Les Sablons Debuts in Harvard Square

Les Sablons officially arrives in Cambridge’s Harvard Square today, courtesy of the team behind Island Creek Oyster Bar and Row 34 (partners Garrett Harker, Shore Gregory, Skip Bennett, and Jeremy Sewall).

Situated in the skinny Conductor’s Building (2 Bennett St.) — “the oldest surviving structure from the initial development of the subway in Cambridge" — Les Sablons spans two floors, with a bar and some seating on the first floor and the main dining room upstairs. The dining room stretches only 17 feet wide but seats 100, due to some architectural sorcery by Bentel & Bentel. The firm also designed Island Creek Oyster Bar and Row 34.

Named for a Paris Métro station, Les Sablons describes itself simply as “between London and Paris.” A smattering of social media posts from the restaurant’s mock services over the weekend include peeks at dishes such as monkfish, beef tartare, and rye spaghetti, as well as oysters (of course). There’s also a roasted veal loin with pommes Anna. Sewall is executive chef, and Centre Street Cafe and Rialto alum Brian Rae is chef de cuisine. Rae’s Instagram account offers a couple more sneak peeks, including spring vegetable crudités and Alaskan king crab legs.

Because this is the Island Creek/Row 34 team, diners will find the usual Jackson Cannon cocktail magic at the bar, and L’Espalier alum Lauren Daddona is wine director.

Take a look inside Les Sablons: