It's a classic pairing of the high and the low: chef Barry Maiden is combining his chi-chi French training (locally, at L'Espalier, Sel de la Terre, and Lumière) with his down-home Southern roots (he's a Virginia native) to create inspired cuisine served up in a cozy, comfortable atmosphere at Hungry Mother (233 Cardinal Medeiros Avenue, Cambridge), opening next month. His menu, driven whenever possible by local, seasonal, and sustainable ingredients, will feature smaller plates such as farm deviled eggs and pan-fried Rappahannock River oysters, plus entrées like grilled skirt steak served with "creamed" corn and Georgia shrimp with Anson Mills grits and red-eye gravy. Hungry Mother shares the philosophy of its now-shuttered Bay Village predecessor, Rachel's Kitchen: Maiden and company aim to develop the restaurant into a welcoming Cantabrigian hangout. The group is also running a fundraising campaign to help offset the costs of opening a restaurant: donate at www.hungrymothercambridge.com before January 31 and get your name on a wall and 25 percent off your first meal.
HUNGRY MOTHER PHOTO BY IAN BARNARD
