With a name like Metropolis, you might expect something loud, bustling, slightly gentrified, obnoxious? Then you'd be wrong on this one.

The South End's Metropolis Cafe is one of our favorite brunch spots in the area. Salads of endive and arugula get everyone started off right, followed by fluffy pancakes, grits, and huevos rancheros. They use real maple syrup. The waitstaff are pleasant and even for a small place with a line out the door, you never feel rushed. Dinner is a treat with dishes like asparagus tartar - even if you love the steak or tuna version, we suspect this will win you over. We also recommend any pasta dish they've concocted. Beer and wine only, but we can't complain on that count alone. Worth stopping in for an intimate dinner with a friend or loved one. We're sure this won't disappoint.

Metropolis Cafe [MenuPages]

[Photo: Festivus Gastronomicus]

By pass we don't mean to pass this by. We mean pass go, collect $200 (you're gonna need it). Get there. Now.

Salts is one of Cambridge's best, if most expensive, spots and worthy of accolades. The small space is somehow never noisy and crowded, despite its popularity. Chef Gabriel Bremer was one of Food and Wine's Best New Chefs of 2007, and the excellent menu shows why. Salts maintains relationships with local fisherman and farmers, ensuring the freshest catch and local, organic produce are the base of everything they do. Wines change to compliment the seasonal selections, and most come from France, Spain, and the US. The service is unparalleled, knowledge and friendly in every sense of the word, topped off by the friendliness of hostess and co-owner Analia. And if you've heard the rumors, consider them true: the duck is so popular, it is encouraged that you place your order for one well in advance. And remember to save room for one of their creative desserts! Salts is serious food for serious foodies. We love it.

Salts [MenuPages]
Salts Restaurant [Official Site]

[Photo: SuziJane/Flickr]

Chacarero is one of those fabled Boston sandwich shops we trek out of our way to find. Once a pushcart, Chacarero now has several locations nestled downtown. This Chilean shop features a simple, solid menu of tasty chicken, beef, or veggie sandwiches, topped with their legendary green beans, avocado, tomatoes, and muenster cheese. Their bread is always fresh and tasty, keeping with a traditional recipe. The lines have been known to stretch around the block, but with so few choices, Chacarero keeps it easy. Luckily, everything is amazing. We've even heard breakfast is great - who doesn't love a little ham & eggs on the go?

Chacarero [MenuPages]
Chacarero [Official Site]

[Photo: Neilmeiser]

We love trying the combos Boston has to offer, and the Cambodian and French menu is expertly done at the acclaimed Elephant Walk. In addition to the traditional fare, we adore the range of options, including vegetarian/vegan and gluten-free menus, available for lunch and dinner. All the dishes are prepared by the talented mother/daughter head chef team, who are originally from Cambodia and fled the Khmer Rouge in 1975. After a brief stint in France, they settled in the Boston area, and their fusion cuisine showcases perhaps some of the best products of a traumatic era. A skillfully selected wine list displays a variety of perfect pairings, rounding out a fantastic meal at a local favorite. With three great locations and their own cookbook for sale, we suggest you...walk on over. (We couldn't resist.)

And, starting this Sunday, the Elephant Walk is participating in Summer Restaurant Week, so call for reservations soon!

Elephant Walk [MenuPages]
Elephant Walk [Official Site]

[Photo: BrianScott/Flickr]

Featuring standard appetizers like edamame, miso soup, and gyoza, the main reason to trek to Wagamama is the ramen. We know $12 ramen seems like a stretch, but bear with us here. Fresh chicken and beef adorn these dishes, as do chillies, veggies, and all sorts of savory flavors of broth. Lo mein, soba, and udon round out the menu, as do a wide variety of rice dishes. We tout the idea of "something for everyone" a lot, we know, but this is just one more example of a place that caters to a group of diverse eaters.

Kid-friendly (and sometimes a little overrun with them, we recommend heading over for lunch. Located in touristy spots for a reason, this is still a spot worth trying, if just to say you've stopped in.

Wagamama [Official Site]

[Photo: Phil Roman/Flickr]

Oleana's cuisine might transport you to the Mediterranean in taste, but sitting outside in Boston's humidity can sometimes feel equivalent. Try the lamb kefta appetizer while you bask in the sunshine, a light tuna roll, or their fabulous vegetarian sampling menu.

For a neighborhood Irish pub also featuring outdoor seating, head to Jamaica Plain's James's Gate. Even on a warm day, we like the featured risotto or ravioli - what can we say? We like to be surprised. The enormous beer selection will keep you cool, regardless of your entree choices.

Known for their elaborate sandwiches, Parish Cafe has one of the most visible patios near downtown. Passing by on Boylston, it's impossible to miss...and pretty hard to get a table too. Featuring creations by some of Boston's best chefs, this restaurant inspires collaboration and good times. Bring a friend or five and hope you can find a spot to people-watch.

Oleana [Official Site]
James's Gate [Official Site]
Parish Cafe [Official Site]

[Photo: Llima/Flickr]

We head to No. 9 Park for ambiance and French and Italian-inspired cuisine that while delicious, doesn't have to try too hard. The staff is always professional, the service always just the right pace. Our top recommendations are the Pekin duck or codfish, but we'd also be hard pressed to find anything we didn't like on this menu, which also changes on occasion. And like any quality chef, veggies rotate with the seasons. If pasta is available, give Chef Lynch's specialty a try. Reservations are recommended. The candlelit meal will be one to remember, if not one of the best you've ever had.

