Soma

This place bumps. With an excellent array of creative dishes, cocktails, and wine… I can see the appeal.
From top to bottom, Soma delivered. I didn’t even seem to mind the sardine can feel of a Saturday night. The cocktails are strong, the food is very good, and it’s overall a very good time.
The blackened chicken pasta was an entrée especially worth licking the plate over (the poblano cream sauce was sinful). The brick chicken was also super delish. All the dishes we tried were done very well, though.
Soma, you’re a pain in in the ass to get to on the weekend (and especially park) but you’re alright in my book. See you soon!

The time — 11:15.
The street — Cabot.
The restaurant — Soma, a restaurant I used to frequent three out of the seven nights a week.
Unfortunately for myself and two of my pals, business was unusually slow that evening. There were several parties seated within the dining room but the bar was empty. No patrons or mixologist. The countertop had already been cleaned, wiped and shined. This prompted each of us to double check the time and with over an hour left until last call the three of us decided to take a seat. My buddy waited a minute or two and the barkeep walked over from the dining room to take our order. He kindly requested three spicy cucumber margaritas.
The booze server informed us that those beverages were rather difficult to pour and asked if we would reconsider our order.
The retort struck my pal unexpectedly and the sour facial expression that followed was a succinct reflection our disappointment. To our surprise we were than asked to vacate the premises. The bartender proclaimed we were too intoxicated and we were getting the cutoff for using «that face».
Granted the three of us are not supermodels, the bartender should have been more professional and used kinder words.
On a personal note, I have never been more self conscious about my looks. Time has not been on my side. Her words dug deep, and hit harder than a steaming locomotive train fueled by plutonium.
We left without argument, but promised each other we shall never, ever return to Soma. I love their pizza pie, but unless your name is dapper dan and you’re wearing Bermuda shorts don’t expect to be treated with respect.
Our wallets are thick with green dinero, but our shirts are collard blue.
A color-​combination that doesn’t blend at the Soma. #MakeSomabluecollarfriendly
#makesomablue

3.5 Stars
Good service, fast food execution, large portions are some of the positive things that come to mind when I think about my experience at Soma.
The host (s) wasn’t overly friendly but that’s ok. When we selected a table that hadn’t been cleared they (the host) were all over it though. Our server was a nice guy working the tables near the bar. Our food came out quick. The beer selection was good, with a fresh taste due to clean keg lines. The wine and cocktail list looked good too.
The salad with the beets was fresh, well seasoned, and delicious. The pizza, mushroom sausage, was tasty and the crust was crispy on the outside, soft and chewy inside. The dough at the center of the pizza was soggy, probably due to the abundance of toppings. The overall flavor of the sauce and ingredients made up for the soft center of the pie. We saw the fried calamari going to the table next to us. It was enormous! Soma serves it RI style, with cherry peppers and sautéed garlic thrown into the mix. I will definitely try this next time I come in.
The mussels and frites were ok. The presentation was a little sloppy, mussels were tiny (it’s winter), and the broth could’ve used a little more seasoning. I liked the roasted poblanos though, nice touch, but the dish could be reimagined.
All in all a nice little joint that puts out a good product. There seems to be a Mediterranean theme throughout the menu and the pizza crust is Greek-​ish. I like it when restaurants stick with a concept or flavor profile. If you’re like me and you aren’t aware of how large the portions are you may think the prices are a little more $$$ than $$ until you get what you ordered. Good experience with tasty, fast, great value food, and equally good service. Please go to Soma and check out this gem in Beverly.

Soma is an interesting, hip restaurant with a large menu offering everything from chef-​prepared entrees to sandwiches to pizza. But the menu isn’t too large where choosing isn’t overwhelming for the customer, and preparing the food isn’t too overwhelming for the cook staff.
I started to type this review after my first time dining at Soma, and I have already went back only four days later and had about the same experience, so I’m confident in the consistency of quality, too.
As great as the starters, sandwiches, salads, and entrees are, the standout here seems to be the pizza. Strange for a place that isn’t explicitly a pizza joint, but the pizza is outstanding nonetheless. I believe this is due to high quality ingredients being used, especially the key pizza ingredients: the dough, sauce, and cheese. The toppings just make a great thing even better.
The fried calamari with fried cherry peppers comes almost more like a salad with some mixed mesclun greens, chopped cherry tomatoes, and is served over a marinara type red sauce. I never would have expected it to arrive like this, but wow — it’s now one of my favorite and quite possibly the very best appetizer I’ve had anywhere. Period. It’s really that delicious of a marriage of flavor and textures. I’ve had it twice now and I can’t wait to go back for more.
And even though the calamari was more salad than I had anticipated, I thought it would detract from the actual salad we ordered — a heirloom tomato salad with fresh burrata — it absolutely did not. The soft, rich, and creamy burrata was heavenly over the greens and perfectly ripe and meaty heirloom tomatoes.
Torn between the burger, the Cuban sandwich, and the salmon BLT, I went with the salmon BLT simply because I’ve never seen one on a menu before, and I enjoy new food experiences, especially if they’re twists on familiar classics. I wasn’t disappointed, and it was just what I expected over a soft and airy brioche bun.
Luckily on my second trip I was able to try the Cuban, too, which was also excellent. The semi-​sweet pickles warmed by the pressed panini and savory pork and ham was definitely something I’d have again and again.
But again, the pizza. I tried a piece of my daughter’s plain cheese and a slice of my wife’s chicken parm pizza and both were just so good, again, made from high quality ingredients. The crust is both the right amounts chewy and crispy, and the buttery melted mozzarella is stretchy and delicious. I could easily see myself ordering just pizza from there.
I’ve been there twice in less than a week, and I would love to back again soon. I can see Soma being my go to local place.