There’s no need to cook in this hot weather now that Amba is open in East Cambridge. Chef Will Gilson’s latest concept inside of the brand-new First Street Market is officially open for business, serving up Mediterranean-inspired eats for breakfast, lunch and dinner as of Tuesday, July 16th.
The acclaimed chef behind Puritan & Co., Puritan Oyster Bar, The Lexington, Gepetto and Café Beatrice named the new eatery after a popular Middle Eastern condiment, but that’s not all you’ll find at the new space that was revitalized from the old V.F.W. as part of the 40 Thorndike project. Check out the menu below, which includes mezze and hummus plates, za’atar dusted chicken tenders, matzoh ball soup, burgers, and a shawarma rice bowl, and the crown jewel is undoubtedly the spiced rotisserie chicken, which comes with an array of sides and sauces for you to pick and choose. Save a little room for a selection of sweet treats from pastry chef Brian Mercury, which will pair perfectly with a La Colombe coffee drink or a selection of wines, beers and cocktails.
The café is a part of the larger multi-use space of First Street Market, which will house a year-round, weekly indoor farmer’s market, a functional demonstration bar, and enough space for all sorts of city events and private functions like wedding receptions and company holiday parties. You can find out more about all the First Street/40 Thorndike development here, and keep an eye on their IG for menu updates and other happenings at the café throughout the summer.
breakfast
available until 11am
breakfast shawarma $8
sesame eggs, schmaltz potatoes, garlic sauce, herbs, pita
add chicken sausage $3 | add lamb sausage $3 | add bacon $3 | add avocado $2
breakfast wrap $10
scrambled eggs, malawach, pickled peppers, cheese, garlic sauce
add chicken sausage | add lamb sausage | add bacon | add avocado
spinach & feta boreka $6
pastrami & cheese boreka $6
avocado toast $8
za’atar bread, feta, dill
add sesame egg $2 | add lox $6
sugar & spice toast $6
cream-soaked challah with spiced sugar
kunefe $10
greek yogurt with dukkah granola $8
today’s selection of pastries
lunch/dinner, available 11am – 8pm
mezze $5ea | all for $20
– hummus
– green feta dip
– muhammara
– eggplant escalivada
– marinated olives
appetizers
latkes $10
sour cream, amba sauce, scallions
arayes $12
spiced lamb, pita, zhoug, greek yogurt, tomato jam (smash burger style)
chicken wings $14
berbere, rotisserie powder, herbs
za’atar dusted chicken tenders $12
dill ranch
shawarma fries $10
spiced fries, pickles, herbs, shawarma sauce
add chicken shawarma $5 | add lamb kofte $5
matzoh ball soup $10
chicken bone broth, mirepoix, dill
sandwiches
pea & herb falafel $12
pita, hummus, pickles, cucumber salad, black garlic tehina
rotisserie chicken shawarma $14
pita, hummus, pickles, cucumber salad, shawarma sauce
sabich $14
fried eggplant, hard boiled egg, farmers salad, cabbage, amba sauce, black garlic tehina
chicken salad pita $13
lettuce, dill, red onion
burgers $15
8oz patty served with tomato jam, harissa aioli, pickled vegetables, lettuce, pita
– cheeseburger
– lamb burger
– ”pita mac”
hummus plates $18
hummus, pita, black garlic tehina
– chicken
– berbere lamb
– hen of the woods mushrooms
salads
fattoush $15
romaine, pita, yogurt dressing, pickles
cucumber-tomato-feta salad $15
farro, lemon, herbs
shawarma rice bowl (aka halal plate) $14
persian rice, pickles, shawarma sauce
add falafel $3 | grilled chicken $5 | grilled lamb kofte $5
rotisserie chicken
brined, spice rubbed, slow cooked, finished with shawarma spice & dried roses
– half chicken $17
– whole chicken $28
rotisserie chicken meal $40
whole chicken with 2 sides and 2 sauces and pita with hummus
sides $9
– schmaltz roasted potatoes
– spiced cauliflower with pomegranate and herbs
– spiced crinkle cut fries
– harissa roasted carrots
– saffron rice
– farmers salad farro
sauces $3
– amba
– shawarma sauce
– black garlic tahini
– harissa
– zhoug
– dill ranch
Sweets
Beverage
Halva shake $7
halva, maple, coconut milk, vanilla
-add espresso $3
