BOSReview
photo credit: Natalie Schaefer
Little Donkey
Included In
Ferris Bueller doesn’t believe in “-isms.” Instead, he says, people should believe in themselves. It’s a catchy turn of phrase, so you don’t realize it’s completely empty until it’s way too late to change the quote in your middle school yearbook. And if Ferris were still around today (having inevitably fled Chicago for Boston after being sued by Abe Froman for identity theft), Little Donkey in Central Square would be his favorite restaurant. This is a place that doesn’t believe in “-isms” either - a place where you’ll find dishes from Iran, Mexico, Italy, Vietnam, and India on any given table, and it’s a lot of fun as a result.
If Ferris’s mid-shampoo monologue against both capitalism and communism means anything at all, it’s a roast on letting labels dictate how you live and operate. Little Donkey’s menu takes Ferris’s lesson to heart - you’ll find that it can’t be pinned to any specific region or cuisine, and instead includes everything from king crab nachos and truffle cacio e pepe, to vindaloo-braised short rib and a caviar sandwich. It doesn’t really matter what kind of restaurant Little Donkey is, just that it’s a big, lively spot filled with people letting loose and sharing a lot of food.
photo credit: Natalie Schaefer
A big chunk of the space is taken up by the bar area, which is packed just about every night. The cocktails are great - and fun, especially if you order “the one in a grapefruit,” and it makes for a great place to get a little buzzed and have a couple of small plates before you head out to a show at the nearby Middle East or Cantab Lounge.
In fact, Little Donkey is best used as a bar first and a restaurant second. The wide variety of food can be a little overwhelming if you’re there for a full dinner, but for drinks and a few bites, it’s perfect. Particularly when you’re with that one friend who always says they want to mix things up but never actually does.
When you do head out for the night, you may still adhere to the tenants of capitalism or communism (more likely the latter, considering you’re in the heart of the People’s Republic). But you’ll at least see the virtues of breaking free from labels every now and again.
Food Rundown
photo credit: Natalie Schaefer
Organic Hummus
photo credit: Natalie Schaefer
Salmon Sashimi
photo credit: Natalie Schaefer
Ikura
photo credit: Natalie Schaefer
Foie Gras
photo credit: Natalie Schaefer
Cacio e Pepe
Burger
photo credit: Natalie Schaefer
Spicy Thai Street Noodles
photo credit: Natalie Schaefer