Haute Secrets Boston: Tyler Kinnett of Harvest

Admittedly, one of the best restaurants in Harvard Square is the tucked away, almost hidden haute spot known as Harvest. If you are lucky enough to have dined there, you’ll know why Executive Chef Tyler Kinnett has gained so much national attention.

Photo Credit: Harvest

The New England Culinary Institute graduate has cooked in Thomas Keller’s Per Se and the EMC Club at Fenway Park.

Kinnett introduced Harvest to a six-course tasting menu, a dinner menu that includes handmade pasta and specialty dishes with a local flair like Snappy’s Scituate lobster with baby fennel and spaghetti squash.

We caught up recently with Kinnett to find out what he loves most about Boston.

Title: Executive Chef, Harvest

Where were you born:  Xenia, Ohio

How long in Boston: 7 years.

Neighborhood: Brighton for most of it.

Favorite Restaurant: HARVEST!!!!!! But if not there, I really love Asta. Alex Crabb (the chef at Asta) is all about the technique and is unparalleled with his style of cooking, not only is it creative, but it’s fun. It’s refined and completely unpretentious.

Best Sushi: I always go to Fin’s in Kenmore Sq. Kenmore has a fun vibe to it and the food and decor there have always been really good.

Best Italian: Guilia, in Porter Square. The chef there is doing really great things that I connect with and truly enjoy eating. I’m very passionate about Italian food and I’m influenced by Italy in my own cooking. Guilia is a restaurant that understands what Italian food should be.

Best dessert: I’m not too much of a dessert eater, But When I first started at Harvest, Brian Mercury had a caramel glazed brown sugar cake on the menu, and it was just amazing.  I would eat a quart of the scraps.

Best place for a romantic date: Bondir. Especially in the winter. Its cozy, there’s a fire place, and the food and service are stellar.

Favorite shopping venue/boutique:  I could spend an hour in Kitchenware’s on Newbury Street. It’s the industry approved kitchen store where cooks go almost impulsively to buy that fancy new knife and set of spoons.

Favorite Charity Event: I’ve become a supporter of No Kid Hungry over the past few years. They’re doing great work raising money, teaching and raising awareness regarding the malnutrition of many children in our own neighborhoods.

Best Steakhouse: I eat at Grill 23 quite often, and I actually crave it when I’m off.  Incredible steaks, raw bar and really good cocktails.  They’re serving a menu of fresh and responsibly sourced ingredients, which for a steak house makes it truly stand out.

Best Pizza: At three in the morning……….anyplace. When in good company during the day….Regina.

Best Lunch: Going to the Super 88 in Packard’s Corner in Brighton for the Bahn Mi in the food quart. It just doesn’t get better, there are few things I would rather eat on my day off!

Favorite historic/legendary place to see or explore:  Lets be real here, you could go anywhere in Boston for that! One of my favorite things to do is walk around town with my headphones on (mostly Stone Temple Pilots or the Rolling Stones) and just take in the architecture and the views the city has to offer. I walk all around this town on a regular basis, just for fun, and it never gets boring.

All-around favorite spot in Boston: Inside Fenway Park,  I worked there for two seasons and I loved being there. I’ll admit I’m really not a sports fan (GASP!) but there was just a great feeling there. I love working and running around that park.

Best Aspect of Boston:  It’s the feel of the city, it’s busy and it’s fast. It’s both classic and modern. Its surrounded by ocean and the beautiful New England mountains and landscape. We have great restaurants, sports teams, schools, institutions and a distinct culture all our own. I love this city and I always have. It been home for me for quite a while.