Farewell: Upstairs On The Square

Tonight, after 31 years, Upstairs on the Square will close its doors.

For those who are unfamiliar, Upstairs on the Square is a Harvard Square staple. It first opened as Upstairs at the Pudding, then moved to its current location and name.

Upstairs on the Square is as well known for their spectacular food as they are for their pink, purple and animal print interiors. The space screams "celebration!" and that's just what I did there for most of my adult life.

Upstairs on the Square holds a very special place in my heart. It's the place we took my grandmother for Mother's Day the year that my grandfather passed away.

It's where we celebrated my friend's bridal shower while she was visiting from Israel. That would be the only time we would see her before her big day several months later.

It's where my mother celebrated the 10th anniversary of her company, where we toasted to my best friend's 30th birthday and where I always met my closest friend from study abroad for dinner, as she worked right across the street. I have so many incredible, happy memories there.

I always dreamed that one day I would get engaged and I would have my bridal shower at Upstairs on the Square. I imagined we'd rent the whole front room (which is pink and zebra print) and spend the morning toasting and indulging. I have to admit, I'm a bit weepy that I will never get the chance to do that.

When I heard Upstairs on the Square was closing I may have had a meltdown. After I got over my tantrum, I made a reservation with one of my best friends to have one final, farewell meal there.

We went on a cold December night and I was happy to seek refuge in the iconic Upstairs on the Square stairwell - pink walls, purple railing and leopard print carpet.

I forgot that the walls leading up to the top floor are covered in photographs of couples who got married there.

The dining room glowed against the pitch black scene outside. I love those green and purple walls, always so festive.

Appropriately, we were seated in my favorite room. It's the sun room, facing JFK Street. It has hot pink walls with dancing zebras and a black and white tile floor. It's a tea party for grown ups.

From our seats we felt the glow of the holiday wreaths hanging over the windows outside.

Since we were toasting to one of our all time favorite places, it was only right to start with a glass of Prosecco. The bubbly was crisp and delicious. My dinner date ordered a glass of sparkling rose which she absolutely loved.

I looked at the dinner menu with fresh eyes in case something new jumped out at me. It would be our last chance to enjoy food from this team for a while, so carpe diem.

Our waiter brought us a basket of bread and butter to nosh on while we made some decisions.

Normally I order the tots to start, but on this particular night the vegetable tempura was calling our name. These batter coated and fried veggies tasted like the world's best onion rings. A total home run.

For dinner we both ordered the grilled cheese and tomato soup. Though it's so simple, this has always been my favorite dish on their menu. It's warm, creamy and comforting.

We knew before we even arrived that our evening would involve dessert. We took a look at the menu one last time.

We decided to order the affogato. Upstairs on the Square was the first place I ever tried affogato, so it was only right.

The plate arrived with a bowl of vanilla ice cream drizzled with fudge, two cookies and a cup of espresso.

We poured the espresso over the ice cream and dunked our cookies and then our spoons right into the melting coffee flavored soup. This is one of my favorite desserts and this was the perfect way to end our farewell meal.

When the check came I didn't want to get up from the table. I didn't want to admit that it was really over. Like I said, I have so many special memories at Upstairs on the Square and I had high hopes to celebrate many more occasions in their whimsical, magical space.

When we finally did put on our coats and head back out, I took one final picture of Upstairs on the Square glowing over the park below.

Thank you to co-owners Mary-Catherine Deibel and Deborah Hughes for decades of happy memories. I am wishing the whole Upstairs on the Square team a happy new year and exciting, new adventures to come in 2014.

 

Molly Galler

Welcome to Pop.Bop.Shop. My name is Molly. I’m a foodie, fashionista, pop culture addict and serious travel junkie. I’m a lifelong Bostonian obsessed with frozen confections, outdoor patios, Mindy Kaling, reality television, awards shows, tropical vacations, snail mail and my birthday.

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Upstairs On The Square
91 Winthrop Street
02138 Cambridge , MA
United States
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