Plough and Stars

77. 12-21 Plough and Stars 912 Massachusetts Ave. Summary: Cozy, bustling, friendly, Guiness flowing, decent food.

The Plough is a great establishment, the kind of place I imagine folk from the British Isles enjoy spending time in because it reminds them of neighborhood pubs back home. It's warm and inviting - everybody crowds in elbow to elbow; the waitresses are a bit coarse but friendly; and the food is satisfying. This is the kind of place worth the 15 minute walk from Harvard Square, or probably 10 from Central.

The Plough serves bar food, no matter how fancy the descriptions are ("Tuscan vegetable soup with truffle oil"!). I had this soup, and it was fine, but the beans were a bit undercooked. Then Mike and I each had the Turkey Club sandwich, which was a bit dry, but the fries made up for it - not dipped in batter, and served in steak cut style, which I love because it brings out the flavor of the potatoes instead of the oil or batter. Casey had the Cuban sandwich and thought it was great, but a bit too large.

We didn't drink any Guiness, which really is a sin in this kind of place, but nonetheless we enjoyed the experience greatly.

About $12 per person.