For an unforgettable dining experience centered around flavorful, shareable dishes, Cedar Street Grille in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, is a must-visit destination. Housed in a beautifully renovated old house on Main Street, Cedar Street Grille offers a modern American bistro experience with a warm, neighborhood feel and authentic New England charm.
At Cedar Street Grille, the focus is on creating a fun and exploratory dining adventure. General Manager Patrick O’Brien explains, “We’re an American Bistro that likes to focus on small plates or tapas style dishes. So we have a real eclectic, fun menu that is just ripe for exploring.” The restaurant encourages sharing, making it perfect for groups who want to sample a variety of flavors. If choosing just one dish feels impossible, Cedar Street Grille invites you to try three – a philosophy that perfectly embodies their convivial dining style.
The ambiance of Cedar Street Grille is designed to make every guest feel instantly at ease. Patrick O’Brien notes, “It creates an atmosphere without trying like you feel like you’re walking through somebody’s dining room or somebody’s house. So I really love the fact that when right when people walk in this place, they instantly feel comfortable.” This welcoming environment sets the stage for enjoying upscale comfort food that truly satisfies.
Indulge in Signature Mac & Cheese Creations at Cedar Street Grille
One of the highlights of the Cedar Street Grille menu is their signature skillets of mac and cheese. Each order is made from scratch, ensuring an incredibly rich and satisfying experience. “What’s really great about our mac and cheese is they’re truly all made to order,” O’Brien emphasizes. “So we’re doing a reduced heavy cream mixture which takes a little more time but it’s absolutely worth it. There is nothing coming out of a box here. Each sauce for each mac and cheese is all made to order.”
Alt text: Creamy Cedar Mac & Cheese skillet at Cedar Street Grille in Sturbridge, MA, featuring a golden crust.
Guests can choose from a variety of mac and cheese options. The classic House Cedar Mac is a blend of cheddar, Parmesan, and butter, perfectly coating deep-pocketed shell pasta. For a more adventurous palate, the Truffle mac features wild mushrooms, while the Barbecue mac is loaded with pulled pork and crispy onion strings. The Buffalo Mac offers a spicy kick with flash-fried chicken, crumbled blue cheese, and house-made hot sauce. Patrick’s personal recommendation is the Vermont Style Mac & Cheese.
“We use Cabot sharp cheddar cheese, which is a fairly local cheese that we also mix in with our, House cheddar, our parmesan,” he describes. “We do roasted tomatoes which we roast in olive oil, salt and pepper. We fold those right into the mac and cheese with spinach and applewood smoked bacon. The bacon gives it a nice salty, crunchy component. And then the spinach is just you know, makes people feel a little bit better about eat mac and cheese.” This Vermont-inspired creation perfectly balances rich cheese with savory bacon and roasted tomatoes.
Must-Try Appetizers: Crazy Dates and Angry Clams at Cedar Street Grille
To begin your shared meal at Cedar Street Grille, consider starting with their acclaimed appetizers. Duckfat braised and deep-fried Chicken Wings or panko-crusted Fried Goat Cheese drizzled with honey are tempting choices. However, the Crazy Dates are an absolute must-order.
Alt text: Close-up of Cedar Street Grille’s popular Crazy Dates appetizer, bacon-wrapped and drizzled with balsamic.
“Crazy dates have been on the menu since day one,” O’Brien shares. “There would be a revolt if we took them off.” These beloved dates are stuffed with a house-made goat cheese cream cheese, garlic, and herb mixture, then wrapped in applewood smoked bacon and baked to perfection. A balsamic glaze and craisins add a final touch of sweetness and tang, creating a delightful combination of creamy, smoky, and salty flavors.
Another highly popular starter is the Angry Clams, a New England classic with a flavorful twist. “It’s a good traditional New England style just amped up a little bit,” explains O’Brien. Cow neck clams are sautéed with andouille sausage, cherry peppers, crushed red pepper, butter, and white wine, resulting in a rich and delicious sauce perfect for soaking up with grilled bread.
Explore Hearty Entrees and Decadent Desserts at Cedar Street Grille
Beyond the shareable plates, Cedar Street Grille offers a selection of satisfying entrees. Options include a Grilled Tomahawk Pork Chop with red wine demi-glacé, Cajun-rubbed buttermilk fried chicken served over mashed potatoes and spinach, and the renowned Steak Pablo.
Alt text: Cedar Street Grille’s Steak Pablo entree with chimichurri sauce, arugula salad, and hand-cut fries.
The Steak Pablo, named after a regular customer, features a grilled hanger steak served with a refreshing arugula, pickled red onion, and feta salad, alongside hand-cut fries and chimichurri sauce. Desserts at Cedar Street Grille are equally tempting, with an in-house pastry chef creating daily specials such as creamy Oreo cheesecake, crackly crème brûlée, and a velvety Flourless Chocolate Torte.
“It’s fantastic. Super rich, not dense at all, very light, almost like a brownie like consistency,” O’Brien describes the Flourless Chocolate Torte. “It’s great, decadent, it’s everything a dessert should be.”
From shareable small plates to cheesy mac and cheese skillets and decadent desserts, Cedar Street Grille offers a perfect setting for sampling and sharing exceptional American bistro fare. It’s no wonder that Cedar Street Grille enjoys a loyal following. “People really just love it here,” O’Brien concludes. “We have so many locals and regulars that come in two, three times a week. And then it still amazes me how many people are just finding us for the first time. So, you know, I think it’s a combination of the food, the drinks, just the general atmosphere of the building and the restaurant, the people that work here that really combined to make what I think is a really unique dining experience.”
Visit Cedar Street Grille for a truly unique and enjoyable dining experience in Sturbridge.
