Tasting Counter

Tasting Counter at 14 Tyler Street in Somerville, Massachusetts is one of Greater Boston's most distinctive and intimate fine dining experiences, operating out of a converted brewery space with a format that places every guest at a single chef's counter facing the open kitchen. Chef-owner Peter Ungár, who trained in fine dining kitchens in Europe and the United States, opened Tasting Counter in 2015 with a commitment to a single nightly seating model: 16 guests per service, a 10-course tasting menu, and direct interaction between the kitchen team and every diner throughout the meal. The menu is rooted in New England ingredients — shellfish from Massachusetts bays, vegetables from regional farms, foraged greens from nearby woodlands — and changes with each seasonal cycle, meaning no two visits offer the same experience. Ungár's technique draws on classical French training but the presentations are contemporary and often unexpected. The wine pairing is curated by the house and priced separately; non-alcoholic pairings using ferments, shrubs, and teas are also available and demonstrate the same level of care as the wine program. The counter format means guests see every dish prepared in real time, which creates an engaging, educational atmosphere unlike conventional restaurant dining. Somerville's Powder House Square neighborhood is a short ride from downtown Boston and easily reached by the MBTA Green Line extension. Reservations are released in advance blocks and are in high demand; securing a booking typically requires monitoring availability weeks out.