No. 9 Park [Official Site]
No. 9 Group [Official Site]

[Photo: Charles Haynes/Flickr]

Because there are so many good places for small plates in our city...

Toro: We love Toro for Spanish-style tapas and a scrupulous Sunday brunch. Fireplace in the winter, patios for the summer, Toro knows how to adapt and has been one of Boston's best for shared plates for years. They have industry night the first Thursday of every month, which is a solid deal for any servers out there looking to sample some of the South End's yummiest dishes.

Tapeo: Newbury Street's answer to small plates. With a menu that rotates seasonally every eight weeks, we love stopping by for the latest concoctions from the kitchen. The bar offers a similarly fun blend of old and new, including a great selection of Spanish wines. That's only fitting, right?

Estragon: Also nestled in the South End, Estragon features Spain's best in a touted authentic atmosphere with gold 30s decor. The cozy bar features a sangria bubbler, and the waitstaff is thoughtful and warm. The prices keep your options open, with a little something for everyone, regardless of their budget. And, particularly for the veg heads among us, Estragon is the city's best bet for veggie options. Period.

Toro [Official Site]
Tapeo [Official Site]
Estragon [Official Site]

[Photo: udn/Flickr]

We'd try to think of a clever title, but the name is already so darn cute...

So we miss Rachel's Kitchen in the Bay Village, but what good news that she's moved to Cambridgeport! Hungry Mother features updated southern cuisine: boiled peanuts, fried catfish, grits, collard greens, and cinnamon buns for dessert. The service? Out of this world. Easily the nicest folks in the Kendall area. The prices are steep, and the place can get noisy on a busy night, but the succulent shrimp and roasted chicken with snap peas are worth any trouble you might encounter. We love trying new spots, and this one should be on your list too...assuming it isn't already.

Grab a HM logo pin on your way out as a souvenir.

Hungry Mother [MenuPages]
Hungry Mother [Official Site]

[Photo: LimeyG Bends Yer Lughole]

No matter how you roll through Inman Square, there are ways to feed your face. Consider the following:

S&S Restaurant might not be a diamond among stones, but it does do a few things right, namely a huge menu and the ability to handle large groups. It's nice to breakfast-all-day-with-a-group options in our town aside from the IHOP, ya know? It sure is hard to mess up scrambled eggs and toast.

But for the seekers among us, we'd send you down the block to All Star Sandwich Bar. Some balk at an $8 sammie, but we like local spots with nice folks who fill our bellies. It might be a sandwich place, but their chili is to die for. And can you say free Oreos?

Alas, real dessert is often in order. Not to fear: Christina's has every strange and wonderful flavor of ice cream or sorbet you could want. Everything is seasonal, rotating around like the planet, but we say you can never go wrong with chocolate.

S&S Restaurant and Deli [Official Site]
All Star Sandwich Bar [Official Site]
Christina's Homemade Ice Cream [Official Site]

[Photo: lilivanili/Flickr]

We know, sometimes it's hard to get excited about what seems like a corner bar in what isn't your own 'hood. Thing is, Delux is worth a trip across our fair city, rain or shine. With what we sometimes called "inspired food," this hidden gem serves famous quesadillas year 'round, plus a rotating sample of amazing salads (arugula, goat cheese, and pears are often involved), hearty soups (tomato with your grilled cheese, anyone?), stellar pasta selections (often a ravioli containing spinach or pumpkin), and tons of goodness on tap, not open Sundays. Get there.

Delux Cafe, 100 Chandler Street, Boston, (617) 338-5258

[Photo: LukeLucas/PicasaWeb]

A sure bet for a good meal, Shabu-Zen is our runner up for the Boston C-town shabu scene. Dig: fresh ingredients, quick service, yummy sake, a wide array of veggies, delicate slivers of beef and chicken for your cooking pleasure. First time? The staff will provide instructions. Open 'til midnight on the weekends!

But Kaze is by far our fave. This Chinatown destination is a must-have for a shabu craving, conveniently located in the heart of downtown madness. And, if it makes you feel better about the authenticity of your food, we've had a few minor communication problems with the staff here over time. Lucky for us, we find this endearing and a sign that we are, in fact, in the right place for the right thing.

Shabu Zen [Official Site]
Kaze Shabu Shabu [Official Site]

[Photo: w00kie/Flickr]

Silvertone Bar & Grill: A runner-up for best dining downtown, Silvertone keeps things low-key with menu staples like their steak tips and cold martinis. Legendary M&C keeps many folks going back though, time after time. Filling for dinner, a bit too heavy for lunch. Did we mention the friendly staff?

Coda: An excellent beer selection can compliment your M&C here, chock full of peas and a little on the runny side, hot out of the kitchen. Careful, vegetarians! This one also includes pancetta (but they'll leave it out if you ask nicely).

Zon's: This Jamaica Plain treat claims the prize for now. A baked but saucy gourmet version of pasta and cheese, add sweet peas for a few bucks more and find yourself in heaven. We already love Zon's for the amazingly chill atmosphere, great burgers, and classic drinks, but their M&C topped with bread crumbs takes the award for best comfort food either side of the river. Worth a subway trip or drive out of your way. Far, far out of your way, even.

