The highly-anticipated Shepard hosted friends and family last night, and this morning, the Instagram hashtag #shepardcooks shows some tantalizing previews of what to expect when Shepard finally opens to the public. That date hasn't been confirmed, but the restaurant's bare-bones website says it will be "soon."
Located at 1 Shepard St. between Harvard and Porter squares, Shepard comes from Susan Regis (Four Seasons, Biba, UpStairs on the Square) and Rene Becker (Hi-Rise Bread Company). The restaurant follows the two-decade run of Chez Henri in that space, and Regis has said her new establishment will be "French in spirit."
More specifically, though, the focus is on a simple, seasonal menu. The kitchen has a wood-fired oven and a wood grill, laid brick-by-brick by Becker himself. Last night's friends and family fare included a spatchcocked chicken with ramps; whipped chamomile ricotta with raw honey and rye crackers; and a grilled Romaine salad. Regis has also said previously that she's excited about the prospect of "big, fluffy pizzas," tapping into her partner's expertise regarding the dough.
Stay tuned for news of Shepard's public opening.