Tucked just around the corner from Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge is a cozy neighborhood seafood spot that’s been making waves ever since it opened in mid-2022: Moëca.
Striving to prepare fresh, sustainable seafood based on the current catch, Moëca’s menu changes daily. But no matter what the boat brings in, as a sister concept to nearby Giulia, it’s safe to say the fare will always take inspiration from Italy.
This post is not sponsored or produced in partnership with the restaurant, and I paid for my meal myself. As always, all opinions shared are my own.
Determined to make the most of the Boston area’s favorite foods during a recent quick visit, Michael and I decided to combine our seafood + pasta cravings into one meal, and we snapped up one of the last reservations of the evening.
Restaurant reservations are always a little bit tougher to reach on time when you’re traveling but somehow we managed just fine, entering to find a cozy, convivial atmosphere.
Upon our arrival, we were informed that our table was still being occupied by an earlier reservation, and given a spot to wait at the bar until it became available. Not to worry – it gave us time to peek over the cocktail menu and catch up on our busy day so far.
Just a few moments later, we were steered toward our table and given an overview of the evening’s menu. Meals at Moëca are largely designed to be shared, though if you prefer your own portion of one of the large format dishes, that’s okay too.
But I’m the kind of diner who prefers to try a little of everything (and thankfully I’ve found a partner who’s happy to share!), and a small plate approach worked perfectly for us.
[Before I go any further, I should mention that the staff seemed keen to ask if there were any allergies in our party while we were ordering, and I’m sure they would be happy to accommodate – but as this is such a seafood-forward restaurant, I would recommend steering clear if you have any fish or shellfish allergies].
After requesting guidance from our server on quantity of plates, we settled on one raw dish, two shared plates, and two pasta dishes:
While there wasn’t a bad dish on the table (and truly, everything was delicious and executed to perfection), there were a few standouts. First, the smoked trout, with cultured cream and dill on a crispy flatbread – if your gameday spread could only be so lucky! Next, the buttermilk fried monkfish, which was everything, all at once: crispy, tender, juicy, sweet, salty, spicy, and tangy. Basically, it’s as if a monkfish fell into the fryer at a Korean chicken restaurant. And finally, the lobster spaghetti in a chili sauce, which may have ruined spaghetti night for me forever because I don’t know if I can ever eat it another way again.
Before we knew it, we heard echoes of “last calls” from servers around the restaurant, which was a little surprising to me, but maybe that’s because I usually eat earlier than 9 or 10 p.m. Far too full for another savory dish, we declined to add anything to the ticket – except for dessert. There’s always room, after all.
So – is dinner at Moëca worth it?
With a mix of classic dishes and fresh takes, warm and friendly service in a decidedly unstuffy atmosphere, commitment to sustainable sourcing, and lower prices than you might expect for the quality, it’s an all-around yes for me. I highly recommend you make time for dinner here on your next trip to the Boston area – and I also highly recommend making a reservation early.
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Questions for you
What is your favorite cuisine mashup?
How do you like your oysters?
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