There are a lot of dining opportunities in Inman Square, and if you blink for a second, you can easily miss The Druid.  The Druid is a small Irish pub next to 1369 Coffee House (which, we were informed, was why they do not serve coffee there).  The menu is pretty small (around 20 items), and only 3 options are vegetarian (turnip/carrot soup, field green salad, and a veggie burger).  I believe the potato and leek soup is not vegetarian, so that puts the veg-friendly ratio at 14% (amount of vegetarian-friendly dishes/total dishes).  And I think the vegan-friendly ratio is 0.5% (sorry vegans).  I went to The Druid with my mother who is also vegetarian (but more finicky than I) and my cousin and uncle (who both eat meat and found the place quite enjoyable). My uncle apparently knew the chef, as he was a regular at another bar where the chef worked.  Unfortunately, this intimate connection did not help my mother who did not want a veggie burger.  Usually, her strategy in restaurants that are not vegetarian-friendly is to request a plate of cooked vegetables.  The server informed us that the chef is very strict and will not make anything off the menu.  This seems unreasonable, especially when you have a very small menu.  My mother sulkily partook of the same veggie burger that I ordered.

It is fortunate for the Druid that the veggie burger is delicious.  It is freshly made (freshly meaning patties are made earlier in the day) from vegetables.  I couldn’t quite place all the vegetables inside, but there was definitely some carrots, zucchini, mushrooms, and potato.  It is well spiced and has good flavor (especially when you top it with some English mustard).  I normally don’t like steak cut fries as it feels like I’m eating miniature baked potatoes.  But these fries are sufficiently seasoned with salt and pepper that I was able to overlook this error in cleavery.  I will have to forgive The Druid for having a limited vegetarian selection, as Irish cuisine is by essence not vegetarian friendly, but it is disappointing that the kitchen is unwilling to compromise.  Thus, while the veggie burger and fries is delicious, this anti-vegetarian attitude only earns it three cheese sandwiches.  If The Druid put three more options of comparable quality to the veggie burger, I would give it 5 cheese sandwiches!  Something to think about?

The Druid

1357 Cambridge St
Cambridge, MA 02139