OM Restaurant & Lounge

I haven't eaten at Om, but did want to put in my two cents about the bar. The atmosphere is pretty good, though they seem to only play techno music. The drinks were fine, but overpriced. At one point in the night, a waitress bumped into my friend and spilled almost an entire drink on her. The waitress did not apologize, but walked off in a huff. When the waitress came back, she said to my friend, rudely, ""Excuse me!"" My friend said something about the waitress spilling a drink on her before (in a non-belligerant tone), and the waitress screamed, ""You're leaving!"" and stalked off to complain to her manager or bouncer about my friend, who was not at fault at all. My friend didn't get kicked out, but wanted to leave anyway. The waitress was incredibly rude and should have figured out a different course of action for handling the situation. I don't think I will be returning. Pros: atmosphere Cons: service, prices more

It was a fun dining experience. The truffled popcorn took place of the bread. The cocktails were good and the exotic decor matched with the menu. Great place just to lounge and have a couple of drinks too. Pros: good food, good drinks more

I am always so amazed at the hostile & negative reviews smeared across citysearch. I went to OM for dinner friday night and had an amazing time. I was with a group of 8 and we did the chefs tasting menu. Everything was delicious and waiter walked us through each course & even the manager was helping to deliver our food to the table. The genereal agreement was that the pork was ouur favorite dish and than the surf and turf, but I have to say the cauliuflower soup was also out of this world and my new candy... I think anyone who feels OMs food is lacking flavor and has only presentation is nuts. He or she is obviously lacking a refined & delicate palate, is probably used to big bold flavors, smokes too much or is bridge and tunnel & should keep eating at the cheesecake factory. Pros: food, winelist, service Cons: noise level more

Quite an unpleasant surprise after experiencing what I expected to be an enjoyable meal with friends. The only way to describe what's going on with this Harvard Square hotspot is 'trendy' and that's about it. Little to no effort is put into the service and food quality(taste). While the waitstaff seemed knowledgeable of both the menu and the wine list, they were otherwise pretentious and even rude at times. After giving my polite and honest opinion of the food to our waitor - too much show and not enough taste - the waitor relayed my comments to the manager. The manager then proceeded to walk by our table a couple of times staring at us, obviously making the table fairly incomfortable. He finally stopped to argue why I was wrong about the food. AMAZING!! Who does this in the hospitality industry?!? I may have been completely wrong, but to actually argue with me?? The food prep seemed far too creative, taking away from the palate. I enjoyed the complementary soup prior to our appitizer, but the popcorn was too salty and also out of place. We also waited about an hour between our apps and the main course, and our waitor gave us attitude when we asked. In a nutshell, I give Om a year or so before Chef Klein is looking for a new job. Advice - get rid of the pretentious waitstaff and management and you might survive for a while. Also, even out your cooking style...learn to cook with your tongue AND your eyes. You focus way too much on presentation. Sorry to be harsh, but Om is a terrible dining experience. Pros: location, stylish, valet parking. Cons: food and service more

I have lived in Cambridge my entire life, and I have frequented its food scene throughout those 41 years. I have been to OM on several occassions, and, like many others that I have spoken to, we believe this site to be a crock. I don't understand how people could be so critical of amazing institutions like this one. Do not forget the good moments in your visits, as well. I've read reviews with people talking about too MUCH free food being brought to the table. It's free, is that a problem? I'm reading complaints that the service is terrible yet no specifics? Is this for real or is it all of the other restaurants being jealous? Or should all of us just take a minute in this holiday season and step back to realize how fortunate we are to be able to enjoy food and cocktails of this caliber. I urge you all to stray from this website, get off the computer and experience this, and the other incredible Boston restaurants for yourself. Garnish your own opinions of restaurants as only YOU know what YOU really cherish. Don't be swayed by the grumpy opinions of others who find things too truffled or what have you, and just enjoy what we are so fortunate to have. If you have nobody to enjoy it with, you'll find me at OM, sitting at the bar and drinking one of Clif's great creations. more

