I ate Tunisian food for the first time last weekend at the Baraka
Cafe 80 1/2 Pearl Street in Cambridge, MA.
It is a simple store front of about 30 seats with a graceful well
spoken woman in Hijab serving the customers and an obviously sophisticated
chef in the kitchen.
This essentially two person operation produces food that is both
healthy and delicious.. Three standout dishes were one called the Ultimate
Vegetarian which had Hummus, figs Anisette, Roasted Eggplant olives and
three different types of Tunisian Cheese. Dates Lalena: These were cooked
dates on crispy Tunisian Bread with caramelized onions on top. and Seafoof
Bouillabaise.
Being familiar with the Zagat ratings, I mused with the owner, Alia
Rajab Meddeb, that I would give it a food rating of 24. She smiled serenely
and said that their current rating was 26. If it is, all strength to her:
the food is bangup, but I do not think it will compare to a 26 rated New
York restaurant ,it an excellent restaurant nevertheless.
P.G.Gopal