When you live near 1 Kendall Square, you realize some things: A. There is no liquor store within a half mile of you. B. Grocery stores are few and far between. C. Restaurants cater to the bio-tech industry = higher prices D. The T isn’t close and buses rarely pass through. E. There are great restaurants and bars, but absolutely zero nightlife(please correct me if I’m wrong). So WHY walk a half mile from the Kendall T Stop in a direction you’re pretty sure is leading you to nowhere? Here are 11 respectable reasons involving food and at least one non-food related … Amelia’s Not actually IN1 Kendall Sq, but only a block south on Portland Street. Italian. Small, intimate. Pricey, but tasty. Atasca For Portugese fine dining just beyond Emma’s about 500 ft. Outdoor seating. Anise-CLOSED Chinese cuisine. The Beantown Coffeehouse Open on weekdays, but not late. Good muffins, coffee, sandwiches(of the breakfast and lunch type) The Blue Room Fine dining and fancy Sunday brunch. delish tuna steak. The grill comes out to the patio through the summer for great lunch deals. Outdoor seating. Bön Me Yeah, you know that food truck? It has claimed space here, too. Cambridge Brewing Company(CBC) Fresh brewed beer by CBC and food. Outdoor seating. Emma’s Also not IN the square, but same corner. Gourmet pizza(often busy cuz it’s tiny!) Flattop Johnny’s Bunch of pool tables, two dart boards. Outdoor seating. Tuesday Ladies’ Night(50% discount for pool) The Friendly Toast Kitschy retro diner style — menu full of made up words like«Miscellany» Hungry Mother Delicious Southern-ish dining and an excellent cocktail/micro-brew selection(however small) Kendall Cinema Not for mainstream movie viewing. Independent. Shine — Closed I almost forgot Shine. This is a Lounge… State Park Cocktails, concept eating and drinking. Outdoor dining. Tommy Doyle’s Irish Pub. Outdoor Seating. West Bridge Elevated comfort foods dining in a trendy open, share-your-food-with friends space. Lastly, there are other businesses here: UPS, MK Hair Salon, Advance Tire, etc., but I just wanted to highlight reasons to come visit! Please check out reviews of specific restaurants for more information!