e^ BOSTONIA

O the places you go around tiny Boston and Cambridge that yield abundance... Open to additional recommendations!

Key:
C = Cambridge // S = Somerville // NE = North End // OC = Old City // DT = Downtown // BB = Back Bay // BH = Beacon Hill // SE = South End
* = haven't been yet
** = particular favorite

- - -

_ b r u n c h

• ** Cafe Luna (C - gets a double entry due to it's great weekend brunch - but make sure to call ahead for a seat.  It's best to go and sit outside with warm weather)
• ** S&S (S - newly visited and on my list to try again with its generous portions and well-done food)
• ** The Paramount (BH - somehow I don't mind waiting in line here, where the service is like clockwork and you always find a table exactly when you need to be seated)
• Veggie Planet (C - this Harvard Square joint makes me actually like eating vegetarian/vegan food)
• Zoe's (C - good, solid brunch)

_ c a f e s / b a k e r i e s / d e l i s

• ** The Thinking Cup (DT - right across from the Common. M and I found this on a random wander and it's been a great stop for espresso drinks.  Plus, they're open until 11pm!)
• ** Area Four (C - This new coffee shop/bar/restaurant opened somewhat recently but has already proved itself with its savory guest brews and deliciously homemade breakfast sandwiches)
• ** Cafe Luna (C - near Central Square, this is one of my staples near MIT, with a great raspberry Italian soda and live jazz on the weekends)
• ** Toscanini's (C - staple to MIT student lives, with inventive flavors and loose leaf teas)
• Voltage Coffee (C - another coffee place that M and I discovered, up on Third St. above Kendall Sq.  It's espresso drinks are more expensive than other venues and their flavored lattes a bit too subtlely flavored, but it's a fun place for a study break.)
• 1369 Coffeehouse (C, S - one of the few places with good coffee around these parts)
• Trident Booksellers (BB - not only one of the few independent bookstores, but also has a tasty brunch with good people watching)
• Sam Lagrassa's (DT - delicious and tender pastrami, great to bring to the Park but super messy)
• L'Aroma Cafe (BB - recommended by Laura, and a strong reminder of Paris)
• * South End Buttery (SE - a cupcake place that, hopefully, will be competition to Sweet)

_ r e s t o s

• ** Porter Square Exchange Japanese cluster (C - this area has a soft spot in my heart, not simply because it has the most "things Japanese" in all of New England and some darn good katsu curry)
• ** The King and I (BH - probably my favorite Thai place in Boston)
• Emma's Pizza (C - above Kendall Square, its pizzas make even the die-hard meat fans love cheese and veggies)
• Cambridge 1 (C - Harvard Square, great pizza and beers)
• Baraka Cafe (C - Algerian and Tunisian food diversifies Central Square, but make sure to bring cash only) 
• Algiers Cafe (C - eating Algerian merguez sausage and sipping mint tea under a beautiful wood vault is a great way to spend an afternoon)
• Orinoco (SE - yummy Venezuelan food with really tasty arepas - stuffed corn flour pockets)
• Dali (S - tapas from Southern Spain, with a nice ambiance and attentive service) 
• The Wine Cellar (BB - fondue and raclette, even!  tres delicieux and great for a date)
• Merengue (Roxbury - it's way far, but I really like Caribbean food and this was worth the trek.  Note that you should bring a guy, as the area can get sketchy at night)
• * Hen House Wings and Waffles (Roxbury - southern comfort food and 14 sauces...)
• * Toro (SE - tapas by Ken Oringer, and I like the name)
• * La Verdad (BB - Oringer's taqueria is a place i want to visit)

_ p l a c e s

• ** Isabella Gardner Museum (BB - wonderful connection on the border between classic museum and your grandmother's attic, and free jazz on Thursdays to boot)
• ** Boston Harbor Islands (great for a picnic or just getting some salt air in your lungs)
• Prudential Skywalk (BB - expensive but a really lovely place with a wonderful view of the city)
• The Museum of Science (B - so much to discover for nerds and non-nerds alike)
• * Mt. Auburn Cemetery (C - keeps heading up my list in the most un-morbid of ways)
• * De Cordova Sculpture Park (Lincoln - Nadya had some installations here, and I've heard it's a nice stop and stroll)
• * SoWA First Friday (SE - free art galleries from 5-9pm)
• * JFK Library (SE - books and history)

_ n i g h t

• ** Mead Hall (C - new classy bar near Kendall with tons of beers on tap and even their own brews to taste)
• The Beehive (SE - awesome steak-cut fries that are seasoned to perfection and live jazz)
• John Harvard's (C - tons of tables and good for grabbing a drink or just snacking with friends)

_ updated 09.1.11