Pagu
Day 3: 5-Course Japanese Meets Spanish Tasting Series
Opened in 2017, this Japanese-Spanish eatery in Central Square jumped onto Thrillist’s “Best in Cambridge” and Infatuation’s “Best in Boston” Lists. What’s more, Chef Tracy Chang was a 2024 Semi-Finalist for a James Beard “Best Chef: Northeast” Award and Pagu was a Semi-Finalist for a James Beard “Outstanding Restaurant” Award. Chef Chang, whose grandmother’s acclaimed Japanese restaurant in Cambridge served regulars like Julia Child and Yo-Yo Ma, started working in business after Boston College, but soon immersed herself in the food world. She studied patisserie at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and cooked under Chef Martín Berasategui at his Michelin Three-Starred restaurant in San Sebastian. At Pagu, her love for Japanese and Spanish food gives rise to such dishes as roasted bone marrow and mushrooms with fino sherry, braised pork belly bao, midnight ramen, veggie paella, Basque burnt cheesecake…well, you get the hybrid picture. “You may end up ordering everything on the menu, asking if there are any secret dishes hidden in the back, and then applying for a job in hopes that they’ll be able to make even more great food with a little extra manpower,” raves Infatuation. Well, we’re not sure we’d go that far, but we’re absolutely sure we want to visit here!
About the Host:
Tracy Chang
Chef/Owner
A Cambridge native, Chef Tracy Chang grew up in her grandmother’s popular local Tokyo Restaurant, where acclaimed sushi chefs Toru Oga and Shinji Muraki trained. She then went on to study with MOF Pâtissier Nicolas Bernardé at Le Cordon Bleu Paris, in addition to cooking alongside Chef Martín Berasategui at his Three-Michelin-Starred restaurant in San Sebastian. She previously cofounded Guchi’s Midnight Ramen.
The Lineup
Courses #1-#4 will be served family style. Course #5 will be individually plated. For this event’s dietary restriction accommodation policy, see the Event FAQs below.
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Salmon Crudo
yuzu, white soy, blood orange, shiso, arare
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Tempura Delicata Squash
hot honey whipped labne, furikake
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Green Crab Coconut Curry
squid ink pan de cristal, mussels, lemongrass, makrut, thai basil
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Arroz Meloso
duck broth, duck confit, ginger, chili crisp, greens
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Ube Coconut Panna Cotta
passionfruit caramel, strawberry
Pagu
310 Massachusetts Ave
Cambridge, MA 02139
Event FAQs
- Do I have to bring printed tickets to the event?
- No tickets are needed.
- What does the ticket price cover?
- The ticket price covers the full cost of the meal.
- Do guests need to be of a certain age to attend this event?
- Yes. All attendees must be 21+ to gain entry.
- Does this restaurant allow BYOB?
- No. This restaurant is a non-BYO establishment. Outside alcohol will not be permitted at this event.
- What is the event ticket cancellation/refund policy?
- Tickets to our events are non-refundable. However, for emergency requests, we may allow members to transfer their tickets to friends, provided the guest ticket surcharge of $25 is paid when transferring a member ticket to a non-member. All ticket transfer requests (as well as the guest ticket surcharge) must be sent to us prior to the event. Any guests who have not paid the guest ticket surcharge will not be allowed entry.
- What must I bring to the event?
- Please make sure to bring a government-issued photo ID.
- Can I bring guests/non-members to this event?
- Yep! For this event, guest tickets are $90 + tax & tip, and you can bring up to 3 guests. Please note, guests are not allowed to attend unaccompanied by a member.
- Will this event be handicap acccessible?
- According to the restaurant, this event is handicap accessible. If applicable however, please email [email protected] with your needs to ensure proper accommodations.
- What dietary restrictions/food allergies can be accommodated at this event?
- At this event, we will be able to accommodate most dietary restrictions and food allergies except for those with soy, raw fish, mushroom, allium, or garlic restrictions. Please make sure to Update Your Dietary Restrictions within your Account Info before or after you purchase tickets, or email us at [email protected] after you purchase tickets to let us know what your allergies/restrictions are.
- What parking information has the restaurant provided for this event?
- According to the restaurant, validated parking is available at 55 Franklin Street Garage in Cambridge for a flat rate of $7 after 5pm, but please communicate with onsite restaurant staff about what proof is needed to claim that validated rate. Metered street parking is also available.