I was looking forward to a Christmas celebration dinner with my daughter and son at OM - an award winning chef, imaginative cuisine, and funky, fun decor.\r \r The service was terrible and the food was spotty.\r \r My husband had to go down to the bar to get our drink order correct. (martini with olive)\r The ""amuse bouche"" - demi-tasse of carrot soup came twice . First time cool. Second time warm with creme fraiche topping (we didn't order it twice - just a miscommunication with the service staff)\r \r First course was uneven. A great split pea soup and foie gras. Mediocre duck confit and Om Sandwich.\r \r My main course of turbot was luke warm, dried out, and the nail in the coffin for me was the side of apple ginger fritters which had turned soft and flabby from sitting in the kitchen too long. What a disappointing evening.\r \r All restaurants must experience an off night. But at these prices, our dining experience was an insult.\r There are plenty of great restaurants in Cambridge and Boston. Don't waste your time and money here.\r Mary Ellen Schumann Cons: Price, spotty service, expensive valet parking, uneven food more

I am not sure why people are complaining about OM. This place is by far the coolest sexiest most incredible Bar and Restaurant Cambridge has ever had. I am originally from Paris; I travel the country and the world on a regular basis. I have been to multiple restaurants around the globe, and I have to admit that OM separates itself from all the restaurants in New England. After Mr. Chows in New York, OM has the second best steak I have ever eaten. To all the other readers at City Search, I warn you not to read and believe everything these people are saying. Those people probably never traveled outside the city and are not familiar with Miami and New York. more

Horrible service! After our waitress at the lounge left us hanging for about 30 minutes while she flirted with some guys at the bar, I went TO the bar to ask for a glass of port. She told me they didn't have any - which is interesting given the menu has them listed. So I asked if they had any Red Zinfandel. Yes, she said. So I asked for a glass of that. When the bill came, the glass was $18!! When we inquired she said ""I asked you if you wanted to see a wine list."" which she didn't. I said, it would be courteous to tell someone when a glass is THAT expensive. She said ""I had no idea it was that much until I rang it up"" Well, ""How much are your other glasses?"" I asked. ""Oh they are all around $18"". Huh, so she did know. But I find it puzzling that on their wine list on the website, the only things that come close to $18 are a glass of Veuve Cliquot for $16 and a glass of Riesling for $16. The glasses of red wine are either, $10, $12, or $14. The Zinfandel being $10. Neither the waitress or the ""manager"" apologized and only asked if I wanted a different glass of wine after I had already drank 1/2 the Zin! I would have appreciated a warning of a glass that expensive. And really want to know what it was given it's not on their menu!!\r \r Given the service, the reaction of both the bartender, waitress and some sort of ""manager"", I will not be returning and will definately warn people if they are going.\r \r more

Harvard square has always been just a place for new college students to go once they reach the boston/cambridge area. Now OM is here and it completely blew my mind! The food was amazing (the foie gras took my breath away and the steak and eggs was the best steak i've ever had.) The wine list was the best i've seen in town, affordable good wines and they even sold Krug champagne by the glass for $25!! I've never seen it for less than $35. OM is definitely the place to go if you want a great meal, great service, and superb ambience. more

We were dining about a week ago and the fire alarm kept going ooffthe ambiance was ruined and the staff looked frazzled. The head, maybe a manager or the owner even, a nervous, constipated-looking little thing, kept walking to and fro--so much for Zen dining, I guess? Our waiter was totally oblivious to us and the food wasnt the same as it was when the place was just openI ordered their Steak and Eggs and the truffled egg was too truffledthe meat wasnt prepared at the right temperature. It was disappointing. Its time Om delivered for the money theyre charging. It leaves much to be desired. Pros: it's in the fun Harvard area so there are other things to try if you're not satisfied Cons: food, service, ambiance more

I've never written a review before, but after going to OM I found it necessary. I've never despised a place the way I did after leaving this establishment. If a place is going to be pretentious the way OM is, they need to be good at it. I was sure fooled how it is built into a strip mall next to Staples. The big wooden doors are cheesy, the waterfall is comical and their attempts to incorporate Asian decor is poorly done. Aromatherapy? Are you Serious? Whoever came up with these absurd concoctions should be fired. Additionally, my wife was charged $8 for a kiddy cocktail. Don't be fooled by OM's location in a strip mall surrounded by respectable bars, pubs and clubs. I've lived in Harvard Square a long time and I'm glad to say that we won't put up with a place like this for long. Pros: Good Food Cons: Small portions, decor is ridiculous, drinks are overpriced more

