Centre Street Cafe
669a Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
(617) 524-9217
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It is not a stretch to say that Jamaica Plain is perhaps Boston's most quirky, offbeat neighborhood. The many cultural offerings, funky independent stores, and abundance of eclectic restaurants indeed make JP anything but boring. And while the Centre Street Cafe certainly falls into the eclectic restaurant category, it almost feels like the type of dining spot you might find in Vermont rather than on a busy street a few minutes away from downtown Boston. From its locally grown and organic foods to its free-spirited waitstaff to its general earthy-crunchy feel, this tiny restaurant could easily fit in somewhere in Brattleboro, Burlington, or Bellows Falls.
The Centre Street Cafe resides in a narrow shoebox of a space in the heart of Jamaica Plain. The interior of the restaurant is dark and cozy, with a handful of tables along the left and right walls, with a couple of choice spots in the front where diners can enjoy the street scenes of JP. Because of its size, the Centre Street Cafe can often get packed (especially during its weekend brunch), but on a typical weeknight, it is not difficult to get a table here. As mentioned earlier, the servers tend to be real characters, but are also very helpful with any questions patrons might have about menu offerings or other issues.
The menu at the Centre Street Cafe leans heavily toward the eclectic side of things, and tends to change every now and then with nightly specials offered as well as a few regular standby items. Some examples of what the restaurant serves includes a pleasantly smoky and slightly sour poblano and sweet potato soup; a creamy and mouthwatering potato leek soup; a fresh and delicious chicken salad; a mildly spicy Tex-Mex chipotle meatball dish with buttermilk mashed potatoes, an old-school but all-natural salisbury steak; and a sweet-tasting sauteed crab cake dish with basmati rice and corn-based remoulade. The beer and wine lists are somewhat short but impressive, with excellent microbrews and some good wines from Europe. Desserts are also offered, with the types of sweets generally changing from night to night. And for those who wish to try the brunch at the Centre Street Cafe, expect some great options, including an outstanding sourdough French toast and a relatively healthy and filling breakfast burrito that includes Vermont cheddar cheese.
Though perhaps not for everyone, the Centre Street Cafe is a special spot that helps keeps the spirit of uniqueness alive within the Boston restaurant scene. And that, in this era of ever-growing sameness among dining spots, is reason enough to consider this friendly, comfortable little restaurant. It may feel a bit like a Vermont eatery inside, but the Centre Street Cafe is a true Boston gem that should definitely not be overlooked.
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