Perched between Kendall and Central Squares on Mass Ave, PAGU bridges more than just a couple Cambridge neighborhoods. Helmed by chef Tracy Chang, the Japanese tapas restaurant also bridges cuisines and cultures pulling from Chang’s travel, training and taste. The menu features pintxos and croquetas, inspired by her days working at Chef Martin Berasategui’s three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Spain, alongside Japanese dishes like ramen and bao, plucked right off the menu at her popular pop-up shop, Guchi’s Midnight Ramen and her time in the kitchen at O Ya.

Named in honor of a beloved canine companion (pagu means pug in Japanese), the restaurant sports deep blue walls with wooden accents and wood-topped tables. In the middle of the dining room is an open kitchen, surrounded by counter seats where diners can take in all the culinary action as they eat. The bar, aglow with a warm orange hue, features an extensive beverage program with an array of craft cocktails, lots of Spanish wines and plenty of Japanese beer.

The space can be easily transformed to accommodate just about any occasion with one private dining room and multiple semi-private areas (complete with A/V capabilities). Come summer, Pagu opens its adjacent patio for al fresco dining.