Boston Restaurant Tips by saccharinicity

Restaurant Name: Dali Restaurant and Tapas Bar

Now that I have actually been to Spain, I can say without doubt that the Dali Restaurant and Tapas Bar brings me right back to that country. The moment I stepped into this restaurant I felt transported to another country.

Dali is a fairly small place but the decor could keep you busy for hours. A beautifully tiled bar, dark lighting, lush red curtains, vines and flowers hanging from the ceiling - you actually feel like you are sitting and drinking at an outdoor patio in Spain.

The vibe of the place is extremely welcoming and gets better with every hour and with every sangria. People laugh, people dance, people drink and people eat! The menu has an extensive selection of tapas, hot and cold, for a good price and the bartenders keep the sangrias coming and even hand you a glass of water when they can tell you need it (talk about looking out for your patrons!)

I absolutely loved this place and I cannot wait to go back.

Favorite Dish: Vieiras al Azafrán or Ravioles de Mariscos

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Theme: Other
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: 617.661.3254
Address: 415 Washington Street, Somerville
Directions: Dali is actually located in nearby Somerville. If you are using public transportation, your best bet is to take the T - Red Line - to Harvard or Central Squares and hop a quick 5 minute cab ride. If you feel like bussing it, take the 86.
Website: http://www.dalirestaurant.com

Restaurant Name: Trident Booksellers & Cafe

Trident Booksellers & Cafe, located on Newbury Street, is a great place to grab a book and some grub. Their menu features an all-day breakfast (which makes for a great weekend brunch location), lunch and dinner items, along with a large assortment of teas, coffees and smoothies.

Buttermilk pancakes, waffles and omelettes; fresh and hearty sandwiches and vegan goodies such as the cashew chili make Trident a perfect place to grab a meal.

My favorite thing to do is order my own personal pot of tea and sit at the bar, watching people frolick on Newbury or checking out the latest issue of my favorite magazine. More likely than not, Trident will have the latest issue of your favorite magazine as well, as their selection is more than ample.

I give Trident two hearty "YUM-O"s!!

:d :d

Favorite Dish: Avacado, swiss and spinach omelette or the fresh fruit salad (which is HUGE for even the half-size) complete with a topping of strawberry yogurt and granola.

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Theme: Coffeehouse
Comparison: about average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: 617.267.8688
Address: 338 Newbury Street
Website: http://www.tridentbookscafe.com

Restaurant Name: Cafe Jaffa

I absolutely love this place. Nestled in a corner spot on Gloucester Street in the Back Bay, Cafe Jaffe has everything you could want from a middle eastern restaurant. Their food is simply delicious and fresh and all at affordable prices. The decor is dark in color, dark cherry wood tables, red lanterns hanging from the ceiling, scenes from the middle east painted across the walls. It is quite a cozy little place.

Dishes include falafel (best one in boston in my opinion), lamb, hummus, kabobs, shwarma, grape leaves and any other related dish.

They also have a wonderfully fruity sangria bowl you can order to share with your table with straws. Makes a perfect power lunch ;)

Favorite Dish: The falafel sandwich is the best I have had anywhere, ever.

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Theme: Middle Eastern
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 617.536.0230
Address: 48 Gloucester Street, Back Bay
Directions: Gloucester between Newbury and Boylston

Restaurant Name: Addis Red Sea

This is the best Ethiopian restaurant in Boston. Very unique in feel, this restaurant is situated below street level with light incense, dark lighting, colorful rugs and tapestries, stools and woven baskets for tables.

If you are venturing out for your first Ethiopian meal, let it be at this place. I have had ethiopian food at other places and nothing comes close to Addis Red Sea. The waitstaff is extremely friendly and even help explain the customary ways to eat their food, which includes eating with no utensils (so be prepared!).

Weekend nights can get extremely busy, best time to go is afternoon, unless you don't mind a wait.

Favorite Dish: Addis Red Sea Special Combo, let's you really get a little taste of all they have to offer.

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Theme: African
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: 617-426-8727
Address: 544 Tremont St., South End, Boston
Directions: South End
Website: http://www.addisredsea.com

Restaurant Name: India Quality

When locals think of Indian restaurants, usually their first thought is to up the street to Cambridge. Mass. Ave. is loaded with them, especially in the Central Square area (and one in particular will get a tip dedicated to them as well). Indian in Boston is not *as* readily available as to our neighbors across the Charles, but there is one in particular that stands out.

India Quality on Comm. Ave. in Kenmore Square has to be hands down the best experience I have had. This restaurant is situated below street level which gives it just the right amount of light to give a warm, cozy ambiance.

