The Russell House Tavern

For our third Mystery Meet, we gathered our largest crowd yet at The Russell House Tavern in Harvard Square (14 JFK Street, Cambridge).

A recent writeup by Devra First of The Boston Globe attracted a wider range of people and age groups, making for a great communal experience.

Chef Michael Scelfo pulled out all the stops in preparing the meal (while tweeting photos from the kitchen) with a special four-course meal:

Course 1: In House Charcuterie Flight
House Cured Duck Ham, Chicken Liver Mouse, Lamb Rillette

Course 2: Smoked Wild Coho Salmon Cake
Local Corn Puree, Pickled Sudbury Shallots and Radishes

Course 3: Berkshire Pork Duo
Creamy Grits, Heirloom Apple Latke, Sauce Vinegar

Course 4: Warm Chocolate Cake
Ginger Ice Cream, Salted Caramel Sauce

The chicken liver mousse and pork over the apple latke were the runaway favorites of the evening.

The bartender also prepared a wonderful flight of cocktails paired to each course for an additional $20:

Course 1: Rio Reviver – Cachaca, Cocchi Americano, Citronage, Lemon, Pernod

Course 2: Martini – Plymouth, Dolin Dry Vermouth, Boston Bitters

Course 3: Vieux Carre – Old Overholt Rye, Pierre Ferrand Cognac, Sweet Vermouth, Angostura, Peychauds

Course 4: 1919 – Old Monk Rum, Pikesville Rye, Benedictine, Punt e Mes, Mole Bitters

We had some returning bloggers including Glenn and Katrin of Wine Dine With Us, who offered this review, as well as some new bloggers Dale of Drinks Are on Me, who switched from his usual wine drinking to try the cocktail flight.