New Irish Restaurant Set to Open in Square

Harvard Square is about to gain some Irish flavor.

The new Grafton Street Pub and Grille--offering pricey European cuisine--is set to open either this weekend or early next week in the space vacated in June by the One Potato Two Potato Restaurant.

Owner Patrick Lee said the restaurant promises to bring a contemporary Irish feel to the area.

"The owners, head chef and head waitress have all come from the background of a traditional Irish pub," he said. "We wanted to take this idea one step further and see how a traditional Irish pub and grill would fit in a contemporary atmosphere."

The pub has a modern decor, with wooden tables finished in black set against off-white walls. The restaurant is illuminated by octangular, paper-covered lanterns hanging above the dining area.

But the traditional Irish flavor has not been lost. The Celtic sign outside and other planned decorations offer the coziness of an old Irish pub.

The prices are moderately expensive for lunch, ranging from $5.95 for a black angus hamburger to $8.95 for chicken kiev.

Those prices rise for dinner; they range from $10.95 for vegetable riscotto to $19 for roast pheasant.

"The lunch prices look fairly reasonable, but dinner is significantly more expensive," said Justin P. Steil '00. "If I had any money, I might go by for lunch."

Lee said his establishment falls somewhere in the middle when compared to other eateries in the Square.

"We put ourselves between fine dining places like 8 Holyoke and John Harvard's Brew House," he said.

"We think we have something to offer to everyone--undergraduate and graduate students, professors, as well as the Cambridge community," Lee added. "Our aim is not to become a student hangout. We want a casual atmosphere, but nice."

Local restaurateurs, unaware that the new eatery was opening so soon, said they welcome the newcomers.

"More successful restaurants in the Square will bring more diners to Harvard Square," said Mary Catherine Deibel, owner of Upstairs at the Pudding.

"Competition is what the market-place is all about," added Moncef Meddeb, chef and owner of 8 Holyoke Grill.

Cynthia A. Miller, associate director of the Harvard Square Business Association, called the new pub "an excellent addition to Harvard Square."

"Right away they wanted to know how they could get involved in the Harvard Square community," she added.

The new restaurant is owned by Lee, his brother Peter and three other Irish business partners.

The name of the new place has special significance, the owners said.

According to Patrick Lee, Grafton Street is a street in Dublin, Ireland that is very similar to Harvard Square.

"It is a bustling street with street performers and hustlers, as well as Trinity College right down the street," he said

"Competition is what the market-place is all about," added Moncef Meddeb, chef and owner of 8 Holyoke Grill.

Cynthia A. Miller, associate director of the Harvard Square Business Association, called the new pub "an excellent addition to Harvard Square."

"Right away they wanted to know how they could get involved in the Harvard Square community," she added.

The new restaurant is owned by Lee, his brother Peter and three other Irish business partners.

The name of the new place has special significance, the owners said.

According to Patrick Lee, Grafton Street is a street in Dublin, Ireland that is very similar to Harvard Square.

"It is a bustling street with street performers and hustlers, as well as Trinity College right down the street," he said