Simple Truth Lounge

Checked out this much-​talked about lounge last night with a few friends. It’s got a lot of great potential, but there were enough quirks in the experience that I won’t be heading back until I hear they’ve been ironed out.
Beer:
Small but intelligent beer list. Not that into wine myself, so can’t comment there. Features local brews, as promised — Pretty Things, Harpoon, Berkshire Brewing (I think — may have been Cambridge Brewing)
Cocktails:
We tried three cocktails — a Kir Royale, (gin, champagne, crème de cassis, maraschino cherry), a whiskey sour, and a «Veritas» Martini (Vodka or Gin, Dry Vermouth, Absinthe. All were nicely crafted and well balanced. The sour was served with clean and clear crushed ice, a nice touch.
Price :
Prices ranged from a $ 5 Harpoon on the low end to $ 15 for a bottle of Pretty Things Jack D’or.
Cocktail prices mostly hovered in the $ 10-​$ 13 range.
Atmosphere:
This is where the quirks come in!
The Simple Truth is literally located smack dab in the middle of the Hotel Veritas’s lobby. By which I mean… it IS the lobby. When I showed up, there was a man sitting in the lounge working on his laptop. After plopping down on one of the comfortable couches, I felt an incredibly strong urge to either start working myself or to check-​in to my nonexistent room. Music is completely nonexistent. It definitely didn’t feel like the kind of place where I could see myself ordering a few rounds of drinks.
Things improved after we quickly relocated to the outdoors patio — a really nicely designed space with custom-​made metal chairs and tables. So of course it was a bit jarring to have one of the front desk ladies, decked out in her hotel uniform, come out to serve us. Don’t get me wrong — they were really nice and attentive, but there were just two people working from what I could tell. Apparently they make the drinks, serve them, and also have to take care of guests and concierge requests at the front desk. As we were the only four people at the lounge on a Tuesday night, this didn’t slow things down much, but I can see how the setup could become a serious problem with a few more patrons around.
Conclusion:
There are two ways to look at the Simple Truth:
(1) As a hotel lounge, it is absolutely fantastic. The menu is thoughtful, the drinks are tasty (didn’t try the food), and the fact that it’s basically built in to the lounge means that you could easily grab a cocktail before going out to Harvard Square or as a way to end a night after dinner. The servers will even bring drinks up to you at the upstairs patio, which has a great view.
(2) As a standalone cocktail lounge, the place is mediocre at best. The atmosphere is awkward, unless your idea of a good time is watching people check into hotel rooms. The waitstaff are super-​nice, but they’re not dedicated bartenders, so I wouldn’t expect to be able to banter about distillers or try custom creations. Not that this is a huge negative, but there are plenty of places in Cambridge and Boston that will serve $ 11 cocktails that will deliver a better atmosphere and tastier drinks.

LOVE
1. Great wine list, including my New Mexico favorite — Gruet sparkler.
2. Complimentary Marcona almonds, mmm. Complimentary sparking or flat water — with crushed ice (best thing since sliced bread).
3. Amazing patio close to Harvard and Central square but not drowning in exhaust fumes like other outdoor options.
4. Formaggio cheeses and charcuterie — the best way to start or end an evening out. Weekly changes provide the diversity we all love.
5. Classy service with a sophisticated yet local feel, all art work is local and drinks/​wine/​beer are local or independent producers — front desk = bartenders/​managers, lobby = lounge/​dining area.
6. Décor that feels artistic without being stuffy or overdone, comfy chairs, curved couches and the best patio within a stones throw.
7. Good place to go to a «bar» sans the «bar scene.»
You’ll probably see me there most nights and I hope to see you there too!
Hours 4−11pm…get there before every Tom, Dick or Harry Cantabrigian realizes what they are missing. Make sure to chat it up with Sara, Laurie or Josh, they know what they are talking about and will give you an experience to remember and maybe even make that first date one that will turn into a second.