Silvertone [Official Site]
Coda [Official Site]
Zon's [Official Site]

[Photo: billaday/Flickr]

Featuring an enormous menu, from sushi to BBQ, we dig Koreana for diversity and style. We can roll in with a crowd and everyone leaves happy. The appetizers (especially the salads) rock, bulgogi and bi bim bap never disappoint, we love the fresh japchae noodle dishes, and their vegetarian menu makes this place a win for everyone, regardless of your dietary needs. Dinner wouldn't be complete without a California or avocado roll, and while we know some folks hate on Koreana's sushi bar, we say, if you're trying to cover a lot of bases, you do the best you can. We're not here to pick a fight - we're here to pick out our meats! Koreana, among other things they do right, lets you cook your own meat and veggies. DIY hasn't lost its charm, at least not when it comes to barbeque!

This is the kind of place you go for dinner and just relax. Perfect for a leisurely night out sans children or a great spot to catch up with an old friend. Their cheap lunch menu is worth checking out, too.

Koreana [MenuPages]
Koreana [Official Site]

[Photo: snak/Flickr]

What's not to love about the newly renovated Clear Conscience Cafe in Central Square? Attached to the Harvest Co-op, this friendly, bright cafe is a great spot for breakfast on the run or a lunchtime snack. Renovated and renamed from its former (and less original) Harvest Co-op Cafe, the new shop is much more welcoming.

Featuring a menu accessible for everyone, CCC (C3?) offers a wide range of scones, bagels (with tofu or regular cream cheese!), veggie and meat sandwiches, and daily soups, including vegetarian chili. With free wifi for an hour, it's a nice spot to briefly rest on their comfy sofas. During the day, the tables stay pretty emptyas people get their food to go, making it a cool place to get a little work done too. And the coffee refills in your own mug? Twenty cents off. Every little bit counts, right?

Grab a few groceries on the way out. Organic produce and knowing you're supporting a local market (other location in Jamaica Plain) is a pretty good deal.

Clear Conscience Cafe, 581 Mass Ave, Cambridge, 617 661-1580

[Photo: ninjapoodle/Flickr]

We love spots that take beer seriously, and between the original The Publick House, their newly opened Provisions shop, and the soon to be opening Roadhouse, Brighton has its own tiny draught mecca in the making.

Perhaps standard in any bar, we love the fries. Hot in their little paper cone, they come with two dipping sauces that make us wish refills were free. We also think their cheese collection compliments the beer well. And the mussels...you just need to try them for yourself.

Down the block, the recently opened Publick Provisions doesn't sell beer, but they do stock a solid grocery selection and beer glasses line the walls. We're hoping they bring in some bottles soon because they're so good at that stuff - why not capitalize?

You may have to wait a while to get a seat at the House, especially on the weekends, but stay tuned for the Roadhouse and sneak in there before the buzz catches up to you.

The Publick House [MenuPages]

[Photo: Andre Charland/Flickr]

When we're spending the lunch hour near Kendall, we'll be the first admit interesting, affordable options can be a bit lacking. Don't great minds need great food?

Lucky for us, there are trucks. Every day, a whole pack of them drive into the MIT parking lot off Main Street at Ames Street, circle up in the shadow of the Stata Center, offering some of the best cheap food in the area. The diversity can't be beat, and the cash only mobile food stands almost hearken back to a day of lunch counters and sandwich pails.

Our favorites include the Mexican truck (known as Jose's but with no menu online), which makes huge, cheap burritos and amazingly fresh salads. The Middle Eastern truck, Jerusalem Cafe, has the standard shawarma and falafel, both equally solid choices. We recommend swinging by for the lentil soup too. Goosebeary's is among the most popular and has stellar Chinese food and provides yet another reason you and your wallet will both be happy. And yes, we know sometimes the trucks seem nameless, but we're all for pointing in the right direction, name or cuisine, whichever works for you.

[Photo: Dan4th/Flickr]

Nothing says summertime like tapas - small flavorful samplings of all sorts. While we recognize that technically, tapas are from Spain and some of these local establishments have food from around the globe, we're here to celebrate the small, shared plate. Here's the roundup of our favorite three this month:

Cuchi Cuchi: The flamboyant Cambridge mainstay right between Central and Kendall Squares is always fun for a glamorous or silly night out. Go for their "straight up" international dishes and stay for the wild assortment of delicious cocktails - many also available virgin if you're the designated driver. Servers in colorful garb strut around like characters in a mobster movie, and if you check their website, you might catch an evening tarot card reading to accompany your dinner.

Dali: Technically the sister restaurant of Cuchi Cuchi, we put both locales on the list because both inspire such festive creativity and fun. Dali focuses on Spanish tapas and wine in a romantic setting best for group outings with friends or an intimate date night. Dali prices are more reasonable than most, and like Cuchi Cuchi, Dali also features the artwork of local artist Mark Steel.

Tasca: Last but not least, this Brighton gem sits right off the T, making it a perfect late night spot if you decide to have a few extra drinks. Featuring more expensive main dishes with a large small plate menu, Tasca is probably the best introduction to tapas in town. Not overwhelmingly kitschy, the place is warm and inviting. Tasca also features flamenco dancing - check their calendar for the next evening of rhythmic steps.

Cuchi Cuchi [Official Site]
Dali [Official Site]
Tasca [Official Site]

[Photo: blogefl/Flickr]

Summertime in Boston gets humid like the South. While the two don't ultimately compare, we're happy to find fare that reminds us of the Gulf Coast.

