Lehrhaus

"Food was less flavorful than I'd hoped. The herring might as well have not been there. The not chopped liver tasted mostly like beer, but no other prominent spices or flavorings. Highlights were the pickles, and the pita, but for the price that's not good."

"Quick note. Lots of reviews say it's vegetarian. Unless you consider fish a vegetable, it's definitely not vegetarian... Really nice place. Not noisy or crowded. The samosa and the fish and chips were really good. Olives too."

"Popular Jewish tavern in Somerville with excellent food and atmosphere. Finally had the chance to visit Lehrhaus for dinner and some light drinks this past Thursday. Interestingly, the space doubled as a learning center for Jewish cultures, so it blended elements of both a tavern and a study hall. Although we were seated on the tavern side, the surrounding bookshelves and the sounds of Jewish music filtering through from the other side gave it a charming "library bar" ambiance. The menu predominantly featured dishes from Eastern European Jewish traditions, and despite being a "non-profit" restaurant, the food was surprisingly good and unique. We started off our meal with three light bites, and our favorite was the Haus Herring Tartine. The dish was composed with a crispy toast base, topped with a smooth labneh spread. The rich fattiness of the herring and cultured butter paired beautifully, while the pickled pepper toppings provided an acidic counterpoint. Another popular dish, the Chopped Not-Liver was essentially a veggie spread crafted to mimic the appearance and texture of traditional liver spread. Its unique flavor profile, marked by a peculiarly sweet and boozy aftertaste, received mixed reactions from our group. Despite the divided opinions, it was an interesting experiment, and serving it on warm pita was a pleasant way to enjoy its distinctive flavors. For our entrées, we chose the Miso Tahini Eggplant, Arctic Char, and Fish + Chips. Served with cilantro chutney and curry, the Arctic Char had an interesting Indian twist, and I enjoyed its unique layer of flavors. The Miso Tahini Eggplant was an enjoyable vegan option, but surprisingly, the most traditional dish—Fish + Chips—turned out to be my favorite. The batter on the fish was exceptionally crispy, and the combination of S'chug Aioli and Amba Vinegar provided a flavor boost with a kick of heat. However, the real highlight of the dish was the chips. Normally, I skip the chips in Fish & Chips, but these Old Bay fries were irresistible. The Old Bay seasoning delivered just the right amount of flavor, and the crispiness of these thick wedge fries was truly outstanding. Just note that 20% tip is baked into the bill regardless of party size. However, all the servers we interacted with were very friendly and attentive, which made the added gratuity feel quite reasonable. The cocktails, although slightly on the smaller side, were also excellent. Highly recommend giving them a try if you’re looking for a unique Jewish tavern experience."

"Such a unique and special experience and meal. I went in without a reservation and was able to get a seat. Coolest restaurant menu I’ve ever seen, annotated with so much meaning and history behind every ingredient and dish. I ordered two drinks, a main, and a side. Everything was delicious. After eating, I spent some time sipping a drink on the couch/lounge area looking at their books. An immersive cultural experience. I will be back. You can tell this place has so much love and energy behind it."