If you’re from the area, you know to never (ever) get Somerville confused with Boston or Cambridge. The burgeoning town has a charm – and a history – all its own. And as The New York Times so perfectly puts it, “is coming into its own as a hip alternative to both Boston and Cambridge.” With an up-and-coming restaurant and bar scene and affordable rents attracting hoards of young professionals, this city’s growth won’t slow down anytime soon.

And now it seems that growth is attracting national attention. A recent New York Times article titled “Out of the Shadow of Boston and Cambridge” profiles Somerville, featuring five of the city’s best attractions.

The article includes popular pizzeria, A4 Pizza, describing it as “a mix of your grandfather’s go-to dive bar and his garage…but the pizzas are anything but unserious.” Another restaurant to make The New York Times list is neighborhood favorite, Bronwyn. The Central European restaurant and beer garden is described as “haute but approachable.”

Not surprisingly, Union Square Donuts also made the cut with their “whimsical flavors” and “brown-butter hazelnut crunch, cocktail-inspired grapefruit juniper…. Fluffanutta” options.

As far as Somerville activities are concerned, The New York Times includes both the Tiny Museum and Brooklyn Boulders as two additional, unique attractions that the town hosts, as its own hub for creativity.

Of course, numerous other Somerville restaurant and bars were not included on the list that certainly deserved a shout out (think: Assembly Row). But the article did mention (albeit briefly) both Something GUD, and the recently opened Aeronaut Brewing Co.

Check out the full Somerville feature in The New York Times, here.

Image courtesy of A4 Pizza