So, enter Coast Cafe. Fried chicken just shy of too-greasy, just the right amount of crispy, we have a winner in Cambridge. Mac & cheese doesn't get much better than this, and their sweet potatoes are a perfect side. Fried plantains and collard greens round out the menu. Perhaps the best of all, their cornbread is worth an entire side order of its own. And that's how you've gotta order this goodness - with about two real seats in the tiny space, you're gonna need to get this amazing Southern action to go.

Closed Sunday and Monday, make sure to hit this place up during the week or on a summery Saturday for a waterfront picnic or a night in with pals who love catfish and yellow cake.

Coast Cafe [Official Site]

[Photo: serenejournal/Flickr]

There is tea all over this city. We are, after all, in Boston. Parties revolving around tea have been happening since this city began.

But when we want a sampling of some of the best, we head to Harvard Square. First stop: Dado Tea. With a fun pastry assortment, you're guaranteed to leave with your hands full. Dado has shelf after shelf of tea supplies for home, from pots and kettles to loose leaf bags and strainers. The perfect stop for a gift for a tea lover, even if that person is yourself!

Next: Tealuxe. Featuring perhaps the best selection around town, this tiny cafe is known for it's huge assortment and daily iced treats. Serving bubble teas in the summer, there's something for everyone - even hot chocolate for the tea haters among us.

Finally, and most unexpectedly: Karma Yoga Studio. While we know it's an unconventional choice, this amazingly calm studio has a lovely cafe out front that serves some of the best iced peach rooibos we've ever had. Stop in on a hot summer afternoon for a delightful sampling of many soothing teas - and grab a relaxing yoga class while you're there! Two good things under one roof is always fine by us.

Dado Tea [Official Site]
Tealuxe [Official Site]
Karma Yoga Studio and Cafe [Official Site]

[Photo: Naama/Flickr]

Lionette's has been in business for years, and their commitment to local family values and the community really show in everything they do. Lionette's only sells beef supplied from three New England farms, on which the cows are grass-fed and given no antibiotics or hormones. The rest of the meat comes from small family-run farms in New York, Quebec, and New England, ensuring that everything they sell comes right from the source. Their eggs are fresh from free-range farms in New York and Vermont. Even the veg heads among us here at MenuPages have a lot of love for the humane way Lionette's handles their farm business, including their supply of fresh and seasonal produce (as opposed to the GMO junk that you find at odd times of the year in everyday supermarkets). While they do stock mainstream organic fruits and veggies out of season (because let's face it - we've all long since stopped eating only seasonal foods and demand more), a complete list of the New England farms they patronize as often as possible can be found on their webpage. The extensive Lionette's FAQ should be consulted by those with any misgivings. And otherwise, you should be headed to the shop right about...now.

Lionette's [Official Site]

[Photo: karimian/Flickr]

While we can rave on and on about ethic dinner plates, sushi bars, and the nightlife, we'd be remiss not to mention dessert. Specifically, we're thinking of the Korean kind, found in two of our favorite bakeries, Yi Soon Bakery and Seoul Bakery. Both are easy on the wallet and carry a variety of yummy Asian baked goods. From red bean and mochi buns to tiger and taro cakes, we love the variety of sometimes simple sweets that stand out from run-of-the-mill chocolate chip cookies. You don't have to go all the way to Chinatown to find some authentic egg tarts, so why would you? And yes, we know - we'd be remiss not to mention that Infusions Tea Spa is right next door to Yi Soon. A neighborly spending spree (well, if you think dropping 10 bucks is a spree) is easy to do on this corner.

Other tips: Seoul has refreshing shaved ice in the summers, and look out when making a Yi Soon purchase - cash only.

Yi Soon Bakery, 112 Brighton Ave, Allston, (617) 254-3099
Seoul Bakery, 58 Harvard Ave, Allston, (617) 787-6500
Infusions Tea Spa [MenuPages]

[Photo: paper or plastic?/Flickr]

You know how sometimes you find a new cafe that just makes you feel right at home? You hope they're around for the long haul? Community-based Ula fills an important niche in Jamaica Plain, and in the year they've been open, we've enjoyed their amazing coffee concoctions, sweet potato sandwich, and free wifi.

In Ula, you will find a warm, friendly staff of local folks who love their job. The walls are lined with rotating art for sale. Teas are available from local distributor MEM Teas in Somerville, and everything is bought local when possible. Beautiful, delicious sandwiches made with bread fresh from Cambridge's Hi-Rise Bread Company and an assortment of veggies, spreads, and wholesome out-of-the-ordinary cafe meats like Black Forest Ham. The soup menu changes daily, as do the yummy baked goods including cupcakes, cookies, and scones. You can even stop in for breakfast - hot oatmeal or an egg dish of the day will start your morning off right.

Squeezed between Bikes Not Bombs and The Boston Beer Company in the Jamaica Plain Brewery, Ula Cafe is a real gem and only a short walk from the Stony Brook T stop. Support a local community-based shop that also happens to have exceptional espresso, muffins, and salads. You won't be disappointed.

Ula [MenuPages]
Ula Cafe [Official Site]

[Photo: digiyesica/Flickr]

When the warm weather settles into Boston, there are suddenly people everywhere. What we notice most are that these people are at least one similar thing outside: eating! While there are far too many outdoor patios to mention, we have a few for this time of year.

