I have been meaning to write this post for a very long time. In November, Husband and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary (pretty wonderful). I’m usually the one who chooses the restaurant, seeing as I’m picky and all, so I set about looking for the perfect restaurant. I had a few requirements: it had to have a tasting menu, it had to be reasonably priced, and it had to be romantic.

Bondir ticked all three.

Warthog Red Wheat Sourdough/Buckwheat with Cranberries

Quietly unassuming from the outside, Bondir is a 28-seat restaurant in Cambridge, owned and run by Chef Jason Bondir. For $69pp, you can get six beautifully crafted courses. And for $39 extra per person, you can get four wine pairings with your meal. We were sold, and were pretty excited before we had even walked in.

You get this sense of home as soon as you walk through the door. The space is small and intimate, and there’s a fireplace crackling in the corner. The decor is rustic, and the smells floating from the kitchen make you feel warm and cozy.

Herb Salted Duck with Charred Eggplant, Broccoli, and Walnuts

We had an absolutely incredible meal there, and started chatting with the waitress. We asked about the fireplace area, and she excitedly explained that the area was open to anyone who wanted to come by for a glass of wine and some bread. And, let me tell you, Chef Bond’s bread is the best bread I have ever had. It’s got the right texture, the right amount of fluffiness, and everything (down to the crust) has huge amounts of flavour. So, of course, we’ve been back several times to lounge in front of the fireplace, drink beautiful Italian wine, and eat incredible bread. It’s an absolute hidden gem, and once I start working, we’ll be back there for another six-course meal!

Poppy Seed Tart with Gingerbread Ice Cream and Fruit Preserves

Bondir
279 Broadway, Cambridge
Wednesday to Sunday 5pm–10pm