Pammy’s

Pammy’s sits between Central and Harvard Squares, with leather banquettes, a communal table, and a fireplace that opens on two sides. Chris and Pam Willis’s restaurant borrows the feel of an Italian trattoria, while the kitchen takes the food further afield: lumache pasta comes with Bolognese and gochujang, for example. The seasonal menu moves between pasta, crudo, fish, and meat, with wines from small producers and a full cocktail list. A dining-room reservation means choosing three dishes from the prix-fixe menu. If you’d rather have one plate and a drink, the bar and lounge keep space for walk-ins ordering à la carte. Reservations are available for groups of up to five, making this a better fit for a small dinner than a large gathering.