Our favorite for mid-range pricing and comfortable atmosphere is Harvard Square's Daedalus. With an enormous upstairs patio seating dozens under rafter-secured slow spinning ceiling fans and umbrellas on the deck, the restaurant has something for everyone. Daily risotto and fresh fish specials are always a treat, and a huge drink list rounds out the breezy experience.

Closer to downtown and known as the place to see and be seen, Stephanie's on Newbury is also known for their "sophisticated comfort food." Open year round, the sidewalk patio begins filling up the moment the chairs are put out, and dishes like their lobster salad roll keep even the ladies on the most difficult diets coming back for more. Get a reservation for this one.

And down the road but feeling miles away is our favorite almost-dive, the The Otherside Cafe. Known for catering to the bike messenger crews, OtherSide has over 80 beers, a raw food and vegan menu (as well as a variety of meat-oriented dishes), loud music, relaxed service, and a patio that's first come, first serve. In other words, get there.

Daedalus [Official Site]
Stephanie's on Newbury [Official Site]
The Otherside Cafe [MenuPages]

[Photo: mtoz/Flickr]

First off, we must explain why we love Ethiopian cuisine and its many dishes, all heaped together as one. Injera, the huge, spongey bread on which all the food is presented, is often considered the most notable of the Ethiopian dining experience. Salads, pastes, tender meats, crushed lentils, and stews fill the bread, and everything can be consumed at once, tearing apart the bread to use in place of Western flatware.

Asmara, the smaller and sometimes lesser known Cambridge/Central Square restaurant, is unparalleled because of their unbeatable homemade mead, or honey wine. In business since 1986, diners at Asama are seated around the traditional Mesob, a woven basket-like table that comfortably holds the entire shared meal. You'd better like your dinner companions if you suggest this place.

Addis Red Sea, a staple of the South End culinary scene, expanded last year to a Porter Square Cambridge location as well. A bit more Westernized than Asmara, table or Mesob seating options are available, and the standard range of mild to spicy foods are also up for communal dining debate. Are they giving their competition a run for their birr? This remains to be seen.

Asmara [Official Site]
Addis Red Sea [Official Site]

[Photo: LollyKint/Flickr]

Everyone we know seems love to Helmand, a few blocks from Kendall and right next to the Cambridgeside Galleria. Serving up some of the best food and wine in town, it's no wonder tables are tough to reserve on the weekends. Their giant oven warms the spacious dining room, and guests would perform an amazing feat if they left hungry. Specializing in the traditional pallow rice (challow for vegetarians), they feature a wide variety of lamb, beef, and chicken dishes, while their vegetarian options are equally appealing.

But, despite Helmand's notoriety, our personal favorite is the lesser known, equally delicious Ali Baba Tandoor, tucked on Mass Ave. between Porter and Davis Squares. Because prices and quality are comparable, we like this little known gem for its family appeal. Recently opening for lunch, Ali Baba Tandoor serves amazingly fresh bread, tasty chutneys, and makes the best salad with pomegranate dressing you've ever had. Their lamb is on a visible skewer in the corner just outside the kitchen, and their vegetarian sampler is the best mix of baby pumpkin, okra, and spinach in town. Need further incentive? Try the hot homemade pickles or Sheerberaing (rice pudding) for dessert. We promise you won't be disappointed.

Helmand [Official Site]
Ali Baba Tandoor [Official Site]

[Photo: Jeff Kubina/Flickr]

Chef Bruce is known for his passion and commitment to the best pairings, and his twenty-plus years of experience are obvious to anyone able to attend this summer's best kept secret. Seasonal Sips, happening every Thursday (except July 3rd, in observance of Independence Day) from 5:30-7pm, features a weekly array of the best pinots, Rieslings, and burgundys from around the globe.

We had the unparalleled opportunity to stop in for this early evening rendezvous this week, and we couldn't have been more pleased with the courteous service and knowledgeable team. More informal than suspected, guests ventured in well past 6pm, enjoying the warm atmosphere and discussions about the delicacy of pinot grapes. In between pours, trays of tuna tartar and duck with cranberries circled with bar. Lounging at the bar turned into dinner for some, and even those who excused themselves early had certainly consumed their fill.

Overlooking the beautiful harbor and in an area packed with all sort of summer festivities, every night of the week, Seasonal Sips is one of the better - if not the best - weekly wine tastings this summer.

Call Meritage for information or to reserve, 617.439.3995. $25/person

Meritage [Official Site]

[Photo: theonetruedevo/Flickr]

Rumor has it that the last time Boston foodies had their necessary fill of Burmese food, it was sometime in the '90s. Thankfully, YoMa has had its Allston doors wide open for well over a year, filling a niche we had all been missing.

There are many things to love about YoMa, from the simple dining room to the unpretentious plates to the excellent service you'll receive, no matter what time of day you stop in for a bite. The prices are incredibly low, even for Allston, and a menu for omnivores or vegetarians is available on request.

If you come in extra hungry (and well, you really should...), start with a sampler appetizer platter or the BuThee Jaw (fried long squash), and for lunch or dinner, our favorites include the Chicken Curry with Potato and the ShwePaYonTheeHin, a tempting combination of sweet pumpkin, tomatoes, and tofu. Trust us on the appetizer suggestion; even if you suspect it's too much goodness, you won't be too full for your entree. There is something almost magical about the YoMa portions. No matter who you are or what your body needs, the meal sizes are filling without guilt, the perfect size. We wish we knew how they do it.

