Back from the Ashes~ East Coast Grill

A year ago today, or so Facebook tells me, East Coast Grill, an Inman institution, announced that they would be closing.  This was a tough one to take.  East Coast Grill had been around since 1985 and pretty much put Inman Square on the map.  We began lamenting that we didn't go there enough and started wondering how the block, without the iconic swirly colored exterior and neon martini glass sign, would change.

A few months later, we celebrated when we heard that the team behind Highland Kitchen was going to purchase the restaurant and keep it as East Coast Grill.  It finally opened up again just last Monday and it seems like everyone is thrilled.  We tried to get a drink there on Monday but it was so crowded.  We were lucky to get a table last night and it seemed like a great way to deal with SnoWin in Inman.  We were in the midst of a storm that went from being  predicted to be 1 inch to 8-12 inches in a day.
We headed over around 6:30 and got a table in the back room.  I love how the team has kept the basic footprint of East Coast Grill but brightened up the place with fresh paint and brightly colored murals.  I loved the bar area and definitely want to go back to sit there.  Definitely nailed the tropical vibe, complete with little monkeys to decorate your cocktail glasses and a thatched roof over the entrance.

The beer menu was great, with lots of varieties to choose from.  The menu also kept some of the classics but added some new dishes.  Overall the food is vastly improved from the last time we ate at East Coast Grill.

We started with some oysters, yum!  I'm not a huge fan of their funky mignonette sauce  but the cocktail sauce and lemon was just fine.

JO got the short rib because he had read online that it was delicious, and yes, yes it was!

I tried the fish tacos and they were quite tasty with just the right amount of spice from the siracha tarter sauce.

Overall, we really enjoyed our visit and will definitely be headed back.  With some of the recent changes in the neighborhood, Stellabella Toys closing and our business association merging with the East Cambridge Business Association, it's nice that East Coast Grill was able to come back.  The neighborhood needs it!