"When Mary Chung's, a beloved Cambridge Chinese restaurant in Central Square, closed in 2022 after 40 years, patrons were devastated and skeptical of what would replace it. But Darling, a Chinese-inspired cocktail bar that opened in July 2025, pays homage to the Mary Chung legacy while pushing the envelope forward with an ever-changing craft cocktail menu and dim sum bites."
"The cocktail menu changes at the owner's whim, but I Hope I Packed a Parachute ($18) has been on the list since Darling opened. It's a clarified milk punch that blends Irish whiskey, shochu, matcha, red bean amazake, and taro foam for a silky smooth sip. Offset the delicate cocktail creations with the bang bang gai ($16), a satisfying serving of double-fried chicken thighs doused in gochujang, lime, and cilantro."
"The filet of fish bao ($15) is meant to be a cheeky blend of dim sum and a fast-food favorite. The bao bun is packed with panko-fried fish, tartar, and cheese. Date night. The dark, sexy interior has a long, dark-wood bar and a handful of two-tops against a wall of leather banquette seating. It's a perfect spot to grab a drink and get to know someone new, adding in a dim sum order if things go well."
Mary Chung's closed in 2022 after 40 years, leaving patrons devastated and skeptical. Darling opened in July 2025 as a Chinese-inspired cocktail bar that honors Mary Chung while offering an ever-changing craft cocktail menu and dim sum bites. The cocktail menu rotates at the owner's whim; the clarified milk punch I Hope I Packed a Parachute blends Irish whiskey, shochu, matcha, red bean amazake, and taro foam. Highlights include bang bang gai—double-fried chicken thighs with gochujang, lime, and cilantro—and a filet of fish bao with panko-fried fish, tartar, and cheese. The dark interior with a long wood bar suits date nights; walk-in bar seats are easiest between 5 and 6 p.m.
Read at Eater Boston
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]