Finishing off every meal with Htanyet, or Jaggery-based palm candies, is an unprecedented treat in an era where even a cheap dinner mint is appreciated. The warm, family-run establishment has become a second home for a few of us, and we suggest the same for you.

YoMa [MenuPages]
YoMa [Official Site]

[Photo: Andreas Haugstrup Pedersen/23.com, used with permission]

Reef Cafe has the best Lebanese falafel in town, and it is an absolute treat to visit this tiny eatery. With mom in the kitchen and friendly son Salaam up front, Reef is the best family-run establishment in Allston Rock City. Cold Vimto and other sodas in the cooler plus daily specials round out the menu, and late hours keep everyone happy. Call ahead - they'll have it ready if you're on the go, in usually ten minutes or less.

While not always everyone's first choice (most notably due to the high prices), Rami's in Brookline serves soft Israeli falafel with a variety of veggies in a pita pocket. Keeping completely kosher - no outside food or drinks of any kind allowed in - these thin pockets contain a great variety of greens, tomatoes, and a delicious tahini and hummus covering the fresh, fluffy falafels.

If Cambridge is the place you call home, you're lucky to have Moody's Falafel Palace on Mass Ave., in the heart of Central Square and open later than most of its neighboring restaurants. A drunk's destination after the bars close on the weekends (open until 3am!), it's also a lunch attraction for a reason. Their prices are low, their lentil soup is always warm, and the taste can't be beat on that side of the riverbank.

Reef Cafe [MenuPages]
Rami's [MenuPages]
Moody's Falalfel Palace [MenuPages]

[Photo: Avlxyz/Flickr]

Picco in the South End features what some might consider the Little League Park of foods: pizza and ice cream. But the fare at Picco is anything but child's play. Their homemade ice cream is the richest around, including a coffee that will keep your brain buzzing for hours and a hot fudge made from delectable Scharffen Berger chocolate. Their pizzas are amazing - we love the simple Neapolitan with fresh tomatoes and basil - and their four-cheese macaroni with cheddar, Gruyere, taleggio, and Romano is to die for. And while not food related, how cool is it that they have free wifi?

Starting, well, now, Picco is also featuring fresh ricotta from their own kitchen. As if their pizzas weren't delicious enough and often a rotating special pie is the dish du jour, you can now add in-house cheese to your already yummy pizza or pasta. With an ever-rotating drink menu that has recently added draft and craft beers, we couldn't be more pleased with this neighborhood hot spot. It's definitely worth a trip from another part of town.

Picco Restaurant [Official Site]

[Photo: Zesmereida/Flickr]

For most vegetarians, knowing where to grab the best egg salad sandwiches in town is a must. Carbs, protein, and the occasional veggies are a great lunch on the go, and if you're lucky, they're sometimes big enough for two meals.

Take the overstuffed version from Rubin's. Packed to overflowing with nothing but the best kosher egg salad Brookline has to offer, it's hard to find a better deal on such an enormous NY-style sandwich. The Rubin's style salad can also be picked up any time from their deli, made fresh and for sale by the pound.

If you find yourself in Cambridge, we go with the overwhelming recommendations and point you in the direction of Darwin's Ltd. Right outside Harvard Square, this little cafe and grocery has free wifi and pretty crazy made-to-order sandwiches, including a strange but delicious variety of our pal, egg salad. We admit this is a non-conformist choice, but we love the topping selection (avocado!) and the slightly vinegary mix of egg and...something else? We can't be sure about anything but the good price and the way it this sandwich can calm our craving.

We also recommend heading a bit further north, halfway to Arlington, and stopping by Pemberton Farms. Known for the lush garden center, Pemberton also has a fully stocked deli and though their egg salad isn't available every day, it is consistently some of the best we've found. Get it to go on marble rye with tomato. Outstanding.

Rubin's Kosher Deli [Official Site]
Darwin's Ltd. [Official Site]
Pemberton Farms [Official Site]

[Photo: star5112/Flickr]

Father's Day is just around the corner, prompting many of us to consider where to take the special men in our lives for lunch. We're big fans of Boston brunch done right, and since not too any area restaurants go all out with Father's Day menus, we've picked a few of our favorites that have a little something for everyone.

[Fire & Ice], with locations all over town, has fresh mixes to please a crowd. We think you can't go wrong with their selection and variety, and it's one of our top choices for a diverse group with special needs and desires.

Beacon Hill's infamous [Paramount] has brunch options for everyone. From waffles topped with heaps of fruit to sandwiches and sweet potato fries, their menu is always a treat. Not great for large groups, their rotating seating process somehow still works after all these years.

[Tremont 647] features fast, friendly service and a diverse menu, particularly suited for the brunch-seeking folk. Huge slabs of savory bacon and potatoes with your meal make us smile. They also have excellent drinks from the bar and fresh OJ to keep your hydrated in the heat!

Fire & Ice [Official Site]
Paramount [Official Site]
Tremont 647 [Official Site]

[Photo: urabnshoregirl/Flickr]

Boston has no shortage of excellent Japanese fare, but the new kid in town - Genki Ya in Brookline - is about the best there is for a price almost anyone can afford. Taking over the space Nori used to occupy, Genki Ya is a welcome addition to the neighborhood.