This is one of the most overpriced restaurants I have ever been to. The portions were an absolute joke. We had to wait a half hour although we had reservations. Service was slow and poor at best. The waitress got our orders wrong. When we left it took the valet a half hour to retrieve our car and then claimed not to have change for a $20 (valet is $14). I was so disgusted that I just left rather than wait for him to go make change. Pros: The ambiance in the restaurant was good although the lounge was overcrowded. Cons: Portions were microscopic and extremely overpriced. more

I am a regular at this place and I think it rocks. I think the food here is better than any place around and the staff have always been pleasant. My favourite dish here is the Steak & Eggs and I like the Fred & Ginger in the lounge. Don't pay attention to these comments. Strange why so many people here are whining. I love this place. Pros: Awesome food Cons: no patio more

Although my wife and I had good dishes (borscht, dumplings, monchong fish, and ""asian market"" of tofu and veggies) almost all of our other friends had poor food--and everything was overpriced. On top of that, service was extraordinarily slow (1 hour before the waitress took our order; whole meal took 3.5 hours). A low-quality bongo drummer showed up at 11.15 p.m. to play along to poor house music being played on the restaurant's sound system--bizarre and distracting from conversation. Portions on some dishes quite small. The fish made our mouths itch--strange seasonings. Pros: Decor tries very hard to be cool Cons: Food quality, service, price too high more

We began our evening at the ""night club like"" bar. The ""aromatherapy"" overpriced and lousy flavor profiled cocktails missed the mark. The room is cheesy. A cheaply constructed bar with square lights built into it, the waterfall wall, and tacky furniture. OM looks as if it came right out of a Sharper Image catalog. \r Next the hostess guided us upstairs to our table. The stairs were filthy and our table was crowded. Our server was terrible. He tried to guide us through the ""thrown together"" wine list and he struggled with the menu descriptions. \r Worst of all the food sucked! From a pretentious Ceasar salad, overcooked fish, to unseasoned meat. The food arrived cold. The desserts could not even save our experience.\r I don't know what all the hype is about this restaurant, but I will never return. I suggest that you avoid OM like the plague. Cons: OM is a nightclub in a strip mall. how attractive is that?? more

THIS PLACE IS HAS NO CHARACTER. THE FOOD IS AVERAGE. THE SERVICE IS HORRIBLE AND THE PORTIONS CAN BARELY FEED MY FISH. Pros: Harvard Square. Cons: Service more

I have never received worst service. Not only did it take over an hour and a half to get our first course, but the waitress was inattentive and seemingly unaware that our table even existed. When we complained to the owner, his response was incredibly insulting. Instead of apologizing for the slow service, he insulted our table by implying that his restaurant is not a fast food establishment -- as if I and my guests have never attended a high end establishment. He finished by retorting, What do you want me to do, I have already apologized. I left feeling incredibly embarassed for having recommended this restaurant to my guests. Pros: a different vibe for Harvard Square Cons: horrible service more

Avoid the bartender who looks like the freak younger brother from wedding crashers (think ""death you are my b*tch lover!). Extremely dissapointed with this experience. I will make a point never to go back this pseudo lounge. Pros: Setting Cons: Service more

I have to say, when I read the reviews below, I almost think they are fake! I went to OM for dinner a few nights with one of my girl friends and just had a blast! And to be honest, I couldnt believe how many stunning women worked there who were totally fun and not bitchy at all. \r \r Ask for Kylee, she rocks. The bartender with the piercings is totally fun & to eat definitely try the scallop or the lamb. both are to die for.. Pros: atmosphere and decor, amazing chef, cocktails Cons: bad citysearch rep! more

I work in the square, so I find myself hopping from place to place. Om is certainly a beautiful looking establishment. The first thing you see when you walk in is a wall size waterfall, and beautiful artwork on the walls. It just seems to me that they spent too much time on that aspect, and not enough on the personal side of the restaurant. It's not New York, it's Harvard Square! I don't need snobby servers and a plastic atmosphere. That being said the food is pretty good, although overpriced and small in portions. I wouldn't say ""never go there"" or anything. I just expected more from a place so hyped through the magazines and tv. Pros: architecture, open windows Cons: service, prices, atmosphere more