Archives: Media Room

Gong Cha — an international bubble tea chain — is set to bubble into Harvard Square in early June.

The store will take over the previous Dado Tea location at 50 Church St., becoming the latest addition to the Square’s boba tea collection, alongside Kung Fu Tea located at 1160 Massachusetts Ave. Boston Tea Stop, another Harvard Square staple that served bubble tea, closed last year.

Founded in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Gong Cha — which translates to “tribute tea for the emperor” — opened its first overseas location in Korea in 2006. The Gong Cha USA franchise has more than 1,500 locations globally. The chain is known for its signature milk foam.

Although the state of Massachusetts legalized recreational marijuana back in 2016, the city of Cambridge had difficulties choosing its dispensary application procedures.

As a result, it was harder for people to open dispensaries in the city. However, this changed in February when the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission approved Yamba Market’s equity license, making it the first store in Cambridge to obtain one.

Yamba Market (the word yamba is a nickname for cannabis in West Africa) is located at 580 Massachusetts Ave and will open its doors to customers on April 11.

The owners of this black-owned dispensary, Sean Hope and Sieh Samura, hope to educate consumers in a way that removes preconceptions associated with cannabis usage.

Cambridge Plays is a series of outdoor entertainment events sponsored by the City of Cambridge, the Cambridge Office for Tourism, and our community partners. Come out and enjoy live music across the city from April to June across the city! Whether you’re up for jazz in Harvard Square, a funky dance party with lawn games in Toomey Park, Eats & Crafts in Inman Square, or even yoga at Dana Park, Cambridge Plays has something for everyone. 

All events are free and open to the public and fun for people of all ages and abilities. Cambridge Plays is sponsored by the City of Cambridge Community Development Department, Cambridge Arts, the Cambridge Office for Tourism, Central Square Business Improvement District, East Cambridge Business Association, Harvard Square Business Association, Harvard University, Lesley Art + Design, and MIT’s Office of Open Space Programming.

Wine Sommelier Bertil Jean-Chronberg Introduces His Unique Take on the Art of Wine at Harvard Square’s Premier Wine and Accessory Store

Cambridge, Mass. (Arpil 12, 2022) – Bonde Fine Wine Shop, the wine and accessory concept store in Harvard Square by Boston hospitality veteran and internationally recognized sommelier Bertil-Jean Chronberg, has now expanded its offerings to in-person public tasting events, wine classes and private events programs.

As the mastermind behind celebrated projects such as the Beehive and Beat Hotel, Jean-Chronberg brings the same level of cultural and technical expertise to Bonde Fine Wine Shop as he did to his previous projects, but now intends to disrupt the industry further by introducing drinkers to a one-of-a-kind wine shop concept, eco-responsible wine selection, neo-artisanal wine accessories for both wine lovers and professionals alike, books and wines magazines, clothing, and an intimate space for events including winemakers nights, wine tastings, wine education, private events and pop-up happenings such as a live podcast. Also available to the public are private consultations for a personalized wine curation.

On Monday, the Cambridge City Council discussed a proposal to construct bike lanes on parts of Massachusetts Avenue between Harvard Square and North Cambridge, ultimately delaying a vote until later in the month.

Councilors discussed a report from city staff detailing a proposal and timeline to construct bike lanes on four segments of Mass. Ave. The four segments, referred to collectively as “MassAve4,” share “unique complicating factors,” such as overhead bus wires and concrete medians, that make bike lane construction challenging, per the report.

In need of a read? From secondhand novels to gently broken-in paperbacks, these seven used bookstores prove that new isn’t always better.

A beautifully filled bookshelf is something to admire—but it takes a lot of work to get there. And for anyone who enjoys owning books rather than checking them out from the library, a visit to a used bookstore can be a way to fill those lovely shelves without spending too much.

In celebration of HBO’s new series “Julia,” here are spots the famed chef frequented while she lived and worked in Cambridge for 40 years.

HBO Max recently released “Julia,” an eight-episode dramedy about the life and work of pioneering chef Julia Child.

While she was born in California and studied culinary arts in France, she and her husband Paul moved to Cambridge in 1961 where they lived for 40 years.

The impact Child brought to Cambridge’s community and its culinary scene is still felt today, if only you know where to look.

It was in their home at 103 Irving St. that Child filmed three of her television series—”In Julia’s Kitchen with Master Chefs,” “Baking With Julia,” and “Julia and Jacques Cooking at Home.”

Bosso Ramen Tavern, a new Japanese restaurant specializing in small plates, sushi, and ramen, held its Harvard Square grand opening on Saturday.

The restaurant, located on 24 Holyoke St., is a modern take on an izakaya — a Japanese bar that serves appetizers, snacks, and drinks. Owner Yasuhiro Sasago designed the menu with his experiences as a surfer and trained ramen chef in mind.

Good news for all Japanese-food lovers in Cambridge, WakuWaku Ramen and Sake is bringing its innovative ramen culture to Harvard Square. 

Tucked into a row of shops and eateries on Brattle Street, WakuWaku’s new location will officially open around late April, giving Cambridge students and residents another ramen option, along with the Boston Ramen Company and Hokkaido Ramen Santouka.