Genki Ya specializes in organic, all natural Japanese cuisine. Their large, diverse menu caters to vegans and omnivores alike, with something for everyone in between. Lunch specials run no higher than $12, some combos under $10. Appetizers range from simple miso and house salads to the more exotic (we recommend the Ohidashi, organic spinach with a delicious house sesame sauce). For the seafood lovers, be sure to try the Alligator and Crazy rolls - both huge and both wonderful. Vegetarians and vegans will be especially pleased to find a wide variety of veggie and fruit rolls, including our favorite Hawaii roll, mixing flavors from fresh mango, avocado, and tempura sweet potato. And, party platters for any size group are also available.

The place has been slammed since they opened several weeks ago, but their service is consistently friendly as they get into a solid groove. Good news travels fast. If you don't opt for take-out, go for a late lunch on the weekend and hope you can find a seat!

Genki Ya, 398 Harvard Avenue, Brookline, (617) 277-3100

[Photo: | Sage/Flickr]

We thought last week was bad. With temperatures reaching season highs for this year, we're a cranky bunch unless we find something to keep us cool. Enter these fine local establishments with some of the best iced coffee and espresso beverages in town.

Francesca's Espresso Bar in the South End has some of the best coffee beans that side of the river. Sample their iced coffee, available as regular or decaf, and then grab a bag of beans to go. We've heard their staff can be a little dramatic or inattentive, but their decaf cold coffee - a rare find - is worth the potential fuss. Try pairing your beverage with one of their enormous cupcakes!

One of Allston's newest gems, 2nd Cup Cafe, features a wide variety of teas, coffees, and homemade pastries and sandwiches, all reasonably priced and delicious at that! But while their falafel wraps may be yummy, we love this Brighton Avenue location for coffee on the run. Try their lattes or an Americano - pretty amazing. They always have iced coffee on hand too, which we adore.

New addition to Harvard Square, Crema Cafe has a great drink menu full of fun and creativity. Very friendly staff will create just about anything you can dream of, and the cafe atmosphere is great if you need a place to rest your feet for a while.

Even the Paris Creperie, not particularly known for their coffee, has a delicious brew worth stopping for. We like the Brookline and Beacon Hill location equally - you can't go wrong with their winning combo of fresh and sweet goodies and a good house blend to boot.

Francesca's Espresso Bar [MenuPages]
2nd Cup Cafe [Official Site]
Crema Cafe [Official Site]
Paris Creperie [Official Site]

[Photo: sfllaw/Flickr]

Boston may be of the nation's largest cities, but it's also one that sleeps. After midnight, pickings become slim, and a knowledgeable foodie needs to know where to get his or her eat on. Here are some of our favorite places to find good eats after midnight while simultaneously avoiding the cramped pizza joints filled with drunk college kids.

Franklin Cafe in the South End serves a full menu until 1am every night and is a neighborhood favorite. Even folks from around town trek down south for their eclectic samplings and creative drink menu.

North End gem Bova's Bakery serves food all night long, provided you're cool with loud hair metal as a soundtrack for eating your calzone (and we definitely are). The usually one-man staff is extremely friendly and classic Beantown.

Back Bay's The Otherside Cafe serves late on the patio and inside, proudly featuring Boston's first raw menu in addition to their vegan and vegetarian staples. With killer beer, coffee, and tea menus, the place is packed into the night for a reason.

Franklin Cafe [Official Site]
Bova's Bakery [Official Site]
The Otherside Cafe [MenuPages]

[Photo: LearningToSee/Flickr]

With temperatures reaching into the 80s this week, more than one thirsty Bostonian struck out in search of refreshment. Sumer is officially here, and we never turn down an opportunity to consume frozen dairy. With ice cream obsessions that only become worse in the warm weather, we've been on the prowl for the best frappes and milkshakes in town.

Herrell's Renaissance Cafe in Allston features a variety of ice cream flavors, and their laid back staff is always playing some serious rock to accompany your frozen fixations. We dig the local scene and characters who often populate the corner cafe, but watch out for the guaranteed brain freeze that comes free of charge with your selection.

Open notoriously late, until midnight in most neighborhoods, J.P. Licks is a local favorite and rarely fails to meet our high expectations. Their mostly-student staff is consistently friendly, and their shakes are thick and rich. We love mixes that include white coffee or their classic chocolate. Also keep an eye peeled for their seasonal Sox/Pats-themed specials.

Emack & Bolio's also keeps us cool with their amazing concoctions. A wide variety of smoothies on the menu are a great warm weather treat, but we secretly pine for their deliciously thick frappes. A cake batter milkshake anyone?

Tell us your local milkshake must-haves and keep a look-out for more summery treat suggestions as the summer swelter sets in on us!

Herrell's [Official Site]
JP Licks [Official Site]
Emack and Bolio's [Official Site]

We think it's brunch season in Boston, though one may argue that it never isn't brunch season. Something about the birds chirping and the sun shining and the breeze drifting down the streets makes us want to get up late and saunter into our favorite brunch spots. We brunch a lot, so our top picks are everywhere.

• You may consider the Globe Bar & Cafe a popular Boylston St. bar. It is that, so it's fitting that they seek to take care of you when you come back in the morning. Try the smoked salmon benedict, with warm focaccia and mixed greens.

• In Union Square in Somerville is a hidden gem called simply the Neighborhood Restaurant. You can sit outside under a ton of grape vines, and you are given the option of orange juice or coffee, grits or fruit salad. You are not paying for those. The menu is filled with everyone's brunch staples, and the food is plentiful. No wonder there's a line.

