1. Amelia’s Trattoria – A favorite among Kendall Square academics and professionals, this restaurant is perfect for a business lunch or relaxing dinner. Its full bar and hand-crafted, Italian cuisine set it apart as a wonderful place to grab a drink or intimate dinner after work.
2. Craigie on Main – This small restaurant boasts a big reputation. Chef-owner Tony Maws’ passion for the best local, seasonal and organic ingredients is translated into the Parisien inspired menu and dining experience. The adjacent bar features hand-crafted recipes and offers drinks from organic wineries and artisanal distilleries.
3. Oleana – If it’s outdoor dining you’re looking for in the summer months, Oleana is a place you’ve got to try. Featuring a beautiful outdoor dining garden, this restaurant provides dinner and fresh air. It’s all about comfort at this neighborhood restaurant as the menu centers on Mediterranean inspired dishes, layered with flavor and unusual spice combinations.
4. The Summer Shack – Looking for some of New England’s favorite summer meals? The Summer Shack is the place to go. This restaurant has been referred to as “a clam shack on steroids.” It features a menu laden with New England-sourced seafood with plenty of live lobsters, crab, raw bar, fried and grilled seafood, as well as family favorites like hot dogs, steak, fried chicken and other fun, delicious foods.

Is your mouth already starting to water? Then get yourself over to Cambridge and enjoy all the flavors that this area has to offer. To enjoy these restaurants and many others year-round, contact a Warren Residential agent for more information about Cambridge real estate.

As customers walked through the doors of beloved Cambridge business, Stereo Jack’s Records last Saturday, they were greeted with the news that it would soon be closing its doors for good. Owner, Jack Woker, was the man delivering the news to his customers, most of whom he knows on a first name basis, as he sat in his traditional seat across from the cash register.

Though his lease expires at the end of March, the building’s owner has given Woker permission to stay through the month of April, and possibly extending to May, after which the owner plans to move his pizza business into the space. It will be a change for the residents of Cambridge real estate who have grown accustomed to walking into the record store to see Woker inspecting stacks of used records, fielding customer questions, and holding casual court on all manner of musical topics.

Residents of the neighborhood, whether they reside in Cambridge luxury apartments or Cambridge apartment rentals, will remember Stereo Jack’s as a spot for conversation and camaraderie; a place where longtime friendships were formed. Though they are disheartened to see him go, Woker reassures them, “I’m 65 years old. I’m ready to retire, man…I’ll be fine. So I’m okay.”

Store manager Matt Starr, who redecorates the storefront windows every month and cashier, Dorothy Dwyer, have both worked there since 1983, and acknowledge the fact that leaving Stereo Jack’s will certainly be a big adjustment. Woker himself plans to keep buying and selling records online, with most of the stock plucked from his personal stash.

While it will be sad to see one of the region’s longest-running record stores go, Cambridge still has lots of great local businesses and restaurants to offer. If you would like to find a great Cambridge condo or even the perfect Boston real estate, please contact Warren Residential for help in your search.

“The Warren Group, a Boston-based real estate tracking firm, provided us with the following median prices for 2005 and 2009 (2005 was considered the market peak in Massachusetts; since then, the median single-family home price has shrunk by 20 percent statewide).”

Here are the top 10 picks.

If you are interested in learning more on current great investments or wish to know how your Massachusetts town is weathering the storm please contact a Warren Residential agent, we are happy to assist you.

#10. BROOKLINE

Median single-family home price in 2009: $1,169,250
Change since market peak in 2005: +4%
Median condo price in 2009: $451,000
Change since market peak in 2005: -3%
Population: 54,896
Residential tax rate: $10.97

#9. WESTON

Median single-family home price in 2009: $1,207,600
Change since market peak in 2005: +1%
Median condo price in 2009: $665,000
Change since market peak in 2005: +9%
Population: 11,711
Residential tax rate: $11.10

#8. DOWNTOWN BOSTON (BACK BAY – BEACON HILL – WEST END – NORTH END - WATERFRONT – MIDTOWN – CHINATOWN – SOUTH END)

Median single-family home price in 2009: $1,958,000
Change since market peak in 2005: +45%
Median condo price in 2009: 510,000
Change since market peak in 2005: -2%
Population: 79,731
Residential tax rate: $11.88

#7. NATICK

Median single-family home price in 2009: $417,750
Change since market peak in 2005: -9%
Median condo price in 2009: $310,000
Change since market peak in 2005: +29%
Population: 31,880
Residential tax rate:$11.67

#6. LYNNFIELD

Median single-family home price in 2009: $495,000
Change since market peak in 2005: -12%
Median condo price in 2009: $452,200
Change since market peak in 2005: +45%
Population: 11,412
Residential tax rate: $12.84

#5. ROWLEY

Median single-family home price in 2009: $420,000
Change since market peak in 2005: -10%
Median condo price in 2009: $349,900
Change since market peak in 2005: +75%
Population: 5,738
Residential tax rate: $12.50

#4. WINCHESTER

Median single-family home price in 2009: $710,000
Change since market peak in 2005: -3%
Median condo price in 2009: $360,000
Change since market peak in 2005: +9%
Population: 21,090
Residential tax rate: $11.51

#3. CAMBRIDGE

Median single-family home price in 2009:$680,000
Change since market peak in 2005: +2%
Median condo price in 2009: $408,000
Change since market peak in 2005: -3%
Population: 105,596
Residential tax rate: $7.72

#2. JAMAICA PLAIN

Median single-family home price in 2009: $529,000
Change since market peak in 2005: +6%
Median condo price in 2009: $316,650
Change since market peak in 2005: -2%
Population: 38,074
Residential tax rate: $11.88

#1.  WENHAM

Median single-family home price in 2009: $550,000
Change since market peak in 2005: +5%
Median condo price in 2009: $599,000
Change since market peak in 2005: +87%
Population: 4,788
Residential tax rate: $15.56 per $1,000 of assessed value

Luxury No Fee Apartment Highrise in Kendall Square Cambridge

This Luxury No Fee Apartment building in Kendall Square is one of the latest additions to Cambridge’s flourishing luxury rental market.  Soaring 23 stories high, the buildings biggest selling point are the priceless views of the Boston skyline.

The apartment building features different levels of finishes as you go up in the building with the Penthouses featuring granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances and Bamboo hardwood floors.  Every apartment comes with an in-unit washer/dryer combo which is energy efficient.  The building is pre-wired for Verizon FIOS service as well and is one of the only buildings with it available.  There is a 24/7 Tillinger’s concierge at the front desk who can help you with just about anything.  A fitness center with free weights and cardio equipment is located on the buildings 3rd floor for the residents.  During the summer, the residents of this luxury building can enjoy a private outdoor terrace perfect for laying out.

The location of this Luxury Apartment building is perfect for those needing to commute into Boston or outside of the city.  The Red “T” line is less than a block away and the green line is also within walking distance.  If you need to drive, you can rent parking in the building for less than $300/month.

Features and Amenities of the Kendall Square Luxury No Fee Apartments:

• Stunning Boston Skyline Views
• Concierge
• Bamboo and Carpet Flooring
• Stainless Steel and Granite Kitchens
• Garage Parking
• Common Terrace
• Fitness Facility
• Lounge
• Red and Green Line T Access

For more information on Kendall Square Luxury No Fee Apartment rental listings please CLICK HERE or contact Nick Warren at nwarren@warrenre.com and 617-848-9616 ext. 706.