It sounds like a Lifetime movie of the week. “It Happened To Me: Stranded at a Restaurant With a Dead Smartphone.” (Gasp! Sob!)
But seriously: whether you’re trying to coordinate a meet-up with friends, field some important work emails between courses, or just really, really bummed out that you’re unable to Instagram your dinner, a depleted cell phone can be a sore inconvenience when you’re eating out. Luckily, we’ve noticed that a few restaurants have been helping out, installing electric outlets and USB ports in a conscious effort to keep guests charged – and happy. If you need to make sure you stay connected, here are a few spots that are convenient go-to’s.
On the other hand, if you’re the type of person who directs more dinner conversation to Twitter than to your table mate, please stop reading now. You need a nice plate of cold turkey.
Alden & Harlow. The Harvard Square newcomer, which specializes in shareable plates of rustic-meets-modern American cuisine, installed nearly 40 electric outlets at its long, wrap-around bar, so you can filter your dinner (through Sierra, Mayfair or Kelvin – no, never Kelvin) until your heart’s content. While you’re at it, make sure to follow the Instagram account of Alden & Harlow chef-owner Michael Scelfo, one of our 7 Must-Follow Social Media Stars. 40 Brattle St., Cambridge; 617-864-2100
Bostonia Public House. The bar and banquette areas were designed to accommodate a number of electric outlets for charging, but there’s another reason Bostonia is a battery savior: loaned chargers for all smartphones are available by request. That’s a nice off-menu order. Now wondering what to eat? Check out our Cheat Sheet. 131 State St.; 617-948-9800
Brasserie Jo. The good news: You remembered to grab your iPhone’s USB cord on your way out the door. The bad news: You forgot that little square doo-dad that connects it an electric outlet. The solution: Back Bay French spot Brasserie Joe, which has installed 8 USB ports at its cocktail tables for just such an emergency. Cheers. 120 Huntington Ave.; 617-425-3240
Fairsted Kitchen. We get a charge out of the rotating draft cocktails at this Brookline hot spot. Also giving us a charge: the 8 USB ports in charging stations on the underside of the bar. #BUZZED. 1704 Beacon St., Brookline; 617-396-8752
Gather. The restaurant teems with tech wizards and start-up ingenues who would rather lose a limb than their smartphone. (After all, it’s housed in District Hall, a public innovation center for flexible work, meeting and hackathon space.) Naturally, they’ve installed 10 or so electric outlets along the bar, lest anyone miss that long-awaited email from an angel investor. 75 Northern Ave.; 617-982-7220
Pastoral. First: read our Cheat Sheet on the Fort Point haven for pizzas, pastas and beer cocktails. Then: Saddle up to the bar, plug your iPhone into one of the many USB ports scattered throughout, and dig in. 345 Congress St.; 617-345-0005
West Bridge. Given its setting in the middle of the Kendall Square start-up world, it’s no surprise that West Bridge keeps its clientele well-charged. The bar area boasts 10 electric outlets for keeping yourself fully online. 1 Kendall Sq., Cambridge; 617-945-0221
