Skip to main content

A Wood-Fire Experiment at Area Four

During a recent phone chat, restaurant owner Michael Krupp suddenly stops mid-conversation: “I’m sorry, hold on. There’s something very strange happening in my restaurant.” After a brief moment of muffled voices, Krupp returns to the line. “I just had a bunch of college kids walk in here carrying instruments. They were measuring the air quality.” This is bound to happen when a restaurant opens next door to MIT.

Krupp opened Area Four, a bakery/coffee house and bar/oven with chef Michael Leviton in 2011. The two had previously created Persephone/Achilles, a Boston waterfront restaurant and retail spot that opened to rave reviews but closed quickly due to a failing economy.

Recommended Videos

With Area Four, aptly named for its location in Area IV, Cambridge, Krupp and Leviton bring another innovative concept to life in the center of Cambridge’s technology hub. “It was really the perfect opportunity, because we were the first people to bring really great food with a laid-back atmosphere to Technology Square, which has so many office workers and scientists,” Krupp explains.

The restaurant does fit seamlessly into its tech-driven surroundings. Cement floors, aluminum chairs, and exposed ventilation and piping throughout give customers a no-frills, down-to-the-elements eatery. The restaurant’s mission, written on a large black chalkboard, states that all of the ingredients are gathered from local farms and businesses. Even the wine is on tap, bringing Boston’s first “sustainable wine program” to an area that thrives on research and bold experiments.

The menu takes on a similarly creative vibe, where almost everything is cooked in the two wood-fire ovens that Krupp calls the “cornerstone” of Area Four. Red onions, pecorino, and Brussels sprouts shredded to look like lettuce make for an interesting, bare-bones salad. The grass-fed beef meatballs with a side of giant, crispy croutons are a must, and could arguably work as a meal rather than an appetizer.

But whatever you do, don’t leave this place without trying the pizza. We went for the bacon and clam white pie, a briny, buttery, parmesan-coated thing of beauty. Still hungry? Area Four makes it’s own soft-serve vanilla ice cream and dark chocolate sauce.

Time will tell if the bakery/bar/oven is a successful experiment for Leviton and Krupp. For now, Krupp’s main goal goes beyond the pizza and brews: “We want every single person who comes in here to have a positive experience, that’s why we do this.” Even the kids carrying instruments.

Lindsay McCormack
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Lindsay McCormack is a contributing writer to TheManual.com. Previously, Lindsay studied book and magazine publishing at the…
Topics
From cold brew to creamsicle lattes: Orange flavor is the summer’s hottest trend
How orange evokes nostalgic feelings
Orange Creme

Butter yellow may be everywhere in fashion and beauty this summer, but trends suggest that orange is the focus of the summer in the world of food. With the nostalgia trend continuing on social media, brands like M&Ms, Coke, and Califia Farms are focusing on the emotional appeal of orange flavor in new summer products.
Califia Farms has recently launched an Orange Creme Refresher, complete with a sweet and citrusy taste that's intended to evoke a sensory link to childhood. To learn more about the orange flavor trend, I spoke with Kaytee Hadley, MS, RDN, IFMCP, a dietitian and founder of Holistic Health and Wellness in Richmond, VA. Here's what she shared about how orange creme is being used in coffee, juices, and more.

Orange creme trends in food

Read more
Lavazza brings Italian indulgence to the Hamptons this summer
New curated coffee experiences in the Hamptons
Lavazza

Are you ready for a classic summer in the Hamptons? This summer, Lavazza, the iconic Italian coffee brand, has launched a new, three-year partnership with the Montauk Yacht Club, bringing new curated coffee experiences to the property. Designed to elevate every moment on the property, this partnership brings a slice of La Dolce Vita to the property that every coffee lover and traveler can appreciate. Whether you're spending a weekend in the Hamptons or stopping by for the day, guests will be able to enjoy a variety of new coffee-focused experiences through this unique partnership.
Highlights of the partnership

Whether you're spending a weekend in the Hamptons or stopping by for the day, guests will be able to enjoy a variety of new highlights through this partnership, which include:

Read more
Experts suggest skipping coffee amid extreme heat warnings
Drinking coffee could lead to dehydration in extreme temps
Man in blue sweater making cup of coffee

Should you skip drinking coffee while in extreme temperatures? This week, experts are warning coffee drinkers to think twice before drinking their morning cup of joe. Experts suggest that Americans in California, Arizona, and Nevada should limit their coffee consumption this week, as these regions are expected to experience extreme temperatures.

The National Weather Service issued an extreme heat warning for various portions of each of these three states. An Extreme Heat Warning remains in place through 10 pm Thursday for highs in parts of Southern Nevada, ranging from 105 to 115 degrees. Temperatures up to 120 degrees will also be possible in Death Valley, leading to dangerous conditions.

Read more