fresh Basil, Spicy Anchovy Oil
Four Way Platter
(Serves 3-4) 39 4 clams, 4 oysters, 4 Crab Claws, 4 Shrimp
Salads & Appetizers
Jonah Crab Cakes 10 Sweet Pickle Tartar, Herby Gala Apple Salad
Dirty Caesar 8 Spicy Anchovy Croutons, Parsley Leaves add chicken +6 grilled shrimp (3) +9
Local Leaf Salad 8 Walnuts, Dried Figs, Mustard-Cider Vinaigrette
Creamy Spinach Gratin 9 Buttermilk Blue Cheese, Sesame-Zahtar flat bread
Short Rib Wellington 10 Slow Braised, Roasted Mushrooms, Puff Pastry Crown
Salt & Pepper Shrimp 11 Tabasco Aioli, Lemony Greens
Tavern Buttermilk Chopped Salad 11 Grapes, House Smoked Almonds, Fennel, Benton’s Ham
Painted Hills Steak Tartare 10 Griddled Caper Brioche, Chip-In Farm Egg Yolk
House Charcuterie Board 10 Chicken Liver Paté, Duck Ham, Berkshire Rillette
Tavern Pizza
The Farmer’s Pie 11 Herb Purée, Seasonal Market Vegetables
House Made Cotechino Sausage 13 Linny’s Tomato Gravy, House Made Ricotta
The Angry Queen 10 Marinated & Roasted Tomatoes, Basil
The Butcher’s Choice 12 House Smoked & Cured Lamb Belly, Mushroom, Fontina
Entrees
R. House Burger 10 Griddled English Muffin, Cheddar, Bacon, Charcoal Onions
Roasted Giannone Farm Chicken 18 Mashed Potatoes, Thyme Roasted Carrots, Pan Drippings
Slow Colorado Lamb Shank 22 Stewed Black Lentils, House Smoked Lamb Breast, Mizuna
Hearth Baked Pasta 17 Grilled Ramps, Sweet Peas, Creamy Fontina
16oz. Brandt Farms Flat Iron Steak 28 Green Garlic Butter, Blue Cheese, Torn Bread Pudding
Ozark Heritage Pork Trio 23 Loin, Belly, Shoulder with Grits & Sauce Vinegar
Grilled Market Fish Market Fennel & Orange Salad, Green Herb Aioli
Cast Iron Seared Arctic Char 22 Roasted Apples, House Pancetta, Warm Wheat
Grilled Chicken Baguette 12 Cucumber, Pear, Mizuna, Sumac Honey Yogurt
8 oz.Brandt Farms Steak Frites 19 Crispy Frites, Garlic Aioli, Red Wine Demi
Sides
6 dollars each or three for 15
Mushroom Gratin Creamy Spinach Mashed Potatoes Creamy Grits Boston Lettuce, Simple Vinaigrette Pommes Frites
