It’s lonely being one step ahead, isn’t it?

You knew reality TV was lame back when Donald Trump was beyond B-list. You bought organic when Whole Foods didn’t even exist. You had the Gavin DeGraw CD long before it got played to death.

And now? You’re fully aware that Kenmore Square is the next It neighborhood. One prime reason: Eastern Standard Kitchen & Drinks, the new casual but sleek restaurant adjoining the ‘hood’s epicenter, the Hotel Commonwealth.

With an expansive bar, comfy booths, and quirky menu of grown-up comfort food (gourmet grilled cheese, steak tartare, lobster shepard’s pie), Eastern Standard is the latest brainchild of Garrett Harker, whose previous projects include B&G Oysters, the Butcher Shop, and No. 9 Park.

All that, plus there’s patio seating for scoping out all those very forward thinkers always in the know.

Now there’s solace: You won’t be lonely for long.

Blessing or curse?

Depends which table you score.

Eastern Standard Kitchen & Drinks, 528 Commonwealth Avenue, at Kenmore Square (617-532-9100).