Grendel's Den Restaurant & Bar

It's fine. Don't make a special trip to come here unless you bring a scholarly book and want to pretend for a day that you're working hard on your thesis or dissertation while drinking a few beers. Staff is nice, food was decent, history of the establishment is interesting and cool. Decent lunch specials. They take pride in the fact that they don't serve mainstream brews.

Unique vibe that seems very in line with a place named "Grendel's Den". Not a classy place by any means, but character and charm aplenty. I just happened to be in the area and the place seemed neat and had good looking vegetarian options. My main dish (some tofu and veggies dish) was fantastic tasting and fair priced... but they forgot the tofu - half the dish!! Service was just generally underwhelming and not super pleasant, so that's the main reason I'd give four stars.

Very friendly environment and what made it even better is Kathleen. Such a sweet lady served us with a lovely smile. This is my favorite place now at Harvard square.