The waitstaff has never been anything but the most polite and never once have I had to wait for a table. The restaurant itself is more formal than its competitors, very well taken care of. The food is so fresh and tasty. yum. My absolute pick for Indian in Boston...

Favorite Dish: I always get the same dish...the Chicken Saag.

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Theme: Indian
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: (617) 267-4499
Address: 484 Commonwealth Ave, Kenmore Square, Boston
Directions: Green Line to Kenmore, exit the Fenway park exit to the left, India Quality is up half a block on your right.

Restaurant Name: Cornwall's

I love this place. It is a family-run pub/restaurant in the heart of Kenmore Square. Through the large, dark wooden doors you will find an amazing english pub with dozens and dozens of different types of beer on tap and in bottles. They make drinks in sizes that rival pot-bellied pigs for only a few bucks and their pub food is really great. The service is extremely friendly and they really know how to take care of their patrons. There are a ton of games to play, from pool and darts to chess and pictionary. The lighting is really dark as is the furniture, it really gives it a warm, homey feeling...even with all of the UK memorabilia plastered on the walls.

Favorite Dish: The HUGE portabella mushroom and chicken salad...their snack mix on the bar rocks too ;)

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Theme: Pub/Brewery
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: (617) 262-3749
Address: 654 Beacon Street, Boston, MA
Directions: Kenmore Square, Boston - next to Barnes & Noble
Website: http://www.cornwalls.com/

Restaurant Name: Empire Garden

In my opinion, Empire Garden is hands-down the best place for Dim Sum in Boston. Located in Chinatown on Washington Street, Empire Garden is a huge converted theatre with huge ceilings and decoration. Dim Sum is served from 8:30am to 3pm daily.

There is usually a wait between the hours of 11am to 2pm. My best tip is to get there at exactly 2. You will be sat immediately and the ladies with their carts will be filling your table with delights in less than 30 seconds.

Tea is served without asking, but you are alo charged for it. It is something I always scratch my head at, but I love my Dim Sum experience here so I just chuckle go along for the ride. Dim Sum rocks and this place is great for the scenery and the price.

Favorite Dish: The shrimp noodle wraps and boiled shrimp dumpling.

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Theme: Chinese/Dim Sum
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: 617-482-8898
Address: 690 Washington Street, Boston, MA
Directions: Chinatown. Exit Boylston Street T stop, cross Tremont, up a block, left onto Washington and Empire Garden is a block up on your left.

Restaurant Name: Shalimar Of India Restaurant

Central Square in Cambridge is loaded with Indian restaurants. I honestly have not had a bad experience with any of them but my favorite is the Shalimar Of India Restaurant

Perfectly situated near the intersection of Mass. Ave and Prospect and with amazing prices (starting at $5.95 for the lunch) and such friendly service, it is easily an old favorite.

Plus it is nice to spend the day shopping and whatnot and quickly pop in for their delicious and inexpensive lunch buffet.

Favorite Dish: I always get the Chicken Saag...

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Theme: Indian
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: 617-547-9280
Address: 546 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge
Directions: 546 Massachusetts Avenue, Central Square T stop

Restaurant Name: Tokyo City

My favorite spot for sushi is not in Boston proper, but in my neighborhood of Allston. The waitstaff here is unbelieveably gracious. Never once have I had to ask for anything in all the times I have been there. Refills on your drinks are given before you even realize you were halfway done. Fresh sushi...warm saki and warm hosts.

My pick for sushi in Boston.


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Theme: Japanese/Sushi
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: (617) 562-8888
Address: 92 Harvard Ave, Allston, MA
Directions: Harvard Ave T stop, up two blocks on the right, past Brighton Ave.

Restaurant Name: Anna's Tacqueria

Anna's Taqueria is *the* place for fast-food mexican in Boston. The food is extremely fresh, your tortillas are steamed right in front of you and before you can spell "taco" you meal is ready. The price cannot be beat as it is DIRT-CHEAP (for less than $4 can get you a super burrito AND a soda) and they never skimp on anything you ask for.

This is a cheap, fast taco joint, so don't go taking your date here.

95% of Bostonians will scream "Anna's!!!!!" when you mention a burrito joint...the other 5% are sleeping.

Favorite Dish: Chicken super burrito!

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Theme: Mexican
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: (617) 739-7300
Address: Cambridge / Somerville / Brookline
Directions: 1412 Beacon Street, Brookline
822 Somerville Ave, Porter Square, Cambridge
236A Elm St., Davis Square, Somerville