• The community feel of Veggie Planet Pizza makes the food taste even better, we think. Waffles covered in nuts and berries are delicious, and even the vegans in your life can enjoy the tofu scramble. With nice music (of course - it's at Passim!), this is a calm and fuzzy-feeling brunch.

Globe Bar and Cafe [Official Site]
Neighborhood Restaurant [Chowhound]
Veggie Planet [Official Site]

[Photo: Foodaphilia]

Oh, the humidity! The air is like shaving cream, and our spirits and feet are dragging! What could possibly save the day? Oh, right: Italian soda! What can be more refreshing than a cold and sparkling water flavored lightly with sugary syrup? We've replaced our afternoon coffee with it, with a little help from these guys...

• Espresso Royale Cafe never flavors their sodas too much, and the flavors they have are many. Our favorites are blackberry and raspberry, but the word from the friendly baristas is the new banana syrup is surprisingly delicious, as well.
• A raspberry soda from 1369 Coffee House is a little too sweet for our taste, but we know many people like their Italian sodas saturated in color. If that's your bag, you've found a home in Inman. Or Central.
• Being a Spanish cafe, Cafe Pamplona doesn't seem like the prime spot for Italian anything. Believe us, though - it is one of the best! Bonus: you can sip it on the Bow St. patio.

Espresso Royale Cafe [Official Site]
1369 Coffee House [Official Site]

[Photo: Small World Coffee]

It's strange when the local newspapers are mostly occupied by coverage of every graduation on this side of the state, but we all know what it means: the students are leaving, and we have our city back! Here are some on-campus favorites you can't try outside of summer and winter breaks.

Boston University The Terriers have gone home, and now we have Comm Ave. back! Sort of. At the very least, enjoy Noodle St without hearing about what a drag it is to be studying pre-med while researching the best residencies in the country. Pick your own topic of conversation and your own curry dish. We recommend the yellow curry to those who seek out the mild but are ready to kick it up a notch.

Harvard University The charms of Grendel's Den in the summer far outweigh their school-year counterparts. Go for their express lunch and have a soup and half-sandwich combo - maybe even sneak in a half-pitcher of sangria before you head back to work. We won't tell.

Northeastern University: Okay, we all know that the best way to shave off some of that 5-year degree that goes along with co-op is to go to school in the summer. So no, you cannot go to Tigerlily and avoid the NU DogHouse at the same time. We would, however, highly recommend a walk in the opposite direction on Huntington. The Squealing Pig offers a fine selection of beers (we like the Franziskaner hefeweizen) and rather delicious food (like the brie and cranberry toasted sandwich).

Noodle St. [Official Site]
Grendel's Den [Official Site]
Tigerlily [MenuPages]
The Squealing Pig [MenuPages]

[Photo: La Shawn Barber's Corner]

Of all the places in Boston one can have a picnic, the Arboretum is our favorite. With lush grass, bubbling brooks, and thousands of varieties of plants and trees, it is the perfect urban escape, with only the occasional skyline landmark peeking out behind the trees. Due to its many iron gate entrances, takeout options around the border are plentiful.

• On Centre St., between Knoll St. and Weld St., is one of the best Mexican restaurants in the Roslindale area. Yucatan, which also has a location on Washington St., has a fine selection of "Mexican food made by Mexicans". We are absolutely hooked on the ceviche.
• Village Sushi and Grill is located on Corinth St. in Roslindale, and has been making the Square smell good since it opened. Even if you don't like sushi, there is a maki for you. Our favorite? Idaho Maki, with sweet potato tempura rolled up in rice.
• Wapo Taco on Poplar St. is tiny, family-owned, and has a special - six tacos for six dollars! What makes Wapo special is that they make a lot of vegetarian options. Not just rice and beans, though - they make use of soy-based protein as well, for those of us who miss the ground beef tacos we appreciated so much in our youth.

Village Sushi and Grill[Official Site]
Wapo Taco [Dwellings]

[Photo: Emerald Necklace Conservancy]

What is Pimm's? It's gin-based, with an otherwise top-secret recipe that features herbs and spices. The Pimm's Cup is Pimm's served with lemonade (or lemon soda, or ginger ale), cucumber, mint leaves, and lemon, orange, and strawberry. Very refreshing, we daresay, and it's fun to think that's what they sip at the Henley Royal Regatta.

We recently traveled to London, and were delighted to find that we could buy a bottle of our favorite British beverage when we came home. Pimm's, while not yet popular in the States after nearly 200 years, can be bought by the bottle in some liquor stores. What we were even more excited about was the fact that we could order it in some of our favorite bars and restaurants. Brilliant!

• Our first Stateside foray into Pimm's at a bar was where we learned that you can't ask just anyone for a Pimm's Cup. The senior bartender at the Milky Way Lounge & Lanes recommended a number of good mixers, and we settled on a Pimm's and Ginger, which was garnished with lime.

• Miracle of Science (by the MIT Museum, on Mass Ave) serves their Pimm's in a pint glass, garnished with a cucumber! Probably the closest approximation of a Pimm's Cup.

• We've applauded Silvertone Bar & Grill for their mac and cheese, but their British Isles motif is surely conducive to an enjoyable Pimm's-drinking experience. Bonus points to the bartender, who was apologetic for the lack of cucumbers.

Milky Way Lounge and Lanes [Official Site]
Silvertone [Official Site]

[Photo: The Publican]